Parks and Recreation Board 4-1-26

The City of San Angelo Parks and Recreation Board held a meeting on April 1, 2026, focusing on several procurement and budget-related topics. The board approved waiving the rental fee for the Kirby Park Pavilion for a private nonprofit event, the Children's Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, with a 4-1 vote, while emphasizing the need to develop a formal policy for nonprofit fee waivers in the future. They also discussed leasing Ben Fickland Field to a youth sports organization for $500 annually, with the lessee responsible for maintenance and potential improvements, and recommended moving forward with the lease agreement. Additionally, a civil engineering capstone team from Angelo State University presented conceptual plans for stormwater runoff improvements and water reuse at Civic League Park, proposing infrastructure upgrades including a new dam and irrigation system, which the board supported for further consideration. The board also discussed funding strategies for replacing the Kids Kingdom playground, highlighting the urgency of securing approximately $1.2 million in funding for 2027 to avoid closure, and reviewed public feedback from a river parks master plan survey. Operational updates on summer preparations for pools, splash pads, and recreational programs were also provided.