Parks department reports revenue gains at Reed Golf Course, proposes 2026 budgets; playground addition planned

City parks staff told the Appleton Parks and Recreation Committee that Reed Golf Course is exceeding last year’s revenues and that proposed 2026 budgets for Reed and for Parks & Recreation are essentially status-quo proposals designed to maintain current services.

Director Gazza said the department’s revenues at Reed are exceeding last year’s totals and that the department has been "very responsible" in handling debt associated with the course; he said the course’s debt is nearly paid off and that no major budgetary changes are proposed. "Our revenues are exceeding last year's revenues and we're doing good on expenses," Gazza said.

On the Parks & Recreation proposed budget, Gazza noted a planned adjustment to the playground program: the department will add an additional playground site in response to public input. Staff will finish outreach via a site survey to identify the most suitable location (Peabody, Columbus, a school site, or another city site). Committee members recommended allowing planning to slip into the next calendar months so outreach can be effective.

The committee also reviewed special revenue funds (donations and reserved funds). Director Gazza said there are funds available from past donations but no immediate need to tap them in the 2026 budget.

Ending: The committee received the reports as informational items; the budgets will move forward through the usual budget process.