Heath staff reports: parks reorganization, Hubbard Drive, water infrastructure and Town Center Park timetable

City staff updated the Park Board on organizational and capital project changes that will affect parks operations and city infrastructure.

Chelsea Gordon said staff split parks out of public works into a separate parks and recreation department to strengthen maintenance and small‑project delivery. "John Dallas... has now become our parks and recreation manager," Gordon said, and staff expect to add four maintenance workers and an additional position funded in part by the EDC/NBC.

Public works and project updates included a Hubbard Drive improvement project listed at $5,470,000 in the packet and reported as awarded to Apple Pavement Services at the Nov. 5 city council meeting; staff said mobilization would begin within weeks and the contract term is 360 days. Water infrastructure updates noted pilot drilling and testing on wells, designs under way for wells 2–4, a 1.5‑million‑gallon elevated storage tank awarded to Garber Engineering (Aug. 26, 2025) and a 3,000,000‑gallon ground storage tank contract also with Garber.

Staff also described a city–county interlocal agreement (ILA) for Terry Lane reconstruction with a $2,000,000 allocation for panel replacements and associated trail construction; homeowner easements are being pursued for a 10‑foot trail along Terry Lane. Town Center Park construction is progressing rapidly, staff showed aerials, and they said a soft opening around Easter is the target for a festival/5K activation with accessible swings, pickleball and basketball courts, and a pond irrigated by the new well.

The board thanked staff, welcomed new personnel and took no formal action on the capital project reports.