Parks Department lays out year of renovations and events, flags staff shortages and delayed grant spending

Leland, who delivered the department's director-level report, said department staff completed multiple renovation projects and hosted more events this year while continuing to struggle with staffing levels.

"We will definitely utilize those funds," Leland said of $200,000 in prevention-intervention-treatment (PIT) funds the department received late this year, adding that staff turnover and late funding timing slowed planned expenditures.

The slide-driven year-in-review presented by Graham highlighted renovated gyms and community centers at Dunbar, East Little Rock, Southwest and Stevens; a new roof at Dunbar; reopening of West Central ballfields; repaving of parts of Two Rivers Trail; and renovations at War Memorial Playground. Graham said summer day camp enrollment reached 923 campers this year, a 14% increase over last year, and that gym attendance and program revenue were up roughly 67% year to date through October.

On finances, Graham noted the department had about 5% of its budget remaining as of Dec. 1 this year, compared with 1% at the same time last year. Leland and staff said the department also relies in part on contract labor (about $300,000) to maintain roughly 30 parks because staffing capacity has been reduced since 2019.

Commissioners and staff discussed workforce capacity in detail. Staff said the department is budgeted for approximately 131 positions and is at about 80% of that level (roughly 10526 filled), with maintenance and field positions hardest to recruit because of the physical demands and CDL requirements. Angela (parks staff) confirmed exit interviews are being used to collect reasons for turnover.

The presentation also covered volunteer-led recovery work after the 2023 tornado, with crews moving hundreds of cubic yards of dirt and removing debris at Reservoir Park and Morehart Park, and marketing metrics showing about 2 million views and 18,100 followers across platforms.

The commission asked staff to refine a slide that summarizes ongoing challenges and suggested adding an explicit "challenges" or "what we need from the board" slide for the upcoming presentation to the Board of Directors. Leland said he can present a condensed version of the I-30 Crossing/master-plan slides that were shown to the board and will work with commissioners on timing for a board presentation early next year.

The commission will discuss the department's goals and a dashboard proposal at the retreat and expects to finalize the presentation for the board in the first quarter of next year.