Commissioners push for updated parks and pathways master plan, eye bond dollars and land priorities

Commissioners urged the city to update its parks and pathways master plan to guide how bond funds from 2025 will be used for land acquisition and facilities.

One commissioner noted that with Eagle Landing largely in use and Primrose moving into phase 3, the city should decide what additional land purchases would be used for and whether to prioritize regional sports complexes, parklets or pocket parks. Staff said the trail/pathways master plan was scheduled for an update and that a pathway/master-plan update had a projected cost of about $200,000 for fiscal year 2028; staff recommended a two‑phase approach that first focuses on potential regional‑park acquisition tied to bond dollars and then reassesses impacts at other parks.

Commissioners suggested involving the Parks and Recreation Commission in consultant selection and stressed that the commission should be involved from project start rather than presented with a finished plan. Suggestions included adding multipurpose fields that could support soccer, football and lacrosse; skate‑park or e‑bike destination areas; and sand volleyball amenities to broaden programming for girls and adults. Staff said they have a proposal and are planning to break the work into phases to reduce near‑term cost and that they would bring candidate properties to the commission when they identify viable options.

Why it matters: Updating master plans helps ensure bond proceeds and park funds match community priorities and site constraints and informs decisions about land purchases and facility types.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with planning steps to scope consultant work, explore phasing options and bring scope and cost details back to the commission for input and participation in selection.