Parks staff present CIP priorities and possible 2026 bond projects including Destination Play Space and 1849 Park phase 3

Parks staff presented the department's capital improvement program and sought the commission's recommendation for projects to advance through the bond advisory and planning-and-zoning processes ahead of a 2026 bond election.

Staff outlined a multi-year CIP extending to 2036 that groups projects by funding phase. Key items highlighted included annual trail improvements guided by the mobility master plan; the Gillen Creek Trail master plan (design selection forthcoming); Destination Play Space at 1849 Park (the department said $5 million is currently funded from the 2020 bond and additional 2026 bond funding would be sought for design and construction); 1849 Park phase 3 concepts (staff said earlier cost estimates have been revised upward and that the current total shown in materials is $25 million for the phase because of added facilities and inflation); Reunion Park (a smaller neighborhood-scale park to honor local history); and a proposed multi-sport athletic complex for future funding consideration.

Staff also discussed project phasing, inflation and escalation assumptions used in cost estimates, and the advantage of developing "shelf-ready" designs to improve grant competitiveness. Commissioners asked how bond funds would be called and staged if the bond package or voter approval differs from current estimates; staff explained a multi-prop approach and noted the city would call bonds as budget capacity and project readiness dictate.

Why it matters: If voters approve bond propositions later this year, the projects would supply new trail connectivity, playground and sports-field infrastructure, nature education facilities and potential land acquisition dollars to fill trail gaps. Staff emphasized community engagement during design and the need to refine operational-cost estimates once project scopes are finalized.

Next steps: The commission voted to forward the CIP recommendation to planning and zoning; staff will continue design work for front-loaded projects and develop grant-ready materials for competitive funding applications.