Primrose Park phase‑2 nears completion; commissioners press staff on infield dirt, safety features and playground design

City parks staff reported on May construction and maintenance updates for Primrose Park and answered commissioners’ questions about safety, timelines and amenity choices.

David (Speaker 7), a parks staff member, said the contractor’s staffing changes slowed final work but that the project is moving toward closeout: permanent bleachers were expected the following week, baseball‑themed bollards would be installed at the main entrance to deter vehicle intrusion, and staff have procured shade structures and other furniture ahead of a planned grand opening. David said some pay applications are still being processed but that the project is on track for the summer.

Public Works staffer Abram Lopez (Speaker 5) outlined the weekly maintenance schedule for Primrose—trash pickup, mowing, dragging the infields, chalking/striping, aeration, fertilizing and insect control. Several commissioners and attendees raised concerns that recent heavy rains had washed away topsoil and left pebbles, wood chunks and other debris in the infield. One commissioner said she had video evidence showing “rocks” and “wood chunks” embedded in the playing surface. Lopez said crews will regrade affected areas, create a stockpile of red clay and use the dragger to sift out debris; he asked for patience while staff addressed erosion and scheduling issues with the contractor.

The commission reviewed three playground concept renderings for phase 3. Commissioners favored a more rustic, wood‑element design (option 2) that would better match the Primrose Park aesthetic and provide visibility for parents; staff polled the commission informally and took direction to move forward with design development for that option.

The commission also discussed safety netting and the possibility of additional foul‑ball netting between diamonds; staff said pricing had been obtained and the issue will be revisited as field usage grows. The baseball‑field grand opening was postponed to June 13 to protect fields from early heavy use.

Next steps: staff will continue punch‑list work with the contractor, finalize installation of permanent bleachers and bollards, bring playground concept designs forward for formal review, and schedule additional field‑safety pricing for the commission to consider.