Parks department and neighborhood councils request bath house and modest concession at Samuel Bolden Park; committee seeks eligibility guidance

Chris Brooks of Parks & Recreation and neighborhood council representatives presented a proposal to build a bath house and concession area at Samuel Bolden Park.

Brooks described a 22 by 36‑foot structure that would contain separate restrooms, a concession window and a back room for storage and refrigeration. He told the committee the full project is “roughly $309,000” and that the applicant is seeking $250,000 in CPA funds while pursuing CDBG or other matches.

Committee members asked whether restrooms and a concession are CPA‑eligible. Staff reported they had consulted the CPC coalition and were told that parking and modest accessory structures (including bathrooms and modest bleachers) that are accessory to recreation can be eligible, but that the CPC must decide whether to recommend funding. Questions also covered operating hours, whether restrooms would be publicly accessible outside scheduled games, maintenance responsibilities and whether neighborhood groups would run concessions.

Neighborhood representatives emphasized that the facility would support regional programming and reduce reliance on porta‑potties. The Parks presenter said concessions and restrooms would typically be open when organized games or rentals occur; coaches could have key access during practices.

The committee asked the applicant to provide any additional neighborhood notifications or letters of support and to clarify maintenance/operations details by May 21 for deliberation.