Springfield Parks outlines terrace upkeep plan, cites $308,000 routine budget and $21,000 for hardscapes

Tom Ash, executive director of Springfield Parks, told the city’s Maintenance and Development subcommittee that terrace care is handled by the Parks Department and limited by current budget constraints. "Hardscapes, we have twice a year, we have about $21,000 for the hardscapes," Ash said during the meeting.

Parks staff said the city has about 190 terraces; routine terrace maintenance is budgeted at roughly $308,000 for the year, and the department contracts Yellowstone Landscape to perform weed‑whacking and spot spraying on paved hardscapes. "We hit them twice in the summer," a Yellowstone representative said, adding that more frequent visits would require additional funding.

Why it matters: terraces and medians affect neighborhood appearance and traffic visibility; councilors raised concerns about overgrown plantings that may block sight lines and asked for clear reporting paths for residents. Ash said most terraces are monitored by division leaders and encouraged residents to submit 311 requests so staff can prioritize problem areas.

Parks staff described the maintenance cadence: terrace mowing is scheduled weekly during the active season and shifts to biweekly as growth slows; hardscapes receive targeted weed control in July and August when growth peaks. Ash acknowledged that budget limits prevent weekly attention to all hardscapes and said staff will respond to specific 311 complaints between scheduled visits.

Councilors also discussed the defunct adopt‑a‑terrace program, which Parks discontinued after volunteers repeatedly stopped maintaining adopted sites. Several councilors suggested piloting a time‑limited or annual sign‑up model; Ash said staff are willing to work with councilors to design an approach if the council wants to pursue one.

What’s next: Parks committed to continuing the current schedule, responding to 311 requests and working with council members who want to explore renewed volunteer partnerships. No formal vote was taken on terrace budgets or new programs at the meeting.