Oak Hills Park Authority hears nature‑center and tennis updates, introduces new assistant golf pro

The Oak Hills Park Authority received a set of operational updates at its May meeting: the nature center reported ongoing trail and drainage repairs and a food‑forest planting; the tennis program reopened courts and started leagues; and the golf operation added an assistant pro to support growing junior programming.

Mary Burrell, representing the nature advisory committee, said volunteers and staff remediated a drainage issue at the alternative lawn, re‑started an educational lecture series that drew 70–80 people for a composting talk, and will plant 12 serviceberries on the Great Lawn in partnership with the city’s Parks & Recreation interns. She said a pilot food‑forest project is under way and a BioBlitz citizen‑science event is planned for September.

Arlen Domini, the tennis professional, reported that nets, windscreens and court lines were installed in early May and the facility held a May 9 opening event with equipment demos and just over 60 players in attendance; he said three men’s and three women’s league teams have started and camps and events will ramp up in June. Denise of Friends of Tennis said she would join slightly late and deferred her detailed report until she was present.

Nick, the golf professional, introduced assistant pro Vince (Vinnie) Velez, a local hire who recently graduated with a sports‑management degree and will work in the pro shop and assist programs three shifts a week. Nick said junior golf programming is sold out and that adding Vince will help reduce turnaways; the Authority welcomed his hiring as a boost to customer service and program capacity.

The chair opened public participation and staff recorded one attendee, Sarah Sproch, who had no comments.

Separately, superintendent Jim Shell reported routine operations but noted two equipment items: the turf roller is out of service awaiting parts from Canada and the Authority has arranged a temporary loaner if available. The board thanked outgoing members and commended staff for increased programming and operational improvements.

The meeting approved the minutes from April by voice vote and agreed to reconvene a small working group to finalize budget options before the June vote.