JC Parks lays out 50-plus project list and timelines, warns $30 million in needs exceed current annual funding
May 21, 2026 | Gautier City, Jackson County, Mississippi
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JC Parks officials presented a multi-year capital plan that lists roughly 50 projects totaling more than $30 million and described a schedule of near-term park projects that staff say require predictable CIP funding.
Aaron Gufreth, director of JC Parks, said recent work funded from CIP dollars includes Greenwell Trail improvements, basketball court replacements at Memorial Park, skate park repairs, a digital sign and amphitheater work at Ellis Porter Park, a pickleball complex and the Ellis Porter pavilion renovation.
Looking ahead, staff said East Miller Park is slated for bid in 2026 and will include a playground renovation, restroom upgrades, lighting and sidewalk work; Memorial Pool repairs are estimated at about $1.5 million and targeted for 2027 to address pumps and filters; Washington Park is a candidate for an inclusive playground in 2028; and Ellis Porter playground is on a later schedule (2029) because of surfacing and replacement timing concerns.
Gufreth told attendees the department relies on a combination of a dedicated parks sales tax (passed in 2004, no sunset, which generates about $7 million annually), program income and grants; he said roughly 66% of the parks budget is ongoing and non-discretionary, about 50% goes to personnel (approximately $5.5 million), and the department also pays an administrative chargeback of about $763,000 to the city.
He described a capital improvements committee made up of two parks commissioners and three staff that developed a prioritized list; the group estimates the combined project list will exceed roughly $30 million and said prioritization will balance urgent infrastructure needs (for example parking-lot overlays) against discretionary or staff-requested projects.
In response to audience questions, staff said the parks share of CIP revenue is expected to remain at about 10% in the near term (roughly $700,000 a year) and that the city will continue outreach—recorded sessions, social media and a non-staff campaign team—to educate voters ahead of the August ballot.
The presentation closed with staff offering to follow up with attendees and to post the recorded sessions online for those who could not attend.
Aaron Gufreth, director of JC Parks, said recent work funded from CIP dollars includes Greenwell Trail improvements, basketball court replacements at Memorial Park, skate park repairs, a digital sign and amphitheater work at Ellis Porter Park, a pickleball complex and the Ellis Porter pavilion renovation.
Looking ahead, staff said East Miller Park is slated for bid in 2026 and will include a playground renovation, restroom upgrades, lighting and sidewalk work; Memorial Pool repairs are estimated at about $1.5 million and targeted for 2027 to address pumps and filters; Washington Park is a candidate for an inclusive playground in 2028; and Ellis Porter playground is on a later schedule (2029) because of surfacing and replacement timing concerns.
Gufreth told attendees the department relies on a combination of a dedicated parks sales tax (passed in 2004, no sunset, which generates about $7 million annually), program income and grants; he said roughly 66% of the parks budget is ongoing and non-discretionary, about 50% goes to personnel (approximately $5.5 million), and the department also pays an administrative chargeback of about $763,000 to the city.
He described a capital improvements committee made up of two parks commissioners and three staff that developed a prioritized list; the group estimates the combined project list will exceed roughly $30 million and said prioritization will balance urgent infrastructure needs (for example parking-lot overlays) against discretionary or staff-requested projects.
In response to audience questions, staff said the parks share of CIP revenue is expected to remain at about 10% in the near term (roughly $700,000 a year) and that the city will continue outreach—recorded sessions, social media and a non-staff campaign team—to educate voters ahead of the August ballot.
The presentation closed with staff offering to follow up with attendees and to post the recorded sessions online for those who could not attend.
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