Commission reviews park upgrades, hears restroom design update and considers library sculpture donation

The Denison Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed a slate of park projects and considered accepting a donated butterfly sculpture for the Denison Public Library.

Amanda Parsons, director of parks and recreation, told the commission staff supports accepting a donated butterfly sculpture — a companion to a previously installed Casney Studios piece — and requested approval to install it in the library’s butterfly garden. "We are asking for approvals at this time for us to receive that donation so that we can get that installed," Parsons said.

Park superintendent Clint Neil delivered a broad update on capital and maintenance work across the system. He reported trail clearing and replacement of multiple aging bridges on the Ly Lake Trails to address long-term overgrowth and runoff; construction of separated small- and large-dog areas with ramps and play features at Forest Park to serve downtown residents; and new, historically sympathetic signage installed at Mson Park.

Neil also described an inclusivity-focused signage installation at THF Park to help visitors with communication needs, renovations to concession stands that replaced rotten siding and were repainted with donated labor, and a new neighborhood playground at Legacy Park. To meet forthcoming NCAA Division III requirements and enhance player safety, staff installed custom padding on hard surfaces at THF ballfields so the city can continue to host tournaments that bring revenue.

The department acquired five new LED scoreboards for THF with advertisement panels and plans to repurpose existing THF scoreboards at other fields around the city that need updating.

Neil noted Waterl Lake Regional Park received recognition as a Lonear Legacy Park earlier in the year; staff displayed the bronze-plated sign and described award criteria that included longevity and park condition.

On procurement, staff updated the commission on the Mson Park restroom: initial prefab bids were deemed cost-prohibitive, reuse of Forest Park plans raised legal/design concerns, and the project is now with an architect to develop city-owned blueprints before the department reissues a bid. The timeline and bid pricing were not specified in the meeting record.

Commissioners moved to accept the sculpture donation and handled additional procedural motions on the record; however, the transcript does not include a clear final vote tally or the named seconder for every motion.