Committee hears operations updates on signage, dog‑park festival, stadium lighting and rec‑center status

Committee members asked staff about park signage, littering language and enforcement; staff confirmed some parks lack drug‑free zone signage and said those signs originated through a state statute but agreed to explore adding consistent language to park kiosks and consolidated signs.

"The drug free zone signs came about when that state statute was enacted," the Parks and Recreation Director said when describing how sign language originated and how the department might apply consistent signage across parks.

The director described the dog park as a citizen‑created amenity maintained through fundraising and committee support, noting three fenced areas (large dog, small dog and training) and a planned festival event organized by the dog‑park committee.

On Mansfield Stadium, staff said additional funding approved in the recent budget will allow replacement of aging fixtures (some dating to 1992) with more efficient LED lighting; procurement (purchase order / RFP) is the next step.

The director reported a successful movie night event with roughly "6 almost 700 attendees," and said the July waterfront season includes 11–12 events. The rec center remains "a work in progress" while staff consult counsel on next steps.

The committee agreed to skip its August meeting and reconvene on September 10.