Parks committee weighs pickleball, pier access, bathrooms and parking for 2027 budget

The Parks Committee reviewed potential capital projects for the 2027 parks budget and discussed sequencing projects to maximize impact.

Members debated whether to concentrate funds to fully renovate one park per year rather than spreading smaller allocations across many sites. Suggested priorities included pickleball courts (previously scheduled in the five-year plan), playground replacements, a bathroom building at Schmuffle Park and parking improvements near Columbia/Railroad Street. A member noted a pier/access project had vocal local support tied to earlier land donation conditions and suggested honoring access intent if feasible; other members said cost estimates and vendor quotes were required before prioritizing high-cost items. "If it's something that is not a low-hanging fruit and it's a huge barrier to entry to make it good enough, then that I think would be a deprioritized item," one committee member said, urging trade-off analysis.

Staff was directed to gather quotes for piers, pickleball courts and playground equipment so the committee can make a budget recommendation in time for the village board's September budgeting process.