Phoenix Parks Board Faces Historic Privatization Challenge as Arcadian Square Threatens Public Crosscut Canal Park Access

Good evening everyone. It's officially five o'clock and uh we have quorum. Thank you fellow board members. So we'll go ahead and officially call this meeting to order. The first item is information item and it will be provided to the board in writing and not intended for formal presentation. You all got your updates on the code of conduct. So item three, consent items. Consent items will be provided to the board in writing and are not intended for formal presentation.

Consent items may be voted on collectively unless a board member requests that any item be voted on separately. And if we want to have a formal presentation. So before we go to the vote, would any board member like a formal presentations on items 3A through 3E or any questions? Having none, I need a motion to approve items 3A through 3E. Mr. Chairman, I'll move approval. Second. Thank you. All those in favor, please say I. I. Motion carries.

So, item four, information and discussion items will be presented verbally to the parks board and are for discussion only. No action will take place on these items at this meeting. Uh, Mr. Chair, we do have a speaker from 3C. Oh, sorry. I didn't hear that. Okay, sorry. Let me check again. Oh, there it is. My bad. So, item 3C, I apologize. Uh, Jeremy, I have you down for every other one, but nothing. Sorry. The uh we see right the um the towers. Yes.

So if you look at that, it shows that we're at 95% capacity on that tower. And it also shows differing heights from different agreements. So one shows 330, one shows 300, uh, which I would think would be pretty important when we've got a completely full tower. Um, then so I'm not sure that it's valid when we've got conflicting numbers on here that we don't need to do an audit of some sort. Uh, I'd also ask you to look at the contracts for this.

That tower is probably generating somewhere in the amount of $2 million a year of revenue for the vertical bridge company. Um, it's running off of rates that we put in place in 2012. We don't have to approve these sub leases at the current rates. We are throwing money away. Um, it should be reevaluated for both safety and for revenue generation purposes. uh especially this capacity. It just makes sense. So I'd ask you to uh continue this until you can get the full information. Thanks. Thank you.

Uh so moving on to item 4A, uh summer programming postseason update. Danielle, good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the parks board. Uh the calendar says that we are past summer. So you know that means uh we are going to provide an update on our spectacular summer camp program uh as well as our aquatics program. So joining me at the table this evening is our northeast deputy director Danielle Pomromo and she is joined by our aquatics uh coordinator Regina Iverson. So I will let them take it away.

Good evening, board member Moya and members of the parks and recreation board. I'm pleased to provide a post summer update on the Phoenix Place summer camp. Um, as you know, uh, summer break is a most favorite time for a kid. A true ride of passage filled with adventure, discovery, joy, and our team spends months. Now that summer has ended, they are planning for Phoenix Plays 2027.

Uh they ensure that our uh participants have a safe, affordable, and most importantly fun summer camp experience where every kid can thrive. Okay. Um, the Phoenix Plays Summer Camp is an indoor fac is an indoor program facilitated at 26 community and recreation centers spread throughout the city. Camps vary in size, but can accommodate anywhere from 40 to 150 participants ages 6 through 12.

Camp schedules generally follow the school district calendar where the center is located and operate over a period of 8 to 10 weeks. Um, this runs Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6 pm. Many of our sites also offer a pre and post uh summer event. Sometimes it's a basketball camp or skills and drills, or it's just an extra week added to the summer.

So, during the camp day, participants are split into groups based upon their age, and then they rotate through a series of activities to keep them engaged and having fun throughout the day. We also pride ourselves on offering a 1 to15 stafftoamper ratio to ensure that kids are uh constantly being monitored and having fun and uh being rotated through the facility. Uh centers offer also offer volunteer opportunities for our teens ages 13 to 18, those that are still in high school.

Um, and this experience provide teens with building leadership skills while staying active and engaged over the summer. Um, you will see in our PowerPoint those teens that are wearing orange or red shirts through the PowerPoint, those are our volunteers and part of our team leadership that I will talk more about in the presentation. So, this year registration opened uh March 19th. Uh we received just over,300 registrations within the first five days upon opening.

Uh based on previous year's feedback from our survey, we implemented greater registration flexibility including weekly and daily options so caregivers can pay for the summer coverage they need. We're also proud to offer pricing options that fit everyone's budget. We offer camps that are free to $80 per week. Our summer programs are based on community uh marketing efforts uh where we distribute flyers to the school districts.

Uh we also share with neighborhood associations, council district, anyone that's in our programs currently, social media. Um and we also use a Phoenix Place camp website. This QR code that's shown on the PowerPoint provides all of the details in one location. So, our popularity with our programs brought in uh 2,86 participants this past summer. Uh that is a large number for us at 26 locations, but it's a testament to the affordability, the flexibility with registration and drop off options.

Um as well as ensuring that kids are actively engaged throughout the summer. So, how does Phoenix compare with other cities and valley organizations? Each year, the department offers safe and affordable programs for youth and families across the city. During the summer, we offer a price point, as I mentioned, to fit everyone's budget. Um, as you can tell from this comparison for the city of Phoenix, in comparison to other cities, uh, we are well below the cost comparison.

um at the top of our price point, $80 a week. That's equates to $16 a day for 11 hours of care Monday through Friday. Um as I mentioned, we do offer free sites and those are spread throughout the city, but no matter what site a participant chooses, they'll provide it with the same activities uh engaging as well as two field trips uh to sites uh that are close by to those centers. We're proud to offer an affordable summer camp as compared to similar organizations and nearby cities.

So, what did campers do this summer? So, you know, I've I've said the word fun multiple times and there's a reason for that. We do want to keep the kids engaged and having fun and we do sneak in some educational activities. I know at Washington they have a new uh reading lounge and so they made sure that kids started off their summer with some book reports that lasted about two weeks and but they did make sure to keep reading though.

Um so our staff are very much focused on ensuring that things are fresh and new and really meet the needs of what kids are looking for in their summer experience. they're age appropriate and again just really represent what our youth are looking for at our summer camp. So, I'd like to share some examples of some of the fun things that the staff came up with. And the first one, uh, everyone knows we have a 60 day 602 day, excuse me, in the city of Phoenix.

The Phoenix Place Summer Camp partnered with the streets department, fire, Phoenix Children's Hospital, and the governor's office on highway safety to do a bike rodeo. Sh. Don't know So, if you're wondering how many kids that was, that was 160 that made up 602 day. Um, they also each received a bike helmet to take home with them. Uh, it it was a fun event and really again sneaking in some educational components about bike safety.

Uh, we also added in Deb's dragons this year, and this is an exciting reptile encounter for campers. Anything from a ter tarantula, a snake, or this iguana that you see this young uh uh child holding. Uh, it looked scary to me when I visited, especially if tarantula crawling across your face, but the kids loved it. Um there were over uh uh 50 kids that participated in a fear factor with this particular activity and they enjoyed it.

Deb also brings in the element of the habitat that these creatures are found to really educate about the sonor and desert and what youth can do to protect their environment. Uh in the lower right hand uh slide you can see the some some children working on some CPR dummies. So, this is a really interesting program that came out of a local high school in the last couple years. It's called Lifesavers Phoenix. This is intended to teach young children some initial uh perspective on CPR and safety.

So, they talk about chest compressions. They learned how to recognize different types of emergencies. and they leave the session feeling more confident and prepared to help others in a real life situation. So, a big part of what the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is really proud to offer as a part of our camp is keeping the kids fed throughout the summer. Uh, for many of our participants, uh, when school lunches end, they may not have a way to connect with those programs.

So, the city of Phoenix has partnered with many of the school districts and food related nonprofits so we can bring those meals, snacks, breakfast in every day. Uh, this helps ensure kids are fed, regulated, uh, and having fun throughout the day. This is a free service. This is not an extra charge. Uh, this department also provides additional snacks in case someone who typically brings the lunch maybe forgot that day. It's keeping them fueled and regulated for the day.

Uh, and when needed, kids are provided with additional food for the weekend until we see them again on Monday. Uh, we're proud to have provided almost 3,000 meals to our participants this summer. So teen leadership, I mentioned this at the beginning, engaging with teens is a large focus for the department and we're proud to have incorporated opportunities for teens to stay engaged, stay active, meet new friends, and try some activities that might be new to them.

This summer, over a 100 teens participated in our teen leadership program. Um to join the program, teens had to complete an application and interview. Um staff intentionally make experiences real life scenarios to help them build their understanding and confidence. Teens are also provided with opportunities to learn valuable skills from taking the city bus, cooking, online safety, uh learning about college, job readiness, future careers, and a large focus on serving our community.

uh teens participated in a lot of different activities at camp, assisting with activities in the Phoenix Place camp, and then they also engage in visiting food banks. Uh this particular group, you see some of their photos here, uh over a 2hour period, they packed 2,000 emergency food boxes and they had fun and they learned something new that they otherwise hadn't experienced yet in their life. So, we're really proud of what we offer our teens.

They have fun and again, they're doing something meaningful as well. As you can tell, our Phoenix Place summer camp is one that is well loved by participants, parents, and especially staff, too. They pride themselves on making this experience the best it can possibly be. um as our focus is always ensuring that we provide a safe, affordable, and engaging program. And with that, I'll turn the presentation over to Regina Iverson.

Good afternoon and thank you, Chairman Moya, members of the parks board. I will be presenting the 2026 aquatic season. This summer, all 23 of our outdoor All 23 of our outdoor pool facilities were open. The pool season ran from Memorial Day weekend through the end of July with eight select pools open on weekends in August through Labor Day. In addition, seven sites offered swim lessons on Saturdays in August, making 14 additional operational sites in August.

This summer, aquatic facilities welcomed more than 300,000 visitors. Of the 23 pools operated by the city this summer, 20 participated in the cool kids program that allows kids 17 years and younger to swim for free. This is supported by donations of more than $63,000 from the Milwaukee Brewers. Aquatic staff hosted parties over the summer sponsored by C council members at Coronado Pool, Hermoso Pool, and Pierce pools with approximately 688 in total attendance.

Council District 8 paid for free admissions to those pools from July 11th through Labor Day. In addition, the Itty Body Beach Party was held again thanks to sponsorship by the Desert Ridge Community Association. Sponsors joined the events and passed out life jackets, sunscreen, and other water safety items from SRP. Phoenix Fire came and provided information on CPR to parents and kids. And of course, our mascot Buddy Bear and Friends presented their water safety puppet show.

This event was held at Paradise Valley Pool and was attended by over 328 people. Swim lessons are a priority for the parks and recreation department to help address the drowning rate in our community. Over 12,000 participants registered for lessons with classes filled to 100% capacity across the city. Lessons were available for participants ranging from 6 months old to adult and were offered from June 1st to July 23rd. Each sessions included eight 30 minute classes.

The parks and recreation department is committed to maintaining affordability and accessibility for all residents. So the cost for swim lesson continues to be $15 per session, which is about $1.88 per class. Arizona Diamondbacks and Presidential Pools sponsored 1,666 swim lesson spaces to reduce the price to just $3. These spaces were distributed across the 20 of our open pools.

The parks and recreation department expanded swim lesson offerings at seven pools with programs specifically designed for children's 3 to seven during the weekend months in August. There were 378 children registered in these classes. Continuing to expand the pool management team is always a focus. We had 27 staff members who are identified as individuals interested in managing pools next summer.

They participated in an intensive hands-on accelerated assistant manager training program as well as a one-week aquatic academy to learn and prepare for the assistant manager position. We will also be continuing the learning once a month till February this year. In addition, each pool established a head lifeguard program selecting over 50 staff members to take on leadership roles within their teams. This provided them with a targeted experience in guiding guiding and monitoring their peers.

Preparation for 2027 has already begun. The aquatics team works year round recruiting and training lifeguards and swim lesson instructors due to the large number of aquatic staff needed each year. We will offer up to 17 starguard classes to certified lifeguard lifeguards from September to March. It's about 408 participant spots available. The first course just concluded on Monday, September 21st at Perry Pool with eight participants passing. They will be eligible to apply and interview in March.

Social media campaign continues throughout the recruitment period. Posts have already begun advertising our starguard classes available. Aquatic staff has already started um visiting our high school outreach staff are attending swim and dive meets, meeting with interested students during lunch visits and PE class, as well as attending sporting events and career fairs at all high schools. Retention is a retention is a large part of maintaining a large workforce.

Therefore, working throughout the year to remain in regular contact with previous employees is essential. The aquatics team has encouraged aquatic employees from 2026 to participate in the upcoming trunk or treat following event at Deer Valley, the electric light parade, and the polar plunge to keep our employees engaged. Pool managers will also reach out to their team members throughout the offseason to communicate hiring timelines, answer questions, and encourage staff to recruit friends.

This concludes our presentation for our 2026 summer and are happy to answer any questions. Great. Uh, awesome job. Lots of information. Thank you Danielle and Regina. Before I open it up to our board members for questions. Jeremy Tucker, uh, you have two minutes. A quick question on the number of shows that we had 12,000 participants in swimming lessons um and eight lessons per registrant. Is that correct or is it total? I was just trying to understand that in the I'll ask you all.

So maybe you can ask them. Yeah. Was that on the one of the slides? Can we get back to that slide? So it's not on this slide, but there's over 12,000 registered participants and there are each session is uh is eight 30 minute classes. So it's eight days. Okay. So it's a twoe period. Okay. That's all we need to know. Okay. Thank you. Um, fellow board members, any questions? Go ahead. Thanks, uh, for the incredible work on this program, the great great update.

I'm interested in understanding what trends you've seen with regard to um what happened this spring when all these people got kicked off of SNAP and also a number of people like had to pay a huge amount more for health care on the exchange and those kinds of things. whether you've seen um issues ripple into your student um you know your youth program population and how that's affected um your need to serve basic needs in a in a bigger way. Chair member Moya, board member Neymar.

What we have seen is that our program is very popular and it is primarily um spread through word of mouth. We don't really have to do much advertising at majority of our sites. They fill quickly. What we have noticed is that because of our low price point, we are the first choice. But that also creates competition in getting in and we have enrollment uh numbers that to maintain that 1 to5 staff camper ratio.

Uh so if they cannot get into the city of Phoenix program, we do offer a weight list and we manage that on a daily basis to try and add individuals. they go to the next which is generally their school district or uh other you know valley programs that are offered for summer. Um other than that there's not anything specific that we're seeing in terms of the meals that we've provided.

It's an increase but it's not anything that's you know significant to the point that we would be able to make a correlation with that. Maybe maybe another indicator would be longer weight lists.

I don't you know are the weight lists growing because of demand or I'm just curious whether there's any programmatic impact board member chair board member Neymar what we are seeing as we're finding more details about the data when we ask guardians and and parents you know by April May because registration opens in March April and May they may have been held on a wait list, but they've made another plan. And that's the role of a parent who has a child, a school age child.

It's very similar to afterchool care. Um, if you're not able to get into your first choice, what's your second choice, third choice? And what they say is, "We want to be at Phoenix because one, we like it, and two, it's affordable." But people drop off. They come up with other plans. So, our wait list aren't necessarily any longer because they know they got to make a second plan.

The other thing that we um the staff is very actively engaged in is talking with the parents and guardians about other centers that we have that might be in the nearby area that would be easy, you know, somewhat easy to travel to or get to. Maybe it's a center that's on their way to work and they're able to make use of that. So, we have uh we do share that with our um parents and let them know about that. And in many cases that's a good option for them. It's just the suggestion of it. Great.

Any other questions? Just uh observation. Um I remember you probably remember few summers ago where we weren't able to open pools because we didn't have enough lifeguards to where we're at today. Kudos on an amazing job you've done in recruiting and keeping and uh it's been a lot of work. I'm sure it hasn't been easy. Chairman Chairman Moya, thank you. It it it is hard, but we we did it. We work hard. We get out to the high schools.

we get to the as any events that we um can get to to recruit and to I think like I said um if I want to talk about is this part is the retention piece of communicating and keeping the fun with our staff because if anybody in here knows me this is what I like the most and so trying to get them to want to come to work staff surveys I can't do anything if it's hot and that's so many of the question there's something going on there obviously.

So I am proud of how our you know our retention comes through and it's engaging them and you know doing the electric light parade and having fun with them and having them do trunk or treat things and um seeing that lifeguards are important part of our community. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Uh Marty, quick question. How many do we currently have any pools under construction or planned for construction? Uh yeah, Chairman Moyer and members of the parks board.

As part of our 2023 uh go bond, uh we are making a Mville pool into a regional pool. Uh and that will um enable us to make a splash pad at uh Holiday. I'm escaping the other one. Mary View. Thank you. Thank you team. So, uh the design is underway for for those u uh three facilities and construction will uh start in 2027 and be done by 2028. Perfect. Thank you. Um Danielle, congratulations on your first presentation to the board. I'm sure it wasn't that bad, right? Oh, sorry.

Jessica has a question. Thank you so much for that wonderful presentation and um just very impressive uh report with regard to the the summer camp program, all the activities that are provided to um the the kids um and as well as the aquatics program.

Um, one thing that I learned that I had w was kind of shocking to me was the the swim lesson numbers and that they filled up so quickly and there are so many more folks um that weren't able to take advantage of that because of the long long wait list.

Um, and I know that the summer pools, um, you know, it's summer pools, but are there any looking at, and it's the dollars, but exploring the ability to provide swim lessons, um, in perhaps the unseasonable months with a heated pool or, uh, I know that that all costs money, but just some thoughts because water safety is so important here um, in Arizona with so many people that do have pools or children around pools, and I know it's a fantastic what you presented.

So, I don't question the hard work that I mean, it blows me away. Very impressive. But just some thoughts about looking at other ways to provide some lessons that would be able to get those folks in. Chairman Moyer and members of the parks board and board member Fatinos just mentioned about um the the regional pool at Mville that will have heaters in it which will allow us to do uh swim lessons and also trained lifeguards. Regin, I don't know if you want to add anything else to that. Yes.

Uh, chair member um Fontinas. So, we our demand is high, correct? Right. We do offer um lessons for $15. So, our demand is high. Um, so we we manage our weight list very very well. So, it's actually over 100% because our weight lists are managed daily. And so, we're pulling kids off of those weight list. If we have a strict if you don't come, you you are off of the list. Okay. So, we do have more um kids coming into our programs as we can.

Since we opened those pools, we had to get lessons at those other pools that we hadn't opened before. So, that's the staffing challenge, right? Um last summer, we did the extended uh some lessons at East Lake. Um, I I think the challenge is just going to be finding the staff to continue that in those times, which is why we did the weekends in August, which was huge because we hadn't done weekend uh lessons in August on Saturdays and those lessons filled up.

So, we're we're trying we're trying to get those numbers. We got to get everyone in the water. Absolutely. Adults, too. Thank you so much. And I appreciate all the the hard work. This was uh fantastic and all that you do. Thank you. Great. Again, thank you both and thank you and congratulations to the entire both teams for an amazing job once again. Thank you. Uh, next we have the parks master plan level of service. Anybody see that? Good afternoon, Chairman Voya, members of the parks board.

As you all know, we're currently developing the parks master plan, which will guide our department for the next 10 years. The last master plan was in 1988. Over the past year and a half, the department has been deeply involved in this planning effort. The work includes evaluation of parks, facilities, amenities, and irrigation systems across the city. We've also gathered community input through meetings, youth and adult surveys, and participation in local events.

With these assessments and community insights, we've identified key findings and priorities that we're looking forward to sharing with you today. Joining us is Mike Spence from Pros Consulting, who is leading the master plan effort. Mike will present the major key findings from the surveys, community meetings, and overall community feedback gathered throughout this process.

Mike, thank you uh very much for the opportunity to give you a really I think a significant update regarding the parks master plan in terms of where it is going. So, um we will just kind of quickly review the goals. Um we'll talk a little bit about the community engagement, uh share information regarding level of service, um discuss operational impacts, and then provide kind of an uh direction of where the master plan is going overall.

So just as um a a quick reminder uh these are the goals uh that we are uh striving to achieve uh and then some associated with the parks master plan. And so uh really helping to guide uh future development uh efforts uh to avoid duplication, ensure that we're closing access gaps um where they exist. Um improving improving improving uh the park and recreation facilities that exist.

We know that investment and reinvestment in the existing infrastructure uh is always going to be something that needs to be focused on. Uh but really helping to to provide some guidelines as to where that investment needs to be made and how it needs to be made is part of our charge. Evaluating operational impacts. Everything we build has an operating impact. Um and therefore uh we want to ensure that we understand where there are potential shortages regarding operational impacts.

um and uh help to help create some guidelines in terms of what that future capital investment looks like and what that total cost of ownership uh is. Uh water conservation strategies uh obviously it is always on everybody's mind.

Um and so uh making sure that we have a really strong path forward uh regarding infrastructure improvements uh staffing levels uh the uh central uh irrigation system Calense is being operated efficiently as possible uh to reduce any sort of impact on uh potable drinking water. Um ultimately we're trying to create a park system that continues to be sustainable and safe.

Um that promotes uh you know ensures that we have access to uh a number of different experiences and everybody feels welcome as part of the uh park system. So we're starting from a position of strength. So from the statistically valid survey and reinforced by many of the community engagement efforts um you have strong usage of your park system and you have a pretty good uh you know ratings uh regarding the actual physical infrastructure of the park system.

One of the things that I think you just heard regarding the summer program is your community uh feels very very strongly about the quality of its programs and services. Uh what's even more impressive is the fact that when you think about your programs being rated that highly, um you're actually having to do even better because how people are perceiving the the locations are not in in alignment with the quality of the uh programs.

So recreation uh aquatics uh special um uh operations is doing an exceptional job in terms of providing those programs and services. What do you all want? What does the city residents want? Safe, clean, shaded, functional park system. 39% want you to put your money where your mouth is regarding reinvesting in the existing system. 36% people want just places to safely walk um close by in their neighborhood homes.

and 28% of folks um want to ensure that we continue to keep an eye on improving restrooms. Made this conversation with the public. We can have 10 different potential activities going on at a park and 10 different types of users. The one thing that everybody might use in that park is a restroom. And so uh we have to keep that as uh fun as right up front in terms of ensuring that parks are safe, clean and functional. So, uh, we heard a lot about safety, um, from the community.

We heard a lot about safety in the presentation. The wreck program, summer wreck program provides a safe experience. Even the bike rodeo leans into safe. Um, swim lessons are all about safe. But, um, sometimes we get caught up in thinking about safety through the lens of, you know, unhoused populations are homeless. um or police um re uh being called to a park or potential crime.

Parks and recreation has a an opportunity to continue to lean into the mantra that if our experiences are not safe, um we will not be rated highly. We will not be used. So parks maintenance is critical to that conversation. If a park has broken glass or graffiti or vandalism, whether or not it is actually unsafe, it's perceived to be unsafe. So, parks maintenance, recreation, we heard about that across the board. Safety is absolutely paramount.

Um, and then the urban park ranger system um helps to tie all of this together. End of the day, it's not a one division or an other department issue to ensure that experiences are safe. Um, it's a system outcome. uh and uh it absolutely needs to work all together to ensure that um the community recognizes that safety is at the forefront of the park systems uh outcomes and deliverables. Productive parks.

So, productive parks can really only happen, of course, if you have um a safe uh perceived to be safe experiences, but productive parks are about people using the system. And it is a perceived public value that isn't just a one-sizefits-all. We sometimes talk about programs, we talk about rentals, we talk about sports, we talk about events, we talk about self-directed use, uh people walking in a park or playing on a playground or walking a dog.

Um, long story short, all of these have to work together so that people feel like they are getting their money's worth. Um, and people are using parks for the right reasons. Talk to a hundred or so police chiefs across this country and every one of them will say that if a park is getting used for the right reasons, it has less of a chance of being used for the wrong reasons. that goes handinhand with the perceived public value and the conversation around safety. But it doesn't stop there.

It uh continues with regards to the condition of parks. So we heard from the community that reinvestment in what we already have is critical path forward and we can have parks that are available to use. They can be accessible and close to people's homes. But if the condition of those assets, those experiences, ramadas, playgrounds, dog parks, athletic fields, whatever it might be, if that is perceived to be unsafe, uh people will not use them.

And so this kind of ties back with the park assessment work that was done. Uh it also ties to what the community uh has said is a priority for them. It also ties to funding the operations of park maintenance kind of going forward and ensuring that capital improvement framework for the plan um really focuses on reinvestment and replacement of what exists in the existing park system. So speaking of access, it's not just one experience.

I think sometimes we have a tendency to generalize parks um a park system with regards to access to parks but it's parks, it's recreation centers, it's community centers, its pools and all the experiences that happen within this. What we have done is we have done a geographical analysis of your parks, your recreation centers, your community centers and your pools based on um not only just miles because that's how we think as planners but how the people think which is through the lens of time.

And so really understanding where we have gaps in our park system. So when we look at the park map just as an example, everything that you see in pink there gives you a sense of where we have good coverage. Uh everything that's kind of in blue or green um is state and or preserve andor bureau of land management land. So we're not looking to build parks in those locations.

But anywhere you kind of see the white um that gives you a sense of where a current city of Phoenix park system um potentially has gaps. But we'll talk about that a little bit more. um recreation centers, it's the exact same thing, but we're looking at the blue um to kind of differentiate between the park system and you can see where the recreation centers um are and uh where we have gaps.

We also then have next to it the community centers because they're not necessarily a one-sizefits-all um proposition. where we do have community centers um for the most part does a good job of um closing some of those gaps, but we know um additional recreation centers in the future is going to be key. And pools, we've heard a lot about the fact that you have over 5,500 kids on weight list uh for swim lessons. So, we also have a lot of older pools that are close together.

Uh the city actually has I believe in its inventory 28 or 29 pools of which a number of them are being converted to splash pads simply because the the reinvestment in them um doesn't make sense because they're only a half a mile or mile away from a newer pool. But we do see where we have opportunities to add pools um you know based on that that white in that kind of western southwest area of the community as well as the northern areas.

So, this just kind of gives you a sense of what that geographic access and what those gaps are to ensure kind of going back to one of the goals that we have a a really strong accessible park system regardless of where people live. Um, again, one of the things that is going to continue to come out of this is making sure that we protect, we renew, and we avoid duplication in our park system.

So let's ensure that our future parks, the planned but not yet developed parks, the ones that are priorities are are where we have the gaps. Um if we are going to build parks in areas where we have existing parks, we want to ensure um that those experiences are um matching up with the community's priorities and needs um so that we do avoid we may duplicate park land but we don't have to duplicate the experience.

Um but when we think about parks um we sometimes have a tendency to think about only of what the city of Phoenix offers. We know that there are parks on the fringes of the community. We know that there are HOA parks um which serve as de facto parket andor neighborhood parks. Um they are serving who they are intended to serve whether it's an HOA park or a public park. For the most part it it's accomplishing the same thing. Uh we also think about county parks as well.

So, what we see on the right there are parks that have orange or the map has orange, you can start to see how some of those gaps start to be closed when we consider uh those other public park offerings. When we think about, okay, let's line these all up. Existing parks on the left, which we've shown a couple of times, the city and other parks in the middle, you can kind of see how those gaps are closed.

And then you can see in the purple on in the map to the right where future but not yet developed arcs are. You can see how those start to in many ways start to close gaps in particular um in in areas uh you know where parks are needed um and also uh where we have uh access gaps. As I said earlier, when we think about parks um and building parks in the future, we want to prioritize the ones that close the most number of gaps.

Um and we want to make sure that experiences are differentiated um in areas where we already do have coverage. Um when we think about expansion, it has to extend beyond just parks and rec centers and pools. You have to consider what some of the high priorities of the community are. pickle ball. Um, we can create a population-based standard for pickle ball today and it will be outdated tomorrow. Over 20 million more people are participating in pickle ball today uh than they were five years ago.

Uh, and that number just continues to grow. But this gives you a sense of the efforts that the city has made um from pickle ball and providing access to it. Um, and also where we still have some work to do. Uh, ironically, the pickle ball courts and dog park maps look very, very similar. Uh, you can see where we have the most gaps to close um between as dog parks as well. And then splash pads.

Um, splash pads are not just in locations where we're um converting um old pools um that uh can no longer function as pools. Uh they have to continue to expand as an experience in parks um regardless of the pool system. that is important and it's also a water conservation strategy to accomplish um a an outdoor cooling center say during the summer.

When we think about splash pads um as you've heard a number of times and I don't have to spend a lot of time on this but the city has made a concerted effort in a very strategic way to convert certain pools to splash pads. It creates a win for a splash pad but it also creates a a win on the pool side.

What it will allow the city to do is to continue to strategize as it pulls back on some of the existing aquatic resources that had been expended on five or six pools that are no longer functional and being able to shift those to future pools um where we have uh access gaps that need to be closed. So there has to be a strategy that runs parallel for both splash pads and pools um to ensure that number one we're providing the access that's necessary.

Number two help to meet the demand of the swim lesson program if nothing else um that shows a weight list that's almost 50% of the number of kids that were served.

Um so uh just to kind of understand here really quickly um it's great the public does a great job of seeing the experience but there's a lot of work as you know that goes behind the scenes whether it's rangers whether it's the maintenance whether it is the um uh you know program recreation division we have to ensure that that total cost of ownership is evaluated and continues to be evaluated as we move forward not just necessar necessarily in concert with capital improvements, but to ensure that we have the resources necessary to continue to build upon the strength and the flow, the floor um that the the city residents have said.

Reinvesting, continuing to reinvest in operations is a key component to ensuring the success of the park system going forward. And all of this at the end of the day is about trying to create more use. Um, but with more use comes more responsibility. Greater public value means that people feel like their taxpayer dollars are being used even better than they are today. Um, but that also will translate into more use. And more use typically translates into more operating responsibility.

It's no different than our own homes. We have kids in our homes. Uh, restrooms, our bathrooms have to be cleaned more often. uh if we become empty nesters, we're not cleaning those restrooms as often. It's the same uh conversation when it comes to public parks. The difference is that public parks, recreation centers, pools are inviting people over 100 to 120 hours a week. Um we typically invite people over maybe once a year um twice a year, three times a year.

So the expectation is really high when it comes to maintenance of park systems. Our 10-year direction protect what we have. We have to ensure that operations is sustainable going forward. We have to continue to reinvest and renew in the existing system per the priorities of the community. We also have to make the most out of our existing park system.

So, as we reinvest in the park system, it's not just a playground for a playground or a mada for our mada, but we're really thinking about how do we really match the experiences that people want today. How do we optimize our existing park system so that we're not always leaning into expanding and building new to to accomplish that, but we also have to expand. So there's these four par parallel paths, four very specific strategies.

But as we think about this in every bucket, we have to ensure the total cost of ownership is evaluated because every capital decision made creates an operating impact. So our goal is lasting public value. We have all those goals on the front end, but at the end of the day, we want to ensure that we make a promise to the public.

Uh that park system is not just going to continue to be sustained at the level it is today, that it is managed forward in a way that increases people's perception of the park system. Starts with safety, starts with conditions, starts with operations. Um and that is kind of where we are at. So we're actually coming to the finish line.

Uh we had a very strong conversation today about the capital improvement framework um for the plan uh that takes a lot of the conversation um that we've had uh shared today starts to put some some meat on it uh and really look to um you know align some funding strategies, understand some operating costs and create an implementation plan. So uh we are intending to uh very fully land the plane uh this uh later this year.

So, at this point, I would take any questions, concerns, comments, suggestions that you might have. Great. Thank you once again. Uh before I open it up, uh to my fellow board members, we do have a virtual comment. Uh Michael Norton. Unmute. Yes, Mr. Norton, can you hear us? I can hear you. How do I unmute? You uh you're we can hear you. So, you're good. Go right ahead. You have two minutes. Thank you very much. I'm I'm glad that we're stuck right there.

Go back to the agenda uh slide if you can please and let me speak to the agenda. It was a slide just before the one when I was speaking. The calendar agenda showed that three years ago, City of Phoenix funded the 10-year master plan to determine what we were going to do with our parks. three years ago. We now have someone saying we have identified where our parks are and where they could be improved and where we might possibly want to look at, you know, providing some additional assets.

How does it take three years to get from where we were in October of 2023 to where we are today? We have park properties that have been sitting dormant for over 30 years. How hard is it to say that park property needs to be developed? We're looking right now at a map that says this is the accessibility to the parks.

How hard is it to say, "Oh, by the way, we have the Lavine area conveyance channel and all of the parks along that channel that were supposed to be part of the development of Lavine at South Phoenix." How hard is it to say we should have finished that? That was a good idea. Does it not? Do we are really at the point that we have to take three years to do this?

I mean, we need to think this whole project over right now, and we need to seriously consider jettisoning the 10-year master plan contractors and let us do this ourselves. We asked the city to allow us to develop our park ourselves. Five and a half years ago, the 10ear master plan was Thank you. So, uh, any questions from my fellow board members? Great. Go ahead. I apologize because I probably um am at a deficit because it you started this process long before I came on the board.

Um I didn't quite understand is this this assessment only for flat land parks and facilities. So you didn't do a similar assessment for um preserves and the needs related to preserves. Obviously you can't create more uh mountains or desert area but but theoretically you could acquire more or you could provide better access or whatever. And I was just curious about how we how we would dial that in. And then I have another question. It's completely different. Sure.

Um though uh the the scope was really focused on flatland parks. Um one of the things that uh in in fact what uh why the project uh went on a parallel path is uh before we got started we added a water conservation strategy. So an entire water conservation strategy plan was developed first uh and we uh you know kind of did the parks master plan then kind of dovetailing off of that. So those were the two major components of this plan. Uh the preserves however was not included.

I do think at some point some more comprehensive study of the preserve system and access and improvements and maintenance and all that is definitely worth an investment from uh the city unless something already exists that I'm unaware of. So I just want to mention that. The other uh the other thing I just want to ask about as you complete this uh this process and I know you're out uh we're out getting comments on the master plan and all that.

Um can you all remind me and I don't know who the right person is to answer this how this is going to dovetail into uh planning for the upcoming bond. I think I may have asked this question when I started on the board the first time we had a presentation but you know the city is getting ready for the next bond program. Now obviously we have other funds you know impact fees and 3PI and all that but um but a big chunk of money could come from the bond.

So I want to understand how how how you're thinking about how this will dovetail with that process. Yes. So to respond to that, uh the conversation actually that we had with staff today um was how the parks master plan supports um and reinforces um projects very specific to uh you know future bond priorities. And so um it is working kind of handinhand. Uh any bond project that that does potentially come forward is supported by you know multiple layers of the parks master plan.

Um, it also is helping along those lines to help reinforce um the direction of the current five-year um CIP uh that the uh parks department has. And then we'll also then provide direction uh for future bond projects um andor future CIPs as well. So, um, as a staff goes to prepare its requests that get input into the bond committee, is that is that how you plan to use it? Yeah, m Mr. Chair and members of the parks board, board member Neymar. Let me let me respond to a couple of those.

Thank you, Mike. Um, yeah, the previous director did want us to concentrate on flat land parks first and then uh proceed to the preserve. So, that's answer to your first question. Um for the 2028 go bond it is approaching very quickly. Uh staff has been uh discussing uh projects already. We will work with the mayor and council on on some of their their asks as well and then obviously the city manager's office. Those uh project uh recommendations do need to be in by November of 2026.

So yeah, to Mr. or spent um uh comments. Yeah, we we will intertwine all of that. Great. Thank you once again. So, moving on to item number five, the call to the public. Uh we welcome citizen input. However, items brought to the board's attention cannot be discussed unless they are listed as an agenda item. Action taken as a result of public comments will be limited to requesting staff to study the matter or rescheduling the matter for further consideration and or a decision at a later date.

We have a couple of speakers. I know we have one virtually. So, we have Dana Chapel. Dana. Uh, yes. Can you hear me? Sure. Go right ahead. You have two minutes. Okay. Um, this, uh, just briefly, uh, I found out from Jared Rogers today that you're going to have your annual trails, uh, and heat safety program or, uh, annual review on October. So, this may be more per uh relevant if in your next meeting.

All I'm trying to do is uh set up a time and work with the staff for a project proposal involving uh trails, heat, and safety. I've got an endorsement already from the uh assistant fire chief uh Mr. Mark Gonzalez on the technical solution that we've come up with and uh Mr.

Rogers and uh Tanya have already provided you with a copy of the actual proposal and all I was looking to do was to uh work with staff to further develop the concept and have you know put together a full proposal a little at a later date. Great. Thank you. Uh we have your contact information. I'm sure someone will follow up with you. Thank you. Uh now in person, we have uh Judy Moltz. And right after Judy, we have Jerry Vaness. Yes. Good evening.

My name is Judy Maltz, a 30-year resident of Phoenix, 46 years in Arizona, and I'm here regarding the proposal filed on June 18th, 2026, titled Arcadian Square, a planned unit development. This proposal seeks to encroach upon the old Crosscut Canal Park, including a two-mile pedestrian pathway running from Indian School Road to McDow Road. This proposal includes a private residential driveway, ingress and egress, onto 48th Street, which runs adjacent to the park.

I represent a growing number of neighbors who are becoming increasingly aware of the details of this proposal and who strongly oppose this private access through our public park. At a developers community meeting on September 15th, the speaker referred to development rights. We understand that property owners have rights. However, we also understand that the previously proposed 2011 plan is no longer relevant. The statute of limitations on that phase plan expired roughly a decade ago.

The pathway is heavily used on a typical weekday morning during the school year. Pedestrian traffic through the park remains significant well beyond the second bell at Arcadia High School. And I conducted an informal uh observation myself, but I would urge the city to complete a formal pedestrian traffic study just like streets and transportation routinely does for vehicles.

There is a foundational principle here that's at stake here and that's that public lands including parks are held in trust for the public. Government agencies have an obligation to carefully analyze public trust impacts before granting private use of public land. Vehicular access onto 48th Street for a private residential development would represent a significant privatization of public space.

The government cannot simply hand over public park access to private interests without extraordinary justification. Finally, to our knowledge, no other Phoenix city park is granted private residential driveways into an existing park. I believe this would be unprecedented. So, if the old crosscut canal park can be carved up for private developers, no city park in Phoenix, this state. Great. Thank you, Miss Wells. Just for clarification, it is the crosscut canal part that we're great.

Thank you very much. Good evening, Jerry Van Gas. It's amazing. Uh I was here two years ago this very month uh weighing in for the people that uh the attempt was being made to re you know to change opening hours at Echo Canyon to 5 a.m. after the janitorial service was wrongfully terminated and they had rangers cleaning the restrooms and they needed the time from the original longstanding 18 years that I was involved 4:30 opening. So they tried to push it back to 500 a.m.

The people pushed back bigger and we got it restored to 4:30. they're in sense out there that they've not been involved in any of this and they are going to push back. Um, you're basically telling half a million people that hike Camelback Mountain annually that they don't know what time they show up. You're telling your rangers who open and have logs verifying they open those gates at 4:30 every morning.

You have the news media that shows up at 4:30 every morning to be at the trail head with their five o'clock opening and presentation to their station. And then, you know, finally, you know, they're all insulted. I am insulted because I've been going there for 18 years, taking bananas, meeting the ranger as they open the gate at 4:30 every morning.

And even our ex city manager, now current city manager, when they opened the new raada and restrooms, showed up with the mayor's conference, telling the ranger, the supervisor, don't let the people in, the hikers at 4:30. Wait until our tour bus takes the mayors up the mountain. So, we want that 4:30 time restored. And we want some record requests answered. We've been sitting for 45 days. Thank you. Thank you, Jerry. Uh, one one quick uh question, Marty. Can we just get final clarification?

I know we hear about this quite often. Yeah, certainly. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the of the parks board. Um, the current agreement that we have with the Echo Canyon HOA Association from 2013 does say um that that gate is supposed to be open from sunrise to sunset. Thank you. So, next we have Therma Kresky followed by Tim Sierowski. Thank you. I'm a yearround urban cyclist using parks all over this valley for rest bit and get out of the sun.

I join many other urban cyclists transiting the two-mile long 48th Street every day, often many times a day, using a bike instead of my car for errands, groceries, doctor's appointments, and social visits. A developer planning one their one and only entrance to a private gated community of 60 multi-million dollar homes through this park across the pedestrian path and onto the narrow neighborhood street alongside the park.

It seems totally inconsistent with the quiet, peaceful, and safe expectations of these parks belonging to everyone. The developer claims they're just relocating an existing easement, but that much narrower driveway was only used for fire safety and occasional exit from special events. The developer also claims very low traffic impact. But it's not just 60 residents using this driveway. It's all their hired help, maintenance, and repair folks.

likely endless stream of Amazon grocery, dinner, and other deliveries, all squeezing across this park, interrupting the pedestrian flow all day long. The developer touts all the safety enhancements to their private driveway. But it's all only to solve a problem that currently doesn't and shouldn't exist in a public park. I'm very thankful for all the bike lanes, multi-use paths, and protected pedestrian crossings that thoughtful planning has added all over Phoenix.

It makes getting around without a car so much easier and safer after all the efforts getting people to consider biking and walking instead of driving. I can't believe that the parks department or the city planning are even considering obstructing a hard fought for and much park and pedestrian path. Existing primary access to that parcel has been on Indian school for decades.

Any new development should put their traffic onto that major artery, not through a public park across the busy pedestrian path, squeezing it onto a quiet parkside street that already has many signs and diversions trying to limit noisy and unsafe traffic. Thank you. Um, again, sorry, another question. Is this the same issue that was brought up at the last parks board meeting?

We I'm sure we're aware of this situation and just so you know the final decision if a decision is reached comes to this board for approval. But is this the same situation that was brought up last time? Mr. Chair, members of the parks board, you are uh exactly right. This is the same situation since that last parks board meeting. We we have done some research. Um actually the old crosscut canal land and our attorney can correct me if I'm wrong.

uh is uh owned by the Bureau of Reclamation um but is managed by SRP. So any um improvements uh would have to be approved by those two entities. You certainly can uh just a quick clarification on that. Um it's currently the belief uh that we have that that that property is owned uh by the Bureau of Reclamation, managed by SRP. Uh, but we're still doing some some legal digging to figure out exactly what the property rights are on that specific piece of property.

And and I'm just adding my two cents. I worked for SRB for 34 years and dealing with the reclamation Bureau of Reclamation is not easy. So, I'm not sure how successful they're going to be. But again, that's just my personal opinion. But we thank you. Thank you, Tim. Good evening, Tim Surikowski. I want a clarification and I'm going to I was at the meeting with the homeowners association a number of years ago.

I was there when they ended up pretty much getting their free driveway and all the other amenities that these individuals wanted. And in the contract, they said this is the time frame, but it was not solidified at that point. And that's when the city of Phoenix parks department gave the HOA a key so they could use the park anytime they wanted. So when they're starting to put up, oh this is the time limitations they're doing this, but they have a key they can use the park anytime they want.

They still have the key. Does anyone know? You have a half million people hiking Camel Back. is probably more than a half million because they don't they won't put counters in because they're too cheap and they really don't want you people to know the exact number of people hiking that mountain. It's probably closer to 750,000. There is absolutely no maintenance at all on on the trail. None. They want to talk about maintenance.

They want to talk about all their different theories that they want to put together a plan, a 10-year plan. The 10-year plan is already outdated. It's three years old. It's stupid. It is absolutely some of the stupidest stuff I've ever heard. And you don't take in any of the preserve property. Are you stupid? Am I paying you big- time money to be stupid? We have more people hiking trails in this city than any other usage. And it should be taken into account. These are the people that are hiking.

They're they're using all the trails. And you haven't even mentioned any of anything. Why? It comes to a point I ask myself why I come here because nothing gets done right. You can't even order when you're putting up gates at Camelback uh the motors correctly. God help. Thank you. And I think that's right. Thank you. Good. I don't want to miss anyone. So, moving on to the chair. Sorry. Oh, Jeremy again. My apologies. I saw your name here. My apologies. You have two minutes, Chairman. Thanks.

So, Director Woodfield said, uh, there's an agreement with the homeowners association. That agreement does not say, and it does say sunrise and sunset. problem is the parks have been opening at 5:00 a.m. or 4:30 a.m. for ever and the other parks uh the other preserves also say 5:00 a.m. So sunrise to sunset is not and that's a moving time frame right every day. So it's not a set time and it also says what's required is for this board to make that change in a public meeting.

It's not set for a contract that it has to be sunrise to sunset whatever you guys decide it to be. and what it has been for over a decade. And it is insulting to blame it on anyone other than that they didn't know and that it was a cleaning crew that was making this mistake. That man shows up every morning at 4:30 with 40 pounds of bananas and has for decades. I He knows every park ranger. I think he knows who's opening the gates every morning.

Uh, and I would ask that if Marty's there to determine that they aren't that it is a cleaning crew who's leaving it open because I'm gonna go with Jerry on this one. I bet. Um, the flatland parks, the master plan, I want to bring up another issue I can't get off of here at the 20% of flatland parks. 20% is golf cities municipal golf courses. They they take 3,000 acre feet 30,000 which ends up or that yes over 1.3 billion gallons of portable water.

1% of the population plays the city's golf courses. 1% 20% of parks land is dedicated to it. More than that of the city's water. all portable. It is a travesty and it's not included in the master plan at all. Golf, why why is it being evaluated? And you can ask me questions about this because this was on the agenda. So, I wish you would. Thank you. Good. Okay. Good. Uh on to that chairperson's report.

Uh the parks and recreations department is excited to celebrate the fall season with a variety of festive familyfriendly activities happening citywide throughout October from Halloween celebrations to fall themed community events. There will be plenty of opportunities for residents of all ages to enjoy the season together. For full details and on events, location dates and times, please visit phoenix.govparks. go backparks. Uh, want to acknowledge our fellow board member Rick Neymar.

Rick got called up to the big links. So, it was a short stay. We appreciated everything you've done in your short months and I know we all wish you the best. Uh, having worked with you in the community and other things. because I think you're going to be doing great in your new role or helping with the mayor. So, thank you for your time on the board and uh best of luck on your new adventure. Like to say a couple words. Thank you.

Uh yeah, I'm just gonna u I'm leaving my job at ASU and going to be uh working part-time for um the city for the mayor's office. My focus will be on downtown Phoenix. Um but uh my other focus will be maybe doing a little more hiking in the preserves and uh other things like that. So uh hope hope to continue to be as supportive as I can of the the park system as a human being and as part-time mayor's advisor. They're looking for lifeguards. That that would not be my best the best choice.

But I might swim some labs. So that that would be good. Seriously, again, thank you, Rick. Thank you. And thanks to the staff for all your great support. Yes. Uh now, any uh comments or requests from my fellow board members? No. Great. Uh director's briefing. Good evening again, um Mr. Chair, members of the parks board. We'll start our director's update with um our assistant directors and we'll start with Todd Shackleford. Thank you, Chairman Moya, members of the parks board.

On September 10th, Steel, let me get ahead of myself. Excuse me. On September 10th, Steel Indian School Parks Historic Memorial Hall had the honor of hosting Phoenix Remembers 911 25 years later. The evening public program featured city dignitaries, a ceremonial bell ringing, the Phoenix multi- agency honor guard, the Phoenix Boys Choir, and more. The centerpiece of the event was a discussion panel featuring Arizona Task Force One members, and outstanding Phoenix youth leaders.

Moderated by Mark Brody, co-host of the show on KJZ, the conversation provided young people an opportunity to ask questions, hear firsthand experiences from those who responded at ground zero, and explore what 911 means to their generation. Downtown division special event season has officially begun with the first event scheduled for Saturday, September 26 from 7 to 900 p.m.

The event will take place at Steel Indian School Park and will feature ballet in the park organized by Ballet Arizona with an anticipated attendance of approximately 2,000 people. With that, I'll turn it over to my colleague Brandy. Thank you so much, Todd, Chair Moya, members of the board. On September 14th, in recognition of Monarch Month, the Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Office of Environmental Programs hosted a pollinator planting at city hall.

The event drew about 25 to 30 folks and was covered by several media outlets. Uh, Mayor Ggo attended and assisted in planting several of the pollinator plants, including milkweed, which as you are all familiar is a primary food source for the endangered monarch butterfly.

I'd like to take a moment to recognize our natural resources division as well as our downtown division team members who readied the site and they ensured a successful event and that the plants uh will be thriving in the days to come and the years to come. On Saturday, August 22nd, the Parks and Recreation Department along with a hundred members of the community and our partners celebrated the grand opening of new sports courts, and upgraded amenities at Pierce Park.

The park upgrades included six new pickleball courts, two new tennis courts, new LED court lighting, renovated basketball and volleyball courts, a renovated parking lot, new drinking fountains, sidewalks connecting to the sports courts, and new benches and picnic tables.

I'd like to thank and recognize deputy parks and recreation directors Lance Gray and Danielle Pogaro, parks supervisor Jake Johnson, recreation supervisor Don Bartleman, as well as project manager Jim Peterson for their outstanding work on that project and the event. That'll turn it over to Marty. Is that you, Marty posing in that picture? In in the shorts, yes, that was Thank you. Um Mr. chair and members of the parks board.

Um, the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury Foundation honored Diana Terzi, who I consider the goat of women's basketball by renovating three community basketball courts to ensure uh the courts remain accessible for all residents. Uh, on August the 14th of 2026, the foundation held a ribbon cutting uh ceremony at Harmon Park drawing uh over 60 attendees.

The event underscored the foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting local neighborhoods, inspired the next generation through improved recreation spaces. Students from nearby schools participated and community members received branded merchandise as part of the celebration. You might notice me in that bottom picture with maybe the biggest smile ever in the past five years in the parks department. It was such a thrill to to meet her.

Uh last Friday, the South Mountain Community Center celebrated the 50th anniversary with a well attended community event. Um approximately 200 residents, family, uh families, staff, community partners, and former employees gathered to honor the cent's five decades of service. Uh the parks and recreation department partnered with the human services department to host a celebration which featured vendors, resource groups, and local businesses.

Uh the event offered the community an opportunity to reflect on the cent's history, recognize the people and partnerships that shaped the legacy and look ahead to its continued impact on the South Mountain community. If you see on the right hand side uh there is the original uh I'm going to say mural uh for the municipal uh excuse me municipal building uh the original city hall. So that is now displayed at the South Mountain Community Center. great heart effect that we have there.

So with that, that concludes our presentation. Great. Thank you very much. Uh thank you to my fellow board members for your attendance today. Always great to see all of you. And as always, thank you to the staff and everyone for getting us ready. And it kind of feels like fall. I think we officially survived another summer. Congratulations everyone. Uh have a good night. This meeting is officially adjourned. Thank you.