Improvements, new programs planned for parks

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Thanks to an increased property tax ceiling for Maryville Parks & Recreation approved by voters last year, MPR Director Aaron Dobson (pictured standing) this week announced to the City Council plans for $97,000 in capital spending that will include expanded holiday lighting and decorations at Franklin Park, refurbished lounge chairs at the Maryville Aquatic Center, and several new handicap-accessible drinking fountains.

In making his first-ever budget presentation to the City Council this week, Maryville Parks & Recreation Director Aaron Dobson laid out a vision for the city’s recreational offerings that includes a significant capital improvements plan.

More funds are available for park improvements following voter approval in April 2015 of an increase in the quasi-independent department’s property tax ceiling from 30 to 40 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

While some capital spending occurred last year, this is the first parks budget fully shaped on Dobson’s watch since the new director came on board in February following the retirement of longtime Parks & Rec chief Rod Auxier.

The Parks & Rec budget for 2016-2017, which has already been approved by the Park Board, contains around $1.3 million with an additional $300,000 set aside for contingencies. Funds allocated for capital improvements total nearly $97,000. Taken altogether, the budget exceeds this year’s spending blueprint by around $200,000.

Among the proposed expenditures is $37,000 for a new picnic pavilion at Sisson-Eek Park near the intersection of Lincoln and Walnut streets, along with installation of a two-bay “Expression” swing set, which is designed to accommodate both a child and an adult who swing while facing each other.

Other spending includes $4,000 for electronic upgrades to the Beal Park scoreboard, which will prevent interference from cell phones and other Wi-Fi devices; $5,000 for upgraded Christmas lighting and decorations at Franklin Park; $16,000 for air-conditioning upgrades at the Community Center, which will expand the functionality of two seldom-used, uncooled meeting rooms; and $12,000 for the refurbishing of lounge chairs at the Maryville Aquatic Center.

During his presentation to the council, which exercises only indirect park system oversight, Dobson said his budget also contains $5,000 in matching funds to be used in conjunction with a hoped-for grant for landscaping improvements at Robertson-Crist Park on the north end of town.

Unlike Maryville’s other parks, Robertson-Crist doesn’t contain a playground or other recreational amenities and functions solely as a natural setting for native flowers, shrubs, plants, and trees.

“Robertson-Crist has become my favorite park,” Dobson said, “not based on what it is now, but based on what it could be in the future.”

With sufficient funding, Dobson hopes to transform Robertson-Crist into a mini-preserve for native flora and fauna, complete with trails, rustic benches, hummingbird and butterfly habitats, “forest gardens,” and opportunities for novice anglers in an existing pond.

On other fronts, Dobson hopes to increase utilization of the amphitheater at Donaldson Westside Park as a venue for concerts and other special events.

“We are going into the concert business,” he told the council, explaining his vision for a series of gatherings featuring variety acts and tribute bands.

A second initiative aims to expand self-directed fitness opportunities at the Community Center through “fitness on demand,” a program that will provide patron access to as many as 300 fitness videos for such activities as yoga and aerobics.

Video screens set up in exercise rooms will allow users to work out at times when face-to-face courses conducted by live instructors are not available.

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Capital improvements for Maryville’s park system during the coming fiscal year are to include replacement of the concrete pad and picnic pavilion at Sisson-Eek Park. Also planned for Sisson-Eek is installation of a two-bay “Expression” swing set designed to accommodate both children and adults, who swing while facing each other.