WHAT: City park board meetings Feb. 10 and March 2

PRESENT: Jaclyn Gerberry, Heidi Barker and Harry Salpata

The board:

• Named Salapata president and Barker as vice president.

• Approved the Hometown Heroes veterans banner program with applications at the park office at the wellness center. Banners are placed on poles throughout the city to honor veterans starting Memorial Day weekend.

• Heard from Park Director Mark Pallante that Niles youth leagues using the center on Saturdays will need to be allotted times, but youth coaches must be present with players due to liability.

• Heard from Pallante that in 2025 the wellness center had 28,512 people attend events and programs, including 16,500 for Silver Sneakers programming.

• Was informed the Niles Rotary Club wants to put in a butterfly garden at Riverfront Park.

• Heard from Pallante the park’s new Ford truck was delivered with decals placed on it and is in use. Also received was a new Ventrac snow blower.

•Are seeking quotes for removal of old playground equipment at Waddell Park and installation of two pickleball courts and a large chess/checker game area.

• Heard from Pallante the park is seeking quotes for various repair projects and purchases, including replacing turf at wellness center with work to be done this summer; removal of a pitching mound at North Field and replacing it with a portable mound to allow for playing different games; a new fence for North Field; new concrete tee pads for the disc golf course at Stevens Park; installation of new tables and garbage cans at Waddell Park; new swings for Murphy Park; a new portable basketball hoop for the wellness center; and a new drinking fountain at the wellness center.

• Received donation of concrete slabs for the four bleachers from councilman Aaron Johnstone to be placed at the Waddell Park baseball fields.

• Heard from Pallante the inside of the cabin at Stevens Park was painted and ceiling tiles were replaced.

• Approved removal of eight to 10 fallen trees at Stevens Park

• Will look into reducing public comments from five to three minutes at meetings since they have already been reduced at council meetings.

• Heard from Pallante the Riverfront Park canoe livery and walkway are scheduled to be opened Memorial Day weekend and the park area in downtown Niles tentatively for July 4 weekend.