Astoria Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Astoria Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met at City Hall, 1095 Duane Street, on January 21, 2026. The agenda listed a 6:45 a.m. start; the chair called the meeting to order at 6:47 a.m. The board approved the October 22 meeting minutes, heard public comment, reviewed Parks Master Plan progress, discussed removal of two red maples, evaluated the December Aquatic Center forum, voted to recommend a discounted Aquatic Center pass category, and heard staff reports on programs and lifeguarding. The board adjourned at 7:42 a.m.

Public Comment

• A speaker identifying himself as the president of the Friends of the Astoria Parks said the organization has 27 standing members, five officers, and three delegates at large. He expressed appreciation for the Aquatic Center open house and the Dec. 18 forum, but criticized the open house as lacking substance and called the button-jar budgeting activity 'not hardly a basis for government.' He also said the forum felt like 'this is what you're going to get' rather than genuine community direction, and urged more substantive discussion and public involvement.

Approval of Minutes

• A motion to approve the Oct. 22, 2025 draft minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Chair Hernandez: What Do You Hear?

• Board members reported strong school-district cooperation at the Aquatic Center, including upcoming home swim meets and a district event on Feb. 13-14.
• Community members told the board the pool felt warmer, which was welcomed.
• Early-morning Aquatic Center users were disappointed by holiday closures, including the MLK Day no-swim day.

Employee and Volunteer Recognition

• Staff recognized volunteer coaches Nick Sabolka and Superintendent Craig Hoppas for coaching youth basketball; recognition had been delayed from the December meeting after a power failure.
• Grace and Haley O'Brien, recreation coordinators, were named employees of the month for November and December 2025.

ACF (Astoria Community Foundation) Updates

• Chair Hernandez had no formal ACF update after missing the previous meeting.
• The Run on the River has been moved to May 30 and will start and finish at the Fort George warehouse. Board members were invited to volunteer.

Old Business: Parks Master Plan Update

• Ian Susan of McKenzie reported that the first open house and online survey drew more than 500 participants; an earlier preliminary questionnaire collected 150 responses, and a focus group and student survey were also conducted.
• Most participants were Astoria residents or from nearby areas, were roughly age 30-60, and many had children at home.
• Survey feedback showed strong support for maintaining and improving existing facilities over building new ones, plus interest in expanding the Aquatic Center with flexible indoor recreation and fitness space; adding public restrooms, including a permanent restroom at Fred Lindstrom Park and additional restrooms along the riverwalk; updating the 2013 trails master plan; a possible dog park at Tapiola Park; and replacing or improving playground equipment.
• Aquatic Center feedback centered on expanding days and hours, adding swim lessons, warmer pool temperatures, and affordability.
• The next open house is Saturday, Jan. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library, with two presentations, interactive prioritization activities, and a level-of-service analysis. The plan is expected to go to the City Council around May.

New Business: 15th St. Triangle Maples

• Staff said an arborist recommends removing two red maples in the 15th St. Triangle because they lack a central leader, have poor limb structure, and drop branches into the roadway. Staff are considering incremental pruning versus removal, and if removed, would replant a site-appropriate species. No formal action was taken.

New Business: Aquatic Center Public Forum

• Staff recapped the Dec. 18, 2025 public forum on Aquatic Center operations, staffing, and budget.
• A board member said the forum felt like public input was discouraged and the status quo was defended, and suggested framing constraints as 'how do we get there' rather than reasons a request cannot happen.
• Staff responded that the forum's purpose was to explain operational and revenue constraints, while the master plan process is the vehicle for larger future investment and staffing resource requests.

New Business: Aquatic Center Fee Change

• Staff recommended offering active and former military members and Astoria School District personnel the same Aquatic Center pass rates currently offered to youth and seniors, citing frequent requests, school district staff retention challenges, and a desire to welcome military families. Staff said the idea originated with the parks department, not the school district.
• The board voted unanimously to support the fee change; the item will go to the City Council for final action.

Staff Reports and Upcoming Events

• The quarterly report for October-December 2025 was reviewed.
• Registration is open for spring break and summer day camps; school swim lessons with Lewis and Clark students begin in February; an Easter egg splash is planned; and a movie-in-the-pool event is being considered for June.
• Lifeguard recruitment remains a challenge: one applicant has applied so far, and two previous applicants withdrew. Staff discussed posting at high school and college job boards and noted Lake Oswego's new aquatic center is also competing for part-time staff, with full-time aquatic salaries there capping around $76,000.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the Oct. 22, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously.
• Voted unanimously to recommend the new military and Astoria School District Aquatic Center fee category to the City Council.
• Took no formal decision on the 15th St. Triangle maples; staff will continue assessing options.
• Confirmed the next regular meeting on February 25, 2026, with the following meeting on March 25, 2026.