Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - November 19, 2025

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held its regular meeting on November 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Mingo-Byxbe Room. The board approved prior meeting minutes, heard an update from the YMCA, and received a comprehensive department overview covering budgets, capital projects, and recreation programming. Member White was excused from the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the Motion Summary from the May 20, 2025 meeting by unanimous vote.
• Member White was excused from the meeting via motion and unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• YMCA Update (Roger): Highlighted community partnerships, including the Veterans Day breakfast by Aquinas Club, and collaborations with Special Olympics and Dream Shine. No board questions followed.
• Parks and Recreation Update (Director): Presented a department overview covering facility maintenance, budget comparisons, staffing, and recreation amenities. Key points included:
  • Parkland & Budget Metrics: Residents per park are good due to HOA parks, but acres per 1,000 residents are low. Operating expenditures per capita are low, and revenue-to-expenditure ratio needs improvement via expanded programming, grants, and sponsorships.
  • Community Needs: Additional athletic fields, a west-side dog park, a south-side volleyball court, and continued trail expansion were cited as top requests from the public and the 2025 recreational survey.
  • 2025 Accomplishments: Completed Ravines Park loop trail; pool employee retention rose from 47% to 76%; new scattering garden at Oak Grove Cemetery; cooperative purchasing savings; increased trail construction and right-of-way mowing.
  • 2026 Capital Projects: Kingsbury Park (Curve Road site) will add multi-use fields, a fire training tower, and parking; Mill Run Park will introduce disc golf (9 holes) and trail expansion; Boulder Park will get a obstacle course; Unity Park splash pad will proceed after bids came in 25% over estimate (only one bid received). The splash pad will be standalone; restroom plans are deferred pending larger grants.
  • 250th Anniversary Monument: In partnership with the Delaware chapter of DAR and Veterans Commission, a sculpture honoring unmarked soldiers' graves will be placed at Oak Grove Cemetery. The sculptor is the same artist who created the Hayes statue downtown. Design features a revolutionary soldier and modern soldier, expected unveiling next November.
  • Staffing: One new parks technician and additional seasonal hours for day camp (2,000 hours) are planned.
• Bridget (Staff): Announced new adjustable basketball hoops to be installed on Thursday (Nov 20); the Trails and Treats event set a record with 400 children attending.
• Board Member Comment (Ms. Thompson?): Reported a hole near playground equipment at a park in the Lexington Glen area (possibly Locust or PPG). Director acknowledged the issue and stated the manufacturer was scheduled to repair it.
• Board Member Comment (car show committee): The annual car show filled all 500 spots by 7:30 AM, indicating downtown space limitations for future expansion.

Key Outcomes

• Approved May 20, 2025 minutes.
• Excused Member White.
• Direction to proceed with the modified Unity Park splash pad (without restroom) and pursue larger grants for restroom improvements.
• Director to follow up on the playground repair at the Lexington Glen area park.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:57 PM.