Evansville Board of Parks Commissioners Regular Meeting – May 20, 2026
Evansville Board of Parks Commissioners Regular Meeting – May 20, 2026
The Evansville Board of Parks Commissioners held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The board approved a consent agenda with multiple routine items, heard public comments, and took action on several new business items including property transfers, golf course rate adjustments, ice arena promotions, park improvements, and bid openings.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the meeting minutes from May 6, 2026.
- Approved the following consent agenda items unanimously:
- Request to approve and execute a Swander Ice Arena use agreement with City Roller Derby.
- Request approval to seek quotes for fencing and containment improvements at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.
- Request approval to seek quotes for various painting and EI/EFUS projects at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.
- Approve and execute agreements for point-of-sale SaaS for three golf courses (Fendrick, McDonald's, and Health Rec) with T-Snap.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gabriel Correjo addressed the board, asking for an updated budget for the Deaconess Aquatic Center for 2026. He was directed to the Controller's Office for the official version.
Discussion Items
- Quit Claim Deed for 1212 South Garmin Street (TP Park): Officer Cargas explained that a portion of TP Park (a canopy area, parking lot, and building used by a nonprofit) was not officially under Parks Department jurisdiction. The EMSO Redevelopment Commission offered to deed the property to Parks, enabling enforcement of park rules and regulations. The board approved the transfer.
- Trail Cleanup and Marching Band Enhancement Project: Lori Van Hoek of the Evansville Area Trails Coalition requested formal approval to conduct trail cleanup for improved safety and visibility on the way to the Marshan Bridge, using grant funding. The board approved.
- Winter Rates at Fendrick Golf Course During Sprigging: Kevin, the golf course manager, explained that due to winter kill from 2024-25 affecting Bermuda grass, the course needs to sprig (plant root systems) on the back nine, disrupting play for less than a month starting around June 11-12. To encourage play during this period, he requested lowering rates to winter levels: from $44 to $29 for weekend walking, and cart rates from $15 to $12. A banner will inform visitors. The board approved. Discussion ensued about whether rate changes must always come before the board; staff will look into standardizing the process.
- Swander Ice Arena – July 4th Weekend Admission: Nick Perriman, General Manager, requested permission to offer $2.50 admission for public skating, stick time, and free play on Friday and Sunday of July 4th weekend (the arena is closed on Saturday, July 4th). Approved.
- Swander Ice Arena – Cool Skate Dollar Days: Perriman proposed a promotion on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday daytime sessions during June, July, August, and September when the heat index exceeds 100°F, offering admission and skate rental for $1 each. Approved.
- Swander Ice Arena – Concession Agreement (Solid Grounds): An additional new business item was added to approve a one-year concession agreement with Solid Grounds, renewable for three additional one-year terms, to begin in time for the City Roller Derby event on June 3. Approved.
- Change Order #3 – Next Level Trail: Paul Bozeman, Deputy Director, presented a change order totaling $5,344.16 for three small scope changes: removing missed concrete sidewalk ($1,294.92), placing concrete at Lincoln and Vane Avenue to connect to an ADA ramp ($4,405.94), and placing flowable fill over an excavated gas line ($3,643.75) to prevent settling. Approved.
- Caldwell Park Site Survey and Site Design: Danielle presented a professional services agreement with 3I for a site survey and site design, the first step before installing a playground. Equipment is ordered and expected to arrive in early August, with installation planned for the second week. Approved.
- Open Sealed Quotes – Path and Paving at Mesker Park Zoo: Three contractors submitted quotes for four project areas: Mesker Park Entry, African Panorama Path, Pecary Loop, and Lemur Hill. Quotes were read aloud (ranging from $4,500 to $72,000) and taken under advisement for a future construction agreement.
- Open Bids – Casey Newsom Center Renovations: Five contractors submitted base bids and alternatives. Base bids ranged from $573,600 to $703,000. A voluntary alternate for high-RH adhesive for the gym floor was also noted. All bids were taken under advisement.
Key Outcomes
- All motions were carried unanimously with no opposition.
- Approved the quit claim deed for 1212 South Garmin Street, transferring the property officially to the Parks Department.
- Approved implementation of winter rates at Fendrick Golf Course during the sprigging period (less than one month), reducing weekend walking to $29 and cart to $12.
- Approved $2.50 admission at Swander Ice Arena for July 4th weekend (Friday and Sunday only).
- Approved Cool Skate Dollar Days at Swander (June–September, on select hot days).
- Approved a one-year concession agreement with Solid Grounds for Swander Ice Arena, renewable for three additional years.
- Approved Change Order #3 for the Next Level Trail totaling $5,344.16.
- Approved professional services agreement for Caldwell Park site survey and site design.
- Opened quotes and bids for Mesker Park Zoo paving and Casey Newsom Center renovations; taken under advisement for future awards.
- Approved payroll and vendor claims.
Executive Director Report
- Danielle announced that the Wesselman Playground restroom is now open and heavily used.
- The first movie in the park (Minecraft) will be at Van Park on May 29, around 8 PM, with Kona Ice present.
- Howl Mosby Pool and Rochelle Pool will open on May 30 as scheduled. Lorraine Pool is delayed by a couple of weeks due to necessary concrete repairs discovered during liner replacement; the Parks maintenance team is working overtime to complete them.
- President Kenny highlighted that the Mayor’s State of the City address featured the Parks Department prominently, and videos are available on WNIN’s Regional Voices series.
Meeting Transcript
Wayne Kenny, I'd like to call the meeting today of the Board of Parks Commissioners regular meeting for Wednesday, May 20th. I would call the meeting to order. Uh the meeting memorandum uh the May 6, 2026 uh regular meeting memorandum minutes were out there for approval. Do I have any discussion or a motion for approval? So moved. Two so moves. One of those will be a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. The consent agenda, a request approval and execute Swander Ice Arena use agreement with demolition uh City Roller Derby. Request approval to seek quotes on fencing and containment improvements at Mescar Park Zoo and Botanic Garden. Request approval to see quotes on various painting and EI EFUS projects at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden. Request approve and execute agreement for point of sale SAAS for fender golf course with T Snap. Approve and execute agreement for point of sale SAAS for McDonald's golf course with T SNAP. And request approval to execute agreement for a point of sale SAAS for a health rec golf course with T SNAP. Any questions or discussion? No. I'll entertain a motion for the consent agenda approval. I have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. It has approved. Um there is no old business. Uh under new business, we are going to move item G request approval and execute quick uh quick claim deed for twelve twelve South Garmin Street. I think Officer Cargas are just going to address that. Hello. So this item was uh not sure what I was researching, but I had found that part of TP Park, which is twelve twelve uh South Garvin was not under the purview of the City Parks Department, which mainly it was the big canopy area that people would have picnics and parties and then the parking lot itself and then the building that the nonprofit uses. Anyhow, um the rules and regulations of the park like park closing hours and just anything else that's enforced for all the parks would not be in effect for that spot. So when I let the city know the uh I guess it's the EMSO redevelopment commission, they had offered to just, hey, let's just deed it over to the parks and make it official so that all the rules and regs for the rest of the park can also be used for that part of the park. Makes sense. Is there a structure on that ground? Okay. It's an old it's it's an old house, but they use it for like a organization. Okay. Mr. President, board of park commissioners. So this property and this area of the property is something that Parks has assisted with maintaining and taking care of, so this is more just a technicality. Um it is our desire to continue to be able to help out the TP Park neighborhood and community one and and assist with those repairs and renovations. And we can't do that until it's official. So understood. I'll entertain a motion. So moved. Say again. Aye. Opposed? Thank you. Thanks a few. Let's return up to the top.
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