Board of Park Commissioners Regular Meeting - September 2, 2026

The Board of Park Commissioners held its regular meeting on September 2, 2026, at 11:55 A.M. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, new business items including a planting project, tennis court lighting, and a community graffiti wall, as well as public comments and a report on capital projects.

Consent Calendar

• Item a: Approved parking lot assignments for the Fall Festival: Evansville Parks Foundation (11th Ave West, Mon/Wed/Fri), Wesselman Woods (Tue/Thu/Sat), Greater Evansville Figure Skating Club (11th Ave East, Mon–Sat) with fees ($5 per car until 3pm, $10 after 3pm), and Mesker Park Zoo docents at Casselberry Park ($5 per car all day).
• Item b: Permission to trim trees on the Next Level Trail project.
• Item c: Approved and executed Land Use Agreement with the Catholic Diocese for Moutoux soccer fields at Moutoux Park.
• Item d: Approved Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Evansville and the Board of Park Commissioners for the Vann Pollack Project. Danielle Crook noted the Parks Department is purchasing playground equipment and resurfacing the basketball court, with reimbursement from the Department of Metropolitan Development.
• Item e: Permission to donate a City Golf pass (foursome with cart) for the Keep Evansville Beautiful golf scramble.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Thorbeck (2014 East Columbia): Expressed concerns about lighting from the Wesselman tennis courts reflecting off his house, particularly in winter when leaves are down. He stated that timers on the lights do not always work, noting lights on at 12:00–2:00 AM when no one is playing. He also mentioned a decline in bird life (hawks) since new lighting was installed. Later in the meeting, he raised a maintenance issue regarding an overgrown strip of grass between soccer fields and the reserve center, which he had partially cleaned himself. The board agreed to follow up.

Discussion Items

• Informational Signage at Wesselman Park Pickleball Courts: Christina Arwood (Wesselman Woods) and Lee Ramon (City Engineers Office) presented plans for three infographics to accompany a large native plant installation on September 26, 2026. Over 1,500 plants will be placed into three bioswales next to the pickleball courts to improve stormwater infiltration, reduce mosquitoes, and provide pollinator habitat. The signs, placed along heavily-trafficked sidewalks, will explain stormwater, watershed, wildlife habitat, and how to create backyard habitats. The board approved the request.

• Wesselman Tennis Lighting Project Award: The board approved awarding the contract to Sellers Masonry as the lowest responsive bidder. The execution of the agreement will be brought back at the next meeting. Public comment highlighted light pollution and timer reliability concerns.

• Graffiti Wall at the Levee Near Garvin Park: Nick Iaccarino (County Council, CEO of Keep Evansville Beautiful) and Ted O'Connell (Jacobsville Area Community Corporation) proposed a community graffiti wall on the levee wall along the Greenway. The project is led by a New Tech senior student through her organization Artist Ave, financially sponsored by Jacobsville Fine Arts Association. A $30,000 Deaconess Foundation grant over three years has been secured. The wall would be a living art piece, accessible during daylight hours, with posted rules (no obscenity, no political content). The Army Corps of Engineers required a specific primer, which the sponsors will apply. Cameras may be installed if Wi-Fi is available. The board expressed support, noting reversibility and self-regulation by artists. Motion carried.

Report: Executive Director's Update

Danielle Crook provided updates:

• Eigenhearts Splash Pad: Opening tentatively planned for Sunday, September 20, 2026. Testing is underway, with umbrellas, shade structures, benches, and restroom finishing touches remaining. The parking lot will be resurfaced on September 14.
• CK Newsome Center: Renovations ongoing; new playground equipment to be installed by end of September.
• Caldwell Park Playground: Site work completed; equipment installation beginning September 21; celebration event planned in October.
• Vann Pollock Park: Playground equipment expected to be installed by October.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
• Informational signage for Wesselman Park bioswales approved.
• Wesselman Tennis Lighting project awarded to Sellers Masonry; agreement to be executed at next meeting.
• Graffiti wall at Garvin Park levee approved.
• Payroll and vendor claims accepted.
• Meeting adjourned.