Fresno Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Special Meeting – June 1, 2026

On June 1, 2026, the Fresno Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission (PRAC) held a special meeting to hear the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department (PARCS), Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Public Works Department (PW), and Police Department (PD). The meeting included presentations from department staff, commissioner questions and discussion, and a vote to recommend the budget to the City Council. The meeting was adjourned in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.

Discussion Items

• Budget Presentation: PARCS Business Manager Xiong presented the FY27 Measure P Mayor’s proposed budget, totaling approximately $116.8 million in revenue. Key allocations included $22 million for parks operations (Category 1), $4.5 million for senior/youth/veterans programming (Category 3), $12.5 million for arts and culture (Category 4), and $12 million for safe walking/bike trails and street beautification (Category 5). The presentation highlighted carryover balances, projected sales tax revenue, and interest.
• Public Works and Beautify Fresno: Project Liaison Standriff reported that DPU’s quad crews (two funded by Measure P) collected nearly 4 million pounds of trash in FY26, resulting in a 27% decrease in illegal dumping calls. Over 9,000 volunteers participated in 151 cleanup events, removing 102,000 pounds of trash, 100,000 square feet of graffiti, and planting 50 trees. Public Works Director Mozier noted that 65 miles of citywide trails are now complete, with new projects including the River West Eaton Trail Extension and the Midtown Trail segments nearing completion. He also highlighted a proposed $500,000 trail feasibility study for west of State Route 99.
• Police Department Park Ranger Program: Deputy Chief Beckwith reported that 18 of 20 allotted park rangers are currently staffed (two vacancies due to hires becoming police officers). Rangers are assigned to each of five policing districts, working 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Their duties include visibility, reporting crime, issuing citations (primarily parking), and community engagement. Beckwith stated that crime numbers in parks mirror overall city declines, particularly in auto theft and property crimes. Commissioner McCoy expressed concern that rangers are often seen in their vehicles rather than interacting with the public, and asked that this be addressed.
• PARCS Project Highlights: Projects Administrator Portale reported that in FY26, 18 capital improvement projects were completed or close to completion, including new parks, sports courts, restrooms, and shade structures. In FY27, 31 projects are expected to be completed, adding over 25 acres of new park space, 19 sport courts, 13 restrooms, and more. Projects seeking construction funding include the El Dorado Park improvements and the Southeast Fresno Sports Complex. Commissioner Barraza clarified that the pocket park on Tulare and 11th Street has $1.393 million in funding for construction.
• Commissioner Questions and Concerns:
  • Commissioner McCoy asked about the timeline for HVAC installation at the Maxie L. Parks Center; staff explained that additional CDBG funding was secured and the project is moving toward bidding.
  • Commissioner McCoy also inquired about unpaid grants from Category 4 (arts) round two; staff promised to provide a detailed breakdown.
  • Commissioner Barraza asked about the feasibility of a soccer academy; staff said PARCS already offers soccer programs and could discuss partnerships.
  • Commissioner Duran questioned the impact of park rangers on public safety and alcohol consumption; Beckwith noted that rangers observe and report, and that alcohol incidents are not a major problem.
  • Commissioner Ward asked about restroom rehabilitation at Roeding Park; staff confirmed that new prefab restrooms with automatic locking will be installed, addressing safety and maintenance concerns.
  • Commissioner Kucharski asked about the potential for doubling the number of projects completed; Director Aguirre explained that the increase from 18 to 31 projects reflects the natural progression from design to construction, and that future increases depend on grant funding.
  • Commissioner Kucharski also asked about the River Parkway trail crew’s maintenance list; Mozier provided examples including Camp Peshain, Jensen River Ranch, and the Lewis S. Eaton Trail.
  • Commissioner Caglia noted the need for a comprehensive trail connection plan and asked about trails in Southwest Fresno; Mozier mentioned Church Avenue and Jensen Avenue trails, and the feasibility study.
  • Commissioner Miller inquired about the Al Radka dog park expansion; staff confirmed it is in design (90% complete) but lacks construction funding.
  • Commissioner Duran asked about beach soccer demand; Director Aguirre said it has not been requested but is open to discussion.
  • Commissioner Ward noted that participants at the Fresno Street park have had to clean up dead animals; staff agreed to adjust maintenance routes to address this.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Recommend Budget: Commissioner Barraza moved, and Commissioner Miller seconded, that the Commission recommend the City Council adopt the proposed FY27 budget for PARCS, with the Commission expressing support for the department’s proposed allocations and priorities. The motion passed unanimously (8 ayes: Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioners Barraza, Caglia, Dohlin, Duran, Kucharski, and Miller).
• Existing Recommendations: The Commission noted that nine budget recommendations made on November 17, 2025, are already included in the Mayor’s proposed budget and will be presented to the City Council.
• Next Steps: The City Council will hold a budget hearing on June 8, 2026, and is scheduled to adopt the FY27 budget by June 30, 2026.

Note: The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m. in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.