Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Recreation & Parks Commission of Merced, California, met on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting lasted until approximately 6:26 PM. Commissioners present: Amanda Estrada (District 1), John R. Carlos (District 3), Marcus S. Ariano (District 4), April P. Holloway (District 5). Absent: Dina Gonzalez (District 2), Marisa K. Lewis (At-Large), Feu Jean, Sarah Boyle, Darren S. Dupont. The meeting began with ceremonial recognition of outgoing commissioners and included public comment, action on facility tour dates, a comprehensive director’s report on parks and community services, and discussion of future agenda items.
Action Item F.1 – Tour Dates for Leased Facilities: Director Jensen proposed two cohort tours of youth/community centers (Stephen Leonard Youth Center, McCombs Youth Center, Central Youth Center, McNamara Youth Center) to allow commissioners to observe operations and conditions. After discussion, the commission approved a motion for the first cohort to tour all four facilities on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM, starting from the department office at 632 West 18th Street. Commissioners attending that tour: April Holloway and two others (John R. Carlos and Marcus Ariano? – from transcript: Holloway, Carlos, Ariano). The motion passed unanimously (with one abstention? – “motion passes unit… Miss Lee” – unclear but all present voted yes).
Director’s Report (Item G) – Parks and Community Services Updates: Jensen provided a detailed monthly update covering mission goals, staffing, capital projects, programs, and events.
Business Item H.1 – Future Agenda Requests: The commission considered adding items to future agendas. Director Jensen noted that the Parks Recreation and Open Space Master Plan was recently presented to City Council in a study session; a formal adoption vote is expected in October. Commissioner Holloway requested adding a discussion on donating a cricket pitch at Dwight Amy Park (funded by a community group). Jensen raised concerns that the park is funded by CFD fees and intended for neighborhood use; competitive sports could increase maintenance costs. The commission voted to place it on the October agenda.
Business Item H.2 – Commission Comments: Commissioner Holloway (who fell into the creek) reported participating in the Fairens Park cleanup with the mayor, noting about 40 UC students attended. Commissioner John Carlos announced that his Kiwanis Club has budgeted $1,000 for fiscal year 2026-27 to fund diaper changing stations in parks, with the first station available after July 1, 2027.
The Recreation Park Commission. There we are. Mike on that works better. We're gonna call the commission meeting to order at uh five thirty in a little bit. Whatever the timekeeper says over there. Uh we'll let uh our young lady take care of the attendance items, uh catch up with who's here. And meanwhile, we'll go ahead and ask her what it stands for the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. Okay, have a seat. Okay. Actually, if I could just take roll call real quick. All right. Um Commissioner District One, Amanda Estrata Present. Uh Dina Gonzalez, Commissioner District Two. Absent. John R. Carlos, Commissioner District Three. Here. Marcus S. Ariano, Commissioner District Four. Here. April P. Holloway, Commissioner District Five. Present. Marisa K. Lewis, Commissioner at Large. Absent. Feu Jean. Absent. Sarah Boyle. Absent. Darren S. Dupont. Absent. Okay. We can now go to the ceremonial matter. Okay, that's better. Thank you, Michelle. Um, so again, I want to thank these two commissioners, Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Bauer for their years of service on the Parks and Community Services or Parks and Rec Commission. It's not easy giving up your time away from your family. Um, Monday night football, that was brought up earlier, or other commitments that you may have with families and and members of our community abroad. Um, but we certainly appreciate your involvement helping to guide this department and the services that we offer to the city of Merced. Some of the things that we've accomplished with you guys on the commission have been uh the flip the switch event, I think dating back to when you first started when we installed lights at McNamara Soccer fields. Um we've done significant work to bring back community pools, AD Gibbons Pool, McNamara pool uh back online for the community. We also ventured into community park 42, the new regional sports complex off of mission. Uh we are underway with opening General Vang Pau Park Phase 1, Aletha June Playground later this month.