Parks and Community Enrichment Commission Regular Meeting – November 6, 2025

The Parks and Community Enrichment Commission met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 5:31 PM in the Sacramento City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order by Chair Jeanine Gaines and adjourned at 6:59 PM. Commissioners present: Boone, Flores, King, Laver, Robbins, Vasquez, and Chair Gaines. Commissioner Uribe was absent. The meeting included a land acknowledgement honoring indigenous peoples, noting Sacramento was the first major U.S. city to adopt such a practice. Key actions included approving a consent calendar with four items, recommending park amenities plans for three new neighborhood parks in the Delta Shores development, and approving an amended 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Approval of September 4, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Passed unanimously.
• Item 2 – Commission Follow-Up Log: Passed unanimously. Commissioner Vasquez requested future discussion on responses to her request about park signage stickers.
• Item 3 – Renaming Willow Park to Veterans Park: Passed unanimously, forwarding the recommendation to City Council. A public speaker, Dard Hunter (Heritage Park HOA board member and resident), expressed appreciation for the renaming, noting community fundraising efforts. Commissioner Vasquez raised a question about the follow-up log not being transparent to the public.
• Item 4 – 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards Nomination List: Passed unanimously. Commissioner King added a nomination for Ulysses Viegas Jr. from District 5.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dard Hunter, resident and board member of Heritage Park Homeowners Association, spoke in support of renaming Willow Park to Veterans Park. He noted that the Veterans Club president was unavailable due to a meeting and that the community had been fundraising for the monument change.
• No public comments were made on discussion items or matters not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Amenities Plans for Stone Beetland Parks in the Delta Shores Development (District 8): Staff presented plans for three neighborhood parks in the new Stone Beetland development, based on a community survey that yielded only 10 participants. Park Site 1 (3.5 acres) includes a multi-sport court, turf, picnic areas, and a future playground. Park Site 2 features two playgrounds (ages 2-5 and 5-12), a shaded picnic area, a walking loop, and a large turf field (U12 soccer size). Park Site 3 (2 acres) includes a community garden with 36 plots, shade structure, and future playground. Commissioners expressed concerns about unfunded playgrounds at Sites 1 and 3, lack of restrooms, and limited community engagement. Commissioner Laver suggested a second round of outreach when residents move in. The commission voted to approve the plans.
• Item 6 – 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan: Chair Gaines noted the report mirrors the prior year due to lack of progress. Commissioners discussed amendments: striking the third bullet under Metric of Effectiveness in section A, adding a bullet on creating a draft policy for standardizing community engagement, and adding the word "public" to section C. Vice Chair Boone proposed shifting 916 Day from a single day in September to a year-round campaign with a celebration, citing high staff workload (e.g., 60 hours for recruitment). Director Jackie Beecham clarified the department will not create a formal strategic plan for Parks Plan 2040 due to budget constraints, but will report progress through existing channels. Commissioner Vasquez urged focus on equity metrics and community engagement standardization. The commission voted 6-1 to approve the amended report and workplan, with Commissioner Vasquez dissenting.

Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Director’s Report

• Director Beecham announced the opening of Thelma Park in District 3, the city’s 241st park, after 20 years of community advocacy. The park includes a playground, picnic area, and shade structure.
• Park rangers handled 870 total calls for service in October, with 179 rapid response calls; recruitment is ongoing.
• The Floating Pumpkin Patch at North Natomas Aquatics Center (October 18) had 130 participants. Fall LEAP season has 60 youth. Fall break camps (Nov 25-27) offered at seven community centers for $10/day, with scholarships available. Access Leisure fall day camp for teens with disabilities (Nov 24-25). Winter/spring registration opens Nov 12.

Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions

• Vice Chair Boone announced she will return in 2026, reversing a prior decision.
• Commissioner Laver invited tree planting at Southside Park (Nov 22) and noted a longstanding Saturday volunteer program.
• Commissioner Flores highlighted district events: pickleball ribbon cutting at Lewis Park (Nov 14), tree planting at Renfree Park (Nov 15), and praised community enrichment efforts by fellow commissioners.
• Commissioner Robbins celebrated Thelma Park opening and described the "Thomas Mania 3" event at South Natomas Community Center, which featured free food for kids and wrestling.
• Commissioner King promoted South Side Santa on Dec 14 at multiple stops, concluding at Chorley Park.
• Commissioner Vasquez reported on successful District 6 events (Colonial Heights Park Fest, Tahoe Park celebration, College Glenn trunk-or-treat) and requested future agenda items on park communication stickers and volunteer nominations.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (7-0, Uribe absent).
• Item 5 – Stone Beetland Parks Amenities Plans: Motion by Chair Gaines, second by Commissioner Flores. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 6 – 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan: Motion by Chair Gaines, second by Vice Chair Boone. Passed 6-1 (Commissioner Vasquez opposed). Amendments included: striking ambiguous third metric bullet in Section A, adding a bullet to develop a draft policy on standardizing community engagement, and modifying language in Section C. The report will be forwarded to the Personnel & Public Employees (P&PE) Committee.
• Next Steps: The commission agreed to agendize discussions on park communication stickers and volunteer nominations in January 2026. The 916 Day program will be re-envisioned as a year-round campaign. The Director will provide updates on the potential parks ballot measure.