Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board Meeting – August 31, 2026

The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board met on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 11:30 AM to review the proposed 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and take action on a recommendation to the Finance Committee. The meeting included detailed presentations on projects, equipment, and fleet requests, followed by a unanimous vote to recommend the CIP to the City Council.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (July 20, 2026): Motion by Eric Hummer, second by Alderman Camacho. Approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• CIP Overview: Staff presented a summary sheet outlining projects (salmon), IT-related equipment (blue), and fleet items (green). The budget book was released late the prior Friday, allowing board members time to review before the meeting. The first Finance Committee meeting (August 25) was a “kick the tire” session focused on fleet items.
• Project-by-Project Review:
  • Playground Replacement (Higer Park): Proposed replacement of the oldest playground (circa 2000) with a community build, including surfacing. Estimated cost reflects rising equipment and material prices. Discussion covered extending playground life through preventive maintenance, part replacement, and standardization across vendors. The board noted the need to balance costs with a 25–30 year replacement cycle.
  • Mineola Park Parking Lot & Pavilion: Phase two of the Mineola Park project: a 40–45 stall parking lot off West Avenue with lighting, to support the new pavilion (under construction, groundbreaking expected fall 2026). The lot will connect to three U8 grass fields and the existing Hoover lot. The pavilion (community room, restrooms, concessions) is on track for a soft opening in summer 2027.
  • Frame Park Seating & Storage: Partnership with Carroll University ($200,000 from each) to replace three aging storage sheds and improve seating, including a modular unit with press box and storage underneath. Asphalt pavement will be replaced with concrete. Board encouraged modular design to allow future expansion per the Fox River master plan.
  • Sparks Field (WRO Complex): Hybrid turf on the varsity softball field (field #1) using $164,636 in donations matched by $235,364 in city funds. The turf will eliminate rainouts. No lights are included. The project honors the memory of Jackson Sparks.
  • Schuetze Building (Shute C) HVAC & Gym Floor: Comprehensive HVAC replacement (rooftop units, boilers, air handlers) across multiple zones, plus resanding and repainting of the gym floor. Alternates include replacing the air handler. Estimated cost reflects the age of the building (30 years) and code compliance.
  • Riverwalk Overlook Boardwalk (Spring House to Arsenal Bridge): Replacement of flood-damaged boardwalk (estimated $400,000) with a more resilient design. Staff noted potential funding from the Fox River Development Board (via community foundation) and coordination with the ArtScape plan and park master plan.
  • Filter Media Replacement (Horeb Springs & Buckner Pools): Replacement of sand filter media (silica glass) every 8–10 years to maintain water clarity. Work includes inspection and repair of internal pipes.
  • Bike Path Wayfinding Signage: Phase 1.5 of fabrication and installation, focusing on the New Berlin Trail Connector through Carroll University to E.B. Shurts and Glacial Drumlin Trail. Materials and scope to be finalized.
  • Parking Lot Lighting (Banting Park): Four poles to illuminate the lot serving pickleball, tennis, and baseball fields.
  • Mineola Parking Lot Lighting: Companion piece to the Mineola parking lot project.
  • E.B. Shurts Fire Alarm System: Replacement of pull boxes, horn strobes, smoke/heat detectors, and dialer (upgrade from landline to wireless). Current system has unsynchronized strobes/horns, flagged by the fire marshal.
  • E.B. Shurts Roof Replacement: Original asphalt shingle roof (30 years old), including sheathing, fascia, soffits, gutters, and skylight resealing.
• IT Items:
  • Cradle Point Mounts & Camera Replacement: Arm mounts for cradle points at Rivers Crossing, Banting, and shelters; replacement camera at Buckner pool.
  • Fiber & Security at Mineola: Installation of fiber from STEM to Mineola (to support POS systems and keyless entry), plus 8 cameras and 14 keyless entry systems for the new building.
• Fleet Items (9 total):
  • Cargo Van: Replacement (van 31) for custodial staff, with shelving; recreation staff will receive the gently used van 61.
  • Truck #5: Multi-purpose vehicle with roll-off dumpster, flat bed, and water tank; replaces a 1990s GMC with low mileage.
  • Tractors: Three replacements: one vent-trac (for steep slopes and ball diamond grooming), two traditional tractors (one cabbed for forestry mowing, one with bucket and attachments).
  • Truck #10 (Colorado): Replacement of maroon Colorado (odd due to supply chain issues) with a Ford Ranger.
  • Truck #74 (Colorado): Extended cab, no new plow/salter (retain existing).
  • Truck #75 (Colorado): Mid-size pickup, extended cab, similar to #74.
  • Forestry Chipper: Replacement of smallest chipper (12-inch capacity) to maintain access to trails and parks.
• Staff Reports:
  • Recreation Report (Mark Thompson): Successful summer with record youth development camp attendance and revenue; before/after school care expanded to 10 sites; aquatics season ended August 23 – attendance down 2–4% due to cool spring, but Buckner met forecast; community volunteer interest remains strong (Greenway Terrace build filled in 30 minutes); new recreation supervisor Jesse Jeffers (from South Milwaukee) starting September 2026.
  • Admin Report (Mark Schram): Fall activity guide published; draft master plan presented at the August 27 beer garden pop-up engagement; further adjustments and final approval expected from the board and planning commission.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Recommend CIP to City Council: Moved by Alderman Wells, seconded by Eric Hummer. The board voted unanimously (all present aye) to recommend the full 2027-2031 CIP budget, including all projects, IT items, and fleet requests, to the City Council. The next Finance Committee meeting is September 8, 2026, with council action scheduled for September 15, 2026.
• Timeline: The CIP process is on a fast track; the board noted that if budget cuts are necessary, the Frame Park project ($200,000 city share) was identified as the most flexible to defer.