Fife Development News

Parks Board Addresses Multiple Capital Projects, Tree Health, Mural Designs, Trails Day, Pride Event, Work Plan, and Memorial Ceremony

The Parks Advisory Board reviewed updates on several capital projects, including Wedge Park, the community center, and the DACA Park swing set. Wedge Park construction is set to begin July 6th, with the parks crew removing existing structures the week prior. The restroom building for Wedge Park is scheduled for delivery on July 15th, and the construction window is 90 working days. Work on an issue at the community center involving a fire panel and smoke detectors is nearing completion. A facility assessment for the community center is underway, with a kickoff meeting held the day after the board meeting. The DACA Park swing set is nearly wrapped up, with only minor finishing touches needed. The five-acre playground has encountered issues with incorrectly poured concrete, and a mitigation plan is being developed. The board also discussed tree health, reviewing an arborist report for 23 trees on the Salzman property, identifying three as needing attention: a bald cypress with decay, a corkscrew willow with extensive decay, and a Douglas fir with dead branches. An arborist will also assess birch trees on City Hall Block and a tree at DACA Park impacting a private residence. Additionally, the board reviewed renderings for a mural at Wedge Park's basketball court, with several artists submitting designs. The top-ranked designs by board members included options featuring various natural elements and local landmarks. Lastly, updates were provided on the upcoming Trails Day event, scheduled for July 25th, including planning for a passport-style activity, the need for borrowed tents, and chair availability. The board also discussed options for event t-shirts and finalized locations for subcommittee members. Planning for the Pride in Fife event on Saturday, June 13th, was also discussed, highlighting new elements like a people's choice vote, generational representation by 'queens', an all-cast finale, in-house concessions, and bingo prizes. The board also reviewed its 2026 work plan, confirming completion of several items, including support for Parks Appreciation Day, selection for the Fife Memorial Fountain, and coordination of trail walks for Trails Day. The July meeting at Levee Pond Park was confirmed, with a reminder about the need for a quorum. Discussions also touched on the upcoming chair and vice chair elections, with a motion made and passed to move them to the September meeting due to potential quorum issues in July. The Fountain Memorial ceremony to unveil names of former Mayor Winston Marsh and Rudolph Laval King was detailed, including the program, timing, and the process for unveiling the plaques. The work of the jobs program in preparing the site was also commended.