Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks and Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Parks and Community Services Department Updates
REPORT IN BRIEF
Director will provide Parks and Community Services updates from the previous month.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only-no action required
Body
DISCUSSION
Budget Update
The 2025/2026 City Budget was adopted by City Council on 6.16.25. The Parks & Community Services Department budget included the following major modifications:
• Reductions
o Programs- summer camp, stick to fitness sports clinics, Community reservations of the Block Party Trailer
o Staffing- 1 FTE Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, 15% of PTE
o Contracts- 100% of McCombs Youth Center Lease Agreement reimbursement, 33% of all Service Agreement reimbursements
• Additions
o Move P&CS office to Merced Senior Community Center using 24/25 savings & PFFP funds- $117,000
o MCSD contract for Junior Giants, NFL Flag Football, & NBA Basketball programs for City K-6 students- approximately- $180,000
o 3rd Zookeeper for Merced Applegate Zoo- $86,000
o Turf Tank lease agreement- automated painting of all fields (Nannini, Joe Herb, Regional Sports Complex)- $14,000
o Part time Recreation Field & Facility Worker to care for Regional Sports Complex- $24,000
o Housing and Urban Development- Community Development Block Grant funding towards renovations at Joe Herb Sports- ADA, Safety & Security focused scope- $750,000 +
Program Update
Aquatics- Over 300 families have signed up for Swim lessons this summer. The programs annual expense is upwards of $65.00 per person but thanks to a generous donation from Central Valley Opportunity Fund we were able scholarship all families to reduce the cost to $25.00 per person. This type of community investment ensures that lessons are provided by qualified, certificated staff in pools that are up to date and meet todays standards. We have two sessions of swim lessons and still have room in our second sessions if anyone is interested.
Recreation Swim will start June 20th and continue each Friday and Saturday from 1:00pm-6:00pm. Entry is $2 for the day.
The end of the season will be August 2nd at which time we will host our annual Big Kahuna Cannonball Contest at McNamara Pool. All challengers are welcome. Ada Givens Pool is open for private party reservations.
Both pools have experienced vandalism and issues with unauthorized entry. The department is working to identify security features and operational tools that can mitigate some of these ongoing concerns in the future.
Junior Giants- The Junior Giants Baseball program is host to several Divisions of players. New to Merced for the last two seasons has been the establishment of the Challenger League serving children with specific needs.
The league is serving approximately 340 students. We want to give our thanks to Merced City School District for their contract to support serving their students over the summer. The First Pitch to open to summer season will be on Wednesday June 25th at 6:00pm at Nannini Sports Complex. All residents are welcome to come cheer on our participants!
Merced Applegate Zoo had its sign replaced thanks to the significant donations from several community members and The Sign Guys who donated the labor to replace the sign. Administration is working to finalize the Zoo design & build plans and construction should begin this Summer/fall with a completion date of Spring 2026. Administration is working with an outside individuals and organizations who wish to sponsor MAZ. We are in discussions with educational institutions, Work Net, private donors and Foundations. The Zoo renovation will include a donor wall to recognize significant sponsors in our ongoing efforts to renovate the facility.
Capital Improvements
The Department is working on several capital improvement projects including the completion of phase 2 of the Regional Sports Complex, the design of General Vang Pao Park, the renovation and repair of Stephen Leonard Youth Center, and the construction of Bob Hart Square.
New to this years list of projects will be the renovation of Joe Herb Softball Fields, the expansion of Fahrens Park Disc Golf Parking Lot, and Applegate Park Basketball Court renovation.
High Speed Rail
While there are ongoing initiatives at the State level to see the HSR progress there are simultaneously Federal initiatives that are creating barriers to the reality of any major construction taking place soon in Merced. The City maintains its commitment to ensure the residents, our service providers, and our programs are better off as a result of the project and that includes in the meantime. As such, the City is pursuing amending its Lease Agreement for use of the McCombs Youth Center with the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County to a five year term and has committed funds to move Parks & Community Services administration and operation into the Merced Senior Community Center. These investments will ensure the spaces are maximized to their full potential and offer the community the valuable services they deserve as a result.
PROS Master Plan
Planning efforts are still underway with a couple additional groups being hosted this next month and a follow up meeting with all Wisdom Holders involved. The goal will be to ensure that we move from external assessment to internal interviews to identify gaps in service, operations, and capabilities that can be addressed in the PROS Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation