Extracted text (via pymupdf)
7010 characters
1
November 04, 2025 | 5:00 P.M.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair David called the meeting to order on Tuesday, October 7, at 5:00 p.m.
Members in Attendance:
Chair John David
Vice Chair Melanie Dykstra
Board Member Lynette Bradley
Board Member Jegadesan Krishnamurthy (arrived at 5:06 P.M.)
Board Member Sarah Sharits
Board Member James Montgomery
Board Member Sue McInturf
Members Absent:
None
Staff Members:
Erika Berry, Becky Kuiper, Ariana Atwood, Erika Hanson, John Sefton, Tyrone
Allen, and Joshua Adams
UNSCHEDULED/SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES
1. Recreation Superintendent Becky Kuiper introduced Erika Hanson, the new
Adaptive Recreation Coordinator.
CONSENT AGENDA
2
2. Approval of Minutes from October 7, 2025, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting.
Board member Montgomery moved to approve the October 7th, 2025, Parks
and Recreation Board meeting minutes, and Board member Krishnamurthy
seconded.
The motion was approved unanimously, 7-0.
ACTION ITEMS
3. None
DISCUSSION
4. Community Services Donations (Memorial, Dedicatory, Commemorative) Program
Vice Chair Dykstra presented research from several municipalities regarding
their memorial programs. She observed that cities often limit programs due to
long-term space, maintenance, and infrastructure challenges. Examples of
emerging alternatives, including virtual memorials and memorial art pieces,
were also discussed. Staff will return with formal recommendations.
5. Future agenda items for consideration
Board members discussed topics and agenda items for the upcoming year.
Items included:
• City Code revisions
• Park Ranger utilization
• Regulations for motorized scooters and e-bikes
• Benefits of new Frye Rd. bike lanes
• Reuse potential for closed school sites
• Review of the Community Services Department IGAs
• Mesquite Groves development timeline
• Clarification on land east of Tumbleweed pickleball courts
• City Manager hiring timeline
• Evaluation of new program performance
• Recreation & Library Master Plan timeline
6. WISH Program – Ariana Atwood
3
Recreation Specialist Ariana Atwood provided a detailed overview of the WISH
Program, an annual holiday initiative supporting seniors who are homebound,
isolated, or on fixed incomes. Seniors complete a personal questionnaire
describing their interests and needs. Volunteers, serving as anonymous “Secret
Santas”, are matched with seniors and provide personalized gifts, handmade
items, or thoughtful cards.
Ariana noted that participation continues to grow, with more than 150 seniors
involved last year and 56 already enrolled this season. Many volunteers are
City staff, senior center participants, or community members who assist with
wrapping and delivery. Quilting groups also contribute handmade blankets.
Ariana emphasized that gifts need not be expensive; thoughtful gestures and
human connection are the heart of the program. Board Members expressed
strong support.
7. Parks Operations – Tyrone Allen
Parks Superintendent Tyrone Allen presented an expanded overview of the
Parks Division. The division has 73 staff assigned across nine geographic
maintenance crews, a specialized repair crew, a sports field crew, and the
Urban Forestry Program. Staff maintain approximately 70 parks totaling more
than 1,500 acres, 100 playgrounds, 60 athletic and multi-use fields, skate parks,
dog parks, spray pads, lake areas, and numerous landscaped public spaces.
Daily responsibilities include grounds maintenance, turf management,
irrigation repairs, restroom servicing, trash collection, graffiti removal, athletic
field preparation, playground equipment checks, trail inspections, and event
support. Tyrone noted that irrigation repairs and seasonal demands are among
their most time-intensive responsibilities.
Tyrone stated that major contracted services include large-scale mowing,
restroom cleaning, herbicide applications, and landscape maintenance in
certain areas. He also mentioned that the Urban Forestry Program, led by ISA-
certified arborists, recently completed the City’s first comprehensive tree
inventory using Open Tree Map, identifying health conditions, risks, and priority
projects. A five-year pruning and tree care plan is also underway.
Mr. Allen mentioned that playgrounds receive biweekly inspections, and an
independent certified safety contractor performs annual comprehensive
evaluations. Tyrone also highlighted the water conservation partnership with
4
SRP, which includes irrigation audits and targeted repairs to promote long-term
efficiency.
8. Tumbleweed Recreation Center Participation
Recreation Superintendent Erika Berry provided performance data for the
Tumbleweed Recreation Center. Passholder numbers remain steady, with
minimal fluctuation despite previous construction impacts. The expanded
Senior Saguaro Social Club has seen a significant increase in repeat visitors
and monthly participation.
Erika stated that personal training has grown rapidly, supported by a team of
7–9 trainers who maintain strong engagement with patrons. TRC continues to
operate seven days per week using a combination of full-time and extensive
part-time staff who support programs, rentals, front desk operations, and the
fitness floor. Facility rentals and leisure programming remain in high demand.
CALENDAR ITEMS
9. The next Parks and Recreation Board meeting will be held February 3, 2026, at
5:00 p.m. at Nozomi Aquatics Center, 250 S. Kyrene Rd.
10. Chandler Golf Challenge, November 7 at Bear Creek Golf Complex, registration
required
11. Military Appreciation Breakfast, November 7 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the
Community Center, registration required - Veterans only please
12.
Woofstock, November 15 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Tumbleweed Park
13. Sonoran Sunset Series “StarAlliance,” November 20, “What’s Left,” December
18, and “Pick & Holler,” January 15 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Veterans Oasis Park
14. Concerts in the Courtyard Series, November 21 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the
Community Center
15. Turkey Swim, November 27 from 5:30-7:30 a.m. at Hamilton Aquatic Center
16. Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting, December 6 from 4:30-9:00 p.m. in
Downtown Chandler
5
FUTURE ITEMS
17. Library & Recreation Master Plan Stakeholder Meeting will be held in early
December, location and time to come.
ADJOURN
Board member Montgomery moved to adjourn the November 4th Parks
and Recreation Board meeting, and Vice Chair Dykstra seconded the
motion. The motion was approved unanimously, 7-0. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
_______________________________
_________________________________________
John David, Chair Erika Berry, Recreation Superintendent