Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 25, 2026 The meeting was called to order by Joe Boll at 6:30 p.m. Present at roll call: Ken Staver, Joe Boll, Scott Heinberg, Doug Lindstrom and Jill Ringen Absent: Rayna O’Brien, Carly Winslow Also present: Wade Berget, Cindy Corley, Danni Havens, Dave Roelli, John Sonsalla and Kim Winslow Steve Pickett arrived at 7:08pm Motion by Ringen, seconded by Staver, the meeting notice and agenda were properly posted. Voice vote. Motion carried. Motion by Lindstrom, seconded by Ringen, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as presented. Voice vote. Motion carried. Public comment, suggestions, and recommendations of citizens present: None Reports / presentations from Commission Members or Staff: The Pecatonica River Trails Park Campground – Occupancy & Revenue report was included in the agenda packets. Wade gave a brief report they are doing spring clean-up of the campground, and a couple of campsites that need some leveling prior to the campground opening. He hopes to have the campground opened for the season in early April. Danni Havens presented a report on Wellness Center memberships, the software upgrade, arrival of the new elliptical machines, and ideas she had for summer classes. Wade Berget presented a report on work being done in the parks following some storm damage, the Splash Pad construction project is about to begin, the contractor will be starting repair work on the ball park storage shed, and the tremendous response he has received with the soccer program sign-ups. Under unfinished or deferred business from the previous commission meeting: Discussion only was held regarding the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Wade informed the commission members Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning would like to keep the survey open until Friday, April 3, 2026. They will then compile and present the results at the next commission meeting schedule for April 29, 2026. Discussion and action were held regarding bids for replacement of the swings and playground equipment at the Pecatonica River Trails Park Campground. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Staver, seconded by Ringen, to recommend approval to the City Council the revised bid from Lee Recreation in the amount of $24,545.00 for replacement of all swings and playground equipment in the sand area of the campground playground. Voice vote. Ayes – Heinberg, Ringen, Staver. Nays – Lindstrom. Motion carried. Under new business or matters to be taken up by the commission: Discussion only was held regarding classes during Wellness Center Director’s leave of absence. No action was taken. Discussion and action were held regarding the hiring of this year’s Summer and Seasonal employees. Wade Berget presented a list of all applicants for the swimming pool, parks & rec summer, the new parks seasonal position, and the concession stand. After a discussion, a motion was made by Ringen, seconded by Staver, to recommend approval to the City Council to hire the following employees for the 2026 season: • Swimming Pool = Madyson King–Manager, Olivea Winslow–Assistant Manager, Ava Andrae, Addison DePauw, Piper Depauw, Alyza Johnson, Lillian King, Max Martin, Samantha Prescher, Ben Weaver, Madison Welacha, Jerzey Wiegel, Sophie Wiegel, Sydney Wiegel – lifeguards • Summer Parks & Recreation = AJ Bodden, Anakin Corley, Landon Edgerton, Grady Hartwig, Brendan Leary • Concession Stand = Anyka Johnson, Izabella Ortega • Parks Seasonal = Jerry Douglas, the new Seasonal Parks employee will be hired through the Finance & Personnel Committee since it is a brand new position being created Voice vote. Ayes – Heinberg, Ringen, Staver. Abstain – Lindstrom. Motion carried. Discussion and action were held regarding bids for portable restrooms for the parks. Wade informed the commission he only received one bid for the portable restrooms. A motion was made by Lindstrom, seconded by Staver, to approve the bid from Monson Septic in the amount of $1,600.00 for portable restrooms in the parks for the summer of 2026. Voice vote. Motion carried. Discussion and action were held regarding the 2026 Summer Program booklets. After a discussion, a motion was made by Ringen, seconded by Staver, to not print the booklets this year, but to put all information online on the City website and social media pages. Voice vote. Motion carried. Steve Pickett arrived at the meeting at 7:08pm to give the commission members an update on the new Lions Club shelter house being constructed behind Casey’s General Store. Construction of the new shelter house will begin very soon. Next meeting date is set for April 29, 2026 at 6:30pm Motion by Ringen, second by Staver, to adjourn the meeting at 7:48pm. Voice vote. Motion carried. CITY OF DARLINGTON Kim Winslow, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer