Last year was a busy one for the city’s parks department, said park superintendent Ellen Kuker.
She recently prepared her annual report highlighting all the department accomplished last year despite a cold and snowy start to 2014.
The city parks and Riley Pool saw renovations, and more programs were offered in 2014 than any other time in recent years.
Here are some of the report’s highlights.
1. The Greenfield Parks Department has a new maintenance garage.
The building is 4,800 square feet and was planned for nearly 10 years. The garage provides a safer work environment for parks employees, the report says, and gives the department room to grow in the future.
Previously, equipment was kept outside, and during winter months, crews had to scape snow and ice off of it. Inside storage will prolong the life of the equipment.
2. The parks received upgrades.
The playgrounds were renovated to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The parks surfacing was upgraded to be more accessible to all.
More than 90 trees were donated and planted throughout city parks.
More than 250 volunteers donated almost 1,300 hours to improve the parks in 2014. The two bridges in Riley Park were painted, and 33 birdhouses were installed along the Pennsy Trail.
3. Renovations at Riley Pool led to increase in passes sold.
In 2014, Riley Pool saw new staff, new training and new procedures.
Several repairs were made to the pool facility; it has new chairs and benches, new paint and new equipment.
Those renovations resulted in a 26 percent increase in pool passes sold for the season. And pool rentals increased by 42 percent.
The Parks Department still has plans to offer new pool features and more in the future to continue to improve the community pool.
Compiled by Samm Quinn
