Council OKs improvements at 6 parks in city

City lawmakers have green-lit six of seven park improvement projects that will be paid for with money from Kingston’s Recreation Trust Fund but held off on authorizing the creation of a skate park.

During a virtual meeting Tuesday, the Common Council unanimously adopted an amended resolution that called for the city to spend up to $264,500 from the fund to pay for six capital improvement projects in parks. The vote came a day after lawmakers expressed concern about potential cost overruns for the seven proposed projects and the timing of the work to be done.

The council initially was asked to authorize the use of $314,500 from the fund to pay for seven projects. But Alderman Tony Davis, D-Ward 6, moved during Tuesday’s the meeting to amend the resolution to eliminate $50,000 in funding for the creation of a skate park.

The amendment was adopted by a vote of 7-2, with Aldermen Douglas Koop, D-Ward 2, and Patrick O’Reilly, a non-enrolled voter who represents Ward 7, opposed. The two ultimately voted in favor of the amended resolution with the rest of the council.

Davis said lawmakers received some information from the city on Tuesday about the prioritization of the proposed projects. He said he would be in favor of moving forward with the majority of them.

“My only concern is that if we hold off on doing these, from the information we’ve gathered, that this equipment, these structures, are only going to deteriorate even more,” resulting in event higher costs, Davis said.

Of the approved funding, $25,000 will go to the construction of a new roof at the Hasbrouck Park pavilion, $50,000 will be used for the full reconstruction of a pavilion at Hutton Park, and $50,000 will be used for the repair and replacement of playground equipment and tennis court at Loughran Park.

Another $70,000 will be used for improvements to the Rickel Knox Memorial Playground on Gill Street, including the installation of new equipment and safety improvements.

There also is $24,500 to be used for the installation of WiFi and security cameras in parks and $45,000 for the removal and installation of a new boundary fence at Barmann Park.

The Recreation Trust Fund currently has $451,354.66 available, according to information provided previously by Mayor Steve Noble. Money in the fund can only be used for capital projects that improve park facilities.