The ongoing renovation of Atchley Park is on budget and roughly 2/3 complete with about $1.7 million in finalized projects, according to Lebanon Parks Director John Shelton.
Major projects finished so far include resurfacing for the ballfield parking lot at $405,000, the lower parking lot for $285,000 and the front parking lot for $272,500. Also completed is installation of fall protection at the playground for $130,000, pickleball and basketball courts for $94,000 and a concession/restroom, bleachers facility for $495,000.
Speaking on the parks department's financial strategy, Shelton said a reliance on sales tax revenue has kept the project financially sound, despite a sharp rise in material costs.
He said one source of savings comes from utilizing local vendors and previously vetted city contracts. He said that this has eliminated "mobilization costs"—the fees companies charge to transport heavy machinery like bulldozers and backhoes to the site.
"If you go back and look at the original plans and budget estimates from Olson (engineering firm) on the parks, there was $50,000 to $80,000 worth of mobilization," Shelton noted, adding that handling preliminary stages locally kept those funds in the city's pocket.
He said that while playground equipment prices remain "astronomically high," the overall project cost is below the original engineering estimates drawn up from the park's master plans.
Shelton said that the Atchley Park renovations are funded entirely by a 1/2-cent city sales tax rather than city general funds or borrowed money.
He said the sales tax revenue for parks is divided into two primary buckets:
Two-Thirds (66%) is allocated to daily operations, such as trash collection, mowing, restroom cleaning, and routine maintenance.
One-Third (33%) is saved and used specifically for major park capital improvements and construction.
The department has also avoided relying heavily on state or federal grants, he said. According to Shelton, many parks grants carry strict "in perpetuity" clauses, legally requiring the infrastructure to remain forever. He said this can create a financial trap 25 to 30 years down the road when equipment ages out and needs replacement.
The Park Board is continuing to look to the future with these projects and estimated expenses:
Dog park relocation: $20,000 to $50,000
Lower lot restroom: $70,000, with $120,000 shelter
Front shelter replacement at $150,000 to $120,000
Splash pad: $250,000 to $400,000
Lower level playground: $300,000
Turf/natural playground area: $150,000
Walking trail expansion: $200,00
Shelton said the park board plans to continue its current strategy of completing one major park project entirely before moving to the next.
"If you jump from park to park, it never seems like you really did anything because you're doing such a small piece," Shelton said.
