The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held a meeting Thursday, Feb. 28, in which board members discussed recent wins as well as challenges within the parks department. One such challenge includes the playground cover going astray during the November flood. In attendance were board member president Carlos Lopez, board members Crystal Pilkington, Kristy Rushing, and Luke Heithold. Not in attendance was board member Angie Curley.
Also in attendance were Parks and Recreation director Melissa DuBois and city administrator Sally Burbridge.
Playground ground cover bids
During the flood event of November, waters rose significantly and caused heavy debris to cover the playground and cause damages throughout. The board discussed insurance coverage limitations on the playground due to the current floodplain designations.
One company submitted a bid for the playground cover—All-Inclusive Rec. It reviewed the damages in-person and submitted options for review.
• Basic restoration ($215,429.72): replacing damaged rubber chips
• Upgraded option ($305,488.22): adding a rubber cap to prevent future flood damage, known as Playsafer RubberBond, with a five-year limited warranty
FEMA may only fund basic restoration to put the playground back to the condition it was in prior to the flooding; however, Burbridge shared that there’s a chance that FEMA could cover the cost of the rubber cap with what’s called mitigation funds. Mitigation funds cover prevention measures, indicated Burbridge, which would include the rubber cap.
Another possible route for covering the cost includes utilizing prior year fund balances reserved for larger projects such as this one, noted Burbridge, of which is over $600,000.
Board discussion favored the upgraded option, including the rubber cap, for the potential long-term benefits including making the entire playground ADA-accessible as well as being a preventative measure in the case of future flooding event. Heithold and DuBois further noted the rubber chips would no longer be lost down drains or the creek, due to the bond adhesive holding it in place, thereby reducing maintenance issues and costs.
Installation could start when overnight temperatures reach 40 degrees and could take two to three weeks.
The motion passed to recommend the upgraded option of $305,000, with insurance expected to cover a portion, as well as FEMA assistance possible in the future. The recommendation will go to the aldermen for final approval.
Pool pricing
Substantial increases to minimum wage in two years has made it prudent to investigate raising admission costs for the pool, especially with another increase to minimum wage to be expected in January 2026, indicated DuBois. Operational costs have also continued to increase, as well.
The board expressed concerns that if prices are too high, fewer families will visit, which could lead to a decline in overall revenue; not to mention, increased admission could push lower-income families away and put a barrier to a valuable community resource.
DuBois encouraged the board to do research on potential options to pursue for alleviating the loss of revenue. Any recommendations from the board were welcomed. DuBois will be researching historical data for the pool and looking into nearby communities on pricing fluctuations. Answers are being sought to reduce loss of revenue and make the pool a more sustainable resource while keeping it accessible to the community. The discussion will be readdressed in a later meeting.
Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois’ report
Salem MO Spectacular
The Salem MO Spectacular Event exceeded all expectations, with DuBois sharing that over 50 vendors, 10 food trucks, six hot air balloons, and approximately 4,000+ attendees came out for the event. The date for the next Salem MO Spectacular event will be Oct. 25. DuBois thanked Lighthouse Assembly for allowing organizers to use its vacant lot for parking, as well as city staff for their support throughout the event.
Gate fees went into an account to be used specifically for the event for annual improvements, clarified DuBois. DuBois indicated the amount contained was not much compared to the cost of bringing things to Salem. Balloons will need to be sponsored again, further shared DuBois.
Looking ahead
• Skills and Drills Football Camp is normally offered prior to the start of the soccer season; unfortunately, those that the city partners with were unable to fit the camp into their schedule. Basketball Skills and Drills Camp was able to be offered, however.
• The Al Brown lighting project ran into a minor hiccup with the transformer; unfortunately, it was ordered and installed incorrectly and did not work with the system. The transformer will be sent directly to MPUA to see if it may be offered to another city in need. It will also be sent to Intercounty to be forwarded to surrounding electrical cooperatives, explained Burbridge. Heithold asked if city staff are sure the transformer to be ordered is correct—to which Burbridge and DuBois assured, yes. It has been checked multiple times.
• The concession stand at Al Brown’s interior has been completed. Security roll doors have been installed, and two new steel doors have also been installed for security. When the weather warms up, staff will be power washing and repainting the exterior. The stand was utilized during flag football season, and it was “very convenient,” shared DuBois. Staff are looking forward to utilizing it more in the spring.
Flooding issues
Despite efforts to manage waterflow, heavy rainfalls have caused flooding in the Al Brown concession stand. A French drain has been installed behind the concession and has fixed the issue, so far.
The flooding of November caused extensive damage to Al Brown and Salem City Park. Meetings have been underway with FEMA, as well as the submission of a claim to insurance for possible reimbursement.
Billy’s Playground sustained substantial damage, further shared DuBois. The blue rubber chips were washed away and underneath the ground cover tiles, which caused the tiles to pop off. The installers of the tiles recommended having all tiles completely pulled up and reinstalled.
The green and red softball fields lost a substantial amount of field material, such as the red-clay dirt. Sand and pea gravel have been brought in the meantime.
In other news:
• Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool has a media change of sand to glass scheduled for March 1.
• Pavillion improvements were made when it was warm in the fall. The La-De-La Ladies Club volunteered to provide paint and painted all picnic tables blue to match the pavilions.
• The civic theater stage was resurfaced not long ago. City staff are continuing to work with Everything Cinema to get everything squared away.
• DuBois will be notifying those that need to renew that fence banner sponsorships are due. New businesses are encouraged to apply for a banner to help support park programs.
• DuBois shared a concern with the board members that there has been a slight decline in participation in sports, indicating that it may be due to the rising cost of living or due to a preference for travel sports.
Finance update
Total revenues YTD have been $591,143, or 67% of the 2024-25 budget. Total expenditures have been $437,615, or 52% of the 2024-25 budget.
The parks department is currently on track for its budget, noted DuBois. She further noted that budget planning is underway and that the next parks board meeting will go over the projected budget for next year in-depth.
Filling board seats
Lopez nominated Kala Sisco as a board member, with all approving her nomination. Her nomination will be recommended to Mayor Greg Parker. Options for more potential board members are being pursued.
Frisco Trail Signage proposal
John Hambacker proposed adding a new sign over the second leg of the Frisco Trail, near the Salem Senior Center. This is a continuation of the previous project. The minimum clearance height for the new sign was confirmed to be eight feet for pedestrian safety. Hambacker encouraged the board to continue maintenance of the trail, such as addressing tree root growth underneath the asphalt.
The board recommended the trail sign installation to the aldermen.
