Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen reports the west side playground equipment and safety/fall material at the Schildberg Recreation Area (SRA) is ready to be installed, and he’s putting out a call for volunteers to help put everything together June 21^st and 22^nd. Lunch will be provided for volunteers who are willing to lend a hand. If you’re interested in turning some wrenches, tightening screws and leveling the rubberized fall material, call the Parks and Rec Department at 712-243-3542.

Rasmussen said he’s been in talks with the City Street Department about excavating the site and helping in other areas of preparation, such as setting the cement for support poles. The west restroom at the SRA, as you may have noticed, has already been installed. The next step is to pack down the backfill and lay concrete for an ADA accessible path from the walking path to the restroom facility. Work on the Campground bathhouse is also underway, with soil work preparation.

Rasmussen said work on the East Ridge Park washout is set to begin as soon as possible, weather permitting. At Mollett Park (located at the east end of E. 3^rd Street Place), a split rail fence has been installed. A more defined, blocked-off parking lot is in the works for this summer or fall. The fence was installed to try and prevent vehicle vandalism that’s taken place in the past few months. Parks Board member Charlene Beane was concerned about the lack of lighting for the park, especially with a raised bed community garden in the plans. She wanted to see better lighting and security cameras to help prevent vandalism.

Rasmussen said the Sunnyside Pool was up and running, but the pump fought them. A new pump would cost anywhere from $45,000-to $50,000. Assistant Parks Director Roger Herring said there needs to be a renewed conversation about sources of funding for future of the pool, including a possible pump replacement in a few years.

In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said lilacs were installed at Harl Holt park to create a natural barrier along the basketball court, as opposed to a fence. He said also, work on the docks at the SRA, which were damaged by the flood, will begin in earnest as soon as possible. Work on the SRA Dog Park is done, and the park is usable. Fencing was re-installed, and holes have been filled-in. The parking lot has also been patched.

And finally, Rasmussen invites the public to the 4^th Annual Block Party at Sunnyside Park, June 1^st from 4-until 6-p.m. Volunteers are need to help chaperone at the event, as well.