April 19, 2024

Park Board reviews year, approves fees changes

By Kate Malott

Administrative Park Superintendent Nathan Unsworth delivers mulch at Maytag Park in July. Volunteers such as Unsworth helped with the installation phase of the parks new playground which saved the project money and allowed citizens to get involved. (Kate Malott)

At the Newton Park Board meeting Wednesday night, board members were given an annual park review and discussed proposed park fee changes for the upcoming year. The board approved minimal increases to some park fees, however, it hopes to create promotions which will allow members of the community a discounted price.

All board members were in attendance, Adam Vandall, Gayle Kingery, Melanie Humphrey, Amanda Price and Joe Urias, along with administrative park superintendent Nathan Unsworth.

Westwood Golf Course

Adult, adult couple, senior and senior couple memberships had increased this year, as well as 30 new young professional memberships and five young professional couple membership, which were new to the 2014 fee rate at Westwood.

Overall, the total income at Westwood was up more than $56,000 than the previous year, however, due to a low beginning balance and expense increase, the ending balance is still down.

“We’re down to negative $21,000 at the end of July in our fund account, so we definitely have an operational problem out there which is one reason we have talked about doing the new club house to try and raise revenues that way,” Unsworth said.

Golf green fees will go up between $1 and $3 depending on the type of round but the 18-hole 10 punch pass will go down $8. All membership fees will go up 5 percent in an effort to alleviate the ending balance.

Board members discussed potential opportunities to allow both members and non-members discounted golf rates like early sale promotions and membership incentives.

Maytag Pool

Attendance was down this year compared to 2013 possibly due to cooler summer temperatures and other aquatic center competition. Total revenue was down this year by about $12,000 and expenses increased by $10,000 due to water loss by damaged outlet pipes. The ending balance for Maytag Park was negative $37,000.

All Maytag Pool fees will stay the same except for a $5 increase to the evening pool party fee. Lap swim will occur from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday with late swim hours on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Shelter Rentals

Park shelters are highly used throughout Newton with rental options and scheduled availability. Maytag Park West Shelter, Woodland Park Shelter and Sunset Park Shelter are the three most rented shelters in town, making up 70 percent of the 268 total rentals.

Maytag Park West Shelter and South Shelter, Woodland Park Shelter and Sunset Park Shelter fees will go up $5 for the half day rental fee.

Softball and Baseball Fields Rentals

According to the review, the City of Newton Parks and Grounds hosts around 900 participants each year in various softball, baseball and soccer athletic leagues with the most coming from Adult League Softball coordinated by the city.

Field rentals will stay the same except for Adult League Softball which will go up $3 and also have the option of paying $6 more per team to include a city employee ump.

Review

Newton Parks and Grounds staff made many improvements to its facilities completed in 2014. Handicap accessible sidewalks and parking were installed at Westwood, Agnes Patterson and the Newton Dog Park. A new fence was installed around the Aurora Park playground, the Parks administration installed new entrance signs and the Maytag Park playground renovation was planned and completed. Also at Westwood, cart paths near bridges were installed, clubhouse patio walls were removed with the addition of three new support beams and a new course website was established.

Goals

The board reinforced its goals at the meeting including installing restrooms at Aurora Heights, expanding existing bike trails to connect to city parks and throughout central Iowa, improve senior living accessibility to Sunset Park and build a new Westwood clubhouse to host large events.

It was also noted the Friends of Newton Parks volunteer organization will host a pancake breakfast and holiday fundraiser from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Newton Arboretum. Breakfast will be available along with crafts and an appearance by Santa.

The firework update was pushed back and will occur at the next Newton Park Board meeting, 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Newton City Hall.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com.