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City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
TO: Advisory Park Board
FROM: Ray Maurer, Parks Director
DATE: May 4, 2022
RE: May 9, 2022 Meeting
1. Presentation of Parks Department 2021 Impact Report from Anne Schaefer,
Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator
Department staff prepare an annual Impact Report for the City of Oshkosh Parks
Department to highlight what has been accomplished in the department each year.
A copy of the full report is included with your packets. Anne will give a brief
presentation to the Board at the meeting.
2. Discuss the status of the Quarry Park restroom/shelter and parking lot
The Quarry Park restroom/shelter has been unavailable to the public for years due to
its condition. Due to the site being a former landfill with active methane gas venting
taking place, it is extremely limited as to what activities or development can take
place at the park. The parking lot at the site is in very poor condition and has
recently been barricaded off to keep vehicles from entering it. As part of the city’s
parking lot reconstruction program, city staff have been evaluating what to do with
the park parking lot based on the current usage of the park and what design
considerations would need to be taken into account due to this being a former
landfill site. Discussion ensued about the need for the restroom/shelter due to the
limited use of the park as well as the potential for a much improved, costly
ventilation of the building should the city choose to renovate it. The building
renovation has been in past Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) and is currently
included in year 2025 of the 2022-2026 CIP.
As city staff were evaluating the parking lot reconstruction and building renovation
and how the two projects coincide, we thought it best for the Advisory Park Board
to weigh in on the two projects. With the likelihood that the building renovation
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
cost could increase significantly for a facility that is currently not utilized, staff is
considering if the building should be razed. If the building is razed, the need for a
parking lot at the site is not really necessary and staff could determine the cost to
eliminate the parking lot and add more green space. There is street parking
available adjacent to the park.
Staff is looking for input from the Board on this matter.
3. Update on staffing shortages and potential effects on park operations
Similar to employers nationwide, the city is experiencing difficulty in hiring full
time as well as seasonal/part time staff. In the Parks Department, we recently
extended offers on three full time positions and are still recruiting for two vacant full
time positions – Arborist and Landscape Operations Grounds Specialist. We are still
recruiting seasonal/part time staff for General Laborers, Assistant Waterpark
Manager, Assistant Parks Manager for Menominee Park, Amusements/Special Event
Attendants and Boat Rangers. Except for the General Laborer position, all of the
positions require applicants to be 18 years of age or older. We do accept
applications for General Laborer from individuals 16 years of age or older.
The two biggest areas of concern for us are the Pollock Community Water Park and
the Children’s Amusement Area/Special Events. If we are unable to hire qualified
individuals for these positions, we may need to consider reducing hours of
operation at the water park and possibly not opening the Children’s Amusements
Center this year. For our special events, we are recruiting additional volunteers and
utilizing staff from other areas to ensure the events are offered.
Staff will provide further information at the meeting.
If you have questions prior to the meeting, please feel free to contact me at 236-5080.
If you will not be able to attend the meeting, please contact Stacy James,
Administrative Assistant, at 236-5080. Thank you in advance.