Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Marshall parks department staying well within budget (09/02/09)

As the 2008-2009 fiscal year draws to an end, the Marshall Parks and Recreation Department budget is faring much better than in previous years, Director Jeff Stubblefield reported at the park board meeting Wednesday evening, Sept. 2.

"We're almost $7,000 in the black, where in previous years it's been red, red and extremely red," Stubblefield said.

So far this year, the park sales tax has generated about $400,000.

Stubblefield said he will get finalized numbers in the next few weeks, which will help him as he finalizes the park's finances. He said the park board budget committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 5:30 p.m.

Stubblefield had other good news at the meeting. The commemorative plaques for Guthrey Play Area and Peyton Park are being made and should be completed soon, he said. Once they are finished, Stubblefield plans to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playgrounds, which are already a success.

"It's been well used," Stubblefield said. "This playground certainly far exceeded my expectations of it."

Some landscaping and seeding remains to be done in the playground areas as well.

In his report, Manager of Golf Operations Dale McDaniel said the unusual August weather did not adversely affect play on the course.

"August turned out to be one of the best Augusts we've had since I've been here," he said.

Golf Course Superintendent George McComas said his work is also going well.

"We got the greens punched, and everything turned out good," he said.

In her report, Recreation Supervisor Lori Godsey said 229 children took swimming lessons at the pool this summer. A total of nearly 19,000 people have come to the Aquatic Center this season.

The upcoming Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-7, will be the pool's final days of the season, if the weather cooperates.

"Hepfully we'll be able to get a few hours in this weekend," Godsey said.

She mentioned the pool had recently been closed because outside air temperature was too low.

Godsey also talked about Santa Fe Trail Days and Day in the Park, both of which will be at the park on Saturday, Sept. 12.

At the latter, there will be a petting zoo, face painting and other fun activities for kids, she said.

"There's stuff going on all day long," she said.

Board members Scott Fann, Nancy Kleinschmidt, Olive Malter, Sam Untiedt, Wayne Crawford and Mike Lamberson were present.

The board's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net