PAXTON – The Paxton Park Board approved the purchase of two batting cage nets for Nelson Field at Tuesday’s meeting.
The purchase will not exceed $2,000. According to Paxton Park District Recreation Director Jordan Chapman, each cage will cost $850.
Chapman said the new nets will have doors, whereas with the old nets, participants would have to left the net to go under them to use the cages.
Kristen Larson, Ward 4 alderman and chair of the Paxton City Council’s Community Committee, visited the meeting to talk about the state of the dugouts and the fence at Nelson Field.
Larson mentioned that there is a random screw sticking out of a wooden piece.
“That’s a safety concern,” Larson said. “I think it’s a liability. Number two, frankly, it’s embarrassing. It’s pretty shabby and dangerous. There’s going to be a kid who hurts themselves.”
Larson acknowledged that under the agreement between the Paxton Park District and the City of Paxton, it is the City’s responsibility to fix the problems. The city owns Nelson Field, but it is used and partially maintained by the park district.
The current agreement was put into effect in the 1990’s, but according to Larson, the agreement is outdated due to changes that have been made to Nelson Field since the agreement was signed.
A new agreement has been in the works for more than a year. Larson said she would bring up the state of the dugouts at the Paxton City Council meeting, which also took place on Tuesday.
“I guarantee it’ll get pushback because we’re waiting on that updated agreement that they’re supposed to be putting together,” Larson said. “We need to have an operating document here so that you guys can do what you need to do and we can all move forward.”
Pool cabana tabled
The board tabled the purchase of pool cabana materials.
“It’s a tricky one because it sucks our money, but we want it, trying to find a way to keep it, make it desirable,” Chapman said.
Park Board Vice President Craig Kief said the pool was “not very well attended” as of late.
Commissioner Mark Fredricksen made a motion to purchase the cabana materials at a cost not to exceed $6,000, but the motion was not seconded.
“I like the idea of it. I have concerns about getting the money back out of it,” Fredricksen said. “We need to be focused on breaking even on it.”
Commissioner Denver Piatt asked Chapman to reach out to contractors for construction on the cabanas.
Commissioner Hannah Meents suggested asking for public input on the cabanas via social media.
In his director’s report, Chapman said permits are in process for a new pump.
The last day the pool will be open this summer will be Aug. 24.
Other business
Also at Tuesday’s meeting:
— The board approved the purchase of replacement playground equipment for Westlawn Park at a cost not to exceed $3,000. According to Chapman, $1,000 will be reimbursed through a grant from iParks as well as $300 for swing reimbursement, a $1,000 power grant and $300 for fall prevention.
— The board approved the purchase of two youth soccer goals not to exceed $2,500.
— The board approved the 2025-26 annual budget.
— The board tabled obtaining an outside certified public accounting firm to conduct an annual audit and complete the annual financial report to be filed with the State of Illinois.
— The board tabled looking into options for having a referendum put on the ballot for a future election.
— The board tabled the recreation director’s annual review and wage increase.
— The board approved the payment of bills totaling $25,291.32.
— The board approved the minutes for the board meetings on June 20 and July 8.