BROOKINGS — Upcoming improvements to the skate park near Brookings High School — including concrete structures replacing the current metal ones — were among issues discussed at Monday night’s meeting of the city’s Park & Recreation Advisory Board.

Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman said the design is preliminary, and includes features aimed at beginning to intermediate skateboarders. Furthermore, the design allows for future expansion.

“We tried to engage the skating community as much as possible,” Zimmerman said, adding that further public feedback is being sought — what’s liked, what isn’t and so on.

“This design was well-received by the skaters that have looked at it,” Parks, Recreation & Forestry Assistant Director Josh Bauman added. “The option for expansion is huge. If anything ever needed to be done — if we ever needed to add on to it — we wouldn’t have to change a thing with what’s there. We can simply just add on to it so there’d never be a loss in anything we’re doing.”

The $300,000 project is within budget and includes better lighting as well, along with a more advanced camera system. The design was provided by American Ramp Co.

Money drying up

Outside funding sources are key resources for Zimmerman’s department, but she said at Monday’s meeting that the picture is beginning to look bleak.

“Grants in particular are starting to reduce in size and/or be eliminated,” Zimmerman said. “It’s just the funding tool climate that we’re in. … If you guys happen to see anything, pass it on. We’re constantly looking for outside funding. It’s pretty tight right now.”

“We talking federal grants?” board member Steve Berseth asked.

“Federal, state, local, nonprofit — across the board,” Zimmerman said. “We have some — we’re preparing for a little bit of a hit, but that’s what we do, right? I don’t want to be a doomsayer, but it’s not looking super-promising right now.”

Edgebrook water source

On a brighter note, progress continues to be made at Edgebrook Golf Course in its ongoing water-reliability saga, with pipeline construction expected to begin this fall. Earlier projections had shown that wouldn’t start until spring 2026, but now it’s thought that’s when work will wrap up.

While glad to deliver good news, Zimmerman also urged a bit of caution.

“That’s a little quicker than I thought originally,” she said. “We will get the finalized timeline, though, when we get it out because it’s all based on contractors’ schedules, too, so that’ll be a factor in it. In a perfect world, we’ll have it in spring 2026.”

Gym transfer

The city is expected to officially take ownership of the Fifth Street Gym, 606 Fifth St., on May 13, according to Zimmerman.

She said some programs with the Brookings Activity Center will either move over to the gym or continue to take place there, including indoor pickleball and walking. It’s also possible that additional fitness classes will be offered over the lunch hour, but final details regarding that are still being hashed out.

Zimmerman said outreach is also taking place with community partners as well for other possible or continuing uses. Lastly, she said the gym will be the official home of the Special Olympics in Brookings going forward.

Further updates

Advisory board members also received updates on other topics at Monday’s meeting, including:

• The preliminary design for Sarah Renee Park, between Western Avenue South and Regency Court, has been released. It’s an existing park that’s being revamped, a process that includes a conversation board for people who are nonverbal, along with an inclusive spinner and a larger slide along with climbing options, musical instruments and plenty of shade. The design is ADA-compliant. Completion is estimated to be this fall.

• Regarding seasonal job openings, Zimmerman said the department is pretty much full — the golf course is fully staffed, and there’s perhaps one or two open lifeguard positions at Hillcrest Aquatic Center.

The situation, she said, “is really great — almost unheard of.”

• Lastly, the department is seeking the public’s feedback on trail system needs. When a person is on a trail, scanning the QR code — found at bike shops in town, and also on the department’s Facebook page — will take them to a five-question survey that includes providing feedback on maintenance needs and desired amenities at that location.

— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.