When families visit Glen Miller Park to enjoy sunny, warm days, children play on decades-old playground equipment and in a splash pad with broken components.
Improvements won’t become immediately evident — not until spring 2027 — but work on that and other urgent parks projects progresses feverishly. Richmond borrowed about $4.785 million against future food and beverage tax revenue, providing about $4.5 million to jump-start the projects, and Denise Retz, the parks superintendent, updated Richmond Common Council members during their May 18 meeting. Retz said the first monthly food and beverage tax installment received from the state Department of Revenue was $92,000.
To not interrupt peak usage, equipment is being ordered now for construction this fall. That would make the new $1.8 million playground and $505,000 splash pad ready for the first nice weather next year.
At Highland Lake Golf Course, a new pump has been ordered, with expected delivery in early July. After that $148,100 project, a $500,000 irrigation project will follow next year.
“This is a very exciting project, and one that is definitely needed,” Retz said.
After raising $50,000 in donations to earn a $50,000 match, only $64,000 in bond anticipation money is needed to renovate the E.G. Hill Memorial Fountain in Glen Miller’s rose garden. That renovation should be completed by October, Retz said.
Other projects moving forward include researching new trash cans and picnic tables and awarding a $311,090 bid to provide 13 metal roofs for parks buildings and a polycarbonate roof for the greenhouse.
One project is completed: Five new pool umbrellas costing $27,297.90 were in place for the pool’s May 23 opening. Retz said signs are planned to inform residents which projects result from the food and beverage tax, a 1% tax on all transactions involving prepared foods and drinks within city limits.
“We are working hard to make sure they know what their food and beverage is doing for them,” Retz said. “These projects will be great for our community; we just have to keep them moving.”
Council member Jerry Purcell asked Retz about the parks department’s plans to change the size of its operations, possibly enabling better maintenance and easing the budget burden. Retz said the 2020 parks master plan needs a refresh that reflects community input and a maintenance plan.
Council member Larry Parker urged that the city set aside maintenance money from the tax revenue. Retz said her understanding was that food and beverage tax money is for projects, but that council ultimately decides how it’s spent.
“I think that we must have a maintenance program, set aside some of this money that we’re going to get from the food and beverage and not spend every penny of it for improvements,” Parker said.
Trail leader leaving
During the May 21 parks board meeting, Retz expressed her appreciation for Brandon Panensky, who has served as the parks trail and services leader and is leaving the department. Retz said Panensky “has done a phenomenal job” building 5 miles of primitive trails and 2 miles of paved trails during his tenure.
The board approved a contract with Kian Eckert to fill Panensky’s position. Panensky said Eckert, an Earlham College graduate, has the ability to further develop the trails.
Glen Miller plan
The parks department continues collecting community input for a Glen Miller Park Improvement Plan.
An open-house style session will be 5 to 7 p.m. June 9 at the Charles House in Glen Miller Park. Community members will have the chance to provide their feedback to consultants.
A survey remains available at wwn.to/gmpsurvey.
Board actions
Also during its meeting, the parks board:
- Approved an addendum to a contract with Smarrelli to add two gates to the pole barn constructed for park maintenance. The gates add $6,500 to the contract, which is now $239,500.
- Approved an addendum to a contract with B&B Lawn Care to water and mulch around new trees. The contract is funded by a grant.
- Approved an interlocal agreement with Wayne County government for the county’s flood plain administrator to provide services for the city at no cost.
A version of this article appeared in the May 27 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
