PARKS & REC WITH PURPOSE

A Vision for Every Family, Every Age, Every Neighborhood

Rebuilding Trust. Enhancing Community. Listening First.

Our Parks & Recreation Department should be one of Helena’s greatest strengths, and with the right leadership, it absolutely can be. This vision isn’t just about playgrounds and ballfields. It’s about people. It’s about building a Helena where every resident, from every neighborhood and every age group, can thrive, connect, and belong.

Over the past few months, through countless conversations and more than 150 survey responses, one thing has been clear: our community is ready for progress that’s thoughtful, transparent, and people-first. That’s exactly what this plan sets out to do.

A Strong Foundation—With Room to Grow

Youth sports are a vital part of Helena’s identity, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact they have, not just as a dad and volunteer coach, but as a community member who cares deeply about our kids. I will work closely with our City Council to pursue continual improvement in this area. But Parks & Rec must be about more than sports.

Imagine Helena with:

• Additional disc golf courses nestled into the trees.

• A kayak and canoe launch in Old Town, with a peaceful take-out downstream.

• Affordable, enriching classes for parents and toddlers that foster early development and connection.

• Trails that connect neighborhoods and create more walkable, bikeable, golf-cart accessible spaces.

Some of these ideas require long-term planning. Others could happen quickly and affordably. All of them are within reach, with the right leadership, community input, and shared commitment.

Youth Sports: Immediate Improvements

From coaching youth soccer to hearing from residents, it’s clear we have quick wins within reach, low-cost or no-cost improvements that can make a big difference. I will work to:

• Launch a user-friendly weather/scheduling system for better communication and transparency.

• Build on our existing Parks & Rec social media for real-time updates and engagement.

• Commit to 24-hour response times for all Parks & Rec inquiries.

• Establish a parent volunteer board with balanced representation across all sports.

• Enable card and digital payments options, like Venmo, at concessions and gates.

• Explore hosting local baseball and softball tournaments to support economic development.

• Foster stronger coordination between high school coaches and youth leagues.

• Host Opening Day ceremonies for spring and fall sports to bring families together.

These aren’t expensive ideas, they’re common-sense solutions rooted in listening and leading with care.

Youth Sports: Long-Term Vision

I love Helena, and I believe in our potential. But I also believe we must build the right things, the right way.

If I have the privilege of serving as your Mayor, I will temporarily pause the currently proposed new sports complex at Coalmont and Hillsboro, not to stop progress, but to ensure progress is happening with purpose and transparency.

Here’s why:

• The proposed site includes a former landfill, which brings environmental and financial complications.

• Remediation and site preparation are driving up costs unnecessarily.

• We owe it to the community to ask: Are we making the best use of our limited bond dollars?

My commitment is to:

• Stretch every dollar to invest in actual fields, amenities, and programs, across all of Helena.

• Ensure full public transparency, every step, every dollar, every plan.

• Invite real community input before final decisions are made.

• Provide legal and financial clarity around bonds, contracts, and flexibility.

• Establish clear oversight, with a City Council liaison assigned to each major project.

Rushed decisions have caused mistrust in the past. That ends now. Let’s temporarily pause. Reassess. And move forward, together.

Serving Our Seniors

Our senior citizens are the backbone of Helena. I will work to ensure they are seen, supported, and connected by:

• Hosting listening sessions to understand their needs.

• Expanding social, wellness, and recreation opportunities.

• Partnering with churches, nonprofits, and community groups to increase engagement.

• Exploring funding for a more robust Senior Center within the new City Hall project.

Outdoor Recreation & Family Connectivity

Unlocking the Potential of Cahaba River Park

Our natural beauty is one of Helena’s greatest assets. We’ll celebrate and invest in it by:

• Enhancing kayaking and mountain biking infrastructure.

• Establishing a formal canoe/kayak take-out point for better access.

• Promoting Cahaba River Park as a destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Expanding Our Trail System

Let’s create better connections between our neighborhoods with a safe, accessible trail network:

• Extend trails to Riverwoods and eventually into Hoover.

• Create clearly marked, multi-use paths for walking, biking, and family exploration.

Moving Forward, Together

My first responsibility is to ensure Helena’s financial stability. But I also believe we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can go after the quick wins while laying the foundation for a stronger, more visionary future.

This plan reflects your voice, your hopes, and your ideas. If you ever want to talk more about it, I’d love to hear from you, (205) 482-7741.

Let’s continue to build a Parks & Recreation Department that reflects who we are, and who we want to become.