The meeting was called to order by Chairman Chad Millette at 5:33 pm.

MOTION BY Commissioner Rachel Bretthauer, SECONDED BY Commissioner Kiesha Beard to EXCUSE Commissioner Lisa Paulos, Commissioner Brian Murphy, and Alternate Yasmine Cornejo from the meeting. The motion carried as follows:

AYE:

Chairman Chad Millette, Commissioner Kiesha Beard, Commissioner Sharolyn Hohman, Commissioner John Cox, Commissioner Rachel Bretthauer

Passed

MOTION BY Commissioner Kiesha Beard, SECONDED BY Commissioner Rachel Bretthauer to APPROVE the August 13, 2026, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission draft meeting minutes. The motion carried as follows :

AYE:

Chairman Chad Millette, Commissioner Kiesha Beard, Commissioner Sharolyn Hohman, Commissioner John Cox, Commissioner Rachel Bretthauer

Passed - Unanimously

Dawn Stipe, Arts and Culture Superintendent, provided an overview of all special events taking place through December 2026.

• Rhythm and Roots: Event starts October 10, 2026, from 5 – 9pm at the Goodyear Ballpark. This event involves celebrating Hispanic heritage month. 
• Movie in the Park: Event starts October 17, 2026, from 5:30 – 9pm at the Goodyear Community Park. Residents are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for a magical night under the stars. The featured movie is Toy Story 5. 
• Fall Festival: Event starts October 24, 2026 from 5 – 9pm at the Goodyear Ballpark. A new annual theme is being introduced, with this year being “Creature Feature”. This year’s theme includes classic monsters and Halloween characters. 
• Veterans Week:
  • November 2 – 7 2026: Held at Goodyear Civic Square, there will be a  tribute flag garden, patriotic art murals being painted and all of the banners of the brave will be on display around City Hall.
  • November 7, 2026: Estrella Mountain Community College has partnered with the City of Avondale and the City of Goodyear to be part of the 13th annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Run. This special event honors our veterans and supports student veterans who face financial challenges in pursuing higher education. Proceeds from the Vet Run provides financial assistance to student veterans at EMCC.
  • November 7, 2026: Held at Goodyear Civic Square, Veterans can explore resource booths, food trucks and purchase crafted beer from Saddle Mountain Brewery. All veterans will receive a complimentary meal to celebrate patriotism, service, and remembrance
• Chalk Art in the Park: Event starts November 14, 2026 at the Goodyear Recreation Campus from 9am – 2pm. This year’s chalk art event includes free giveaways, free chalk supplies and various competitions.
• Holidays on the Square:
  • December 4, 2026: “Yule Yall” event is themed to a country Christmas from 5 – 8pm. Country-inspired Christmas entertainment will be available, festive activities and plenty of holiday cheer.
  • December 11, 2026: “Jingle Jam” event will take place from 5-8pm. This event includes a sing and dance along party, interactive entertainment and cheerful activities.
  • Fridays – Sundays in December: “The Rinq” will be up and active for all Goodyear residents. This event will take place from 5-8pm all throughout December.

Commissioners inquired about audio interference. Ms. Stipe responded with the logistics of how the Bluetooth connection interferes with the Vendor booth connectivity. She explained how wired audio could be a possible solution for future events.

Zahraa Almayyahi, Project Manager, and Wayne Smith, ROW Superintendent presented on the Bullard Wash Trail.

Staff reported that the Bullard Wash Trail design is 95% complete. The Van Buren Trailhead will include restrooms, a classroom, and a demonstration garden. Commissioners asked about future rental options for the space. Mr. Smith  noted that best practices are still being evaluated.

Adventure areas will be incorporated along McDowell and Van Buren, with trail connections crossing through adjacent HOA neighborhoods. Security cameras and lighting will be installed throughout the corridor, and all arterial crossings will occur beneath the I-10 freeway.

The project’s estimated cost is $32 million. In response to questions about budget impacts, staff explained that design elements were scaled to align with available funding.

Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2026, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for December 3, 2026, at 10 AM.
 

Jeremy Figueroa, Parks Superintendent, and Zahraa Almayyahi, Project Manager, presented on the Goodyear Community Park Improvements.

Ms. Almayyahi reported that the dog park relocation project totals $2.6 million and is supported by an LWCF grant. The existing dog park will be moved from the north-west to the north-east corner of the park along the Roosevelt Irrigation District Main Canal.
Mr. Figueroa highlighted planned amenities including shade structures, a chilled drinking fountain with dog bowls, benches, dog waste stations, area lighting, and dog agility features. Commissioners asked how the dog parks would be labeled. Mr. Figueroa explained that the parks will be designated as “passive” and “active,” giving dog owners options based on their pet’s comfort level. He also noted that a centrally located group ramada will allow patrons in both areas to interact.

Ms. Almayyahi presented the $5 million playground renovation project, with design completion expected in December 2026 and construction scheduled to begin January 2027.

Mr. Figueroa described the aviation-themed design, which will replace existing structures with age-targeted play equipment, tot and belt swings, climbers, hopscotch, and ramadas accommodating 16 people each. Features will include an airplane playhouse, check-in panels, domed play panels, and a fuselage tunnel designed for children who prefer quieter, enclosed spaces.

Commissioners suggested adding an educational board listing available playground features. Mr. Figueroa confirmed this idea could be incorporated into planned informational signage.

Mr. Bruce Kessman, Ballpark General Manager, presented a two-month look ahead.

Mr. Kessman reported that the First Friday Food Festival was recently held at the Ballpark. He noted that a Fall League Triple Header is scheduled for October 17, 2026. Commissioners asked whether the Fall League event was a city-wide event. Mr. Kessman clarified that it is a third-party event facilitated by the City. Commissioners also inquired about where to find information on baseball games held at the Ballpark. Mr. Kessman stated that all Spring Ball and event schedules are available at GoodyearBP.com.

Parks and Recreation Director David Lopez Jr. reported that a survey will be distributed to commissioners to gather input on committee involvement, volunteer interests, and general feedback. Mr. Lopez Jr. encouraged commissioners to consider the types of activities and levels of engagement they wish to pursue as members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. He states that he wants the committee to feel equipped with the right resources to advocate on behalf of the department. They will discuss the results of the surveys at the next meeting. 

 

Mr. Kessman advised commissioners to begin considering officer positions for 2027. The next meeting will review the annual calendar, officer appointments, and proposed board discussion topics.