S witchyard Park

Switchyard Park, a 65-acre former railroad switchyard on the city’s south side, was imagined over decades and developed over years as a destination park. Officially opened in 2019, the park includes amenities that appeal to a variety of active and passive park users, and features landscaping and facilities that focus on green initiatives.

• Switchyard Park generated $62,000 in rental revenue, an increase of 29% from 2021 ($48,000).

• Granted 31 Park Special Use Permits for use of park facilities, an increase of 93% over the number of 2021 permits issued. Park Special Use permit revenue was $7,300 in 2022, compared to $1,900 in 2021.

• A total of 254 events were held outside at Switchyard Park, with an additional 74 events held inside the Switchyard Park Pavilion.

• An estimated 483,900 people visited Switchyard Park in 2022.

• Contracted with Auralex to purchase sound-deadening acoustic panels for the Switchyard Park Pavilion for $27,236. The sound panels were installed by Airtime Studios for $6,336.

• Renewed partnership agreement with Centerstone to provide restroom building attendants at the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad seven days per week during the spray pad season. Attendants monitored restroom use and kept the restrooms and surrounding areas clean. Total amount of the staffing agreement was $57,642.

• Contracted with Marshall Security and Investigation to provide overnight security services at Switchyard Park throughout 2022 for a total of $169,134.

• Entered into a contract with Green Dragon Lawncare to mow specified areas of Switchyard Park (681,207 sq. ft. weekly) during 2022 for a total of $27,720.

• Contracted with Baker Stone Work in May to modify limestone cubes in the Switchyard Park playground by rounding off pointed corners of the cubes for safety.

• Mayor John Hamilton, former Parks and Recreation Department Administrator Mick Renneisen, Switchyard Park architect Kevin Osburn of Rundell Ernstberger Associates and other special guests gathered at Switchyard Park for a special ceremony September 16 to unveil the Switchyard Park dedication element installed on the east side of the Pavilion.

Switchyard Park 2022 Program Activity

(L-R) Former Parks and Recreation Operations and Development Director Dave Williams; former Parks and Recreation Administrator/Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen; Kevin Osburn, Rundell Ernstberger Associates; Paula McDevitt, Parks and Recreation Administrator, Mayor John Hamilton; former Board of Parks Commissioner Les Coyne; and Lee Carmichael, Weddle Brothers with the Switchyard Park dedication plaque on Sept. 16.