Interim Salina parks director Brett Lamer says Lakewood upkeep will be an early focus

Brett Lamer, the interim director of Salina Parks and Recreation, introduced himself to the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Wednesday and said improving maintenance at Lakewood will be an early priority.

Lamer told the board he had served as the department's deputy director for four years, and before that as city forester for five years and as an arborist for four years, after starting as a seasonal employee. He said he expects the interim period to be lengthy, about six months, before a decision is made on the permanent job. Former director Jeff Hammond announced at the board's September meeting that he had resigned after nearly 10 years to take a position in another community, according to the minutes of that meeting.

Lamer said that in his roughly two weeks in the role, Lakewood has been the issue he has heard about most. He said the staff member there runs a full slate of programs, and he wants to add maintenance help so the grounds can get what he called a facelift. The department's September report lists eight Lakewood programs with 412 participants, plus 43 walk-in visitors.

Parks staff told the board that one person handling both programming and outdoor maintenance at Lakewood is not possible, and that the Lakewood staff member, who has been removing invasive trees at Indian Rock, won't be cutting much more because his seasonal staff had to leave. Lamer said the future river project could also bring more visitors to the area.