Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Page public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
25 issues in parks rec
Youth needs assessment for PERA building programming
The Youth Advisory Commission is hosting its first community event — a movie day on April 25 at the PERA Community Building. They picked 'The Sandlot' (with 'Top Gun: Maverick' as backup), set a 4 p.m. showtime, and are borrowing a popcorn machine from the Page library. It's a free, family-friendly activity organized by the city's youth members.
Future Parks Projects List
The board floated big FY28 ideas: an urban trail, an ultra-accessible ADA playground at Annex Park, and improvements to the Vermillion View Trail Network. These discussions shape what parks projects could get funded in the next budget cycle.
New Shade Structures at John C. Page Memorial Park
The board discussed installing shade structures at the city's main memorial park — a quality-of-life upgrade for anyone using playgrounds or bleachers in the desert sun. No decision was made yet.
October library programming
August visits, circulation, and computer use all dropped compared to last August, but program counts exploded — 165 programs with 3,163 attendees versus 97 and 1,976 last year — and the library served 894 meals to kids. The library is leaning harder into programming and community services.
Library Makerspace and Record Usage
The library's makerspace finished its first month of programming with 55 attendees, offering 3D-printed spider painting, coaster engraving, origami, and Cricut earring-making, plus walk-in tours. It's a new creative resource the community can use for free.
Trunk-or-treat moved off Halloween
The library's trunk-or-treat event is happening October 24 this year instead of Halloween night, after community feedback that families were forced to choose between it and door-to-door trick-or-treating. A movie in the park on Halloween gives kids a second option. Board members discussed safety benefits of the old single-venue format and generally supported the change.
Middle School Feasibility Study
City Manager Frank Marbury outlined next steps for a feasibility study on a recreation and aquatic center at the middle school site. No action was taken.
Library Family Resource Center Grant
The Page library landed three $5,000 grants — for Wi-Fi hotspot lending, staff development, and AI training for staff and the public.
2026 Meeting Date Changes
The board's regular meetings move to the first Thursday of each month, and September's meeting was skipped. If you want to weigh in on library services, your next chance is October 1.
Accessible park cut from budget
The Parks and Rec board is disappointed that an accessible park was cut from this year's budget — the city currently has no accessible playground equipment. The board wants to do a better job getting the priority to council.
Urban Trail Master Plan
Discussion covered trail types — ADA-accessible, hiking, and sidewalks — and building a connected trail network for walking and biking.
Protecting the Future of Recreation on Red Mesa
A luxury resort developer wants to buy about 96 more acres that overlap the Red Mesa Rim Trail, potentially eliminating roughly half of the trail including its best slick rock sections and eastern overlook. The parks board says the trail is irreplaceable and recommended rejecting the sale; council makes the final call.
Concession Stand Electrical Upgrade
The sports complex concession stand's electrical system can't run a popcorn machine and microwave at once, and the upgrade has been put off for years. Staff will get a second opinion from the new public works director.
Glen Canyon Conservancy archives at risk
The conservancy holds community archives about the dam and the city's creation, but is selling its museum building and lacks a long-term home for them. One board member warned the city could regret losing these records in 50 years.
Extended Saturday Library Hours
The library's Saturday hours (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) have left patrons showing up to locked doors, including Councilor Roundtree. The board unanimously recommended extending Saturdays to 9 a.m.–3 p.m., adding two hours within the existing budget.
Court Resurfacing and Frost Park Work
Little League's 29 teams strained the city's six lit fields this season, forcing play at Birch, and restroom overflows briefly closed facilities. The league wants field dirt work done before baseball season so tournaments aren't lost.
Extended park hours under city manager flexibility
Ordinance 754-26 removes the fixed sunrise-to-10-p.m. standard, letting the city manager adjust park hours — welcomed by evening pickleball and basketball players in the summer heat, but some councilors worried about noise near homes and police input on crime.
2027 Air Race Classic stop
Page made the selection list to host a stop of the all-women's Air Race Classic in June 2027 — a free public aviation spectacle for the community.
Rural and Reservation Outreach / Bookmobile Service
Board members raised the idea of extending library service to the reservation and Kaibeto, which currently has no bookmobile coverage. The library is seeking a grant for a small van to resume monthly storytime visits suspended since COVID.
April Library Statistics and Performance Trends
Visits, circulation, reference questions and program attendance all dipped compared to April 2025, partly due to new staff still learning data tracking. A purge of inactive patron records will cut registered-user numbers further next month.
Swimming pool and old middle school as rec campus
Council discussed a $30,000 feasibility study on buying the middle school (appraised at $18M) as a city hall/rec/pool campus, versus a $2M pool design at the Para Club. Most agreed to hold both until the study comes back; pool design dollars stay in the budget.
Horseshoe Bend retail and visitor services
Council debated whether to allow limited merchandise sales at Horseshoe Bend — currently just $1 water and $2 stickers — as utilities and future phases are planned. Ideas included a conservancy-run store and a maker space for local artists.
Horseshoe Bend Restroom Services Contract Renewal
The city was set to renew its 3 Peaks Glass contract — $260,000 a year to service the restrooms at Horseshoe Bend, one of the region's busiest tourist spots.
Vermillion Park Playground Replacement
The Parks and Trails Manager was scheduled to give an update on replacing the playground at Vermillion Park, a project families with young kids will notice directly.
Future Park Projects
A long wish list of park improvements was on the table: batting cages, solar lighting, shade structures, handicap equipment at selected parks, cameras at Golliard Park, and a historical park at Vista and Saguaro Streets.