Maricopa City Hall  
39700 W. Civic Center  
Plaza  
City of Maricopa  
Maricopa, AZ 85138  
Ph: (520) 568-9098  
Fx: (520) 568-9120  
www.maricopa-az.gov  
Meeting Actions - Final  
Parks and Recreation Advisory  
Committee  
Committee Chair Kevin McDill  
Committee Secretary Priscilla Behnke  
Committee Member Tholin Johnson  
Committee Member Adam Leach  
Committee Member James Liggins  
Committee Member Kenneth Longman  
Committee Member Devin Pitcher  
Wednesday, February 25, 2026  
5:30 PM  
City Hall Council Chambers  
1.  
2.  
Call To Order  
Meeting was called to order at 5:45PM.  
Roll Call  
5 -  
Present;  
Absent;  
Committee Member Devin Pitcher,Secretary Priscilla Behnke,Committee  
Member James Liggins,Chair Kevin McDill, and Committee Member  
Kenneth Longman  
2 - Committee Member Adam Leach, and Tholin Johnson  
3.  
Minutes  
3.1  
MIN 26-17  
The Committee will approve the minutes from the January 28, 2026 meeting.  
Discussion and Action.  
A motion was made by Secretary Behnke, seconded by Committee Member  
Pitcher, that the minutes from the January 28,2026 meeting be approved. The  
motion carried by a unanimous vote.  
4.  
Call to the Public  
No public comment.  
5.  
Agenda Items  
PRAC 26-08  
5.1  
The Committee will hear reports from the chair and committee members. Discussion  
Only.  
Committee members shared updates related to recent Parks & Recreation community  
engagement.  
Members discussed attendance and outreach efforts at the Copper Sky Cultural  
Event, noting good foot traffic at the Parks & Recreation booth, use of QR codes for  
the community survey, and resident questions regarding parks and facilities.  
Members noted resident interest in facility details (including gym flooring material and  
facility dimensions) and requested staff follow up with specifics at a future meeting.  
Members shared observations and positive feedback from a recent airport dedication  
event and discussed community enthusiasm for new amenities.  
A member shared a suggestion based on another city’s pickleball facility design  
(including a practice/warm-up wall area) and offered to provide a photo for reference.  
Discussed  
The Committee will hear an update from the Staff Liaison on Parks. Discussion Only.  
5.2  
PRAC 26-09  
Ongoing progress and positive community response to new and improved park  
amenities.  
Updates on Copper Sky improvements and construction activity, noting visible  
progress and upcoming work.  
Parking and access improvements, including planned paving/parking lot work to  
improve usability.  
Staff shared that they are continuing meetings with the design team regarding  
expansion planning, and anticipate bringing early concepts to PRAC for feedback in  
March.  
Staff also provided an update regarding pickleball court expansion, noting plans are  
finalized and construction is scheduled.  
Committee discussion included questions regarding future field concepts and  
additional sports field needs, and staff noted items may be phased as plans develop.  
Discussed  
The Committee will hear report from the Council Liaison. Discussion Only.  
5.3  
PRAC 26-10  
Councilman Henry wade shared about the success of the Copa Cultural event from the  
previous weekend.  
The Council Liaison provided remarks related to recent community events and general  
appreciation for committee service and community engagement.  
Discussed  
5.4  
PRAC 26-11  
The Committee will have a joint discussion with the Youth Council to discuss findings  
from the teen survey. Discussion and Recommendation.  
Staff presented teen survey findings and described the City’s intent to pursue  
partnership-based solutions through an RFP process, focusing on feasible near-term  
opportunities and leveraging existing assets and spaces.  
Youth Council members discussed:  
Strong interest in job training/life skills and volunteer opportunities, and the need to  
reduce barriers by improving communication and access to volunteering and teen  
opportunities.  
Effective ways to reach teens, including Instagram/TikTok and school-based  
promotion.  
Desire for flexible hangout spaces with a variety of casual options (seating, social  
areas, activities) and teen-focused amenities.  
Importance of accessibility and inclusive design, including quiet spaces and sensory  
considerations for neurodiverse and disabled youth.  
The role of food/snacks and “welcoming design” to encourage participation.  
No formal motion was made under this item; committee feedback and direction were  
provided by consensus.  
Discussed  
5.5  
PRAC 26-12  
The Committee will discuss future agenda items and next meeting date. Discussion  
and Recommendation.  
Committee discussed future items, including a request for an update on Iconic Park.  
Additional discussion included the value of continued PRAC collaboration with Youth  
Council.  
Next meeting date March 26, 2026 6:00PM.  
Discussed  
6.  
Adjournment  
Meeting adjourned at 7:23PM.  
Adjourn