News

With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the City of Amarillo (COA) is addressing mowing issues in city parks with an immediate response to maintain city property and in the best interests of residents who enjoy the parks. “The city recognizes that the condition of some parks, including the mowing of grass areas in the parks, has not met the expectations of our residents during this growing season,” said COA Director of Parks and Recreation (PARD) Michael Kashuba. “We have heard the concerns shared by park users and neighbors, and we agree that our parks should reflect the level of care our community expects.” In order to maintain this commitment to the community, the city has terminated a mowing contract with a private contractor due to the failure of required performance standards and maintenance schedules. In addition, the city is using temporary contracted mowing services and PARD staff to assist with mowing services (including after hours) across the city park system. The temporary mowing agreement helps protect city property and maintain essential public services. City council will consider a new short-term contract that will last through the end of the current mowing season at its July 14 meeting. “It will take time to work through the current mowing backlog, and we appreciate the patience of the public as we deploy both private mowing services and PARD staff to perform mowing across the park system as quickly and feasibly as possible,” Kashuba said. Residents should expect to see increased mowing activity over the coming days and into the holiday weekend.

The City of Amarillo (COA) has announced the resignation of Assistant City Manager and Chief Technology Officer Rich Gagnon, effective July 22. Gagnon has held several management positions with the city since 2016, including director of information technology, managing director and chief information officer. “Over the past decade, Rich Gagnon has played a vital role in advancing the technological and communication capabilities of the city for the betterment of citizens and the community,” said City Manager Grayson Path. “The progress the city has made under Rich’s leadership and guidance has been immeasurable, and he has vastly improved the city’s ability to serve residents.” In his recent position, Gagnon was responsible for departments such as Information Technology, the Amarillo Public Library, the Office of Engagement and Innovation, the Amarillo Civic Center, Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, Amarillo Public Health, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Amarillo City Transit, Community Development and Environmental Health. During his time with the city, Gagnon led COA initiatives in securing infrastructure and cybersecurity, modernizing broadband not only in Amarillo but the Texas Panhandle with a historic multimillion-dollar public-private partnership with AT&T. The project provides high-speed, reliable digital connectivity across the city, including in the northern and northeastern parts. He also led the creation of the city’s first digital human/employee, Emma, who is the face of the city website, answering citizen questions and providing information 24 hours a day. “The best part of this job was never the technology – it was the people,” Gagnon said. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated, resourceful and service-minded teams I have ever had the opportunity to work with, and whatever we accomplished together, they made possible. I’m grateful for every one of them and Amarillo is blessed to have them.”

In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, City of Amarillo (COA) offices will be closed Friday (July 3). The COA service schedule for the Fourth of July week: The schedule for Solid Waste services: Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail Golf Complexes will have normal hours of operation.

Two of Amarillo’s most precious resources – water and the city’s future – were recognized at Tuesday’s city council meeting. In what has become a tradition, councilmembers honored the 2026 winners of the Every Drop Counts Calendar Contest. The contest allows young artists from kindergarten through high school to use their artistic talents to show the importance of water conservation in the Amarillo and Texas Panhandle community. The winning artists will have their art featured in the upcoming 2027 Every Drop Counts Calendar—a year-round reminder of the significance of water conservation. The Grand Prize Winner was Emma Arredondo.  Monthly winners featured in the calendar:

The City of Amarillo is adjusting hours for John Stiff Memorial Park and related city facilities for the Amarillo Red, White, & Boom! July 4 celebration. Amarillo Red, White, & Boom!, hosted by the City of Amarillo and Outdoor Amarillo, is a free fireworks and drone show at John Stiff Memorial Park. Festivities begin July 4 at 5 p.m. The following COA facilities will have adjusted hours on Friday (July 3) and Saturday (July 4). Friday (July 3): The McDonald Lake parking lot and the area surrounding McDonald Lake, including the walking path around the lake and bike trails, will close beginning at 1 p.m. and remain closed through midnight on Saturday (July 4). John Stiff Memorial Park will close beginning at 8:30 p.m. for Ready, Set, Glow – a free, untimed glow race. No street parking will be available on 48th Ave. and Parkside Drive. One lane on 48th Ave. will be shut down from 8:30 p.m. until midnight. Saturday (July 4): The Southwest Branch Library parking lot will be closed. Please note that citizens will not have access to the dumpsters in the parking lot. Amarillo National Tennis Center will close at noon. The Warford Activity Center will be closed. The McDonald Lake parking lot and the area surrounding McDonald Lake, including the walking path around the lake and bike trails, will be closed. Street parking will not be available on 48th Ave. and Parkside Drive. 48th Ave. and Bell Street will be blocked off from noon to 10:15 p.m. For information on Red, White, & Boom! go to: amarilloparks.org/programs-events/amarillofireworks