Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting March 3, 2020 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. George Deibert -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel Kathy Richardson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Keith Hannaman -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Mary Herrington Maureen Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Brooklynne Simbeck Megan Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Jayla Coleman Dena Duhon – Present City Council Liaison: Jerry Kaylor -- Present Richard Mitchem – Present Rachel Uptergrove – Present A motion was made by Dena Duhon and seconded by Megan Johnson to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: Chris White and Meggin Finkledei from Dog Obedience Group (D.O.G.) presented an opportunity for the Parks Department to work with D.O.G. to help create a better, and safer dog park (dog community) by providing easily accessible education on the topic. Chris said, “our goal is to partner with the parks department to provide free educational presentations and collaborate with each other to provide educational handouts (or online attachments) for the public.” Maureen Johnson asked, “Are you looking to advertise for your company?” Chris answered, “We are not trying to advertise. The goal is to make a difference in the community by developing a network. We want to partner with the city to provide more educational opportunities on dog training to the public.” Program/Activity Spotlight: Brooklynne Simbeck presented on Toddler Time, Child Watch, and Indoor Snowball Hunt. The Toddler Time program has received new toys and has been offering some specialty sessions like Read and Draw with Young Rembrandts. Throughout this coming summer we will offer Toddler Time in the Park allowing for more interactive opportunities like reading with Mid-Continent Public Library. Child Watch has also received some new toys which makes for more options and geared for all ages who qualify for child watch. Child watch has also received an increase in numbers averaging 23-24 kids per shift. Indoor Snowball Hunt was on February 29th and is geared for ages 5-10. Some changes from last year were added crafts, snowball related games, more snack options, and added balloons into the hunt. Finances: Financials were reviewed by Dennis. Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: None Old Business: For the park sales tax, staff is working with Hilton Display on ordering the new signage for Wilbur Young Park. The tennis court and basketball court improvements will begin in May. Demo of the existing playground by the shelter house at Young Park should begin in the next week. The delivery of the playground will be April/May. Musco Sports Lighting is completing the work on the new ballfield lights. The lights are now working right on time for softball games to begin on March 15th. For the aquatic and park studies, Dennis explained that the first public engagement meeting was held on February 27th at the Blue Springs Fieldhouse. There will be two more opportunities for the community to provide feedback over the next two months. New Business: None 1 Miscellaneous: None As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Dena Duhon and seconded Keith Hannaman. 2