Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting May 12, 2016 6:00pm Present: Susie Chandler David Akard Chris Connally Karen Combs Sherry Willinger Absent: Jason Booher Robby Johnson Cade Ownby Randy Frye Erin Yates Staff: Terry Napier April Norris I. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by David Akard at 6:11 pm. II. Approval of March 10, 2016 Minutes – Karen Combs made the motion to approve the minutes. Susie Chandler seconded the motion. All in favor, motion passes. III. Old Business A. SCP Splash Pad- All of the funding is in hand. The pipe layout has been approved by the contractor. Once the pump house is complete the contractor will order the equipment and begin work on the actual pad. B. Nature Center Addition- BurWil has started construction on the expansion. This expansion will double the existing size of the Nature Center. C. Aquatics needs Study- Council has approved the study. Brown Pearman Russell, LLC out of Knoxville was chosen to conduct the study. The study was reduced to a cost of $35,000. At this time there isn’t a timeline as the contract has not been finalized. D. Comprehensive Trails and Greenways Plan/ Bike Lanes- This study will start on Saturday May 14th. The team will be setting up at Steele Creek Park, State Street Farmer’s Market, EMS Day and possibly Tennessee High School Track (time permitting) to conduct surveys. This will aid in gathering data on where trails are needed and where the most usable space is around the area. E. Proposed Anderson Park Improvements- Anderson Park is one of the oldest parks in the area. Terry asked for funding in the 2017FY budget for updates and it was approved. Terry is currently working on pricing for lighting and re-engineering the electrical. IV. New Business A. Review of Nature Center Expansion- There will be an aquarium wall as you walk through the main entrance. The upstairs of the addition will feed into the existing area. The upstairs will house a library, research area and offices. The downstairs of the addition will have restrooms, an open space for various events/programs and the elevator. Friends of Steele Creek Park have agreed to fund the $125,000 to $250,000 to finish the interior design. They are working on a contract with Ed Hackley to help with the interior design. Sherry Willinger advised that Friends of Steele Creek Park have a meeting next week to look over the proposed design. Mr. Hackley will also aid in the fundraising efforts. B. Review of erosion control improvements- In the Fall construction will begin to rebuild the rock retaining wall. This in necessary because everything is starting to wash away.  C. Addition of a Floating Dock System (FY17 Budget) – The relocation of the paddle boats at Steele Creek Park was approved in the 2017 FY budget. The paddle boats will be moved in proximity to the train depot. D. Other FY17 projects pending budget/funding approvals • Friendship Park Big Field Building Improvements- The primary building rehab was finished in time for the start of Avoca Youth Baseball season. Everything is the building is new. Four more will be rehabilitated next year. Many improvements were made at the Avoca fields. The T-ball field leveling and the fence replacement was not complete in time for the start of the season. • Concession Renovation at Fairview- This project is slated for the winter. Crews will completely gut and rebuild the concession stand. Hopefully, the same will happen at Western next winter. • Installation of new Batting Cage at Western- The batting cage at Western field was unsafe and was taken down. Terry committed to rebuild the cage if BTLL purchased the netting. • Installation of two Batting Cages at Rotary Field- Batting cages will be constructed with electrical at Rotary field. Terry advised that Allen Hurley would be making donations to help with the completion of this project. • Renovations of Haynesfield Tennis Courts- The courts are in need of a rehab. The cost to patch, resurface and paint the courts is estimated at $12,000. Replacing the fencing could push the cost to $15,000-$20,000. • Construction of a New Dog Park (Possibly at Food City Park)- Food City has completed their renovations on the Virginia Ave store and now Terry will begin to work on a partnership to set-up up a dog park behind the store. • Improvements / Upgrades at DeFriece Park (Massengill, DeFriece Foundation) - Terry has been working with Massengill, DeFriece Foundation, they want to donate money to update and improve the park. This could potentially include a shelter with a restroom, trails, playground and a parking lot. This could happen as soon as next year. V. Staff Comments: Terry advised the board of the possibility that Bristol TN Little League will need/ask more field space next season. They have close to 500 kids playing in their league this year where Avoca Youth Baseball only has 139. BTLL currently uses the Fairview Fields behind Holston View Elementary School which has two baseball fields and one softball field and they use Western field which is only one softball field. Avoca only has 57 kids playing in their league that are City of Bristol TN residents while BTLL in serving 336. Terry also went over the programs being offered at the Nature Center for the summer and the opening of the Farmer’s Market. VI. Board Comments: Susie Chandler voiced her concerns with the bridges in the parks being very slippery with Rooster Front being the worst. Terry advised that bridge cleaning in on the work list. Chris Connally shared his experience riding the trails at Warriors Path, Hungary Mother and Steele Creek Park. He said of all the trails the ones at SCP were the worst because of the width and over growth. Terry advised that as trails are reworked they are being made wider, wide enough to fit the gator. This helps with rescue efforts and trail maintenance. Chris did say that Steele Creek Disc Golf course was much better than the course at Sugar Hollow.  Sherry Willinger shared that The Friends of Steele Creek Park had purchased microscopes and camera for the Nature Center to utilize for programs. Sher also shared that during the park clean-up they had 23 volunteers come out to help. Karen Combs shared that she would like to be involved in the aquatics study when it begins. David Akard had no comments. VII. Next Meeting: July 14, 2016 VIII. Adjourned: David Akard made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Karen Combs seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 pm. ________________________ Terry Napier, Director