Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Slater Community Center May 2, 2019 6:00pm Present: Susie Chandler Mahlon Luttrell Justin Hutchison Sherry Willinger Curt Rutherford David Akard Ginny Senter Lance Tudor Kate White Absent: Bennett Cowan Lea Powers Staff: Terry Napier April Norris Jennifer Sheffield I. Call to Order – The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm by Chairman, David Akard. II. Approval of March 7, 2019 Minutes – Curt Rutherford made a motion to approve the minutes. Susie Chandler seconds the motion. All in favor, motion passes. III. Introductions- The board bids farewell and good wishes to Ginny Senter as she attended her last meeting on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She will be graduating and attending The University of Tennessee in the fall. IV. Old Business a. Nature Center Expansion Report – Terry advised that the Beaver Lodge exhibit as well as the litter exhibit upstairs is complete. He advised that the Nature Center had received a $20,000 Donation. b. Bee Project Update- Terry advised that the bee houses have been built and completed by Ben Cowan and the area is completed waiting on the release of the bees. Wild flowers are being planted prior to the release of the bees. 2 hives will be up and going by the end of May. c. Summer Help- Terry advised that the hiring pool was thin and that we are still looking for help not only at the Haynesfield Pool but at Steele Creek Park as well. d. New Greenway Route Progress- Terry advised that Jake Greer will head the preliminary engineering report and the report should be ready at the end of July. Terry stated that the Greenway Route Project will move forward the 1st of next year. V. New Business a. Nature Center Exhibit Donation Approval- Terry mentioned that we received nearly a quarter million dollars in donations for the Nature Center. Sherri Willinger made a motion to formally accept the donation for the Geology Wall  and the Beaver Lodge exhibit at the Nature Center. Susie Chandler seconds the motion. All in favor, motion passes and donation accepted. b. Memorial Day- Pool, boats, and splash pad open- Terry advised that the Splash Pad had been covered with plastic through the winter to make the opening process quicker. The Farmer’s Market is scheduled to open May 4th. c. Nature camps registration is open- Terry advised that there are 6 nature camps that are open for registration at the Nature Center. All camps operate from 8:30 until noon Monday- Friday and space is limited. Registration is $60.00. Early registration before May 24th is $50.00. Registration covers all materials needed for the camp as well as a T-shirt. The camps offered are Herpetology camp, Geology Rocks Camp, Nature Photography Camp, Outside Science Camp, Aquatic Ecology Camp, Bushcraft and Woodslore Camp. Registration and further information is provided online. d. More Staffing Changes- Kaden Meyers has been recommended to fill the available student position on the board. e. New Disc Golf Course Progress- Terry stated that the 2nd 9 basket disc golf course is almost complete at Steele Creek Park. He advised that the obstacle driven course is named “The Woods”. The Woods Disc Golf Course will second as a birding trail as well as a disc golf course. There are benches provided along the trail. Terry advised that the course should open the end of July. f. Bark Park update- Terry advised that there is still a $25,000 need to complete the new Bark Park. He advised that the proceeds for a memorial for David Wagner’s wife at the Bark Park located in the Charlie Robinette Park, will go towards the construction of the new Bark Park. g. Pickle Ball Court build- Terry stated that the Patterson Tennis Courts will be converted into 6 pickleball courts. He advised that there is a $30,000 need to start the project. The funds would provide the construction of a bathroom, new surface, and the nets. The existing lights would be used. h. FY2020 Projects- Terry stated that the pickleball courts, the Bark Park, and the Greenway Route are the projects for the upcoming fiscal year. VI. Board Comments: April Norris stated that pickleball was very popular and would like to try to program for pickleball if we can convert the Patterson Tennis Courts over to pickleball courts. David Akard suggested that matches could be held to raise money toward the conversion. Terry advised that the new pickleball courts would rely solely on donations as the funds needed for the project are not in the budget. Terry advised that Bristol Virginia’s Little League Challenger League has been rehomed to Rotary Field and is now called the Tri-cities Champions. Terry stated that KD Moore donated all of the equipment for the Tri-Cities Champions. Curt Rutherford stated that members of the Library Board thanked Terry for helping with maintenance issue. Curt also pointed out that the video of Terry advertising for the Rhythm and Roots Reunion is really cool.  Kate White asks for suggestions for the Children’s Day Board. Justin Hutchison stated that the company Blue Cross/ Blue Shield is looking to invest money. Susie Chandler mentioned that she is trying to recruit Rhonda Baker whom she feels would be a great candidate for the board. Mahlon Luttrell pointed out a few maintenance issues. Mahlon advised that the bridge at Rooster Front was unstable and Terry responded that the bridge will be replaced in June after the Pool and Splash Pad have been opened for the season. Mahlon asked about replacing the sign at Steele Creek. Terry advised that after 6 years of presenting the issue, it has been approved to fix the Steele Creek sign and the Steele Creek Golf Course sign with a 50/ 50 match grant through the State of Tennessee. Lance Tudor had asked what was being done at Haynesfield Pool as he noticed a lot of trash bags. Terry responded by stating that most of the bags were leaves but also the paint and brittle pieces of concrete that are scraped out of the pool get put into trash bags in preparation to patch and paint the pool. Ginny Senter thanked everyone and said to keep the dog park going because she will be back. David Akard said to thank donors when they are seen out. Terry advised that there are special events hosted for donors to formally thank them. Terry stated that the Nature Center sign has just been redone to reflect the donors. April stated that park passes are given to all donors as well. David Akard pointed out that some cities have bike lanes that cross roads painted green so that they stand out as well as wrapped electrical boxes. Terry advised that there will be a Believe in Bristol Art Contest and the winner’s art will be used as a wrap for electrical boxes down town. David Akard suggested the next board meeting on July 11, 2019 be held at the Nature Center. VII. Next Meeting Date: July 11, 2019 VIII. Adjourn: The meet was adjourned at 7:06pm by Chairman, David Akard. ____________________ Terry Napier, Director