Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Slater Community Center August 1, 2019, 6:00 PM Present: David Akard Curt Rutherford Susi Chandler Sherry Willinger Justin Hutchison Ronda Baker Caden Myers Clyde Downs Absent : Kate White Bennett Cowan Lance Tudor Jennifer Sheffield Mahlon Luttrell Staff: Terry Napier I. Call to Order- The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman David Akard. II. Introductions-Attending current board members and new members Ronda Baker, Clyde “Butch” Downs, and Caden Myers introduced themselves. III. Selection of Officers-After nominations and voting, the following members were elected to serve as officers for the next year: Chairman-David Akard Vice Chairman-Curt Rutherford Secretary-Susi Chandler IV. Approval of May 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes-Susi Chandler made a motion to approve the minutes. David Akard seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. V. Old Business A. Nature Center Expansion Report-After a $20,000 donation was made, progress toward completion continues. Final designs are 95% complete. One wall will be an interactive wetland, and downstairs will be wrapped to look like local caves. Coming soon: animal scat wallpaper in the bathrooms! Wildflowers will be a winter project, and improvements to current exhibits are being made. B. Bee Project Update-Newly established hives/bees are doing well. Bees are being fed sugar water to prepare them for winter. The staff is looking for local wild bee hives to relocate inside the park. Swarm boxes will be placed as “bait” in selected trees, using essential oils as attractants. Future goals are to educate youth about bees and eventually send them home with samples of honey. C. Beaver Creek South Greenway Progress Report- The city has contracted with an engineering group to map out the preliminary route. This should be completed within 4-6 months. Attempts at property acquisition can then begin. Grants can only be applied for when land acquisition is complete. The 5 mile route will only cross one residential street. D. Disc Golf Addition Report-There will be 9 baskets on the new course in the woods. Pouring of concrete is scheduled to begin on August 2nd. An amateur tournament will be held in late September, with Innova as a sponsor. E. New Bark Park Update-The $25,000 Boyd Foundation donation enabled the start  of this project. Food City recently held a drive in 6 stores, and the funds raised will be matched by Steve Smith. A check for an unknown amount will be in route shortly! F. Staffing Update-There are currently 2 full-time vacancies. Taylor Harmon will be oversee ball park maintenance, and Karen Henninger-MCook will be in charge of lifeguard recruiting and certification on a year-round basis. VI. New Business A. Steele Creek Park Bridge Replacement-Bridge has been sealed and should be open in one week. B. FY20 Capital Projects/Funding 1. Pickleball Courts-There are currently 2 courts at Ida Stone Jones Tennis Center and 2 courts at Patterson Park. With funding, there are plans to convert the Patterson Park tennis courts to pickleball courts, and to add a building with restrooms. 2. Stormwater Improvements-Stormwater improvements at Steele Creek Park are scheduled to be completed this year, including replacement of some culverts. Repaving of the park road is scheduled for 2020. C. Signage Improvements-Way finding signage was approved with new branding. Bids are now being sought for way finding signs and new park signs. D. Steele Creek Park Property Reports- 1. Lovette Property-This 51 acre property with a log cabin, on the south side of the park, was donated to the city by the owner. His remaining family has filed a challenge to this donation in court. The property is on “hold” for now. 2. Ketchum Property-This 31 acre tract of property, on the Rooster Front side of the park, is for sale by the owners for $250,000. E. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Grant-There are no linear grants, and the established park must be “forever free” and open to the public. They are looking for a unique project. VII. Board Comments Butch Downs stated that the parks are in great shape and are well-maintained, and that there are enough pickleball courts at the Ida Stone Jones Tennis Center. Caden Myers was pleased to learn of the new greenway plans. Justin Hutchison inquired about the arboretum status in the city. Steele Creek Park has certified arboretum status, but DeFriece Park has lost its certification. Sherry Willinger welcomed our 3 new members again. Susi Chandler inquired about erosion ruts at Charlie Robinette Park and was in- formed of plans for repair. She also thanked Terry and his staff for clearing a large, downed tree from the East Ridge Trail. She reported a hole at the bridge that crosses Beaver Creek at Rooster Front Park. Rhonda Baker stated that she was glad to be a new member, and that while riding her bicycle along the Mark Vance Greenway, she noticed “loud” (but contained) dogs. Curt Rutherford inquired about the farmers’ market, and Terry informed him that this will be under the parks and recreation’s umbrella as soon as a legal document is drafted by the city attorney. Also, the Wednesday farmers’ market will not be moved to BRMC. VIII. Next Meeting Date-Thursday, September 5, 2019, at Steele Creek Park Nature Center IX. Adjourn at 7:20 PM