Parks Commission

Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93873666805 Meeting ID: 938 7366 6805 1. Agenda 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda 2. Consent Agenda Subject 2.1. Special Use Permit for Alex Manfull Fund and Gaskell Family on Burlington Greenway (attachment) Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 2. Consent Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Action (Consent) Recommended Action 3. Public Forum Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 3. Public Forum Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type 4. Deliberative Agenda Subject 4.1. Open Space Plan Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Information Page 1 of 18 Recommended Action Subject 4.2. Chief Greylock Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Information Recommended Action Subject 4.3. Director Search Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Information Recommended Action Subject 4.4. Comprehensive Plan Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Information Recommended Action Subject 4.5. Off-Leash Dog Policy (attachment) Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Action Recommended Action Subject 4.6. Universal Access Design for Playgrounds Policy (attachment) Page 2 of 18  Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Clerk/Treasurer's Office Type Action Recommended Action Subject 4.7. BPRW Commission Memo: Update to PAC (attachment) Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Action Recommended Action Subject 4.8. Ebikes on the Greenway (attachment) Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 4. Deliberative Agenda Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Discussion Recommended Action 5. Standing Items Subject 5.1. Parks Foundation Update Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 5. Standing Items Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Recommended Action 6. Director's Report 7. Commissioner's Items & Volunteer Hours Page 3 of 18 8. Adjournment Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting September 9, 2025 - Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Street, Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom Category 8. Adjournment Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Type Recommended Action Page 4 of 18 MEMO Date: September 9th, 2025 To: BPRW Commission From: Meghan O’Daniel, Community Garden Outreach Coordinator RE: PANDAS & PANS 5K Run/Walk Special Use Permit for October 11th, 2025 Request to have a fundraising event use the Southern section of the Burlington Greenway. The Alex Manfull Fund and Gaskell Family are requesting to use the Southern portion of the Burlington Greenway for the 2nd year on Saturday, October 11th from 9am – 11am. The event will begin and end at the Burlington Surf Club. The Alex Manfull Fund (TAMF) is a non-profit that supports awareness, education and research to further understand the incidence, etiology and best treatment of post-infectious neuroimmune disorders. The Gaskell family is partnering with TAMF to transform the hardship of their own PANDAS journey into a beacon of hope and progress for others. Proceeds from this event will go towards a fellowship fund established by TAMF at Dartmouth Hospital’s Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder clinic. They are expecting about 250 participants. Contact for this event is Devin Gaskell. It is on a day with no conflicting events. Staff Recommendations: Allow for Special Use Permit Page 5 of 18 MEMO To: Burlington Parks, Arts and Culture Committee of the Burlington City Council From: Burlington Parks and Recreation Commission Date: September 9, 2025 Subject: Proposed Update of Section 7 to City Ordinance Appendix D by the Dog Task Force Appendix D Sec. 7. - Off-leash dog opportunities A. Off-Leash Dog Policy. The Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department (PRW) shall maintain an Off- Leash Dog Policy (OLDP) as approved by the Parks Commission. The policy may be modified by PRW with the approval of the Parks Commission. Burlington Code of Ordinance Appendix D Section 7 shall govern the establishment of off-leash dog opportunities. The OLDP shall govern operations of off-leash dog opportunities. B. Designation of Areas. Areas may be designated for the purpose of allowing dogs to be under control of the guardian owner or guardian’s owner’s agent by means other than physical restraint. Opportunities, where possible, shall be dispersed across the city. 1. As defined in Burlington Ordinance Section 22-13, dogs shall be leashed or controlled by other similar means of physical restraint at all times within city parks, except in designated off-leash areas 2. Permanent off-leash fenced dog areas shall be located at: i. • Oakledge Park ii. • Starr Farm Dog Park iii. • Urban Reserve 3. There are no areas designated as unfenced off-leash dog areas within the City of Burlington’s parks. C. Public Information. 1. PRW shall provide information about off-leash dog opportunities through onsite signage and through its website, including maps, hours, and references to rules & policies pertinent to off-leash dog areas. 2. If Appendix D Section 7 or the OLDP has been modified, PRW shall conduct an outreach campaign for a period of up to 18 months to educate the community about how the changes impact off-leash dogs in City parks. PRW may conduct additional awareness campaigns about dogs in City parks at the Department’s discretion. D. General Rules for Areas Designated as Off-Leash Dog Areas. Page 6 of 18  1. A person taking a dog into an off-leash area shall have the dog held on leash when entering and exiting the off-leash area. 2. A person taking a dog into an off-leash area shall maintain voice, hand, or leash control over the dog at all times while the dog is in the off-leash area. Such person shall have a leash in their possession at all times. 3. A person taking a dog into an off-leash area is responsible for all actions of the dog, shall keep the dog within their vision at all times, and shall remove the dog when their behavior is in violation of the City of Burlington Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to Appendix D Section 7, or the PRW OLDP. 4. The following are prohibited in off-leash dog areas: i. Glass containers. ii. Human food, iii. Female dogs in heat. iv. Excessive barking, howling, or other noise. v. Bullying of other dogs. vi. Failure to remove feces; All feces shall be removed from the off-leash area and placed in the appropriate receptacle. vii. Unlicensed dogs; All dogs shall be licensed and display valid license tags. viii. Dangerous dogs as defined by Burlington Code of Ordinances, Article II, Section 5-13. ix. More than 3 dogs per person. x. Children under 12 years of age unaccompanied by an adult. E. Enforcement. 1. In addition to the penalties provided for by ordinance, a person or dog that violates the rules of this section is subject to ejection from the off-leash area as defined in the OLDP and may be ejected from park premises. 2. A person who violates any rules or policies applicable to off-leash dog areas on two (2) occasions within a twelve-month period shall be barred from taking any dog into the off-leash areas during the six (6) months subsequent to the second violation. Additional violations may incur additional penalties beyond those described in this section, at the discretion of the PRW Director. 3. In addition to the penalties provided for by ordinance, a duly authorized enforcement officer may impound a dog for a violation of the rules of this section or for activities determined to be a nuisance. a. In addition to the penalties provided for by ordinance, all violations of Appendix D and the OLDP include a restorative justice process with the Burlington Community Justice Center. b. The PRW and the Police Department shall collaborate to educate and enforce the rules and policies applicable to off-leash dog areas. F. Administration. 1. Commercial Use of Parks. The PRW may issue a permit and charge a fee to allow for commercial use of off-leash dog areas by professional trainers, and for-profit and not-for-profit animal organizations. Portions of the off-leash dog areas shall remain available for unencumbered use by the public as off-leash areas during these events. Fees collected by PRW for commercial use shall be used for the establishment, operations, or improvements of designated off-leash dog areas. Commercial use of off-leash dog areas without a permit shall result in a fine as set Page 7 of 18 for in Chapter 22 section 23 of the Burlington Code of Ordinances. Commercial use of off-leash dog areas may be further defined or modified by the OLDP. Page 8 of 18 OFF-LEASH DOG POLICY Purpose: The Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department (PRW) shall maintain an Off-Leash Dog Policy (OLDP) as approved by the Parks Commission. The policy may be modified by PRW with the approval of the Parks Commission. Burlington Code of Ordinance Appendix D Section 7 shall govern the establishment of off-leash dog opportunities. The OLDP shall govern operations of off- leash dog opportunities. Areas of Policy A. Designation of Areas and Times of Operations. The following areas are off-leash areas, as designated herein or on site: 1. Fenced Dog Parks i. Starr Farm Park (year-round). Times. The designated area may be used year- round from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier. ii. Urban Reserve (year-round). Times. The designated area is open for off- leash use at any time. iii. Oakledge Park (year-round) Times. The designated area is open for off-leash use during the hours the parking lot is open for vehicle parking. 2. Unfenced Off-Leash areas i. There are no areas designated as unfenced off-leash dog areas within the City’s parks. ii. Off-leash dogs outside of areas designated as fenced dog parks are prohibited in the City’s parks. B. Operations a. The PRW Director may, upon a finding of need at a particular off-leash area, close the area to off-leash use. The reopening of such area is at the discretion of the Director. The Director shall post a notice indicating that the area has been closed for off-leash use at the entrance to the area and at other locations in the area if needed to give notice to the public of the closing. C. Rules for Commercial Use of Off-Leash Fenced areas a. Commercial users are required to be a Park Program participant. b. Commercial users are responsible for creating any boundaries, with temporary fencing or by other temporary means, required to meet their needs and that of the other users. c. Commercial users are limited to twelve days per year exclusive of commercial uses that do not restrict other uses of the area. d. No more than one commercial user may use the same dog park concurrently. Off- leash dogs will be permitted to access any areas of the off-leash area that are not separated by temporary or permanent fencing. e. With the exception of extraordinary circumstances, no more than 33% of an off- leash dog area shall be permitted to be restricted for commercial use. f. Commercial use shall not interfere with standard entrances and exits from the off- leash dog area. i. If any PRW staff time is required for the event, commercial users of the park are responsible for all costs related to the staff time. PRW staff will only be made available with the approval of the PRW Director Page 9 of 18  ii. Commercial users will be responsible for all costs related to set-up, operations, security, and cleanup for all events. iii. Standard PRW Department requirements for reserving parks apply. Page 10 of 18  Policy No. 200-07 Title: Universal Design for Playgrounds Date Reviewed by Commission: Last Reviewed: Date Approved: DRAFT Ordinance Code / Regulation: n/s Other Reference: Purpose & Need: This policy ensures that all new playgrounds commissioned by Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront promote inclusivity and accessibility for individuals of all abilities and ages. To achieve this, the seven recognized principles of universal design will be applied throughout the design and construction of new or replacement playgrounds and any associated access paths or amenities. Policy for Universal Access Design in Municipal Playgrounds Scope: This policy applies to all new playground projects within municipal parks, including reconstruction or replacement of existing playgrounds and construction of new playgrounds. This policy does not apply to the replacement of parts within an existing playground. In addition, above all else, an ADA access to reconstructed playgrounds will be integrated into the scope of the playground replacement project. The 7 Principles of Universal Design: 1. Equitable Use: Universal Design is inclusive design and does not segregate; ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate. 2. Flexible Use: Each individual will interact with the playground in their own way. 3. Simple and Intuitive Use: Play features should be clearly understood immediately by people of all ages, physical ability, or cognitive ability. 4. Perceptible Information: People learn in various modes so design information to appeal to many senses (Visual, auditory, experiential, etc). 5. Tolerance for Error: The ability to try something and fail safely while still being challenged. 6. Low Physical Effort: The design should take into consideration the effort required to get from one play feature to the next. The design should emphasize play, and should not require unnecessary fatigue to access and use the playground or its’ components. 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use: Consider the wide variety of body types, sizes, and abilities. Page 11 of 18 Design Standards: 1. Universal Design: Start with the 7 Principles of Universal Design. 2. Safety Standards: Ensure compliance with safety standards for playgrounds. 3. Compliance with Legal Standards: All designs must meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable accessibility laws and guidelines. 4. Surface Materials: Ensure accessible surfacing that supports mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and walkers, while also being safe and durable. 5. Play Elements: Provide a variety of play elements meeting different abilities, including sensory panels, ground-level activities, and equipment accessible to a person using a wheelchair. 6. Pathways and Routes: Ensure all pathways leading to, within, and surrounding the playground are wide, flat, and free of obstructions. 7. Seating and Shade: Include accessible seating options and shaded areas for caregivers and children to rest or observe the playground comfortably. 8. Signage: Install clear and easy-to-read signage with Braille and visual icons where appropriate. 9. Inclusive Features: Integrate features that encourage collaborative play and interaction among children of all abilities. Approval Process: 1. Initial Planning: • Conduct community engagement sessions to gather input from diverse stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities and their families. • Develop preliminary designs applying universal design standards. 2. Accessibility Review: • Review concept designs with members of the Burlington Advisory Committee on Accessibility (BACA) for review and feedback. • Incorporate feedback from BACA into the playground scope. . 3. Final Approval: • Obtain sign-off from the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department Director Responsibility: The Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department is responsible for ensuring alignment with this policy and coordinating with the BACA and other stakeholders throughout the playground design and implementation process. Effective Date: This policy is effective as of [insert date]. All playground projects initiated after this date must adhere to the standards and processes outlined herein. Page 12 of 18 Review and Updates: This policy will be reviewed every five years or as needed to align with updated accessibility standards and community needs. Page 13 of 18  MEMO To: Burlington Parks, Arts and Culture Committee of the Burlington City Council From: Burlington Parks and Recreation Commission Date: September 9, 2025 Subject: Overview of current Burlington Parks and Recreation and Waterfront Staffing Challenges The purpose of this memo is to summarize some of the challenges facing the Burlington Parks and Recreation and Waterfront (BPRW) Team as summer concludes, to celebrate the accomplishments of BPRW staff in the face of these challenges, and to share information with Burlington leaders in order to collaborate to seek solutions. In May 2025 the City of Burlington made difficult decisions to close a large budget gap. $5.4 million in cuts were made to balance the budget, which included a Reduction in Force (RIF) laying off 18 city workers and eliminating seven other vacant positions. We recognize and appreciate the hard work and difficult decisions that went into this budgeting process at all levels of the City. BPRW had the largest number of layoffs, with eight full-time staff laid off during the RIF, including two division directors. These staffing and budget cuts also coincided with the departure of the outgoing BPRW Director at the end of June, leaving the department without critical leadership during this major transition period. The three remaining BPRW Division Directors stepped in not only for the departed BPRW Director, but also for the other two division directors whose positions were eliminated during the layoffs. This left three Division Directors to fill six roles during Burlington’s busiest recreation season (summer). Other BPRW staff were required to take on the workload of the positions that were eliminated. In many instances, due to existing contracts or conflicting mandates from City administration, staff were required to maintain the high quality of service expected in Burlington’s parks and events with less support. These compounding issues have tangibly impacted morale within BPRW, with the impact of this tumultuous period still unfolding as staff reckon with the future of their programs and careers. From conversations with staff, Commissioners have heard: - Exhaustion from overwork during their busy season, - Fear around potential future cuts impacting livelihood, - Sadness for the way their coworkers were removed, - Confusion on how they can hire workers in the current City framework to maintain service quality, - Exasperation over feeling powerless during City decision making that impacts the future of parks, - Insufficient recognition of their years of dedicated civil service to the city of Burlington. We would like to recognize the significant efforts of the BPRW staff who have navigated Burlington’s busy summer season while understaffed, to recommend the need for a longer-term mending of trust broken between the department and City administration, and to share some details on what the city should seek in a new BPRW Director. 1 Page 14 of 18 Significant BPRW Summer 2025 accomplishments include (among many others!): Parks & Facilities: ▪ During the months of June/July, rangers Noticed and Removed 37 camps in park spaces. During the month of July we connected 10+ of our unhoused community to services and support. The kind efforts of Niel Preston and Jake Payne was featured in Seven Days. ▪ Active parks construction projects include: o Leddy Bike Park o Leddy Roller Rink o Voices of St. Joseph’s Orphanage Memorial Healing Space • Ongoing maintenance is a large part of BPRW’s role. Examples of facilities work, just during this summer period, includes: o Ongoing working group meetings for future Public Safety building o Additional camera installations at Library, Pine Street, Station 2 and City Hall o Completed Bay Floor replacement at Station 2 o Key core program and office repair projects completed at BCA o Phase one of current BPD HVAC project complete…phase 2 is underway o Air conditioning condenser repaired at Arena o PM service complete for City Hall HVAC o Repaired pressure washer at Pine Street o Ongoing graffiti removal and clean up o Ongoing maintenance of rain gardens and parks landscapes throughout the City o Ongoing removal of ash trees throughout the City: www.burlingtonvt.gov/975/Active- ImprovementProjects o Completion of tree work service requests from VueWorks and SeeClickFix as necessary o The Fishing Pier lighting has been replaced with new parks standard fixtures. o Staff setup and worked the Brew Fest and Dragon Boat events. o Staff have started replacing bridge planks on RT 127 Bike Path bridge. Recreation: • Recreation and Nutrition continued to offer over 200 free lunches and 250 free dinners a week for 7 weeks of the Summer across 4 different ‘pop-up’ style camp sites around the city. Kids enjoyed swimming and other adventurous field trips, crafts, field games, as well as on-site enrichment such as story tellers, 4 Winds Nature Institute, and the Fletcher Free Library. The support and consistency provided by counselors truly made a positive impact on the families in the vulnerable communities BPRW served! • July and August was filled with many camps: skate camps, tennis camps, soccer camps, ultimate camp, baseball camp, disc golf camp, and waterfront adventures camp. There were also several programs taking place: soccer clinics, track & field, and adult tennis programs. • Miller has been the site of Champ Camp all summer and will soon be transitioning into becoming the new Recreation Team headquarters. • Two brand new registration based specialty camps took place in July, Nature Camp, a smashing introduction to hosting youth enrichment at Kieslich Park (Thank you conservation!) and Zach’s Magic Camp. The warm reception from families and the enthusiastic good times had by participants provides clear evidence that we will continue to offer these programs in future Summers! • The CORE has been wrapping up operations in preparation for the lease to end at the end of September. CORE has hosted a number of specialty camps and older adult programming for a very vibrant and fun last summer. The last day of BPRW programming was August 21. 2 Page 15 of 18  Waterfront: • Events: July 3rd Event was a success, even though Mother Nature tested us with a full-site evacuation. A wonderful show for the Community, and one of the first big tests for the BPRW team after the loss of valued staff members. BPRW has completed over 80% of our Waterfront Events for the 2025 Season and are starting to work through the process of opening the 2026 season for current producers in the Fall. • Beaches: The BPRW team continues active and effective monitoring and both online and physical communications with beach goers to ensure safe beach usage in the face of cyanobacteria and e.Coli • At North Beach the team has had to address multiple behavior issues and incidents, finding public intoxication issues are higher this year, with tempers quick to rise in the public. BPRW has called BPD consistently throughout this Summer to help with these issues, and are thankful for their support. • Campground: The Campground has been steady in reservations, however we definitely notice a decline in our Canadian customers. • Marina: Hosted seasonal and transient boaters, events like the Antique & Classic Boat Show and The Poker Run, an annual gathering of speed boats (raises money for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta) all amidst navigating low lake levels during mid and late August. This re-emphasizes how important the upcoming Harbor dredging project is for us. We can expect to lose out on transient revenues as we need to re-allocate those slips to accommodate our seasonal slip holders whose slips are now too shallow to use. These are just illustrative examples of accomplishments and ongoing work of our BPRW staff during one of the busiest and most beautiful summers Burlington has seen in a long time. These are a sample of their work to recognize the efforts of the BPRW team in the face of significant adversity. We invite ongoing review of staff achievements monthly in the Director’s Report for additional and useful details each month. BPRW is asked to manage many of the things that make Burlington into the city that residents and visitors expect it to be. They do so with dedication, excitement, grace, and most of all, love for public space and for the City of Burlington. They are the stewards of the public face of the City of Burlington – a strong parks network is one of the most highly visible components of a vibrant and healthy community. While the unfortunate reality of our current moment requires the City to make strategic cuts, the Parks Commission hopes city leadership will carefully consider the impact of prior cuts to BPRW as the city moves forward. We also recommend that the city consider what options may exist to rebuild trust between department staff and city leaders. While cuts may have been essential to keep the City operational, we must also recognize the RIF caused harm to current city employees that has not been resolved. To recognize the team that has supported our community through the summer and to set them up for success this Fall and going forward, the Commission also wishes to reflect on several elements we believe are key in the upcoming hire and appointment of a new BPRW Director. The new BPRW Director will need to be willing to lead through change. This individual will need to: • Lead and make difficult decisions about what recreation services can realistically continue to be offered to operate effectively at current budget and staffing levels; • Re-organize to operate effectively with reduced staffing levels; • Represent the important and cross-cutting work of BPRW in a city that is facing multiple and significant challenges, and advocate for the Parks to fill appropriate roles and responsibilities within the City; • Boost morale, ensure BPRW staff are supported in their important work, and heard and valued for their high technical and management skills and contributions, as reflected in the work outlined above. Nate Lantieri, Parks Commission Chair, is participating in the hiring panel for the new BPRW Director. He has/will aim to represent these perspectives as he is able during that process. 3 Page 16 of 18 Finally, the Parks Commission would like to formally request an agenda slot during an upcoming meeting of the Parks, Arts, and Culture (PAC) Committee, ideally the PAC September meeting to discuss any feedback or questions from PAC. We hope this memo updates you on the work of BPRW and the hopes of the Commission to rebuild morale within the department. 4 Page 17 of 18 Page 18 of 18