Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission April 16, 2012 The meeting was called to order by Chair, Fred Fevold, at 6:07 p.m. at the Conference Room at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Present were members Fevold, Mount, Goodrich, Thayer, Moore, and Council Rep Jill Dodds. The following guests were present from Boy Scout Troop #207: Michael Hayworth, Kelly Hayworth, Charles Adolph, Jacob Barber, and Kevin Barber. There were no citizen comments. Motion to approve the minutes from the March 19, 2012 was made by Goodrich and seconded by Mount. Motion approved. Two Boy Scouts from Troop #207, Jacob Barber and Charles Adolph, made presentations to the Commission to ask to complete Eagle Scout projects at Rotary Camp Park. Charles Adolph, a junior at West High, spoke of his project proposal which involves reusing three cement pads that were former structures at Rotary Camp Park to put picnic tables at Rotary Camp Park on the sites. He will construct the picnic tables after approval of the design by the Parks Superintendent. Goodrich inquired about budget. Adolph replied that he was going to seek donations for wood for the tables. Goodrich suggested that a good sealant be used. Thayer inquired about access to the tables and how trash will be handled. Proud mentioned some parks are “pack it in, pack it out” and that discussion needed to happen yet on how to handle trash at Rotary Camp Park. Adolph replied that possibly mulch trails could be made to the tables. Proud explained that a wide mulch trail has already been established into Rotary Camp Park and that it would be easy to develop smaller trails to the tables. Moore made the motion to approve the project with Thayer as second. Project was approved. Jacob Barber, 8th grader at Northwest Junior High, gave an overview of Rotary Camp Park history as part of his presentation for his Eagle Scout project proposal. Barber would like to help to coordinate the master planning process for Rotary Camp Park so that ideas are ready for future Eagle Scout projects. Barber’s project is different than others have done for Eagle Scout status in that his will involve research of the park, leading times when scouts and citizens can get together to share ideas, and to put those ideas into a plan. Some preliminary information Barber attained through research included that the park being purchased in 1924 by the Rotarians from S.T. Morrison for $3500. In 1926, the park was developed into a Scout Camp and included buildings such as dormitories, lodge, and first aid station. It was used by both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. In 1960, scouting activities ceased. The property ceased to be used as a park until the City of Coralville purchased from the Rotarians in 1997 with a State of Iowa REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) grant. The funds used to purchase the land are now part of a trust that funds projects for the local good by the Rotary Club. Goodrich inquired of the trust funds have to be used for Scouting projects. Hayworth replied that they do not but that he felt the Rotary Club would be interested in proposals for projects related to Rotary Camp Park. Thayer asked of the Rotary Club has any legal interest left in the park. Proud replied that the park is owned by the City of Coralville. The group also held a general discussion regarding an upcoming meeting (pending project approval) for Troop #207 to discuss ideas for Rotary Camp Park. Commission members encouraged city staff to make sure that Barber had access to good pictures, topography maps, and general rules that the City had for development for Rotary Camp Park. Some suggestions included a “pack it in, pack it out” rule for trash and education about “leaving it be” as a rule for plants. Fevold volunteered to attend the meeting that will be held on April 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Coralville Central Elementary School. A motion was made by Moore to accept Barber’s proposal for his Eagle Scout project. Thayer seconded. Motion approved. During the Directors report, Proud shared information on the delay in the Community Gardens project, progress on the Coralville Operations Facility – Parks, Transit, and Water, and work days that will be held with the local junior high students. Council representative Dodds did not have a formal report but asked if anyone had any questions for her. No questions were asked. During the Commission reports, Mike Moore announced that he was moving to the Kansas City area and would be resigning from the Commission. Everyone wished him well. Thayer said that he had been doing more reading on incorporation of facilities for people with disabilities and encouraged that the city continue to look at how facilities can be accessible to all individuals and put more accessible facilities in the community. Mount, Goodrich, and Fevold had no additional comments. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.