Parks and Recreation Commission

Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) Thursday, December 4, 2025 Cornelius Town Hall 5:30 – 7 p.m. www.cornelius.org/pr MINUTES 1) Call to Order Chair Fouche called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. 2) Determination of Quorum A quorum was reached with six (6) commissioners in attendance. • Commissioners Present: Chair Trey Fouche, Jon Show, Steve True, Robert Reed, Andrew Heywood, and Jana Ritter • Commissioners Absent: Vice-Chair Carla Eustache, Jeff Jones, and Travis Dancy • Staff Present: Director Troy Fitzsimmons, Assistant Director Adam Abernathy, Recreation Superintendent Michael Wolf, and Executive Assistant Mary Curcione 3) Public Appearances – Citizen Concerns/Comments 4) Approval of Minutes a) November 2025 Draft Minutes Commissioner Show made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 6, 2025, meeting as presented. Commissioner True seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 5) Presentations 6) Director’s Report a) November 2025 Director’s Report Director Fitzsimmons presented updates on personnel changes, recent and upcoming special events, Bailey Road Park turf replacement progress, and a statewide tennis award, along with a promotion of the FY27 Citizen Budget Survey. He also urged Commissioners to attend the upcoming Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Advisory Boards Meeting. 7) Parks & Recreation Commissioner Recommendations & Reports a) Items to be placed on record b) Commissioner Reports • Vice-Chair Carla Eustache – Absent • Chair Trey Fouche o Attended Light Up Cornelius and felt it was a great decision to move the stage to a more central location but felt as though there was a ‘flow issue’ this year with all the kids’ activities at the bottom of the hill. Would have like to see more hot cocoa available and more storefronts involved in the event. Noted that by 6 p.m., the event was packed. o Encouraged commissioners to review the Downtown Master Plan, if they haven’t already, as it will be re-visited again in January 2026. o Urged Commissioners to attend the Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Advisory Boards Meeting in addition to Director Fitzsimmons. o Attended the Carolina Thread Trail Conference where Tim Belk highlighted features in Gaston County. Chair Fouche noted that Cornelius Parks & Recreation is ahead of the curve as far as facilities, programming, and offerings are concerned. • Commissioner Jeff Jones – Absent • Commissioner Jon Show  o Attended Light Up Cornelius and thought it was an amazing event. Noted that there were a lot of attendees, the tree looked beautiful, and all the kids’ activities were really fun. o Went to the Veteran’s Day Program for the first time and was impressed by the programming. o Requested that the Budget Survey graphics be sent to Commissioners so they can be aware and share on social media, with HOAs, etc. • Commissioner Steve True o Attended the Newsmakers event o Joined the Clean & Green efforts at Legion Park and helped with the tree planting. o Went to Light Up Cornelius for the first time and thought it was a great event. • Commissioner Robert Reed o Registered the kids for Flashlight Candy Cane Dash before all the spots filled up. o Shared that the Light Up Cornelius map graphic was extremely helpful and looked really cool. o Has been trying to share social media posts to spread the word on updates, events, etc. o Received positive feedback from the community regarding special events and highlighted the Veteran’s Day Program specifically. o Spoke to the parents of a child who enjoyed Tae Kwon Do Camp so much with Kinchen this past summer that they continued lessons at the studio this past fall. o Suggested getting quotes/videos from parents regarding Parks & Rec programming to share on social media and in newsletters; thinks it’s important exposure. • Commissioner Andrew Heywood – No Report • Commissioner Jana Ritter o Attended Light Up Cornelius and felt that the hot cocoa station(s) should have more of a presence, especially with the chilly temperatures. Would also like to see more kid-related crafts/activities at the event, noting that she felt the absence of the library’s usual offerings. o Teaching the Rally Rookies through LNTA every Wednesday and enjoys seeing the packed courts at Bailey Road Park. Stated that tennis is going well there, in general. o Advised that USTA is raising their membership pricing for the first time in 20 years. • Commissioner Travis Dancy – Absent c) Town Commissioner Report – Commissioner Todd Sansbury • Spoke with a community member who advised that the fence surrounding the pickleball courts at Bailey Road Park are too shiny and could use a shade screen. o Assistant Director Abernathy advised that for a shade screen to be installed, the entire fence would need to be re-done, which would come with an exorbitant cost. Because the fence is so new, it is very shiny but will fade quickly. • Shared that the Sunset Cove development project (proposed wedding venue) will eventually make its way back to the Town Board. 8) Old Business a) Parks & Recreation Commission Goals & Committees b) 2024 Park Bonds • Director Fitzsimmons outlined a three-phase bond strategy from 2027–2033 focused on land acquisition, greenway development, recreation center development, and major park improvements. • Commissioner Reed made a motion to authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to finalize and present the recommended 2024 Park Bond project priorities and funding plan to the Town Board on January 5, 2026. Commissioner Heywood seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 9) New Business a) Chair Recommendation Chair Fouche advised that a vote on the next Parks & Recreation Commission Chair would take place at the January 2026 meeting and asked commissioners to contact him directly if they are interested in the role. b) Vice-Chair Appointment Similarly with the Chair role, Chair Fouche advised that the appointment for Vice-Chair would also be taking place at the January 2026 meeting, again asking for interested parties to contact him in the meantime. c) January 2026 PRC Meeting Date Due to the New Year holiday, based on Commissioner availability, the January 2026 meeting date was moved to Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. d) Glen Oak Green Park Concerns Update Commissioner True provided an update on Glen Oak Green Park, noting that a security camera was installed following an initial meeting with residents and the Police Department. Police presence in the area has been  increased through multiple measures, which, along with the added security, appears to be making a positive impact. The e-bike ordinance has also been fully passed and is now enforceable by police. Chair Fouche added that efforts may need to be re-evaluated and intensified again in the spring as warmer weather returns. e) Monthly Newsletter Refresh Executive Assistant Mary Curcione presented the 2026 Newsletter Refresh, highlighting a new official newsletter title, a simplified and mobile-friendly design, a shift toward high-impact, audience-specific content, and increased use of visual calls-to-action and interactive features to boost engagement. 10) Adjournment Chair Fouche adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Upcoming PRC Meetings – Monday, January 12 and Thursday, February 5, 2026 Next Town Board Meetings – Mondays, December 15 and January 5, 2026