Park And Recreation Board Meeting

Park and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. Present: Gary Harris, James Lannon, Doreen McVaugh, Robert Huether, Pat Keppler, Elizabeth Wyckoff, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Caitlin Hernandez, and Borough Manager John Davis. Also in attendance were Council members Dennis Livrone and Amy Taylor Popkin. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The Minutes from the October 3, 2023, meeting were approved as amended. John Davis provided the 2024 Capital Budget Update. The Park and Recreation Operating Budget will increase from $329,250 in 2023 to $391,900 in 2024. This reflects an increase in Park and Rec supplies due to additional Arts and Crafts sessions, as well as an increase in costs for landscaping and more money for Dave Burger to complete more maintenance items. Nothing has been cut from the budget in terms of Parks and Recreation at this point. The tennis court improvements have been split over the next two years. The bocce court is still in the budget, including improvements to the Wood St. Park. Arts and Crafts, in addition to having a third session added, will also see an increase in the registration fees. Borough residents will now pay $20 instead of $15, and non-Borough residents will pay $30 instead of $25. We will create a new method of Pavilion and field rentals, creating 4- hour time slots. The rental fee for the 4-hour slot will be the same as it is now. We will increase the cost for Outdoor Games, which will be used as a placeholder for now. If Outdoor Games comes back, it will not be until 2025. Caitlin is brainstorming many innovative ideas for programming and utilizing our parks. Caitlin gave an update on how people can sign up for the programs and facility rentals. In the spring of 2024, we will move from a pen-and-paper form to online registration. James Lannon provided the Comprehensive Plan Update. The last Comp Plan meeting was held on October 10, 2023. The next workshop, which is yet to be scheduled, will be centered around capacity building. James gave an overview of all the topics that will be considered for the first draft of the Comprehensive Plan. The next meeting with the Bucks County Planning Commission consultants will be Tuesday, November 14, 2023. We do not think the next workshop will happen until after the new year. Bike/Hike Report Liz reported that this year’s Witches Ride was the most successful. It has been moved under the umbrella of Discover Doylestown as it has gotten so big. One hundred fifty people signed up to participate this year. The beautiful weather helped with the large crowd of participating witches. Liz would like to consider having more organized bike rides throughout the summer. The next thing will be the Holiday Lights Ride. Liz would like different routes for the various levels of experienced riders. Manager’s Report: Nothing to report.  Park and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. Recreation Director’s Report Caitlin shared a park improvement report from Dave Burger. Broad Commons Park and Playground has been very well utilized. The mural at Burpee is complete. The Burpee Gardening Company contacted us to do some features on the Pavilion. Caitlin hopes there could be a partnership with them moving forward. A spring planting plan is in place for Burpee, and the Pavilion has been winterized for the season. The Historical Society Park construction is underway. The flagstone has been installed on the terrace behind the building. Veterans Memorial Park had five new white oak trees planted by the Plumstead Baseball Association. Chess has moved indoors as of October. Scenic Strolls have been well attended. Broad Commons hosted the Pride Movie Night in October. One hundred and seventy-five tickets were sold for that event. We had approximately 200 people attend the ribbon cutting for the Broad Commons Playground. James asked for an update on the vandalism issues. Caitlin confirmed it is still happening at Hillside Park. Dave is trying to track when it is happening. There is also a very vigilant neighbor across the street from the park. There was also an incident of vandalism at Burpee Pavilion. Old/New Business Pat Keppler announced to the Board that she would be resigning from the Park and Recreation Board at the end of the year because she will be moving from the Borough. This will also be the last meeting for retiring Park and Recreation Director Gary Harris. Gary also volunteered to return to the Board if there are any openings. Liz Wyckoff will also resign from the Board since she was elected to Borough Council. The December meeting of the Park and Recreation Board will be canceled. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm. Respectively Submitted by Erika Fellman Parks and Recreation Minutes Secretary