Park & Recreation Board

Park and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 5, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Present: Gary Harris, James Lannon, Doreen McVaugh, Molly Crotty, Matt Reece, Karissa Elser (via Zoom), as well as Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Caitlin Hernandez The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The minutes from the February 6, 2024 meeting were approved as amended. Caitlin updated the Board Yoga in the Park. Some questions about the insurance policy needed to be updated and corrected. Yoga is still tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:45 a.m. Caitlin hopes for a May start to this program. There will be no drop-ins available right now. The program is slated to run for 5-week intervals. The goal is to bring this to the Council for their March 2024 meeting. James has nothing new to provide for the Comprehensive Plan Update. Caitlin gave the Bike and Hike Report. The current focus is the Shady Retreat Safe Routes to School trail, which encompasses N Shady Retreat Rd., Burpee Rd., and Limekiln Rd. Contractors have staked out the center line and cleared trees. This process will be long and may move slowly, but this is excellent progress overall. Caitlin also provided the Recreation Director’s Report. At Chapman Park, the dam clean-up day has been scheduled. A GoFundMe page was created to help raise money for the aerator. The goal is to raise $10,000. Neis Park tennis court resurfacing is planned for June 18 through July 5. At War Memorial Park, new LED lights were ordered for the basketball court. We are working on a rebate through PECO to help with costs. Wood carpets have been spread through all the parks in town. Saturday Chess had a fantastic turnout. We needed extra tables for the last session, and easy access to parking seems to have helped raise the number of attendees. The scenic stroll will be starting in March. The Facebook event had a great response, with 200 people showing interest. Arts and Crafts with Lauren is coming back in July. The online registration program will be up and running on April 1. The Easter Egg Hunt sign-up has filled all age brackets except the sensory-friendly age bracket. A separate sign-up will be sent out for volunteers to help on the event day. Students from the Key Club will be coming to help fill eggs and support on the event day. The Lions have reached out for the summer concerts at Broad Commons. We hope for better communication from them this year. The Summer Shows series will also be returning to Burpee. We have received the sponsorship fees, and all the performers are lined up for the series. Under New Business, Molly asked if there is any programming for children around the 4th of July. The museums offer “old-fashioned” 4th of July activities, but Molly wants to provide something else for the area's children. James agreed that this is something to consider. Molly is willing to take this on if there is an opportunity to do activities. A new member, Matt Reece introduced himself to the Park and Recreation Board members. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 pm. Respectively Submitted by Erika Fellman Parks and Recreation Minutes Secretary