Recreation Advisory Commission

Recreation Advisory Commission September 14, 2022 Call To Order: A meeting of the Durham Recreation Advisory Commission was held on this day in person, September 14, 2022. Chair Stracks-Mullem called the meeting to order at 7:39AM. Attendance was confirmed by roll call. Commissioner Scurlock-Jones was an unexcused absence. Welcome / Introductions I. Adjustments to the Agenda/Special Announcements None II. Public Comment  Kevin Young – Kevin expressed his concerns regarding the Chapel Hill soccer pitch. He discussed the ‘Pay to Play’ model currently in place and its effect on group sport dynamics. He expressed his concerns for accessibility and inequity. He is requesting this pitch be kept open on Sundays until 10AM as a first come, first serve pitch.  Kelsey Monk – Kelsey came to express her support for Wheels Fun Park and how she can engage with the Durham community and DPR to raise awareness.  Latoya Alston – Latoya stated her suggestions about recreation and how to reopen her community centers via engagement. She has been utilizing this process in the West End/Lyon Park area. She stated entrepreneurial classes or specialized classes being offered as a means of community engagement. Jason discussed Latoya’s involvement with DPR and their recent youth summit. Commissioners discussed community college partnerships to assist with facilitation.  Jesse Huddleston - Jesse introduced themselves and his position within Duke University. He stated there are a lot of untapped resources within DPR and hoped to expand their relationship with DPR to assist with community engagement. III. Consent Agenda 1. Approval of Minutes: Cedric made a motion to approve the June 8, 2022 and August 10, 2022 meeting minutes; seconded by Karthik; no further changes, whereupon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the minutes were approved as presented. 2. RAC Action Items – Fee Waiver Requests (Rich Hahn) Cedric made a motion to accept all fee waivers as recommended by staff; seconded by Karthik. All in favor, motion passes unanimously. 1. Durham Area Master Aquatics Event Indoor pool request Facility Request Campus Hills Pool Dates March 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023 Fee waiver application approved by consent at 25% Recreation Advisory Commission September 2022 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 1  IV. New Business Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees to Durham Culture and Community (Rosalie Bocelli- Hernandez)  Rosalie’s presentation focused on how DPR serves individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) through customer service, athletics, and recreation programs.  The presentation included challenges experienced by refugees and immigrants and how DPR can assist through education to City staff and the community.  She highlighted the challenges which are presented to refugees and how DPR assists with training, education on cultures and customs, and resettlement assistance. She highlighted the Language Line and the DPR Partnership with Church World Service. Presentation Q & A:  Commissioners discussed the utilization of universal symbolism to assist with language accessibility at DPR facilities.  Kokou announced his new role as an Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Coordinator. He discussed how the community is unaware of the resources available and how he can be supportive of these kinds of language access plans and endeavors within DPR.  Commissioners discussed an ethnic festival through DPR and a sister cities’ festival of nation that DPR participates in annually. V. Director’s Report  A copy of the director’s report was included in each RAC packet that members received. Upon your review, send Wade any questions you may have regarding its content.  Wade shared the meeting taking place at Holton tomorrow evening at 6:30PM to receive community engagement regarding Long Meadow Park, East End Park and the former Wheels site. He shared the three renderings, based on community feedback, of how the Wheels aquatic site could be structured.  He shared maps of the community input, engagement and interaction received. He highlighted the different approaches utilized whether it was via in person or a community survey. He stated the connectivity potentials from East End Park to Longmeadow Park through accessible walkways and bike trails.  He discussed how this feedback would ultimately be developed into a CIP (Capital improvement Project) and presented to Council for funding assuming support from the RAC and DPF is aligned.  He shared further plans and assessment for the roller rink at Wheels. He stated a baseline of $1 million dollars to make the roller rink code compliant. He stated the facility was non-operational at the moment and lack of staff available to operate it.  He discussed pre-bid meetings with vendors for operational costs, management, and to address safety concerns. Director Q & A:  Commissioners discussed Wheels Fun Park as a destination site throughout the Triangle and parking concerns. VI. Commissioner Comments & Committee Reports Recreation Advisory Commission September 2022 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 2  1. Hillandale Advisory Commission (Lesley Stracks-Mullem) None 2. DOST (Karthik Sundaramoorthy) Karthik stated the last meeting included feedback and input for their comprehensive plan. 3. Durham Parks Foundation (Girija Mahajan/Emilie McIntosh) Girija attended the DPF and stated that there was a financial donation to the Merrick Moore Partnership. She also volunteered to join the fundraising committee and stated their presence at CenterFest. She stated they were looking for new members and needed assistance with recruiting. Open Discussion  Commissioners discussed community play days and accessibility to open fields.  Lesley announced the resignations of Marcella Scurlock-Jones and Kokou Nayo.  Kokou expressed how he would continue to support DPR within his new role at the City-County and regretfully had to resign.  Jill presented a letter for the Commissioners to sign for the proposal presented at the August meeting stating support for the North Carolina Accessibility for Parks Grant.  Girija gave a shout to Merrick Moore Park and its cleanliness. Lesley expressed similar sentiments of Forest Hills Park. Lesley adjourned the meeting at 9:08AM. Next RAC Meeting: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Paola R. Roland Recreation Advisory Commission September 2022 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 3