Parks & Recreation

PARKS & RECREATION Lower Level Council Chambers Wednesday, March 06, 2024 6:00 PM MINUTES ROLL CALL Meeting was called to order by Megan Scherrman at 6:03 P.M. PRESENT Jason Lang, Megan Scherrman, Nathan Huebner, Sarah Goldsmith, Casey Frye, Matt Ungs ABSENT Jon Scherbring APPROVAL OF AGENDA Scherrman asked for review and approval of the agenda. Motion made by Goldsmith, seconded by Huebner. Voting Yea: Lang, Scherrman, Huebner, Goldsmith, Frye, Ungs Motion Carried AGENDA ITEMS 1. Approve Meeting Minutes - January 17, 2024 Scherrman asked for comments or changes and there were none. Motion made by Goldsmith, seconded by Lang. Voting Yea: Lang, Scherrman, Huebner, Goldsmith, Frye, Ungs Motion Carried 2. Receive & File Director's Report - January 2024 Scherrman asked for comments or changes and there were none. Motion made by Lang, seconded by Huebner. Voting Yea: Lang, Scherrman, Huebner, Goldsmith, Frye, Ungs Motion Carried 2. Fitness Connection The Fitness Connection is a group made up Sarah Goldsmith, Jon Scherbring, Ellyse Ungs, and Lauren Prier. This committee is a branch off the Parks and Recreation Commission and includes individuals who are interested in fitness in our community. When they first brought up the outside fitness area, they received negative feedback. The response is that we need to 340 1st Avenue East, Dyersville, Iowa 52040 • Phone: 563-875-7724 • Fax: 563-875-8238 www.cityofdyersville.com  update our parks. There was a consensus that we need an inclusive play area in our parks. This would allow all individuals the ability to play on this equipment. Goldsmith met with Jacque Rahe. Rahe is applying for grants to pay for some of the expense on this project. The group also discussed putting fitness stations around the trail at Westside Park. The fitness stations would include items such as: push ups, pull ups, sit ups, box jumps, etc. These items would be made out of steel so there would be less maintenance than if wood or some other material were to be used. Additionally, trails would connect to the inclusive play area and be located around the play area. Rahe also met with Jeff Jacque on this project and he had very positive feedback on it. The location chosen was a good area. It is close enough to the ball diamonds, but far enough away from the street so kids don't venture into the street. The project will vary depending upon the size and different items included in the playground. A large playground would cost upwards of $200,000. It was mentioned that a campaign may be the best avenue to raise funds for this project. The aspect of flooding was also brought up. It seems that the play area would be able to withstand any flooding issues. Huehnergarth was instructed to speak with the city administrator and then communicate with Goldsmith by Friday to see if this can be presented at the next City Council meeting. 3. Pool Updates Rahe had suggested to Goldsmith that we need a splash pad. As a commission we have indicated "no" in the past. However, we want people to stay in our community. It was suggested to put the splash pad near the new inclusive park. Another option would be to have the splash pad in the grassy area at the pool. It was divided as to whether this would be included in the pool area or it would be a separate area that would be free to play at. In the past, we have been under the idea that most communities that have a pool do not have a splash pad and vice versa. Scherrman would like it kept separate from the pool. If it was kept separate from the pool area, there is an outside bathroom and the attendees could also access the concession stand from the side window. Ungs likes the idea of a splash pad located at Westside Park. Westside Park is located centrally in our community. Some commission members worry that the splash pad will take away from our pool. Scherrman thinks it depends on the age of your kids. Older kids would rather be in a pool than a splash pad. For this year, the commission is asking for shade material and maybe bag games or other games to be placed in the grassy area at the pool. We want to make it fun to be at the pool. 4. Baseball & Softball Registrations Huehnergarth passed out the numbers from this year versus last year. 2nd grade is much smaller than last year. 7th/8th grade division is also smaller due to a tiny class. Most feedback on the T-ball is that dividing the pre-K and Kindergarten into two separate groups was a good decision. Huehnergarth also mentioned having new rules for T-ball put on the website to show this change. 5. Commercial Club ball field improvements The safety fences have just finished being installed. The Public Works Director will be contacting someone this week to install a sidewalk. Huehnergarth is also hoping the batting cage gets installed soon. Commission members asked about getting netting over the stands to avoid foul balls injuring anyone. Westside Park also needs safety nets. Or, maybe shades instead of nets, since this would offer protection and shade all at the same time. We may want to contact FarmTek to see if they would donate a shade or Out Run the Rays. 340 1st Avenue East, Dyersville, Iowa 52040 • Phone: 563-875-7724 • Fax: 563-875-8238 www.cityofdyersville.com  6. Aquatic Center employment We have 11 applications for lifeguards. We also have 5 kids who have said they were coming back, but they have not yet applied. We are certainly short on lifeguards. The ideal number would be 20 lifeguards. It may help to put the new hours out there to help entice kids to apply. Huehnergarth went to Beckman to try to get more kids to apply. 8. Commission Member Comments The Track Meet is going to be on May 4th. Huehnergarth had 80 kids last year and is hoping for 100 kids this year. Our meet is the same day as Monticello. The State Meet will be on June 4th in Marshalltown. The Mayor mentioned he would like to construct a community garden. It would be located between the alley and railroad tracks (old soccer field) across from the church. Individuals could rent out a space and would be responsible if they wanted some type of fencing to keep animals out. Water would need to be brought in by the individual. The City would not supply it. Goldsmith had someone mention having a Sports Equipment Swap Meet. Possibly drop off items from 5 pm - 6 pm and then have the meet from 6 pm - 8 pm. We will need to look into this. We need to get umps prepared, possibly have a clinic. When teams have practice games, it would be a great time for umps to practice as well. In addition, coaches need to help keep the crowds in check. The umps should not have to deal with angry parents. 9. Set Next Meeting Date for Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M. on a motion made by Goldsmith, seconded by Ungs. Voting Yea: Lang, Scherrman, Huebner, Goldsmith, Frye, Ungs Motion Carried _______________________________________ March 6, 2024 Sandy Oberbroeckling Date 340 1st Avenue East, Dyersville, Iowa 52040 • Phone: 563-875-7724 • Fax: 563-875-8238 www.cityofdyersville.com