Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Regular Meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Held at the Falls Church Community Center, Kenneth R. Burnett Building 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 Minutes June 7, 2017 1. Call to Order Steve Selby called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Planning Commission Representative Lindy Hockenberry, City Council Liaison Marybeth Connelly, Charley O’Hara, and Kathy Chandler. Student Representatives James Gogal and Sonya Lu were also present. Realtor Theresa Twiford was present. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director of Recreation & Parks and Keke Sidik. 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions - Lindy Hockenberry discussed upcoming Tinner Hill Festival. - Marybeth Connelly discussed upcoming campus-update meeting. 3. Minutes Charley O’Hara motioned to approve the April Minutes. Lindy Hockenberry seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 4. Recreation Director’s Report Danny Schlitt presented the Director’s Report: - Danny discussed Civil War Day, Memorial Day, Summer Camps and revenue, Farmer’s Market Fit, Pop-Ups in the Parks, etc. - Charley: Status of Play Streets? Danny: still handled by Transportation Department; we occasionally assist but they run it. 5. New Business a) Potential funding for open space - Board discussed memo: “Open Space Acquisition through Real Estate Tax.” - Kathy: budget? - Danny discussed budget and explained CIP for students. - Charley discussed memo; question is what Council will do. - Board discussed budget concerns for open space and transfer taxes. b) Railroad Ave. Cottage Referral - Theresa discussed the project, opposition concerns, and the existing maintenance shed. - Danny: can we build community garden space? - Theresa: have garden space for residents but not for public.  - Charley: it’s a great use of space, keeps seniors in the City. - Danny: has NOVA parks been included? - Theresa: yes, working hand in hand. - Board discussed whether they need to comment on referral given lack of impact. - Kathy: I move to support the interaction with the Northern Regional Park Authority and their work on this project and am very much in favor of the improvements as shown in attachment B1. - Charley seconded, but motion did not pass (2 in favor and 2 against). - Charley: I move to support Resolution TR17-15 with a special emphasis on the improvements to the W&OD Trail and to the currently existing shed as shown in attachment B1 to the City’s Plan for the W&OD Trail. - Lindy seconded and motion passed (3 in favor and 1 against). 6. Old Business a) Park project updates (Kim Callahan, Public Works) - Danny discussed public meeting to be held on Big Chimneys on 6/21; - Kim discussed park projects: conceptual designs, entrances, pathways, etc. - Charley: cost estimates? - Kim: still in preliminary stage, so it’s not certain, but trying to be conservative. - Danny: around 200k for playground estimate. - Charley and Danny discussed cost comparisons with Cherry Hill and Lincoln. - Lindy: why entrance near bowling alley? - Danny: bowling alley won’t be around forever; potentially use that space for more park land in the future. - Lindy and Danny discussed historical markers. - Danny: Big Chimneys meeting on 6/21 is to get first look at concept; not official Board meeting but it’s helpful for Members to be there. - Kim gave overview of project: goal to start by spring of next year and be done by summer; would like to submit for site plan by end of year. - Kim discussed downtown plaza, programming there and discussed Howard Herman Park. - Danny: there was a possibility for a dog park but we decided against it. - Charley: will there be signage to tie together; improve path? Danny: yes. Board discussed signage. b) No smoking in our parks (GM Student Representatives) Update - Danny discussed and introduced history to students and discussed plan to start a social awareness program; invited student representatives to take on this project. 8. Adjournment Kathy Chandler motioned to adjourn the meeting and Charley O’Hara seconded the motion. Under unanimous vote, meeting adjourned at 8:55PM. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5027 (TTY 711).