Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 2021 v 7:00 P.M. DRAFT MINUTES Virtual Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup- join/19%3ameeting_YTBiOWMyMTctYWRiYi00MDczLTgzMmYtOTdhZTk5NTg0YTM4%40thr ead.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2273ba5b04-4ace-4ae3-a6b2- 65cbc403418b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2288dcaad5-f9e7-4ed3-b8c9-1d3cd1ec8369%22%7d NOTICE: This virtual meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks was held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. All participating members of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks were present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this video of this meeting on the City’s website at Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting (Virtual Meeting) (granicus.com) PLEASE NOTE: This meeting will be conducted using Microsoft Teams. Don't have the Teams app? You can still join a Teams meeting. See the instructions attached to this meeting agenda. Please email jhilgendorf@fallschurchva.gov if you need assistance with installation. During the meeting, staff will likely not be available to assist with installation. 1. Call to Order Charley O’Hara called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members present were Charley O’Hara, Chair, Leslie Rye, Vice Chair, School Board member Laura Downs, Kim Hicks, City Council Liaison Letty Hardi, Jenna Schroeder, and Liz Weatherly. Student Representatives Thomas Downs and Nate Kusic were also present. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director Recreation & Parks, and Jessica Hilgendorf, Senior Administrative Assistant Recreation & Parks. 2. Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice 3. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions  No Public Petitions or Board Member Petitions 4. Minutes for Approval Motion to approve by Kim Hicks, seconded by Laura Downs  April 7, 2021 o Approved 6-0  May 5, 2021 o Approved 5-0; 1 abstention The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5027 (TTY711). 5. Directors Report  Community Center continues phases of reopening with a return to regular hours and indoor facility rentals.  Winter/Spring programs ended with enrollment rates around 57% of pre-COVID enrollment.  Summer Camp registration has been strong; looking at expanding enrollment capacity where possible based on the current Governors Orders as of May 28, 2021.  Cherry Hill Farmhouse rentals are returning and Arts and Humanities Grants continue.  In-person Senior Programing returning to the Senior Center. o Military History group has gained a stronger following by going virtual with individuals joining both nationally and internationally. After returning in-person we are looking at ways to maintain a virtual presence. o Marymount Senior Programs have been successful; particular interest in helping seniors develop technology literacy.  Early Release Wednesday program continues. o Anticipate offering the option to continue the program in the fall. o Recommendation to include asynchronous days in the Early Release program; Current plans include one day camps and programs on those days.  Memorial Day events were successful and well received. o Events included 3K Virtual Fun Run T-shirt pick up, Memorial Day Scavenger Hunt, Memorial Day Ceremony, Quantico Marine Corps Band and Parade through the City of Falls Church.  CIP Funds from FY20 and FY21 being used for the pathways project; quotes expected from a company contracted with the City. o Jimmy Ruby, Program Supervisor: Youth and Adult Sports, is overseeing this project.  Tennis Court resurfacing project using unspent funds from FY21 budget. Going forward should plan to have resurfacing on a 3 to 4 year cycle. o Purchase of portable nets allow for two Pickleball courts on each tennis court at Caviler Trail and Cherry Street courts. Community Center courts will have one Pickleball court with portable a net and one tennis-only court.  Tennis courts at the high school will not be lighted and therefore limits resident use. o Continue to work with school and City staff to come up with a plan to add lights to courts either as a CIP project or using ARPA Funds if there is a community need.   Suggestion to add angled lights onto to existing softball field light posts will not provide sufficient lighting.  Would need to obtain an assessment of lighting needs, a quote and pricing structure from Musco Lighting, should lighting be needed.  Farmers Market Manger position re-posted to reflect added benefits package.  Maintenance position will be posted for recruitment.  No July 4th fireworks this year due to school construction. A one day scavenger hunt terminating at Cherry Hill Park and a concert are planned. o Plan on meeting with the Fire Marshall, a pyro technician, school representatives and staff to determine if continuing the regular July 4th program on the school site is possible after construction is completed; asses alternative options if not possible.  Concerts in the Park run by VPIS returns this summer.  A full Fall Festival is planned. Will include vendors, civic booths, entertainment, and food.  Cinemas in the Park will run in early-Fall. 6. Old Business a) Fellows Park  Create a skeleton Master Park Plan for Fellows over the next two months  GIS work and draft of current property features: location of specimen trees, well, open space, and park boundaries.  Intend to have neighbors, community and Board input on the park plan.  Collect comments for park purpose, theme, description and features.  Finalize into a layered report to visualize property and usage options.  Engineer, surveyor, arborist collaboration to examine possibilities of multiple use areas.  Plan to meet in September and have a community discussion after the September meeting.  Concern over stark contrast between cleared area and natural state. o Recommendation to blend areas, especially toward the back of the property where the storm drain is located. o Recommendation of nature-bridge to allow wildlife to traverse property without being exposed. o Recommendation to include a dog park. o Concern over grade of clear strip of land and the practicality for a community garden to exist on a slope that needs to be heavily terraced. b) Student Representatives Update on Project  Furniture Project  Workshop and Design classes created 10 pieces for the parks.   One table will be moved to Big Chimneys; other pieces stored behind the Community Center until they are put into use. o Art Project with Corey Jannicelli  Located public art landmarks within the City, compiled information on the works including photos, descriptions, location, year created, creation process and artist.  Created a website with 25 landmarks to be published with the intent of linking an interactive map to create an art walk.  Recommendation to include park signage, sculptures and structures to the public art project 7) Adjournment Liz motioned to adjourn, Kim Hicks seconded. All approved. Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Staff liaison: Jessica Hilgendorf, 703-248-5027 (TTY711), jhilgendorf@fallschurchva.gov