Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting June 12, 2024 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS FALLS CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTER, KENNETH R. BURNETT BUILDING, 223 LITTLE FALLS STREET, FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22046 1. Call to Order Charley O’Hara (Chair) called the meeting to order. Members present were Jenna Schroeder (Vice Chair), Michael Bracken, Jerrod Anderson (School Board Liaison), Bill Ackerman, Brendan Kelly and Student Representatives Matthew Carmody. Staff member present was Danny Schlitt, Director Recreation & Parks (R&P). Members of the public were Gene Gresko (120 N Fairfax St Falls Church VA 22046), Iva Gresko (120 N Fairfax St Falls Church VA 22046) and Jose P Ceppi (236 Irving St. Falls Church VA 22046). 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions The meeting commenced with the discussion on public and board member petitions regarding issues related to the conversion of two Cherry St. Tennis courts into four pickleball courts. Concerns were raised regarding the excessive noise generated by pickleball activities, including the use of hard racket paddles, hard plastic balls, and court surface noise. It was noted that up to 16 players are present at any given time, starting from 8am until dusk. • Iva Gresko's Complaint: o Iva Gresko expressed dissatisfaction with the noise levels emanating from the pickleball courts. The noise, particularly from hard racket paddles, hard plastic balls, and the court surface itself, has been disruptive to nearby residents. • Gene Gresko's Report: o Gene Gresko reported instances of pickleball players continuing to play after dusk, often with car lights on. He highlighted having contacted the police multiple times around 9pm due to the disturbances caused. The issue of nighttime play will be considered in future board meetings. • Jenna Schroeder's Complaint and Suggestions: o Jenna Schroeder, residing near Cavalier Trail Park, also voiced concerns about pickleball court noise affecting her residence. Additionally, she mentioned concerns from tennis players regarding the behavior of pickleball players. o Jenna Schroeder proposed potential solutions to mitigate noise issues, including the use of silent pickleball paddles and exploring technological fixes. She also suggested installing noise barriers on fences surrounding the courts to help minimize noise disturbance to neighboring properties.  • Brendan raised concerns about increased flooding underneath the swings at Meridian Park, particularly during heavy rains. She suggested constructing a raised path to mitigate water accumulation and improve accessibility to the swings. Action Items: • The board agreed to review the concerns raised by residents and explore potential solutions to mitigate noise issues from pickleball activities. • Danny will collaborate with the staff and team to develop a solution addressing the noise concerns related to pickleball activities on the courts. He will explore the feasibility of implementing a system to lock or unlock the court gates at specific times to regulate access and mitigate disturbances during non-permitted hours. • Further discussion will take place in upcoming board meetings regarding the feasibility and implementation of proposed solutions, including the use of silent paddles, technological fixes, and noise barriers. Minutes for Approval: Draft minutes from April 10, 2024 and May 8,2024 were reviewed and approved unanimously 3. Recreation Directors Report • Memorial Day and Tinner Hill Festival events were successful, benefiting from favorable weather conditions. Memorial Day saw a significant increase in attendance compared to previous years, particularly during the fun run and parade. Plans are being considered to enhance future Memorial Day events by adding a beer garden and live band to hold the crowd at Memorial Day ceremony and entertain larger crowds. • Summer camps commenced on June 10th at various locations including the community center, Falls Church schools, and Fairfax County facilities. New staff members have been hired, reflecting a larger candidate pool following the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment numbers for summer camps are higher compared to last year, indicating growing interest and participation. • A total of 212 summer programs are available for registration this season, catering to diverse interests and age groups within the community. • The soccer season has concluded, and plans are underway to introduce a new app for Falls Soccer and football registrations. The app will provide parents with convenient access to information such as cancellations, schedules, and personal updates. Falls Brochures detailing upcoming programs will be distributed next month, with registration opening in August.  • July is recognized as National Park and Recreation Month. Special activities and events will be organized at Cherry Hill Park to celebrate and engage the community. • The Recreation Department has acquired a new 16-passenger van through a vehicle share initiative with Public Works. This addition will support transportation needs for various programs and events. • The department is actively supporting the city's upcoming 75th anniversary celebrations through participation and collaboration. 4. Old Business i. Park Projects updates: • Berman park- Progress is being made based on feedback received from individuals unable to attend. It has been determined that the swing will remain and plans are underway to design a third footprint in collaboration with Public Works. The community has expressed gratitude for the park's development. Charley inquired about the timeline for equipment installation, proposing winter as an optimal period. • Fellows Property Update: A recent meeting with Public Works addressed substantial trail development efforts, with a projected six-month timeline for completion. There is a proposal to engage the public through upcoming meetings to gather input. Danny provide the break down of ii. Student Representatives Project “Please don’t smoke”: Introduce our new Student representative Matthew Carmody. Danny confirm Anand is still working that the project can now be presented to City Council, and outreach can begin on social media. iii. Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Project: It was agreed that the project will involve drilling eight geothermal wells in the front aisle of the Community Center. The anticipated start date is the end of fall. The project's significant impacts include. Potential disruption to events scheduled for November and December. Additionally, it was noted that the entrance to the farmers market will be affected, prompting the decision to relocate it to the back of the center. Staff from Oak Street Elementary trailers will be temporarily relocated to accommodate the construction. Still searching for suitable space for senior center programming and evaluating other potential impacts and programs. . Adjournment Charles O’Hara motioned to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Jenna Schroeder. All attendees approved, and the meeting adjourned.