Recreation Commission

FREDERICKSBURG RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of November 19, 2020 The November meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held electronically on November 19, 2020 by GoToMeeting pursuant to City Council ordinance 20-05, an ordinance to address continuance of City government during the tendency of pandemic disaster. Commissioners Present: Ms. Quincy Crecelius Click, Mr. DaCorey Carter, Mr. David Dorsey, Dr. Tim Duffy, Mr. Eric Keeler, Mr. Brandon McVade, Mrs. Sharon Null, Mrs. Sue Sargeant Absent: Dr. Matt Eberhardt Also in attendance: Director Jane Shelhorse, Asst. Director Mike Ward, Mrs. Janice Lasker I. Approval of Minutes – The October 15, 2020 minutes were unanimously approved. II. Opportunity for Public Comment – none; Members of the public who wish to submit public comment may send their comments in writing by (1) dropping them in the Deposit Box at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, (2) U.S. Mail, (3) email to fprpf@fredericksburgva.gov. Comments must be received at least four hours in advance of the meeting – so, for example, by 2:30p.m. for a 6:30p.m .meeting. III. Presentation by Anne Little of Tree Fredericksburg on Cossey Park – Mrs. Little stated that the Green Commission, which is part of the Clean and Green Commission, has the resources to help care and maintain Cossey Park during the Covid pandemic. They have 43 Tree Stewards who are required to perform 25 hours/year of volunteer work. She asked if the Commission could bring together a committee to discuss long term evolution and care of the park so that the Green Commission can assist as needed. IV. Presentation on Wild Riverfront Park by Planning Staff – Susanna Finn shared a draft of Small Plan Area 2, the area along Fall Hill Avenue. The Planning Department would like to build upon what is now in the area behind Sunshine Ballpark as a result of the I-95 construction project. Mrs. Finn reviewed plans for a park that would connect trails and be a great opportunity for a learning lab. V. Communications from the Director – A. Program Update – Director Shelhorse reviewed current programs and noted the popularity of Drive in Bingo. The Department will continue to offer Drive in Movies due to a sponsorship from T-Mobile that allowed for the purchase a movie screen. We are still moving forward with plans for the Reverse Christmas Parade. With the ongoing changes caused by the pandemic, the Department is still working on figuring out a way to hold sports, and will continue to focus on sports clinics. B. Director Shelhorse shared an email from Guy Mussey regarding the ongoing maintenance of Cossey Park. C. Director Shelhorse introduced Quincy Crecelius Click, the new Commissioner who replaced Cameron John. VI. Old Business: A. Riverfront Park – Work is progressing well on the playground portion of the park. The structures that look like sticks are pieces of Robinia wood, an extremely durable wood used for playgrounds and decking. B. Strategic Plan –Lose Consultants will be sharing their findings with City Council in January in order to help with funding and the CIP plan. C. Alum Spring Playground- Installation is complete, and the playground is seeing a lot of use. We will be adding two pieces that were paid for with funds raised through the Director’s Fund. With the addition of the two pieces, the Department will advertise that they were paid for by donations to the fund. D. Guns in Parks – There was no discussion since the Commission had agreed to wait for City Council to address the issue. E. Maury Playground – The Department has chosen a plan, which will be a significant upgrade to the existing playground. It will be ADA accessible and is geared to children ages 2-12, focusing on the younger ages. F. Director’s Fund – The Department has agreed that the next campaign should focus on trail enhancements, such as water fountains or restrooms. VII. New Business: A. Park Rental Rates – This discussion was moved to a future date. B. Pickleball Courts – The Department has come up with a plan to designate a couple of courts for City resident use only in an effort to pacify City residents who do not get much playing time due to other localities using our courts. With the cooler weather, and the addition of new courts in  Woodbridge, the overcrowding issue seems to have worked itself out, so the Department will hold off on posting any restricted court signs. C. Wild Riverfront Park – The Commission unanimously endorsed the Planning Department’s plan to move forward with the new park. D. Cossey Park – Assistant Director Mike Ward suggested that he, a few Recreation Commissioners and Department staff interview Anne Little, Guy Mussey and Carolyn Helfrich to develop a more sustainable plan for the park before moving forward. David Dorsey and Eric Keeler volunteered to represent the Commission. E. New Restrictions – We are holding a few programs that are limited to 25 people. We do not anticipate the DHCC opening until at least April. VIII. Directors/Commission Concerns and Topics – Commissioner Null asked if we could remind the park staff to keep the gates latched on the Mary Ball Street side of Memorial Park. She noted that there was an 18 and under tennis tournament on November 14 or 15, and there was no sign posted noting reserved courts. Meeting adjourned at 7:56p.m. ______________________________________ Jane C. Shelhorse Date Director The next meeting is Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Dorothy Hart Community Center (or virtual).