Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES PARKS & TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18, 2023, 5:00 P.M 111 Opera Street, Suite A 1) Roll Call of Committee Members Committee Members present: Julie Nix, Samantha Christian, Rick Dwyer, Bob Reddish, Ann Kendrick, Jerry Rephan, and Larry Williams. P&T staff present: Anthony Whittington, Kathleen Fason, and Hannah Rice 2) Approval of the Agenda Rick made a motion to approve the May 18, 2023 agenda. Bob seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 3) Approval of the Minutes Ann made a motion to approve the March 16, 2023 minutes. Samantha seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4) Introduction of Guests With this being Jerry Rephan’s first meeting, everyone introduced themselves and told a little about themselves. 5) New Business A) Updates on all projects: B) Major Projects Update: Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail – both of the Southern Trail section’s 70’ bridges have been delivered and are in place. Cate Construction will continue grading and we hope to have a grand opening of that trail section later this year. Anthony discussed work to be done on the trail past TV Hill. Stokes Creek Greenway Trail – the TAP/RTP grant application for phase 2 construction is nearly complete and will be turned in by the end of the month. We will know by October if approved. Velocity Park –Phase 1 - Stormwater is currently working on repairs to the collapsed storm drain and then Street will start paving for the parking lot. We hope to have the Grand Opening later this year. Phase 2 - ORG application for this phase of construction is due in August. We are waiting for construction drawings and final cost estimates from Arkansas Ramp Company. Friends of the Parks’ generous donation of $23,000 to cover a shortage in funds for the restroom will be added to the CBDG funds. Pending City Board approval on June 1 we hope to have the restroom ordered by June 7. Family Park Playground – a youth (5-12 yr) playground will replace the existing individual pieces on the main playground. The existing pieces will be repurposed in other projects as possible. The $50,000 CD donation from Friends of the Parks will reach maturity in August and once funds are received the Zipline for Family Park will be ordered. This is a low to the ground, youth sized piece with a ADA accessible side included. C) Signatures on Letters of Support for ORG and TAP/RTP grant packets: both letters were signed by all committee members and will be included in the grant packets. 6) Parks & Trails Director Reports, Announcements, & Items for Discussion Anthony shared that the Downtown Hanging Baskets had been installed that morning. He stated that he was very grateful to the Garland County Master Gardeners (GCMG) for their assistance with building the baskets each year. He shared that on May 24th, at our Volunteer Appreciation Day event, we would be awarding GCMG Loretta West with the Volunteer of the Year plaque. Anthony reminded the committee members that they will be electing a new Chair and Co-Chair next month in June and encouraged all to attend. 7) Parks & Trails Advisory Committee Reports, Announcements, & Items for Discussion Jerry spoke regarding his concerns about the Belding Street crossing of the HSCGT. He stated that pavers and crossing lights, like what we have at the Hollywood Avenue crossing, would be extremely beneficial. All agreed and several stated that bicyclists, walkers, and runners are often seen on Valley Street to crossover at that intersection. Bob mentioned that the crossing for the greenway on Belding seemed to be depressed and not easy to see. Anthony said he would talk to Public Works and plan out a budget for that project to be completed next year. Julie spoke up and said she wonders if the community truly knows how much the Friends of the Parks do for the city. Several others spoke up and wondered what could be done to show our appreciation. Kathleen stated that the Joint Business Meeting with Friends and the PTAC members was a “Thank You” for all they do, and we also hold a Volunteer Appreciation Day event each year for Master Gardeners and others like our Trail Watch volunteers. There was much discussion about how to get the word out and promote these groups who do so much for our community. 8) Adjournment: Rick made a motion to adjourn. Samantha seconded. The meeting adjourned at 5:52 pm. The Parks and Trails Advisory Committee will hold their next regular meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ APPROVAL: ____________________________ Anthony Whittington, Director Julie Nix, Chairperson Parks & Trails Department Parks & Trails Advisory Committee