Parks Commission

MINUTES City of Norwich, Parks Commission May 26, 2026 Present: Chairperson C. Sprague, Comm. K. Thompson, Comm. S. Lambert, Comm. M. Kirsch, Alderwoman N. Allaire Absent: Comm. B. McCraken, Comm. D. Phelps, Comm. T. French Also Present: A. Testani, D. Thompson Correspondence: Commerce Chenango submitted a facility request form for June 13 th from 9:00 to 6:00 PM for their annual pickleball tournament. Meeting Minutes: Comm Thompson made a motion to accept April’s meeting minutes, seconded by M. Kirsch. All approved the motion. Old Business: LaBella Associates submitted the NYS Plays Grant for Weiler Park. The state will announce funding in the fall. No update on the MPR Grant for Bruchhausen Park. The state should announce funding in June. Aquattica submitted a draft of the Kurt Beyer Pool assessment, attached. Not surprisingly the assessment recommends constructing a new facility outside the floodplains. Aquattica did provide an estimate to construct a new facility. No update on the replacement of the fountain head for the fountain in Gordon Park. No updated on the lights at the skate rink / pickleball courts. The City Council tabled a motion to update the Facilities Reservation Request form. Before a vote for adoption can happen, a council member will need to bring back to the Council for a vote. New Business: Eric Larsen presented to the commission the plans for Auburn Park, see attached. The plans did include a train theme piece of playground equipment. After reviewing, the commission felt the train theme was not worth the extra cost. We can purchase a lower price equipment with a faster turnaround time. Once Eric has a copy of the signed agreement between the city and the NBT Foundation, it will be a 5-to-6-week lead to receive the order. There was a brief discussion regarding the Center City Greenway. The Parks Commission does not have any plans for the path. C. Sprague offered to meet with the mayor to discuss more. Chairman’s Report: No update. Commissioner’s Reports: M. Kirsch noted that the mulch around the exercise equipment in Weiler Park needs updating. S. Lambert noted graffiti on the playground equipment at Bruchhausen. Budget: No update to the budget. Next meeting: June 24th at 7:00 PM in the city offices. Adjournment: M. Kirsch made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 PM, seconded by K. Thompson. Approved by all.