4. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB)

PARAB Board Meeting Wednesday February 8, 2023 ─ Attendees Patti Dukes/ Sara Brinson/ Ryan Ford/ Linda Sheppard Katy Keller, Parks Planner Guests: Rosemary & Matt Agenda New Business 1. Introduction – Determination of Quorum 2. Approval of January 2023 Meeting Minutes 3. Roll Call 4. Public Input 5. Discussion: a. Directors Update i. Budget FY23-24 ii. Department Updates: New Staff starting soon 6. Vision Session: 2023 Events a. Arbor Day Celebration Planning 7. Questions & Comments 8. Adjournment a. Next Meeting: March 8, 2023 2 Notes  ● Call to order: 6:04pm ● Linda motioned for approval of January 2023 minutes; Sara seconded. Approved minutes Public Input: Rosemary and Matt have recently moved near Town Lake Park and were interested in bringing the poor condition of the park wooden bridge to the Board/Katy. They asked if all Parks would be connected by a running trail/greenway and made the request for this connection. Katy offered her number to contact in the future with other issues. When the new Superintendent begins, the plan is to post a QR code for all to scan and provide feedback to the Parks. Patti also indicated there is a Facebook page for Pittsboro Parks and Rec posts and events. Budget Updates: Katy reported that: ● Capital and Park project funds are still available and will be used for: ○ Tennis Courts: $384k total resurface with lights/fence removal and regrade ○ Rock Ridge: playground has aging elements that will be replaced ○ MccLenahan Park: basketball courts cost $184k for reconstruction ○ Kiwanis: playground fencing replacement of warped areas. Department Updates: ● Katy shared the Park Superintendent, Carter, started on February 6 and will use Town vehicle until the Parks truck arrives in March. Park Coordinator, Maura, will start on February 20. Focus will be on use of the software build-out for booking of events, then will work on park programs. ● Katy shared that Main Street is no longer a program the Town will be supporting. Teresa is over Downtown Pittsboro, which is a program replacing Main Street. Teresa was organizer of the recent Sip and Stroll. Ryan asked if County Parks is giving control of programs to Town. Katy said Town has no staffing. Sara shared there used to be a mixer with PARAB and County once a year; Katy wants to revive this gathering. Park Updates: 3 ● Kiwanis Park: Sara asked about digging equipment in front of park. Katy shared  that the sewer for Kiwanis is being worked on in front of the park. ● Knight Farm Park: open space can be allocated for anyone to use; currently soccer park but there are not nets or signage for this use. Linda indicated the Scouts are using for rocket launches, but most residents are unaware it is available and Sara indicated some think it may be part of Thales Academy. Katy indicated grading would be done to eliminate the erosion in the dog park in the small dog side. LInda questioned if the benches could be relocated away from the dog entrances to both sides to avoid aggressive behavior. Katy indicated there were no immediate plans to relocate benches, but would be adding tethered Adirondack chairs to the shade structures to draw owners there and away from the entrances. Katy confirmed Chatham Park is planting wildflowers around the grassy area next to the dog park, as part of their maintenance. There is still a 50% cost share with the Town and Chatham Park still has full responsibility. ● Mary Holmes Park: Katy indicated Chatham Park had provided sewer to this park and bathrooms will be installed. Booking of soccer field and park space will be contracted out for this site. ● Freeman Park: Katy will be meeting this Tuesday, February 14 with the designer to get a cost estimate of this park design. ● Midway Park: Pollinator garden by Debbie Roos was suggested by Sara to Katy for this location, with seating and a natural barrier at the property line with the property owner, Sarah. ● Chatham Park pocket park land: Katy advised a shade structure similar to the splash pad park will be added, and benches and a knoll, as indicated on their map of the park. Development will be through this year. Sara motioned/Patti second to approve the plans as provided. ● Paige Vernon Pocket Park: Patti shared an image from Apex on Salem St. with a Tiny Free Art Gallery box and suggested this be installed at this park, or Town Lake Park. Sara suggested also at the Potter Clay studio near the Robeson Creek Greenway. Katy indicated anyone can have use of the pocket park, no reservations are needed. ● Community House: Katy met with Raleigh renovation company with experience in historical preservation and Parks and Rec for design submissions for this site. Sara asked if old photos from the house could be used in decorating the walls. Katy indicated there was an attic full of artifacts, and would be sure to include in design. ● Requested Skate Park: Katy was asked by Town Board for status of park; Katy is working on a response. Board Goals: ● Arbor Day: Mayor will determine what tree to plant. Tree sourced from Chatham County grower. One park will be selected for April planting. Maura will lead this program. 4  ● Malica unable to attend in person due to injury, and hybrid meeting style has been requested. Katy will contact Town to confirm if PARAB remotes in, will there be a quorum and will that Board member have a vote that will count. Meeting adjourned: 7:14pm, Sara motioned to adjourn, Linda second