4. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB)

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board *Special* Meeting Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 6:00pm Location: Knight Farm Community Park Shelter Meeting Agenda: 1. Introduction – Determination of Quorum a. Board Attendees: Ryan Ford (Chair), Linda Sheppard, Bridgett Perry, Malica Evans, Josh Rudy, Sara Brinson b. Staff Attendees: Katy Keller (Director), Maura Reed (Recreation Coordinator) c. Guest: Liz Cullington 2. Approval of February, April, & (early) May 2023 Monthly Meeting Minutes a. Ryan motioned to approve meeting minutes from the past three (3) meetings with the provision that the words “native rocks” in the May 2023 Meeting Minutes be changed for a clearer meaning / understanding of what this means. Malica second, all approve and passed. 3. Roll Call 4. Public Input 5. Discussion: a. Directors Update: The splash pad is officially open. May 29th is when Pittsboro Parks & Recreation take full ownership of Knight Farm Community Park and splash pad. The Dog Park fence at Knight Farm is to be repaired after a visitor hit the fence with their car. i. Maura explained the free craft/education take home kits that have been started and handed out once a month – scheduled for throughout the summer months. ii. Katy explains new and updated sign colors that are in the budget this upcoming budget and set to replace all signs at the parks next year. b. Upcoming Term Renewals i. Katy reviews term renewals of PARAB members: Malica, Ryan and Patti. Katy explained the process of re-applying and would need applications by the June 14th meeting. These three members are open seats as of July 2023. 6. Project Updates a. Community House Designs (Appendix 1) i. Katy showed the members drawings that she received on what the updated community house would look like in addition to the repairs that would be made. Josh expresses concern for the front doors in wanting to ensure that they will be ADA accessible. Katy assured that all doors will be made ADA accessible to fit all  wheelchair sizes and not just the required ADA measurements. Further investigation of ceiling needed. Stone will be kept, cleaned. Rental fee to be changed from $35/hr to $50/hr upon reopening. Eventually an AV system/projector to be added to the room at a later time. Josh motion to approve plans with the possible changes noted below: 1. The potential for the left entry door utilized as the main door 2. Widen doors to be the max ADA size 3. Entrance to bathroom and kitchen to be widened 4. Ceiling to be similar to the original 5. Doors – electric or single wide opening ii. Bridget second. All agree, motion passed. b. Knight Farm Park Mini Pocket Parks (Appendix 2 & 3) i. #2 Mini Pocket Park located in the Vineyards was the site visit 2 weeks ago. Katy read the definition of a pocket park. The PARAB would like for the following changes to be made prior to considering the acceptance of the pocket park: rocks and poison ivy to be removed / sprayed; soft-scaping and add the correct benches as listed on the greenway specs; benches placed every so many feet for a cohesive look among all Pittsboro parks; The Boards decided that the rocks that were in existence at the time of the creation of the park are ok, but rocks that were obviously brought in from other parts of the development are not. The PARAB has concerns that non-residents will not be able to find/use the park. There was a suggestion that perhaps adding a fruit bearing tree at a later time could be possible. The Board would like to have highlighted kiosks for each park to be able to determine that this would be a Pittsboro Park. Pocket Park to be tabled to be tabled until after discussion of recommendations with Chatham Park. Josh motioned and Sara seconded. c. Chatham Park (Appendix 4-6) i. Village Center 1. Katy explained that there have been several preliminary versions of the parks that have been working on. There was a discussion of proposed multipurpose fields. Katy presented two versions that were up for discussion. Upon showing the side by side of the two versions of the potential park – Katy noted the differences. Specific notes including: the horizontal fields 1 & 2; additional parking; removing the baseball fields; adding a fourth multipurpose fields making it four fields altogether. ii. Mellott Park 1. Katy presented the design for the Mellot Park. She explained the original design mainly consisted of athletic facilities. That after further discussion with Chatham Park, that Katy felt it was necessary to provide complimenting facilities as the parks systems grow. Katy mentioned that while the Village Center Park was heavily athletic, this park needed to provide passive spaces so that the needs of all the community would be met. This new design that is being discussed would entail an ampitheater, open spaces, outdoor classrooms, and trails. This would  assist in providing a balance. This revision / idea is well accepted by the board. 7. Questions & Comments 8. Adjournment a. Next Meeting: June 14, 2023 at Knight Farm Park i. Sara motioned to adjourn, which Linda seconded. Meeting adjourned.