Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Formerly Parks, Rec and Senior Services)

City of Royal Oak Recreation Department 1600 North Campbell Road Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-246-.3180 Minutes Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Advisory Board Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 7:00p.m. Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center Game Room 3500 Marais Royal Oak, MI 48067 Meeting called to Order 7:04 PM Members Present: Commissioner Melanie Macey, Michael Ripinski, Sarah Kindinger, Michael Lawrence, Rebecca Cheezum, Samantha Grant, Joseph Vukich Also, Present: John Fedele, Superintendent of Recreation, Members Absent: Vincent Brown I. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mike Ripinski , second by Rebecca Cheezum Unanimously approved II. City Commission Comments: Last time we were here, Judy presented the Beechwood Park name change and has been presented to the city commission and was approved. Today was the WWII Memorial ground breaking at Memorial Park. Strategic planning as a city commission, 30,000 foot level view of the city. III. Public Comment: Janice Wagman – Innovation Hills in Rochester Hills, send some videos and pictures of the park ideas. Involves public/private partnerships, would like to see the city reach out to more private businesses and get them involved in something similar. Long time ago this board at the recommendation of someone on the board, took a recommendation to have handicap parking in the downtown. Main Street about to be torn up but no handicap parking. Parking structures are too far. Pat McGee – October would like to get the fence posts, picked up between Normandy and Elks Park. Light over elks park playground, removed by city electrician because of damage to it. DTE pole, claims that the city needs to request the light back. Request to have signs placed on Normandy Rd. Concern about pond between pavilion and splash pad. Talking to Jeff Lyon of the engineering department, putting in ramps and not correctly ADA installed. Path off of Woodlawn connecting into Normandy Oak’s trails. Mark Sackett – couple tickets for Sunday June 5th Leprechauns game. A lot of usage from colleges at the park, unique set up. Working with GleeAcc, on bring conference tournament, need to have good media deck. Stands need to be upgraded, right now the park seats 600. Try to increase to 1500 people and can grab a more premier league. Outfield fence has seen better days and in rough shape. Would like to see a warning track out by the fence. End Public Comment IV. Business: a. Worden Park – CDBG Update - John’s Statement - Motion by Joseph Vukich come up with feasibility study on Worden Park Usage, second by Mike Ripinski. Passed unanimously b. Dog Park Survey Results - 213 responses on Age 77 said 10 years of age, 31 for 12 and 43 for 5 and 43 for 8 years of age, remaining responses were commentary. Green fence: 215 responses: 181 said yes 34 said no. Lot of drainage comments. 193 of 219 response were on drainage as number 1 concern. Oakland County Parks could be provided as a model. Interesting usage for small dog park i.e. agility. Ferndale, in order to join the dog park, users must attend a seminar. May be another option to look at. “K-9 to 5” owner hosts a free webinar. - Wooded area is most appreciated aspect of park. c. Senior Center - Still looking for a chef position. - Hosting new programs d. Staff Report - Parks and Rec Master Plan selection in upcoming weeks V. Items not on the agenda: Commissioner Macey –Recommendation to incorporate more handicap parking in the Main Street paving construction. Motion by Commissioner Macey, 2nd Rebecca Cheezum unanimously passed. Rebecca Cheezum – frustrated with lack of summer camp options, latchkey program of Royal Oak Schools changed model. Hesitancy to participate in recreation’s summer camp program.  VI. Upcoming Events Arbor Day Park Clean – Up Flower day on Mothers Day – Royal Oak in Bloom – Mike Ripinski Northwood PTA – slow roll from Northwood to Normandy Oaks Sunday May 22 11 – 2 pm – Joseph Vukich. Next Meeting: Thursday May 5 , 2022 Adjourn: Motion by Mike Ripinski , 2nd by Michael Lawrence at pm, passed unanimously at 8:40 pm Respectfully Submitted, Approved, John Fedele Samantha Grant John Fedele, Superintendent of Recreation Samantha Grant, Secretary