Parks & Recreation

Page 1 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING by teleconference by calling 1-301-715-8592 and entering Meeting ID number: 871 8507 2546 Passcode: 425312 or by visiting Join Zoom Meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87185072546?pwd=S9FMUsazo9PstIxBldJVHTew6Y7b9v.1 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Smyrna Town Hall Committee Conference Room 27 S. Market Street Plaza, Smyrna, Delaware December 13, 2023 – 6:00 PM Agenda Minutes 1. Call to order 6:03 p.m. 2. Minutes – done as #3 First motion made by Councilwoman Corrine Upshur. Second motion made by P&R Committee Member Mike Pearson. All approved. 3. Recognition of visitors – done as #2 Chairwoman/Councilwoman Tabi Gott had everyone introduce themselves and thanked everyone for being there. P&R Committee Members present: via Zoom: Vice Chair/Councilwoman Corrine Upshur in-person: Mike Pearson and Chair/Councilwoman Tabi Gott Visitors: via Zoom: Patricia with the Boys & Girls Clubs, Pam with the Smyrna School District, Charon with the Smyrna School District, Barbara with WSFS, HAR, and Karen Gill In-person visitors: Blake Anderson, Frederick Shaber, Debbie Camaratta, and Riva Grimaldi 4. Request for a memorial bench Blake Anderson: spoke about getting a memorial bench put at Lake Como in honor of Mike and Nancy Lloyd; his late in-laws. He looked up EcoPlastics and would like to have one of their benches installed. He saw that he could provide the plastic/recyclables, or he could just purchase the bench outright. Staff liaison, Danielle, mentioned that it could take 10 or more weeks via EcoPlastics. Blake said he doesn’t have a timeline; would just like approval. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that we would have to check with PW to see what is needed for a bench at Lake Como. 5. Caroling on the Square - December 10 – Best Practices The original date was postponed to 12/17, due to weather. It will be held in front of Town Hall, around 6 p.m. There will be a DJ, Scrape the Plate food truck, and the word HOPE is being lit. It’s an event to promote togetherness and inclusiveness. She hopes to see everyone there.  Page 2 6. Clayton Parade Follow Up Chairwoman Tabi Gott said this was a good event, but it ended up being a bit too dark once it got started. She would like to have P&R involved in future parades. 7. Discussion about coordinating with other committees within the Town She wants everyone know that P&R is open and willing to collaborate/work with other committees within Town. This includes sharing what they have going on to being involved if welcomed. She wants to help promote local events. 8. Other committee business Chairwoman Tabi Gott asked staff liaison Danielle Pope to be prepared to discuss at the next meeting the P&R ordinances that she, (Danielle), had brought up in early 2023. Chairwoman Tabi Gott briefly discussed the Master Parks Plan and what the potential Mill Creek Park could bring to kids on the south-east side of Town. Chairwoman Tabi Gott thanks Caron Dagley, Smyrna School District, for the students help with the art trailer. It will be the Smyrna Strong theme and will probably stay on the School District’s property. Chairwoman Tabi Gott asked to have the word spread that if anyone or any groups would like to join P&R or be involved in events to reach out to staff liaison Danielle Pope. Chairwoman Tabi Gott opened the floor to anyone who wanted to discuss anything P&R related. Debbie Camaratta from Bon Ayre, a 55+ community, asked about benches in their park and if the fence could be fixed. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that we would have to check with Public Works about the benches. If they are homemade, they would need to be inspected for insurance liability; as the Bon Ayre side of the park is part of the larger Sunnyside Village park and is open to the community, not just the Bon Ayre residents. Vice-Chairwoman Corrine Upshur mentioned that Ramunno, owner of the Bon Ayre land, would probably not be willing to fix the fence. Patricia, Boys & Girls Clubs, asked for clarification on the caroling event. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said it will be Sunday, December 17, at 6 p.m. Staff liaison, Danielle Pope, asked if there was an alternative since it’s supposed to rain. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said there would have to be compromises; like removing all the electrical portions of the event. Someone mentioned moving it to the 16th. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said there are somethings that cannot be changed; like the dj and food truck. Chairwoman Tabi Gott asked if there was anything else. No one else spoke up. She mentioned that there is Christmas Card making/signing on Monday, December 18th, at the Smyrna Diner for Firefighters and Police. She has an event calendar that she would like to share with anyone interested, hoping that they’ll be comfortable enough to add their event(s). She asked if there was anything else, and with nothing she thanked everyone for joining. 9. Adjournment 6:43 p.m.