Parks & Recreation Commission

TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING November 20, 2024 CONVENE: 7:02pm PRESENT: Chair Erin Carrier and Commissioners Joel Hecker, Amy Hargrove, Joe Munro, Shane Harrington, and Charlie Schneider. Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney, and Recreation Manager Todd Anderson. APPROVAL Delayed OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 16, 2024 MEETING: PUBLIC COMMENT: An email regarding the removal of a pickle ball court at the Trails End neighborhood park site was distributed to the commissioners. COMMUNITY CENTER DESIGN PROJECT: Director Denney reviewed the October Steering Committee meeting and the Public Open House held at Tumwater Middle School. Board members discussed what they heard from the public at the open house. Sports courts were the most frequently suggested item for the new community building, both for the steering committee and at the public open house. Staff and Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture consultants are working on the community survey. The next public meetings will be held in January as well as an update to the City Council. PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN UPDATE: Director Denney outlined the current Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS) and explained that the majority of the document was written in 2007 and adopted in 2008. Minor changes were made as an addendum in 2016 and 2019, but the plan is critically out of date and not adequate for the City to qualify for state park and facility grants. Staff explained the budgeting process and that requests to fund a plan update have not been approved in the last five budget cycles. A new request for funding has been submitted in the 2025 city budget process and if approved by the City Council in December, the plan will be updated next year. 2025 WORK PLAN: The Parks and Recreation Department has a number of projects, programs and events scheduled for 2025. The community center design process and an update of the PROS plan will involve the Commission and a significant portion of their meeting time. Discussion revolved around meeting dates, times and potential new projects that the Commission would like to be involved in. Projects included special events and more participation and involvement with the PARC Foundation. Recreation Manager Anderson updated the Commission on the Recreation Division draft schedule of major events and programs for 2025. Discussion of various events and the growth of the programs followed. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled on January 15, 2025. DATE: Meeting Adjourned at 8:25pm Prepared by Chuck Denney, Parks and Recreation Director