City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board               

November 14, 2006

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair, Bill Penny, Tom Bracciano, Kelly Barth, Sharon Spratt and Bruce Muzzy

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Fred DeVictor, Mark Hecker, Ernie Shaw and Roger Steinbrock

 

 

 

          The meeting at Holcom Park Recreation Center was brought to order by Chair Bill Penny.  Bruce Muzzy was welcomed as the new member on the Board replacing Chris Schumm.  Minutes of the September 12th meeting was approved on a motion by Barth, 2nd by Bracciano.

 

          DeVictor reported that twelve Parks and Recreation employees will be recognized at the City Commission meeting this evening for their years of service to the City.  Spratt reported she had gotten a citizen inquiring to make sure new fitness equipment in recreation centers were accessible to person with special needs.

 

          Barth reported that there was some settling of the bike path on the Haskell Rail-Trail.  Hecker said he would note that and have it checked for filling.

 

          DeVictor indicated there were about twenty sports organizations reporting needs at the PLAY stakeholders meeting on November 8th.  He invited the Board to the November 20th public meeting at the Lawrence Arts Center.

 

          Hecker said about 100 people attended the September 20th public meeting to gather input for the greenbelt park plans near George Williams Way and Harvard Road.  DeVictor thanked Barth and Spratt for attending that meeting.  Final recommendations were accepted by the City Commission on October 24th and playground planning and trail work should begin before the end of the year.

 

          Shaw handed out a revenue report for the recreation division, which should exceed our annual budget projection.  DeVictor reported on golf course revenue and indicated we are having a similar good year and should generate over $1 million revenue.

 

          Hecker updated the Board on new projects including; BA Green was awarded a contract for new restroom, shelter and walkways for Clinton park; RFP‘s are out for design work for the Burroughs Creek Park and Trail; Sesquicentennial Point will go out for bid today and research is being done for a “bowl” addition for the Centennial Park Skatepark, which will be a spring project.

 

          The Board initiated discussion of the new ¼ mile standard for future parks and how they would be paid for.  DeVictor said he would invite a representative of the Planning Department to the next meeting.  Area sidewalks and trails were also discussed and DeVictor noted a comprehensive sidewalk report was completed this spring by the Public Works Department and additional budget money was allocated to Public Works for this effort.  Chuck Soules will be invited to the next meeting to talk about how this effort will better connect the community.

 

          The Board asked Bill Penny to develop a follow-up letter to the City Commission expressing appreciation of the Parks and Recreation master plan being included in the Horizon 2020 Plan and the need for funding to address the challenge of additional park lands to meet the new standards.

 

          Meeting adjourned at 1:00 P.M.  Next meeting December 12th at 947 New Hampshire St.