HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-02 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes for November 2, 2009
Opening.
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called
to order by Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:32 p.m. on November 2, 2009 in
Room 326 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West
Mountain Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Present:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Colwell, Biendara, Hatfield,
Waite, P. Jones, Mauritson, and Meinecke were present. Meldrum and
Watson were absent. Staff members Edmonston, C. Jones, Jumper,
Gipson, Thomas, and the audience were present.
1. Approval of October 5, 2009 PRAB Meeting Minutes
PRAB Motion: P. Jones motioned to accept the minutes as written, and
Mauritson seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote.
2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report: Walt Eilers
The Botanical Gardens has narrowed down the search for an Executive
Director. They hope to have someone in place soon.
December 5th is the Holiday Farmer's Market. You can buy Christmas craft
items and holiday greens there.
The Botanical Farmer's Market has contributed approximately 2,000
pounds of fresh produce to the food bank.
Colwell commented that the Gardens are doing a great job.
3. Walker Park Senior Adult Center Request: Sherri Napier, Director
The Senior Adult Center located at Walker Park is requesting a name
change of the center to be called "Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness
Center". Many of their activities, including their "Meals on Wheels" and
exercise programs to name a few, involve a wellness component. This will
assist the center to obtain a Wellness Certification from the Stats of
Arkansas that would be beneficial in obtaining future funding. This item
was tabled on the October 5, 2009 PRAB Meeting in order to allow for
public input according to the Park Facility Policy.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends renaming the Senior Adult
Center to Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center.
Napier said that the center needs to move toward the future. The
inspection was 3 hours and grueling, but they passed. They are now a
Wellness Center. The insurance companies want to keep people out of
nursing homes. Napier said they had a man who had trouble walking. He
started exercising and was able to throw away his cane. He even was able
to dance.
Mauritson said the wellness approach was a good idea.
PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to accept the Staff recommendation
for the renaming of the Walker Park Senior Adult Center, and Biendara
seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote.
4. Introduction of the new Trail Trekker Program: Tiffany Gaulke and
Brad Dutton, Recreation Programs Managers
Dutton said that the Trail Trekker's mission is "to improve the quality of
life in Fayetteville by providing and modeling proper trail etiquette and
safety as well as assisting users in trail navigation". It's a volunteer based
program. The informational meeting for the public will be on November 12'x'
at 5:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville Public Library in the Walker Room. This
meeting will lay out the goal to the volunteers. They need to be properly
trained in procedures such as conflict resolution and fust aid.
Gaulke presented an example of what a Trail Trekker kit will have. A cell
phone would need to be provided by the volunteer. The kit will contain a
water bottle, a basic first aid kit, a map of the trail, a trail guide brochure,
and a flashlight. The scheduling is up to them, and hopefully will not
overlap someone else's shift. The Trekkers will have an orange safety vest
with "Trail Trekker" on the back.
Mauritson asked if the Trekkers would work solo or in a team.
Dutton said that it would be up to the volunteer. It could be a family, solo,
or whatever they wish to do. They would also be looking for maintenance
issues on the trails to report.
Gaulke said hopefully some of the Trekkers would know how to repair bike
tires. _
Dutton said that after a shift, the Trail Trekker will do a report online. They
would be reporting what part of the trail they monitored, how many people
were using the trail, any maintenance issues, etc.
Colwell asked if it was possible to put a trail map under plexiglass on the
trail.
Dutton said that was a great idea.
Edmonston said that Parks couldn't keep any maps at Lake Fayetteville.
P. Jones asked how many volunteers were expected.
Dutton said he would consider the program a success if there were 15
people that volunteered.
Colwell suggested that maybe community service workers could be used.
Biendara asked if maybe another online report log could be created for
"non -Trekkers". This log would be for people like her that only occasionally
use the trails, and may see a problem that needs to be reported.
Mauritson said that there are organizations that could help get the word
out about the program.
Gaulke said there are University of Arkansas students that would probably
get involved.
Biendara suggested church groups. They might be interested.
Edmonston said that hopefully some safety issues would be addressed
using the Trekkers.
Mauritson said the Trail Trekker program is a great idea.
Edmonston said that Gaulke and Dutton are doing a great job on this
program.
Colwell said that the Big Brother/Big Sister program might be interested in
getting involved.
5. PRAB Appreciation: Please bring your calendars to schedule a PRAB
Appreciation event. There are several ways we could do this, such as
breakfast prior to work, lunch or dinner, or snack at the December PRAB
meeting or a dinner after PRAB meeting.
Edmonston asked how and when they wanted to have this event.
Meinecke said he was flexible. He suggested it could be after the meeting in
December.
Edmonston asked if they wanted snacks or dinner.
Meinecke suggested dinner.
3
Edmonston said that would be fine. There will be dinner after the PRAB
meeting on December 7th.
6. Other Business:
Colwell asked how the
HMR was
doing.
Edmonston said it was
nothing to brag
about. She said to invite people to
Fayetteville, have them
stay at a
motel,
and always take them out to eat.
Colwell noted that the Lights of the Ozarks will be officially turned on
November 21st.
Edmonston mentioned that the budget is still being worked on.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas
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