HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-04 - Minutes�Itn�H'•M1'
FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes for April 4, 2011
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was
called to order by Jim Meinecke at 5:37 p.m. in Room 111 at the City
Administration Building at 113 West Mountain Street in Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
Present:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Bailey, Mason, Hazelrigs,
Waite, Meldrum, and Meinecke were present. Watson arrived later.
Lindsey and Thompson were absent. Staff members Edmonston,
Humphry, Jumper, Gipson and Thomas were in attendance.
1. Approval of March 7, 2011 PRAB Meeting Minutes:
Edmonston said Thompson asked for a correction for the March minutes.
He asked that his wording be changed from "Thompson asked if the
Streamside Ordinance would affect Parks and Recreation" to "Thompson
asked if the Streamside Ordinance would affect his trail building
program". The correction will be made, and the minutes will be offered
for approval at the May meeting.
PRAB Motion: Meldrum moved to correct the minutes, and Waite
seconded it. Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote.
2. Botanical Garden Annual Report: Ron Cox, BGSO Executive
Director
Cox said that one focus of the garden is to promote environmental
protection. The adult education programs will be doubled this year. A
butterfly house will be available, and a pilot gift shop is planned that will
have garden -specific items. A camp is planned for ages 7-10 that will
meet one day a week from June to August. Butterfly Week will have an
anticipated 2,000 children from Fayetteville and area schools. The docent
program will be increased. The Garden was certified by the State of
Arkansas in 2010. There will be a number of free concerts sponsored by
the Walker Foundation. The Farmer's Market will open on May 1st. The
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Garden will be one of three trial places to have a 5,000 square foot
garden with plants from Ball Horticulture that are still in development.
Meinecke said he was curious about the butterflies. He asked if they
could be raised all year long.
Cox said they have to be purchased. They don't last all summer, so they
have to be replaced.
Mason wanted to know what type of plants Ball has.
Cox said that he didn't know the names, but he has heard geraniums
mentioned.
Eilers said everyone should have a stack of guest passes. He asked that
they please be passed out. Last year 1,812 people used their passes.
PRAB Motion: Waite motioned to accept the Botanical Gardens
Annual Report, and Bailey seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by
voice vote.
3. Program Report: Chase Gipson, Recreation Superintendent
Gibson said 2011 has a lot of exciting programs. Youth soccer has 1,466
children registered. Girl's youth softball has over 390 participants. The
spring adult softball league has 78 teams registered. Several clubs utilize
our parks, such as Ultimate Frisbee, Disc Golf, Sand Volleyball, a
Horseshoe group, a Rugby group, and a Model Airplane group. The BE
ACTIVE summer camp program has several options: drama, soccer,
tennis, and fitness. The Outdoor Adventure Camp has kayaks, bikes,
disc golf, and rock climbing. An Outdoor Advanced camp for 12-15 year
olds is being offered for the first time. The 15th year of the Gulley Park
concert series will begin on May 26th and will be on the second and
fourth Thursdays of each month at 7 pm. The pool will open June 10th.
There will be five Dive -In movies. Swim lessons will begin June 14th. The
summer adult softball league will begin June 20th, and summer kickball
begins on July 11th. The YRCC will have eight weeks of Summer
Fun4Kids trips and programs. They also have wrestling on Thursdays,
Kids Night on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a tutoring program, the Kids
Crop program, and AARP Tax Aide.
4. Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association 2010 Tourism
Award to the Fayetteville Trails System: Connie Edmonston,
Parks & Recreation Director
Edmonston said Parks is very proud of the award.
Meinecke said it took a lot of good work by a lot of good people.
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5. Regional Park Update:
Edmonston said that field designs are being looked at.
Meinecke wanted to know the boundaries of the park.
Jumper said right now the City surveyors are working on the northern
boundaries.
6. Other Business:
Humphry introduced several people from the Walker Park Raceway Club.
He said the BMX track use is way down, because the users are going to
Lowell.
Dustin Clark, a Walker Park Raceway member, said that they plan to
clean up the track area. There are water issues there, so they will level it
out to help the drainage. They will remove the excess dirt and rubble.
There will be more green space in the area when their renovation is
complete. The missions of the club are: to provide an exciting and safe
racing experience, to teach proper sportsmanship, and to promote
community activities. This track, when renovated, will be a big
destination for people who want to race cars. The nearest big place to
race is Dallas. It will be family oriented. Right now there are 26 members
and growing. The goal is to have around 100 members.
Meinecke asked if the races will be sanctioned.
Sean McColpin, another member, said that their governing body is very
strict on what you can have on your car.
Meinecke asked where they are racing now.
McColpin said that they are at Chaffee, Joplin, and others. The best
track southwest of here is Hot Springs.
Hazelrigs wanted to know how the course is secured since it's left open.
Clark said that it's open all the time to anyone that wants to use it.
Hazelrigs wanted to know how loud the cars would be.
Clark said that some cars are electric, but a lot of them are two stroke
engines, which are pretty quiet.
Meldrum asked how the Parks and Recreation staff feels about this
proposal.
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Humphry said that Staff feels that the club should be allowed to
maintain the facilities. It's a win/win situation since the BMX club
moved on.
Gipson said that there were no houses within earshot to disturb with
noise.
Meinecke asked if there was a one year trial.
Humphry said there was a yearly contract that can be tweaked if
necessary.
Hazelrigs wanted to know the number of people the area could hold.
Clark said that 200 people would be a lot. There will be a lot of green
space.
Watson wanted to know if parking would be an issue with games going
on.
McColpin said that they will coordinate with others using the park.
Clark also said that a frequency board would be available. People will clip
into it, and every track would have a board.
Meinecke said that the track looks safe.
Clark said he has never seen anyone get hurt. There are turn marshals
to help. He said most cars weigh 2 to 8 pounds, and 8 pounds is pretty
heavy.
McColpin said that there would be family memberships to the club. Non
club members would pay five to fifteen dollars.
Mason said that he had a track like this when he was growing up.
Clark said the start date is still to be decided.
PRAB Motion: Meldrum motioned to accept the staff
recommendation for the Walker Park Raceway Club to maintain the
BMX track. Watson seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote.
A guest in the audience asked when the lights were coming on at Wilson
Park.
Edmonston said that the tentative opening was May 17.
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The guest asked if they were available now.
Jumper said there is a possible defect. The contractor and Parks are
working with the manufacturer. There isn't a specific date right now.
The guest said that he hoped they would be available for the winter
months. He's looking forward to the trail lights.
Jumper said Parks is waiting for the contract to be fulfilled.
Humphry said there was a controlled burn recently. The wind at times
wasn't favorable.
Hazelrigs asked if there had been a vehicle accident at Scull Creek.
Edmonston said there was an accident, with a huge cleanup.
Edmonston also commented that WiFi went live on the downtown
square. Cox donated it.
7. Adjournment: Watson motioned to adjourn the meeting, and
Meldrum seconded it. Motion adjourned at 6:39 pm.
Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas.
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