HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-11 - Minutes�Itn�H'•M1'
FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes for July 11, 2011
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was
called to order by Jim Meinecke at 5:32 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, Lindsey,
Thompson, Meinecke, and Watson were present. Waite arrived later.
Absent were Mason, Hazelrigs, and Meldrum. Staff members Edmonston,
Humphry, Jaggers, Jumper, Jones, and Thomas were in attendance.
AGENDA:
1. Approval of June 6, 2011 PRAB Meeting Minutes:
PRAB Motion: Watson motioned to accept the minutes as written,
and Lindsey seconded it. Motion passed 5-0-0 by voice vote.
2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report: Michael Lindsey
Lindsey said that July 16 is the Firefly Fling. There will be lots of
stations for kids. Home Depot donated fencing to the gardens. A grant
was received for stream bank restoration after the spring flooding.
3. YRCC Program Update: Dustin Jaggers, YRCC
Director
Dustin Jaggers, the Yvonne Richardson Community Center Director
gave a PowerPoint presentation telling about the different programs
the YRCC offers. Jaggers said the programs are free. During the
Summer Fun4Kids program, the children have activities at the YRCC
in the morning, go to Owl Creek School for lunch, and then another
activity, such as swimming, in the afternoon. There are weekly
themes. The program lasts for eight weeks.
Lindsey wanted to know how many kids were participating.
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Jaggers said around fifty kids per week are signed up. The cut off is
fifty, and then everyone else is put on a wait list.
Meinecke said the programs sound great.
Edmonston asked Jaggers to talk about the Back2School Bash.
Jaggers said that 300 backpacks with school supplies are given out to
children in August. Other events offered are the community
Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas party, the NWA Wild Wheels, the
FYWC wrestling camps, and the fall festival. Other programs offered
are the Kid's Nite outreach, youth wrestling, judo, spring break camp,
Fall Fundango, teen trips, Kid Crops, and AARP Tax -Aide.
Edmonston said they are looking for a sponsor for the Back2School
Bash for this year.
Meinecke asked if there was a tutoring program.
Jaggers said there was a program called E.A.S.Y. (Educational
Assistance Supporting Youth). It used to be called Homework Help,
but not many kids brought homework.
Thompson asked about the garden program.
Jaggers said it is called Kid Crops. Three of the City horticulturists
teach the children how to plant, harvest, and use the produce from a
garden at YRCC. When produce is picked from the garden, they cook
it with the kids to demonstrate a healthy way to prepare it. He said
that a veggie stand was build for Kid Crops give-away produce. It's
located inside the YRCC for people to take what they want.
Edmonston said she is proud of the programs at YRCC.
4. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks &
Recreation Director
Edmonston said that the drainage plans are being redone due to the
Streamside Ordinance. All the plans are moving along.
Meinecke asked if the environmental hurdle has been taken care of.
Jumper said the State has approved the contract, but work hasn't
been started.
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Edmonston said that a sign announcing the future regional park will
be put up soon.
Meinecke wanted to know if the sign would be visible from the road.
Jumper said the State highway sign will be. It takes four to six weeks
for a sign to be approved.
5. Other Business:
Jones said Parks didn't receive the grant they wanted for the Lake
Fayetteville Northshore Swing Improvements. The existing swing
structure was handmade in 1982. It doesn't meet ADA specs and
current safety standards. Parks has decided to demolish the old
swings and replace them with new swings, including one ADA
accessible swing. The safety surface, per current safety standards,
has to be built a minimum of sixteen feet around the swing structure.
It will have a concrete slab and a good safety surface. Rubber mulch
will not be used due to its high maintenance. Jones said she
estimated the project would be around $90,000. The lowest bid was
$68,000. This cost includes high quality equipment that will last a
long time, and will meet the current safety standards.
Meinecke read the upcoming events.
Edmonston handed out appreciation certificates to everyone on the
board. She said she, and everyone in administration, appreciates the
hard work of the volunteers and all the hours they have given to help
improve the City of Fayetteville and the lives of the citizens.
Meinecke asked if the Regional Park will have a pool.
Edmonston said an aquatic park is a possibility.
6. Adjournment:
Watson motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Thompson seconded it.
Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 5:59
p.m.
Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas
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