Park Board Minutes - 03/23/2006Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
March 23, 2006 Date 04 cZ 7' a
Municipal Auditorium By Time_
Recreation Center, 60011' Street, Room 203
1:30 p.m.
Presiding: Elmer Emory /Chairperson,
Members Present: Elmer Emory, Peg Marquardt, Brad Rodgers, Mary
Ward, Eric Bogaards, and Dennis Kays.
Members Absent: Walter Tyndale, Gene Strouth, Alan Donaldson, Penny
Miller and William Hinkle.
Staff Present: Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
City Council Representative: Lanham Lyne (absent)
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order at 1:36pm. The minutes of February 23, 2006 were
put before the board. Peg Marquardt made the motion to accept the minutes.
Eric Bogaards seconded the motion. Approved unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
Council made the decision to take Maplewood Dr. through Tesco Park and the two
Softball fields at Tesco Park will be relocated. These fields will be relocated near
the Softball Complex off of Sheppard Access Road. The land south of Plum Lake
will need to be acquired in order for this to take place.
The City Council adopted their strategic plan on Tuesday, March 21 and on this
plan they discussed the possibility of having a Skate Park in Wichita Falls. It was
suggested that the Skate Park be located on the north side of Maplewood Dr.
where one of the Tesco softball field was located. There will be an existing
parking lot, concession building and restroom there and this would be a plus.
Problems might be the noise factor in the neighborhood.
We are looking into resurfacing the impact areas under our playgrounds. We
believe this will lessen the possibility of severe injuries.
Tree planting for the year is complete. Because of the proposed softball field
relocation we will probably be moving 750 trees at the tree nursery near Plum
Lake.
The Spring/Summer softball season for this year started on March 20. Thi9s game
was rained out so the actual first games were on Tuesday, March 215t.
There will be a Falls Fest meeting at noon on Thursday 23rd. There are 45 people
on the steering committee. The 20" year for Falls Fest will be discussed.
The Parks department is about to shift into maintenance mode.
OLD BUSINESS:
OTHER:
A. Discussion of Park Recreation and Open Space Plan. The city council
approved with a 4 -3 vote for the YMCA to use Kiwanis and Lake Wichita
ball fields. This year the City Council and YMCA agreed on 65 0/6135% for
paying electrical. The city will reserve for practice fields and tournaments.
The Park Board has a committee working on an agreeable lease. This
committee is working with about 20 private group leases, trying to get a
lease that will meet with the approval of everyone.
The City wants to reassess what role the Parks & Recreation has in the
community. Do we plan on expanding or adding new parks? What is the
role of the Recreation department in the community and what are the
benefits of public recreation? These are some of the questions that need
to be ask.
B. Discussion of park leases.
In the opinion of Elmer Emory, the Boys Club and YMCA lease agreement
needs to be solved before next summer.
There was a discussion on leases for the different organizations in the City
that have requested a lease with the City, along with the YMCA and Boys
Club. Basically, we would like for all leases to be the same across the
board, if at all possible.
Eric Bogaards said that the fences at the canoe launch in Lucy Park need
some maintenance. This area also needs to be cleaned.
He also suggested that we put signs with the phone number and web site
address for Parks and Recreation at the entrances to the Parks. This will
provide contact information to the public.
Jack Murphy informed the board that the city management will be taking over
the MPEC in June or July. There may be a role for the Parks and Recreation
department in this integration.
Glenn Jamison gave an update on what the Recreation Department is doing at
this time. After the meeting Glenn Jamison and Kathy Whetstone will be
taking the Park Board on a tour of the 50 + Zone facility.
ADJOURNMENT:
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:15 p.m.
Signature:
Elmer Emory/Chairpers