Park Board Minutes - 12/06/2012Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting
December 6, 2012
W.F. Recreation Center 3
Room 202, 60011 t' Street ---
1:30 p.m.
Presiding: Penny Miller /Chairperson
Members Present: Penny Miller, John Fritzsch, Stephen Priester, Sharon
Roach, Ben Filer, Mike Rucker and Peg Marquardt
Members Absent: Stephen Garner, Nancy Howell and John Hirschi
Staff Present: Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
City Council Representative: Mary Ward (Absent)
Guest: Mary Elhaum
CALL TO ORDER:
Penny Miller called the meeting to order at 1:33 pm. The minutes of September 27, 2012
were put before the Board. A motion was made by Ben Filer to approve the minutes and
seconded by Mike Rucker. They were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. A proposal was put before the board by Mary Elbaum, for use of land at the corner of
Barnett Road and Southwest Parkway for recreation purposes.
Mary Elbaum gave her reasons for wanting a community park at the location of Barnett
Road and Southwest Parkway.
There were a few discussions about the possibility of a community park at this location.
Penny Miller suggested to Mary Elbaum to get with her council representative and let
him /her know why a park is needed at this location. Talk to some people and get some
enthusiasm for the proposal. Find out who wants the park in your neighborhood then go
from there.
2. Peg Marquardt will be leaving the Park Board this month. We will have two vacancies
with Alan Donaldson resigning and Peg Marquardt finishing her two three year terms.
Please talk to people, you think might be interested in serving on the board, and send
them to the City Clerks office to put in their application.
We had three months this year when we did not have a quorum. The Board needs people
who can make the meetings and people who are interested in the City Parks.
Penny Miller asked the members to please let Genice Wilson know if you are not going to
make a meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
1. Circle Trail:
a. We had a dedication of Holliday Creek and Barnett Road /Seymour Highway trails
they are completed.
b. We are continuing to make plans for the next trail section from Lucy Park to
Wichita Bluff Nature area. We changed the name of Wichita Bluff Open Space to
Wichita Bluff Nature because it more accurately describes the area.
There are three gaps left between the Nature area off Lucy Park and we are
working on the designs. The first step is to complete the engineering and acquire
the property. Then we will seek funds for completion of trails. Hopefully time will
be on our side on acquiring right of way from BNSF Railroad.
c. In connection with the trails we will be finishing up the Way Finding project.
d. The Lake Wichita trail improvement has been completed.
e. We are continuing to solicit two more people for the operating board for the
Community Garden project. The Community Garden land acquisition is
continuing.
f. 4B District V park improvements off Missile Road is continuing.
g. Construction will begin soon for the low water crossing in Sunset Terrace Park.
h. Continuing with the acquisition of land at City View Park to expand the park.
i. 50 Plus Zone Trolley Tour is Friday December 7t'. 50 Plus Zone continues to do
well.
j. Recreation had their Trolley Lights Tour last Friday, November 30th. This event
was sold out with fun for all.
k. Santa's Mailbox again is at MSU Fantasy of Lights through December 17tH
I. Christmas in Scotland Park will be this coming Saturday, December 8th from 1:00 —
3:00 pm.
m. Basketball season is in full swing.
n. Ball field crew continues maintenance and improvements to all game and practice
fields, parking lots and service roads.
o. We have already reserved eight softball tournaments for the Sports Complex for
next season.
p. Parks operation normal this week. Spreading tree mulch.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Park Improvement Committee report.
Penny Miller suggested we divide the parks up among the members as we did several
years ago and everyone check on their park and report back to the board. We will
start this in January.
2. Discussion of a Friends of the Parks Organization:
It was suggested starting in January to go out and see if we could get people
interested. With the Holidays here we have had no response to Friends of the Parks.
OTHER ITEMS:
There was a discussion on how the railroad right of way stands and if there is any possibility
we might be able to get the use of it.
Ben Filer said that Streams and Valleys are putting together a proposal for Idea Wichita Falls
to help fun a BMX track at Barrens Landing.
Peg Marquardt still wants the trash picked up along the roads in Wichita Falls. The trash is a
bad representation of Wichita Falls.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn meeting at 2:40 pm.
Signature:
Penny Miller /Chairperson