Park Board Minutes - 05/22/2014 RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Wichita Falls Park Board Meeting DATE: -a��
May 22, 2014 BY: ,&i - TIME: , /55j01'1
W.F. Recreation Center
Room 202, 600 11th Street
1:30 p.m.
Presiding: Penny Miller/Chairperson
Members Present: Penny Miller, John Hirschi, John Fritzsch, Ben Filer,
Walter Lambert, Jennica Lambert, Nancy Howell and
Sharon Roach
Members Absent: Stephen Garner
Staff Present: Jack Murphy and Genice Wilson
City Council Representative: Mary Ward/absent
CALL TO ORDER:
Penny Miller called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. The minutes of April 24th, 2014 were put
before the board. Ben Filer made the motion to approve the minutes and John Fritzsch
seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
1. The City has received the 95% completion of the plans &specifications for section of
the Circle Trail from Seymour Highway, Wichita Falls Nature Area, to the Oncor
property. If the funding is available and City Council approves, the City will be able to
construct the section through the City owned Nature Area property.
2. Trees are starting to show the stress from lack of water. Staff are thinking ahead if
the drought continues of how to turn it into a positive situation. Parks staff are
coming up with different types of flowers and grasses that can handle the dry
weather.
3. The opening of the swimming pool in Lucy Park is this coming Saturday from 12 noon
to 6:00 pm. Water for the pool will be purchased using a tank&equipment installed
last week.
4. The SIDS annual softball tournament is this weekend with 69 teams and 35 of those
from out of town. Players are still having difficulty in windy conditions with dust.
It was suggested by Ben Filer to use soil tack mixed with the soil to help bind the
dust.
5. Circle trail: Stephen Garner met with City staff this morning to review the cost
estimate letter from RPS Company to prepare a 404 Permit to the Core of Engineers
for Lake Wichita improvements. Ben Filer mentioned that Mark Beauchamp informed
that Traffic put up the first two bicycle repair stations on the circle Trail. One is at
Hamilton Park and the other one is at Lake Wichita Park.
6. Penny Miller ask about the hike & bike event that was held on May yd.
Ben Filer said it was successful with over 300 people attending.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Park Improvement Committee:
a. Lake Wichita Study Committee: the scheduled meeting this month did not have a
quorum.
b. Circle Trail Task Force: The Task Force had their first meeting last week. John
Fritzsch informed the group that they discussed the history of trails and Lake
Wichita improvements proposed to bring everyone up to date. The desired
acquisition of BNSF railroad ROW from the bridge at Seymour Highway to Barnett
Road was discussed. Members had a brain storming conversation to figure out
what could be done to help improve changes for acquisition of ROW from BNSF
Railroad.
OTHER ITEMS:
Walter Lambert: Updated the Board on what he found out about putting maps and
drawings for parks on the City web site.
Sharon Roach: Wanted to know if there would be a possibility of her husband putting a
bee hive at the Community Garden. Larry Nash will be the contact for the Community
Garden.
Ben Filer: Let the Board know that the Streams &Valleys new BMX track is hosting a
State Qualifier race on Saturday and Sunday. This event is expecting anywhere from
400 to 800 racers from all over Texas.
Penny Miller: Discussed vacancies of members. April Bevington submitted notice that
she changed jobs and cannot attend Board meetings and Mike Rucker resigned from
the Board.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting was adjourned at 2:10 pm.
Signature: r �-l�
P- y Miller/Chairperson