Lawrence
Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
March 11,
2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Vice Chair; Kevin Loos;
LaRisa Chambers-Lochner, Andy Clayton, Sue Hack, Joe Caldwell |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Ernie
Shaw; Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock, Tim Laurent, Jimmy Gibbs |
GUESTS: |
Chad
Lawhorn, Jana Dawson, Chris Tilden |
I.
Meeting called to order by Vice Chair Loos
II.
Approval
of March 11, 2014 minutes by Chambers-Lochner, and
seconded by Caldwell.
III.
Concerns of Board –
None at this time
IV.
2-11
meeting concern progress--- Odor at the CB --- River Front Park – dogs of
leash/signage.
Laurent reported there have been a
few instances where kids have been detonating stink bombs. There is still a slight odor in the vicinity
of the restroom area, duct work is being replaced between the men’s restroom,
exhaust fan and the storage facility to help eliminate the odor.
Hecker indicated additional signage
has been added to the main signage at River Front Park to help delineate the
off leash area.
V.
Appreciation
Banquet at the Cider Gallery for Board members 3-6-14
Shaw asked for comments regarding the banquet. Board members were very appreciative and
suggested the banquet continue not on a yearly basis, but every few years.
VI.
Rock
Chalk Park/Recreation Center/Trail/Tennis
– Updates
Shaw shared photos of the progress of
the recreation center. By the end of March
weather permitting the structure should be enclosed along with all of the steel
and concrete work completed.
Hecker presented a diagram of the
proposed trail. There will be several
routes to include a 5k route. Tennis
courts layout are currently being updated.
VII.
Indoor Aquatic Center Crash area progress – Update
Gibbs indicated Hecker
has contacted Andy Pitts with Treanor Architects who
designed the Indoor Aquatics Center. A
time will be set up in the near future to discuss the possibility of locating
approximately 3,000 to 4,000 sq. ft. area to expand the existing facility to
accommodate swim meets and other activities at the aquatic center.
VIII.
Sandra
Shaw Nature Park and Outside for Better Inside trail update(s).
Shaw presented a photo of the trail
that is currently under construction.
Weather permitting this phase of the trail should be completed by
April. At which time, the city will make
application for a Sunflower Grant to fund the next phase to include Constant
and Burcham Trails.
IX.
Playground
East Lawrence Center/Edgewood Park –
Steinbrock reported the public
meetings have concluded. The public who
attended the meetings were in favor of relocating the playground area closer to
the East Lawrence Recreation Center.
There were two concept drawings that the Housing Authority presented to
the children who were asked to vote for which playground they would like to see
installed. A special thank you to
Leadership Lawrence graduates Lori Carson and Dustin Chase who facilitated the
meetings.
X.
Food vendor Hy Vee – currently working on
contract/menus/operation -Update
Laurent reported meetings
are scheduled to review the menu and the type of equipment that will be needed
at the facilities they will be utilizing.
XI.
Staff reports
i. Recreation/Golf
Revenue/Expense Report – Shaw reported that revenue reports have been updated
and compared to last year at this time the Indoor Aquatic Center is down by
$10,000. Possibility of the low revenue
amount could stem from payments from swim clubs were not received in time to
reflect in the February balance.
ii. Parks/Projects Report – Hecker
indicated this year the inventory of golf accessories have been fully stocked
in the Pro shop. Eagle Bend will be
hosting the O' Eagle Bend Shamrock Scramble on St. Patrick’s Day. It is a two-person, nine-hole scramble with
tee times between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Cost is $30 per person and includes green fees, cart rental and prize
money fee. There will also be a $2 special on green beers and 25 percent off
all merchandise in the pro shop for those wearing green. Hecker said there will be a greater focus on providing
more programming in relation to recreation instruction and youth development in
the sport of golf.
Hecker
reported an individual has contacted the department with interest of obtaining
grant funding for master planning Hobbs Park and the Murphy Bromelsick
House. He also said Green Meadows Park, located in the vicinity of Kasold and
the curve will begin development this year which will include purchasing a few pieces
of playground equipment. The sustainability
group is interested in prairie restoration at the Riverfront Park. A meeting has been scheduled this afternoon
with them to further discuss their interest.
Fruit Tree Growers of Lawrence are interested in expanding their current
program located in Burroughs Creek Park.
South Park fitness area is on the agenda for this evening also. DeVictor Park will be continuing the nature
play area throughout the spring and summer months and extending the trails at
the Lawrence Nature Park. These are just
a few of the projects we will be working on this season.
iii. Marketing Report – The activity guide
is currently under construction and due to be release in late April.
Meeting adjourned. Next
Advisory Board meeting scheduled for 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 8th, 2014,
Parks and Recreation Conference Room located at South Park Administration
Office.