Nicky Boyette – Interim Director Donna Woods reported Parks has operated for a month with only two full-time and one part-time staff. They will continue to accept applications for the gardener position until March 28, and new Director Justin Huss will choose the new staff member.
She said five seasonal staff, all having experience with Parks, are in place for 2016. She noted Parks took in $649.82 on opening day at LLCP, more than for any previous opening day.
Woods pointed to the fact that the entrance road being paved before the 2014 season made an important difference in the march toward sustainability because income increased 17 percent in 2014 despite giving up fish and launch fees. The increase came not from cabins and campsite rentals but from bait shop sales, RV site rentals and boat rentals. There was also a significant bump in donations.
She urged the commission to focus on investing in an upgrade of the overnight accommodations – RV sites and the cabins. Woods commented, “Lake Leatherwood City Park’s beauty and tranquility inspire and attract. All we need now are lodging options on par and this park will soon be on it way to sustainability.”
Woods observed the 1/8-cent sales and use tax dedicated to LLCP ends in September 2017. Parks will have received $532,000 by her reckoning, which has been augmented by grants. She projected a considerable balance could remain after the tax sunsets but if the tax is renewed, LLCP will not continue to get the improvements seen there recently. “The single most significant thing this commission can do to increase revenue is to renovate the cabins at LLCP,” she said.
She also mentioned her staff replaced the signage along the Beacham Trail with the name correctly spelled this time. Repairs to the fountain in Basin Park are being funded by the Preservation Society, and the gazebo in the park is being renovated courtesy of Elise Roenigk and will be renamed Harmony Gazebo in honor of long-time Parks supporter Barbara Harmony.