The Sept. 17 Parks meeting started with just enough commissioners for a quorum. Commissioners Draxie Rogers, Steven Foster and Ruth Hager were not present leaving Christian Super, Dave Hartmann, Scott Bardin, and Chair Bill Featherstone to carry on.
Featherstone first emphasized that the Master Plan being made is to be all encompassing and will update the other Master Plans for the parks. He encouraged people to be involved in the planning process through Parks’ surveys and future town halls.
Director Justin Huss said that the Leatherwood ballfield was having a sprinkler system installed and that Parks was finalizing the private shuttle contract for drivers. The Basin Park fountain is having a pump installed so it can self-pump, and another tree was lost in that park.
Harmon Park has trees to remove and Parks is using a grant to fix the road above the dog park which Huss said will help with erosion issues in the park. Repair to the deck boards of a trailer and sending a lawnmower for overhaul were mentioned.
Huss thanked the Preservation Society for a $2,000 donation for fall plantings.
Committee Reports
Scott Miskle opened the Springs & Gardens Committee report saying that a draft for their plans is completed and they will move to approve it at their next meeting. S&G purchased 200 native plants for fall plantings, and they purchased larger baskets for Basin Park to begin planting fall annuals.
Miskle said he was putting a program together for an adopt a park/trail, hoping that in spring the program could be up and running. He referenced a couple who has started maintaining Calif Spring as volunteers to show such a program in action.
Featherstone asked what the recognition would be for those adopting, and Miskle said a sign stating who the volunteers were would work, and there would be a month probationary period before a sign was erected. Hours will be tracked and events can be held to show appreciation such as work/training event with a cookout.
Super reported on the Trails committee, saying they’re looking for potential sponsors for the Fat Tire Festival and listed off other events going on along the trails. He said that they have a solid mission statement and are working on the mitigation project for Lake Leatherwood.
Huss said that they discussed signage throughout Leatherwood Park, and said they were still seeking members. At the they’re working on storage, lawn work and potential ways to fill concessions. Featherstone covered the Basin Park committee, which met to look at future improvements and Master Plan for the park.