Chair Bill Featherstone enumerated ten top projects in his annual State of the Parks address at the March 15 commission meeting
- Hire a new director and gardener. Featherstone said Parks is only as strong as its director, and the commission was looking for someone to take the department to the next level. “Mission accomplished,” he said with the hiring of Justin Huss, who starts work March 23. Search for a new gardener is ongoing.
- Maintain 1800 acres with a small budget. He pointed out after payroll and other non-discretionary expenses, Parks must operate for the entire year on $46,000. “Volunteers are vital, and an endowment would be great,” he said.
- Continue toward the primary goal of the Master Plan for Lake Leatherwood City Park (LLCP) to make the park self-sustaining. Again, he said, valuable support of volunteers on committees and workdays make a big difference. Another factor in becoming self-sustaining would be renovating the cabins and campsites to attract more visitors.
- Continue work on rewriting the policy manual.
- Continue to build out the Master Plan for trails, which is to create a connected trail system to reach from downtown to Black Bass Lake to LLCP.
- Fill the vacancy on the commission.
- Populate the committees and keep them focused.
- Create a robust new website to be maintained regularly by staff.
- Play a leadership role in establishing the new community center thereby creating new recreational activities for residents.
- Reconcile fulfilling existing responsibilities while adding new ones, such as expanding recreational opportunities. “Being underfunded is no excuse. Staff and commissioners simply must be more efficient and creative.”
Featherstone stated there is so much to do it would be easy to get overwhelmed, yet he sees great opportunities. The people of Eureka Springs really do appreciate what he called the city’s greatest asset – the wonderful parks system. He also bestowed highest kudos to interim director Donna Woods who he said in her short time put a system in place that holds commissioners and staff accountable, got finances in good order, charted a new course for the department and instilled a passion for excellence.
Vacation on hold
Jim Gerkin had applied to have Hickory Street, a platted but undeveloped street in the middle of properties he owns, plus a portion of nearby Hazel Street vacated so he could sell his property there. Featherstone told Gerkin he and other commissioners went to the site and saw complications that would necessitate further study before making a decision. Featherstone promised commissioners would be prepared to vote on his request at the next meeting, so the matter could continue its journey to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and then to city council.
Other items
- Featherstone announced there would be a meet-and-greet event Friday, March 25, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. so the public can shake hands with Huss.
- Commissioner Steven Foster reminded the public that feral hogs are active at LLCP, primarily on the eastern side of the lake. “It looks like a rototiller went through some areas,” he said. Featherstone said feral hogs prefer to avoid people, but hikers should be aware.
- The new Trails Committee website can be found at eurekaspringstrails.com. Featherstone added the committee has plans for adding directional and distance signs at LLCP.
- Commissioners voted to add to the special event permit application that the application fee is non-refundable.
- With guidance from Woods, commissioners cleared up check-signing responsibilities, safety deposit box access and authority for telephone transfers between accounts to reflect current staffing. They also closed the account for the Basin Project for the time being, in accordance with bank protocol.
Next workshop will be Tuesday, April 5, at 6 p.m., at Harmon Park. The topic will be projects at LLCP.
Next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 19, at 6 p.m.