The August 20 Parks Commission meeting began with Chair Bill Featherstone asking for the addition of approval of the quarterly report to the monthly meeting. Commissioner Draxie Rogers motioned for the addition to be added, and Dave Hartmann seconded putting the Quarterly Report as business for that meeting. Commissioners Ruth Hager and Christian Rogers were not present.
Parks doesn’t like excuses but…
Public Comments followed with Pat Costner questioning commissioners about future planning. She asked how Parks reviewed or updated Master Trails Plan as well as pointing out a lack of a Master Plan. She also questioned what plans were made or being made for Basin, Harmon, Water Street Park and Black Bass Lake.
Costner stated that there was a massive amount of work to do in planning and it might be good investment to contract out to form a framework for a Parks Master Plan. She ended by saying that a lack of plan leaves Parks with no choice but to “put out fires.”
Featherstone admitted that she gave a fair assessment and stated he couldn’t respond to the status of many of those plans, and continued by saying that if Parks had twice the money they’d have plans done. He made it clear that he didn’t like the answer as it sounded like an excuse, but that it is the way it is. He entertained the notion of contracting out the creation of a Master Plan, saying that money is the only issue, but Parks is starting to build relationships with those who could help fund such a project.
Featherstone moved the conversation to committees stating that there was a need of volunteers to flesh out the various committees. To volunteer for a park committee you can go to the Parks Department website and sign up under the volunteer header.
Director’s Report
Director Justin Huss opened up his report with East Mountain Overlook having graffiti scratched into it. He also stated that the Parks office building had been hit by a truck and that they were reaching out for repairs. Parks is searching for a contractor to clean the Harmon Park restrooms and a new campsite is almost complete and they are looking for staff to help keep the area tidy.
Huss also reported on Harmon Park saying that they are looking at drainage along the dirt road and that they will be speaking with Public Works. Sprucing and repairs to the playground were to be conducted that Thursday and Friday.
He moved to Basin Park, saying the fountain was going to be sand blasted and a new fill motor added to it so that the fountain no longer will need to be hand filled. Parks will be removing and repairing the left hand steps to the bandshell. Parks is operating $38,866 over projections with expenses being $16,440 under budget.
He ended the report stating that Parks is still short-handed.
Committee Reports
Scott Miskiel reported on the Springs, Gardens, and Greenhouse Committee saying that they had two formal work sessions under their belt with tours of various gardens to find improvements. He said that the committee is preparing a draft plan to present to Parks.
He also urged Parks to find a coordinator to help with recruitment of volunteers and schedule volunteer events ahead of time.
Miskiel voiced his wish to hold a class through the Community Center to teach how to install the water system. Featherstone stated that the Community Center Board loved the idea of the class.
Commissioner Steven Foster said they are adopting a ban on invasive alien plants and coordinating volunteer hours with Northwest Master Naturalists. Arkansas values a volunteer hour at $24.17 and Foster stated that could be used to help with a matching grant.