Parks and Recreation Board 8/16/2022

Detailed briefing

Parks and Recreation Board — August 16, 2022 ATTENDEES: John Copes, Karen Mulder, Therese, Allison, Rachel, and volunteer-interest attendee Wendy Hershey were identified in the meeting. • The board approved the prior meeting minutes after a motion and second. It then concentrated on organizing Fall Fest at Marina Park for October 1. Members described last year’s event as well attended and said this year will largely repeat its family-oriented format rather than add major new activities. • Fall Fest planning includes a straw mountain, pumpkin painting, caramel apples, cornhole and other games, a donut-eating activity, music, a fire-truck hose activity, and a tractor/scarecrow photo area. A two-string band was reported booked for $250. Small Batch was said to be donating 25% of its event revenue, and the Mary Claire Reynolds Fund was identified as a funding commitment. • Volunteer capacity is a major need. The board discussed recruiting through prior volunteer contacts, schools, social media, business cards, the newspaper, and a Fall Fest sign-up sheet. A parks-branded tent or donated tent could serve as a volunteer and project-information hub at events. • The board favored planning for a tent in poor weather rather than relying on a rain date. Staff will hold a tent with Taylor Rental and assess weather closer to the event. Publicity is expected closer to the event, including school communications, flyers, social media, Chamber outreach, and possible Harbor Light coverage. • Boardwalk donations through the city were reported at $1,043,445. Members discussed considering a fall fundraiser and future grant applications, but stressed that timing and contractor availability could delay any construction. No construction decision was made. • Staff said the parks master plan is substantially complete but still needs proofreading. The anticipated process is a 30-day public review and hearing, followed by board, City Council, county, and DNR approvals. Completing the plan is intended to support future grant applications. • Staff announced the Zorn Beach playground project is expected to begin excavation the following week. The board also heard preliminary information on a proposed Little Traverse Conservancy dog park at the Viewlands and a skate park project reported to have roughly $240,000 available, with Evergreen listing it for spring pending other work. Worth watching: • Whether Fall Fest volunteer recruitment, weather planning, and vendor/activity logistics are completed before October 1. • Whether the master plan moves through the required public-review and approval process in time for spring grant applications. • Whether boardwalk, dog park, and skate park proposals secure the funding, approvals, and scheduling needed to advance. Upcoming: Fall Fest is planned for October 1; Zorn Beach playground excavation is expected to start the following week. Why it matters: The board is pairing near-term family programming and maintenance work with longer-term plans for park facilities and outside funding.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.