SPOTSYLVANIA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. August 16, 2007

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1 SPOTSYLVANIA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 16, 2007 Members Present: Dennis Robinson, Chairman Jasper Brooks James Chapman Thomas Hudgins Michael Lynch Members Absent: Robert Myers, Vice-Chairman Clifton Johnson Also present was Kevin Brooks, Director of Parks and Recreation, and Jimmy Fletcher, Assistant Director. MINUTES Mr. Brooks made a motion to approve the minutes of June 21, 2007,seconded by Mr. Chapman and approved 5-0. REPORT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Legion Track Mr. Chapman mentioned that there was a ditch near a walk through gate at Legion Field. He said that it needed gravel. He asked if that could be done. Mr. Fletcher replied that it was owned by the School System, and they would not allow that to be done because it is a drainage ditch. Patriot Park Mr. Chapman stated he had been by Patriot Park, and it looked good.

2 Page 2 Chancellor Community Center Mr. Robinson mentioned that he noticed the plants at the Chancellor Community Center had died. Mr. Kevin Brooks stated that staff watered them, but it was just too dry. He said they would try planting again this Fall when the weather is better. Thunder Mr. Chapman asked what the policy was in regard to thunder during sports. Mr. Fletcher stated it is addressed in the by-laws for sports. He said there are times when it is up to the coaches during practices and up to officials during games. Mr. Chapman stated he drove by Loriella Park and heard loud thunder, but they just kept practicing. Mr. Fletcher said they try to get the people to follow the rules. He said that it may not have been a Parks and Recreation team. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Summer Camps There were over 1,200 participants in Summer Camps this summer. Fall Soccer There are approximately 1,880 children participating in Fall Soccer. There are still some openings in different leagues. Late Registration is being accepted. Football Football practice has begun. Games are scheduled to begin the week of August 27 th. The Flag Football Program has 50 participants registered. There will be four teams with thirteen players each. They will play seven on seven. The games will be played mainly on Saturdays. It is a developmental program. This is the first year, so it is a work in progress. Rules may be adjusted, etc. as the season goes along. Mr. Robinson asked the ages of the participates in Flag Football. Mr. Kevin Brooks replied seven (7). He stated in the future, they may adjust the league to include eight-year-olds.

3 Page 3 Athletic Field Lighting Lights have been installed at Riverbend High School. Staff is still waiting on the connection from Rappahannock Electric to complete the lighting at Massaponax High School. Hunting Run Reservoir The Hunting Run Reservoir is being managed by the Capital Projects Department. It will be constructed in phases. Phase 1 has been put out to bid, and the reservoir is scheduled to open on October 1 st. It will include a pier, ramp, gravel parking lot, temporary check-in station and restroom. Phase 2 will take place after the design is put out to bid. It will include a check in station, restroom, and picnic shelter. It will operate on the same schedule as the Ni River Reservoir. An amendment to the County Ordinance is set to be presented to the Board of Supervisors at their September 11, 2007 meeting to include Hunting Run in the ordinance along with Ni River Reservoir. There is a question that will need to be addressed in regard to gasoline motors attached to the boats being allowed. Gasoline motors on boats will be allowed at Hunting Run but not at the Ni River. The motors gasoline line would have to be disconnected on the Hunting Run Reservoir. Many boats are now made with the motors attached. Mr. Hudgins asked about the size of Hunting Run in comparison to Ni River Reservoir. The Director commented that it is much larger, 430 acres. Mr. Chapman asked if the parking lot could be paved. The Director stated that it is a County requirement that it be a paved lot. Patriot Park Construction of Patriot Park is on schedule. There will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled in October. Hopefully, there will be a Grand Opening in the Spring. A lot of the ball fields will not be used this Fall. All of the Bermuda Grass has been planted. It is a sixty day process to see substantial growth. County water is currently being used, but a well has been dug. Three restrooms are being constructed. The Amphitheater is scheduled to be delivered in the near future. Fencing has been completed on three (3) fields. There are three more to do. Rappahannock Construction is bringing in more employees to get the job done. The sub-surface has been prepared on the Basketball Court. Staff is still pursuing the Dog Park idea. They are considering different options.

4 Page 4 Mr. Chapman asked if there would be a fence around the pond. The Director replied yes. Mr. Chapman asked how much land was in the back area. The Director replied approximate 130 acres total. Visitor Center The Visitor Center Supervisor retired. A replacement has been recommended. The person is scheduled to begin work on September 17 th. Bluemont Concert Series The Bluemont Concert Series was a success. Five (5) concerts were held. The attendance was close to the numbers from last year. Other Matters Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation The Director was invited to attend a meeting with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation in Arberdeen, Maryland. Bill and Cal Ripken, Jr. started the foundation to honor their father and help teach children about Baseball and Life Skills. There is a Coaches Clinic and a Baseball Festival scheduled in September in the area. Flyers will be distributed on the upcoming events. The Fredericksburg Area is being considered as a possible location for a Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Academy. The academy offers programs to benefit children. There is one facility located in Mrytle Beach as well. Property Donation Staff has been meeting with Mr. McGhee who lives in the Chancellor Area who is interested in donating 2 ½ acres to the County. It is a part of the Virginia Central Trail. It is not connected to the trail that the County already owns. It is in another location that is along the former rail bed. OLD BUSINESS Naming of Athletic Fields and Facilities Application. The Director informed the Commission that the Board of Supervisors agreed with the decision made by the Commission to deny an application requesting to name an Athletic Field/Facility. The individual nominated was not a Spotsylvania County resident which is a requirement noted in the policy.

5 Page 5 NEW BUSINESS Capital Projects /Future The Director gave an update on Capital Projects which include the Multi-Purpose Court at Loriella Park. Staff is working on getting a Site Plan developed. Belmont Park which has been called Livingston Park or Sunrise Bay Park by staff in the past. There is an Engineering Firm working on design plans for that. There is a total of $120,000 in funding for the Belmont Park project this fiscal year. Plans are to put in a gravel/temporary parking lot, picnic tables, and a walking trail. The Department is in the process of resurfacing of Tennis Courts. Staff is waiting to get the contract back from the County Attorney s office. Plans are to resurface two (2) courts at Cosner Park and one (1) at the Chancellor Community Center. The Department also did an alternative bid to pave the Basketball Court at Cosner Park. Unfortunately, it came in at $12,000 higher than what funds are available. Staff is asking for Carry-Over Funds to help fund that project. Staff is working on finding an engineer to design the lights for the field lighting Courtland High School. Staff has sent out a request for companies about the field lighting, but no one has responded at this time. Other projects in progress include Hunting Run Reservoir which was added late in the year, Restrooms are being worked on at Loriella Park, Lighting at Massaponax High School and Riverbend High School. In regard to upcoming years, the Commission members were provided with a printout of future projects. The Director informed the Commission that they need to start looking at what projects should be added for the 2013 year. He mentioned that possible projects could include Chancellor Park and Lee Hill Park that were pushed back from previous years. He stated that those parks could be added back in. He stated the trail at Chancellor could be paved, and a Dog Park could be added in the Chancellor Area. The Director mentioned the Storage Building will be added back this year that was put in for Patriot Park and was taken out because there was not enough funding. He asked if any of the Commission members had ideas for Capital Projects to please forward those suggestions to him. Loriella Park Incidents The Director informed the Commission members that there have been several break-ins at Loriella Park Pool and Maintenance Area. Plans are to upgrade the current security system. The Sheriff s Department is patrolling the area more often. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business or discussion, Mr. Jasper Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Lynch and approved unanimously.

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