HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 6/16/2015Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes T`= EO
June 16, 2015 "�S OFFICE
Attendees Present: Ed Westhaver; Acting Chairman, Mike Weber; LindaIMe abe -A 10- Zi
Sherri Gurnon; Parks & Recreation Director ,; .,,;F f a.b
Mary Selmer: Assistant to the Recreation Director ?U F T t
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:10 PM.
2. Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from May 12, 2015.
Motion: By Linda McCabe to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
from May 12, 2015 as written. Seconded by Mike Weber.
Motion passes, 3 -0.
3. Questions & Comments:
None.
4. Visitors
At 6:30pm, Oliver Kozlowski, Selectman; Sarah Norman and Courtney McKenzie, Extreme
Racers, came to talk about a Memorial Park Fitness Trail they would like to put together in
the Memorial Park area. They brought a map showing the different stations and their
locations in Memorial Park and Hutcheson as well as around the turf field of the high school.
It is an obstacle course for extreme racers. The stations aren't very big so there is little
clearing or space needed to build them. The group of racers do the building with pressure
treated wood, painting and set up of the trail. There isn't a course in the area and people from
all over the area will come to use it. The nearest one is in southern Rhode Island. They need
the town to support it as they will need them for the insurance and liability.
Ed Westhaver expressed concern about the upkeep and vandalism that may occur. Ms.
McKenzie said that the group using it will keep their eye on the trail and fix what needs to be
fixed. Mr. Westhaver also mentioned that the group will need to have a meeting with
Superintendent Zeffro Gianetti since some of the stations will be on school grounds.
Mike Weber expressed concern with the how crowded Hutcheson is on game days and even
practices. He's unsure if there is adequate space there to set up stations.
Sherri Gurnon asked what their time frame was for starting it. Ms. McKenzie said as soon as
they get everyone's approval. They wanted to start with us. They had talked with Katelyn
Merrill in Conservation and she is supporting it and hopes to eventually link conservation
trails to the fitness trail.
Motion: By Mike Weber to accept the concept of the Memorial Fitness Trail. A follow
up meeting will be necessary to show the finalized plans. Seconded by Linda McCabe.
Motion passes 3 -0.
At 7pm, Friends of Memorial Park came to give an update on the Memorial Park Playground.
Jenn Morris opened by stating they are now a 501 3 (c) and have an account at Mansfield
Bank. This was necessary to get donations from corporations. Megan Crotty expressed her
appreciation for the work that Parks and Recreation did to get $103,000 of CIP funds which
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will allow them to start moving forward with bids now that they are half way to their total
needed and a possible groundbreaking ceremony. The funds raised by the Parks and
l Recreation is 75% of what they have raised on their own.
Sherri Gurnon mentioned that they may want to go before the Board of Selectmen in the
Spring of 2016 to let them know how they are doing and get the process of the
groundbreaking/bidding process started.
Ed Westhaver stated that he feels this park will be awesome and they will always have our
support.
Ms. Gurnon told them to meet with Mike Ahern who can help them with the bidding process.
4. Facility Requests:
Friends of Memorial Park with be having their Ice Cream Social at the Memorial Park
Playground on August 27 from 2 -5pm.
5. Old Business:
- Open Space and Recreation Plan workshops are still yet to be scheduled. No dates
set, but getting closer.
- Sherri Gurnon said that there is still a hunt for a location for the Preschool Workshop
but that we had toured the Mansfield Arts and Theater on Balcom Street. They were
going to look into whether I can have my classes there, but it is a good fit for the
Yoga classes.
- Sherri asked for Duck Race Volunteers, Ed Westhaver will announce the winning
numbers and Kevin Kemp and Dave Rapoza will be in the water. Linda will be
available as well.
6. New Business:
- The 2014 Parks and Recreation Scholarship Award was given to Chris Menz, after a
vote was taken. An update on the scholarship requirements for future years is tabled
at this time.
- Sherri stated that there is a 6 week summer Kripalu Yoga class added for the summer.
- The summer entertainment schedule was handed out to the members of the
commission who were present.
- Fall Karate is being added. The Learning Center for Martial Arts has made a banner
to advertise their program. They are networking with us to increase their enrollment
and allow us to offer karate as one of our programs. Sherri mentioned that there is
little interest to date with only I enrollment fiom the previous spring session.
- NPGF funds were used to purchase a Job Box to hold the Lobster machine (purchased
last year with NPGF) which is a serving machine. The Recreation Department used
their grant funds to set up a game and arts and crafts room for summer camp inside
the Hornet's Nest.
7. Next Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 4, 2015 6:00 PM.
To be held at the Town Hall.
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8. Motion: By Linda McCabe to adjourn. Seconded by Mike Weber. Motion passes, 3 -0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Res ectfully Sub ed,
f egnard Da e n Cc i sion Cl rk
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