HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 01/22/2017Recreation Commission Meeting RECEIVED,_
Minutes ; .,c OF ; ICE!
August 22, 2017 2011 SE -1) 20 P 12. 5
Attendees Present: Mitch Bregnard; Chairman and Acting Clerk
Ed Westhaver; Mike Weber
Sherri H. Gurnon; Director Mansfield Parks & Recreation
Mary Sellner; Assistant Director Mansfield Parks & Recreation
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM.
2. Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from June 20, 2017.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting minutes
from June 20, 2017. Seconded by Mike Weber. Motion passes, 3-0.
3. Visitors: At 6:05pm, Trevor Humphrey came to discuss his Duck Race concerns. He
Started out stating that he and his family enjoy the duck race. However, he stated
he has 3 concerns about the event mainly:
1 -There are ducks left behind after the race and get into Kingsman Pond and
residents, like himself, have to pick them up and dispose of them. He
mentioned that he finds about 20 after each race. The net doesn't catch them
all. He suggested that the Boy Scouts come to help clean up. Also, adding
a second net/better net. He would also like to try to find an alternative to
the ducks we use as the ducks currently used break apart when they hit
rocks. Ed Westhaver said that the ducks we use are the same ducks used in the
Lake Winnipesaukee duck race. Sherri also mentioned that Mary Sellner has
been looking each year for better ducks to use. There just aren't any
alternatives at this point.
2 -Families leaving trash after the event that gets into the water with the flooding
of the stream and washes up on the banks of the residents of Kingman's Pond
who clean it up. Mr. Humphrey suggested that "Keep Mansfield Beautiful"
patrol the river before and after the event so trash doesn't get washed into
Kingman's Pond.
3 -Mr. Humphrey stated that he see the impact the race has on the wildlife as fish
and turtles struggle to find their way back to their homes/Fulton's Pond. They
were swept downstream when the dam is released. Sherri did state that Katelyn
Merrill, Conservation Department, felt that less an environmental impact issue,
but more a nuisance.
Mike Weber reassured Mr. Humphrey that we have 11 months to do some
research and make some changes, starting with looking into a better net.
Mitch Bregnard asked Mr. Humphrey if he's been doing the cleanup from the
Duck Race for 7 years, why he didn't come in front of the Commission before
now to let the Commission know his frustrations. He stated that we can't
understand the frustrations of residents if they don't come let the Commission
know.
At 6:15pm, Friends of Memorial Park, Jen Morris and Meghan Crotty, came in to
discuss the upcoming annual Ice Cream Social fundraiser on Aug. 31. They will need
9a -5p. Sherri said she would get more trash barrels for the event and get them keys to
have access to the camp office to use electricity from there for the DJ. They asked if
they could put their banner up outside of Memorial Park on the wall area and another
banner on the fence of the playground. Mitch stated that that isn't a problem as long as
they remove them after the event.
They also wanted to let the Commission know that they want to continue to
work with Parks and Recreation on future projects in Memorial Park. They would like
to install more shading structures, picnic tables and grills. Sherri stated that
the CIP money requested must be used for other projects for now. Sherri did ask that
they make a list of what they would like to do and the estimated costs for these projects.
Their last concern was the damage being done to the playground gates already. They
Inquired about motion sensing lights, closing the playground (put playground hours on
a sign), asking the police to monitor more or installing some type of surveillance
cameras.
At 6:37pm, Travis Ames, Game Time Playgrounds, came to discuss the Plymouth Street
Playground. He had some renderings showing what it would look like with what
Equipment we suggested. He stated that it would be different than the Memorial Park
Playground and will be geared more for children 5-12 years old. Its theme is an
"Adventure Park" with the zip line and webbed climbing structures.
Mr. Ames said that they couldn't start the project until October and would take 1-1/2
weeks to complete. The playground would have a wood fiber surface that was
approved by Mark Cook. Sherri asked how often does that fiber have to be replenished
to which Mr. Ames stated, best if done every 3 years adding 2" of surface material.
4. Facility Requests:
The Commission discussed field reservation requests and permitting as follows:
- Donna St. Onge of the Mansfield Special Olympics, requested the turf field at
Plymouth Street, Sundays, 8/27-10/29, 4-5pm
- The second year that Sandra Broyles requested the South Common on 9/16/17, 6-7pm
for a Childhood Cancer Awareness Vigil.
5. Old Business:
- Open Space and Recreation Plan workshops are close to be scheduled. Recreation is
asked to attend.
- Sherri Gurnon requested the RecCommission to come up with their 5 year priorities
to be presented to the next CIP meeting. Ed Westhaver requested lights for the
Memorial Park Field, Mike Weber's requests were to fix up the Press Box so it can
be used again, as well as, the scoreboard.
- Sherri informed the Commission that she met with Mark Cook to come up with a
Memorial Park Master Plan so we can plan projects around this plan. Ed Westhaver
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inquired about whether some of these projects are the same with the DPWs and that
we should work with them so we don't have any crossover. Mitch suggested walking
with Mark Cook and coordinate with him his vision and ours, making a list of what
needs to be done or we want to do and have him help "steer the ship" on this plan.
6. New Business:
- Sherri mentioned that 2 new programs have begun: Fall Tennis and Little Kicks Fall
Soccer.
- NRT did some tree planting on the South Common to replace those not doing well.
7. Next Commission Meeting: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 6:00 PM.
To be held at the Town Hall.
8. Motion: by Ed Westhaver to adjourn. Seconded by Mike Weber. Motion passes, 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm.
Res ctfully Submit ed,
ev Kemp Date
recreation C mission Clerk
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