Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

Prospect Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee 

Virtual Meeting Minutes

October 3, 2022, 5:00 pm via WebEx

Members Present:  Tina Beavin, Carolyn Embry, Ron Cundiff, John Evans, Lynn Granger, David Holmes, Sallie Schneider, Linda Wardell

Others Present:  Don Gibson

The meeting was called to order by Committee member Carolyn Embry at 5 pm.

• Minutes from the August 8th meeting were approved as written.
• Mayor Evans discussed plans for a grand re-opening of Little Hunting Creek Park in November.  After this meeting, the opening date has been delayed, and will be announced when a date has been determined.
• Parks Update:
  • Little Hunting Creek Park Playground—the playground equipment has been installed.  Community volunteers and city staff worked hard to make this happen.  It was suggested that we distribute Prospect appreciation patches to the volunteers.  The next step is to spread gravel and then have the poured rubber surface installed.  Once the surface is ready, and other construction in the park is complete, the playground will be open for community use.
  • The first annual Youth Craft Project will take place on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00-11:30 in Harrods Creek Park.  Several children are signed up for this event, but there is room for additional people to register.  Parents interested in having their children participate should pre-register by calling City Hall.  Each child needs a parent or responsible adult to accompany them.  This program is being led by Sallie Schneider and her cousin, Lauren Becker.
  • Invasive plant removal work is ongoing:
    • Vines and invasive plant removal between Timber Ridge Drive and the Putney Pond Dam has been completed.
    • In Putney Pond & Woodlands, invasive plant removal has been completed along the pond banks and along the trails between the swing overlooking the pond and the Scout Eagle's Way boardwalk.
    • Invasive plant removal in Harrods Creek Park between the Orange and Blue Trails, and between the parking lot road and the Blue Trail will be completed in the next week or so.
• The two footbridges on the Blue Trail in Harrods Creek Park have been replaced with more substantial bridges with handrails.  They are very sturdy and attractive.
• The Harrods Creek Park Bridge project is now in the bid stage.  The bid opening will take place on October 31.
• Fall Bird Watching Events—The Beckham Bird Club will conduct fall bird walks in the Prospect area over the next few months.  While these are not Prospect sponsored events, Prospect residents are welcome to attend.  More information is available on the Beckham Bird Club website.
• Sunday, October 30 at Hays Kennedy Park/Garvin Brown Preserve from 9:00am-noon
• Sunday, November 13 in Harrods Creek Park from 8:30am-11:30am
• Saturday, December 10 at Hays Kennedy Park/Garvin Brown Preserve from 8:30am-noon.
• Harrods Creek Trail Bash—Sunday, November 20 at 8:30 am.  There will be 5K and 10K options available.  The race organizers have requested 4 volunteers on race day.  There will once again be a chili cookoff.
• Scout Update:
  • Several Eagle candidates are on board to complete their projects in Prospect parks
    • Levi Lucas and Lucas Mack have completed the trail improvements on the Blue Trail in Harrods Creek Park
    • Seth Jolly has ordered the wood needed to replace the bridge in Putney Pond & Woodlands.
  • In Putney Pond & Woodlands, a scout troop will re-work the gravel path from the parking lot to the trailhead as a service project.
• The next committee meeting will take place on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 5 PM.