Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

Prospect Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee 

Virtual Meeting Minutes

November 2022, 5:00 pm via WebEx

Members Present:  Tina Beavin, Ron Cundiff, Lynn Granger, David Holmes, Linda Wardell

Members Absent: Carolyn Embry, John Evans, Sallie Schneider

Others Present:  John Carter, Doug Farnsley, Don Gibson, John Shelby, Herb Shulhafer

The meeting was called to order at 5 pm.

• The meeting was called to order at 5 pm.

   

• Minutes from the October 3rd meeting were approved as written.

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• Parks Update:
  • Little Hunting Creek Park Playground—Herb Shulhafer informed the committee that there are some adverse drainage issues for the playground as it is currently laid out.  The retaining wall constructed along the back of the playground area will not allow water to drain.  In addition, there is concern that the wall is located too close to the bottoms of two slides.  The clearance meets minimal standards, but many would like it to exceed the minimum.  The poured rubber surface cannot be installed until these deficiencies have been corrected.  There are two options:  the first would take out sections of the wall at the base of the two slides to allow water to drain; the second option would be to move the wall back to create more space and correct the slope to allow drainage.  During the discussion, David Holmes advocated for moving the wall, noting that we are only going to build the playground once, and need to do it right.  Herb will be meeting with the construction contractor to obtain cost estimates for the options.
  • The first annual Youth Craft Project was a great success with about one dozen children and their families participating.  Sallie Schneider and Lauren Becker, assisted by Prospect residents Emily Spillman and Sarah Petrosky, have designed the next program which will take place on Saturday, January 21 at 10 am in the Prospect Library.  The event will include a Storytime reading of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and a craft.  The children will make a 3-D tree to take home and assist in making a large tree that will stay in the children’s area of the library. 
  • The bids for the Harrods Creek Bridge project were opened on October 31.  All of them greatly exceeded the budget for the bridge.  We are working with our consultant, Steve Emly of OHM Advisors to explore ways to reduce the project cost. 
  • The Putney Pond & Woodlands Path still needs to be corrected.  Scouts have agreed to take on this project, but it has not yet been scheduled.
  • The first bridge in the Putney Pond & Woodlands trails has been rebuilt in a slightly different location.  The approach to the bridge is very steep on one side.  We need to add a short switchback and/or build up the ground at that end of the bridge.
  • Linda suggested that we replace the directional signs in the woodland trails of Putney Pond & Woodlands.  The current ones were handmade and installed when we first opened the trails.  Linda and Ron will walk the trails to determine where signs should be located
  • The rebuild of the Blue Trail stream crossing in Harrods Creek Park began today. 
• Fall Bird Watching Events—There is one more local bird walk sponsored by the Beckham Bird Club.  It will take place on 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.  Tina reported that she has enough volunteers for the race.  People are encouraged to attend to cheer on the runners and contribute chili to the chili cook-off.
• Linda reported that the LG&E Foundation has a tree planting grant program that we plan to apply for in conjunction with the Forestation Board.  Priority will be given to planting trees along city right of ways in various neighborhoods, but some may also be planted in the parks. 
• Scout Update:
  • Several eagle projects reported on the last months have been completed.
  • There is one project in the planning stages.  This will put gravel along the connecting trail between the beginning of the Orange Trail to the Blue Trail near the swing in Harrods Creek Park.
• Other Business—David Holmes reported on a discussion he had with a resident who is concerned about allowing food in the playground area.  She has a child with severe food allergies who could have a life-threatening incident should he come into contact with certain foods.  She asked us to consider providing educational information or signs in the parks.  It was noted that we need to develop a set of usage guidelines or rules for the park.  The consensus was that we would not allow food or drink in the playground, especially since there will be picnic tables and benches adjacent to it.  Ron said that he has a copy of recommended guidelines provided by the playground vendor which we can review.
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm.  The next committee meeting will take place on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 5 PM.