DRAFT ZOOM MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD March 11, 2021 Members Present: Bridget Moss, Jeffrey Fracher, Shawn Strubbe, Anne Hemenway, Ned Michie, Jennifer Slack Member(s) absent: Hosea Mitchell, Lashundra Bryson- Morsberger Staff: Todd Brown, Vic Garber, Chris Gensic, Sarah Blech, Andrea Ross, Tracy Marshall, Linda Austin, Philip Seay  Ned Michie announced the passing of Ruth Barnett a former Advisory Board member and asked for a moment of silence in her honor. Public Comment:  Ned Michie, Chair, welcomed guests for public comment and stated that the Advisory Board was in support of opening pools & facilities  Rory Stolzenberg, Kathryn Laughon, David Wiles, Isabel Reed, Leslie Scally, Ella Reed,  Althea – stated that she used to work as swim coach, felt it was important to open pools, kids have fun, pools closed has been a setback on safety for not teaching lessons  Leslie Scally – resident, encouraged the board to support the opening of the pools, felt it could be done safely, hoping her child will be able to swim in City swim team this summer, pools are safe place for kids to go  David Wiles – resident, stated support for City swim swordfish team, can be done safely & with social distancing  Katherine Laughon – resident, has 3 kids, all have swam in city program, hope something strongly worded can be sent in support of swim team. Stated that swim has been happening @ private pools without incidents, feels should be equity, easy path for scholarships, beautiful community, felt swimming is key to academic & social well being  Tracy Marshall, Parks & Recreation employee was asked to read email on behalf of Katherine Herald: I am writing to request that the board consider reopening pools & restarting aquatic programs for the 2021 summer season. It is my understanding that there is hesitation from the City Council in this matter, and I am asking that the board advocate for a summer reopening  Izzy Reid – freshman @ CHS, stated that the Swordfish swim team was more than a place to practice, it was also a social compartment, she stated she was a volunteer coach, mentor for 10 & under in 2019, program expands minds, teaches life lessons  Andrea Ross, Parks & Recreation employee read two received emails that read:  Erica Uhlmann – Good evening, I am sorry to miss the meeting, but wanted our family’s voice to be heard in support of the City Swordfish swim team & to advocate for the swim season to open this year. My two children, ages 11 & 15, learned how to swim through the Parks & Recreation Mighty Mites program & went straight onto the City Swordfish team @ age 5. Coach Andrea has been a wonderful mentor & coach to both of my children. My children love to swim because of Andrea & her wonderful coaches. The City Swordfish Team is unique in that it is incredibly supportive of ALL swimmers no matter what their abilities may be. My daughter was never one of the fastest swimmers, but she was treated like a champion @ every meet. She felt supported & appreciated by all of the swimmers & coaches. My son was a stronger swimmer & grew to be a strong swimmer because of Andrea & her team of coaches. The Swordfish Team recognized all swimmers, every week, for time improvements & encourage everyone in a supportive & loving way. While swim meets were a competition, our kids were taught to show good sportsmanship, be supportive, and to love swimming. Swim team practices were always fun & engaging, my kids looked forward to them each week. We have all missed the summer swim team season & would love nothing more than to return to the pool & reconnect with our community of swimmers. The kids have missed out on so much this past year, it would be nice to give them some sense of normalcy & bring back the City Swordfish team  Text from Talia Phlen, age 11 – Swimming has been part of my life for so long, at first I hated it but then I met Andrea & the team then my love for swimming really began. If the swordfish were to reopen, then something we all love, just something normal in these insane uncertain times…the first big test we took I was super stressed, coming to swim really took a load off. Knowing we are safe, because face it at least once per month we inhale water. Adoption Minutes – March 12, 2020  Ned Michie asked board members if they had any corrections to the minutes. With no changes from board members, Ned Michie declared the minutes approved by acclamation. NAMING OF PARKS UPDATE  Fornes property – suggested name Azalea Park West was voted and approved at the last meeting, Chris Gensic stated that the name Sunset Park came up after meeting.  Hartman Mill – Chris Gensic stated that property was along Moores Creek where Avon Street crosses creek near Food Lion, behind Edgecomb Volvo,  Grist mill stone found, currently there is no parking and public cannot get too easily at this time but plans for future hope to provide both parking and easy access.  Both sides of creek, 20 acres, looking into tying into trail system, will be “island” park until bridge, sewer line goes through property  Anne Hemenway agreed with name Mill Park  Motion: Anne Hemenway made a motion to name Hartman Mill property Mill Park, Jeffrey second, unanimously approved.  Davis Field – top of Park Street, created/built for Rock Hill academy, has been advocacy for Cy Weaver name, property backs up to the field, talked to owners, Davis name has ties to developer of subdivision, Gene Harding – email – Craw – link to resolution introduced to legislature for good work in the city, nothing specific to this area, Chris Gensic stated that the field is physically attached to NE park, could be added to NE Park,  Shawn Strubbe stated that the park naming policy was clear about naming parks after people  Anne Hemenway suggested Northeast Park field, look @ usage, easy to locate, used as a soccer field for decades, practical  Chris Gensic stated that the city bought the property about 10 years ago, previously private property  Ned Michie felt that naming Northeast Park field parking would be distant to the field, ex. dropping off kids for soccer  Shawn Strubbe suggested Northeast field  Jennifer Slack suggested something generic, like Justice field  Chris Gensic stated the field is leased to SOCA; Vic Garber stated that it was a 10 year lease and there was about 2 more years on the lease  Bridget Moss suggested Locust Grove Field, Ned Michie thought the name might confuse people  Chris Gensic stated that the board could submit several names – noting that board did not want to name field after a person  Ned Michie was in favor of NE field, recognizing equity because of history  Jennifer Slack suggested names like Unity field, Equity field, NE field  Anne Hemenway suggested Unity Field @ Northeast Park  Motion – Jennifer Slack made a motion to name Unity Field @ Northeast Park, Anne Hemenway second, motion was unanimous  Heyward Community Forest –Jane Heyward was a big hiking advocate and donated land in the 1990’s to provide parking and access to Ragged Mtn. Her daughter Louisa donated half the value of the 142 acres recently purchased by the City. The family has been generous giving of forest land around area (Foxhaven Farm, Hedgerow property), Anne Hemenway stated that it was an extraordinary gift, in favor of name  Ned Michie stated he was in favor of the word “community”, meets criteria in policy, don’t know history of that name, Heyward is Jane’s married name, it is believed she is a Proctor and Gamble family member, could send two names – Heyward Community Forest as #1, Ragged Mountain Community Forest as #2 suggestion for name.  Bridget Moss suggested a plaque acknowledging her land donation  Chris Gensic that there was access from lower lot @ Ragged Mt  Motion – Anne Hemenway made a motion to name Heyward Community Forest, Jennifer Slack second, motion was approved. In favor – Anne Hemenway, Ned Michie, Shawn Strubbe, Jennifer Slack, Bridget Moss; Not in favor – Shawn Strubbe – concerned about naming after people  Ned Michie asked about land next to John Warner Parkway, Chris Gensic replied that the information was in packet but could be discussed @ future meeting  Motion – Anne Hemenway made a motion to amend agenda regarding John Warner Parkway property, Jennifer Slack second, motion was unanimous  Ned Michie suggested Parkway Park, felt it was fully descriptive  Bridget Moss asked if there was public input, Chris Gensic replied that Southern Railway park was submitted  Anne Hemenway suggested Butterfly park, stated that there was a butterfly statue on property  Bridget Moss suggested Butterfly Trail Park  Motion – Anne Hemenway made a motion to name John Warner Parkway property Butterfly Park, Bridget Moss second  Jennifer Slack suggested an amendment to the motion naming it Butterfly Greenway  Ned Michie stated that he was against the motion and felt it should be named Parkway Park  Chris Gensic stated that 8th Street Park would be on next agenda, need public input Updates on Parks & Recreation position with pandemic  Todd Brown stated that staff was working with City Council and City Manager regarding when & where Parks & Recreation facilities will be open, not officially on City Council agenda for next Monday but will be brought up @ meeting  Todd Brown stated that staff was cleaning parks and preparing fields  Staff working with volunteer groups, transition plans, plans to open in safest manner  Stated he was working with City Manager on a daily basis, have begun hiring for a few areas – maintenance, City Market & summer camps  Things going on - City Market drive thru, programs – mostly virtual, Carver Center has been home for vaccines, summer camps – school sites have been approved, not approved yet @ centers,  Ned Michie discussed letter to City Council in support of opening of pools & recreational facilities, Vic Garber suggested the letter could say when CDC approves should open spray grounds. Ned Michie replied that he would try to do draft tomorrow, so board members can comment Future meeting agenda Items & dates  Ned Michie asked board members to submit any items they would like on future agendas  Next meeting will be April 8 Directors Matters  Todd Brown stated that Bennet Village and Botanical Garden groups would like to talk to the Advisory Board @ future meetings  Meeting adjourned @ 7:12 pm Respectfully submitted, Linda Daly Secretary to the Advisory Board “Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the public meeting may call the ADA Coordinator at (434) 970-3182 or submit a request via email to ada@charlottesville.gov. The City of Charlottesville requests that you provide a 48 hour notice so that proper arrangements may be made.” 7:01 pm