DRAFT ZOOM MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD April 8, 2021 Members Present: Jeffrey Fracher, Shawn Strubbe, Anne Hemenway, Ned Michie, Jennifer Slack Member(s) absent: Hosea Mitchell, Bridget Moss, Lashundra Bryson- Morsberger Staff: Todd Brown, Vic Garber, Chris Gensic, Sarah Blech Guests: Terry Allan, Molly Conger, Richard Morris, ONCDC teachers, Maj Michael Cook, Julie Basic, Kara McClurken PUBLIC COMMENT  Richard Morris – Program Director, Urban Community Gardens, Food Equity Iniative, build healthy & improve access to food Presented to board last year – partnership possibility - garden in a public park with residents support. Power to Grow initiative – affordable agriculture, good housing & land to grow,  Terry Allan – new to Charlottesville one year, arrived when area shut down, new manager of food & agriculture for food & rescue, work closely with Richard Morris, Food Justice Network, and goal is to increase access to land for garden activities. Stated that gardening was the #1 or #2 hobby in America. Supported 85 families with family garden plots last year. Want to build on relationship  Michael Cook – resident Forest Hills Avenue, moved one year ago, a lot of thru traffic, requested city for traffic calming, Forest Hills Park rests on street, concerned about children @ park. Asked board if this was an issue or first impression? Anything internal that can be done, sign perspective - sign indicating that there is a park located there, would like Board to consider written endorsement for traffic calming. Ned Michie asked for staff to check this out. Anne Hemenway reported that she was involved with traffic calming for Park Street and that it was unpopular at first but does work MINUTES  Anne Hemenway made a motion to approve March 11 minutes, second by Shawn Strubbe, motion was unanimously approved BENNETTS VILLAGE PRESENTATION  Julie Basic, Chair, Kara McClurken – Co-founder  Kara talked about the proposed all abilities playground @ Pen Park & stated that the proposed playground was named after her son.  Play is important – developmentally, socially, play is not just for kids  Goal is to create a space that was truly inclusive, vision to have a space for all to play, group has been organizing last couple of years, wanted to meet with board before fundraising  This playground would provide independent exploration, stimulation, sensory experience of all kinds  New area would provide restrooms that are functional with wheelchairs  Treehouse area – Phase I  Budget – fundraising goals - $5 million, raise funds, reach out to major donors  Surface would be rubberized surface or concrete – mulch doesn’t support wheelchairs  Tree House – 1st phase - $500,000, leaving existing playground in place  MOA with City – Bennett’s Village will raise funds, city will take over with bidding & ownership  Asked Board what type of public input is needed to move forward, would like to meet w/City Manager, City Engineer  Looking for volunteers for grant research  Anne Hemenway – losing field, need public input  Ned Michie asked if the plan was to get rid of present playground. Kara McClurken – playground is for everyone Update – Covid19  Vic Garber reported the following:  April 10 City Market  April 12 – Camp registration  April 19 – Softball registration  May 10 – target date to open Carver  May 10 – Non-city Camp registration  Memorial Day – Washington Park opening  Smith – open mid-June possibly, would move staff from Crow, open for rentals  All openings are contingent on rehiring of staff – right now staff coming in slow  Not opening now - spray grounds, Onesty Pool  Asked board members to be advocate for department job openings  Anne Hemenway asked why spray grounds cannot open, but Skatepark can. Vic Garber replied following Governor’s Covid19 restrictions  Ned Michie suggested Next Door for a good place to advertise job openings  Jennifer Slack asked what is necessary to be a volleyball official CIP updates  Todd Brown gave an update on the following CIP projects:  McIntire Master Plan   Tonsler Park Master Plan  Meadowcreek Valley Master Plan Implementation – Chris Gensic, used all funds to get Greenbrier Park done; focus on finishing projects for Meadowcreek & McIntire; grant package – leverage $25,000 match  Parks & Rec Lump Sum  Crow Recreation ADA  Parks Trails & Land Acquisitions  Key Recreation Roof Replacement  Skatepark Lighting  Onesty Youth Aquatic Play Features Replacement  Key Rec Center restroom/locker room renovations  Ned Michie asked about public process input, any thought given of what you can get done with funds that are presently available  Smith Pool– new ventilation project progressing slowly, all new piping, lighting, and dehumidification. Hope to open possibly in June  Ned Michie requested list with projects with no funding @ next meeting Chairman’s Matters  Ned Michie – would like board members more involved to give more feedback to staff Director’s Matters  Next agenda – advisory board bylaws, board functions  Park naming – going to City Council on 4/19 Meeting Adjourned  Ned Michie adjourned the meeting @ 7:10 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.”