Okay.
Good afternoon. It's 306, and I'd like to call the May 17 Denton Parks and Recreation and Beautification Board.
Order.
Thanks everyone for being here.
Is there anything that needs to be announced before we get started with the agenda items?
We have one excuse absence.
Oh, thanks.
Yes, we do have one excuse absence for George Ferry.
So, if there's nothing else we can go ahead and get started.
So the first item for our agenda is PRB 21-037. Consider approval of the minutes of April 12 2021 and April 28 2021.
Brooke, you're on mute.
Any questions, comments about the minutes from anybody?
I second.
So those in favor say aye.
Aye.
Any opposed?
Great. Okay, let's move on.
So item B, PRB 21-038, receive a report and hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the sponsorship and solicitation for the Disc Golf signage.
So I'm going to turn this over to Drew and Brooke to walk through this. We do have a PowerPoint we wanted to share with you.
I'll bring that up.
All right. Everybody see that?
Yep.
All right, Drew and Brooke.
Brooke, I guess I'll get it started and I'll hand it over to you.
Go for it.
Good afternoon, Park Board, Drew Huppen, Assistant Director.
So, as you all know, we do have our North Lakes Disc Golf Course.
A few months ago, a couple of the groups in the Disc Golf Course reached out and said, hey, we have some ideas about sponsorships for the baskets.
You know, we know that, you know, with all the pandemic going on and all the other needs for the parks, I think it'd be a really great opportunity to raise money to get new baskets that wouldn't cost the taxpayers any money and we wouldn't have to take money out of the parks budget to start replacing these baskets.
So, of course, we then reached out to Brooke because, you know, with our Parks Foundation, so Brooke got on board and she started contacting and we all sat down with the groups and man did it.
I think Brooke can attest it exploded. I mean, they raised so much money so fast. It was amazing. So, next slide, Gary.
So, Brooke, I'll hand this over to you for the sponsorship stuff.
Awesome. So, part of what the Denton Parks Foundation does is fiscal sponsorships, and which we use our tax status to be able to provide to service and community groups that allow them to make our parks better, right, they're able to get in and come up with an idea and then go out and fundraise for it.
And our partnership with that is in gift processing so we use a donor management software to create our online giving forms and process the gifts, as well as provide real time reports and then act as customer relationship management tool to be able to kind of go back and forth between groups of who's given who hasn't.
On marketing we also solicit on social media and our networks, and we help solicit donors in the case that it's needed and through grant writing and whatnot, as well as provide donor recognition and event promotion.
And then finally solicitation materials so we take the time to create something that looks pretty that can be utilized for sponsors and donor solicitation materials.
And so all three of those things are things that we worked with 940 Disc Golf, who became a partner just this year. It's a group of people who have a mission to provide competitive disc golf events for the 940, while giving 940 residents in need.
So they've chosen other areas that they help support, and they host different disc golf events, they promote disc golf, encouraging play here in the 940, and then they like to help design and update disc golf courses, and then they help fundraise.
And so it was a perfect partnership between the two of us.
And so I wanted to give you a little bit background about the benefits of disc golf. I think, you know, people drive pasta all the time without really thinking of the impact that it has.
It's still an estimated 33% increase in activity in 2020. It's not terribly surprising right with everybody being out, but as didn't continue to grow, adding more disc golf courses really does make sense.
It's one at North Lakes and it's been like that since I was in college a long time ago. So, with the sports popularity growing and didn't you meet culture. Our city would really benefit from a second disc golf course, if not, third, fourth, who knows what else it could come up with.
We've come up some great ideas. It brings in revenue.
I will say that a lot of disc golfers like to travel, and they like to go hit up different cities and we would love for it to be one of those cities that people come to.
It's accessible.
It's not, it doesn't cost a lot of money to start doing it.
It helps with your health, community engagement. Excuse me, there's networking out there right like you can keep social distance and still get some good exercise and it also provides additional green space that otherwise we may not have.
There's lots of studies that talk about the safety and aspect of having a disc golf course close to your home increases your ability to sell your house at a higher rate, but also it decreases negative behaviors.
So partnering to help make perks better. And again, the volunteers did the groundwork with nine for disc golf and we just help provide that this will sponsorship support, and together we were able to secure 18 disc golf sponsors.
And when I say we, I'm talking those volunteers went out and then got them, and it was the fastest drew is not joking. They came to me and they're like hey we want to get this done, and I'd say within two weeks they have them all confirmed.
If that, and, and so we are able to add 18 more holes, should this get approved with the second disc golf course which is currently under construction, it'll provide an opportunity to have both in introductory course but also something that experienced players would
really enjoy. I can say firsthand, people in my family play disc golf, and they travel to go to other places because they're like, it's just not hard enough.
And so, and this will really be able to give people who are just starting off an opportunity but also those who really want to challenge an opportunity.
And I'll add opportunities for more gifts disc golf tourism through tournament play and folks just coming up to see what else is available.
So here are the proposed sponsors, and there are 18 different sponsors we bring them to you because some of them are alcohol related, as well as one, which is the helping friendly, which is a hip company.
And so we provide those to you to review and see if you agree with this.
And what's included in this, so we offered for $650 each, covering the cost of signage baskets and installation.
Any additional money that is still available to nine for disc golf and their fund would be used to enhance the disc golf courses in the future, whether it be adding some tables or adding some benches or who knows what drew in those books will come up with.
But there were conditions that the sponsorship would be for a period of three years, and they'll receive the first right of refusal so next go around, they'll have an opportunity to re up, or give up their signage, and they agree to the terms that no city employee has directly or indirectly
solicited or accepted anything of value in return for being influenced in the performance of an official act, and then they are forthcoming and advise the city if the sponsorship is concurrent with any type of planning permit or procurement application.
In return, they did receive a logo recognition website recognition and social media recognition.
So here's the exact example of the signage so second hand sports on the left hand side is their logo that they wanted to be included in the middle you'll see the sign.
And in the bottom right hand corner is the area where they would receive their logo on said sign. And then on the right hand side in that gray area here.
That is the wraparound that goes around the basket. And so that is the second logo opportunity they have out there.
And then number provided some additional slides that in that include location, and the logo and sponsoring.
So you can see all of them and where they are.
Just to just add some additional information.
We have an 18 whole course out there now. They've been working with park maintenance staff to add a second course I think they're calling it a technical course.
Yes, if I'm wrong, Drew. Yes, that's correct. So, so these signs are replacing the existing signs, this actually came up.
Probably about six months ago with David at one of our park board meetings because there was some signs that needed updated so this is definitely one of the reasons we wanted to share it with park board to give you guys an update as well as to have the discussion
about the actual sponsors to make sure you guys were okay with that.
And then if you are, then we would move forward and send a communication to city council to let them know what is in the works as well.
But, you know, feel free if there's a specific hole that you wanted to talk about in regards to the sponsors or even locations or signage, and then I can jump back to the actual list, I think would probably be appropriate.
So, the initial concern was, you know, this is kind of advertising, you know, bars type of facilities, wanted to make sure that park board and council was okay with it before we moved further with with the sponsors and we allowed the foundation and 940 to move forward with
production and, and those stages.
But wanted to make sure you guys are okay have a discussion, as well as the the hemp related company.
The demographics of this golf course is probably 20 to 45, I would say, male dominated.
Our goal is to eventually get more females and youth out on the course.
So the shorter course the technical course will help provide that. And then drew I think they also are looking for some shorter T boxes as well.
Yes, so they're not, you know, if a 10 year old goes out there and they can't throw it as hard they're going to get frustrated.
Like a kid playing a professional golf course. So we want to try to provide opportunities where people can have success and enjoy what they're doing so they want to play, you know, longer than just once or twice.
So at this point in time we will turn it over to to the chair and the board itself to see if you had any questions or comments or concerns.
I have some comments and concerns.
How were the sponsors approached, was it just word of mouth, and it just happened so quickly. They were approached by the volunteers by nine for a disc golf so they have relationships with different places in town that they've gotten support from
previously and just not in capacity through a nonprofit status and just as a community group. And so that's how they had these relationships, you know, they just went out to their friends and folks that they knew that would support disc golf and ask them if they would like to do it and they
provided the information that we had and put together for them.
And they will remain for three years, did you say. Yes, ma'am. Okay. My concern is if we give a younger audience.
It's a lot of bars and alcohol promotions out there.
So that would be my concern.
Yeah, and I would I would say these are going to go on the more difficult field. And so there is potential for in there ready to do it to do more sponsorships for the other ones so that they can have new signs as well.
And I certainly would communicate that with them. Hey, this ideally will be a different audience. And so let's keep it a little more PG.
And I would like to see it reach further than their personal friends.
That way we are hitting some form of neutrality.
I understand that completely. I have a question as far as signage goes with alcohol or sales. Is there already some kind of document or ordinance or rule that states what is okay and not okay.
So we do have a sponsorship and donation policy that that is attached in your agenda and I'll go ahead and bring that up and I'll read off the section in regards to where how it addresses that.
Let's see. I don't know if you already had it up or not.
Somebody has any other questions that they could share those now I bring this up.
Are all of these didn't local businesses, local businesses and didn't. I know a few of them are.
Yes, ma'am.
Yeah, just a weird just out that the wiggly ball or dog park there in South Lakes.
Wasn't there one on. Isn't there a a disc off down there as well.
Yes.
There were some worlds besides North Lake Park we had this call, maybe I'm another town or something. Okay. Yes, this is the North Lakes is the only disc off course that we have.
Okay. All right. Well, my, my, my youngest son's gonna love this because he's a fanatic.
This go player so no carts right.
No, sir.
No, I'm incorrect. One of them is the massage therapist that is in flower.
Okay.
That's probably where I saw. Okay.
So, on the policy on page one, it states.
The following general principles shall apply for approvals only city staff authorized by this policy may accept donations and sponsorships.
City has no obligation to accept any donation or approve a sponsorship. All donations and sponsorship must be in the public's best interest, support the city's mission and reflect the city's public image in a positive manner.
All donations and sponsorship must be in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, city policies ordinance and resolutions. The city does not provide legal accounting tax, etc, in regards to financial benefits.
And then, all donations must be used for official city business and not for political activities, other city other personal business.
And then, under the section of definition of terms, which is section four.
It says conflict of interest exists when an individual organization or businesses reflect in a negative manner, which is contrary to the department's mission competes with an ongoing ongoing programs events and partnerships are negatively comprises compromises
the integrity of the city's public image.
Those would be the, the areas that probably would want to be considered when discussing this.
Mr ship Do you have a question. I do, and I apologize for my tardiness I had to have a daughter at tennis at DHS at 305 and I'm the only one around today.
So sorry for that and I'm sorry.
You are for a couple on potentially realistic with any kind of, you know, property purchases or we're doing.
David, do you mind restating that you use froze there for a second.
Sorry, can you hear me now.
Yes.
So, looking at the, the proposed sponsors.
There were a couple on there that that I didn't know what they were the Bingham Williams and associates, the Kelso properties, and I kind of assumed that those are somehow tied to real estate, I wanted to make sure that we don't have any conflict of anything
with properties or anything like that I think that's probably a given but I wanted to make sure.
No sir we do not.
And being them is actually an insurance company. Oh, thank you, and Kelso properties is like Reynolds for individuals.
I'm sorry, each of those are shown down below and I had missed that earlier.
Thank you very much.
And I'll add that the helping hand.
The club, the helping friendly, it's a foot hemp salt.
And so they are sponsors of FC didn't, and they didn't soccer club, and then they help provide, but solve for the players.
One additional comment there will be a course sign a map of the entire course. So people that are new to the facility they'll be able to see that so that'll be part of this program as well.
I make one more comment on that. Gary probably recognizes my, my comment that I'm making on this because this was actually brought to me by some of the frisbee golf players that this course signage is out of date, currently, and doesn't reflect
what's actually there and where the t boxes are and all of that so I actually had people that asked me specifically is this something that we can take on as parks board so I think hearing that there's going to be an accurate map is a really, really good thing
and I think it'll make a lot of people happy that are out there all the time. They said that they actually use third party apps on their phone, rather than what we have a signage because the third party apps are more accurate but unfortunately they have to pay something
like $20 for them so good stuff.
Actually, those apps are how we know that there's been a 33% increase.
Yeah. And to give a little background I know.
This is this punch brought up a statement a second ago about, you know, I guess with with the types of businesses that are sponsoring right now so we did, you know, Brooke Gary nine, and Nikki had a conversation about this.
We do see several and of course, you're going to see one soon for, you know, a celebration we have coming up whether it be, you know, Juneteenth Arts and Jazz.
We've had all the other festivals that come through here, you know we typically through every festival have some kind of waiver on the alcohol ordinance, and so, and with, with the population that typically plays disc golf like you know the 21 to 45.
And then also, you know, like what was brought up, you know, when and if, you know, hopefully we can say when the youth course is put in, obviously we will go after different sponsors.
And this was just a really good way to get our, you know, to get this started and get this kicked off to be able to go out and see this many sponsors come out for for for a cause that we have here in parks, so in a need.
And certainly the next round this punch, we will put it out there of hey we are looking for sponsors, making sure we're hitting all different geographic areas.
Greatly appreciated.
Are there any other questions or comments.
Okay, I had one just really quick question. So, um, you mentioned earlier that you're going to encourage more women and children to be involved I was just wondering how you plan on encouraging them.
Is there a plan yet or is it just kind of something that's been talked about.
So I'll say that nine for a disc golf they actually have made these disc golf shirts for women to go around wearing to encourage women to like know about the sport.
Drew sent me one and I tried to learn as often as possible. And, but also, again, going back to kind of they host tournaments and invite different age groups to be able to come out and provide some kind of on the spot training on how to play and what to do and we discussed in that group
and I mentioned other opportunities for them to even maybe have a class at, at the rec center around the corner and things along those lines so I think Nikki is working with them.
Yes, sticky sassiness partial recreation. I did have that actually to touch on in my update but I'll go ahead and spill it now we are working with the nine for a group to bring them on as contractors to be able to provide programs so we're looking at intro classes, not only
for adults and families, and then also uniquely partnering with the senior, having them work with the senior groups at the senior center to do a senior league. So whether that's putting or a modified league where we provide pop up baskets, and they'll help facilitate
the work so like a how to for seniors and then also a week. So we are looking to expand our program we're going to slowly venture into that but then expand as we gain more courses and and better baskets and and really work with them to expand programming.
Great.
Okay, well, if there are no other questions.
We can move on. This is an item for
feedback so if you could move forward with a vote, go ahead, go ahead Eddie I'm sorry. No sorry I cut you off.
We are voting on this one.
Oh, I'm sorry, I was read. Okay. So, are there any emotions to approve the signage for the disc golf course.
Mr. Eric, you're on your muted.
So move.
Any second.
All in favor, say aye.
Any opposed.
I've got bad connectivity I'm
frozen David, we cannot hear you.
But I think you said I.
Can you give us a thumbs up if you are good with I.
Except you're frozen and we can't see your thumbs.
Smiling.
We got your good side David. He, he did it. He did second he did say I and then he froze and then said he had bad connectivity so maybe he's coming back. So, if there is.
If you don't mind, I'm going to stay because I just got here I'm sorry I was late guys, but we had another covert death in the family today and work weird weird so I didn't hear the discussion.
I'm back on by the way and I was just saying if there was not a second I would second but I'm sure that's been made by now.
So, David, did you, do we, we recognize your second but did you say I in favor. Yes, I didn't, but I am now. Okay.
The eyes have it.
Okay, so now if you move on to item C PRB to one dash 039.
Receive a report hold a discussion and give staff input regarding the collaborative efforts to establish a connected paddling trail with surrounding communities and organizations around the list the lake.
We shared some, some information on this with our trails chapter of our parks recreation and trail system master plan over the past few months, but staff have have really stepped up, we have a handful of our team that have been working on this and organizing
this and really gathering all of the players that would be associated with this around the lake, both local city, federal and state entities and private groups, focus groups and, and whatnot, really get everybody together to put this project together.
And it was, you know, really an out shoot of coven with the amount of bikes and kayaks that have been purchased over the past year we wanted to provide more opportunities for discussion.
It isn't.
Okay.
I want to reshare this so you could, so you guys can see it.
You guys see that.
So I'm going to turn it over to Chris, but and Adam, and then also Monica so the three of them have really spearheaded this for our entire department in really organized all the cities and entities like we just just presented so I'll go ahead and turn it over
to Adam, and then go from there.
Thanks, Jerry. Good afternoon board members and thank you for your time today. We're excited to present to you all the Louisville Lake Paddling Trail collaboration project that we've been working on.
My name is Adam shorter and I'm also joined by colleagues Chris and Monica. We are here to discuss the plan to implement this vision moving forward. We will go through our presentation and will receive your questions and feedback at the end.
First a little history of the project, the Parks and Recreation Department has been working on the park trails master plan and realize they really didn't have anything for paddling trails in the mix and ultimately our goal is to provide connectivity
throughout our municipality. And this would include our paddling trails. So we came up with a vision of 100 mile paddling challenge around Louisville Lake, collaborating with other municipalities and organizations that have a presence around the rake as well.
From there we started brainstorming in the fall of 2020 we met with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the US Army Corps of Engineers to go over this plan and see if our mission and goals were attainable.
Both gave positive feedback and direction and said it would be great and you know they hope this comes to fruition.
From this point we started reaching out to other cities and organizations to see who would be interested in collaborating with us. And as you can see from this slide up right now this is who's agreed to help with this vision.
And our light front communities and organizations share the same passion and goals to serve our communities and ultimately provide opportunities to paddle deck and counting.
Go ahead and go to the next slide.
We've been meeting with these other cities and organizations since January to work towards our mission to create trail systems that interconnect around Louisville Lake, and that promotes safe recreational usage for paddlers and identify routes that connect to the
Elm Fork to Lake Ray Roberts through the Green Belt.
Our short term vision is for this collaboration is to work with our partnering municipalities and organizations to create opportunities for collaborative programming for our residents, as well as beginning the process of establishing and applying for state recognized
paddling trails through the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Most recently the Trinity River Elm Fork was recognized as a national paddling trail by the National Park Service.
Our long term goal is to extend this national trail to Lake Louisville through the Green Belt, up to Lake Ray Roberts. This process will take some time, and will be organized into phases.
A part of the first phase was identifying launch sites which Chris will kind of go over with you at this point.
Good afternoon everybody Chris Escoto Parks and Recreation. As you all see this is a map that we've identified with all the launch sites that surround Louisville Lake. All the blue dots that you see there are Denton, the green Hickory Creek, yellow Highland Village.
The red is Louisville and towards south of that you notice two dots in the bottom of the map that is the Trinity Elm Fork that just recently got nationally recognized.
The orange is the colony, purple is Little Elm, and that darker green kind of brownish color is property that the Army Corps of Engineers has given us permission to launch off of.
There are 38 sites that you see on here, however, by no means these will be it. All of these launch sites that you see on here are existing boat docks, either beach access or even grass access, or some that don't have access but they are accessible.
Which if you're familiar with any of the Denton sites, that's kind of what we have here. There is a community, Palin community, that does launch quite a bit off of the site that is located over at, I know at Escoteman's Bridge, but it's Old Alton, that's what I was trying to think of.
At the Old Alton Bridge. So that is the site that is currently established and we're looking to expand. Okay, you could go next slide. I'll touch on the Denton a little bit. So if you notice here we have six sites identified.
However, we have identified Cooper Creek that is just above dot six in close to dot number six is Pecan Creek that we have also gone on to take a look at with that we're currently trying to identify additional launch sites.
So this is all going to be a phased event, and we're looking to connect all these dots that you see around the lake to eventually get that hundred mile Palin challenge and create some programming that that Adam talked about.
Monica will kind of touch on a little bit of the collection but I'll just touch on it just a tiny bit we did create a PDF fillable form that does have standards that we currently already adopted that Texas Parks and Wildlife wants to to take a look at,
as well as cover the National Park Service. Once we get there. So dot number three Jason Denton dot number three and dot number four currently is closed, but we are with this partnership we are looking to collaborate more with Texas Parks and Wildlife
in the Army Corps of Engineers to get that opened. And I know Drew is in working on that.
Next slide.
And I'll turn this over to Monica.
Thank you. Good afternoon Monica Martin Parks and Recreation.
We are working with our cities now we've got our meeting coming up to us are on Wednesday and we're going to move into our next steps we've divided into some project teams in order to identify what work needs to happen between now and submission of our application
which we're hoping to do by December 1, each city has been tasked with identifying their own surveying their routes, looking at the routes and seeing what kind of connection points they could make from route to route, whether these trails are going to be linear trails,
circular trails, one way, or is it going to be something where paddler can go out circle back to park their car and come back to it their own.
We have confirmed the naming of collaboration project, and we're looking at establishing our trail system names.
We're designing the uniform signage that's going to be used in permanent locations around the lake.
We're developing comprehensive and collaborative safety and maintenance plans, distributing the workload and assigning focus groups again that part is actually started to take place in our last April meeting, and we're meeting as a first time collaboration
that's coming week. We're getting buy in from our city management boards and commissions and we're discussing the future barriers, CIP projects and other ideas in order to help get this project to fruition.
So I mentioned the teams we've got four different teams our first one is going to be our grant team they're establishing the budget that's needed for signs, they're finding grant opportunities and applying for some of those for the overall project.
We've got a safety team on board that's creating the safety plans that's required by Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as us Army Corps of Engineers. They're compiling the trail loop and linear plans.
They're creating the universal language for all the safety signage on the trails, and they're also going to be pulling a know before you go and for more information that we're going to be using on a future mobile app or on the website.
Our programming and marketing team are compiling the information for the website. They're collecting a lot of the data. They're identifying programming opportunities such as geocaching, prizes, shirts, cool competitions, as well as hopefully some opportunities to do late cleanups and environmental projects and they're creating the strategy for promotions.
Our survey team they're the ones that are hitting the ground running at this current moment they're physically monitoring the proposed routes on each route to identify the proper marker locations for the safety signage.
We also have directional signage that needs to go out, and then they're establishing power levels. So if I go out on the lake, is this going to be something that's going to require a little bit more experience, or is this trail something that's going to be better for entry level paddler.
We also have GIS map launch locations and emergency exit points to also establish these emergency identification locations are going to be used such as like mile markers on an interstate where a paddler can identify if they have an emergency if there's inclement weather if they get blown off course, or if they need to
identify what location that they had last seen, and that's going to help update EMS locations or anybody who's just patched out to their location to help get to that paddler faster.
Looking at our timeline again our end date our end target in order to submit our application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife is December 1.
Currently before this meeting we had our first group intros where we divided out the paddler or I'm sorry we divided out the project teams.
This week we're going to meet with each individual project team in order to address the waivers that I'm starting up with the.
Oh gosh the survey that Chris had put together and we had gotten approved from the US Army Corps of Engineers in Texas Parks and Wildlife. It's going to help us gather up all the information for each one of these sites.
We're going to have at least 30% of each one of the survey teams and project teams having completed their tasks.
By July we're going to have another check in point in order to see where they're at and if they need additional information from us or if they need additional help.
By August we're looking to see that 60% of these are all completed. Hopefully by September, we're going to have a kind of a final check in October 90% completion data should be back to us so that we are compiling everything into the application so that can be
submitted by December 1st.
At this point we'd like to open it up for any questions or comments from the board and just take your feedback.
Mr. Emmerich. Yeah, on the signage and that kind of standardizing on the signage. Is there a national group that's already done similar kinds of things that we could emulate or copy there, but they were already learned it works.
Yes, so one of our partners that we have the trinity coalition, where major parts components of getting that national trail, along with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, they have established a what they call a task force that is an ongoing task
force that meets quarterly that are trying to keep track of that there is standards of signage that the Army Corps of Engineers already has that we do have to meet. And that is one of our projects teams responsibilities is to collect the data,
and every municipality Denton itself has a style guide that they have to follow. I'm sure every other lakefront community has to follow a specific style guide as well. So we're collecting one standardized sign concept and that's kind of what we're
going to follow along and propose that to Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, but there is a national standard, and I kind of touched on earlier today that does have specific standards that we have to identify from a national
level, so that is something that we are considering as well.
This is a great idea. I mean this is really cool. I'll be honest with you. I mean, this, I don't know who came up with this idea but kudos. That's all I gotta say.
Mr ship.
Yeah, aside from signage and whatnot, I do have concerns just about long term maintenance, I used to do a lot of paddling between Ray Roberts and 380.
And there were always, you know, three or four points that you had to portage a couple, you know, 100 feet or so because of massive log jams, and they would, they would move from time to time depending on the floods that came through.
And does that put any responsibility on parks to to manage and keep those clear.
Okay, so with one of our project teams is identifying a maintenance plan. Every city municipality will be wherever the jurisdiction falls it will be responsible for their own maintenance.
We are getting assistance from US Army Corps of Engineers in regards to using a boat, sometimes to get on on the water out there, because we do not have a boat.
So that is something that we are getting their assistance, as far as a specific long term plan that is going to be a discussion with each municipality from a Denton aspect I'm not sure if Drew has anything to add to how we're going to maintenance
some of our sites but again it will be with with that collaboration and help from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
I don't like that to stay on parks as radar it's like I mean it was shocking how thick some of those log jams would get through there I don't have anybody else ever paddled down through there but it's, it collects a massive amount of timber.
So David we are working with the core and with Texas Parks and Wildlife for the Green Belt at the moment, it is in not very good shape at all.
They removed some of the log jams but in all reality they moved, they removed the log jam that affected their bridge.
Sustainability took a grant opportunity to counsel a few months ago to start a study on what it would take to then do or start a study.
The engineering work so we have to do a study to then do a full study, then tell us how much it's going to cost, and then how much it's going to be in how invasive it's going to be to remove is not only do we now need to remove the log jams we now need
to remove all the sandbars.
So, because those, those are now causing even more log jams. So, as of right now we're looking really just to paddle on the lake, and then eventually get ourselves up the creeks.
We, there's a large partnership for the Green Belt going on at the moment, and then, in all reality the furthest you're going to be able to paddle up a creek creek is old Alton bridge because then you have sewer line crossings that really stop you from continuing to go up so until
they remove all those crossings and put siphons in, you really won't be able to get any further than, then, just around the bend of old along.
Crawling out crawling back in and crawling out crawling back in so, and don't take my concerns as any negative light on this I think it's a great project and the Green Belt is a huge asset so if they could ever get that thing, you know functional again
it would be wonderful. I just don't want us to underestimate the level of effort on that.
Oh, it, it's a large level of effort and we have started so we're looking forward to that grant to start the first study to then begin all the rest of the studies and the work.
Yeah, I was just walking on the Trinity, what yesterday between the rains south of 380 it's, it's not pretty, you know, I was hoping the rain would watch some of those log jams away but it's blocked and it's going to be a big project.
But again I'm excited about this project I think it's great.
I would like to add that part of our survey team will be going out and analyzing some of those log jams so we will be keeping records of that and try to point those out for for record purposes and for us to clear them, eventually, hopefully.
Sure. Did you have a question. Yeah, just a follow up.
I know in the past that a lot of trails and things along the Coraline have, they get groups that that like maintain those trails so for example there's a well around, or partly around Lake Grapevine.
There's an equestrian trail. And so they have a local equestrian group that uses the trail.
And it's called Tetra Cross Timbers Trail Association, just to give you an example, and they maintain that trail. So I'm just wondering if there may be some other clubs groups.
That would be, step up the plate to, you know, help maintain these.
So there is one of our partners is the Greenbelt Alliance, they do have an equestrian trail group. We did speak with the president did mention that they're also going to be doing a paddling trail group as well.
That will help promote that the Trinity coalition is a one of our bigger partners they do have river cleanups, clear creek cleanups as well, that they can ask also assist.
We have spoken with internal staff, keep that in beautiful staff that did mention that they will also try to get out there and create some of those programs as well to get the rivers cleaned up or the creeks cleaned up as well.
The geocaching community is also very big in doing special events to go out and cash in, cash out.
Yeah, there's like a question, not just a question trail but a dirt bike trail, and it's Vals Off-Road Bicycle Association and they maintain that trail. So that's that's actually criteria that the Corps, if they haven't changed it since I last read their green documents, but is that you, you know, you have to have somebody to maintain the trail or, you know, or be able to be responsible for maintaining.
Before they approve it. That's one of their, their criteria for approving the drill. So, but that's the bad news. The good news is, it also keeps that once you get that approval, it locks then till Congress changes it.
And you know, do you have a question or comment. You might could also incorporate some of the master naturalist groups to adopt those creeks and cleanups and I know we do a lot of that up down in Lila along the river there and up in Clear Creek.
They might get involved with that too. That's a great idea, James. It's a good idea.
Are there any other questions or comments about the paddling trails.
I think we're good. Staff has anything else to add.
I don't think so. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, well then let's move on to item D PRB to one dash 040 receive a report and hold discussion regarding the North Lakes dog park sculpture.
Can you see my screen.
John Whitmore is going to talk about this but just want a quick introduction. I know Parkport had asked about bringing dog park.
It's showing us like your file section but not the actual.
Okay.
In the past report has asked to bring back items that we've taken and approved the public art committee for sculptures, especially since they're located in our city parks and right away.
So this is the first one that we're working through that process and wanted to share this with you in kind of a status update.
So with that I'll turn it over to john.
Okay, great. Can you advance the screen there this again in the North Lakes dog park.
And so the sculpture, the current budget for the public art committee was about $35,000 and there was a subcommittee that was assigned to it.
And they are looking at the next step after talking with everybody here is to take this to council I believe that's on the 18th of this month.
Or tomorrow. Tomorrow. Yep. Tomorrow. And so that's basically where we're currently at. They essentially went through about four proposals that we've received some of them were really good and some of them.
That just were not up to that particular thing, but they were looking for something that would really catch the scene that was there they said they took all the artists, and they walked them over there and they watched the people play.
And one common thing was happening over at the dog park and that most of the owners were playing fetch with all the dogs. And so that's basically what he came up with for 23 design company proposal.
Advance the slide Gary. So currently the overview of the park you can see on the left side of the screen and where that red triangle is, is where this pedestal is that you see on the right side there.
And on that pedestal you see three different black discs are actually lights that will illuminate upwards into the art piece, and the art pieces. Next slide.
And so it is multi colored just like that. It's about 16 feet from the top of the pedestal to the top of that one piece at the very top there that is holding like the ball that it's all made out of aircraft aluminum that's all welded together,
and then it's powder coated colors now the public art committee wanted to adjust a few of the colors that you're seeing here so what you're actually seeing right now is not necessarily the final color palette that will be there.
But you get the idea of the perspective of what will be sitting on top of that pedestal. And that light will be shining up through. I know one of the questions that the public art committee had was, what about that loop being type of thing showing the motion or the
shape of the ball. Is that going to get broken easily. And basically they said that that's about one inch thick stainless steel that they are being able to mold in that that becomes part of the structure that is built on the rest of it.
I just also talked about it, have being very easy to maintain, and that we have about a 20 year lifespan or so of all the materials there at least the coatings wouldn't have to be changed during that time.
It's aircraft aluminum it doesn't absorb much heat people can touch it without any particular problem. It's fairly thin in that way for it.
So here's just a few extra views so three different views and then a close up view. And so you just see some different angles on it, it's got a lot of motion, a lot of energy.
And the idea behind what the public art committee wanted was something a little bit more interaction of dog and human, but also whimsical in a way, and having stacked up dogs I guess is a fairly whimsical idea.
And on the far right side you see one dog standing on another, and actually the artist said that that blue dog there is his dog. He actually modeled his dog and put that there.
So I thought it was a cute idea to do. It's good teamwork to it sure is they're all going up there. It's like the old dog pile thing.
Thanks. And so again those that's powder coated aluminum stainless steel assembly attachments and structures, the modular easy to maintain 25 year life pan, at least, they said, before having to recode for it.
And do we have any questions.
We have no but I like it. Yeah, nice.
Really nice.
John what's the expected completion.
Should have that completed by September, August is what we're shooting for, because it's fairly late but we have to get the council's approval and then they need to fabricate and do those things get get some things ordered but I believe most of the things that are fairly readily
available for them to work on, and it is a Denton company.
We have a number of sculptures that are anticipated to be completed by the end of the summer which is obviously fetch Vela is under fabrication. That'll be done probably in June or July I think was a timeline there.
So the WF monument at industrial is scheduled for August, and then the bench people at MLK Junior Recreation Center is scheduled for September so we have a bunch of art projects are going to be coming out, you know, pretty much one after another.
Later this summer so it's exciting to see those. It took a long time to get them into production and it's exciting to see them starting to come out of production.
We have some additional pieces to you in the future for for discussion as well so we have some other pieces of art that are going to be coming your way soon.
Mr chef did you have something.
Oh, I did but in the interest of time I'll hold it.
Miss punch. Yes, I just want to thank the park staff for keeping us in the loop greatly appreciate it.
Thank you. I have just a really quick question.
You are talking about, there's a 25 year lifespan on the coding.
When that starts to break down.
Who will be charged with keeping it. Nice looking.
Go ahead, public art committee actually has fun set aside each year for maintenance of all the different art pieces. And this is not something that's just all of a sudden going to fade away in one day we're going to see that happen and be able to plan for it.
So if some years we need to have a little bit more attention to give certain art pieces, we can do that.
And a little bit with that like john said that so we did receive money for for the maintenance, and we're also we've also put on anti graffiti coatings on our murals.
And we've also done that with several of our buildings so it really saves us and a maintenance into where we don't have to sandblast. If any of our buildings get vandalized any kind of way.
And I've also been playing around with different types of car, I guess graphite coatings on some of our art pieces to see which ones would last the longest.
Obviously, our art piece isn't moving at 70 miles an hour so we don't have, we don't have all the, you know the the wind and all the other things that happen with your vehicle.
But obviously it's in the weather and it's in the sun all day. So, we're looking into those especially with the technology on all those coatings on how we can extend that life, even beyond 25 years, so
Any other questions or comments.
Okay, well, then we will move on the next
Item E PRB 21-041 receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the landscape maintenance agreement for the purpose of providing all required maintenance of certain landscape and advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the
Green Ribbon Enhancements to FM 2499 from FM 2181 to Interstate Highway 35E.
Okay, can you guys see that.
So, good afternoon again, Drew Huffman.
This is for the green ribbon grant that we received for 2499 like Alana said, and so we are getting $773,000 for the construction of the landscaping for 2499 an additional $38,000 for the management of that of that green ribbon.
This is a little different than the university, the 380 green ribbon we received about two years ago, and the difference is the 380 green ribbon text thought oversaw or they're overseeing everything so they're almost finished with that green ribbon program.
Excuse me this green ribbon program we will receive, or excuse me, we will oversee this entire thing so we will let the you know we will bid the project out, we will hire the contractor, and then we will oversee all the construction that has to do with that landscaping
for 2499 that that extra $38,000 is in there for the management. So it's for the beautification of 24 not FM 2499 for the traffic medians, and if you've driven 2499 it's pretty bare, once you get into didn't.
It's kind of pretty when you get in, you know when you leave didn't into Corinth and highland village with their trees and their landscaping they've already received their green ribbon and so now we're receiving ours to really continue that beautification along 2499.
So, it. So, today we have the advanced funding agreement. So what that is is we provide dollars to every month to meet that construction would however much that's build every month.
We then send that to text out and they reimburse us and so we just, we just front the money in the beginning, and then they reimburse us every month until the construction is completed.
Then we have the landscape maintenance agreement, which we already maintain 2499 with a similar landscape agreement for the mowing aspects that take take place along 2499 at the moment.
This will take this will oversee that landscape agreement, now that will have trees and and proper landscaping on those meetings.
This is a breakdown of the cost
on everything that's going to go on with that project.
So and then here's a rendering of what the landscape medians will look like with our with a flowering trees and ornamental trees, and then with our canopy trees. So, and we'll open it up to any questions.
Mr. Yeah, sir, stay. I don't want to standard practice or not so I'm asking you, Drew, how do you get water out to the mediums do you do that all the time.
Yes, sir, we want, we do have irrigation on all of our medians that we maintain, and what we do, and what we, and it just depends on the median, honestly, and how much really it has to do with how much traffic there, how wide the median is on how long we irrigate those trees.
So our typical standard is will irrigate the tree to X amount of water, depending on the tree and depending on obviously how much rainfall we get because we're not irrigating when it's raining.
But just depending on what our weather patterns are will irrigate it up to three years, and then during that three years, you know you're one, it'll get 100% year two it's getting 75 to 50% year three it's getting 25 to 50% of what we started with.
Until that tree can survive on its own without irrigation, but really to get those trees started. We, it needs irrigation and so that will be tapped in, and this project involves the boring, and the water taps so they're paying for all that also.
Okay, so there is water pipe to the medium. Yes, and it's it's it's no we're not irrigating the turf in any kind of way will only drip line, the trees and the landscaping.
James just to follow up on that. If you drive the new portion of Fort Worth drive, you'll see some PVC some great PVC sticking out of the ends or beginnings of the medians. That's the PVC that will run irrigation through at the point in time
when it comes to we put trees in that median as well. So that was put in ahead of time during the construction, where this is being put in after the fact so we've sometimes if we can plan ahead and have the money we can go ahead and invest that ahead of time so it's
not going to go as opposed to boring, which is a little bit more expensive. We weren't here when 2499 started construction and as soon as we heard for drive was was about to kick off we immediately went to textile it and, you know, wave waved our hand and said, you know,
can you please do this and they agreed so.
Red white and blue flowers okay doesn't match the dead and flag okay. We'll find native flowers for that but yes, yeah.
Mr. Dooley.
You are muted.
All right, thank you.
We're looking natives, so, right. Yes, yes sir.
And then the trees are the trees that were already approved with our urban forestry plan. So, before you're doing a great you're doing a great job on that looks great out there.
We haven't done anything in Fort Worth drive so far. That it's not our project, but we'll take on what you're supposed to say yeah thank you.
The grass looks pretty good if they'll stop driving in it.
Well, I would like to add that Windsor looks amazing. The media in there, and I'm like I drive down it twice a day for it to pick up my kids from school and there's always all kinds of butterflies and insects. Great.
Thank you.
Anybody else.
All right, well let's keep moving on we might actually get we need to go for that one, Eddie.
I'm sorry.
Oh, okay.
I just want to make sure I didn't know with the AFA and the LMA.
Okay.
It looks like we are now on item F, receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the parks recreation and beautification advisory board annual 2021 meeting schedule.
We don't we do not have a PowerPoint here but Eddie presented this to you a few months ago, and wanted to bring it up to you again.
As of last week City Council has directed to go back to in person meeting starting in June.
So we wanted to have a discussion with the board in regards to days and times in regards to when you'd like to meet.
In the past it was the first Monday of the month at six o'clock. If you'd like to resume that same time that's fine we can go ahead and move forward with that or if the board is a group wanted to discuss a different day of the week and time that's fine as well.
We wanted to leave that up to the board to make that decision.
But this is what was approved.
A few months ago.
So I'll turn it over to the board for discussion.
Mr. Chuck, I just want to say that I, what I'm firmly comfortable with the plan that we set before unless somebody has reasons to overturn it, I think that worked really well for us previously, and I'm really happy to go back to not during working hours.
Can I add to that Gary? Sure can. And we will be, staff will definitely be following CDC guidelines as well. So that's something that we will take into consideration. So I know most of you will be coming in there may have concerns so I will definitely make sure that we set up the room that is appropriate to CDC guidelines you know at least a couple feet apart, you know as well.
And if you do have some concerns and you'd like to talk to us, you know, one at a time, individually, you can either reach out to Ms. Taylor, or you can give me a call or even Eddie, and we can make sure that we're providing accommodations for everybody.
There, there is an opportunity if if there is some hesitation to come back that we can put you on zoom.
If that's an option we could definitely work through those logistics, but we can also put them in a larger room, whether it's the Civic Center or if we want to go to one of the rec centers, we certainly could do that so we have a little more space to spread out.
I just wanted to be clear so you're saying first Monday of the month at 6pm.
That's correct. And then, would there still be food served like before and then would it be more individualized instead of, you know, community sharing like we've.
Yeah, in the meantime we could have pre packaged individual meals you're like box lunch or box box lunch type of meals sandwiches, until we kind of get post coven, and things kind of open up a little bit more.
We certainly could do that.
And, and what I'm sorry when would we, in theory, move back to this I mean obviously the first Monday of June is only what three weeks away, are we going to have a meeting again in three weeks are we going to wait until the July.
So that that is something that the board can discuss if we want to make that adjustment and skip that meeting in June because it's fairly close and go to July, we did push the July meeting, a week because of the July fourth holiday weekend.
So, that would be our next scheduled meeting would be the second week of July.
Mr. Yeah, well, how much do we have on the schedule I mean, you know, we got, we've got a little backlog there we caught up with your head behind, where we at.
Great.
Great question. We have, we always have a number of items to bring a share with you.
We, I'm sure we could.
We have a number of agenda items and drew Did you want to add something.
Yes, I mean, so the, I guess, to give me.
We're going to skip June and go to July so no that that was just an option. If they wanted to, we do have approval for the bowling green and village or male master master plans.
Those are going to the persons with disabilities committee this week, and then it will come back to you at the next meeting so that would be on the agenda for June, if you decided you wanted to have that meeting.
And then we're trying to get City Council in the near future for Southwest Park. And then once we get that feedback, we'll get that any changes updated, and then bring it back to you so that could be as early as June, it may not be till July.
And we have a number of other initiatives in the, in the hopper as well that are always. And we have industrial street part back on the agenda.
So, we didn't go away, it just kind of went on pause for a while it's right. So, we have it on the agenda for June 8 for Council approval.
And then so if we have it on the seventh, then that would work great for you. Public meeting on that soon too right yes this week Thursday.
Okay. So, Mrs. Miss punch did you have a question or comment.
I, I think it's important that we continue and not skip the June meeting. I, if we need to vote on that.
I'm okay.
Make an emotion for that.
You don't need to go for it because it's already in the calendar.
I guess my question for everyone is, it doesn't sound like we want to skip June but do we want to do June online, like we've been doing, or do we want to do physically in person in June.
Well, Council Council is asking specifically that we go back to in person because if it is, if it is online it has to be during the day, and it has to be televised.
So is everybody good meeting in person at our next meeting in June, June 7 I believe.
And again if you have any concerns please let us know we'll make accommodations.
On this agenda item but I know that might have been one or two of you have mentioned about Ken boring as well we do want to do a formal, you know, invite back you know to say a farewell so we do have that in the works.
So if you're listening to this, we will be providing you to come back as well to say, you know, to thank you for your service so and it might not happen June just let you might be happening in July or August.
Thank you Eddie because I was going to, I was going to bring that up at the end of the meeting.
So does anybody have any thing to ask, Mr. Emrick.
I'll see make sure I'm not meeting here.
One of the things I'm getting a lot of input from people talking to parks, trying to get around to all the, you know, all the parts that I'm not there yet but, you know, and talk to people at the parks and you know.
Anyway, but one of the things I clearly hear a lot is the need for covering.
You know some kind of shading of the playground equipment because it gets really hot.
And I heard that from a lot of parents, but.
So I'm just, I know it's expensive to put tart things over but I just kind of want to let us, that's what I'm hearing from people and ask them what what could we do you know what the, what kind of things do you think, you know, just kind of get their feedback.
Thank you. And let's let's keep to this discussion item for now and then we can bring up new business at the end. Okay, I thought it was, I'm sorry, I apologize.
Mr. Schuck did you have.
Okay, anybody.
Okay, then it sounds like we are all good to go.
In person, June 7 at 6pm.
I'm assuming at the Civic Center.
Yes, ma'am. Okay, thank you.
Our next item G is to receive a report and hold a discussion regarding these your service programs events facilities and divisional updates.
Good evening board members, Nikki Sasson parks and recreation.
Can you see the presentation.
Let me get reload it one more time.
So while Gary's getting that up. I did ask if we can start including a recreation services report update just to make you guys aware of what we have going on program rise and what staff is working really hard.
So this one to provide our community so this one covers the last April what we've been doing and then going into summer.
We have reopened centers and we're expanding hours at the centers that were previously open. So DNA, the senior center and the Civic Center have opened now.
And then North Lakes and MLK have expanded their hours those are previously open.
All of our programs and facilities are following coven safety protocols, including class size reduction social distancing temperature screenings and that is actually up for discussion right now with the new CDC recommendations so we're looking at that.
And coming up with some recommendations.
Pavilion and facility rentals have resumed and then also we're continuing to monitor, so we can add back additional programming as ours allow or as conditions allow.
I did want to point out sorry in the last one to you so I agree. Sorry, for, for programming for our summer camps there actually for our all day camps we do have waitlist, our other half day camps and specialty camps do you still have room so those are
opportunities that we're providing for the youth as well during the summer.
In athletics we are continuing our youth and adult sports we have volleyball, adult and youth volleyball, and we have soccer, we are having a challenge right now with finding facility space for summer sports.
Typically we use UNT but because of coven they're not allowing outside entities into their facilities. We did reach out to you to see if we could use their facilities but they're under the same restrictions right now.
We have used McMath middle school gyms in the past. However, McMath is undergoing some renovation so we're really struggling to try to find some creative solutions to be able to still hold and and have our programs.
We did partner with. We did reach back out to the ISD and they were able to find Calhoun middle school for us to use will be using that facility to offer some of our programs.
I did want to point out we did start a cornhole league. This last month, and we had a pretty good turnout they play at the Plaza at quicker town park and that's our official mascot right now, someone brought their dog.
It looks like the same dog from the sculpture to it might be a local artist so maybe.
And then we are as we mentioned before in the disc golf we are partnering with that 940 to develop some disc golf programs and I'm very excited about the senior golf or senior disc golf opportunity so we'll make sure to share that information as that progresses.
Community events are continuing as well we have our honey run which is going on now that is a virtual program this year, just because of the pandemic.
It is free registration and when you sign up you receive the t shirt, and it gives you options for virtual runs. And then there is some educational components that go along with that that you can find on their social media pages.
We did have our movies in the park return this spring, they took place the last two days on the seventh and 14th.
Our participation there is a little low it's starting to gain I think as people realize that we're back and we're offering programs that that will continue to grow as well.
Aquatics so when people think of summer they think of aquatics, the natatorium expanded programming hours May 1, the spray ground reopened this last weekend and then we said Waterworks Park will open this weekend on the 22nd.
You can see this is one of our pool managers they're blazed with the first waves of the season once the wave pool was turned back on.
We are having some staffing challenges with finding enough staff to make sure that our facilities are made our are operated.
We are, we have been working with HR and some and marketing to create campaigns to find new employees, we've kind of started in a in a behind the eight ball a little bit so to speak because last year facilities were closed.
So while we typically rely on about 40 to 60% returners for our staffing we've had to start from zero. So that really put us in a little bit of a hole to dig out of.
We have been able to find about 70 75 lifeguards, which will allow us to comfortably be able to open all three facilities we've had to reduce some hours so instead of the 10 to seven it will be new to six at all the facilities and we've had to scale back on a little bit
of our programming, but we made that decision because we felt that it would provide the public with the most swim public swim opportunities so that's what we're really focusing on and trying to provide.
And then summer programming and events, things coming up and looking forward to again all day and specialty camps. We have our new before and after camp care.
So, in the past where you've had half day camps, there may have been challenges getting people to register people may not have registered because they did not have transportation for their kids.
During the half day so we actually providing that you can drop your child off at the civic center will take them to the camp, and then you can pick them up from there or similarly you can drop them off at the camp and then we'll pick them up after the half day camp bring
them back to the civic center and you can pick them up from there.
We also have a new camp this year out at Clear Creek. So that will be our first time hosting that we're looking forward to the different opportunities that that provides not having Clear Creek within our, our department.
We have a family camp out coming up this will be our first time it'll be out Southwest, Southwest Park will have about 20 families out there you can register now registrations open now.
We will providing different activities will have s'mores will have dinner out there we're going to provide breakfast and different camp like activities for people to participate in our dive in movies will return to a lot of works park.
And then we are looking forward to hosting our Jubilee again, I don't be on July 3, we'll have the Liberty run the parade, and then the Jubilee in Quaker town park.
And then lastly, I'll let you in on a secret we are having a July 4 event at the waterworks park. So the Kiwanis club who typically has their fireworks show out at UNT, they're in the same boat they were not allowed to use UNT stadium, so they are moving their
boat over to the, the ISD stadium own stadium, next to the waterpark so we are working on putting a special event together, so that we can take advantage of the fireworks show being there.
We may know somebody that could get you into the VIP event.
Some additional division updates and things we're working on our summer play guide which shows all the ways that you can get involved or your family can get involved during the summer is out and is available on our website.
We are celebrating bike month right now, and you can follow along on our, on our Facebook page and social media pages for some different activities for partnering the North Texas cog for that.
The make music day will be celebrated in June on the 21st. As part of that day we'll have some performances at the new nook next to the library, the senior band and then are the senior choir is playing and also we're having the MLK preschool
play out to play some instruments. And then also that they will have the nook dedication so that dedication was delayed because of coded, but we will be dedicating the nook on the 21st as well we're working with the Rotary to come up with a program for that
we'll make sure you all receive an invitation.
And then similarly, we're working on the foundations or a history mural dedication, and that should be happening in June as well.
And then one. Sorry, go ahead. I was gonna say that's going to be on June 17 at five o'clock I think it is, we'll get you an invite for that as well that's going to kick off the Juneteenth weekend.
And then just wanted to make you aware of some staffing changes. We did have john moved over into parks planning so that left a vacancy in our aquatics program area manager we just made an offer to someone who's in house and she is accepted so we'll be
making that change here shortly. It's kind of a domino effect that will leave an opening in her position so we'll have to fill that as well.
And then we've hired a new coordinator in the athletic side so we're excited to welcome her on board and get her up to speed so she can help in providing our programs.
So, I'll be doing these monthly and I'll add in some more metrics so you can kind of see where we're at programming wise and number wise. And if you have any specific information you'd like to see I'm happy I'm open to taking that as well and being able to provide that to the board.
Thank you. Does anybody have any questions or comments.
Just a big thank you. I really like it. The really nice edition.
Yeah.
I just have a quick question. I always have a quick question.
So, I had signed my children up for swim lessons at the civic center pool and then I got a message a few weeks later that they had been canceled. Is that because of those reduced hours.
Okay, yes. So, and actually we had put out all that information before we had, we like to try and get our program information out as soon as possible so that we give people enough time to register.
And then because of the staffing issues we've had, we've had to change our programming up so there are lessons still being offered at the natatorium.
Unfortunately, they are filling up really quickly. That's a good problem and a bad problem we want people in swim lessons, but we do have the option, as we are able to add on more staff we can expand our programming.
So we're not capping it we hit 70 and say okay we're not taking any more staff. If we still have certification classes going on each weekend. And so as we're able to maybe pull some staff from that we can expand some programming.
Yeah, I just want to say that, um, I think the water kitchen kitchen swimming kids, young people, I would swim especially kids is a great service I I'll give you example my previous town.
They had, you know, they were trying to get a town swimming pool. And so everybody says well everybody has a swimming pool in the backyard well most of them are bathtubs you know it's very, they're not really swimming pools are more waiting pools, as opposed to swim swimming
pools but we found out with the Boy Scouts, when he went to run their thing about 30% of kids couldn't swim. And then after he did the program, it was down to less than 5% so I can't emphasize how important that is, but thank you.
Thanks.
Alana just a full disclosure as soon as we realized we're gonna have to cut back the hours I, I thought of you and I was like oh no, she's not gonna be happy she wants more hours in the evening.
How can we figure that out so we did try to figure that out as best we could. So we do have some special events that that I think will be accommodating for that.
Yeah, I wasn't gonna say anything this time.
We did try, we did try really hard to be a few days where we can extend hours into the evening because that did come up with, you know, shade working parents, but it doesn't matter if you reduce the hours on one day and extend the hours on the other day
it's not the number of hours it's the number of shifts and seats we still have to fill with staff, so you're still pulling from the same 7070 kids to try to staff all day and it takes about 56 to do one shift.
So, if you count into some, some staff may leave some staff may go on vacation some staff are sick. It really doesn't allow us to be able to to do that. So, unfortunately, that's what we settle on we tried to do the most good for the most amount of people,
and we decided to provide as much public swim as we could.
Just quick summary. The, the largest population in Denton that it's that is receiving unemployment is that the 16 to 26 or 16 to 29 age group. So that's a challenge.
And then what we will have found out is those entities that had their pools open last year, aren't having as much of a problem as the ones that did not.
So the you know, the fact that we lost that foundation of our staff to start every year is a big deal.
And so you're adding all these things on plus some, you know, some parents may know what their kids go back to to working right now so there's a number of challenges kind of hitting all at the same time.
So, that's that's part of the challenge that we're facing and it's not just us are we're even having a hard time with full time positions as well.
We're doing everything we can to avoid putting Gary in a swimsuit out there.
That's our marketing plan for the year.
That's the smartest marketing plan, but it'll work.
It would be much better if it was virtual Gary than real Gary can assure you that.
Speedo baby speedo.
Well if there is, I think, I think now is a good segue to the next item.
Item H PRB to one dash 043 receiver report and hold a discussion regarding the Denton Parks Foundation event fundraising and grant opportunities, opportunity updates.
All right, so didn't parks foundation we hosted the hop to it, and we're kind of addressing stuff from April, and they so hop to it. We didn't raise as much money as maybe we had hoped.
But it was kind of the change in coven, honestly, and last year, everybody was home and so it was really easy to have an Easter bunny stop by. And this year, people were not necessarily at home and so we did it with a twist and partner with bearded monk and
threw up some fun bags with beer and goodies and went more adult style. And so, again, we didn't raise a lot of money but we gained new donors and additional dollars to help make parks better.
We, we are a covered the nine for a disc off but will continue to work with those folks to continue to fundraise for more signage and more additions to that course. And we also submitted a grant on April 14 to AARP, the American Association of retired persons
community challenge grant. And it was a music park music playground to be able to add to Quaker town, we should hear next month so in a couple weeks we'll hear if we received those funds or not.
And, and just on that note we're constantly looking at other grants to be able to help fund different park projects. And right now we're looking at Bank of America.
Finally, we are currently doing every day in May. It's a fun challenge. I don't know if anybody else is doing I see George doing it, and I'm loving all of his photos.
And in fact I think he's hit up almost every single park so I might need to give him a trophy or something. But yeah, see if you can do it even if it's just for a week see if you can hit up a park every single day, it does become a challenge when it's rainy, or you've
had a long day.
Make it out there. It's fun. It's a good time. And then they fit, we got a generous donation of $10,000 to build two new batting cages at DNA Park. Thanks to the timber family foundation will continue to be working with them on yearly gifts, and as
well as ongoing donations. So that's why I've got for you now. We've got lots of things brewing that we look forward sharing with you in the future.
Okay, so far.
Brooke, you can go ahead and share the idea of, yeah, go ahead and.
Fabulous. So, um, yeah we hear this a lot of how come you don't have a park. We don't have parks like Frisco or Flower Mound or Allen or Plano and I say, because we don't have 4B taxes.
We don't have ongoing revenue that helps support parks right. And so, staff was trying to find different ways to do it. And unfortunately, we can't add a tax to our beers, because that's what the state, but that would be a great way to make some revenue in our community.
So rather we decided again to kind of twist it a little, and we've reached out to Denton County Brewing Company to see if they would be open to making a specialized brew and like a brew base for parks, and where a portion of the proceeds would benefit
parks foundation and therefore you all depart. It stemmed from a really cool thing that Nikki found in British Columbia where they made like a little six pack and you could buy it and part of the proceeds benefited parks and in their foundation.
So, so we reached out to Fit and Kenny Brewing Company, they're all on board they're super excited. And it would include having something on tap there, but also they can do canning as well canning it's less dollars in, but it's good promotional aspect to it so it's going to be a balance if we're able to move forward with this
and stemming from that idea or lots of other fundraisers and ability to expand who can have access to that beer so other places like Oak Street draft house will be able to purchase that beer from didn't county brewing company.
And then therefore sell it and we can talk to john and see if we can get $1 for every, you know, one of those beer sold. So it could be ongoing revenue source and staff estimates that we could raise $25,000 plus a year.
And this could also include a park crawl, where you go to all the different beers that have bars that have our beer in stock and then you can try different flavors of that said beer.
And we can also do things that are like right now wildflower beer, and then maybe this fall it's a cranberry beer. And again, it would highlight a different park in our community, and the funds would be going directly to parks to help make them better.
Am I missing something Oh, in addition to like help being raised funds I think what's really cool about this is that the dollar stay within didn't in or help thing, you know, our local businesses and parks, and then secondary to that.
I'm really excited about this idea I don't know if you can tell, but secondary to it is the potential for us to utilize the didn't be community and use their honey in our beer, and to have a spot where and Drew is able to get some land and grow wheat
that wheat used in that beer. So it's really like full circle here. And then there's the countries that we have access to, we could be using the cons to make a certain kind of beer, and again just supporting local people and their families and the farmers
here, and really make it something special to them.
We could also make, you know, maybe for 500 pecan pie so if anybody's interested in making 500 pies that might be an opportunity as well.
Did cross my mind, I'm not gonna lie I love making pie.
But yeah so Drew came up with some of those other ideas and if I was a really cool way to really say, hey, this is from Denton, you know this is really from the wheat to the honey to the cons, whatever it would be.
Be a neat story.
Yeah. So we did approval. Yep. So we shared that we shared that with city council and a Friday report I haven't heard anything back yet but we also wanted to share with you to see what thoughts and ideas you had on that item.
If you were like a thumbs up keep moving forward and see how it goes.
I love it. And in addition, Drew, we can use some of the goat milk from the goat that we're using. We need that needs to be on the next is the next topic for you to bring that up so we can, we can do that again.
I'm just waiting on that cheese out of the goat milk to go with the beer or lamb chops one of the other.
I think it's a great idea. I mean not that I would have any of the beer but I do know some people you know that would like, yeah, we would be all over that that's a great, great idea. Yes.
And a lot of this came out of, you know, we meet with tons of different groups between the master naturalist you know the Green Belt Alliance that didn't be keepers and, you know, baseball groups, you know, that I was with the downtown downtown Main Street Association this morning.
We looked at potentially putting bees out at Clear Creek, but meeting with a master naturalist exotic bees and native bees don't go well together so an exotic bees work really well in a farming environment where native bees don't.
So, why not grow wheat, which is a farming commodity and have the bees there that help with that production, and then with the, with the properties that we have and different things you can't forget about pumpkin spice for November we can't grow cranberries
in Texas but we can grow pumpkins.
What about barley. Does anyone grow barley around here is barley really grows the best and like I've been told in, like, Washington State and Oregon.
But I wouldn't be proposed, you know, opposed to trying it. I mean we can try it just about anything. You got to feel right.
We did learn, we did learn in County, and was actually like one of the major wheat producers for the nation.
Yeah, a while back, clearly, but yeah, it has a lot of potential and the timeline, we're working on a calendar right now of marketing and we'll be meeting with Nikki and then through tomorrow, and we'll have a better idea of the timeline but hopefully, our expectation
for August, early September, which would be great because we could promote it at Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Denton Arts and Jazz Festival and do include it in a boo bucket.
When it comes to October.
Well if you need any taste testers and day of the dead.
We will have a day of the dead coffin, by the way Denton Parks Foundation well so that'll be fun too.
So we're trying to think out. I'm sorry, go ahead. No, no, go ahead. I was just saying we're trying to think outside the box and do things that are a little different.
Obviously, it's it takes a lot of creativity to come up with some of these things and work through the challenges, but pretty exciting about a couple of the ideas we've been working on so looking forward to those kind of getting out on the street
and come into fruition.
Yeah.
Thank you. Yes, sir. Can you expand on what you mentioned that a photo challenge that about the parks. I'm not familiar with that. Can you every day in May.
Oh, the everyday challenge. Yes. So, um, it's just a challenge that we came up with that is just a fun way to encourage folks to get out to your parks, every single day me.
It also really highlights the difficulty for some people if you don't live within a 10 minute walk. And it really highlights the importance of it for all communities. It's also a really good way to get out and check out a different part that maybe isn't in your
neighborhood and compare see how others, you know, what their places are like compared to yours. Can I get for information on your website for that.
It's actually probably going to be on our Facebook.
Yeah. Okay, I'll check it out. Sorry I didn't move slower down but I was. Oh no you're good.
Does anybody have any questions, comments for Brooke.
Okay, well then, I'm impressed. We are finished with our agenda items. Oh, it's fair.
So, are we going to talk about items for next meet the next bring that up.
It's okay.
So, um, are there any further comments or questions for upcoming meetings.
Let's touch.
Well, I had to, and one has already been addressed, acknowledging kit boring, and then wanted to follow up to see if the park parks board members are going to be incorporated in the website, some type of an
agenda list we had talked about that before, and putting it on the website. Are we still able to do that. Yes, we can.
The city is working on a new websites, I think it's supposed to be finalized me closer towards the end of the year, but we can get something up in the meantime.
Absolutely.
Thank you.
Yeah, mine is not actually for an agenda item in the future but I just wanted to make parks board aware that I have what might be considered a potential conflict of interest on one of our items and that's villages of Carmel.
I didn't realize until we had our meeting with them that one of the people that's on staff with that engineering firm is actually one of my personal training clients.
And so, as that stuff comes forward. I probably am going to abstain from voting on that item, and I just thought it might be, it might make sense for me to make sure that you guys were aware that I had a relationship just as a personal trainer client to one of
the people on their staff. So, I don't think there's a legal concern there but I think just ethically I want to make sure you guys were aware of that.
Great, thank you.
And then I have one thing, Eddie, I'll put him on the spot Eddie has been working with a number of us to gather data. We're trying to elevate our data collection efforts and enable to be able to use that strategically to help us operate and understand
what's going on with our businesses. So we've been updating everything in Smartsheet as from an inventory basis. And now we're starting to use that as well as power bi to pull information from various software platforms to start showing dashboards that will
help everybody understand what's going on in our business.
So there's there's not a lot of departments that are that are doing this at this point in time so we're kind of in a dark room trying to find the door and figure it out. We are looking for ways to copy what others are doing if we can find them.
And that way we get to the door a little, a little faster. But next month, if it, whether it's the June or July meeting, I'd like Eddie to kind of show you a brief presentation on what that looks like. Eventually there'll be public facing information
about the data for the community. And it gets very detailed, and it's interesting but there's a lot of opportunities for hiccups and challenges trying to link everything together. But it's interesting to be able to see all that information, especially at a click
point, we don't have to dig as much so it is an ongoing process for us to learn and and kind of gather and manipulate the data to be able to tell us certain certain things so we're going to have that on the agenda in the next month or two as well.
I know that's tricky stuff I've got a power bi problem I'm solving with a team at work so I'm glad to know I've got a resource I can pick and yeah for the railroad I'm sorry.
He's been pretty excited that you know Eddie's learned a lot over the past, you know, really, the past year we've been working on this.
So he's, he's, he's getting pretty slick with the technology.
We're just here to let you know David.
David who
Mr. Emrick would you like to suggest we get an update regarding temperatures of the playground equipment and shade issues. You brought it up earlier but we needed to table it until now so I was just wondering if you wanted to bring that up.
I like that. I like that especially like at least have one area that people can go to because I do know, I have playground testers okay I had my own playground testers.
They had great and then I had grandchildren so I play ground testers, or the playground testers would be, we go around and test out all the playgrounds and that's the number one way I got you know get that feedback so I think, yeah, that would be great to bring up.
So if we could put that in next agenda item that would be great.
Thank you.
Wouldn't it be possible just to pick one is a, I mean surely won't bury that much across the city.
Do you want, he is you want a heat analysis on it because that that's going to be different all times the year I can give you an update on where we are with our playground replacements what our specifications are now compared to what they were.
I think when and where we have shade and where we have a considerable amount of shade and where we don't.
I can do that. I think like for example one here in South Joe Park here in South Ridge. Yes, I got a lot of people say that gets really hot down there.
And just what about the new one, because we just replaced it and it has over 50% shade.
Okay. Yeah, I'm just saying that okay that to cover the, the, the brides get hot.
And a lot of the parks. And if there's any way we can reduce that i.e. covers trees.
Okay, I can give you a breakdown on that. Yeah, I mean I'm not here to try to say well it's got to be this way or that way. I'm just saying we need to explore that and look at.
You know, I'd like to, you know, I think things like those covers that we used to have in Joe Park, they put a cover over that was the most popular part of that very reason because it was the only one you go to.
And that have your kids burn, you know, in June or July or August, you know, right. So, you know, that's the camp issue just to try to reduce that some way or somehow economically if possible.
Gary I was gonna say I know shade structures are expensive based on the estimation for Nettie Schultz.
Is this an opportunity where we could engage, again, the community, making a committee of sorts where communities can fundraise for their own shade structure.
Yeah, it's definitely, we can put that in the, in the presentation as an option for consideration and see how we can do that.
Thank you.
From a marketing standpoint.
If I was a business owner I would like, love to put a shade cover over a park and put my sign up out in front and say well I've donated this here and here and here.
It's a marketing opportunity to you could you could screen print the name into the shade cover.
So that would work.
No, I mean I'm just saying whatever I mean it's a marketing opportunity and I'm marketing background so I think that's great.
You know, we'd have somebody sponsor this and cut our costs.
And win for the community. You know, why don't we, we partnered with the park foundation before when we were outfitting shade at the waterpark. Yeah, and so the pavilion, immediately when you walk out the door from the natatorium to your right over
those picking tables that was bought by a hospital that was Presbyterian at the time, and the whole large construction that is closer to the shade towers that was actually donated by Benny Keith.
Yeah.
We're talking about things that are not on the agenda which yeah, I agree.
Thank you.
Okay, does anyone have any more items that would like to bring up in the future.
Okay, well, then, this meeting is adjourned, and the time is for 55. Our next meeting will be in person.
Yay, on June seven at 6pm at the civic center so I look forward to seeing you all there in person.
We look forward to lobster and steak already.
- Thank you.