West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
June 16, 1999

Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Kathy McDevitt, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice, Ed Smith, and Joe Waters

Township Representatives: Sharon Lynn, Kathy Hahn, Ken Lehr, Al Roth and Kent Wise

Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone and Peggy Niemeyer

Meeting called to Order: 7:05 PM by Chairman Joe Waters

Joe Waters offered congratulations to Bob Cifone on his appointment as an alternate member to the Park and Recreation Board.

After a review of the minutes submitted for the May 19, 1999 meeting, a motion was made by Michael Pillagalli to accept the minutes as submitted.  The motion was second by Les Bair and passed.

The Financial Report dated May 31, 1999 was reviewed.  Joe Waters asked about the -$1,468.05 balance in the General Recreation Program category for the month of May. Ken Lehr indicated that the negative balance could be associated with the purchase of baseball tickets for the bus trip to Baltimore Harbor. Ken Lehr will investigate this issue and report back to Joe Waters.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are busy cutting grass and cutting back the edges of the holding ponds that are maintained by the Township. Part of the post and rail fence at Barker Park has been replaced. The crews are in the process of hauling top soil from the pile at Freedley field for use at the Community Park along Fern Hill Road. The block area of the Amphitheater stage at the Community Park has been painted.  Kent Wise indicated that work on the Tennis Courts at the Community Park is behind schedule.  The concrete walk area leading to the Tennis Courts had to be replaced since the original concrete set-up too fast. Additional re-work was required to drill holes in the black top for the fencing that surrounds the Tennis Courts. Normally, the fencing is installed before the black top. The new Lime Disease sign has been installed at the Community Park along the path between the wooded area and the retention pond.  Kent Wise informed that the crews have been booked on weekends supporting picnics at the Township Parks.  Finally, Kent Wise reported that 2 new summer helpers have been hired.  Both of the new summer employees recently completed their high school education.

Recreation: Al Roth reported that the 8 week Summer Camp program will begin on Monday, June 21st.  The Summer Camp Staff orientation that included CPR and first aid training was completed on June 5th. At this time, 79 children have registered for the Summer Camp program at Coopersmith Park.  Al Roth indicated there is room for another 30 children at Coopersmith Park.  Barker Park and the Community Park are both at full capacity. Ken Lehr indicated that all of the required junior councilors have been selected and notified.  Al Roth informed that several parents were upset when they received notification that there children were not selected to be junior councilors for this years Summer Camp program.

Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone reported that the Friends raised $90.00 in the donation jug, sold $60.00 in drinks and collected $15.00 in chances for the Radio City Bus Trip during the first event of the Summer Music Series. Joe Waters stated that the Friends did a great job at the first event of the Summer Music Series (Children's Concert). Over 375 people attended the first concert of the Summer Music Series.  Peggy Niemeyer stated that more members of the Park Board should try to attend the Summer Music Series concerts.  Kelly Cifone thanked Kent Wise for the new storage shelves and Al Roth for the use of the refrigerator at the Community Park.  The Friends are in the process of obtaining Mardi Gras beads to support the Summer Music Series "Mardi Gras Night" scheduled for June 27th. Kelly Cifone reported that requests from crafters for 10 of the available spaces for Community Day have been received.  At this time, the Friends have raised $2,500.00 in donations for Community Day. The Friends are still looking for baby food jars to support the sand art craft scheduled for Community Day. Finally, the Friends need volunteers to help out with the Decorated Bike parade scheduled for 10:00 AM on July 3rd with a raindate of July 5th.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reported that all of the 138 available spaces/tickets were purchased for the bus trip to Baltimore Harbor. At least 4 people requesting spaces/tickets had to be turned away. Both the weather and the Baseball game were good. Joe Waters asked if the Township should consider scheduling this event again for next year. Ken Lehr discussed the possibility of scheduling a trip to Yankee Stadium. Dan Dixon informed that several people had talked to him about the possibility of the Township scheduling a trip to either Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.  Members of the Park Board also discussed the possibility of scheduling a trip to the Army/Navy game.  Ken Lehr suggested that the Township should send out a questionnaire to determine the potential support for the events.

Ken Lehr reported that 375 people attended the first concert of the Summer Music Series (Children's concert) on June 13th.  The concert was held inside at East High School due to inclement weather.  Ken Lehr informed that in order to have the facility ready, the School Board needs to know if the concert is going to be held inside by 2:30 PM on the day the event is scheduled. Calls have been received from several residents attending the concert offering positive feedback on the Children's concert. The next event of the Summer Concert Series is "Mardi Gras Night" scheduled for June 27th.  Kelly Cifone suggested contacting the 2 sign companies currently supplying the sings for the Summer Music Series to determine if they would be willing to donate their signs in return for having their names displayed on the Summer Music Series flier. Kathy McDevitt suggested putting a sign/banner advertising the Summer Music Series on Airport Road. Michael Pillagalli suggested locating a sign/banner for the Summer Music Series on the back-stop of Flagg Field at the Community Park.  Joe Waters asked if a sign/banner for the Summer Music Series could be located on the corner of the Township Building.  Kent Wise informed that the new sign for the Township Building has been ordered for delivery in 4 to 6 weeks.  Kelly Cifone will meet with Kent Wise to determine the locations of the proposed new signs/banners advertising the Summer Music Series. Ken Lehr reported that the Philadelphia Inquirer will donate advertising space for upcoming Summer Music series concerts.  All of the remaining events for the Summer Music series will be advertised using the donated advertising as well as funds in the budget designated for advertising. Joe Waters asked if there were any opinions on using some of the extra budget money to advertise on the FYI television channel.

Kathy McDevitt reporting on Community Day asked if someone could contact the management of Highgate and Halstead Apartments (David Baxter) for sponsorship support of Community Day.  David Baxter has also provided sponsorship support for the MS Run.  The "Motown Band" has been contracted to perform  on Community Day from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Joe Waters suggested moving the starting time back to 5:00 PM so the band would serve as the closing act for Community Day.  Kathy McDevitt informed that plans are underway to contract 2 additional bands to perform at Community Day. The band "Rapid City" (Rock-a-Billy) would perform from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The third band still needs to be determined. Del Bittle is also under contract to perform at Community Day.  Members of the Park Board discussed having Del Bittle set-up in the area near the Concession Stand away from the area where the bands will be performing.  Jennifer Grey-Rice questioned whether 3 bands were needed and suggested that 2 band for Community Day should be sufficient.  Additionally, there was concern that the entertainment would take business away from the crafters.  The "Sunflower" mine and Children's Theater are also under contract to perform during Community Day. The cost of the entertainment currently under contract for this years Community Day is:

Rock-a-Billy Band  $200.00
Motown Band  $3,250.00
Del Bittle   $300.00
Mime   $275.00 (for 2 hours)

Dan Dixon has talked to Joe Dodds and he indicated it would be no problem to increase the number of ponies and expand the hours for Community Day. Dan Dixon suggested that someone should contact the "Motown Band" to determine if they can structure their show so they do not take a break during the performance. Kathy McDevitt suggested having the band perform for 1 hour, take a 15 minute break and then perform 30 minutes. Ken Lehr will contact a representative of the band to work out the schedule for the band.  The Crafters are scheduled to be on hand from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Finally, the Friends are trying to raise $5,000.00 to cover the costs for this year's event.

 Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Theater series informed that 2 events have been scheduled for the 1999 season.  "The Servant of Two Masters" will be presented at the Community Park on Saturday, July 17th.  This event will be moved indoors to West Chester East High School in the event of rain. "Shakespeare as you like it" will be presented at the Community Park on Sunday, August 15th. The rain date/site for this event still need to be finalized.  The Philadelphia Folksong Society has awarded a grant of $1,200.00 to the Township to help cover the costs of the Summer Theater series. The following events have been tentatively scheduled for the fall season:

Children's Theater (Middle Earth Studios)  - September
Children's Group from Malvern (Encore players) - October
Children's Theater on the Fly    - November
Christmas Carol    - December

Michael Pillagalli if all of the events planned for the Theater Series needed to be Children's events and suggested offering selected theater events for adults and senior citizens. Bob Cifone asked if the East High School could be used as the "rain date" site.

New Business:   Kelly Cifone gave an update on the bus trips the Friends are currently planning.  A trip to Washington has been scheduled for Saturday, October 16th.  The bus will depart at 8:00 AM and return at 8:00 PM. There are approximately 42 tickets remaining for this event. A trip to Radio City has been scheduled for Saturday, November 16th.  The bus will depart at 11:00 AM and return at 11:00 PM. There are approximately 96 tickets remaining for this event.

Joe Waters reported that the Township has received at $265.00 donation from the members of the department where Ed Smith works.  The donation will be used to plant a tree at the Community Park in memory of his father Thomas Smith Jr.

Sharon Lynn reported that the new Township buildings are scheduled to be completed by September.  A grand opening celebration will be scheduled around the holidays.

Al Roth commented on the positive feed-back he received on the East High School Lacrosse awards ceremony held at the Community Park.  Additionally, Ed Smith reported that he received many positive comments pertaining to the park and the facilities during the Fern Hill 5th Grade graduation ceremony held at the Community Park amphitheater.

Michael Pillagalli asked if there was anything that could be done to clean up the area in front of the amphitheater stage at the Community Park. Ken Wise indicated that the grass planted in this area did not grow and suggested that the Township could install brick or some type of stone in this area. Kent Wise estimated it would cost about $2,500.00 for his crews to perform this work.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for July 21st.

       Respectfully Submitted,
       Ed Smith