West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
October 16, 2002
Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn, Nick Palso, Al Roth and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:04 PM by Chairman Bob Cifone

Bob Cifone began the October 16^th meeting by leading the members of the Park and Recreation Board in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.

Ken Lehr formally introduced new Park and Recreation intern Nick Palso to the members of the Park and Recreation Board.  The members of the Park and Recreation Board welcomed Nick Palso aboard and indicated that they looked forward to working with him on upcoming Township events.

After a review of the minutes submitted for the September 18, 2002 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted.  The motion was seconded by Michael Pillagalli and passed.

The Financial Report dated September 30, 2002 was reviewed.  There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are back to cutting grass and working the Township ball fields.  Kent Wise informed that the crews have completed edging the base paths on the Little League field, the Softball field and Flagg field at the Community Park. Additionally, Kent Wise reported that the Township brought in a contractor to over-seed the soccer field, the infield of the Little League field and Flagg field at the Community Park as well as the infield on the Little League field at the Richard C. Cloud Park.  Kent Wise indicated that the Township had to remove a downed tree at Barker Park that was on the border with the property owned by the Goshen Valley Condo Association. Kent Wise reported that the Township split the cost of the tree removal with the Goshen Valley Condo Association. Finally, Kent Wise informed that the crews are in the process of cleaning up the overhang and cutting back the edges of the areas that surround the Township holding ponds. This will make it easier for the crews to maintain these areas going forward.

Recreation: Al Roth reporting on the 2002 Summer Camp program indicated that he did not have anything new to report at this time and informed that he plans to meet with Ken Lehr during the month of December to begin planning for the 2003 Summer Camp program.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends informed that the Friends held their quarterly board meeting on Thursday, October 17^th.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Friends are looking at the possibility of changing their by-laws by the end of this year (2002) to eliminate the requirement for an annual budget audit. Ken Lehr informed that the Friends are also working to get their next newsletter ready for mailing.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the October 5^th bus trip to Gettysburg sponsored by the Friends informed that 25 people attended the trip.  Ken Lehr informed that the responses from those attending the Bus trip were favorable.  Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if the Friends were able to break even on the trip.  Ken Lehr reported that the Friends did not break even on the bus trip.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that he would like to schedule a wrap-up meeting to review the 2002 Summer Concert Series and begin the planning process for next year. Ken Lehr suggested having the meeting at the Township Building on Monday November 4^th from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  Park and Recreation Board members Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek and Ed Smith indicated that they planned to attend the wrap-up meeting. Ken Lehr informed that 2 or 3 members of the Park and Recreation Board and 2 members from the Friends usually attend the Summer Concert Series wrap-up meeting. Bob Cifone stated that 2002 was a good year for the Summer Concert Series and recommended that the planning committee for the 2003 Summer Concert Series should avoid scheduling concerts on Father's Day and the same date as Turk's Head Festival.  Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Date

Theme

Featured Performers

Location

Attendance

June 16^th

Children's Night Out

Two of a Kind

Community Park

250 - 275

June 30^th

Mummers

Uptown String Band

Community Park

250

July 14^th

A Taste of Latin

Orchestra Insaciable

Community Park

250

July 28^th

Motown

Special Blendz

Community Park

800

Aug 11^th

U.S. Navy Jazz Band

The Commodores

Community Park

800

Aug 25^th

Country-Western

Southern Edge

Community Park

250

Ken Lehr reporting on the 2002 Community Day stated that this year's event drew a good crowd and informed that police estimates indicated the turnout was about the same as last year. Ken Lehr reported that many of the people that arrived later in the afternoon were coming from the West Chester Restaurant Festival and/or other activities scheduled on the same day. Ken Lehr informed that he would like to schedule a wrap-up meeting to review the 2002 Community Day and begin the planning process for next year. Ken Lehr suggested that meeting should be scheduled in conjunction with the Summer Concert Series wrap-up meeting on Monday November 4^th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Township Building. Ken Lehr informed that the Greaseband would not be available to perform on September 14^th, the proposed date for next year's event. Michael Pillagalli suggested that the Township should get a price list of the available bands for review at the Community Day wrap-up meeting. Ed Smith suggested that the Township should consider having Special Blendz as the feature band for next year's event. Michael Pillagalli stated that the Township should also consider Blackthorn for next year's event.  Al Roth asked if the winning contestants in this year's "Home Run Derby" contest have been awarded their prizes. Nick Palso informed that the Township has contacted all of the prize winners and indicated that most of the prizes have picked up at this time. Michael Pillagalli asked if the Township had figured on how much the Friends made for their efforts at Community Day.  Ken Lehr indicated that he did not have the figures at this time.  Bob Cifone estimated that the Friends made between $2,600 to $2.800 from soda sales, water sales and the donation jug.  Ken Lehr informed that Peggy Neimeyer has been in contact with vendors that participated in the 2002 Community Day and would provide a update on their comments during the planned November 4^th Community Day wrap-up meeting.

Ken Lehr reporting on Movie Nights informed that 200 to 250 people attend the October 6^th presentation of "Spider-Man". The presentation had to be moved inside to the Township Building due to weather conditions. Ken Lehr asked if any members of the Park and Recreation Board would be able to volunteer to provide support for 1 or more of the remaining Movie Night presentations. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day informed that the band Makin' Music would again be providing musical entertainment for Harvest Day.  Ken Lehr indicated that he and Kent Wise are planning to do the pumpkin run for this year's event on Tuesday, October 22^nd.  Ken Lehr informed that the Township purchased between 550 and 600 pumpkins for last year's event at a cost of about $200.00. Michael Pillagalli stated that he contacted Phil and Linda Hicks to make arrangements for the use of their Hay Wagon for Harvest Day. Ken Lehr informed that Dan Dixon contacted Sonny Hicks to line up a second hay wagon for this year's event.  Kent Wise reported that he made the arrangements to secure a second tractor for the event.  Ken Lehr indicated that he would need help with the task of heating up the apple cider and hot chocolate that will be offered to patrons at Harvest Day.  Ken Lehr informed that we would line up thermos containers to support this task.  Jennifer Grey-Rice and Michael Pillagalli offered to help out with the apple cider and hot chocolate. All volunteers are asked to arrive at Coopersmith Park by 12:00 PM to help with preparations and set up the pumpkin patch. Harvest Day activities are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 27^th rain or shine.

New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the proposed 2002 Holiday Event informed that he planned to talk with Officer Holland to see if it would be possible to piggyback the 2002 Holiday Event on the same date and immediately following the arrival of Santa Clause at the Community Park. The members of the Park and Recreation Board recommended that the Holiday Event should be kept as a separate, evening event for 2002 and suggested holding this year's event on either Saturday December 7^th or Saturday December 14^th.  Kent Wise stated that he would need help setting up the luminaries if the Township is going to schedule the Holiday Event on a Saturday.  Bob Cifone asked if it would be possible to put the sand and candles in the luminary bags on Friday and store the luminaries on one of the Township trucks until Saturday when they can be distributed at the Community Park.  Kent Wise indicated that filling the luminaries on Friday would not be an option since more than one truck would be needed to hold the luminaries needed to decorate the Community Park.  Kent Wise informed that there are many luminaries leftover from last year.  The members of the Park and Recreation Board discussed holding the 2002 Holiday Event on Saturday, December 7^th stating the there would not be any conflicts with the West Chester Victorian Christmas and/or Malvern Victorian Christmas events.  Bob Cifone stated that starting the event at 6:00 PM or later would not interfere with dinner plans of the people planning to attend the event.  Kent Wise stated that it would be too much work to hold the Holiday Event on a Saturday and suggested scheduling the event on Friday, December 13^th in the 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM timeframe. Kent Wise informed that if the event were scheduled on a Friday, the Parks Department would be able to provide support filling and distributing the luminary bags at the Community Park.  Michael Pillagalli asked if it would be possible to line up a String Band to perform at the Holiday Event.  Ken Lehr informed that the Township would also like line up the Christmas Carolers that performed at last year's event.  Ken Lehr reported that the Township would also provide refreshments that include hot cider, cocoa, holiday cookies and roasted chestnuts.

Jennifer Grey-Rice began discussion on the Township proposed skatepark on the three acres of land at the intersection of Rt. 100 and Greenhill Road by asking Ken Lehr for a status on the progress to date.  Ken Lehr informed that the Township conducted a focus group that included resident skate boarders and Ann Yost from YSM Design to come up with suggestions for the design of the proposed skatepark. Sharon Lynn reported that Ray Halvorsen is putting the final touches on a request for a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) that would cover ½ of the development costs. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would not receive notification on the status of the grant until next year. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked when the Township planned to begin construction on the proposed skatepark. Bob Cifone asked if the Township could use existing funds to begin construction on the skatepark and use the grant funding as a reimbursement. Kent Wise informed that the Township would be depending on the Wawa to provide parking for the proposed skatepark. Additionally, Ken Lehr reported that the Township has asked the school board to consider extending their planned access road from their parking area to the property line so there could be 1 common entrance for the property. Kent Wise reported that the Township has looked into the cost of installing a half-pipe for the skate boarders at a cost of $28,000 and informed that he recommended against purchasing this equipment. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that the Township would need to monitor the size of the crowds attending the proposed skatepark.  Kent Wise indicated that the design consultants have ideas on how to limit the number of people using the facility at the same time.  Ken Lehr informed that anyone interested in using the skatepark would be required to register with the Township and sign a statement that would free the Township of liability in the event of injury.  The Township would also charge a registration fee that should help offset the cost to the Township of providing the support staff. Kent Wise stated that the Township would need to provide a comfortable work area for the attendant(s) staffing the skatepark that would include restroom facilities.  Bob Cifone asked if the Township planned to provide restroom facilities and a water fountain within the proposed skatepark.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township may be able to use the School District and/or Wawa facilities and stated that these facilities would need to be equally monitored by the Township and the School Board.

Ken Lehr reminded the members of the Park and Recreation Board that the year ending appreciation dinner is scheduled for Friday, November 15^th at the Great Valley Sheraton. Ken Lehr requested that Park and Recreation Board members let Sandy Turley know if they are planning to attend the appreciation dinner.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for November 20^th.

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith