West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
April 19, 2006
Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Michael Dolan, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Ed Smith and Megan Zug

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Sharon Lynn

Meeting called to Order: 7:05 PM by Chairman Jerry Napiecek

After a review of the minutes submitted for the March 15, 2006 meeting, a motion was made by Mary Lou Enoches to accept the minutes as submitted.  The motion was seconded by Bob Cifone and passed.

The Financial Report dated March 31, 2006 was reviewed.  There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Ken Lehr reporting for Kent Wise informed that the parks crew was busy performing spring maintenance and cutting grass at the various Township parks. Sharon Lynn informed that vandals struck South Concord Road Park.  The graffiti would be removed as part of the crew's ongoing spring cleanup efforts.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that he and Al Roth completed the process of interviewing applicants for counselor positions. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township made offers to selected candidates pending the results of the required police background checks.  Registration for the Summer Recreation Program and the Summer Teen Program is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 6^th and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 13^th.  Ken Lehr requested that volunteers report to the Township Administration Building at 7:00 AM to assist with traffic control. Jerry Napiecek indicated he would be available to help with the May 13^th session.  Ed Smith and Mary Lou Enoches indicated they would check their calendars and get back to Ken Lehr on their availability.  The Summer Recreation parent orientation is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 26^th.  The 2006 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 26^th and run through August 18^th.

Ken Lehr informed that the Summer Teen Program parent orientation is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Wednesday, April 26^th immediately after the completion of the Summer Recreation Program parent orientation.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is trying to recruit a counselor from the Summer Recreation Program into a position for the Summer Teen Program.

Friends of the Park: Megan Zug reported that the quarterly meeting of the Friends of West Goshen Parks was held on Thursday, April 6^th at 7:00 PM. She said the Friends of West Goshen Parks reimbursed the Township for the first installment ($1,600.00) for new swings at the Community Park and stated that the Friends are still in position to cover the entire $3,000.00 commitment amount.  Megan Zug reported that the Friends of West Goshen Parks have also pledged to provide $500.00 per year over four years to support Robert Lambert Park.  The Friends plan to accelerate that payment and provide a $1,500.00 payment for the grand open ceremonies. Megan Zug indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks would also provide volunteer support for the April 15^th Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade.  Megan Zug informed that Peggy Niemeyer would continue to coordinate the crafters at the 2006 Community Day and indicated the search to recruit a volunteer to take over these responsibilities for 2007 continues. Ken Lehr informed that each board member of the Friends of West Goshen Parks is personally trying to recruit new members before the next general membership meeting in May. Megan Zug indicated good candidates for the president and vice president positions have been identified.  Ken Lehr informed that Megan Zug would continue to serve as treasurer as long as the Friends of West Goshen Parks continue recruitment efforts for the treasurer position.  Sharon Lynn stated that the efforts by consultant Susan Lohoefer were very beneficial. Jerry Napiecek indicated he was impressed with the final product (RecTAP Project Report) of Susan Lohoefer's efforts.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Senior Water Aerobics sessions at ACAC informed there was not much new to report at this time, informing one space remains open for the May session.  Ken Lehr reported that ACAC would be willing to offer Senior Water Aerobics sessions again in the Fall/Winter timeframe.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade informed that the 2006 event was held on the April 15th rain date. Ken Lehr stated the turnout was good and everyone seemed to have a good time.  Ken Lehr offered thanks to Jerry Napiecek for filling in as the Easter Bunny and Mike Dolan for his help with the microphone duties. Finally, Ken Lehr offered thanks to Mary Lou Enoches and her staff for stuffing nearly 2,000 Easter Eggs to support this year's event.

Ken Lehr reporting on the "Battle of the Bands" informed that this year's event is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 6^th at the Community Park.  Mary Lou Enoches indicated she knows a musician that may be willing to be a judge for the event.  Ed Smith also volunteered to be a judge for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated he would contact Lee McFadden to see if he would also be able to be a judge for this year's event.

Ken informed that the May 13^th trip to New York City is already filled even though the trip has not been advertised in the Township Newsletter.  As a result, the Township will add a second bus for this trip.  There are still seats available for the May 27^th trip to Yankee Stadium and the June 10^th trip to RFK Stadium. Ken Lehr informed that the Township is looking into the possibility of arranging a trip to the Franklin Institute in 2007 to see the King Tut Exhibit.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the entertainment has been lined up for all of the concerts. Megan Zug asked when the schedule for the 2006 Summer Concert Series would be made public.  Ken Lehr indicated the schedule would be publicized in the Township Newsletter scheduled to go out next week.  Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below: 

Ken Lehr reporting on the July 4^th Decorated Bike Parade informed that the Friends would not coordinate this year's event.  Ken Lehr indicated he would pick up prizes for various categories that will be awarded during the event. The Decorated Bike Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, July 4^th at 10:00 AM with a rain date on Saturday, July 8^th.  Megan Zug asked why the Township was bringing back the Decorated Bike Parade after deciding not to hold the event last year. Ken Lehr informed that many Township residents asked to have the event re-instated to the calendar.  Additionally, several of the supervisors thought the Decorated Bike Parade was/is a nice family event.  Sharon Lynn stated that attendance for the event dropped off on the years that the 4^th of July fell on a weekend.  Based on these facts, a decision was made to offer the event again this year.

Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that Peggy Niemeyer would organize the crafters again for the 2006 event.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township contracted Moonbounce Adventures, located in West Goshen Township, for this year's event at a cost that is $300.00 less than what the Township paid last year.

Ken Lehr reporting on the new Robert E. Lambert Park informed that work on the site is on schedule but at this time, no date for the grand opening ceremonies has been finalized. Ken Lehr informed that he talked with Dave Fairman about the possibility of lining up instructors for the clinic(s) being planned when the park opens. Ken Lehr informed that the last Saturday in June is designated National Skateboard Day.  The Township may be able to tie the grand opening of the skatepark with this date. Additionally, the Township can look at the feasibility of holding annual events at the new skatepark in conjunction with National Skateboard Day. Sharon Lynn indicated that she would provide an update on the status of the new skatepark at the May Park and Recreation Board meeting.  She was not sure if everything would be in place to support a June grand opening for the new park.  Sharon Lynn informed that the new park would contain a skatepark, tennis courts and a dog park.  The Township would like to line up someone to demonstrate dog agility techniques as part of the grand opening ceremonies.  Sharon Lynn stated the Township wants all components of the new park up and running for the grand opening. Bob Cifone suggested the Township could provide a big name skateboarder for the grand opening ceremonies regardless of the opening date. Ken Lehr informed that the Township plans to have the Battle of the Bands winning act perform as part of the grand opening ceremonies.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is still looking to hire attendants for the new skatepark.  Advertisements for the new position(s) have appeared in the Township Newsletter and Dave Fairman's shop.  The Township is looking for responsible applicants that have a background in skateboarding. The Township would provide first aid training for the new hires. Ken Lehr stated at this time, the operating hours for the new skatepark have not been finalized.

Sharon Lynn provided an update on the Jerrehian property.  The proposed builder (Pulte) will present final testimony for their application for the required zoning change on May 10^th.  Sharon Lynn reported that the supervisors are working with the Township solicitor to firm up the conditions the Township wants for this property. The sign-off by the supervisors would be in the May to July timeframe. Sharon Lynn indicated that Pulte still has several approvals to get (DEP, etc.) and estimated they would submit the Land Development Application in 2007. The Township would then have six months to review the application. Sharon Lynn stated there are still traffic and environmental issues that need to be worked out at this time.

Ken Lehr informed that the Township was approached by East Goshen to jointly offer a "Get your Lawn and Garden Off Drugs" workshop with East Goshen and Willistown Townships. The workshop will be held at the East Goshen Township Building on April 30^th at 7:00 PM. Admission to the event will be $5.00 per person.

New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day stated that the Township would need to decide on a new location for the 2006 event.  Ground breaking on the Margarita's Restaurant property (including the parking lot) is scheduled to begin prior to this year's event. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that the Eagles schedule has been published and the only Sunday in October that would not conflict with an Eagles game is October 8^th.  Ken Lehr stated the Township could also consider holding the event on a Saturday in October. Megan Zug expressed concern over holding the event on a Saturday due to potential conflicts with many fall youth sporting events. Ed Smith asked if pumpkins would be readily available if the Township chooses to hold the event on October 8^th.  The members of the Park and Recreation Board recommended holding the 2006 Harvest day festivities on Sunday, October 29^th.  Ken Lehr stated he thought about using the West Chester East High School parking lot as the staging area so the event could still be held at Coopersmith Park, but there would be concerns over what to do to entertain the people waiting to ride on the hay wagons.  Bob Cifone asked if it would be possible to extend the existing parking area located within Coopersmith Park so events like Harvest Day would still be viable at Coopersmith Park.  The members of the Park and Recreation Board agreed to think about alternatives to be discussed at the May Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Ken Lehr said he attended a workshop presented by the American Red Cross for baby sitting certification.  The Township was looking at offering this training to teens in the summer and fall. Megan Zug and Jerry Napiecek expressed concern that the Township would assume liability issues by offering this training. 

Sharon Lynn informed the members of the Park and Recreation Board that Ken Lehr was recently appointed to the position President of the Eastern Region of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society.  Jerry Napiecek offered thanks to Ken Lehr for all his efforts stating the Township events are well planned and coordinated.  The members of the Park and Recreation Board offered their congratulations to Ken Lehr on this appointment.

Bob Cifone informed that he received feedback from several local baseball umpires that the West Goshen Township ballfields are the best fields in the area and the Township representatives are good people to work with.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2006.
 

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.