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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 15, 2006
Minutes
Attending: Les Bair, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Ed Smith and Megan Zug
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Kent Wise
Meeting called to Order: 7:05 PM by Chairman Jerry Napiecek
After a review of the minutes submitted for the February 15, 2006 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted.
The motion was seconded by Ed Smith and passed.
The Financial Report dated February 28, 2006 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported the crew has spent the last three weeks concentrating on the Township's ballfields, stating five are scheduled to open today (March 15th).
Kent Wise informed that the crew continues to utilize the new miter saw, completing two picnic tables and three park benches that will be used as replacements at Paoli Pike and Barker Parks. Kent Wise reported the welder hired by the Township six months ago (Joe Smith) fabricated a rake that can be utilized to till the Diamond Text infields of the Township's ballfields to a depth of four inches. Additionally, Kent Wise reported that a bed edger was used to clean up the baselines and infield perimeters of the Township's ballfields. Kent Wise informed that the Township purchased sixteen tons of Diamond Text and forty bags of Turface. This material will be rolled into the infield areas to enhance the playing surface. Kent Wise reported that the crew has also installed new base anchors at Flagg Field. Kent Wise informed that the crew opened the bathroom facilities at Community Park. Finally, Kent Wise indicated vandals struck at Community Park last weekend, painting graffiti on the doors and walls of the amphitheater.
Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that he and Al Roth are in the process of interviewing applicants for counselor positions.
At this time there thirteen returning counselors (combined for Summer Recreation and Summer Teen Programs). Ken Lehr indicated that the Township still has seventeen positions to fill. Ken Lehr reported that the deadline for accepting applications for Summer Recreation and Teen Summer Recreation positions has been extended to March 31, 2006.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Teen Program informed that this year's program will include field trips to Hershey Park, Dorney Park, The Bowling Palace, Brandywine Picnic Park, White Water
Rafting and Water World. Additionally, there will be two trips to ACAC to take advantage of their ropes course and swimming pool.
Friends of the Park: Megan Zug reporting for The Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that she and Jerry Napiecek attended a presentation of the RecTAP Project Report created by
consultant Susan Lohoefer. According to Megan Zug, the report indicates there is a universal desire to preserve the Friends of West Goshen Parks (page 11) and offers prioritized recommendations
(page 12) under the categories of Organizational Planning, Division of Responsibility, Communications/Outreach and Recruitment/ Recognition to be implemented.
Members of The Friends of West Goshen Parks will meet at 7:00 PM on March 28th to discuss the next steps based on the findings in the report. Jerry Napiecek stated that the RecTAP Project Report is a good report with much information and indicated everyone must do what they can to assist with the recruitment of new members and leadership for the Friends of West Goshen Parks. Megan Zug reported that The Friends of West Goshen Parks are committed to providing $3,000 towards the purchase of new swings for the Community Park to be installed in late June. Megan Zug indicated that this commitment is part of a plan to raise funds and draw interest to The Friends of West Goshen Parks. Jerry Napiecek stated that the Friends do a lot for the Township, and that the Township needs the Friends of West Goshen Parks to help solicit the funding required to offset the costs of providing quality recreation activities. Michael Pillagalli suggested the Township could solicit help for upcoming events by sending an electronic copy of the Friends newsletter to anyone that utilizes the Township's email registration process for a Park and Recreation Board event. The next quarterly meeting of The Friends of West Goshen Parks is scheduled for Thursday, April 6th and 7:00 PM. Ken Lehr indicated he planned to send a letter of thanks from the Friends of West Goshen Parks to Susan Lohoefer and the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society for their efforts. Additionally, Ken Lehr offered thanks to Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli and Megan Zug for their participation.
Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Senior Water Aerobics sessions at ACAC informed that the February and March sessions have filled, and two of the six spots for the May
session have been filled.
The cost for the session is $25 per person and there is capacity in each session for six people. Ken Lehr informed that ACAC did not set any age constraints/limits on the sessions. Participants may sign up for only one month of the sessions. Return participants may sign up for May sessions beginning April 3, 2006 if space permits. Ken Lehr stated the feedback on the sessions has been positive and indicated those attending are asking when the Township would offer the program again. 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 March 4th Teen Night at ACAC informed that the event went as well as could be expected with about 120 teens attending the inaugural event. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Jerry Napiecek for providing support at the event. Ken Lehr informed that the event was a joint venture supported by West Goshen Township, East Goshen Township and the Borough of West Chester. Activities offered during the event included basketball, bungee-run, dance revolution (video game), use of the pool and a pizza party. Jerry Napiecek offered thanks to ACAC stating there was no charge to the Township for the event and all of the activities were supported by the ACAC staff. Ken Lehr reported ACAC is open to offering the event again in the early fall (September/October) and early winter (February/March) timeframes.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade distributed bags containing Easter eggs along with assorted candy to each Park and Recreation Board member with instructions to fill
each Easter egg with candy and return the stuffed Easter eggs to the Township Building prior to April 8th. Ken Lehr indicated he would contact the Goshen Fire Company and line up a fire
truck to transport the Easter Bunny to this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that Dorine Hannum volunteered to be the Easter Bunny for this year's event. The Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday,
April 8th at 10:30 AM with a rain date on Saturday, April 15th. All volunteers are asked to arrive at Coopersmith Park by 9:00 AM to help with preparations and hide the eggs.
Ken Lehr reporting on the "Battle of the Bands" stated that this year's event is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 6th at the Community Park. Ken Lehr stated the Township is looking for judges that have a background in music education and/or have performed in a band. Mary Lou Enoches indicated she knows a musician that may be willing to be a judge for the event. Ken Lehr informed that there have been discussions on the possibility of having the winning band perform as part of the opening ceremonies planned for the Township's new park.
Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that all of the spring bus trips will be advertised in the Township's Spring Newsletter. At this time the May 13th trip to New York City and the May 27th trip to Yankee Stadium are both about ½ filled. Ken Lehr estimated around eight to ten people have signed up for the June 10th trip to RFK Stadium.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the entertainment has been lined up for all of the concerts with the exception of the August 20th concert. Jerry Napiecek suggested for the June 25th U.S. Navy Jazz Band concert, the Township could advertise requesting any veteran attending the event to wear a cap from their branch of service so they could be recognized and honored as part of the night's activities. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:
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