Parks Board looks at future plans

During its regular Nov. 14, 2018 meeting, the Forney City Parks Board met and in summary: considered parks expansions, Use Agreements, OK'd Girl Scout project.

• Request By Clint Qualls To Consider A Multi-Purpose Bike Trail In Future Park Designs.
      Mr. Curry said Mr. Qualls has approached him before: Mr Qualls said this would be for people who want to be away from concrete, would have minimal impact on environment, suggests using heavily wooded area by church. Could be maintained by volunteers; Dallas Off-Road Bike Assoc. has 1,700 members, are 25+ trails they maintain, they would support a trail here. Ms. Enloe asked about liability; Mr. Qualls said they could implement a waiver system. Mr. Curry said have to consider if a hiker goes down the trail and gets hit by a biker.
      Approved moving forward with a concept meeting.
  
• Approved Request By Girl Scouts To Add Benches Near The Butterfly Garden At Forney Community Park.
      Mr. Curry said about 1.4 year ago, girl scouts put in butterfly garden; they wish to add concrete benches w/ decorative tiles. Girls spoke, stating this would earn them a silver award, the tiles will be hand-painted, should be completed in May.
  
• Approved showing Concept Plans For Park On North Side, Forney Community Park And Mulberry Park Submitted By Architect to city council.
      Mr. Curry said Shrikel & Rollins were hired to master plan for N. park, phase 2 of community park, possible Mulberry work. There was a private firm wanting to put in ball fields if they could run them, but no longer in the picture. Architect sent construction costs, which have many errors - don't faint from what's in the packet. In 2005, had plans for baseball, but then got football from FISD, both are in this plan. People have asked about dog/skate/frisbee parks, et al. He recounted past discussions about aquatic facilities, too costly for city, not in these concept plans. Mulberry could become practice only.
      He explained several options designed by the architect. He pointed out the shape and size of N. park has changed many times, and has changed since these drawings. There was interaction with sports committee members. Extending Justice Way to Holly Leaf was mentioned, it is a very expensive option. A $50 million Rec./Senior Center was on architects plans. The conversation lasted about 70 minutes.
  
• Discuss Facilities Use Agreement And Park Policies
      Mr. Curry said review this about every 2 years. Recently did peer review of other cities. Ms. Witt has a list of desired tweaks - Wed & Sun are only for city use; fields closed in Jan. & Feb.; blackout dates; getting signed contracts; listing maintenance responsibilities. There was a long discussion about allocating fields among the various groups wanting to use them, and what percentage of kids on the fields actually live in Forney.
  
• Discuss Status Of Park Fee, Event Fee And Facilities Research Of Peer Cities. Mr. Curry said need to wait for new City Manager to settle in.
  
• Events - Christmas decoration underway, Christmas in Park Dec. 1, Nov. 27 tree lighting, Main St. Market Dec. 8, skating rink opens Nov. 30, $10 weekday, $12 weekend, closed Christmas Day. Mr. Curry said about 200 people at Veterans Day, a bit lower attendance, was an issue with the speaker - they will put things in place to prevent that happening, only so much can do, will task speakers to talk about Veterans day, not politics or religion.
  
• Adjourned at 2103.