Monthly meeting highlights from Parks and Rec Board

By André Nolan, P&R/NR Board member

The Lakeland Municipal Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Advisory Board (P&R/NR) met Tuesday (2.12.19) for their regular meeting.

All Board Members were present along with Kevin Rooney, Parks and Recreation (P&R) director and Kim Odom, Lakeland Senior Center manager and special events coordinator).  In addition, Eagle Scouts Alex Latham and Camden Korsom attended as a requirement of their communications badge.  Parks BOC (Board of Commissioners) Liaison Michele Dial was excused due to a BOC meeting.

Zadie E Kuehl Memorial Park

One instance of unusual trash was reported at Zadie Kuehl Park.   All other city parks reported no unusual activity.

Two new solar lights have been installed.

Davis Scott, an Eagle Scout, has proposed building two sunflower boxes to accent the park.   This was Zadie’s favorite flower, so it adds an additional remembrance accent to the park.

Athletic Complex

The TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) might require an archology study of the site.   This may be because one has never been done before.  A request has been submitted for more information.

All other departments have given their OK.  Water quality is the only other department to still submit its response.

Surveying of the area has started and is 25% Complete.

IH Park

A survey was put out by the P&R Department via social media for input on the concert series. To participate in the survey please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M3HLMBH

Bids for the Clubhouse roof closed Monday.  There was only one bid submitted for a total of $25,700 which includes fascia and soffit repairs and drip edge.  The current roof is believed to be 35-40 years old. The repairs are part of the current year Parks and Recreation budget.

Windward Slopes Park

Renovations of the tennis court are complete with plans for a grand opening in the spring.

The board discussed adding pickle ball court markings to the current tennis courts.  However, due to restrictions from USTA who awarded the grant to renovate the courts, this is not possible.  There was discussion to possibility add a court.  This will be investigated and maybe added to next year’s budget planning.

Park Department administration

The city TDEC benchmarking is still at state and no announcement has been made at this time.

Tree City USA application response is expected very soon.

At the January BOC meeting, P&R/NR sitting Board Members Mark Donley and André Nolan were reappointed for three years.  The BOC will vote on the vacant position tonight (2.14.19)

The Department is preparing for budget season and producing a list of projects to fund.

Safe Sitter Class

The City is holding a Safe Sitter Class at the IH Clubhouse April 27^th.   Registration and more information will be available after March 1^st.

Safe Sitters mission is to provide life skills and child care training to all youth to build safer communities.  The course includes safety, child care, first aid, rescue and life and business skills.  The website is www.safesitter.org

Athletics

Basketball:

The 2018-19 basketball season is ending Feb. 28^th.   Each age group, with the exception of the 5/6 year olds, will compete in a playoff series.  The winners will receive trophies and the runners up, medals.

Players in the League got the opportunity to stand on the court next to the Memphis Grizzlies players during the singing of the National Anthem, and to be part of the “high five tunnel” during the game.

Each child in the Junior Grizzlies program received a leather basketball and a participation certificate signed by the Grizzlies own Jaren Jackson Jr.  Mr. Jackson played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. He was selected 4th by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2018 NBA draft.

Soccer:

Registration ends Feb. 24^th for ages 3-14.

Tennis:

Winter indoor youth clinics ended well with 13 participants aged 5-13.   Spring Clinics will begin March 31^st for both adults and youth.

Baseball:

T-ball and coach pitch baseball registrations will be open in March for ages 3-9.  Games are played at City Hall May through July.

Lakeland Senior Center.

January attendance was 412 which is likely a record for the Lakeland Senior Center (LSC) in January.

As part of their Colorcopia outreach program, Dixon Gallery Gardens will host three upcoming workshops at LSC at no cost to the Center or to participants. All materials are provided. Schedule: March –drawing; April – printmaking; and May – acrylic art.

The Chili Cook was a success with seven competitors. More than 25 guests attended the event. Judges were Kevin Rooney, Parks and Recreation director; Wendi Haley, Parks and Recreation program supervisor; and and John Highsmith, Office of Code Enforcement.

Jack Otto of Lakeland earned the Championship title for the second consecutive time.

1^st runner up was Darlene Marcks of Lakeland.

2^nd runner up was Penny Malone of Lakeland.

… Chili winners photo courtesy of City of Lakeland