By Steven Snow, P&R Board member
The Municipal Parks & Recreation/Natural Resources Advisory Board (P&R) met Tuesday (1.14.20) for their monthly meeting at City Hall.
Present were Chairman Mark Donley and members Steven Snow, Derek Johnston and Chad Reynolds. Also in attendance were BOC (Board of Commissioners) liaison, Commissioner Michele Dial, Parks Director Kevin Rooney, Senior Center Manager Kim Odom, City Manager Shane Horn and Commissioner Richard Gonzalez. Members of the public present for the meeting were Kathleen Autry and Amber Sawyer.
The meeting opened with the discussion of four applications, which have been received so far for the two remaining openings on the Board. All of the applicants were qualified and acceptable to the Board. The applications will be forwarded to the BOC for their decision which is expected at the February work session. The two applicants who were present, Ms. Autry and Ms. Sawyer, were thanked for their interest.
Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park
Mr. Rooney began the staff report with an update on the Park. While litter at the Park has seen a significant decline, the chronic problem of after-hours activities continues. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and city employees have increased checks of the area and it is hoped this will alleviate the problem
Contracts have been executed to create the inclusive playground at Zadie Kuehl. Recommendations have been made for the purchase of the playground equipment to be made through an equipment cooperative by June 30th. Director Rooney is researching the cooperative and checking out other local projects they have been involved with.
On the Dog Park front, MLGW has responded with a bid for the agency to install and maintain lighting along the entrance, driveway, parking lot and the dog walk areas.
Athletic Complex
Meetings have taken place with state officials on permits for construction on the Athletic Complex fields on Memphis Arlington Road. Final design plans are expected within two months with construction beginning by early summer.
IH Park
The Keep Tennessee Beautiful Committee is sponsoring a Trail Fun Run at IH Park at 8 a.m. May 30th.
The recent increased rainfall has had the beneficial effect of helping flush the algae from the IH Lake.
The IH Clubhouse is having electrical outlets increased and upgraded to handle the increased demands of renters.
Tree City
The City of Lakeland through the Parks and Rec Department recently submitted an application to be designated an official Tree City. If approved, this would be the fourteenth consecutive year the City has been awarded the title. Arbor Day will be celebrated on March 21 at Plantation Hills Park with planting of trees along the stream which runs through the park.
Sports programming
Director Rooney delivered the report on current and upcoming sport leagues and recreational programs:
- Basketball games are underway, and the season will run until the end of February
- Spring Soccer Registration is open now and will run until March 1st. Season starts March 7th. Info for registration is online www.lakelandtn.gov/leagues
- Lego Club is being restarted this month and will run Jan. 30th – Feb. 27th
Lakeland Senior Center
Mrs. Odom reported attendance at the Senior Center for December 2019 was 507, an increase of 150+ over the previous December. This brought the Center’s 2019 attendance to 5,032, a sizable increase over 2018’s 4,050.
The River City Boppers Dance Club raised $700 to benefit the Senior Center. In the past year, the Club has raised a total of $1,200 to help the Center fund activities.
Soccer grant
A special item was added to the meeting’s agenda to discuss a possible grant from United States Soccer to help fund lighting at the new Athletic Complex soccer field. It was generally agreed that the Director should follow through and obtain more information on the benefits and obligations involved with the grant funds.
For additional information on program registration contact, the Parks and Recreation Department at 867-5407.
