By Kim Odom, Lakeland City staff
Commissioner Matt Wright asked the Municipal Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Advisory Board (P&R) to consider a recommendation to the BOC (Board of Commissioners) to request a match to the recent Dog Park Dash grant for the community dog park. The Boyd Foundation this month awarded the City a $25,000 grant for the new facility at Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park. The Board approved the request during their Tuesday (8.14.18) meeting.
Zadie Kuehl and IH Park Update
- Kevin Rooney, Parks and Recreation Department director, reported there has been no unusual trash, vandalism or police reports at either park.
- Rooney announced another possible Eagle Scout project on the red trail at IH Park in the future. He also reported that the volunteer project by Stanky Creek cyclists to repair washout spots on yellow trail is complete.
Athletic Complex
Mr. Rooney reported that there’s been no update on the LPRF (Local Parks and Recreation Fund) grant submission for the proposed athletic complex and recreation park. Awardee(s) should be announced in the next couple of weeks. He announced that Mark Donley will continue to recuse himself when appropriate, as the City has hired the company he works for, Barge Design Solutions, for some city projects.
Updates on Recreation/Sporting Programs
Mr. Rooney provided updates on all recreation and sporting programs, including Youth T-ball which ended the last week of July with a pizza picnic. Youth flag football registration stands at 32 participants for ages 5-6; 30 participants for ages 7-8; youth tackle football: 21 for ages 7-8; 16 for ages 9; 13 for age 10. Flag and tackle football games begin the week of August 27. Cheerleading registration for the recreation program is 22 and 13 participants for competitive cheer. Adult flag football registration ended the beginning of August with 8 teams of 14 (112 participants). Games begin Labor Day. Youth Fall Soccer has 102 participant registered ranging from ages 3 to 14. Tennis Fall Clinics registration is at 10 participants for youth; 4 participants in the adult lessons.
Park Projects
Mr. Rooney announced that he is in discussion with Herons Ridge HOA on possible improvements to enhance the park.
Mr. Rooney provided an update on tennis court projects, announcing a grant application submission to USTA (United States Tennis Association) for $10,000, with a required spending of $20,000.00 by the City. If awarded the grant, they will reimburse up to 50% or $10,000 in resurfacing cost. The funds will go toward all new resurfacing, lines, windscreens and additional benches and shade structures.
Lakeland Senior Center
July attendance was 327. There will be an unveiling of the Lakeland Senior Center Christmas ornament to be sold as a fundraising event.
