HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober minutesPARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FOSTER COMMUNITY CENTER
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2024
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Rick Kibbey, Kimberly Whitfield,
Nate Scramlin, Isaac Francisco, Joan Lenhard, Tirstan Walters, Ravynne
Gilmore
BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED: Mike Dombrowski
CALL TO ORDER: 6:32 P.M. Foster Community Center
I.ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
II.BOARD MEETING MINUTES
A.September 11, 2024, Kibbey moved, Francisco Seconded, passed unanimously
III.NEW BUSINESS
A. Archery Program: The board of the nonprofit that supports the Archery Program made a
presentation. Their mission is to train those interested in archery and train archery coaches. They
teach the same program at the Lansing Parks & Rec at Letts that is taught to Olympians. Looking to
create an adaptive archery program for those who are disabled. They have two 10-week programs
from basic to advanced and tailor the program to the individual archer. The program has trained
several state champions. They provide equipment for those that are unable to bring the equipment
and have provided scholarships for competitive equipment. They are looking for continued support
and may need new archery bails that are used
B. Millage Resolution to recommend to council to add the Parks and Recreation Millage
Renewal to the August 5th 2025 ballot. Walters moved as amended, Kibbey seconded. Passed
unanimously.
C. Dunneback Playground Equipment (slide ages 5-12) 3 options for slides will be presented to the
Old Oakland Neighborhood association for consideration.
D. Michigan Waterways Stewards Letters: Walters moved and Whitfield seconded a motion to
send letters of gratitude to the following:
1. State of Michigan Departments and Agencies
2. Everstream
3. MSU Rotaract
4. Franklin Energy
E. West Lansing Trail – MMMBA has asked to start Wednesday Nights Lights events until 10PM.
IV.OLD BUSINESS
V.UPDATES
A. Ranney Skate Park – Shade sail has been installed. The benches, trashcans, and
drinking fountains have been ordered.
B. Master Plan due 2/1/26. Questions on for the survey should be presented on the
November.
C. Parks Millage Renewal – Ballot August 2025
D. Stabenow Park has been dedicated; the Senator was in attendance of the rededication
ceremony.
E. Clifford Park last week of October for a ribbon cutting for new pickleball courts.
F. Moores Park continues to have construction work done and this work will continue
through the winter.
G. Fenner Nature Center has new pavement laid on the trail.
H. There have been lines added to the pump track at Gier.
I.A group is meeting to form a riverfront conservancy to bring events to the riverfront and
activate those spaces.
J.A grant was submitted to the DNR to replace the deck at Frances park shoreline lot.
K. Several weeks ago there was a fishkill at Tecumseh Park. 2 and a half cubic yards of
dead fish were removed and were composted by Hammond Farms. The source of the contamination
seems to be coming from a detergent spilled in the area of the Reynolds Drain.
L. A deer was found in the area of Porter Park and Bankroft Park that had been shot by an
arrow. The DNR confiscated the deer and the meat was donated to a shelter.
M. The Drain Commissioner Lindeman has invited the Park Board to view the project at
Ranney Park.
VI.CORRESPONDENCE
VII.INFORMATION
A. 2025 Meeting Schedule
VIII.REMARKS BY BOARD MEMBERS
Joan Lenhard was thankful for Irene checking on the trees.
Kimberly Whitfield asked if the department will have a float in the Silver Bells, the director
confirmed there would not.
Tirstan Walters asked the director if there were any possible parks for an archery course, confirmed
there were. Tirstan requested to have the trash cans emptied at Beacon Park. Tirstan asked if the
Fenner Path would disrupt the peaceful nature of the park, the director said it would not and the path
helps connect this to the river trail which is part of the Master Plan.
Ravynne Gilmore asked about the term lengths of the board
Isaac Francisco asked how often the parks are scheduled to be mowed, the director confirmed that
most parks are budgeted to be cut 27 times throughout the year.
IX. STATEMENTS OF CITIZENS
All meetings of the Park Board shall be open to the public. Those in attendance shall have the
opportunity to speak on any issue related to parks and recreation services not otherwise on the
agenda at the end of the meeting and may speak on any agenda issue during the meeting after park
board members have had an opportunity to discuss the issue or prior to the board voting on the issue.
The President may impose a time limit on public comments.
Don Dean wanted to say that Hocus Pocus will be shown at Bankroft Park on October 11th at 7:15.
Kim Ellenwood let us know that there is some water bubbling near the west trail of Bankroft Park
Karen Reish stated that she and her husband started archery as an easy to enjoy activy and have
enjoyed the program.
Closed at 8:30