St. Mary's County, MD Recreation and Parks Board for St. Mary's County, 1 Apr 2021

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From YouTube: 4/1/21 Recreation and Parks Board for St. Mary's County

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A

It's like grayed out, it's not doing anything welcome to the april 2021 border recreation.

B

Parks meeting meetings called to order welcome. Everybody first item is to uh review the minutes.

B

From our march meeting, do you have a motion to approve those as written I'll approve.

A

The motion second I'll. Second, all in favor, won't do that minutes are approved as written.

B

Thank you, mr shepherd. All right first order is a new business. We have a. um Let me bring it up here.

B

We have a a park use permit for friends of st clements island and piney point museum for.

B

Their annual uh gathering and it is for an alcohol consumption permit as well. Do I have a motion to.

C

Motion to approve the department is written. Second, oh second, all in favor, aye, aye, aye, aye.

B

Thank you, mr shepherd. You're uh we're free to sign and approve it as you want. Thank you and.

B

uh Next item on the agenda is uh recreation and parks updates yeah. Thank you for saying it that.

D

Way because um we're gonna have some recreation side updates. You see jessica, hale, the recreation.

D

Division manager is with us tonight to talk about our spring program guide. What's going on, there.

D

Summer camps and what just happened in our easter new easter egg hunt and then I'll come right.

D

Behind that with project updates and then we'll go into the land preservation park and recreation.

D

Plan jessica, you're on okay, well good evening. What we have before you is our spring program guide, so.

E

Looks a little different over the last year. Normally I would hand you this before 32 pager.

E

But we have adapted and has actually gone quite well, so our program guide just got uploaded. This.

E

Week for the spring programs, it's available on our website and goes over the spring programs.

E

That we are offering so as coveted restrictions change we're able to offer certain programs.

E

With capacities, what have you so a really a good amount of programs being offered so in.

E

Consideration for what we're we're dealing with with the coveted restrictions, so those.

E

Registration classes are open now do that online. Some programs even begin as soon as next week. So.

E

We've got all sorts of aquatics programs we're actually bringing back some of our dance classes.

E

Karate, a lot of things are being modified, so spacing is still taken in consideration. No contact.

E

Type of classes and fixing that so that we can still be in our spaces and offer those programs.

E

We have a family kickball game coming up on april, the 18th the sunday at chancellor's run.

E

Very popular family event still plenty of space, so we are encouraging people to sign up for that.

E

Fun afternoon it's very laid back and just a good family atmosphere program. So hopefully people will.

E

Want to come out and join us and then, of course, what everybody has been waiting for.

E

We have released the summer camp program, information and registration will open on monday.

E

So monday april 5th at 9 00 a.m. Registration will be open for our.

E

Summer, fun specialty camps, so they're week-long camps. They have a theme for each of those weeks.

E

And then we also have our sports camps that we're going to be offering. So what we do to.

E

Really highlight those summer: camp programs is our annual edition of what we call the scoop so that.

E

Highlights everything that has to do with summer camps and that's also available online right now.

E

And what parents can use this document for us to really look at the details? What you need to.

E

Know the different cova 19 protocol that we are following all the guidelines and staff did an.

E

Incredible job last summer, and so we're building on that we are expanding. What we're offering this.

E

Summer compared to last summer, and that's largely due to the restriction restrictions being modified.

E

So we will be at hollywood, recreation, center and carver recreation center for nine weeks.

E

Some differences this year we will not be doing field trips. The restrictions still make that quite.

E

Difficult and just not financially make sense to be able to transport children at this time.

E

But lots of fun activities are still planned. So a lot of great themes are there.

E

In place so check out all of those different options, we do have limited capacities so take the.

E

Weekend to look over all the information see what the kids want to attend and make sure that you're.

E

Ready to register it's only a 25 deposit per week, that's required at the time of registration.

E

So you don't have to pay everything up front and also we don't want people to forget about the.

E

Scholarship fund, so anybody who needs financial assistance, we have a scholarship form to fill out.

E

And we'll be able to review those and hopefully help a lot of families attend camp this summer.

E

um Sports, when is that registration starts on monday yep, so we got that open monday. The 5th.

E

And then all the handbooks, the links to all the information, hopefully parents will find that.

E

Very useful, so they can make some good decisions about that and then, of course, our sports camps.

E

um Still working on the format of half day camps, all of them are going to be outdoors.

E

And there's quite a wide variety there as well, so making sure that we check those out. So that's.

E

What we have on tap for our spring program guide and then our upcoming summer camps.

E

And then do you want me to go into easter or if anybody has any questions.

E

Okay, russian, I'm blazing too fast, oh you're, doing good.

A

I said a question about your scholarships: do you guys allocate a certain amount of scholarships.

A

And just how I could help spread that word yep, so throughout the year for all of our programs.

E

There's a scholarship form available that you can fill out and typically how we've done it in.

E

The past it's on a case-by-case need, but we try to make it fair and equitable for everybody and.

E

Then, a couple years ago, what we started for summer camps, however, because we had been so successful.

E

With our annual golf tournament and our other events that contribute to our scholarship fund.

E

We expanded it where you can request assistance up to all nine weeks of summer camp. What will what we.

E

Do under normal circumstances is there's a period of time where you submit that application prior.

E

To camp registration, depending on how many request it, that's, then, how we allocate the funds depending.

E

On how much is in the fund? So if we had a hundred people asking for all nine weeks, we might say okay.

E

Well, we don't have enough in the fund, but we're going to be able to fund everybody four weeks.

E

So that's just an example, but we, our scholarship fund, is pretty healthy, so we're looking forward to.

E

Being able to help a lot of families this summer, um so it is based on the amount of people who.

E

Inquire and request it, but hopefully we'll be able to help as many people as possible because I guess.

A

As I work with our outreach of our as pta president for my elementary school, so we have.

A

Families, obviously that this would really be amazing, for so how I could best say.

A

You know opens monday, fill it out, and should I tell them that if they can reserve the.

A

Twenty-Five yeah close their spot do not hesitate, absolutely reserve your spot. If, for some unusual.

E

Reason which I don't anticipate this year, the funding all the funding wouldn't be available.

E

That they're requesting we will give them back their deposits if they're not able to continue, but.

E

I don't foresee that being an issue this year, we'll make it work yeah. Oh, I did ask you to hold.

D

Up because a couple things one I wanted to say is when I heard about summer camp, you know we have.

D

Summer camp right on this campus at leonard hall recreation center, and that made me then.

D

Think that right now we're cooperating with the circuit court. I didn't know if you knew that in.

D

Circuit court juries jury trials. So when you have jury trials to bring in a lot.

D

They don't have there's not the space at the circuit court to do that because of distancing.

D

So beginning in april, when they come back we've uh we cooperated throughout the winter and had.

D

One yes yep, because not every you know remember not all jury trials go to trial, and so then, when.

D

They notify us on friday, if they're going to trial, then they'll come and then leonard hall, recreation.

D

Center is large enough space they bring in the security and you go through there. The people that.

D

Do there and enter and and then the selections there, then once selected and they're escorted.

D

To the courthouse, and so that's how we cooperate with the circuit court during this pandemic period,.

D

But yet, and talking with staff there in particular judge stum, who I really like working with.

D

Is um how we're going to interact with our summer camp there? But we've worked all that out as well.

D

So that you know the circuit court can continue business as they're opening up again and then.

D

We'll see how it goes throughout the rest of the year, what distancing means to that? So we're glad.

D

We can help out right in here in leonard town, to get that done and the other one was two before we.

D

Got to east circle now, there's just so much more! You got to put the museums in all of this as well.

D

We just did a virtual um maryland day last week on the 25th and then what's going on there and what.

D

The parks have done and I'm going to announce while I'm at it. Mr murphy knows too that david.

D

Guy the one on the board retired last april, and yesterday mr rory kopsey, was selected as the new.

D

Parks manager for the department and we're excited about that and the work he's done for the past.

D

16 years and the promotion there and the work he's doing now and all the projects in parks.

D

And then we were talking earlier about the golf course and some of the things that are going on.

D

There, but that tonight's- not for that it's to hear about this, because this was an idea here.

D

uh Was it my idea? Well, thank you. If it wasn't, it is now. I knew it was yours.

A

Golden egg: the blame is yours man. I should have started that go ahead, jessica, you're back on.

D

Thank you for all you do too. So, typically, we have an easter egg festival at the st mary's.

E

County fairgrounds anywhere of you know, 3 000 to 3 500 people in attendance on that wonderful day.

E

Where we have egg hunts and vendors and amusements and all sorts and obviously last year, that did not.

E

Come to fruition right on the beginning of uh covid and, as we were approaching this year,.

E

It was becoming pretty clear that that kind of event wasn't going to be possible.

E

And none of us really wanted to go another year without some sort of easter festival and so.

E

Staff started talking, and you know we had eggs already because they were ready for last year.

E

And we're trying to think of different ways. We could do something um logistically. um You know.

E

That was a big hurdle and we were watching what some of the other departments were talking about.

E

And we came up with some ideas, but then I was hesitant because I was like. Oh, I don't want.

E

To draw people on purpose all at the same time, at the same place, anyhow long story short, we morphed.

E

To what we ended up with yesterday, so we've had a surprise in place for a while. We've been planning.

E

We've been preparing getting ready for it and we finally launched it on tuesday. What we planned was.

E

A surprise pop-up easter hunt and we figured what better way to get people out and about, and we just.

E

Got so lucky with the weather we had to shift, we originally weren't going to do it on tuesday.

E

But we put a plan in place. We did it early anyway because of the weather.

E

And with the rain that was planned for yesterday um and the easter bunny went.

E

Out to 10 different parks, four different museum sites and we hid 6 500 eggs throughout the county.

E

And so we sort of secretly did it, but then you know, as the bunny was out in.

E

The park saw other people yeah, so we were trying to be discreet. We had a big bunny.

E

The bunny did make an appearance um virtually, but bunny's helpers were out and about so.

E

um So we um hid bags of eggs and um on the in that bag was a congratulations note.

E

A qr code that would take you to the website. We also are doing some fun trivia and a hashtag that.

E

We sent out where, if they found the eggs to please post a picture with your eggs and the response was.

E

Better than we could have possibly imagined, quite honestly, everybody was so excited so.

E

Once we got him hidden, we launched it on social media and everything just took off from there.

E

And it was amazing, I mean people went to multiple parks, kids were excited, we had 10.

E

Golden eggs, so at every park there was one or two bags that included a golden egg.

E

And inside that, golden egg was directions for claiming a prize from one of our local business.

E

Sponsors so we had 10 golden egg sponsors, so local business really stepped up and then of course we.

E

Had 15 sponsors from the previous easter festival that were committed, but we wanted to still.

E

Recognize them because they contributed so much and so far we've had over 150 people participate.

E

In our trivia, our online trip you've got to go. Do that that's really cool some really neat trivia.

E

Clues in there about easter and the traditions of it and we've had over a hundred photos shared on.

E

The hashtag so fantastic and what it really showed was just. It was really a great advertisement for.

E

Recreation and parks and all the places that you can visit and all the parks and museums.

E

And just how much fun everybody had, so it was cool for our team to do what we love to do and it's.

E

Been too long, so we had a great day and we're so glad everybody had a great day. It was just.

E

It was wonderful, so lots and lots of people participating, um and we learned a lot from it.

E

And we kind of want to do it again, sometimes so, yes, thank you. You connected the community.

A

I mean it was just it lit up yep, so it was amazing yep. That was a good idea. After all,.

E

I'm glad I did not say mine, it was I mean as a director. I was proud and pleased. I.

D

So I was at lancaster park and I always when I go to the parks I like to talk to.

D

One or two you know somebody that are there and do come here, often and hear from them.

D

And there was a grandma and she was with the one, and I saw that bag of eggs and they were.

D

They said serendipitously, they just showed at the park, they didn't know and there it was. They read.

D

So the information was there, they were clued in and they just thought that was so special.

D

So I was glad to be a part of it, proud what she said: the promotion of being in the parks.

D

You can see from the pictures how it showcased our parks and then to make those families.

D

Just have enjoyment glad to be a part of it. Thank you. Thank the recreation division staff for that.

D

So I have a couple of things to go through that you're well aware of, and some will be brief, but we.

D

Have some graphics or pictures here and that's uh I want to show you you can see. That's the second.

D

Field field: seven: next to field eight, we almost have two fields done at lancaster park. The field.

D

Turf that um the lights I was there last night to see the lights turned on on both of them we've you.

D

Know we've the other one's been going on since june, but the turf just arrived last week and.

D

Probably maybe at the end of this week coming excuse me a week from tomorrow on the 9th could.

D

Possibly be completed there and then we got a call today from soccer that the maryland cup, the games.

D

They can't in montgomery county they're, still not open so now, they're looking to be down here on the.

D

Weekend of april, the 10th and 17th utilizing those two fields for big time games and that.

D

That will create the notoriety then possibly than the future tournaments, because once you get here.

D

And on the with the quality of fields that we have now you'll return and then plus what we'll.

D

Have to offer here that's totally different from anywhere well a lot of different places.

D

I shouldn't see anywhere else, so what you see on there besides, the turf marks, need to be done here.

D

On the field on the left on field number, seven you see the fencing still has to go up. The posts are.

D

There inlaid into the concrete, and then you see the path there doesn't have. The asphalt overlay.

D

So the asphalt overlay and the fencing might not be done for that field. On the 18th they're.

D

Going to play on the other field as well, but you don't need that. You don't need to be fenced in.

D

And the asphalt there to play games on top of that excellent turf field there and.

D

Chancellor's runs about a week behind and then chapter co about two weeks behind that their.

D

Their field's ready for the turf as well so it starts coming in and that crew moves from field.

D

To field and gets it done so that's very exciting: to have two fields at that site. Our next one be.

D

The next update would be: is it the? uh What is it the shannon farm property I mentioned to you last.

D

Time but since we talked I've walked the property and the with the a morton thomas design firm. We.

D

Set the center line and the wetlands and you can see those two, the one of the wetlands, a thousand.

D

Forty feet: that's a pretty good sized wetland, and that requires a bridge boardwalk over that.

D

And then you see the other 480 feet. I spent four hours on the property I wasn't intending there.

D

But once I began interested in the process and growing and learning myself being in wetlands.

D

And doing the survey and I stayed with them and assisted so you find out.

D

How do you find out where the wetlands are you, you understand how to mark them and flag those.

D

And then also in a trail through the woods like that, not only can the trail go straight through.

D

But now it has to meander through the big trees. You just don't want to force the large trees so.

D

That so cost then varies so then, next week the surveyors come in through that are the subs of.

D

A morton, thomas and they'll survey. What you see laid out here that that's been marked out.

D

Put something like 56 stakes in the ground: to get from that one point that 0.9 miles from there.

D

To the um to the shoreline and they'll come back and do the surveying and then so then last week we.

D

We walked again, a couple of the commissioners walked it we went well, we didn't walk all the.

D

Way through the wooded area we turned around after a spec, went down to another potential.

D

Entrance that the neighbors was challenging for the neighbors and that's why we picked this and.

D

Then we went down to the villas and walked coming up the beach front, so they saw it from the beach.

D

A challenging area and from the concept there we talked about so here we will surveyors, will be.

D

In so you'll get new cost proposals. Mde was also on site that day with us, the maryland.

D

Department, environment, one with streams and wetlands, and they consider this was a good.

D

Locale of the center line, but they got to get back, do all their work and we'll hear from them.

D

Soon so that's the update on shannon farm so very exciting project. So you walk that orange trail.

D

I did down to the water, how do you get through the marsh now the two green areas? You walk it and if.

D

You don't have rubber boots, you get your feet, quick, okay, so it is impact. It is passable. Now.

D

Yeah there there was some dense wooded areas. You know toward the end uh was a dense area.

D

uh We came up with a method and then before you get to this first wetland.

D

uh You can see the atv tracks and then once you, then you realize why. Then there was a.

D

Stand in the woods so that you know that's going to always be a chance to start hearing banjo music.

D

So so you know so that.

D

But being with the professionals, what was exciting for me, the that knew their wetlands knew how to.

D

Find them out staking it out the trail, the terrain very, very um educational and exciting to be a part.

D

Of that and walk the whole center line, and that's what that is the first center line.

D

And then I was with the uh the they have eight eight hoas in there homeowner associations.

D

And then they have the one over the umbrella hoa and we've been in contact all this week. A couple.

D

Times via email, making sure everybody's informed and then also that service road.

D

That we were thinking about coming down the surveyors might want to use that and that's.

D

The first few hundred yards is the property of the hoa instead of the county and.

D

So they've agreed to open that up, so we can enter there, possibly so a lot of good things have.

D

Happened since I saw you last regarding shannon farm moving forward, then the next one snow hill.

D

Finally, I have a picture here. That's a concept. I met with staff there last week as well from.

D

A morton thomas, they got the bid on that one as well, and so we were met there and we did our first.

D

First meeting and our notice to proceed they are, they know full well that that belt ramp on.

D

That site is a priority and you can see this a concept plan uh drafted up by staff from a land.

D

Conservation and water way improvement fund that did that for us and that now that's been turned.

D

Over then, we signed the lease on the agricultural farming. The commissioners did last week. There.

D

There's 29 acres that are farmed. We got 50 an acre for that and the uh I worked with uh the maryland.

D

Extension service and the average farming is fifty two dollars an acre, but this isn't contagious.

D

Plus some of the ph in there learn some more y'all can tell that can't you. I learned some more and.

D

uh So that we felt that was a fair price and then on top of that they were such an excellent family.

D

That farms, it uh they've, never encroached on any activity and plus they're in the park.

D

And it saves us from having the bush hog, so it's a great great partnership and relationship. So that's.

D

The whole idea there, uh let's look it down at that property. So some. If you look at that overhead and.

D

You see right there at the end of the dirt road and the pavilion there and the big the houses.

D

So think of the pavilion, a new pavilion shifted to the left. The one house stays there, possibly for.

D

Outdoor restrooms running water, restrooms storage for camp over in a play area site.

D

A larger pavilion and then also maybe a bridal spot for weddings right there.

D

Coming out there, then, if you move the big house, so that your vistas, your views, are better because.

D

We found out in our determination of eligibility that has no historic value and then what's going.

D

On now is archeological study. That has to be very next because you have to do that to determine.

D

Where you can dig in and where this parking lot and boat ramp can go so but think about.

D

Concerts there with a concrete pad concerts on the patuxent uh uh hosta views and then also farther.

D

To the left at the rosalind creek would be a canoe and kayak lounge and I think and then some other.

D

Paths of recreation would be in this first phase of snow hill park, good enough update great spot.

D

And we opened today: yes, we put staff in snow hill, always half snap and snow hill, uh the other park's.

D

Open today, but it was walk-ins only so we'll leave, there's snow hill and then uh in shannon farms and.

D

Then the lexington manor passive park- I don't have any pictures for you I could have, because I could.

D

Have just shown you those little blah, it's really blossoming blooming and looking good there, but the.

D

Construction started, I mean a lot of concrete's been the caribbean has been pulled out in a lot of.

D

Places so the first thing they're trying to do is get the water off the property. They got to figure.

D

How that's going to move, how? How the water's gonna go off the property, then the curbing is.

D

Coming out, then, the roads will be cut and uh we're moving, and then I was on the phone with.

D

uh The golf course today about the new t-pads that are going again and we're having to move.

D

Eight holes the baskets three to a hole, so that's 24. need an auger for that. The new.

D

Holes have been in the woods. I've told you that, so that's that this golf course is going to be.

D

One of the finer ones around when that's all said and done to match what else is in that.

D

Park we've got the building. Permit, we've got the bids for the restroom, that's been done, so that's.

D

So looking tentatively now, when I say 10 liter, you know weather's always there, but we're looking.

D

Maybe to have that project completed by july wow and have some nice fall activity in there. I've.

D

Looked at some swing benches because everybody now knows it's there, they're giving me their opinions.

D

That's good and then maybe some fitness equipment, street lights and the commissioners were delighted.

D

But the funding is now at 1.4 for mill to get that done and completed. But what, in addition to.

D

Lancaster passive park non-motorized wheels and then lastly, the three notch trail still.

D

Moving forward turning down our monthly march report to transportation alternatives yesterday,.

D

And that's mdot maryland, department of transportation and the funding sources.

D

To make sure we stay going, that's all for me and none of those were my none, not one of them.

A

Do you think in the future, as we get closer to you, know, unveiling a lot of the things that snow hill.

A

And shannon park that we would ever think about putting lifeguards in my office. I still have that.

D

Picture, I'm gonna just go back and give you some messages that picture in 1975 we cut the ribbon at.

D

Elms beach and we had lifeguards, you can still see them they're in the recreation parks, t-shirts. We.

D

Were going out- and we weren't there long before because of the different type of activity and.

D

And the complexity of the activity that we went with swim at your own risk, I'm not saying that.

D

That's a great idea: it's asked a lot, but right now we manage all our waterfronts without them and.

A

Just something, as I see you know, the county growing and obviously these becoming.

A

Really the flagship parks of the county- oh, they are indeed.

D

Because that's one of the things you'll see as we get to the land, preservation parks and.

D

Recreation plan, what I'm going to show you tonight, that's one of the areas that we need to move.

D

Get more aggressive with is get us to design design and engineering phase of myrtle point.

D

And elms beach, we need to get there and get some work done at those and what we're seeing through.

D

Covert that outdoor space has become very popular in in health and wellness and we're glad for that.

D

So you all ready, mr chair, are you ready to go to the lm lpp or prp yeah? We can do. I just had one.

B

Question with the six feet, rule yeah is that going to stay six feeters. I can go to three.

B

Like the school, and how do you determine which one you're going to use jessica, you you handle.

D

That, especially because you have two areas we are just have regular, you know we have recreational.

D

Programming, but she also deals with state licensing and remember that's one that we have to.

D

Cooperate with fully so, let's talk about state licensing in the six foot of you. What have you.

D

Heard there so for state licensing which doesn't always move in concert with what.

E

The schools do is still six feet and then you have licensing for our. What we call our.

E

School aged care programs- and we are doing a full day program right now. At hollywood.

E

And then summer camps, which is licensed by the maryland department of health.

E

um We are still waiting on them to release what the regulations are going to be for summer.

E

So until we know that we're hopeful that it's three, because then that increases our capacity.

E

And abilities but right now we are still operating under the six foot, and so we follow the guidance.

E

Of cdc, we follow the guidance of our local health department, um based on what kind of.

E

Activities we're offering since we're on that, can we can we interchange on the agenda? The.

D

Lpprp and the covet updates and just stay with covet updates, while we're here, I was just curious.

B

Because I know all those summer camps fill up quickly, yes and having to have them six feet apart.

B

And have space for them to be six feet apart. That really reduces the capacity it does produces. It.

E

Incredibly- and I know there's those programs are highly sought after and they fill up in the first.

B

Month they used to fill up in the first. You know week, two weeks with the registration.

A

Day all these parents and yeah, I'm thinking they're, going to be popular this time around.

D

Yeah we're prepared for monday we've got extra staff that can be reduced to match the schools.

B

I mean that doubles your capacity yeah, but we have to follow with the state license that we're under.

E

What they say, and hopefully they'll come out with something in the next couple of weeks.

E

And if that's the case, then we'll be able to open up more spots and we're prepared for that.

D

So I, since we met last, this was sent to each of you, this flower you're, looking at here.

D

So then this is basically. I certainly appreciate that question, because one we're we're informing.

D

The public, as we answer plus getting you know what the recreation and parks board your thoughts.

D

On that so jessica, if you want to you, can go the overview on this too, because I see pool carver and.

D

Gymnastics center and the indoors were on that right now talk probably one of the best things.

D

To do, and because everybody can read is, is what have been some of the um successes and challenges.

D

Especially at the pool and gymnastics center, where you have workouts, you have pools, you have showers.

D

So talk about those briefly for us yeah. As far as kova is concerned, um you know none of us really.

E

Knew what was going to happen and when we opened the pool, we were pleasantly surprised at how well.

E

We actually were prepared how compliant our customers- you know they were just so thrilled.

E

That something was open so that they could utilize the pool, engage in health and wellness activities.

E

And have an outlet outside of just being on lock down or in the house, and so the challenges.

E

Obviously, are the education piece, so we spend a lot of time, educating our staff making them.

E

Feel comfortable because it's not just about the people who are coming into our facilities. It's.

E

About our staff, you know they've been front line with the public since we opened the pool in june.

E

Since we did summer camps and so preparing them, making sure we have enough supplies.

E

In the beginning, um getting the ppe supplies, we were a little nervous about, but emergency.

E

Management was wonderful, supported all the county functions um and, honestly, I think kovet kind of.

E

We spoiled people a little bit in a good way. You know now they've got their own swim lane and.

E

Now they've got all kinds of individual attention at summer camp because there's not as many kids.

E

So a lot of good came out of it. We we actually felt very positive about all the experiences.

E

Despite everything else that people were dealing with, but it also allowed us, we created new systems.

E

And we're going to stick with it covet or not. The reservation system that we implemented at the pool.

E

Has been wonderful, very good response from the public on that because now they know if they've.

E

Got a spot reserved or not versus showing up to the pool and all the lap lanes are full so that.

E

Was a huge one and it helps our staff prepare as well. It helps with notifications, you know in the.

E

Winter time, when snow was coming, we could email direct people who had already been registered.

E

And let them know hey, don't don't venture out we're not going to be open today.

E

Or hey: here's an update. This is when we are going to open. um You know sherry nelson. The program.

E

Coordinator for school-aged care and summer camps program, her and her team have done amazing.

E

And parents cannot say enough of how we've handled opening an all-day program for their.

E

Child to participate in virtual learning, we worked with rit department to make sure that we had.

E

Appropriate wi-fi connections so that you could have 23 kids on their laptops. At the same time,.

E

Participating in in school and distance learning, so I think that we've actually had a lot of.

E

Successes through covid, um obviously the challenge has not been able to accommodate as many people.

E

But I think that we are pleased that we were able to at least offer some of.

E

Our programs, during this time and probably the greatest challenge if I had to pick a challenge.

E

Was going through, it seems to have died down a little bit, but going through quarantining.

E

So if staff had contact or a participant had contact and then the contact tracing.

E

As they were figuring out, what that appropriate response was we had just over 60 instances of.

E

People either having to be quarantined or people who were exposed to people who were positive.

E

We had very few positive cases in our programs or our staff. It did occur, but not nearly the high.

E

Percentage um so that was a challenge because then you've got to figure out how to handle it.

E

From there, but I would say that would be the biggest any questions for myself or jessica. No.

B

There hasn't been any discussion about requiring immunizations for programs or anything like that.

B

And that one requiring immunizations for programs.

B

No, some colleges are requiring them and yeah yeah. I got you now, but no, no, no! No.

E

My understanding is, it is until it's an fda, approved vaccination. That entities are not.

E

Able to make it mandatory, I know, there's been some reports of colleges and different people.

B

Starting to do that, so I didn't know if that was something they were pushing towards. No, we haven't.

D

Had strong conversation with our health nurse about that all right, since it's in its emergency.

A

Contribution right now, like it's considered emergency. That might be why, oh and speaking of.

D

Guidelines, our waterfront parks, are open to out of county residents. Again remember: we went all last.

D

Year without that, because you know the capacity limits but now uh in county and out of county are.

D

Joining together, we're looking for a great summer on the at the waterfronts for sure all right and.

D

I'm sure staff will like that too, because you know having to sift through there's no more sifting.

B

All right well, thank you jessica. We appreciate that updating it good to see. You again hope we.

B

Get to see you at subsequent meetings and get all that information that you've been providing for.

D

Some time well, thank you, mr chair, regarding that, because uh that that that all the division in.

D

Division managers, especially now came through that really came through because remember our business.

D

While our capacities went down, we stayed at work as far as involving ourselves with the public.

D

And there's a lot that there was a lot to do that. I like, where jessica said it: keeping staff.

D

Safe everyone's safe and then the user's safe and we went through a lot. uh But we had. We had.

D

Through I.t, our human resources department, the health department and our county health nurses.

D

We had a lot of help in getting it done, but I want jessica to stay here too, because the land.

D

Preservation, recreation parks plan- she had some work to do in that too plus two. This also helps.

D

Her her it's a guide for the whole department. It really is um you mind me getting started on that.

D

That did um were you doing with the covet 19. I believe I am so you're, basically just following.

B

Whatever guidelines or are providing oversight to the particular program, if it's a county guideline.

B

Obviously, you're finding coping guidelines. If it's a school, you can follow the three foot. If it's.

B

Depending on who it is, you have to follow those particular guidelines right now. Yes, that's the.

B

Bottom line bottom line and then the other one we opened up county parks. The golf at the golf course.

D

Right, it was, you know, for the longest time single cart. Riders were now to two to a card.

D

Except for 65 and over can have an exemption, and those were the documented uh condition.

D

So we're back to uh and that that will help out staff and um in the card inventory. But.

D

Still cognizant of being safe, so let me just look at the document. The land preservation parks.

D

And recreation plan this document and I'm going to read some of it for you, it provides current.

D

Information establishes goals, recommendations and a plan for the department going forward.

D

Every five years- and the other three five years has is this: this is a part of a maryland.

D

Program open space through dnr, they're they're, the development side, for when we we can develop parks.

D

And and spend money there, it's in the annotated code of maryland that you have to go through this.

D

Every five years, and really it's a great exercise for all of us one- it gets community input, it gets.

D

The board's input it establishes goals it allows us to see gives us our own internal report card so.

D

Here we go we're going to be hiring a consultant this summer, and so the five-year period will be.

D

Over and 22 was last adopted in august 2017., so we introduced it last month and now what I want to do.

D

This month, without is get us to another stage so that we can start having some conversation.

D

In may at our may meeting and then that way you'll be well-versed when the consultant comes and then.

D

You'll feel strong about providing input and then plus two. What it'll do is it'll spring us put us.

D

A springboard into september august, when it's time to develop or go into the next year, fy23s.

D

Cip project you'll be much better well verse see how it all.

D

Matches and dovetails together with the plan. So what I did on this paper that I handed out to you.

D

See you have that there it wasn't ready for prime time board docs. I don't know who who did that, but.

D

Goals, one two, three and four that you can find in the lpprb on page 55. I I got those singled out for.

D

You so there they are. Those are the goals. Let's go to goal number one expand the inventory of.

D

County managed athletic fields and sport courts and enhance the condition of current fields.

D

And courts to improve the playability of field surfaces and then what I did there is highlighted.

D

Some of the things that have happened in the last four years, not five, because it's only been in.

D

Not quite four years that it's been adopted, so you see that I'm not going to read them.

D

All but you're dealing with the turf fields, bermuda fields, basketball, courts, renovation.

D

Pickleball courts we establish and you'll see in the goals when you look at them deeper.

D

Some of the bullets in there are the league leaders. We now have league leader meetings twice a.

D

Year and then the abilities that, um with email to inform the sports complex, you know about that, we.

D

Had the market in economic study and then there's an indoor center being considered as a ymca.

D

So you put all that together. I think we did well in that area because you'll look at the next goal.

D

Too, you'll see a to-do on there and here with what was accomplishment in the past year. As long as we.

D

Don't go backwards and stay aggressive with that in our cip. I think we'll be fine, because generally.

D

You don't you know, six bermuda fields and six turf fields in a in a c in a lpprp cycle. That's that's.

D

Pretty much unheard of and then everything else that went there. So let's go to goal number two and.

D

And so before we go to gold number two. Let's so again, you now can see that and then, when you go.

D

Back looking at what you have online or in a hard copy, you can see the goals and what actually was.

D

Completed and then so: okay, but yeah turf fields and baseball fields, but here's something else. I.

D

Think we really need and to make the county. I like the idea over here by miss weatherly a minute ago.

D

About lifeguards, that's that's the kind of input we're looking for and then does the board concur.

D

With that, and is that something what do then staff? What does this support or the uh reporting back.

D

Do to enhance the service delivery, so those are the types of questions as we move forward.

D

Goal number two expand opportunities for water access and waterfront recreation. We opened snow.

D

Hill in 2017, and we currently have two master plans going at the same time at waterfront areas.

D

um Funding has been allocated for construction and else beeps. We got to dive into that. A e and.

D

You see under the to do under goal. 2 begin the design phase of the myrtle point now, cip projects.

D

We got to get on that. We've enhanced the website jessica and is she's talented on the website.

D

Talent on the website- I don't know her about her egg hunt ideas but she's talented on the website.

D

And uh but she yeah, she's, very talented, and so even in house we've enhanced the.

D

Way we communicate with our waterfront parks and public landings so because we now know that people.

D

Want to know on a sunday evening, a monday morning before the office opens, how do I get out? How do I.

D

Get that information and our website sites have to be spot on, and we have enhanced that and I need to.

D

Thank jess africa for that goal, three create a network of connected trails. You know phase.

D

Three three notch trail talk about that. I was hearing from mr parker earlier about.

D

Biking and we had that discussion earlier, but so how can we work with that biking and alternate.

D

Transportation and wellness and lexington banner pacific, you see, is a big highlight there. It was it.

D

Was highlighted in the plan and that you see now we this summer we'll have that completed.

D

With trails that tie into willow's road internal trails walking in the dew, but you see some things.

D

To do we need, we need to do better. I need to do better in an inventory map of existing trails.

D

Expand trail partnerships. I got an email this afternoon from charles county about connecting.

D

With the three dutch trail up there in charlotte hall, so all those bikeways uh transportation plans.

D

And they and they keep coming. The good news is they're on somebody's radar, very strong.

D

The the not so good news is, I need to get going on that, but we had a retirement of miss bailey.

D

Two years ago, and then miss ellis and we've been without that position for one time.

D

Sometime and we'll be interviewing for that position that will help with these projects.

D

In particular, the trail we'll be holding interviews for that here within a week or two.

D

Go for our last one and then we can have some discussion today and answer questions. Remember.

D

These goals again to show you what we've done find out where our weak strengths and weaknesses are.

D

And then begin to come together as a board and to say what some of our priorities and.

D

Goals are for next time, continue to operate, maintain and improve existing county parks.

D

Recreation facilities, museums and open space in an efficient and cost.

D

Effective manner now look here, replace five playgrounds in this period, renovated set seven.

D

Park restrooms we've renovated uh indoor restrooms at four recreation centers in the great mills pool.

D

We've installed bleachers at carver hvac air conditioning at margaret brennan new dome.

D

Led lighting to pool can I keep going and going wi-fi at five parks and hollywood recreation.

D

Center we've continued to invest in overlay in the parks and the trail.

D

New exhibits just uh very nice at the piney point, lighthouse museum and we're just about to get the.

D

Point where we're going to award the design for the saint clements island museum project and then.

D

The improvements and mr weaver were here, could tell you, as he serves on the recreation they.

D

Were our comic con shores advisory board the new improvements that have been there? So I think we've.

D

Had some great successes in this term heading into the next, but there's a lot to be done and my.

D

My goal is for the board is just to get uh engaged just just a little bit more between now and may.

D

And those pages 55 where it begins on our goals and some of the fine print. So as we can begin.

D

Mapping a path forward but use this is one of your reading tools, because it'll summarize, for you.

D

Put that with page 55 and then um I can mail, you, the cip, the current cip, the recommended and what.

D

We're in and then you can see where, where what that's currently allocated and see that, where.

D

We have to maybe maneuver and bend and be flexible and bring some other things to the table and that.

D

Would be about september is when we begin to go back to the commissioners of some of our out years.

D

In some of these next two years that are already in the plan, any questions.

C

Well, we've done, I think goal four is going to be something we need to look at to maintain all those.

C

New fields and maintain everything I think that's going to be a big goal. Next, it is- and I would say.

D

uh If I was to with park operations and parks, maintenance and because of what we've done here,.

D

And I believe I even was talking, I might have been roy or somebody else in the staff tyrone. Even that.

D

One of the goals is, is the staff patterns and the organization we have within staff and in parks.

D

Because when you're now at those fields and and having counting on hourly employees in that.

D

Management system, we have a good one and I was at the hourly training a couple weeks ago, but we're.

D

Going to have to get real strong because you see what's here and it's a lot, but I think we're doing.

D

Good, but to really do very, very well and regarding public safety and and routine maintenance. We're.

D

Going to have to see about that too, and if we look, let me say this: the last budget work session. We.

D

Had a list there of all the full-time equivalents, full-time that were been to the different.

D

Groups in the last five years, public schools and the sheriff included, recreation and parks.

D

In the last five years is one of the ones that hasn't added a full-time employee to our.

D

Trove- and I don't want to do it just for the sake of doing I even spoke to jessica.

D

About that meaningful work's, important getting priorities are important, so only be done when.

D

I think we have a plan going forward and I appreciate you bringing that up, but parks.

D

Parks parks is a big part of our lives and a huge part of it through what you see here in the lpprp.

D

Jessica's just had a new staff all the way around. What.

D

In the last couple years, three coordinators, with the retirements two, am I missing. Somebody.

D

Derek marva zoe yeah. We had two long-standing, I think combined 70 years of experience, gary reed.

E

Retired in april kenny, southern retired in august and then the county did go through a hiring freeze.

E

And so we were able once that was lifted, to fill those positions, so we were able to promote.

E

Ken guyer, who was our front desk customer service guru,.

E

So we kept his wonderful knowledge and abilities in-house and he is now taking the helm at the.

E

Great mills pool carver rec center and the gymnastics center and he's he's not busy at all.

E

And we just welcomed. Oh yes, susan is a coordinator. Yes, susan took his space spot.

E

And she started three weeks ago and she's a wonderful addition, we're thrilled to have her.

E

She's going to be great with customer service and then our other vacancy with the coordinator.

E

Who's really going to take charge of leisure programs, health and wellness initiatives, as.

E

Well, as our community service excuse me community standards program, we did a little reorganization.

E

In-House which it was a perfect time to do, and then as well as some of our sports camps,.

E

She will start at the end of the month. Her name is marva kumpf and she has been with us.

E

At the gymnastics center, so she is the program director down there. So quite a few promotions.

E

That we're very pleased with and ready to rock and roll once we get everything open.

D

All right all yours, mr chair, so well so jessica. You said that the um the um reservation system.

B

Worked great for the pool and that sort of thing is there any thought to doing that for the uh the.

B

Water areas like elm beach or that sort of thing, so people can get a reservation to go down there.

B

Or at least the indication on the website for how busy it is, because I know.

B

That's a long drive to get down there and it's full. Then: where do you go and if there's no way.

B

For the public to know- and we have staff there's a way they could look at. Oh, this is three quarters.

B

Full at nine o'clock, or if you have a reservation as long as you're there by say ten o'clock.

B

You you can keep it, but it's just a way for people to be able to plan, because if you leave.

B

From mechanicsville to go to elms beach, that's a long way to go and not have any idea whether.

B

You're even going to get in at that point, just just a thought. I think you have a good thought.

D

Myrtle myrtle point and snow hill haven't really provided us that capacity.

B

Elms has and they're going to and when you put the boat ramp in there, that's probably going to fill.

B

Up as well so if people can have a reservation as long as you're in there, by like nine.

B

You have a place to park because otherwise you get down here with your boat, you have nowhere to park.

B

Then you're off hunting around for somewhere else. I think online reservation.

D

No, it's it's better than the thought. Online reservations um is a way to go as a way of.

D

The future right, uh even even with that, even with that, especially if you know you can go.

B

Down there, with your boat you're, going to have a parking spot as long as you get there before a certain time or whatever, whatever guidelines you guys set, then you'll have a place to park and.

B

You won't have to get turned around with your family and everybody and go look for another.

B

And one of the things too, you can set capacity online right, yeah, that's that's the name of the.

D

Game too, you can set capacity right there, you can set it, you can set it to 200 people for.

D

Reserve and once it's reserved, then everybody knows that I can't get in right just to like it.

B

Just a thought, because it'll help control that and you know people aren't as disappointed.

B

When you get down with beats, it's full and you travel down to point lookout. That's full! You go.

B

Team mary's has been so busy yeah the river. Do I go? Do I go to myrtle point at that point? I just.

B

Go home you know, and then you can look that up on yourself and then you can figure it out.

D

Yeah and one of the successful things with the pool we don't charge when you reserve we charge.

E

When you get there, because it's weather dependent and you have an outdoor pool it, could you could.

E

Book it four days in advance and then all of a sudden you've got thunderstorms and more clothes.

E

And I think that um people really do appreciate that and once they get used to the system, um they.

E

Certainly appreciate that, um and it provides us good tracking, and we know what to do.

B

Yeah app on your phone right and then you can look on the app on your phone see if it's full.

B

Or you can green light or red light or yellow or whatever, whatever you guys come up with just some.

B

Way to reserve and be able to manage that online will probably be, and you can get statistics for.

B

How busy it is at different times too, it would help you long term to know yeah and you'd have.

B

Some documentation for how busy it is sounds like a summer internship. So if you need more, if you end.

B

Up needing more spaces at you know, shannon or staffing snow hill. You'll know that this.

B

Thing's been booked up since the day we opened it. Maybe we need to expand parking or you know.

D

Two good ideas tonight, and neither one mine.

D

You could take credit for it. Oh I'm gonna get this added lots of lots of blame.

B

So the soccer the soccer tournament that's coming is that going to lancaster park lancaster park.

D

Okay- and we just heard today so- and it's nobody's fault- I mean they are now looking.

D

For an alternate site, but it's going to be at lancaster on saturday, the 10th and 17th.

D

And then on the new field, potentially on the 18th sure busy day, that's opening day for absolutely.

D

And nothing on chancellor's run, they didn't want to use chancellor's run the fields back there.

D

There's no way I can answer that, in other words soccer it might be that they have their own.

D

Games there and uh and lancaster was open because again just finding out today, so soccer might not.

D

But um because chancellors is the more soccer complex because it has a 7v7, but so these are.

D

All going to be regulation, fields, chancellors, I tell you what but those new leds there we've.

D

Never had and that new set of lights on field 2 and the way that fields made with the walkway.

D

uh Chancellor's is gonna, be very attractive, mm-hmm and then we put a 20-foot net there. So balls can't.

D

Be kicked into the parking lot in two weeks. Chancellors is gonna, be very attractive. Oh yeah.

B

It's gonna be busy, so just back just something to think about when you get crowds of that size, 70.

B

Teams, or whatever have you thought about inviting like food trucks or anybody to serve those kind of.

B

Things since there's no like concessions on site, like maybe opening that up for people to register.

D

Oh, we get in the tournament. Business there'll be food trucks. Okay, I didn't know if you guys invited.

B

Them or you know, no they'll they'll be ready, so we we're not in the tr we're not in the tournament.

D

Phase we're not in the tournament phase yet that yet because really you're what's going to happen.

D

That day, you're still only have five six games. That's that's all. On one field, uh you're not still.

D

That's that's almost like regular season. They just happen to be out of town the good news about them.

D

Coming, though, is that their uh visibility is yeah, that's that notoriety that starts to get them come.

D

uh But yeah we're on that circle. There is a and lancaster is a good food truck area.

D

And uh we we the first bid for the leagues, though, is they they get to have the first at the.

D

At the concessions sure for their revenue for the to enhance their sports, and then we go from there.

D

But uh once we start and and they're even telling me now this when they're coming down, is it it's a.

D

Hotels are starting with that one too. uh So this this is a big one to get here. The first time.

D

That's why we're willing to do what we have to do to get them here on this tenth and second yeah.

B

Just when all those people get here and say that we got stuck in the field, there's nowhere.

B

To eat there's nowhere to go, you know what I mean, then you get a bad bad reputation from.

B

The start, no we're we're gonna we're gonna do good. We can go we're gonna. Do good yeah.

D

Because when they, when the regular season, because we've already had the travel teams.

D

Down here and they've they've: well, they really have uh liked it so much and the quality field.

D

These, the our turf fields, are top of the line, turf fields, a lot of people that play.

D

On turf fields, they've still haven't played on these at field, turf that we, the county, funded.

B

But once that word gets out, I'm pretty sure they're going to get all kinds of unaffiliated.

B

Leagues, unaffiliated people want to come play and you know just, but you know that's happening.

B

Thank you for your good thoughts, uh all right. Well, that's all! I have anybody else having.

B

A good great thoughts all right. Well, that's it! Mr shepherd and jessica. Once again, thanks again.

B

Jessica, we appreciate your input in yours too, arthur even though you're just promoting her ideas.

B

Appreciate it, do you have a motion to adjourn emotional adjourn.

B

Thank you meetings adjourned. Thank you.