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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-03 Regular Meeting Parks and Recreation Board October 3, 1983 The Parks and Recreation Board met at Simmons Recreation Center on October 3 , 1983, at 6: 00 P.M. , for the regular meeting, and a tour of Euless parks. Present were Chairman Billy Owens, Board members Mrs. Helen Lightbody, Messrs. Kerry McCombs , Marland Ernest, D. R. Hawthorne, and Alternate members Mrs . Brenda Ashford, and Mr. Ron Henson. Also present were Mrs. Julia Wakeley, Recreation Coordina- tor, Mr. Bob Phillips, Parks Coordinator, Mrs . Ophelia Smith, Recording Secretary, Mr. Doug Rose, Athletic Supervisor, Mr. Jerry Massey, Parks Foreman, and Mr. Johnny Green, and Mr. Kevin Smith, Parks Leadmen. Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick was a visitor. After a picnic supper at Simmons Center the group boarded the City bus for a tour of the following: South Euless Park Wilshire Park Westpark Midway Park Bear Creek Park Community Building Those present viewed activities taking place at the Community Building, and were introduced to the new Supervisor, Mrs. Cheryl Jones, and her Assistant Mrs. Diretha Crockett. The group then met in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building for a discussion of the tour. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Owens called the meeting to order at 8: 00 P.M. • DISCUSSION Chairman Owens remarked that in the early days the City did not have a tax rate, and most of the park development was brought about through joint negotiations of Councilpersons, developers, and citizens. To-day, the majority of citizens take it for granted more park land for recreational purposes is needed. Chairman Owens stated the Board needs to become more involved with the acquisition of land for park development. Chairman Owens stated the Board needs to set some concrete goals for development of parks to accommodate the expected influx of people. Chairman Owens stated the Parks and Recreation Master Plan adopted in 1976 needs to be updated for -- projected population growth. Mr. Kerry McCombs stated he was really impressed with the tour of the parks, and thinks Mr. Bob Phillips deserves a real commen- dation for his work and that of his crew. Mr. McCombs stated he would Page Two, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 3 , 1983 be a happy tax-paying citizen if Parks and Recreation were to remain at the same level of quality, but increase accommodations with growth of the City. Mrs. Helen Lightbody remarked she agreed with Mr. McCombs statement. Mrs. Lightbody stated she was extra happy to tour the parks, since she is new on the Board. It gave her a chance to see where they are located. Also, she feels it is a good way to keep in touch and know more about what we are doing. She thanked the Staff for the food and hospitality. Mrs. Ophelia Smith remarked she has always had a special interest in Euless Parks and Recreation. She has kept in close touch with the Parks Department, and has enjoyed watching the development. Mr. Bob Phillips and the Crew do a remarkable job in developing and maintaining parks for recreation. Mr. Bob Phillips remarked he had a greenhouse in his back yard when he started to work for the City. He and his wife, Mrs. Patsy Phillips, began propagating plants and were able to zhow the City Manager that it would be profitable to have a City greenhouse. A greenhouse would enable the City to save money, and make us self- sufficient, and not have to depend on others for plant material. The main purpose for the greenhouse is to grow all our own plants, shrubs, and trees . Mr. Phillips stated each year they propagate red oaks, live oaks, and trees suitable to this area for the tree farms to use as needed. Mrs. Julia Wakeley remarked that is was primarily parks night, and she wanted to say how proud she is of Mr. Bob Phillips, and how lucky the City is to have him and his crew. Mrs. Ashford remarked she enjoyed the tour of the parks, and the hospitality and meal prior to the tour. Mrs. Ashford re- marked she has seen the quality of the parks improve since she and her family moved to Euless a few years ago. Mrs. Ashford remarked she was quite impressed with the tour this evening, the care of the parks, the equipment, ' and maintenance of the equipment. Mrs. Ashford stated she also had an opportunity to view the median strips, and they really make her appreciate Mr. Phillips, and his crew when she visits a neighboring city. Mr. Don Hawthorne remarked he thinks we can appreciate more what our Parks and Recreation Department does for the citizens. He stated the tour covered only about half of the areas the department maintains. Some areas are co-habited with the schools and not on this evenings tour. Mr. Hawthorne agrees the City does have great parks, but he is also concerned in that he thinks the population has saturated the Parks and Recreation to-day, and we have a great growth projected in the next five to ten years. We need to propose to the City planners for expansion of Parks and Recreation to support this population just around the corner. • Page Three, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 3 , 1983 Mr. Marlin Ernest remarked he appreciated the food and festivities at Simmons Center and the tour of the parks. He stated he has been to all the parks before, and participated in several of the activities, but it was interesting to meet the people who are responsible for the parks looking so great. He remarked that the parks look as they do not just because of the mechanics. They love what they are doing. Mr. Ernest stated that in the seventeen years he has lived in Euless he has seen the parks grow from what he considered zero to something very beautiful and well-kept, and appreciates what is being done. In answer to an inquiry by Mr. Ernest, Mr. Phillips stated it takes a crew of eight men four days a week to maintain the parks during the summer months. Mr. Ron Henson remarked the tour this evening was his second one. He and Mr. Phillips toured the tennis courts earlier, and toured most of the parks at that time. Mr. Henson stated when comparing Euless with its sister cities one can really be proud of what we have in Euless. He remarked that Mr. Phillips and his Staff have done a good job. Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick remarked she always joins the group on a tour of the parks. She stated she is always interested in seeing what we have new. She stated she enjoyed the tour. She remarked one can hear people say, "Oh, someone has a green thunb" , but that means work. That green thumb isn' t all that natural ! Mr. Kevin Smith remarked that he appreciated meeting the new Board members. He stated he would like to communicate better with the Board. Sometimes the men he works with feel they do not have a voice. He stated we try to have a common goal. Mr. Phillips leads us in that respect. Mr. Smith stated we need the support of the Board, as well as, the Board needing the support of the Parks Department. Mr. Smith stated he is proud to be with the City of Euless. Mr. Jerry Massey remarked he appreciated the nice things the Board members said about the parks and Crew. He stated he agrees that having good people and good management with everyone enjoying • his job makes it all work. Mr. Johnny Green remarked he has been with the Parks Department less than six months. He stated he enjoys his work, and being free to use his own discretion with maintenance. He stated he enjoyed meeting the Board members, and feels that working with the Board through Mr. Phillips we will have the team necessary to do a good job. Mr. Doug Rose remarked he has just returned from State T.A.A.F. meeting in Beaumont where he received the bid for Senior Girl ' s State Softball tournament this year. He stated some of the larger cities represented have much nicer recreational facilities, but due to the fact, Euless has held two Minor Girl ' s State tournaments so successfully we are recognized state-wide and received the vote for Senior Girl ' s State tournament this year. Mr. Rose stated Hurst Page Four, Regular Meeting, Parks & Recreation Board, October 3 , 1983 opened a new four-field complex last summer; however, participation in softball has increased in Euless rather than decreased. Chairman Owens requested Board members bring reports to the next meeting. Chairman Owens stated he would like to see the Council Chamber filled with guests at each Board meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8: 20 P.M. 9 �� �, Ch a i SSr//,m{{V// ` ,, 4,.__7 y. :- , . Secretary