09.13.2018 Parks & Rec MinutesMINUTES
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"A Place Where Everyone Matters "
1. Call to Order / Roll Call.
Regular Meeting of the
Parks and Recreation Board
108 W. Broadway Street, Prosper, Texas
Prosper Town Hall
Council Chambers
Thursday, September 13, 2018
6:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Rick McGrath, Chair, at 6:00 pm.
Board members present: Rick McGrath, Chair; Rebekah Land, Vice Chair; Gina Kern, Secretary; John
Metcalf, Cameron Reeves; and Stephen Thomas.
Chuck Smith was absent.
Staff members present: Paul Naughton, matt Architect; Trevor Helton, Recreation Services
Coordinator: Matt Furr, Parks Superintendent; and Patty Kendzie, Senior Administrative
Assistant,
2. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes from the August 9, 2018, Regular Meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Board.
Motion to approve the Minutes by Thomas, second by Kern. Approved 6-0.
3. Comments by the Public.
Prosper Resident Michael Duck addressed the Board regarding several topics. He complemented staff on
the appearance of Frontier Park and requested the west section near the batting cages be mowed. Rats are
being found in neighborhood pools and he asked if keeping the grass at a lower level would help with the
problem. Furr said the west side area is actually HOA property, although Parks does mow it occasionally.
Staff works to keep dirt out of the creek, in an effort to keep it flowing, as currently there is no irrigation.
Naughton said the interactive map (available via the Town website) shows property ownership, per the
Town's Planning Department.
Duck expressed his feelings, as a resident and business person, that the park should be self -sustained by
revenue and user fees. He supports the Park and Recreation Board's efforts to raise the fees. He
questioned a Councilmember's response to the fees during a Town Council meeting and also asked for
clarification of the square footage allocation issue as it relates to soccer. He said there is an opportunity to
create exceptional soccer facilities like the exceptional baseball facilities and questioned the lack of shade
in the soccer area.
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Duck also questioned the posted field usage signs. Furr said they are posted for teams. Duck suggested a
change in the wording for residents, yet agreed teams should be advised about using the park.
Land said park fees for Prosper residents are not changing. Thomas said many determinations and
decisions are made by the Prosper Youth Sports Commission (PYSC). He said the Board duly notes that
the actual ability to invoke change is under the realm of the Town Council; the Parks and Recreation
Board makes recommendations. The Board thanked Duck for talking to his neighborhood and bringing
their ideas to the Board meeting.
4. Consider and act upon the naming of Star Trail Neighborhood Park #1.
Naughton said the developer appreciated the Board tabling the park naming discussion last month. He
thanked the sub -committee for its comprehensive efforts to look at the park closely and also for involving
the Historical Society in suggesting park names.
Motion to approve by Land, second by Kern. Approved 6-0.
5. Update on Park Field User Fees.
Naughton said Park Field User Fees will be included on the next Town Council Agenda, so fees are set
prior to the spring youth sports seasons. Land asked how the public will be informed of the changes.
McGrath requested an item be added to the next Parks and Recreation Board Agenda: discuss soccer
being underserved due to an inappropriate allocation. McGrath stated he was not aware of any inequity
and the topic had not been brought previously to the Board.
6. Informational items.
a) Recreation Update
Naughton introduced Trevor Helton, Recreation Services Coordinator, who began work for the Town on
August 20, 2018. Helton gave the Recreation Update. The Community Picnic was rescheduled to
September 29 and volunteer opportunities remain for the Board. Background check forms must be
completed by all volunteers; forms will be emailed.
Land asked about the Prosper Christmas Festival budget. Helton said traditional attractions, fireworks and
decorations will remain a part of the festival. Helton said interest is high and sponsorship dollars are
coming in. McGrath asked how sponsorships compared with previous years. Helton gave 2016 and 2017
sponsorship information and said sponsorships are on track with, if not ahead of, 2017.
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a) Park Development Update
Naughton said the contract is underway for the design of Hays Park. Two concepts will be brought to the
Board and for public input and feedback. In turn, a finalized master plan will be implemented. Naughton
said the sign will look similar to others in Town parks. Land suggested keeping the original sign to be
mounted somewhere. Naughton said maintenance costs will be kept low so budget impact is low. Land
suggested including hands-on items for special needs children.
Naughton said staff will be submitting for a Texas Wildlife Grant for the hike and bike trail at Whitley
Place Park. The trail will connect to the school so students have safe passage and do not have to cross a
street. Prosper submitted for this grant last year and, after a debriefing with Texas Parks and Wildlife, will
make adjustments and re -apply this year. Grant deadline is October 1, 2018; the award should be
announced around March 1, 2019. An agreement is expected in May 2019. If Prosper does not receive the
grant funding, money is still there for the hike and bike trail.
Thomas asked about the availability of a comprehensive map of existing and proposed trails. He also
inquired about HOAs and private trails. McGrath said there was a request for a private trail, which was
denied. McGrath requested a review of hike and bike trails, a progress update, be included on a future
Parks and Recreation Board Agenda.
Naughton said the Tucker Park sign is complete and a ribbon cutting/dedication ceremony is forthcoming.
Information will be emailed to the Board when it becomes available.
b) Park Operations Update
Furr said traffic issues remain at Frontier Park even with five divided lanes. The school district has made
the improvements. The parking situation will be watched during lacrosse, football, baseball, and soccer
games. Regarding the soccer square foot issue, Furr added that, in theory, the thought process behind that
is to consider the number of kids and the size of the field when determining field usage.
Furr announced the 2018 Champion Tree contest to find the largest Bur Oak in Prosper; contest runs
through October 8. The 2°d annual Prosper Arbor Day celebration will be November 3, 2018, at the pond
at Pecan Grove Park. He also said Parks has taken over grounds maintenance of Town Hall maintenance.
Discussion ensued about the request by Folsom Elementary School for inflatables in Folsom Park for a
school event. Furr said bounce houses destroy the grass. McGrath and Furr suggested the inflatables be
placed on the easement and not on the grass.
7. Discussion regarding any miscellaneous business or items to be placed on future Agendas.
Land asked about the possibility of recognizing a Rucker student for picking up trash at Frontier Park.
Kendzie asked Land to email photos and details.
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8. Adjourn.
Motion by Land, second by Metcalf. Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm. Approved 6-0.
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Gina Kern, Secretary
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