10.14.2021 Parks & Rec Minutes`\ MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
T OWN o F Prosper Parks and Recreation Board
C p ER
Prosper Town Hall, Council Chambers
►J 1 250 W. First Street, Prosper, Texas
Prosper is a place inhere everyone October 14, 2021
1. Call to Order / Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order by John Metcalf, Vice Chair, at 6:00 pm.
Board members present: John Metcalf, Vice Chair; Gina Kern, Secretary; Ty Bledsoe; Matt Cely; Matt
Furay; Valerie Little; and Cameron Reeves.
Staff members present: Paul Naughton, Parks Planning Manager; Trevor Helton, Recreation
Supervisor; Matt Furr, Parks Superintendent; and Patty Kendzie, Marketing Coordinator.
2. Consider and act upon approval of the Draft Minutes from the September 9, 2021, Regular Meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Board.
Motion to approve by Furay. Second by Kern. Approved 7-0.
3. Comments by the Public
Prosper resident Barbara Cottone, previous Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board, addressed
members to encourage participation in the 2021 Prosper Christmas Festival on December 4. She asked
for Board support of the event through volunteering and described the various shifts and options
available. As background checks are required for all volunteers, she encouraged members to complete
and return the forms as soon as possible, if they have not yet done so.
Metcalf thanked Cottone for her ongoing support and help with community activities.
4. Introduction of New Board Member.
Naughton introduced Valerie Little, newly appointed to the Board in September 2021. Little's experience
with recreation and athletics will be an asset. In turn, Board members introduced themselves.
5. Consider and act upon the appointments of the Parks and Recreation Board Chair, Vice Chair, and
Secretary.
Motion by Kern to nominate Metcalf for Board Chair. Second by Reeves. Approved 7-0.
Motion by Metcalf to nominate Kern for Vice Chair. Second by Little. Approved 7-0.
Motion by Furay to nominate Cely for Secretary Second by Reeves. Approved 7-0.
6. Informational items
a. Recreation Update
Helton described the event, Celebrate Prosper in the Park, held September 25. This event marked a first
for the department, in that live entertainment was featured. Helton thanked the nonprofit groups which
donated food and volunteers: Town Council, Prosper United Methodist Church, Lighthouse Church and
Prosper Ladies Association. Kroger Preston Road, Prosper donated the bottled water. CoSery served as
Title Sponsor and Stacey Zimmerman, Realtor, was the Stage Sponsor. Thank you to Board Chair John
Metcalf for his stellar efforts as event emcee and thank you to all the Board members who volunteered.
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Helton said the Town's largest, most popular event, the Prosper Christmas Festival, will return to Town
Hall this year on December 4. Sponsors and Exhibitors are lining up to participate and attractions have
been booked, including Kid Fun Zone activities, Community Stage, Santa Claus and fireworks. The Kids
Christmas Shoppe will again operate within Town Hall as an opportunity for children to purchase gifts for
friends and family in a secure environment. Proceeds from the Shoppe will benefit the Recreational
Scholarship Fund. The Event Committee, comprised of staff and residents, meets regularly to discuss
event planning. Cely suggested creating a festival t-shirt and Helton said printing t-shirts will be
considered for the 2022 budget.
b. Park Development Update
The Prosper Tree Tour is scheduled for Whitley Place Park on November 4 at 5:30pm. The Tree Tour is
an informal walk in the park which brings attention to urban forestry in Prosper. Staff will provide a guided
informational tour of the park's Fall foliage and colors and Board members are welcome. Lengthy hike and
bike trail segments have been constructed at Star Trail Park and from Shawnee Trail to Teal Parkway.
Windsong Park #2, Hackberry Park, is open and being enjoyed by children at Bryant Elementary School.
Kern suggested, as new parks are named, that the Board consider a park with heavy traffic be named
after Dudley Raymond as a memorial.
c. Park Operations Update
Furr described his tenure with the Town of Prosper and said Parks Operations has grown from 2 to 21
employees, with 3 new positions currently open. Staff continues to make progress on improving the look
of the medians that were harmed in the February freeze. Tree planting will begin soon. The Prosper Arbor
Day Celebration is scheduled for November 6 at 9:OOam at Town Hall. Staff will lead Prosper scouts in
planting trees as an additional community forestry initiative. The Board is invited to participate. The annual
Champion Tree Contest is currently underway, where Prosper residents are encouraged to search for the
largest tree in Prosper. This year, the Cottonwood is designated as the tree to find. Youth sports will
continue through November.
7. Discussion regarding any miscellaneous business or items to be placed on future Agendas.
During this time, a moment of silence was held in remembrance of Dudley Raymond, as requested by
Cely.
Naughton has been appointed Acting Director of the department. The position of Director of Parks and
Recreation is expected to be posted soon.
Naughton said internal and external support is strong for creating a lasting memorial in Prosper to Dudley
Raymond. The November 2021 Parks and Recreation Board Agenda will include an item to discuss the
topic and to offer a recommendation sometime in the future to the Town Council. Several ideas have been
presented, including naming an annual Prosper Volunteer/Citizen of the Year Award, naming a park, and
planting a tree.
8. Adjourn.
Motion to adjourn by Kern. Second by Furay. Meeting adjourned at 6:33pm. Approved 7-0.
Matt Cely, Secretary
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