Parks and Rec Committee

I am not in favor of creating a 3 council member committee to be in charge of Parks and Rec. The rec board was designed years ago to be in charge of Rec and Parks. The great people who serve on Rec Board have a better idea on what needs our city has concerning Parks and Rec.

Another interesting article in the Metro Press:

Council to create parks, recreation & open space committee
By Kelly J. Kaczala
Press News Editor
kkaczala@presspublications.com

Northwood City Council is considering creating a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee.

Council has already approved a second reading of the proposed ordinance.

“Our recreation board has authority over all our parks,” said Mayor Mark Stoner. “I don’t think anyone knew that the recreation board is supposed to be in charge of the parks. The board could technically tell our streets superintendent when to cut the lawns, what mowers to buy, and hire people to do it. It’s just a huge duplication of services. We need to make another committee for council on parks, recreation and open space.”

Stoner would like the recreation board to remain intact to oversee city sports programs, mostly baseball.

“It’ll make it a little easier for our administrator [Pat Bacon]. When she wants to order playground equipment for one of our parks, who does she take it to? To the Finance Committee to get approval for financing? This will make it a little clearer. Basically, anything that would happen inside a park boundary could go to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee,” said Stoner.

The chairman of the recreation board would likely meet regularly with the three member committee to discuss some of the needs of the sports programs.

“The chairman would inform the committee, for example, that we need more stone on the baseball diamonds. The recreation board has no authority to spend money. They have to go to council for approval. No communication from the recreation board came back to council. The liason from council who was supposed to go to the recreation board was working different shifts, so therefore, no communication came back to council. Having a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee would clear that up. There’s going to be councilmen on the committee. So if one is gone, there are still two other councilmen to hear their concerns. If they need something done that requires financing, then they can bring it to the full council.”

The city, with a population of 5,500, currently has four parks - Brentwood, Central, Nature Trails, and a new park at I-280 and Curtice Road that has not yet been named.

Not everyone supports a new Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee.

Councilman Dave Gallaher said it was unnecessary.

“I don’t think council is in a position to take over the recreation responsibilities of the city,” said Gallaher. “Council deals more with budget items, and the long-term operation of the city as far as rules and regulations. Parks and recreation should stay exactly the way it is, with volunteers and parents involved in the recreation program on almost a daily basis. Those are the people who are in touch with those who use the program.”

Gallaher said the city needs an in-depth master plan for parks and recreation, which is recommended in the city’s master plan.

“It’s something I’ve been trying to get on the agenda for well over a year. I don’t think we have enough direction in our parks and recreation program. With money being tight, it’s all the more important that we know exactly where we’re going with the parks and recreation program so we start projects that, in the long run, aren’t in the best interests of our residents. We need a parks and recreation master plan. We don’t need a parks and recreation committee of council.”