HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-17-2019 Minutes PRB Regular Meeting
Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-296-9481 | stephanie.trueblood@hillsboroughnc.gov
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes | 1 of 2
Minutes
Parks and Recreation Board
7 p.m. Nov. 19, 2019
Town Hall Annex Board Meeting Room, 105 E. Corbin St.
Present: Chair Robb English (Board of Commissioners representative), Carl Cuthbertson, Lisa Frazier (Planning
Board representative), Cole Kenworthy, Andrew Landstrom, Noah Mace, Brea McCormley and Jason
Pattison
Absent: Chelsea Gailey and Jesse Mowles-Aring
Staff: Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood
Guests: Blair Bradford and Marvin Clark
1. Call to order and confirmation of quorum
Chair Robb English called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood called the
roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum.
2. Agenda changes and approval
Motion: Member Lisa Frazier moved to approve the agenda as presented. Member Andrew Landstrom
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
3. Minutes review and approval
A. Minutes from regular meeting on Nov. 19, 2019
Motion: Member Noah Mace moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Member Cole Kenworthy
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
4. Conceptual planning for Exchange Club Park (continued)
A. Review draft plan
Trueblood reviewed that the draft plan now includes some corrections to the historical narrative, a narrative
about the site constraints, and more details about the skate park.
The board discussed the draft with Trueblood. She noted adding to the draft that more than 180 people
signed the petition asking for a skatepark and making it clear that the proposal is to use the upper parking lot
area for the skatepark and to significantly enlarge the lower parking area.
Trueblood pointed out that the narrative on connectivity is about connecting the park to other areas of town.
Also, the Parks and Recreation Board will update the Connectivity Plan to show this park to be a key area
destination. She noted that the board can also update its priorities list.
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Trueblood shared ideas for the park submitted to her by students at Emerson Waldorf School. She asked if the
board was interested in adding any of the suggestions to the draft plan. There was some interest in a solar-
powered charging station so that teens can recharge their cell phones to stay in contact with their parents.
The board asked Trueblood to note in the draft plan accessible inclusive play equipment, which would likely
be swings. Trueblood explained that the order of the priorities is somewhat based on expense. Although
connectivity is very important, it is also very expensive, so it is lower on the list.
The board asked Trueblood to reach out to the adjacent neighbors and the athletic association one more time
with the information that the draft plan would be on the agenda in January.
The teen representative asked for the survey questions Trueblood gave to Emerson Waldorf School to
circulate among other high schoolers.
There was general discussion about community engagement. Trueblood said she would be happy to present
the draft plan to the Exchange Club Board.
5. Parks and Recreation-related reports
A. Board of Commissioners
English reported that Mayor Jenn Weaver, the elected commissioners and English took oaths of office at the
December meeting. The board also decided on committee assignments for the year.
B. Planning Board
Frazier reported that the Planning Board had discussed items from the October public hearing and
recommended approval to the Board of Commissioners.
C. Intergovernmental Parks Group — No report.
6. Park steward reports
Board members reported on the conditions of the parks for which they serve as stewards.
7. Staff updates
Trueblood reported:
• Commissioner Mark Bell had finished his turn of representing the Board of Commissioners on this board
as an ex-officio member and English is now fulfilling that role. Election of the new chair will be in January.
• Volunteer groups are removing Japanese stiltgrass at Turnip Patch Park and Calvin Street greenway.
• The contract for the Gold Park boardwalk repair has been awarded. The work may happen in January,
weather permitting. There will be periods of time that portion of trail may be closed.
• The grounds maintenance contract has been awarded to a different contractor.
• For the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget, Trueblood is requesting funding for the first phase of Exchange Club
Park, the first phase of the town reforestation plan, inclusive musical play equipment at Gold and Cates
Creek parks, a feasibility study of a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 85 to connect Collins Ridge with
downtown, parks accessibility retrofits, additional landscaping at Murray Street Park, and amenities at
Hillsborough Heights Park.
• The Hillsborough Arts Council has organized the winter solstice lantern walk for Dec. 21.
10. Adjournment
Motion: Landstrom adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Mace seconded.
Vote: Unanimous