9.0. PRSR 03-14-2014 °I. 0
E lkMemorandum
River
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Date: May 14,2014
Subject: Director's Report
This report is a monthly highlight of our Department's activities informing the Commission
on items related to collaborations, strategic planning, staff changes/ development,and park
operations.
Memorial Donation Policy
Staff is currently working on a donation policy for the city and parks and recreation. We
have had recent inquiries from citizens who want to find comfort and/or remember joyous
occasions in their lives through a bench or a tree. It's gratifying knowing that people look to
our parks and request permission to personalize certain spaces that they can visit over the
years. The recent request from the Rotary is a good example.
The intent of this policy is to provide people with an opportunity to commemorate or honor
family, friends or events in one of our parks. We hope to have a draft policy for the
Commission to review at the June meeting. Its main purpose will be to establish funding
requirements and recognition standards. The cost of a memorial should not just be based on
the actual cost of the item(s) requested,but the installation,and basic maintenance costs.
The lifecycle of the assets to be donated also needs to be addressed in the policy.
Houlton Property
The good news is that we continue to work with the Conservation Fund on the acquisition
of the Houlton farm property. We have found a potential funding source that could assist.
We should know by the next Commission meeting.
Bailey Point Nature Preserve Master Plan
We need to develop a master plan for Bailey Point Nature Preserve. This will require public
workshop meetings during the summer. Staff would like to propose that a workshop
meeting for the public be announced for Wednesday,July 9 at 5:30 pm prior to the regular
meeting. HKGi will assist with this project as part of the master planning process.
ni . /E N\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Commission\Packets\2014\05-19-14 PRC Packet\Directors Report 5-14-14.docx ATL