TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
SUMMIT MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 10, 2005
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Board of Selectmen: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Sally King, and Mark Neumann
Parks and Recreation Board: Robert Smith, Deborah Kulwich, Wayne Chapple, and Kathy Ungerleider
Also present: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager, and Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services
First Selectman Adams began tonight’s meeting by thanking those in attendance and requesting each person on the panel introduce themselves for the benefit of those in the audience.
He continued stating there are many demands being made on outdoor Park and Recreation facilities and the purpose of tonight’s meeting is to gather information to assist with a strategic long-range plan to address current and future recreation needs. He stated the town also recognizes the fact that recreation is not limited to children and sports fields and there are other recreation needs to be addressed.
First Selectman Adams explained the procedure to be followed tonight requesting a sign-in for those interested in addressing the meeting. Each group/person will be limited to five minutes beginning with the athletic users. Athletic groups were to report on their current status, participation, and anticipated future needs.
Ned Allen, Granby Little League, 18 Harvey Drive.
Mr. Allen stated he thought it was a great idea for groups and individuals to come together to discuss recreational needs. His report furnished the following information:
§ There are 600 registrants ranging in age from 5-15
§ Review of the participation level of each age range
§ There were twenty-eight teams last year – each team is allowed one practice a week and one game a week in a one-hour time slot
§ Practices are usually held in open spaces (such as East Street) or at the elementary schools
§ Lights on the high school fields would allow for more dual usage of fields
§ Smaller t-ball fields could also be a consideration and would free up the larger fields
§ The older players need a large field; the need for large fields is critical as is safety.
§ Other options might include setting up alternate areas for batting and pitching practice
§ Additional options might include portables (portable mounds, back stops, etc.)
§ The trend in participation is in the 5-8/9 year old range
§ Little League is the only option for some age groups
§ The 9-12 year old range is and has been stable for sometime
§ The need for larger fields shows up in the 13+ year old range, which continues to grow
§ Cost to play $80.00
Peter Gunn, LaCrosse, 6 Gristmill Lane
§ Youth LaCrosse was started in Granby in 2002
§ The first year there were 50 players – 2 teams
§ The second year there were four teams
§ The third year there were 145 players and seven teams
§ This year there are already 150 registered for the spring – there will probably be ten teams
§ An ideal team size is 16-25
§ 2006, the future, is unknown but the history of lacrosse is that it grows in popularity
§ LaCrosse is a spring sport (only) – the sport is totally different for the boy’s teams from the girl’s teams – field size is also different.
§ Half fields for practice is feasible resulting in the need for three fields
§ Future needs (in an ideal world) would be six fields
§ Over-lapping with other sports presents a real safety issue
§ Scheduling with the schools has been helpful – have been allowed to use the inside of the track – have also used the East Street open space
§ This sport has seen encouraging growth, well run youth sports are a great asset to the town
§ Cost to play ranges from $80.00 - $140.00
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, and Michael McCarthy, Athletic Director
Dr. Van Dorp began stating student enrollment has grown 40% over the past ten years. Two of the elementary schools are in the middle of major building programs, however, neither site has enough acreage to add any big fields to help out with the need for additional space. Over the past fifteen years the need for more athletic fields and a new track have been in the capital plan.
Michael McCarthy provided the following information on school programs and fields:
§ There are forty teams at the high school at varsity, JV, and freshman level
§ A review of current fields and locations was provided
§ There are six soccer team using two fields, need two more fields for soccer
§ Freshman field hockey was just added resulting in five teams, there are 2 & 1/2 fields
§ There are four cross-country teams
§ A volleyball team is being added
§ There has been interest expressed in football – that activity would have to be on campus and would require a full time trainer
§ In the winter there are eight basketball teams
§ There is one wrestling team
§ There are two cheerleading squads
§ The swim club team practices at the “Y”
§ In the spring there are two baseball teams requiring two fields and two softball teams that could probably share a field but there is a need for one more field
§ There are two track teams; the track needs to be upgraded
§ There is one golf team, which goes off campus
§ There are two tennis teams and the tennis courts will soon require upgrading
§ There is one boys and one girls lacrosse team – he noted lacrosse will grow as it always has
(Attachment submitted and included in the Town Clerk records)
Jim Glenney, 33 Glen Road, inquired if Mr. McCarthy had to carry a class load in addition to his duties as the Athletic Director. Mr. McCarthy does teach a couple of class but the majority of his time is spent as Athletic Director,
Kay Woodford, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, noted that the field use as outlined does not allow for the fields to be “rested” which is vitally important.
Deborah Kulwich, Soccer Program Coordinator, 235 Hartland Road
§ Over the past several years enrollment has been consistently between 485 and 525
§ Participants range in age from 5-14
§ Ages 5-6 have twelve teams – 14 children per team – 1 game a week/1 practice a week
§ Ages 7-8 have ten teams – 14 children per team – 1 game a week/I practice a week
§ Ages 9-10 has two girls teams and two boys teams – 15 children per team – 1 game per week/1 practice per week
§ Ages 11-12 has one girls team and three boys teams, 15 children per team – 1 game per week/1 practice per week
§ Ages 13-14 has two boys teams – 18 children per team – 1 game per week/1 practice per week
§ There is a need for a big field for the 11-12 year old group
§ The cost for this program is $49.00
Martha Delaney, 51 Pendleton Road, inquired if the Rover fields were used by organizations other than the Rovers and was told yes but utilized mostly by the Rovers. There was recently a cooperative effort between the town, the Rovers, and Little League to install an irrigation system for the fields at Salmon Brook Park. Most of the organizations contribute to field improvements, seeding, etc.
Robert Laraway, 1 Partridge Meadow, suggested that more games could be held on Sundays and lights and Astro turf could be used to increase field usage.
Allison Forysth, Horse Council President, 19 Fern Hollow Drive
Ms. Forsyth furnished background information on the Horse Council stating they are an organization that protects and promotes the rights of horses. The membership numbers 300 with an average attendance of 40 at the monthly meetings. The Council fully supports themselves through dues and fund raising events. The fencing around the horse exercise area at Salmon Brook Park was paid for by the Horse Council. The Horse Council also takes on the responsibility of maintaining the trails, particularly at Salmon Brook Park, which are vital to the Horse Council. The New York Times recently recognized the Town of Granby as having a reputation as a horse friendly community. (Attachment submitted and included in the Town Clerk records)
Jim Glenney, Community Gardens, 33 Glen Road
Mr. Glenney identified himself as the Assistant Manager for the Community Gardens, The Community Gardens began in Granby about 30years ago, 25 of those years they were located at Salmon Brook Park. From the park they were moved to Holcomb Farm but that location did not work well for the gardeners and the numbers dwindled from 60 participants down to about six. After Ahrens farm was purchased the gardeners were reestablished at that location. Last year was the first year at that location and thanks to the Public Works Department there is a parking area and a well has been drilled. Last year there were 40 plots with 30 gardeners; 40 are anticipated this year. The cost is $5.00 a year for a small plot and $10.00 a year for a large plot. Mr. Glenney stated the gardeners had a wonderful year last year and were
only asking for a bit more land to allow for expansion. Perhaps an additional 25 feet to the north and 25 feet to the west. He stated the fees collected for the plots would be used to till the land in the future.
David Olechna, Salmon Brook Park Day Camp, 4 Parsons Drive, Weatogue, CT
David Olechna, Summer Program Director for Salmon Brook Park, provided a summary of the facilities currently used at the park on a regular basis. He also reviewed the programs and the needs for additional facilities. The Salmon Brook Park Day Camp program enrolls approximately 120-150 per week over the eight-week span each summer. The programs cost from $90.00 - $140.00 (Attachment submitted and included in the Town Clerk records)
Martha Delaney, Dog Park, 51 Pendleton Road
Ms. Delaney has formed an organization called DOGGS (Dog Owners of Granby Getting Social) and has made presentations to the Parks and Recreation Board as well as the Board of Selectmen. She reviewed her proposal for a dog park this evening stating the Boards should consider the new park users as well as those looking for athletic field space and not just children but also adults. She is proposing a fenced in dog park requiring an acre or an acre and a half. She encouraged every one in the audience to visit Hamden where they have a dog park and dirt bike area coexisting side by side. She promised it would be a facility the Town of Granby would be proud of.
Susan Regan, Hungary Road Property Owners Group, 62 Hungary Road
Ms. Regan was present tonight to speak for the Hungary Road property owners. She reviewed the six points outlining their position. They were: 1) It is a small area and they discouraged any permanent buildings and/or port-a-potties, 2) Traffic and parking must be managed and they requested a study, 3) They are seeking expert management of Ahrens Farm Park to preserve the quality of life for the neighborhood advocating a natural state, 4) Noted the time and money spent on the maintenance of recreation fields and inquired why tax dollars have to be focused solely on athletic fields, 5) Requested Park and Recreation minutes and agendas be posted on the Granby Website, and 6) Request for notification and input in regards to anything relating to appearance and style of the entrance gate as well as signage and park rules. (Attachment submitted and included in the Town Clerk records).
First Selectman Adams stated the plan has always been to have a permanent structure for storing equipment and bathroom facilities at Ahrens Farm Park.
First Selectman Adams then recognized David White in the audience stating this was the head of the group that raised over $125,000 to construct the playground at Salmon Brook Park,
Tod Breau, Skate Park, 6 Laurel Drive
Tod Breau stated he had just learned of this meeting last night and did not have the time to prepare a statement. Basically he was inquiring about the possibility of a skate park in Granby. He stated all of the surrounding towns have them and they are never empty. He would be willing to help the project along with fundraisers but had no specific ideas to outline tonight. Ms. Woodford encouraged him to attend the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Board and make a presentation.
Lee Janssen, 60 Hungary Road, stated she is not against sports but is very much against mismanagement of this property. She also stated she would like to see more respect from the Board members and more interest shown in the concerns of the property owners. She stated it takes too long to get any answers and often no answers are forthcoming. She would like to be included in decisions as to planting, building, etc. and would like to see a full proposal for Ahrens Farm Park usage before anything else is done.
First Selectman Adams stated the Board of Selectmen would meet with the Park and Recreation Board and try to come up with a strategic plan within the next month or so.
First Selectman Adams adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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