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02-11-2021 (. _i' CITY OF GRAND TERRACE PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING February 11, 2021 -4:15 p.m. City Hall Community Room — North 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, CA 92313 AGENDA CALL MEETING TO ORDER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ROLL CALL: 1. Approve November 19, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes 2. Public Comments 3. Discussion: Parks & Recreation Projects a. Committee Workplan — Review b. Fitness Park Playground Shade Sails — Review& Select Color c. Walk on Blue Mountain —Saturday, March 6, 2021 d. Schedule Annual Meeting March 2021 with Athletic Leagues and Youth Groups 4. Committee Member Comments 5. Adjournment Next Meeting Date: March 11, 2021 @ 4:15 p.m. A When Parks and Recreation Committees are established, Councils usually have an objective to provide opportunities that guarantee every resident has access to quality Parks and Recreation activities. This is accomplished by: 1) Developing and maintaining park areas and recreation facilities for citizens to enjoy, and at the same time, protecting and preserving the environment for future generations and; 2) Offering recreation programs and services that are consistent with citizens' needs, interests and add to their health, sense of well-being and sense of community. A Parks and Recreation Committee would most likely focus on the following items: •Give Advice and Provide Recommendations -Evaluate Services -Review and Recommend Park and Recreation Budgets Committee Helps Establish Park and Recreation Priorities -Review and Support the Use of Park Facilities for events -Review City's Park Facilities Assessment Plan •Review and Comment on New Park Development The items listed above would require committee members to meet once a month, or as needed, to address park facilities, which can be staffed with existing resources. The resources needed to provide staff the ability to address the recreation component of the committee, really depends on the level of recreational programs the City Council would like to undertake. The City of Grand Terrace's City Council recognizes the importance of providing Parks. and Recreation Services for Grand Terrace residents and therefore re-established a Parks and Recreation Committee. The committee is comprised of volunteer citizens whose job is to focus on the needs,of the community and advise local policymakers on recreation and park matters. The City Council of the City of Grand Terrace has determined that the Parks and Recreation Committee shall advise the City Council on the following Parks and Recreation matters: • The development and maintenance of park areas and recreation facilities for residents to enjoy. • and at the same time, protecting and preserving the environment for future generations and. • recommend the establishment of programs and services that are consistent with resident needs, interests and that would add to their health, sense of well-being and sense of community. The Parks and Recreation Committees is advisory, meaning they provide valuable input but have no final decision-making or enforcement authority. They make recommendations that are not adopted unless the local elected officials approve them. The City Council controls the formation, objectives, appointments, and removal of committee members. Past Community and Park and Recreation Activities Staff was engaged or supported various community activities, including: • Grand Terrace Community Days. • Community cleanups. • Summer camps. • Excursions to sporting events. • Tour De Terrace bike classic • Trunk or Treat • Light-up Grand Terrace • Movies in the Park • Rabies Vaccination Clinic • Youth Art Show • Other Activities • Joint Use Agreement with Colton Joint Unified School District(CJUSD)for Grand Terrace Sports Leagues to use school district facilities as recreation sites. • Recommendation on Fees • New Parks and Open Space recommendations Expanded partnership for new recreation programs The "Recreation" component of Parks and Recreation activities are usually conducted by city staff. However, Grand Terrace has not offered direct programming since ----. The City's primary park activity is ownership of parks and maintenance of those facilities. The City has also continued its partnership with the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) to facilitate the use of CJUSD sites by Grand Terrace Sports Leagues. This arrangement provides a ray of facilities that Community Sports leagues can utilize to offer organized league play to the Grand Terrace community. The park facilities are also used by nonprofits to offer additional recreational offerings. The City charges a nominal fee for use of facilities. Example, in 2015/16 Fiscal Year the City Council supported a five(5)week summer camp and swim program at a cost of approximately $45,000. The City Council contracted with the REC Center and the Boys and Girls Club. If the Parks and Recreation Committee continued programs like the items funded in 2015/16 Fiscal Year, there would be no need to hire staff. If programs were to increase beyond seasonal programs, into league play and other activities, staff resources would be needed (however, not at the previous Recreation Department level of eight(8)). Based on the charge given to the Parks and Recreations Committee, staff convened a workshop to develop a work plan to strategically identify areas the committee would like to focus. Staff conducted the workshop in March of 2019. Although, the committee membership has changed with the resignation and appointment of two new members ( Committee members Fr-- and Reagan-- ) a summary of the workshop was provided to the Parks and Recreation committee in January 2021, allowing the, new members to review and add any additional comments to the original data from the original workshop. Therefore, this workplan represents the current Parks and Recreations Committee's 2021-22 workplan, subject to any additions or modifications. The workplan identifies four key areas: ;Focus,:Are it- Action items Actions items are short term Goals and objectives of the committee. The committee desires the community to connect with the City's Park and Open Spaces and will promote ideas and programs to further this endeavor. Volunteerism and Contribution by Grand Terrace a unique community and much the Community of its success depends on the community's contribution toward its quality of life. The Parks and Recreations Committee would like to harness the energy of the community and create more opportunities for residents to volunteer, contribute and engage in our parks and recreation programs. Preservation and Expansion of our The Parks and Recreations Committee values Existing Programs the existing programs offered by the City and would like to expand recreational and community activities through partnerships with local community partners. Resources and Facilities The Parks and Recreations Committee would like to maximize existing resources and examine ways to increase maintenance of parks. In addition to expanding programs in existing arks and the creation of new facilities. Action Items Action items were identified as goals and objectives during the Parks and Recreation Committee workshop. The committee expressed a desire to have community members associate City Parks with "safe, relaxing and active places"within the community. The Parks and Recreation committee also wanted the community to have pride in City Parks and programs. The committee felt additional programs would allow more people to connect with Grand Terrace Parks and Recreation programs. The committee wanted the community to take pride in the diversity and number of park facilities throughout the City of Grand Terrace. Volunteerism and Contribution by the Community The Parks and Recreations Committee members recognizes the volunteer spirit within the Grand Terrace Community and wants to harness that energy to increase program opportunities without waiting for future resources to expand program options. The Parks and Recreations Committee believes that when residents are given an opportunity to volunteer, share their opinions about parks and recreation programs, the community members will volunteer their time and contribute to programs. The Parks and Recreations Committee will focus provide opportunities for residents to volunteer and contribute by promoting the following: • Adopt-A-Park Program • Encourage the City to promote its Civic Live reporting system that shows how residents can see a problem and report it through their mobile devices. • Encourage the City to highlight it's Volunteer Park Closure Program so more residents volunteer. • Develop a volunteer crew that allow people to sign up and be ready to assist the City in various City programs. • Encourage nonprofits and other organizations to provide the City with copies of their free public events, so the City can promote on the City's social media sites and Channel 3. • Host an annual meeting with Sports leagues to get their feedback. Preservation and Expansion of our Existing Programs. Although the Parks and Recreations Committee was re-established in ---, the Parks and Recreations committee recognizes the City has established an active calendar of special events over the years, with a significant share of the events occurring in City Parks. The Parks and Recreations Committee reiterated its support for the following: • Rabies Vaccination Clinic • Walk on Blue Mountain • American Red Cross Blood Drive • Community Cleanup Day/Wall Painting/Plant and Tree Planting • State of the City • Youth Art Show • Community Day • Memorial Day • Bulky Item Pickup • Summer Recreational Activities • Movies and Music in the Park • Halloween Trunk or Treat • Country Fair • Veterans Day • Light Up Grand Terrace • City Birthday Potluck The programs above are outstanding examples of the City of Grand Terrace's special even programming. The Parks and Recreations Committee would like additional special events and to create an avenue where local and smaller events can routinely support the community. The committee felt a concerted effort to promote the following classes and programs would enhance the City's overall recreational program: • 5k • Bike Race • Parade • Sports for Adults (adult leagues) • Racquetball Club • Tennis Cub, • Swimming club • Women's Day • Hero's Day • Youth programs • After School • Add Special Classes • Knitting, • Painting, • How-to classes • Spelling bee • Parent and me activities • Dance/exercise programs, • Game Night • Open Mic Events The events above can be managed by volunteers or nonprofits and can utilize existing City facilities, therefore the committee believes the event would strengthen Park and Recreation activities within the City, without any significant cost or staffing increase. Staff believes a review of existing talent within the community could facilitate the emergence of new programs (or existing programs that are offered to clubs to expand to the entire community). Resources and Facilities While the City has a diverse portfolio of Park and Recreation facilities, the City is growing and throughout the years sporting activities and community's need change. In—the City of Grand Terrace commissioned a New Parks and Enhancement of Existing Facilities Report. The report identified the City's desire for several new parks, of which the Dog Park and Blue Mt. Trail and Soccer Field renovation were listed. The Dog Park is active, the City is currently working on the design of the Blue Mt. trail and the Soccer Field was refurbished through and interagency agreement with the School District. The Parks and Recreations Committee is charged with providing input to the Council on new park facilities, as well a recommendation about existing park facilities. The Parks and Recreation Committee understands the importance and cost associated with new facilities. It is also paramount to the Parks and Recreations Committee that the City promptly maintain its existing facilities through normal maintenance and upgrades at existing facilities. The Parks and Recreation Committee would like to provide its input to the City of Grand Terrace on facility and maintenance needs. The committee has pledged to provide the Council with a report in April of each year. The request will identify equipment and maintenance needs with a desire that the City Council include those needs in the following year's annual budget. Existing Parks Maintenance 1) The Parks and Recreations Committee would like parks maintained in a timely manner. The committee has a concern that items are not repaired in a timely manner. They would like to understand how the work order system works. Equipment and Existing Park Needs 1) The Parks and Recreations Committee requested Special needs swings for parks. 2) Committee members referenced inadequate parking at some facilities 3) Committee members wanted more shade at parks 4) A desire for more swings in the park 5) Grand Terrace Fitness Park -Cameras, plants, gorilla grass, fitness equipment shading and playground sails. 6) Griffin Park-Dog waste station, maintenance. 7) Gwenn Karger Park-Removal of a palm tree that does not belong and trimming. 8) Veteran's Freedom Park-Add sport turf. 9) Richard Rollins Park-Update some plants, add special needs swings and create an amphitheater. 10) Susan Petta Park-Seating shade. 11)T.J. Austin Park-Replace wood chips in play area. New Facilities The Parks and Recreations Committee understands the time and cost associated with the development of new facilities but would like the Council to consider the communities need for the following new facilities. a. Blue Mountain Nature Trail b. Swimming Pool c. Build a community center at one of our parks, d. New water park. The Parks and Recreations Committee will review its work plan to add items and review its progress within the four focus (key) areas.