The Clinton County Recreation/Park Board held its regular meeting last Thursday, May 25, with nine members present (one voting via proxy).
The board welcomed its newest member, Erica McWhorter Hill, who was recently appointed as a city member. With three new members being appointed in May–two previously by the county–the board is now back to a full 15 members, including a five member Executive Committee.
Primarily only routine items of business were discussed during the just under one hour meeting, with the first item of business being the approval of the monthly board minutes and treasurer’s report, the latter showing a balance ending last month of $22,738.75.
Board member David McIver informed the board that lighting for the flag pole at the park is now ready to be put up.
Following a brief discussion, board member Leland Hicks made a motion for Treasurer Gina Poore to contact a couple of places, including Junction Station and City Mart for an account to purchase fuel used at the park for mowing, etc.
The purchases would only be made by Park Director Michael Hood and Poore as needed. The motion passed unanimously.
McIver also told board members the Youth League regular season, pending weather conditions, was still on schedule to close out regular season play by June 17.
The closing date will be in time for kids to participate in other summer activities prior to a new school year, such as summer camps.
Board member Russell Baker, who is also CCHS baseball coach, asked about the pitcher’s mound for Youth League baseball, noting that is needed to be built up to teach pitchers how to pitch off a standard mound.
He said pitchers are currently “throwing off of a hump in the middle of the field.”
Board member Bobby Reneau, who was formerly the park director for several years, noted the original mound was moved to the high school.
Baker suggested that a field should be designated specifically for Youth League baseball, which could also be used for other age groups, with a clay mound.
“Players need to learn the correct way,” said Baker, on a type field youngsters would play on if they move on to middle or high school baseball.
All board members agreed this would be a good project of having a standard mound for Youth League baseball and should be looked into for next season’s play.
Board member Randy Speck suggested Baker, along with Reneau and McIver, form a committee on the baseball mound project so it could be in place by next year’s Youth League season.
The board also agreed to have the fence around the toddler playground area taken down.
There have been problems in keeping the fence in place, and the board also felt it may be dangerous for youngsters who may try to climb on or over it while playing.
Reneau also said he had received a request from a park patron for additional seating on the south side around the walking track area.
The board agreed to obtain quotes for two six-foot size seats to be placed in that portion of the park.
Although the U.S. 127 Yard Sale is still two months away, the board discussed possible ways to rent more spaces at the park, including to advertise the available spaces earlier in the year and in different venues, such as social media, Facebook, the 127 Sale web page, newspaper and radio.
Since the bypass was opened several years ago, and due to lack of manpower to provide food during the sale, vendor rentals have reduced dramatically.
In years past, the 127 Yard Sale was the biggest fundraiser the park board sponsored.
The board agreed to keep the rental fees per space the same, at $60 each, and to being advertising the availability of the vendor spaces.
Reneau suggested looking at the list of past vendors who may still be setting up each year and invite them back.
Anyone interested in renting a vendor space for the 127 Sale should contact Park Director Michael Hood or any park board member for information.
Prior to adjourning, the board also discussed the condition of the foul poles on some ball fields, and the condition of the old wooden bleachers that are still at the park.
There were no updates on the field drainage problem nor the concession stand, with the latter primarily being a fall project.
The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Recreation/Park Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 29 at 5 p.m. at the park and is open to the public.