2019 Parks Advisory Board Annual Report
Document Date unknown · 3 page(s)
Read as text View original PDF ↗
This is the Town of Centreville Park Advisory Board (PAB) 2019 annual report summarizing the board’s activities, accomplishments, pending items, and goals. Millstream Park saw infrastructure work on Liberty and Commerce Streets, reconnection of pavilion water planned, grading at the playground entrance, repairs to two observation decks by Living Ecosystems after damage was identified by Priscilla Mileski, and the decks were named Captain's Walk and Goose Landing with signs installed; park display cases were also filled with Chesapeake Bay and trail information. The Town marked Arbor Day (April 26) by planting one white oak and two river birch near Creamery Lane with DNR and Centreville Elementary School participation, and received the 2019 Tree City USA certificate. Centreville Wharf Park received major grant-funded improvements: a $198,430 Maryland DNR Community Parks & Playgrounds grant for playground upgrades and an $85,000 Waterway Improvement Fund grant to install water and electric to town boat slips; work in 2019 included a new water main, hydrants, electrical availability, playground construction, landscaping funded by a $30,000 Chesapeake Bay Trust award, and installation of an osprey nesting pole, with power towers planned for 2020 and future grant targets for a band shell/multiuse pavilion, picnic shelters, and phragmites control. Other items: two Pop Taylor Park signs will be installed in 2020 and solar lights considered instead of electricity; the PAB Tree Board will update tree canopy mapping in 2020 using LiDAR with Washington College; Southeast Creek Lawn and Landscape was awarded the 2019–2020 parks landscape agreement; the PAB coordinated Christmas events and a tree contest and noted officer and membership changes. The report closes with recommendations to create community outreach and fundraising programs, coordinate with Town Council and Planning on tree canopy compliance, prioritize PAB budget items and appoint a PAB planner, coordinate annually with Public Works and the Main Street Manager, and to consider fitness stations and chess tables in parks.
Show the raw extracted text
Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.
201 9 PAB Annual Report l'own of Centreville Park Advisorv Board Introduction This annual report ofthe Town ofCentreville Park Advisory Board (PAB) reviews its endeavors for the calendar year 2019. It lists the year's accomplishments, pending items, and future goals. Millstream Park The environmental and recreational riches of Millstream Park are now more easily available for use following the completion of infrastructure work on Liberty and Commerce Streets. Water at the pavilion is soon to be reconnected to the new water main, and grading will take place lrom the entrance to the playground area. Millstream Park, a walking and playing resource, awaits you every day. Millstream Park's two observation decks are revitalized in large part because of Ms. Priscilla Mileski's persistence, after she identified damage to the decks. Living Ecosystems, the contractor, did a very linejob of repairing the decks and railings by midyear. The Board also received a budget estimate for redecking the Wharf finger piers and boardwalk. In addition, Ms. Mileski, in cooperation with Ms. Carol D'Agostino, created a press release and emails, which were sent to encourage the Centreville community to help name the observation decks. The names chosen were Captain's Walk and Goose Landing. Name signs were purchased and installed to mark the entrance to the observation decks. Nature is waiting to be observed and appreciated. The Town of Centreville celebrated National Arbor Day, Aprrl26,2079,by planting one white oak and two river birch trees on Millstream Trail near Creamery Lane. Grateful recognition is extended to the lollowing people: The Centreville Town Council, Town staff, members of the PAB, Department of Public Works for their labor to prepare for and follow up on the newly planted trees; Depafiment of Natural Resources (DNR) for presenting knowledge, tree seedlings, and Smokey Bear packets to Centreville Elementary School (CES) students; and to enthusiastic CES students eager to leam and participate. The Arbor Day Foundation awarded the Town of Centreville the 20 I 9 Tree City USA Certificate. Ms. Mileski noted that the informational display cases at the Parks were empty and not being utilized. After she contacted the National Park Trust and other Chesapeake Bay programs, she selected materials and pamphlets they offered and filled the cases. Iniormation about the bay, native plants and animals, trails, along with cards which provide stalistics and facts now enrich your visit. This information will be updated as new information and updates become available. Centreville Wharf Parks WOW! What a wonderful Wharf Park. Work progressed steadily throughout the year funded by grant money. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playgrounds grant of$198,430 was for Wharf Park playground improvements and equipment. The $85,000 grant from the Waterway Improvement Fund was used for installation of water and electric to the town owned boat slips at the Centreville Wharf. 'Ihe busy year included completing ground work and grass seeding, detcrmining the Iayout ofthe playground, installing a new water main, a new dockside water hydrant and two yard waler hydrants, installing electrical availability, and conslruction ofthe playground. Power towers will be installed in 2020 to allow access to water and power at cach boat slip. Unity Landscaping Inc. completed landscaping with lrees and shrubs, through funding liom the Chesapeake Ilay Trust, which awarded $30,000 for Critical Areas Planting at the WharfPark. Plantings were donc in compliance with the approved Centreville Wharf Parks' Master Plan. The Wharf Park area also benefited by our partnering with the Chesapeake Wildtife Heritage to erect a new osprey nesting pole by the Wharf Park and replacing the old one across the creek. The WharlPark, a valuable resource, is being praised and used for all its assets: playground; boardwalk; boat, kayak, and canoe launch; fishing pier; bird watching; photographic opportunities; historical site; picnics; restroom facilities; sitting quietly with nature; entertainment, and much more. The Centreville Movie Night, Shore Shakespeare Event, and Fishing Derby were well attended and hea(ily enjoyed. Look lorward to future enjoyment as the Centreville Wharf Park continues to grow as a family and community center for activities. Iruture Wharf grants sought will be lor a band shell/multiuse pavilion, picnic shelters, and control of phragmites. Pocket Parks The two "Pop Taylor Park" signs, recognizing the legacy of Dr. William Leon Taylor, will be installed on the pergola in 2020. The PAB decided that the cost to install electricity here was not feasible and solar lights should be considered. Tree Board The PAB Tree Board met for its annual meeting in February. The Tree Board will continue to advise and monitor the implementation of the tree canopy code. This will be updated in 2020, in conjunction with Washington College, using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology for the tree canopy layer (mapping and statistics), and for impervious surface mapping. Landscape Agreement Southeast Creek I-awn and Landscape was awarded lhe 2019-2020 Park Landscape Agreement and are satisfactorily providing park maintenance and landscaping. Mr. Mike Whitehill asked Town Council to include the Centreville Wharf Park in the Parks l-andscape Agreement. Christmas Celebration The PAB extends special thanks and appreciation to all Centreville residents, volunteers, businesses, the QAC Legacy Foundation, Town Staff, and Public Works Department persomel who contributed to Centreville's Christmas decorating and traditional tree lighting ceremony. Mr. Rich Ryan, with assistance from Ms. Katie Cook, coordinated the -fwelve highly creative Christmas tree contest. trees along Lawyer's Row and one inside Town Hall again made Centreville glow with the I:Ioliday Spirit. The PAB disoussed allowing adults to participate in the Chdstmas tree contest next year. Calendar of Evenls Thc I']AB appreciales the calendar ofevents that is compiled monthly and keeps us up to datc with Town, County, and other group events. Miscellaneous Busincss PAB olficers elected in May: Mr. Mike Whitehill, Chair; Ms. Priscilla Mileski, Vice Chair; and Ms. Sandy Simpson, Sccretary. The PAB appreciates and will miss the input from members Mr. William Joiner and Mr. Robert Ryan, who resigned from the PAB this year. We also value the insights we will gain from our new PAB members Mrs. Katie Cook and Ms. Shelby Brown. 'i'he PAB will address the possibility ofinstalling I'itness stations and chess tables at Park locations. Recommendations and Goals to Improve Park Advisorr Board Service . I Create an outreach program to the Centreville community to obtain ideas regarding long-term plans and park improvements. Stress the need for community parlicipation to help maintain park property and to help raise funds for park equipment and park activities. Establish a committee to plan public events to support our parks. 2. Coordinate with Town Council and the Planning Committee to receive information regarding new plans and whether said plans comply with the Tree Canopy Ordinance. 3. Prioritize PAB budget items, fundraising projects, and spending. Factor in cost of new items, maintenance required, and manpower hours needed. Establish a PAB Planner to incorporate and set a timeline for new and ongoing projects. 4. Communicate with Centreville Public Works Department about PAB projects it needs help with each year. 5. Coordinate with the Main Street Manager conceming PAB projects for assistance to best utilize resources to find people to volunteer and to help find funding for our projects. Respectfully submitted, /o*l* /.,*,lrril Sandy Simpson, Secretary PAB members and staff Mike whitehill, Chair Priscilla Mileski, Vice Chair Sandy Simpson, Secretary Rich Ryan, Member Katie Cook, Member Shelby Brown, Member Jim Beauchamp, Council President Ex offrcio Steve Walls, Town Manager