Wicker Park Advisory Council

Wicker Park Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

ATTENDED: Clare Rodriguez (Park Supervisor), Adam Housley (WPAC President), Scott Venable (WPAC, Vice-President & Mosaic Church), Richard Tilley (WPAC Treasurer), Doug Wood (WPAC Secretary), Mike Payette (WPAC Security Committee), John Shirk (Urban Encounter & Wicker Mic), Jacob Moore (Magic Boat Puppet Theater), David Ramos (Smith Park Advisory Council President)

  1. Secretary (Doug Wood) – July Minutes were read and approved with corrections that were made at the meeting.
  2. Budget Report given by Richard Tilley.
  3. Park District Report – Clare Rodriguez, Park Supervisor and Discussion of topics with entire council.
    • The Summer Camp 2014 was very successful with 105 children in attendance.
    • The Teen camp was well attended this year – 11 teens.
    • Mike Payette noted that these were impressive activities for the children, since he viewed the camp’s activities and special events from his home located across the street on Schiller.
    • She distributed the fall flyers and discussed programming.  She noted that volleyball for adults will be offered on Saturday. A complete listing of classes can be viewed on-line.
    • She announced that the field house will remain open until 10:30pm on the next movie night – August, 7.
    • She discussed a new group working for partnership: Martial Arts Fighting Group and discussed boot camps.  It was asked that permits contact the boot camps and ask that they do not use the benches as exercise equipment – since 2 of the boards have been broken this season, it is apparent that they cannot, individually withhold a lot of weight.
    • She reviewed a list of service requests and was asked to submit a list of capital improvement items.  The council discussed and compiled this list of items:
      • Cameras – are they connected; where is the monitor for the public to view that is to be installed at the sign in desk – this was all to be completed last October
      • Bathrooms – both men’s and women’s bathrooms have been in need of repair since early spring
      • Playground – remove the hazardous branch from the crab apple located right above the West entrance to the playground
      • Playground – spitting bears are draining into the street
      • Playground – mulch is on all soft surfaces daily
      • Playground – a sign was installed in the playground stating that the PARK closes at 9pm
      • Playground – Drinking Fountain
      • Field House – The brickwork above Both field house entrances has been held up with temporary 4X4’s for the last 10 years; these are to be removed and the brickwork fixed
      • Picnic Tables – The northern most picnic table’s bench has been missing since the early spring.
      • Fountain – The fountain lights have not worked all season
      • Fountain – There is a broken board on one of the fountain’s benches (located east side, middle bench, top board)
      • Fountain – Remove graffiti on North Side of Fountain Court
      • Fountain – Drinking fountain pressure and repair
      • Dog Park – Dog Park Asphalt needs work
      • Dog Park – Dog Park Drain needs checking – slow flow.
      • Dog Park – Install 4 trees in Parkway located south of dog park on Schiller to cast shade on the dog park.
      • PARK LIGHTING – Some of the lights in the Park are burned out
      • FORESTRY – Dead Branches in all trees in park, playground and dog park
      • OUI OUI – The OUI OUI portable toilet is filthy very early on Saturday morning – when is it cleaned – perhaps needed 2 times per week?
      • LIST OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED FOR MANY YEARS
        1. HVAC
        2. Bring all sidewalks up to grade to eliminate flooding
        3. Bring Softball field up to grade; install soil to grade and then sod to eliminate flooding
        4. Fix brickwork at both entrances so it does not fall down on patrons.
        5. Install permeable surface on west side of basketball court – currently mud
        6. Repair windows in building so that they can open
        7. Install workable water feature in playground
        8. Install light protectors over the lights in the fountain – when lights are stepped on, they disconnect and short out the system.
  4. EVENTS: The group discussed upcoming events and determined who would work them: Music Concert, Movie.  It was noted that the FOTP Junior Board, David’s Tea, and the Northtown Garden Society would attend the String Quartet Performance and a garden tour would be given at 10am. MOVIE ADVERTISING: Doug created a slide show for the 1st and 2nd movies and will update for the 3rd movie; a new email partner@pickerpark.org has been created – he is working with the Chamber and Tim Kolecke promotions.
  5. Boo-Palooza – Updates on Boo-Palooza were given by Doug Wood. Jake offered to assist with tear sheet and promotions. Doug will send out options for participation email and then fine tune details in September with Jake. John Shirk is working with Doug to incorporate the team from Indiana in set up on Friday and Saturday and running the event on Saturday.
  6. New Business:  David Ramos announced that Smith Park will host the Circus in the Parks this year on September 27, 2014 2:00 PM – September 28, 2014 5:00 PM; tickets: $15 for Children and $20 for adults; children under 2 free.  He asked that we help advertise the event via our social and email media.

ADJOURN 8:45 PM