So, don't disappoint. >> We're good. >> All right. It is December 17th. We're here for a meeting of the Cranberry Parks and Recreation Commission. Uh, December 17, 2025. Um, let us begin with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Um, that was I did not have my mic on for that. We're here for a meeting of the Cranberry Parks and Rec Commission.
It is December 17, 2025. Can we have our statement of adequate notice, please? Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of this meeting was sent to the Cranberry Press, the Trenton Times, and Home News Tribune on January 3rd, 2025, posted on the bulletin board, posted on the township's website, and
sent to those who requested a copy of this notice. >> All right. Uh, can we have a roll call for attendance and a report of additional volunteer hours beyond the meetings? Brandon >> uh present three hours.
>> Katie >> present one hour. >> Kelly >> present only half an hour. >> Sally present two and a half hours. Michael
>> present four hours which includes from the last meeting when I think I reported. >> All right, we have um draft minutes here for our meeting in November. Does anyone have any corrections or uh amendments
that they would like to see made? >> If not, I will entertain a motion and a second to approve the minutes. I move that we approve from November 19th meeting. >> Thank you, Sally. Is there a second? >> A second. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Roll call. >> Brendan, >> yes. >> Katie, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Sally, >> yes. >> Salad, >> yes. >> And Michael,
>> yes. All right, reports. Uh, let's start with our recreation director, Jacobs. >> Okay. Um, the water fill station is still being still on hold. We were
waiting for a permit from the township and the plumbing um sub code was on vacation and uh so they could not review the plans for that. So, it was not
approved. Uh, I am assuming that the plans have been approved, that they have a permit. I followed up with them uh this afternoon and did not hear back as to whether or not they think they could even do it now at this time of year or
not. So, as soon as I find out from them, we'll we'll figure out our next step. But, I mean, we we have a purchase order that they have um for us to do this work. It's just a matter of getting them out there to do it. So, >> we're talking about the one at Heritage Park.
>> Heritage Park. Yes. Yep. So, um that's what happened there. It was it somehow got hung up in in our construction department, which uh I wasn't aware that it that was happening until when I followed up and he was on vacation. So,
and and as you know, we have part-time uh inspectors and stuff. So, that kind of thing will happen from time to time. Um, uh, one of the things that was brought up brought to my attention is the floating dock over at the village
park is in pretty bad shape. Um, question is, you know, one, do we feel it's a necessity to even do anything with? Do we repair it? Do we replace it? Um we don't have any requests in right
now for any capital items for next year uh with the township budget. So um that's something that we I think need to discuss and figure out fairly quickly because they will start their meetings in January I believe. So um that's
something to think about. uh public works. I I don't I don't have anything on that list, so we can we don't need to talk about that list. The pickle ball tennis court update is they the
contractor did not finish. They they did do the seal sealant on the on the um asphalt, but they still need to come back and uh do the the painting and um install the the nets and and also get
the pickle ball nets uh put together so we can have those the portable pickle ball nets. So, that's something that will happen in the springtime uh for next year. There was there was an the the real issue I believe comes down to them not the them being the
contractor not reading the bid specifications about the wind load that's needed for the fencing because of the soundproofing that we're putting on the fencing. Um so they did not order
the proper fence post width uh and they couldn't get it. So, it took them a while to get what they needed to be able to put the soundproofing up as well. So, that's what happened on that.
Um, that's about that's about all I have. >> Uh, any questions? >> Yes. You said we had nothing as far as capital expenses we're asking for next year. I know Christine and I gave you
three votes on the million heritage. We I don't have any specific um cost though. I mean I mean I thought we were talking about it and you're like well it's all over the place and we didn't get the specific cost.
>> Well, we did we gave you >> that. So how do we move forward from here? Because we did agree that we wanted to see if we could get money for that. So what exactly must be done? Well, I need I need to know what ex I
mean just a cost of the pavilion is not going to be enough. So I I need to factor in some the installation cost if that does in fact include that. Um so I just need to some pinpoint the cost involved and I'll I'll put together it's
just a blurb I have to do and I submit it and it goes on to the um you know in in with our budget packet. I was pretty sure that was all in there though. >> I I mean I have so >> I thought it
>> I thought we were not very clear on what that included >> and and and the exact costs. So that's at this point it's if I'm understanding correctly more an issue of not the number but what the number includes and doesn't include >> right and what they what they expect
>> obviously will be another number but >> yeah I don't yeah I don't need a range yeah a broad range is not going to be good because if I ask for say $10,000 and it the cost is 15 then we're not going to be able to do it like a number
with a statement is included. >> Yeah, but that means it's put off for another year. >> Well, it doesn't sound like it has to be put off for this still. Is it too late at this point? >> No. >> So, >> what do you have and what do you still need then?
>> Well, let me look through this paperwork here >> because I don't want Especially if we don't have any other asking for >> Well, I mean, you you have to understand as well though that just because we ask for it doesn't mean we're going to get it. I know, but if we don't ask for anything, we're not going to get anything either.
>> Well, the floating dock is something that we might ask for and probably will get funding for because it's something that's potential issue, you know, safety wise. So, >> yeah, there's a hole there's a hole in
>> Yeah. either replaced with something or I mean that thing looks like it was just put together with some screws. And so I mean I don't know. >> Um >> that's probably what it is. I got
>> also is there is there like why do we need that fish is but like do they off it in a more or like superior way than just standing closer to
fish if you don't fish off the dock you can just get caught on the ground very it's very weedy and very shallow so the dock help should be out shoreline basically the other thing too It's also safer if you're fishing on the dock versus swinging your pole around
with the fishing line with people, you know, kids running around. It's actually a better place to be out. It probably should be. I mean, I did a little research and I there are like um plastic pretty well put together docks
that are just floating and they just you could just attach it to that little um bulkhead that's there. And I think that would be a real quick and it wasn't super expensive. probably like three
$4,000 for a decent size. Um like you know I want to say plastic but it's probably not made. >> But it's it was pretty it was pretty nice. So So I I believe I I really think that's
because >> that's Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. I really do believe that that's something that we should put in for because it's what's there right now is not >> so is that something that you can put in
for because I don't know anything about >> Yeah, I I did a I did a little research on that. So, >> all right. >> I I mean, if you want I'll put in for that and I'll and I can put in for um the pavilion as well.
>> I would really like to see that happen. >> Yeah. right now. >> Okay. So, I'll come up. I'll take a look at what I got on the pavilion. If I have any questions, I'll I'll ask um Sally or >> Christina and figure that out and I'll
get that done within the next uh >> week. When is >> Yeah, we should uh meet the third uh Thursday. I'm sorry. The third Wednesday. >> You're right.
>> But you guys will go. I will need to get something in before our next meeting. >> I think I got chipped up and >> it's >> um but we do definitely want that uh pavilion um request to go in
>> because I mean I thought there the other thing was which one we're going to which one are we going to you use? Which one do we want? you know, there was >> I I really thought there was questions that needed to be answered on that before we uh were going to move forward
on it. So, >> you know, there may have been specific questions and I'm sure there probably were as to the size and the roof and material and stuff like that, but that those information that we gave you
had that ranges in there. So, it it's frustrating to me that the TC has to have such specifics. >> I always do feel like it's really a catch 22. >> We need to have specific information to make the request, but the request cannot be too specific. And I never know what
to do with that. >> You got you got have you have to have a really pretty good idea of what you want to do. >> You can't make a budget request, >> right? They're always going to pick the bottom of your range, right? >> So, so when you put it in, like I said,
go high. >> But go big or go home. >> The slab and everything. >> It's got to go on something. >> Some of them I thought did. And then some of them even had we included the papers that were going to
pers up to the cement slab. Right. I mean, I used to put a cost that was close to what that nice. >> There were a few versions. >> Yeah. >> They were all within like a couple thousand of each other. So, it's not like we're going to be asking for like, oh, this one's 20 and this is 10, right?
>> It's probably like the difference between like 11 and 13 kind of. But I thought also you were going to check with DPW to see whether they could actually pour the cement and do the pavers because if they can do that >> they're not human seeing what they're
doing with the water features and stuff like >> well no they're out >> that well they're kind of they're kind of out of I think doing projects that's outside their >> typical something that was outside scope we could always go the school's been
doing it right they sold every chair >> in the in in the auditorium, they sold the naming rights to chairs out on the on the patio, right? So, like we could do something with bricks or plaques or so if there was some sort of gap where
we had 12 and it might be 14, we could figure out some money. Well, I would hope so, but with the chess tables, they nixed it all because we were a couple thousand dollars off in the budget, and that was
frustrating. You know, for $2,000, they basically wanted I'm hoping that this goes through. >> Yeah. All right. So, just to pull this back together, we've got Ken will let us We'll let you, Sally,
and Christina know exactly what he needs. Is that correct? >> If he if he if I need anything. Yeah. Otherwise, I mean, I've done capital requests before with the township committee, so it's not a big deal. And
they don't require crazy amount of information. It's like we want to put a pavilion in the at the village park location. >> This is what the cost is. >> There remains additional >> questions for us to answer about uh a pavilion project if we get approved but
nothing that we need to talk about right now. Is that right? Is that good? >> I mean if you get the money you sort of have to talk about like to your point with the tenants with the tables you couldn't swap much but with this you could change the shingle or change the shape or change the type of brick.
Right. Right. You could go a little smaller if you needed to. Yes, >> you could make up the shortfall if you could get the amount of money depending on the type of pavilion the tables >> and there there is another grant that's
available for recre. It's the town. It's a statewide one through um Department of Community Affairs uh that we've we've gotten. I think we got it for the tennis courts actually. Or if that that might have been a county one.
>> We got part of the grant for the walking trail. >> That was I think that was a >> Yeah, that was the county I believe. I think the I think the one for the courts was um partially it might have been a county and a state but we have uh there is a opportunity for grant um which they
typically will give about $100,000 uh for per project per municipality typically. So I'll look into that as well. We'll see what see what can can be used what that
can be used for. Sometimes it's got to be something. >> Yeah, like a rehab. >> It would be great if we could use that to like fund um like running water permanent bathrooms at the village park. >> I don't know if they're going to consider that a recreational improvement
to a park. They might. I don't know. >> I'll take a look. I'll let you know. I don't I don't think that's due until end of January, early >> All right. Um Okay. Does anyone have
anything further for Ken? If not, uh does any what are does anyone have anything to report uh for Parks Preserve updates that they have clocked out and about in the community? Um, I think that all of the whole town,
not just the parks, but everything looks great this time of year. And the lake is what when do we like whose job is it to say like the lake is sufficiently frozen to skate or not to skate?
>> Public works, I believe, does it? >> I don't think we're quite close to that yet. >> We're approaching. >> Yeah. Now we're going to get 60° weather here. So >> it's got to be cold for substantially cold for a pretty significant amount.
>> All right. Um memorial benches. We don't have any uh applications or um prior applications that are uh have anything outstanding on them. EC um Sally was there did you attend the EC meeting? >> Yes, I did. I attended the EC meeting
and I have a report for you. Um, one thing that might pertain to us is that one of the members of the EC is going to reach out on the corporate levels to the warehouses in the area. I tried calling the warehouses on the local level to see if we could get any donations for things
and they all said no, we don't know. But, um, this person works on the corporate levels with things, so he's going to try to get sponsorships for different uh, things in town. And I piped up and said park would be very interested in being on the receiving end of that. So, um I'm not sure whether
that's going to happen, but that was one thing they talked about. Another thing is they have their accomplishments that they did for 2025, and I thought I would just report briefly on that. Um they worked closely throughout the year to maintain trails and signage in Cranber's
open space. That's preserve management. The adopt catch basin initiative. The EC study various possible adopt couch bas programs in which residents keep store frames near their homes clear of debris and they recommended resolution to the
township to initiate that and apparently it was passed. So there's going to be something coming up where if you have a storm drain near your house or even if not but if you know of one you can adopt that drain and keep it clean. So I thought that was interesting. Um EC
continued to promote the community wildlife habitat certification program. They departed the annual stream cleanup uh co-organizing with us. They did trail maintenance day on June 7th and they're going to have the first annual. They're trying to do that again next year. They
gave a lot of public environmental education information for public outreach at places like National Night Out Day and different online materials. The EC for community energy plan completed a pre-awward process for a grant from the New Jersey board of
publicities to develop a community energy plan for cranberry and they solicited proposals for consultants to assist with plant creation. They worked closely with cranberry school for an outdoor classroom. They purchased a native plant sign and a
smart bird feeder. So, um, this bird feeder has something that's hooked up so that the students can look at it at different times and and they can see what the birds are doing, which is cool. I have to put a seat in it. I put a seat in mine after it's done. Um, and town
planning, they provided guidance to the development review committee and planning board on environmental matters throughout the years. So, those are things that those were accomplishments that had during the year, but I thought it was and one of
their members is gonna they had quite a long discussion. The only way to get sponsorship from these big companies like Amazon and Home Depot and whatever is out there is they do want to give back to communities but it has to come from the corporate level. >> I was just going to ask about that. So
is that request coming directly from the EC or is it coordinated with like different committees? It just feels like it might be a stronger ask if it was like we were all partnering together. Well, the one person said he was going to reach out to see what they would do
for the township. And that's when I spoke up and said the parks would really like to be on the receiving end of this. So, I'm not sure. I didn't get any response to that. Um, but I hope that if they ask and we can get major things that it they would I will keep
communicating with them. >> Yeah. I mean, I wonder if it's worth reaching out and following up though because I just feel like if we went to them as like a coordinated group of different point people in the various committees to say these are the committees we're all on. We work closely with the TC that's sort of like a
stronger ask and I feel like it puts in front of them different areas of interest and we know a lot of their employees utilize the town. >> They I see them in the in the parks at lunch. Um, so this would benefit their
employees, too. Um, I'm hoping that it it that it pans out. >> Yeah. I wonder if it's already happened, like they've started that, but if they haven't, I just feel like it's probably worth >> Well, I can give you the man's name.
Contact Troy Wy W. His contact information should be on their website. >> Okay. And Troy said that he had um that he does that for his business, talks to the corporate level stuff and he was going to try to reach out. >> Yeah. No, I think it's great. I just
would love for it to be like coordinated, more powerful, strong. >> Well, as I said, I try as an individual to call each one of them. I don't know if >> I think it's so easy for them to say no to like one person from the EC. It's like that's not really our pizza. We're
going to go something else. But if it's again like the community in which they're based across different committees with different areas of interest for them to sort of pick and choose from, >> I just feel like it's a strong grass from them. >> I agree. And they do have to give back.
They have to they have whole departments of people that are giving back to the community. >> But that's the corporate level. >> It's at the corporate level. >> You can't reach out to anybody. >> So that's you know somewhere in St. Louis or who knows where. So he was going to reach out to the corporate level, >> right?
Amazon has an enormous philanthropy. >> Yeah. >> department. So that's where you got to talk to them. >> Yeah. >> Warehouse people are just warehouse people. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. even shade tree. Um, you know, I
think people who the departments that need money >> Yeah. or particular programs or events throughout the year, right? Like I feel like there's a way for them to give back in a way that's like more visible and gets them a little bit like it's more
compelling for them to participate. >> Thank you, Bella. And that was my report from AC. Any questions? >> Not for me. >> And I plan on going to the next meeting in Jan. >> All right. Um I don't have anything from Sha Tree. Uh Kathy East said she wants
to sit down uh in the new year. Um township committee. >> Uh don't much report. I do have to report on the survey. We finally have survey. Sorry for the delay. Uh it'll go out Tuesday. >> Okay.
>> So if you guys can you can send or I guess you have the ad. >> Sure. >> I think it is open until the 31st. Is that the date you had in mind or further? >> Yeah.
>> So at the east meeting Donna had said no it's not out yet and one of the members of the east he said oh no it's out. I got it. I forwarded it to people. There was >> Is it out or isn't it out? >> It's not officially out. >> No, I think I think it was it was in one
of Lisa's emails. It wasn't in yesterday. >> Please like the mayor. But I did know, you're totally right that it didn't go in the one yesterday, which I was like, "Oh, that's weird."
>> I asked her, she said, "I'll send that out Tuesday. >> If you could make sure that it comes out to the next mayor's update." >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> We have 47 responses. Yeah. So, somebody is seeing it.
>> Did we got it through the >> I responded 46 times. I'm pretty sure I just keep putting the same >> good on that list. >> Okay. So, we need to get it in the
mayor's update. Not just that it's a thing that that it's thing that we want people to fill out with a hyperlink to do it. >> Yeah. >> And through the list. >> Yes. And through the the wreck mailing list. >> When is
>> Thursdays? Oh, the email goes out on Thursdays. So, it goes out tomorrow, >> but then it like lives on the website. >> Yeah. >> So, >> that's fine. They're motivated people that are asking other people to respond and like reminding them. So that's also probably
our job to >> mailing list 50 to 100 people. That's pretty good. >> Yeah. So >> there's and that hasn't gone like to too big school. >> Yeah. >> So
>> two like big interested parties. I'm sure that the I can ask the CDA hybrid business association and their stuff as well. >> All right. Um, is there anything outstanding on on that like other than
to get the stuff and then look at the the feedback or is that just like you know on a pilot right now? >> That's for you guys. >> Well, I mean like it's out there so I guess we don't have anything to do in the meantime. >> No. So, I mean, if we extended a week,
>> can you guys pop on that mic or pull up this one? >> If we extended a week from December 31st, that puts us at January 7. Our meeting is January 21st.
The budget meeting is >> uh 28th. >> Yeah. Um, >> I mean, we look at that responses and if it looks like it's worth keeping, a little bit more. >> Yeah. >> One extra week. >> Yes.
>> It's got a little bit of weight. >> Yes, for sure. Um, I guess my question broadly, I don't really have an answer to this, is is that enough time to do something with the information? Like I eyeballed what has come in so far.
It's interesting. People are asking for lots of different things. I think there are themes, >> but there's not like one big thing. I think there are certainly things that people are really supportive of. Um, >> I mean, I think that if it's something that we haven't discussed in this group
before now, it's too late to ask for it for this coming budget year. Not it's not too late to explore. It's just too late to like go in two weeks and say >> it may not all be budget things either, too, right? done, right?
>> Starting a new team in town for kids stuff. Like that's not a budget ask. That's a finding the right >> kind. So it doesn't all have to be budget. So >> we'll see. But will it go? So it'll go Tuesday
or tomorrow with go another update like just because >> if we can get it to go >> I think it's sort of why >> I totally missed it in the last one. >> It definitely wasn't in yesterday. I noticed that but I it was in Lisa's like
mayor's update. She included the text and the link. Um, and then that was the last I saw, but I know it's coming for the school tomorrow. >> We put it on the Primary Business Association Facebook page because I know
we said not all about primary, but >> can we actually stick a pin in this and come back to it? Um, for old business. I I feel like we're eating into Matt's time here to talk to us about TC stuff. Uh do do you have anything else for us? Um
>> no. >> All right. Excellent. Um >> and well, since we already touched on the circle procurement issue, let's continue that conversation about the survey. >> Um >> I'm sorry. I do have one one question.
You guys talked about possibly considering a bathroom. >> Yeah. >> And that to me seems like a longterm project >> like a sort of stage one kind of thing. >> Yeah. like water.
>> Oh, like he means like um like a geographical survey or like >> a surveyor doing >> because I mean you know that's >> I mean that sounds like a good idea. I just literally don't know anything about that or what kind of exactly
>> here's what a survey would cost to do for potential bathroom in the park. >> Well, I mean you're it would be a little bit more than just like a survey, right? I think that the township engineer is the one that you would have to go to because
he's he could look at the, you know, where the water sewer lines are and kind of figure out like a, you know, given a ballpark of the the cost to bring that stuff in. Um, folks, even
before even before the cost of the whole bathroom, are there costs we can put in this year for a survey or anything else that would be like in preparation of exploring putting a bathroom? um >> if any needed like a official
>> I mean that what I what I would suggest that we do is talk to the talk to the um township engineer about about that kind of thing. That's what I would say. I mean, you could put in, you know,
whatever $5,000 to to have the the uh engineer do some sort of like feasibility study as to whether or not that something is Yeah. >> He's not on staff, >> right? >> He cost money. >> Yes. And there's it's not an unlimited budget for that. So, sure. because that
would be good if we could at least get that face study or a survey if needed or anything. >> Right. Right. >> The paperwork stuff at least say it's possible. >> Right. And that's I mean that's what I would that's certainly where I would start.
>> So how do we make that happen? Um he's not going to like he's not going to pick up a phone call from me or the town of engineer, right? >> Well, I think we should take Matt's suggestion and put it in our budget for next year. I think we're >> But like what do we put in the budget
without talking to the engineer? >> Well, how much is he an hour? >> What does he charge? >> What do you mean? You don't know you approve the bills. I mean, I think if you just put a lump sum of say $5,000 and say, you know,
>> I think that makes >> services or whatever >> $5,000 for feasibility study for >> sounds. >> Okay. So, is that can we leave that in in your hands, Ken? >> All right. Excellent.
All right. And do we have anything more on the interest or from you Matt or on the interest survey? >> I can tell you. I mean, there's not like definitive responses or enough of a summary. I feel like especially the blasts that still need to happen. I feel like those are significant, but in the
veins that we're talking now, >> can you just pull that mic a little closer to your side? We can all hear, but for the record, it's >> Yeah, of course. I'm just looking the uh I was trying to get percentages of
people who did express interest in the permanent bathrooms. It was 57% responses so far. 48% have an interest in the splash pad and those were the two like leading areas of interest by far. So it's still
people but it's still nice. And we'll we'll want to crunch the numbers on some of those to see do these do these people interested in the splash pad have like zero people under the age of 21 in their house or do they have five? >> But to the point about water and I just think it actually in terms of what we're
talking about now and the like pathway for things like that in that vein. I feel like what we've got so far is supportive of that. >> Could the feasibility study include the splash pad? I I have no idea. >> The problem is we don't even know where it would go.
>> Well, that's why we need the engineer. >> I We've We've also like been told by the the TC that they're they're not ready to move forward with that. >> Yeah. >> So, they're not going to go for money for a project that they have told us they're not ready to move forward on
>> because we want to be able to come back and change their minds potentially if there's interest in the community. >> It's it's not all about what we can do, it's about what we'd like to do. aspiration >> and I think it like informs discussion for next year priorities, right? Like not necessarily expenses, but what we
should start talking about what the needs are and what the TC would need to see over the course of two to three years. >> If we get three to 500 people to respond and it keeps going 50% of the people all think a splash pad would be amazing. We should at least explore it more, right?
And I I only raised the splash bed because it's water, >> which is what we're talking about. >> Yeah. I I really would hate to like spend a bunch of money on installing pipes for a bathroom and then like have to do it all over again. >> Yeah. >> For another water feature when we could
have spent like an extra thousand dollar and and like >> that's that's assuming that the splash. >> Yeah. We just have no idea right now. >> Clear on the other end of the >> That's was my point. Why can't we mention that to the engineer that this is something that we also want in the
future? Can you >> but then you would just have to pick an area we don't even have nothing as a general size like a splash bed could be the size of this table area or it could be a football field. We but we might be
able to. Sally, the budget is essentially just an authorization to spend money um for us to talk to the engineer or for the engineer to do work. And it's not necessarily a restriction on like make sure you only talk about the bathroom and and not like anything
else. So, we could loop that in, but I don't think um the TC I don't think that would bolster our case for the TC money. >> Even said that it's definitely going to be Village Park for the splash pad. Like there's other parks it could donate to, >> right? Not very.
>> Well, Heritage is is um passive. >> Yeah. >> And Milstone. >> I just don't think it's frequented enough. >> But that's kind of the point. >> Yeah. >> Milstone isn't frequented enough. So, if you put a feature in there where people actually want to go to, >> it's also
>> you guys, we're getting way ahead of ourselves right now, >> right? Like I feel like most >> only certain neighborhood >> the biggest neighborhood in the town >> except for where there's more concentrated development with little to no backyard is closest to Village Park
and >> you know just thinking equitably I vote by the library guys think about it >> yes think about it but I don't think we I don't even want to talk about this right now we're like
>> way ahead of ourselves Well, I think it's at least worth mentioning to the engineer that we may be considering down the road. >> I I do agree, Sally. Yeah, >> can we loop that into the conversation just just to see what might >> so we can get some more information on,
you know, >> what's needed, what what are the question marks, what are the known unknowns that we're going to encounter. >> Yeah, you're you're looking to get permission to talk about some of the TC, right? Not me, but
>> well, at this point, I think we're strictly just looking at >> does it make sense to consider in the bathroom project like small to medium small adjustments that might enable another project in the future,
whether it be a splash pad or some other water related feature. >> This the splash plant be water and possibly sewer. So, if you have that already there, >> I mean, >> yeah, >> I think you'd be okay. You'd have to
>> probably have to be close to the >> Right. I just like I I hope there's I don't know like I don't want to have to have if we go and install a bathroom. I don't want to have to like shut down the bathroom for X days or weeks while they
work on the line to configure a uh connector to go to a second >> like they already said no. Like we we're talking about a flash pad that we have to I'm not we have to overcome the objection of >> which seems
>> aspirational to start with. So to like hold up a bathroom or anything would be silly >> to just to maybe be aspirational about maybe some splash bed maybe in Village Park. There's just so many and we're potentially pissing off the town council
that we're trying to ask for help with to create things like a bathroom. It just feels kind of not great to me. >> I don't know enough about surveying, but is the question just like we're considering a bathroom or other water
features? We've also talked about a fountain like I feel >> I think that's the construction we're looking for like the construction of the question is we need to be able to talk to the township engineer or have him like pay him to do some work about
feasibility so we have a bigger a better idea for ourselves what would be involved and what we would need to work on to do a bathroom and also as like a auxiliary question >> a vaguely sort of question about and is
there room or space or steps we should look into for other water related projects. I because we we were told no or more charitably not now >> about the splash pad. So I I don't think
we can really do any prep work other than to say like what should we be aware of if we were to >> and that was my only point in mentioning the feedback is I don't think we're positioned to move on a splash pad now but I do think it's like making efficient use of the survey and the
money going into that is like what do we have the capacity to do that involves water obviously we need to pick a park and it sounds like village park is where you start um so I think of it more as being efficient with that ask more than like moving ahead on a project that was mixed.
>> Yeah. So this this will be like an ask like we'll ask him literally ask him the question and he'll give us the answer. This is not we need you to actually do like professionally prep work >> discussion with me say the water lines that are running in there they'll support a bathroom but they're not going
to support a big or something like that. To recap, to cap this off and move on, we are looking for uh ser we're looking to plan for services about a bathroom um and work
for and toward a bathroom, but at the same time, we will also want to ask, but not like really have them do work. We're just going to ask and have a conversation as opposed to like producing more product or something about what other factors might need to be considered. Is that is everyone
content with that? Yeah. >> Or are most people content with that? >> He would be able to tell you what the additional capacity for water and sewer would be >> for beyond. or even with the bathroom, he's gonna tell you like, oh, it can be a men's room with one toilet and a woman's room
with like there's >> Yeah, >> the water and sewer capacity will be pretty obvious pretty quick >> because we're like we we'll need to work with him on everything because we don't have enough information and he doesn't have enough information from us
>> about like where would this be, how many blah blah blah. We just like we need to have the conversations and to do that we need to be able to convert the one that went in over you know what was done over at Grover.
>> So we've got at least some experience doing what would be a pretty much the same sort of it doesn't be identical but it's pretty similar small bathroom structure with two bathrooms in it. >> All right. Um, does that wrap our
conversation on that and more broadly on the community interest survey? >> All right. I didn't finish up uh and prep and provide stuff for us to look at for the rules and rags and the
field use and the Cricut pitch because I said to myself, we're going to want to incorporate the community interest survey feedback in some of that before we consider it. And also I said to myself, people don't want to be here that long tonight. And so
>> those items uh I don't have anything for nor do I have um anything to add on the V park entrance signage. Um although that is for a different reason of I just don't have anything to add. Um but for new business, we want to report to the
township committee our accomplishments and goals. Um for accomplishments I this is actually an accomplishment and a goal is the community interest survey. The accomplishment is getting out. The goal will be to review and incorporate it
into our planning. Accomplishment is uh the installation of not the the installation of the lighting and the uh placement of the flag on the flag pole in Village Park. We did the Cody Foundation sculpture project or donation
that we got and installed had saw it installed in Heritage Park tennis pickleball court. That is a sort of accomplishment and also a goal to finish for next year. >> Um I mean we we we accomplished it on our end but it's a goal of ours also to
see if the contractor accomplishes it. >> We got we got the grant to complete that project. Um goals also um water bill water bottle station uh the pavilion project, the bathroom project,
replacement um of the dock in Brainer uh lakes and um also a revision to the fee schedule and the the park rules based on feedback from the community interest survey. What other uh accomplishments
andor goals are we looking to uh give to the the township committee as proof of our excellence here? >> The co-organization of the travel study that was both accomplishment and a goal
for next year to have the second >> and we coordinated that with EC or >> you did Sally credit where credit is due. Is there anything we want to do around a goal because like getting back to this um the wreck
camp is where all the money comes from. Is there anything you want to do around a goal with trying to increase whatever we can do to increase registrations for rec camp? >> Yeah, I mean that's always a goal to increase participation there. I mean we
talked about a special event, right? um didn't get to it this year. I think that should be, you know, a goal. Um >> I just don't know if there's any other like township, you know, Grand Township events or again using the CDA or this
school to promote it again or like because my kids do it, but sometimes I miss I miss it. Like I just know it happens. So I know there's other parents that are missing it too. So it just feels like they're making more advertising opportunities. So maybe at one session
we can brainstorm on some creative advertising because it's just such it's like 80 to 90 plus% of the the wreck budget and if we could increase that >> 20% we could do a ton more stuff. >> Wait, speaking of someone reached out
this week oh and asked if you're still having red camp because there's no Facebook page. It disappeared. Yes. >> It wasn't a township sponsored um Facebook page, >> right? >> And there were some things that were
going on there that weren't approved for us to for them to put up there. >> Posted a picture of somebody. >> So instead of saying take the one picture down, they take the whole >> site down. >> Okay. So the lack of of a doesn't mean
we're not but it is a problem for >> we we're gonna advertise. >> Yeah. We're gonna put we're gonna I'll I'll do a Facebook page uh for the rec camp itself. >> That's a goal.
>> Why can't you recamp Facebook page with no picture but just no pictures? >> Oh sure we can do that. But like people don't when people go out into the world they agree to people looking at them and sometimes they're gonna
>> but the thing is it wasn't it wasn't >> even children when they go out into the world expect other people to observe them physically. >> Tim was doing it and the person >> I mean that's that's one of the reasons but there are other reasons as well.
there were other things going up on that page that weren't um you know the town had no control over what was going on that page. So >> I wonder I do I was wondering too about like programming and prep camps and
maybe we could do a session earlier early in the year to say like look closely at the prep camp which my kids went to and loved and I think everybody loves. Um, but just think about the programming and what we might do to enhance it whereby hopefully
participation talk about advertising and especially with the lack of a Facebook page or like some memorialized page whatever that ends up looking like people know that it's happening and that there's effort being put into the planning which of course there always is. I just feel like take a fresh look
and make that part of your goals. >> Have we ever done um sent like a feedback request recall but not >> no we we haven't done so I mean believe me people people make suggestions to Tim
all the time everybody knows Tim I mean so that's that's the difference than having it in like like in West Windsor where you know the people don't necessarily are not neighbors with the person running it. So, >> um,
>> so, but that's not a bad idea to, um, find out. I know that one year we talked about going swimming and we're going to bring the little kids and you were like, "Well, then I'm not sending." Wasn't it you? I I thought it was you.
>> There was I'm sorry. There was somebody on the commission on the committee at that time was like, "Well, if you're taking the little kids, I'm not sending my kids." >> Oh, I mean, my kids are little. I don't know that I would have said that because they still went and they wore their little floaties and it was great. But
but I could see that being a concern. >> Yes, that was that was that was like a concern that people had. So, um you know that that's certainly that could certainly be our a goal for next year is to do a a survey uh of of the
participants after after the camp um to get to get feedback for the following year. >> I like it. that that just seems more like an idea though than a goal. Like you just you literally just ask it and you've accomplished your goal. >> Well, I think the goal would be around increased whatever increase of
participation at camp would be. So, are we saying we're trying to shoot for a 10% attendance increase, a 20 whatever it is >> or some sort of revenue goal, I don't care if it's an attendance or goal, right? >> That's what some weeks were full. >> Yeah. So, >> so again, these are like these are these
are ideas and brainstorms and >> I think the goal is one new camp >> we did go down. >> I don't think we can call it a goal if we haven't talked about it before today, you guys. >> We haven't talked about anything because we only speak when we're here. So, we can we can go set right now and include
it, right? >> My goal would be to include a new camp because I think you can maximize money. Last week of summer, there are no camps. I've done my home survey last two weeks actually. I've always wanted to break that up. >> Is there you know I have you know I'm
all over archery at West Windsor half day. The only thing available >> but is that done because the college kids are all gone because all your camp counselors are gone? >> No school >> because the last two weeks are always >> right are not >> right. They they kick us out
>> because they have to they have to prepare for the uh for the next school year. So they're doing cleanings and and setting up the room, >> but then finding just another type of camp because I feel like years ago, right, during those two weeks is when we would have >> the company would come in and do little
tennis camps. Tennis was on after, >> right? >> I mean, we we've had we've had tennis camp in the past. Um we we we didn't Yeah, we did multisport camps uh at that
time. Um so I I I mean I have contacts with with companies that can that could run things. It >> don't have a school, >> right? I mean that's part of the problem though. If you get bad weather for, you know, a day and you have no
indoor facility to go to >> like back to the school sort of thing like just using they have two gyms now and they're gonna have an auditorium. Like they can't get the school ready if we're using the gym. >> That's that's not it's not unheard of. I
mean in West Windsor they they take they they kick us out like three weeks before school. >> Yeah. Know I know it's the easiest option. Seems like >> it just seems like oh well it's easy to say two weeks done. They're going to
have a giant gym at the end if they don't do it. Like that's where the kids live, >> right? >> And what are they doing to get ready for school in the big gym? >> It doesn't seem like that's what >> All right, folks. I want to pull this back to our 2026 goals and more
specifically the 2026 goals not for the rec department that Ken runs with our advice, but the 2026 goals for the parks and recck commission, which is the group of us here. Um, those are related things, but not necessarily the same. As far as accomplishments, did we do a
community event this year? >> We did not. >> No. And that was something I was gonna put as a goal. >> Get back into doing at least the one that we used to always. >> Sorry to interrupt. >> Good. Good. Um, I am al I actually do
want to list more accomplishments because I feel like we've got a lot of goals. >> No, >> they never sent it to you. I was never succeeded. When they sent it to you, I was never >> right. have a booth to like talk about
recent or whatever like anything. >> It just there's so many things that the town has booth talking about the environmental commission or anything like that. >> I just I I don't know that we need like we are at capacity in some weeks. I I
don't think there's any lack of interest in the right now. Well, it in the past as far as primary day, we've shared a booth with the but we haven't had many people from parks and raccoon willing to spend their time there. So, >> I'm definitely not to be honest.
>> I'm I'm busy with that day. So, we can certainly share with EC again. Um Parks did something questions. >> I guess we're just putting down goals right now. We're not signing contracts on who needs to be there that day. Like
I think that's the >> these are actually like we're going to give this to TC and say these are our goals and then they're going to look at it later and they're going to be like you didn't you abandon this immediately or you didn't execute it. So like I do want to focus on like we're not this
isn't a list of ideas. It's a list of goals that we're actually intending to execute. >> Would a goal I'm sorry. Would a goal be to participate in birthday next year? >> Right. I I think that's a pretty meek goal. You just show up. >> But you just said you didn't want to show up.
>> But like I I'm not I'm not doing it. I'm not going all day. But my my point is that like as a goal, it's like it's that's not work we're working toward all year long. It's just we show up one day and then that's it. >> TC wants to see something more substantive. If it was more of having a
bigger presence in town, which could encompass bringing back some of the community events, running a booth at National Night Out, Cranberry Day, any of those other things under the umbrella of a more physical presence, >> public outreach. >> Yeah. I mean, I was going to say like I
feel like the whole theme is programming a little bit, right? It's like cranberry day. It's maybe an event. It's looking holistically at the rec camp. I realize that that's a very vague goal and maybe they want more specifics, but I think a review of recreation programming and
parks programming, >> I think particularly w because I think there's a lot of park in the parks and w committee and not a whole lot of wreck. >> There's basically the wreck camp and that's kind of >> all right. Here's what I have for goals.
I've got uh finish up and incorporate and review feedback from the community interest survey, the installation of the water bottle station. Um progress toward uh the pavilion uh at this at the circle in
in Village Park, progress toward the bathroom in finished up the tennis pickle ball court project. Continu continuence of child maintenance day initiative. Replacement of the dock in Brainer. um revision to the the park
fees and the park rules, holding a community event, and deepening community engagement and communication with the public about our programs and their interests. Um that's a lot. >> I mean, I'm going to say it again and
you can just say no because I'm just an alter. But um >> I can't say no. I just but some sort of goal about additional revenue or rent camp or I know we're saying they're full one they weren't always full the whole thing and two we can add some more kids
that can be more counselors and you can add more kids to it so like there are ways whether that's the right fee we're paying for it or we have the right amount of kids I'm just saying it is the biggest thing we do from a revenue standpoint had to leave it off the goal seems >> I did write I did write this one down
but I I just didn't circle it um which is what I was looking at when I was reading off the list because I'm full of scribbles here. Goal uh more summer recreation opportunities or offerings rather. Does that cover it? >> Yeah, I think that we need a goal about
the senior center because it was like a third of our responsibility. >> That's fair. >> They they did tell us that and then like I feel like then they untold us that >> Yeah. It's really not under our purview anymore. >> Yeah,
>> except by law it is. Like when we looked at the statute, it said we did have responsibility for it. So I know that softly other people are responsible for it, but I feel like even from just overseeing it, we should at least participate. >> What about just like continued
communication with seniors? >> You guys, this is just like our regular responsibility. These are goals, not like our goals aren't come to a meeting and do the stuff we're supposed to be. Goals are projects that we can like check off. >> Well, it should be always something measurable. Like even if it's including
a bathroom, that's bathroom, right? But it should be something you can measure in some way. That's what we >> um Yeah, I agree. Um, >> so I think Kelly was saying that the goal would be something measurable for the senior population, but that that's
not part of our >> programs or what? I don't I don't know enough about the senior >> because it's in our budget. Certain elements of it is is that not part of the budget anymore? >> I I mean it's part of the rec department budget. >> Yeah, it may it may not be in our bud. I
mean it was because we started I believe we started the year with it, right? So it was, but I think now they're going to pull it out. It's going to be totally out of our budget. >> So we would have any money for anyway. >> Well, on a different topic, too, we do
have the survey coming back. So I would say there's probably room for a goal or two based on some sort of feedback. >> Yes. >> We're about to get the next couple weeks. I wouldn't be surprised there's another goal slides from something. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> And I think separate from like the infrastructure things like that. A lot of it is programming related, right? So whether that's like senior, >> children, teenagers, whatever it is. >> Do we ever do I don't I don't know. Have we ever done anything with any measuring
of park usage? Like you know, they'll have I'll go to parks and other they'll have somebody there, you know, clicking off how many people are there to try and get a sense of how many people are using the parks regularly. I just don't know if we have >> I don't think we have any data on that. >> Okay. Except for the coming survey.
>> Except for the surve >> 47. >> Yeah. >> 47 people use the forest. That's >> 47. >> 10% of them in this room. >> Yes. >> 35 times. >> I'm realizing I thought this in my head but didn't say it out loud. I'm not
saying no or poo pooing any of these ideas. I'm just like poo pooing them as something we can put on a list and hand to DC. we should like just because we don't put it on the list that we hand to the TC this month doesn't mean it's something we shouldn't look at >> um the rest of next year also like my
term as chair ends this year so I definitely not putting a kash anything all right um but did we have any more accomplishments we had the survey the flag pole the foundation sculpture the tennis court jud um we did a lot of work toward things
but I don't think we there this was sort of in between year where we started projects that we didn't conclude per se. Um I can't think of another accomplishment although I know that we've had more. >> Were the chest tables this year or last year? >> They were installed this year but that
really had nothing to do with us and I hesitate to put it down on the list as something we want to take credit for when we're unhappy with how it all panned out. What do you guys think? What about when they were installed upside down? >> I do have to report that I did reach out
about trees by the chest tables >> environmental commission and shade. >> Okay. I did not hear back from the heads of either yet, but was reminded by someone else that trees are sort of on
hold because DPW >> DPW wasn't equipped to water them as frequently as they needed to be when they were newly planted. And I think some trees have been dying. So, it's
like a revisit of the topic. Okay. Is that a time of year thing though? Is it just because like the time of year that they're planting or if they seem like they don't have the like manpower to do it or because it is a lot of people. >> Yeah. I um this is just like from
memory. So maybe it's not accurate. Um but I'll report back when I hear from someone official. >> But I think that should >> All right. Are we ready to move on to action items? Yeah, no complaints. Um, let's do that.
Um, action items we have. I'm gonna type I guess do I submit this like an email to the TCR our goals accomplishments? Guess I'll do that. Um, bear with me while I write this
down. um action item is going to be we don't have the results yet but we will want to once we get them compile and sort of distribute our uh survey feedback in advance of our next meeting
and uh is our dynamic between that gonna take that again? Yeah, I will. Um I guess the survey won't have formally closed by our next meeting, but we can send like the summary of responses as of that Monday, maybe hopefully around to
the group so that by Wednesday. >> Wait, I thought we were doing it just until we were doing it a week after >> after December 31st. Oh, I'm sorry. >> We Yeah, it will be closed. I'm sorry. You're totally right. Um,
unless we don't feel the participation there. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. >> Ken has um going to submit our capital requests including the pavilion and the dock and engineering
uh services from the engineer. And I'm not sure I had anything else. I will reach out to Troy Wy about corporate sponsorships. Keep you guys posted. and I will attend the EC meeting >> and I will
I'm not sure this will happen for next month but um still on the to-do list is the rules and regs uh changes including like I'm really interested to see what the survey says about the park hours
whether they should be longer and just as soon as the sun sets or it falls more than 15 degrees below the horizon or whatever dust is supposed to be. All right. Anything else anyone have for action? If not, let us move on to public
comment. We're going to open public comment uh for a few minute public comment. And there's nobody here. So, I'm going to close public comment. Um before we adjourn, I just say it's been fun this year and I hope everyone
enjoys a very pleasant holiday. Um is no one is uh no one's told the TC that they're not interested in being reappointed, right? So hopefully not necessarily hopefully. I mean I hopefully yes, but I don't want to I don't want to like if something
happens and somebody else comes on new I don't want them to feel like oh nobody wants. Um hopefully we'll all be together next year and working on this stuff and um anybody else have anything for the good in order. All right then we are I'll entertain a
motion for adjournment. We need a just a first and a second for that if anyone wants to >> salad. All right great we are joined folks. Thanks so much.