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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 21, 2021 Page 4 Council Liaison Grant noted that the last time the City put in new playground equipment it was a similar scenario where the vendor gave a grant/discount as an enticement. Committee Member Beggin noted that doing a survey about a court when we don’t have one like it in the community, it’s hard to know if people are interested. In some ways it would be asking businesses if they are interested in partnering to help make a destination park. He thinks it’s worth exploring but thought putting that much money into one location is outrageous when there are so many needs of replacing equipment that is already in parks. Committee Member Poelzer added that she would like to see it be little to no cost for the City. She knows Boston Scientific and Land O’Lakes employees go to Cummings Park and would use it, and people nearby that walk to work through the park. She’s hoping the employers would be willing to donate funds. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Summer and Fall Recreation Update Staff Liaison Vaughan reported that this summer saw a return of recreation programs. We offered youth soccer, t-ball and baseball leagues, summer camps, the playground programs, tennis lessons, and adult programs. We offered two events this summer, Bark & Rec Day and the Penny Carnival, both were well attended. Program participant numbers vary from 2019 because programming in 2019 isn’t the same as what was offered in 2021 due to staffing changes in the department and programs cut because of COVID. Youth soccer and flag football are currently underway. AARP has cancelled all in-person activities until January 1, 2022, but they will have online classes. There is a discount code on our website. Committee Member Poelzer asked if the information about AARP could be put in the City newsletter. Staff Liaison Vaughan said it is on the top of the webstore page with a link to AARP and the discount code, he can check into adding something more to the webstore. Council Liaison Grant said he it would have to go through the newsletter committee and it may be a timing issue. Chair Van Valkenburg asked if staff could provide a list of dates when recreation guides are sent out and when the committee should be thinking about programming. Staff Liaison Vaughan responded that he will be working on the winter guide in early October, completed and sent to the printer in late October/early November. Committee Member Beggin wondered if the next meeting would be too late to discuss winter programming. Staff Liaison Vaughan replied that it depends on the type of programming. If it were a program to partner with another city it could be too late, but if it would be an independent program they may be able to manage it. They haven’t had discussions yet about ice rinks and warming houses, but he