No Meeting

Parks & Rec Minutes
November 5, 2018 @ 7pm

• Call to Order
• Roll Call (Brett, Angela, Chris, JoEllen, Josh, Abbey)
• Approved 10/1/2018 minutes
• Old business
  • Group Trips – We’ve booked three buses for the NYC on your own trip because demand has been very high. People appreciate that we added an extra hour to the usual trip. Abbey will make sure that there enough snacks for 162 people. We have leaders for all three buses. The plan is that everyone will get on the same bus coming back as they were going to NY. Abbey will create a Facebook survey to see what other trips people would like to do (AC, Baltimore, DC, Baseball, NYC, ski trip). Going forward, we’ll have to find a new parking spot, once Kmart closes.
  • Tree lighting and kids’ party are set for December 2nd.  Abbey is promoting the event. Rotary is confirmed for refreshments and “Get Hitched Mobile Bar” is donating their trailer for our refreshments. We’ve gotten approval to do a bon fire – no larger than 5’x5’ and it doesn’t require any fencing around it. The Meistersingers are tentatively confirmed to perform. We will make sure we have enough ornaments and supplies for 150 kids. Abbey will get extra cookies and cider for the party and we’ll use our speaker to play music. Abbey will make sure the tree gets trimmed before we decorate it. Parks and Rec members will arrive at 2pm to begin set up for the party and luminaries. Abbey will reach out to Pastor Shonna from Thorndale UMC. The OCHS members will be flipping the switch and Abbey will include a description of their efforts in the event program.
  • Holiday decorating contest is happening again this year and we’ll open it up to businesses as well. The Downingtown Chamber will donate prize checks to the winners again this year. Would like to have categories for judging – individuals choose which category they’d like to compete in. (Most nostalgic/classic/traditional, best multi-media, MOST decorations). Abbey will ask Steve if the Chamber will donate 3 $75 prizes ($225) total. Judging will take place at 7pm on December 18th – lights must be on from 7pm and 9pm.
• New Business
  • Ideas for next year – an idea for Halloween next year would be a “pumpkin roll” fundraiser.  The group will research ways to drum up participation for Caln Pride Day clean up.

 

• Adjournment

Parks & Rec Minutes
October 1, 2018 @ 7pm

• Call to Order
• Roll Call (Brett, Angela, Chris, JoEllen, Josh, Abbey and guest Vince Rose)
• Approved 7/2/2018 minutes
• Old business
  • Group Trips – Abbey booked a bus for December 8th for $1590 with Hagey Tours. The trip leaves from Kmart at 7:30am and returns at 8:30pm. Abbey will get permission to use the Kmart parking lot. The group agreed that the person in charge of attendance should get a free seat. The bus holds 54 people. Other groups are charging $55 for similar trips. The group agreed to charge $45 per person and include water and a granola bar. Abbey will ask about and bring DVDs to watch on the bus.
  • Halloween Parade – The parade is schedule for Saturday, October 27 from 1pm to 2pm. The group chose to try painting the pumpkins instead of using the stickers from last year. Last year, the sticker paper was kind of a mess. We agreed to hand out candy bags instead of letting kids take as much candy as they want. Abbey will try to find more volunteers to help out. Abbey will contact someone from the police department and Angela and Chris will enlist Chief Cordisco to serve as judges. Abbey will buys toys to give away as prizes and 150 pumpkins for decorating. Abbey will also ask Public Works to pick up the pumpkins and then drive them to the park for the day of the event. Sunday is the rain date.
  • Tree lighting and kid’s party is schedule for December 2nd. The Old Caln Historical Society ladies will come to light up the tree. The live Christmas tree needs to be trimmed before the event. The group would also like to have a bon fire – Abbey will talk to Ray to get his permission. We will have kids decorate ornaments for the tree at their party. The group would like someone to roast chestnuts – Abbey will look into it. Abbey will confirm with the Meistersingers that they can come and sing carols. We can use our small speaker instead of the big, plug-in sound system. The Fire Company will provide Santa and bring him over.
  • Holiday decorating contest is happening again this year and we’ll open it up to businesses as well. Would like to have categories for judging – individuals choose which category they’d like to compete in. (Most nostalgic/classic/traditional, best multi-media, MOST decorations).
• New Business
  • We would like to have Chico’s Vibe and fireworks for next Summer too. We will request that additional money budget from the Board and Abbey will try to get sponsorship to supplement it.
  • Mr. Rose suggested that the Township invest in a way to hang banners across business rout 30.
  • Abbey will look into using the Township’s billboard privileges for Parks and Rec events.

 

• Adjournment

No meeting - Labor Day

Meeting Cancelled

​Parks & Rec Minutes
July 2, 2018 @ 7pm

• Call to Order
• Roll Call (Brett, Angela, Chris, JoEllen, Nate, Josh)
• Approve 6/4/2018 minutes
• Old business
  • Events
  • Recap June Summer Series – Weather was great, turnout was ok. Four square was not a big hit (kids were too little) but the bubbles were a hit. Doing our own music worked well and saved us money. We played Ferdinand (online poll chose the movie). A few more yard games might be fun for the future. We need more bubble solution for the future (half a bucket wasn’t enough). The food vendor and bounce house didn’t have a generator so power was an issue (Fun Factory charges extra to bring a generator). We ran the popcorn machine from a small generator which worked well.
    • Summer Series – July 20th event
      • Chico’s Vibe will play from 7-9, since fireworks can’t start until after 9. The bounce house will be set up beginning at 6 and stay until 9. Popcorn and bag order will be delivered to us from a business in Allentown. Abbey will buy bins to stand up the popcorn bags in.
      • Online promotion has gone really well for the event.
      • Chico’s vibe is not available for our rain date, but we could show a movie or the fireworks if we had to.
      • Public works will move tables out of pavilion 2 and will rope off the field for the fireworks.
      • We’ll bring all of the generators for the event.
      • After the fireworks, we’ll need to turn on the baseball lights.
      • We discussed additional activities that we could add to the event.
  • Group trips update for December in NY
    • Abbey will call Hagey tours about booking a bus tour to NY for December 8th or 15th. West Chester on-your-own offers trips as well, we should try to be a few dollars cheaper (but enough to cover the cost if we don’t fill the bus).
• New Business
  • Any members who are willing to help out at Community Day would be appreciated.
  • We’re also hosting a Historic Trolley tour on September 9.

 

• Adjournment

 

Parks & Rec Agenda
June 4, 2018 @ 7pm

• Call to order
• Board Members In attendance: JoEllen McBride, Brett Klukan, Angela Cordisco, Chris Cordisco
• Others in Attendance:  Abbey Swan (Staff)
• Not in Attendance:, Dyneco Gibson, Jo Detelus, Nate Weaver

 

• Approval of Minutes
  • Motion made by Mr. Klukan and seconded by Mrs. Cordisco to approve the May 7, 2018 meeting minutes. Vote passed 4-0.

 

• Old business
  • Summer Series
    • Ms. Cordisco provided four-square rules for the Summer Series event.
    • Ms. Swan reported that Chester County Dental Arts are interested in sponsoring the July 20th event for $300.00. They plan to distribute branded floss along with the popcorn. The group agreed to make popcorn even though there is no movie that night. Brandywine Hospital is also tentatively planning to sponsor the entire Summer Series (for $2000.00).
    • Midway Grill was interested but was unavailable for the June 15th date. For June 15th, a food cart will be there selling kid-appropriate foods. Big Boize BBQ will attend the July and August events to sell food. Ms. Swan will invite Midway to the July event as well, since it’s bigger.
    • The blue tooth speaker has arrived, Ms. Swan will make bubble solution, and check the balls to use for Four Square.
    • The fireworks contract from Schaefer Fireworks has been signed and deposit checks requested for the July 20th event.
    • Board members should plan to arrive for the June 15th event by 6pm.
  • Group trips
    • The group had a conversation to re-evaluate the purpose of hosting an Atlantic City beach trip without a casino package (it’s not economical for families, who would be paying $25 per person to go to the beach). Since the group is not very excited about planning and attending a casino trip, we agreed to look at our options for the fall/winter in New York instead. Ms. Swan will call and ask about play packages and on-your-own packages for December.
    • Mr. Klukan motioned to change the bus trip from Atlantic City in August to New York in December. Ms. McBride seconded. Vote passed 4-0.
• New Business
  • An Eagle Scout approached the Township about creating a Gaga Ball pit for his Eagle Scout project in Municipal Park. He’ll come in and present his project at a future Parks and Recreation meeting.
  • Ms. Swan reported that Andrew Henrichon, a student from Downingtown, will be helping with Caln Township events to fulfill his 40 hour graduation requirement.
• Adjournment

​

Parks & Rec Agenda
May 7, 2018 @ 7pm
 
Call to order
Board Members In attendance: Brett Klukan, Angela Cordisco, Chris Cordisco, Nate Weaver
Others in Attendance:  Abbey Swan (Staff)
Not in Attendance: JoEllen McBride, Dyneco Gibson, Jo Detelus
 
Approval of Minutes
Motion made by Mrs. Cordisco and seconded by Mr. Klukan to approve the March 2nd, 2018 meeting minutes. Vote passed 4-0.
 
Old business

• Caln Pride Day Recap

Turnout was much better than last year. Approximately 40 people attended including multiple groups of scouts. Focusing on attracting groups seems to have worked well. ServPRO of Kennett Square sponsored a number of new plants, which is very much appreciated. The Cordiscos also donated a number of perennials. There is also some interest in doing another clean-up day in the fall, perhaps October. The group is receptive to this idea.

• Summer Series
  • Movie selection - The group discussed movie selection for the first Summer Series event. There was a lot of debate about which movie to choose – in the end, the group agreed to allow people to vote for their favorite on Facebook.
  • Other activities – The group agreed to do a bubble station (Mr. Klukan agreed to look into a bubble machine). Ms. Cordisco will run four-square (need to get a kick ball type ball and chalk, she will also find the rules to print out). Ms. Swan will make signs for four-square and the bubble station.
  • Music – Ms. Swan will buy a blue tooth speaker to use for the music.
  • Chester County Dental Arts may be interested in sponsoring the Summer Series.
  • Contract is signed with Chico’s Vibe and Fun Factory, waiting on a contract from Schaefer’s Fireworks.
  • Still trying to nail down food vendors – Midway Grill seems interested.
  • Ms. Swan will make sure that all the vendors for the July 20th event know about the rain date.
• Recreation Leagues – tabled since Mr. Detelus was not in attendance.
• Discounted tickets – tabled since Mr. Young was not in attendance.
• Group trips – Hagney tours have buses available for a variety of Saturdays in July and August. August 25 was the date picked by the group. At $25, we would need 40 people to sign up to break even.
• Basketball hoops – ordering all new basketball hoops for both Municipal and Dawkins Park.

New Business

• Pickleball – the group discussed adding pickleball lines to the tennis courts. Ms. Swan will follow up with the manager about making this happen.
• The group discussed fencing in a portion of the Lloyd Park dog park. Perhaps a veterinarian or pet store would be willing to sponsor an enclosure. Ms. Swan will get a price on fencing in a portion of the park.

 
Adjournment 

​Parks & Rec Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2018 @ 7pm
 
Call to order
Board Members In attendance: JoEllen McBride, Brett Klukan, Angela Cordisco, Chris Cordisco, Nate Weaver
Others in Attendance:  Abbey Swan (Staff), and Joshua Young (Board of Commissioners liaison)
Not in Attendance: Dyneco Gibson, Jo Detelus
 
Approval of Minutes
Motion made by Ms. McBride and seconded by Mr. Klukan to approve the March 5th, 2018 meeting minutes. Vote passed 5-0.
 
Election of Officers
Motion made by Mr. Klukan and seconded by Ms. Cordisco to elect Ms. McBride as Chair. Vote passed 5-0.
Motion made by Mr. Klukan and seconded by Mrs. Cordisco to elect Ms. Cordisco as Vice-Chair. Vote passed 5-0.
Motion made by Mr. Klukan and seconded by Ms. McBride to appoint Ms. Swan as Secretary. Vote passed 5-0.
 
Old business
Motion made by Ms. McBride and seconded by Mr. Klukan to send amended bylaws and constitution to the Board of Commissioners for approval. Vote passed 5-0.
 
Events   
Easter Egg Hunt Recap – The group discussed the Egg Hunt which took place on March 25th. Turnout was very good, considering the weather. There was discussion of how to count attendees and the possibility of keeping attendees out of the park until the hunt begins. The jelly bean winner guessed within 6 jelly beans of the correct number. The group agreed to go back to creating special prize eggs which attendees can exchange for a prize instead of hiding larger eggs with the prize inside. The layout worked well. We also discussed planning a Township-wide scavenger hunt of some kind and agreed to discuss it for next year, since it would require a lot of advanced planning. There was a discussion of geo-caching and how it works, since that might be an option that we could explore. We still have a few hundred eggs filled with toys for next year, plus all of the empty eggs.
Caln Pride Day – Noel Bernard will be providing T-shirts again this year. ServPRO is going to sponsor plants near the veteran’s memorial in Municipal Park. Ms. Swan will collect gift cards from Acme and Giant to purchase hot dogs, toppings, chips, and water and gator aid for the cook out. Mrs. Cordisco will donate some hostas to plant in front of the township building.
Summer Series – Ms. Swan will send out the movie choices once she determines how many movies we need to choose (we may need to show Penguins of Madagascar since we purchased rights for it last year). After some discussion, the group agreed to purchase our own speakers with a microphone and forgo hiring a DJ for each event. The new speaker will be blue-tooth compatible and can be used in the meeting room and for other events as well.  Fun Factory will be providing our moon bounces at a cost of $200 plus $20/hr for staff. This will free up the Parks and Rec members to run other activities. Ms. Swan will look into booking Knockerballs West Chester for the July event. Chico’s Vibe is on our calendar and we are working out a few details before signing the contract.  The band will be in the pavilion and seating can be across the stream, as long as we tape off the edge of the field for the fireworks. Ms. Swan is trying to secure sponsors for the events. The group will consider other activities to do at the events (Four Square, BB tournament, bubble blowing etc.). Whatever we decide to do, we should have signs so people know what’s going on.
Recreation Leagues – tabled since Mr. Detelus was not in attendance.
Discounted tickets – Josh will speak to Tony about how this used to work.
Group trips – Waiting to hear back from the bus company about setting up a trip to AC this summer.
New Business – Ms. Swan will update the website with elected Parks and Rec members as well as minutes and agendas.
Adjournment 

Parks & Rec Meeting Minutes 
March 5, 2018 @ 7pm
Board Members In attendance: JoEllen McBride, Brett Klukan, Angela Cordisco
Others in Attendance:  Abbey Swan (Staff), and Joshua Young (Board of Commissioners liaison)
Not in Attendance: Dyneco Gibson, Nate Weaver, Jo Detelus, Chris Cordisco
 
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.
 
Amended Parks and Recreation Board Bylaws
 
Ms. Swan presented the Board with an updated version of the bylaws and constitution which included changes suggested at the February 5 Parks and Recreation Board meeting. Ms. Cordisco motioned to dispense with the reading of the proposed bylaws, Mr. Klukan seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
 
A vote is scheduled for the April meeting to approve transmittal of the proposed amendments to the Board of Commissioners. The amendments must be approved by a two-thirds vote.

Upcoming events update
 
Easter Egg Hunt: Ms. Swan reported on progress of the Easter Egg Hunt, which is schedule for 1:00pm on March 25th. The event has been promoted through the Township’s website, social media channels, and community calendars. One attendee from last year commented on the Facebook event about parents getting out of hand at the event last year. Parks and Rec will make changes this year including roping off larger spaces and adding a new age group for kids under two years old. This year we plan to hold eggs back for any kids who don’t get any eggs. If time allows, we will add candy to leftover eggs from last year to increase the number of eggs. The oldest group will be located across the bridge. Ms. Swan will get more stakes and crepe paper to rope off the areas, plus new signs to indicate the age groups. The group will wait to see what the weather is like that day and then decide whether or not to add a craft for the kids. There is some interest in running spoon/egg races after the egg hunt. Parks and Recreation Board members should plan to at 11:00am to begin setting up and hiding eggs.
Caln Pride Day: Ms. Swan has enlisted volunteers from local groups including one led by Chemise Taylor (Dawkins Park) and we’d like to contribute food for them to have a picnic at Dawkins Park that day. Other local groups include a new Volunteers for Veterans, Thorndale UMC, and scouts. Since Public Works has been cleaning around the Township, we may need other projects for volunteers to work on. Mr. Young suggested we assign a group to the Veteran’s Memorial in Municipal Park (perhaps the scouts) and one for the Township building itself.
Summer Series: The group agreed that for the first and last summer series events, we will try to see if a scout troop or other group wants to sell food (since it wasn’t really worth it for the food trucks who attended last year). Mr. Young pointed out that it will require more work to prepare for a community group to sell food. For the larger, July Summer Series, we will look into getting one or two food trucks. Mr. Young confirmed that Rita’s is interested in attending all three events again this summer. Ms. Swan will look in to PJ Wellihan’s food truck to get more details. A rain date was discussed for the July Summer Series and it was agreed to make the rain date July 27th.
Sesquicentennial: Ms. Swan reported that the Lincoln Highway Committee and Historical Society have committed to planning special 150th anniversary events. The Historical Society is going to work on a History Tour of the Township. The group discussed whether or not the Parks and Recreation Board want to get involved and it was decided that with all of the other events going on, they do not have the bandwidth to add another event. Mr. Young suggested we look into getting Kohls volunteers for the 150th event. Also, Parks and Rec could help with the 5k that the Fire Company is planning – perhaps sponsor a water station. Ms. Cordisco suggested Parks and Rec could set up a poster-making table for people to make posters cheering on the runners.

Recreation Leagues: This conversation was tabled until next meeting since Mr. Detelus was not in attendance.

Update: Discounted Ticket Sales/Group Trips: Ms. Swan reported that Hagey’s Coaches will charge us $998 for a full coach to the beach on a Saturday – they also offer casino packages. This amounts to $18 per attendee. Mr. Young suggested we could charge $25 to cover a tip for the driver and cover the seat of whoever volunteers to lead the trip. The group suggested booking a date in July or August. Ms. Swan will call and ask about cancellation policies, in case there is not enough interest and see which Saturday’s are available. She will also see if part of the group can do a casino package, or if the entire group has to do it. The group agreed that seats would be open to anyone, not just Township residents, though perhaps in the future we could charge a resident rate and a non-resident rate.
Regarding discount tickets: Mr. Young offered to contact Tony to learn how he previously managed the discounted ticket program.
 
2018 Parks Update: Basketball hoops: Ms. Swan is working to narrow down basketball hoop replacement options.