Parks and Recreation Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2026

Parks & Rec Minutes 
May 4, 2026 @ 7pm
Tonight’s meeting will be a hybrid meeting – both via Microsoft Teams and in person at the township building.

1. Call to Order
2. Attendees: Helen Eckel-Wiener, Kathryn Brauchle, Liz Malone, Sam Wiener, Anne Duzan, and Jane Kennedy
3. Staff Present: Jessica Markovich

1. The Parks and Recreation May 4th, 2026, agenda was posted on the Township website and at the township building on May 1st, 2026. Agendas were made available to the public at the meeting. The 2026 Parks and Recreation meeting schedule was published in the Daily Local News on December 18, 2025.
2. Public Comment
3. Minutes approved – April 6th, 2026
   1. A motion was made to approve the April 6th, 2026 minutes. Moved by Katie and seconded by Anne, the motion passed unanimously.
4. Old business
   1. F.I.S.H. Event Collaboration
      1. David Terry from F.I.S.H. (Fathers Involved Shedding Hope, soon to be Families Involved Shedding Hope) presented to the Parks & Recreation Board who F.I.S.H. is, what they do, how they have grown, and how Parks & Recreation can get involved. David Terry explained to the Board that they are open to collaborating with Caln Township Parks & Recreation, as well as various Emergency Services in the township, for an event. F.I.S.H. can be as involved as Caln Township would like them to be – they can host the entire event or just offer support. He gave an example of how he works with Modena Borough for their duck race. A major aspect of the event that F.I.S.H. would seek help from Parks & Recreation would be financial assistance as fundraising for the events can be difficult. Mr. Terry explained different types of events that we could do with them – fishing rodeos, fishing clinics, etc. He also explained what exactly a fishing rodeo is, and how its goal is to create opportunities for kids and their families to bond through fishing (catching a fish is just a plus). They also host events for veterans from the VA Hospital.  Jessica asked what a general range of financial assistance they would be needing, essentially how much it takes to host an event. He said that it would depend on the type of event we would want to host. For example, to just pay for fish to be stocked, it would be around $2,500. Their 3-day fishing rodeo typically costs around $15,000. Helen said that she was thinking we could start with a basic event for first-time fishers. At events, David Terry explained that there are a few things that F.I.S.H. has zero tolerance for at events, such as chumming. He believes that Caln could pull a large crowd. David Terry asked if we allow camping in Lloyd Park, and Jessica answered no. Sam asked what happens when F.I.S.H. were to ask an adult to leave the event for a situation, such as chumming, and they refuse to leave as it is a public area. David answered that they typically do leave, and explained that though it is a public area, since they have the permit for the day to reserve the area they can set their own rules, and if someone were to refuse to leave David would call the police. At the beginning of their events, they go over all the rules, and there are tags with the rules that children have to display that the parents signed that acknowledges they know the rules of the event. He only had to ask one person to leave in 10 years, and they voluntarily left. To go off of Sam’s question, Anne asked if David would recommend that, because it’s a public park, if we should limit stream use during the event for those at the event. David explained that according to PA Fish and Boat Commission Laws, because it is a state stocked stream, someone outside of the event can come in to fish. Having officials there, however, he said helps to mitigate this. He explained that PA Fish and Boat Commission laws take priority over event rules. Sam asked if applying for a permit with the PA Fish and Boat Commission costs anything, and David answered that it does not for children’s fishing rodeo. Anne asked how much room at Lloyd Park around the stream would be needed as she has concern with the dog park. David answered that we could do anything the Parks & Recreation Board would like to do. He explained that the larger the space, the harder the rodeo can be as the fish are spread out. Jessica asked what time of year is best to host a fishing event, and David responded Spring or Fall for water temperature. Jane thanked David for coming in and providing us with this information. The Parks & Recreation Board will discuss what kind of event they are interested in and reach out.  
   2. Summer Series Planning – July 18th and August 15th
      1. Helen made motion to move Summer Series Planning up on the agenda. Moved by Anne and seconded by Katie, the motion passed unanimously.
      2. Cassie, the Marketing Manager at Texas Roadhouse Downingtown, explained some of the offerings that Texas Roadhouse has for community events. She explained that everything they give out is free, and it ranges from lemonades and peanuts (which are kept separate from the other items) to free appetizer and kids meal coupons. Cassie explained that they also bring lawn games, a bubble machine, and their mascot, Andy the Armadillo. She also brings music for dance parties, and string lights for night events. Cassie explained that they are beginning a new fundraising activity, where Texas Roadhouse and the participating organization hosting the event, can agree upon a price to sell peanuts for. Texas Roadhouse would take $35 of the earning, but the organization will keep the rest. Texas Roadhouse will also offer donation buckets for prizes for bingo events, and the option of Texas Roadhouse setting up a table at the event to seek gift cards and the organization will earn 10% of what is made as a donation from Texas Roadhouse. Helen asked if we would have to hire Texas Roadhouse for these services, and Cassie explained that this is free of charge to help Texas Roadhouse be a community partner. Jessica asked if Texas Roadhouse would be interested in being a part of our activities that take place before the movie nights, and Cassie responded absolutely. Jessica also explained to Cassie and the Board that an ice cream truck reached out about participating in Township events, including Summer Series Katie asked if all the activities that they would bring would happen before the movie, and Cassie answered yes and that they will do anything we need them to do and lessen any distraction during the movie. Helen asked if Texas Roadhouse needs anything from Caln Township, and she answered no.
      3. Jessica explained further to the Parks & Recreation Board about the inquiry in taking part in Caln Township events. This ice cream truck, named Alsie’s, just opened. Jessica spoke with their one owner, and the owner explained that they would be happy to come to any events we have and Caln Township would not need to hire them as vendor to come. Jessica asked if the Board would be interested in inviting them to come to Summer Series events. Jessica said that she also mentioned Community Day to them, but told them that an ice cream truck was already signed up to come. The Parks & Recreation Board said yes to moving forward with inviting Alsie’s to our Summer Series movie events.
   3. Caln Elementary Spring Fair Planning Recap
      1. Helen explained that the bubbles were a hit! This is the last spring fair that the Caln Elementary will be hosting. Jessica asked if they knew the new elementary schools will be hosting any similar event, and the Board did not know. Jessica asked if a lot of parents came up to the table, and if they were able to talk to anyone about the open spot on Parks & Recreation. Katie was handing out a lot of our event schedule to parents. Katie asked if Caln Township knew what was going to happen with the elementary school, and Jessica answered that is does not.
   4. Adult Art in the Park Updates
      1. Jessica updated the Board that our instructor, Daniel, is all good to move forward with the new event date of June 6th, as the originally scheduled date of May 16th no longer worked. With the event moving to this day, the event location will be changed to Lloyd Park as the pavilions in Municipal Park are reserved that day. The event will be from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and that Daniel will stick around for a bit after the event to as we any questions. Jessica is waiting for some marketing materials from Daniel to post for the event advertisement so they can announce it and have tickets available for purchase. Daniel will be paid an $80 flat fee, but any added payment will be based off ticket sales.
      2. Drew, our previous instructor for our photography class, is available for our portrait photography class, and his rate is the same as last year, which was $375 for two hours.
         1. Helen made a motion to approve the $375 expenditure for payment to our photography instructor for the portrait photography class. Seconded by Anne, the motion passed unanimously.
      3. For portrait sketching, Jessica presented to the Parks & Recreation Board two instructors: the first is one that Jessica has previously shown the Board, and another one named Kerry Dunn. The first instructor does classes in Chester County, but the second instructor teaches in Philadelphia. Jessica believes that Dunn’s classes would be centered more around portrait painting rather than sketching. The Parks & Recreation Board decided to move forward with Dunn. Jessica will reach out to inquire about their interest in coming out to an event and seeing what their rate is.
5. New Business
   1. Fishing Signage in Lloyd Park
      1. A Water Conservation Officer from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission suggested to the Parks & recreation Board that a kiosk with informational signage be installed in Lloyd Park. Jessica explained that as David had mentioned he saw people camping in Lloyd Park for early fishing, a Water Conservation Officer ran into people who were at Lloyd Park trying to fish before the season began as well. The PA Fish and Boat Commission has given signs to Caln Township to hang up. Helen asked if this sign explained the rules, and Jessica answered that she does not know completely but that believes the are more general signs that say the stream is stocked. The Water Conservation Officer sent Jessica possible plans to create a kiosk, as well as options for purchasing signage. Sam, Helen, and Anne commented on the process of stocking the trout, and how impressed they were. Jessica mentioned what potential information we could have featured, including signage about recycling fishing write and having a tube there for fishing wire collection, as the Board has previously discussed. Anne expressed great interest in having a tube there to collect fishing wire. Helen mentioned how birds and fish have been contracting lead poisoning from certain fishing equipment, so that having something there to collect these items would be good. Anne said that she will bring this up to the EAC. Jessica will look more into kiosks for the Board. Jessica and the Board also discussed the future plans of the Beaver Creek Trail to make sure that if a kiosk and recycling collection tube for fishing is installed, that it would not have to be moved to accommodate the trail.
      2. Jessica also mentioned to the Board that a resident approached Commissioner Thomas to inquire about if the dog park at Lloyd Park is enclosed. The Township Manager went to the park to see if there was signage saying this, and there was not. Jessica added it to the website and mentioned that Caln Township will look to add signage for the park saying this. Jessica and the Board discussed possible fencing around the park, and Anne expressed concern about a potential fishing event taking place in Lloyd Park because of the lack of fencing as dogs tend to roam all around and outside of the park, as well as how she has spoken with visitors of the park who have said they have driven hours just to visit this specific park. She suggested Municipal Park as well, as it could be easier to install fencing for the fish. David Terry did approach Caln Township about it taking place in Municipal Park originally. Anne also expressed concern about the stream banks in Lloyd Park are not entirely accessible.
   2. Accessibility Features in Caln Township Parks
      1. Caln Township has received two emails in the last month about accessibility features for blind visitors in Caln Township parks. Jessica explained that both emails were not from legit email hosts, as we all both emails being sent in the same period about the same thing could signal the emails not being legitimate concerns. The emails did not indicate any malicious attempts in terms of providing malware, as well as they provided no indication that they were trying to sell Caln Township anything. The one email did provide a suggestion for an accessibility feature for blind visitors, something the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia implemented. They are working with a company called RightHear, which is an app that works with you to identify what accessibility needs you have in your parks or buildings, and then will send you Bluetooth beacons that you can place at the most important parts of your park so that someone with low vision or is blind and has the RightHear app can have the app register the Bluetooth item and it will announce it for the user what the location is. Jessica does not know the cost of this service but explained that this could be the most cost-effective option rather than hanging signage with audio installed. She said that we would program what each beacon would say. Jessica played a video from their website to explain their services. Anne expressed if there were any groups that we could reach out to to see if they also received these inquiries. Jessica mentioned that having a tool like this could be beneficial for the future Kings Highway Park, which would be larger than our other parks and have a lot of features. Anne suggested adding specific spots on Google Maps for this to help visitors navigate the park.
   3. Kings Highway Park Update – Grant Application
      1. Jessica updated the Board that an application for the Chester County Municipal Park and Trail Improvement Grant has been submitted for Kings Highway Park. Caln Township received this grant last year for the Beaver Creek Trail. The grant submitted for the Kings Highway Park is specifically for the parking lot that would be near the Old Caln Meetinghouse. Helen explained that the Township is working to develop the park in affordable, “bit-size chunks.,” and that starting with the parking lot helps to make the park more easily accessible for residents, helping to open the property. Jessica showed the most recent plans for Kings Highway Park. Completing the park in phases will help offset costs. Having the parking lot near the Old Caln Meetinghouse will also help make this building more easily accessible. Helen asked if there have been any updates on the status of the grant, and Jessica said no. She explained that she believes there could be changes to the plan as time goes on. Anne also explained that starting with this parking lot could help secure future funding for other parts of the park, as it shows progress being made.
   4. Anne asked if attendees for the Spackman-Davis picnic can bring their own food, and Jessica answered yes.
   5. Jessica told the Board that she and Helen will be attending the Brandywine Greenway luncheon for Greenway partners and will update them on Caln Township’s projects as well as hear their updates.
   6. Jessica announced her resignation as Recording Secretary for the Parks & Recreation Board as she will be leaving her full-time position with Caln Township. She presented her resignation letter to the Board. The Parks & Recreation Board thanked Jessica for the work that she has done for Caln Township.
   7. Jane asked for an update on the Washington D.C. On Your Own Bus Trip. Jessica informed them that the trip has sold out, and that either she or Abbey will be the bus leader on the trip. Attendees will be dropped off at the National Mall and will be picked up as close as to the drop off location as possible. The attendees will also be given a phone number that they can contact that day with any questions or issues.
6. Adjournment