Parks & Recreation Meeting Minutes - October 6th, 2025

Parks & Rec Minutes
October 6, 2025 @ 7pm
Tonight’s meeting will be held in person only at the Township Building.

• Call to Order
• Attendees:
  
  • Board Members: Jane Kennedy, Helen Eckel-Wiener, Katie Brauchle, Anne Duzan, Brett Klukan, Elizabeth Malone, Sam Wiener
  • Staff Present: Jessica Markovich
• The Parks and Recreation October 6th, 2025, agenda was posted on the Township website and at the township building on October 3rd, 2025. Agendas were made available to the public at the meeting. The 2025 Parks and Recreation meeting schedule was published in the Daily Local News on December 18th, 2024.
• Public Comment
• Minutes approved – August 4, 2025
• Old business
  • Summer Series – Wonka Recap
    • It was fun! We didn’t have as big of a showing as the first Summer Series, but since it was rescheduled from its original date in June it made sense. All the kids who showed up enjoyed the crafts. Helen mentioned that we need to order more popcorn for next year’s movies. The Board enjoyed the golden ticket ideas!
  • National Night Out Recap
    • Art in the Park at NNO went great! Liz talked about how the setup of it and encouraging participation and donation of your art to the Art Show worked really well and we can do that again next year. Having three tables for attendees to work at was great.​
  • Art in the Park for Adult Recaps
    • Both classes went great! Based on feedback, it seemed that participants left the classes excited for more. There were also 2 comments on social media about how people didn’t know about the classes and are hoping that we do more so they can participate, which was really encouraging to see. The classes didn’t completely sell out, but over half of the tickets (which were a maximum of 25 for each) were purchased. There was positive feedback about the instructors for each class from both the Parks & Rec Board and participants from the classes. Parks & Rec would add one or two more of these classes for next year. Ane suggested a class that focuses on drawing portraits, and Sam built off that with the idea of portrait photography.
  • Community Day Recap
    • Community Day was a success! Despite the switch of days, we had a lot of vendors who were still able to come, which we were grateful for. Recruiting more volunteers for next year will be a goal again for Community Day. Jessica brought up the idea of setting in stone a rain date for next year’s Community Day as we did receive some feedback about having it. The Board agreed that it would be a good thing to keep in mind. We also received feedback about shortening the event by an hour. We had drawing and coloring next to the Art Show, and Liz suggested adding another table as there was trouble finding room for everyone who wanted to participate. All Art Show pieces were at the Coatesville Area Public Library and will be put up in the Township lobby next.
    • Anne suggested maybe having another game for the Parks & Rec table for next year, and Sam said the duck pond is a big hit every year but adding one could be a good idea. Anne brought up that if we have trouble recruiting volunteers again having two activities might be difficult. This was the first year that we had two bands perform – they were originally supposed to each be under Pavillion #1, but Jimmy Jorge and the Latin Express ended up performing at the entrance to the event. Brett thought that location worked out well, and if we have two bands next year, we should just prepare to have a band at that location, rather than having them perform at the same place, so it is easier to get them set up and ready to go.
• New Business
  • EAC Liaison
    • JoEllen McBride, a member of Caln’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) and former Parks & Recreation Board Member, is the new EAC liaison to the Parks & Recreation Board. Anne is also a member of the EAC. JoEllen explained how the EAC came to be from the Sustainability Task Force and their report of recommendations for the Township to act in a more sustainable way. The EAC was formed because of this report. One of the goals of the EAC is to reach out to other Boards and Commissions in the township to discuss how they and the EAC can collaborate. JoEllen explained the seven areas of focus of the Sustainability Report and where it can be found on the website, but she pointed out in specific main goals that would align with Parks & Recreation: add a sustainability awareness component to all municipal events; encouraging community engagement with BMPs (best management practices) for biodiversity; update the natural resource tree/tree inventories; adding a native meadow certification program; and updating the green and open space plan. JoEllen encouraged the Board to reach out to the EAC if they had any ideas or wanted the EAC to come to events or make suggestions.
      
    • Sam asked if the meadow certification would be from the state. Anne explained that one could obtain for converting their yard into a biodiverse environment, such as the meadow certification, that the township could grant. She also brough up the idea of getting one of the parks, or a spot in the park, to be certified (such as Meadow Park, which is still a work in progress). Helen brought up that this could be applied to different levels, from individual residential homes to HOAs, and Anne and JoEllen expressed their interest in connecting with HOA to discuss the possibilities of this. Anne also discussed working with the new housing developments as they are in progress to encourage more native greenery and eco-friendly practices. JoEllen mentioned also that the EAC is interested in having their own special events, such as ones geared towards recycling materials that are harder to recycle. Anne mentioned doing invasive removals/education events would be great.
      
    • Tree Maintenance Event
      
      • Jessica explained to the Board that Abbey is interested in scheduling another riparian buffer tree maintenance event on November 8th, and as it is a busy time of year, she wanted to gauge the Board’s interest and availability for the event. Most of the Board expressed that if they are able to come they would like to participate. Anne asked which locations it would be at, and Jessica explained that it might just be at Lloyd Park. Anne suggested splitting taking care of the riparian buffer trees at both Lloyd Park and Municipal Park for two separate events – one in the spring, and one in the fall.
  • Halloween Party Planning – October 25th
    • United Sports has donated 6 gift certificates to their facility and prizes for the costume contest winners. Shannon Cooper’s Dance Academy will be performing again, and they set up the sign up for the trunk or treat. Helen asked if the link was available to people outside of the dance school to sign up. Jessica explained that if anyone reached out about wanting to sign up, we would send the link to them. Anne expressed interest in Parks & Rec doing a car, and the rest of the Board agreed with the idea. The categories for the costume contest are cutest costume, best group costume, most creative, scariest, best superhero/villain, best make believe, and best pet. Brett and Katie said that they would be judges for the contest. The costume contest will be the same set up as last year, where contestants will visit the judges’ tent rather than going through a parade. The students from Shannon Cooper’s students will likely host games like last year, and we will buy a big pumpkin for the pumpkin weight guessing, as well as something for guessing how many of the treats are in a jar. Anne suggested Halloween Peeps if they have them, and Brett expressed the benefit of finding something lighter/less dense, and more desirable to kids. We will be setting up a photo booth again. Helen asked if we would have a Halloween craft, but with the event only being two hours long and the trunk or treat being added, Brett expressed that there was a lot going on. The Board would also like to add the scavenger hunt. An arrival time of 12:00 PM that day was decided. For the Parks & Rec car, Abbey and Jessica will buy candy for it. Jessica said that she would start an email chain after the meeting to discuss the theme for the trunk.
  • Clean-Up Crew – October 18th and November 1st
    • The first of our last two clean-ups is on October 18th at Embreeville Road. Only members of the Parks & Recreation Board are signed up, but it will be promoted on social media again. The next will be on November 1st at North Bailey Road (which was rescheduled from April). There will be flaggers for both clean ups. For Embreeville, we will be meeting at Quik-Stop, and for North Bailey Road, we will be parking at Sylvan Drive.
  • Tree Lighting Planning – December 7th
    • The Township Tree Lighting will be on Sunday, December 7th at 5:00 PM. If a burn ban is not in effect again this year, it was decided that we will host a s’mores table again. The Board discussed decorations for Santa’s tent, and having more greenery for it like last year’s would be great to do. The Board decided to set an arrival time of 3:00 PM for them, but they will adjust it as the event gets closer if needed. Public Works will bring the larger items needed (bleachers, the “Happy Holidays” sign). Abbey emailed the Coatesville Meistersingers today to confirm if they are able to make it, and Jessica will be reaching out to Shannon Cooper’s Dance Academy and the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary to confirm their attendance as well. They will also be reaching out to the Historical Commission about opening the Hexagonal Schoolhouse for tours. Anne asked if someone from the department would need to be there to watch the fire for the s’mores. Jessica and Abbey will also be reaching out to the fire company to confirm this and if they can provide a Santa for the event. Anne suggested the idea of the fire company rinsing the pavement before the event. Liz suggested earlier this year to get larger electric candle lights to put out. Jessica and Abbey will look at the budget to see what we can get. Jessica also announced to the Board that the Township also purchased artificial garland to go around the light poles along with the snowflakes. Liz suggested the idea of lighting G.O. Carlson instead of Lincoln Highway as there is fewer lights/distractions, keeping the decorations more prominent. To go along with this, Anne suggested adding lights along the walking paths on G.O. Carlson.
  • Township Holiday Party – December 12th
    • Jessica announced that the End of Year Appreciation Dinner for the Township and its volunteers will be on December 12th at 5:00 PM at the Thorndale Inn.
  • Kings Highway Park Update
    • Jessica asked anyone who had been to the Kings Highway Park Strategic Task Force meetings if they had any updates they would like to share. She also asked the Board if, after the updates, they had any ideas that they would like to see considered to please share. Helen shared that they all received maps of the current park and were asked to draw (individually and in groups) what they envisioned could be good to have at the park. When the groups came together and presented what they all drew, a lot of overlap was discovered. They are hoping for the Township Engineer’s to look at the maps and determine the feasibility of it, as well as hopefully provide an idea of cost. The big priorities are ensuring the safety of the buildings and the driveway on the property for guests. The Board then looked at the original 2007 Kings Highway Park Plan and what differences there are between it and what the Task Force came up with. Some of these ideas were: adding an observatory, a pond/wetland space at the front of the house, trails, and event space. Anne asked if there was any discussion about adding parking along North Bailey Road. Helen said that there has been some discussion about creating an entrance and parking area near Fisherville and North Bailey. Helen and Brett discussed one how one of the EAC members working on an inventory of natural resources on the property.
      
    • For things that they would like to be added, the Parks & Recreation Board mentioned: a playground, trails, signage/active maps, sensory garden, meditative labyrinth, public restroom with a composting aspect, and solar powered items. Jessica said that if they think of anything else to email her, and to expect and invite from the Task Force for their input.
    • Jessica also announced to the Board that the tickets for the December On Your Own Bus Trip are live, and about six tickets have been sold so far. Helen asked if we have a representative going on the trip, and both Abbey and Jessica are going. The bus trip is on Saturday, December 6th and it will depart from the Municipal Building at 7:30 AM and arrive back around 9:00 PM. There are 55 tickets for sale.
    • Helen also highlighted the new Old Caln Historical Society in the lobby.
• Adjournment

Respectfully submitted,
​
Jessica Markovich
Recording Secretary