PARKS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Transcription

1 PARKS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2018

2 Parks Department Staff The Parks Department team consists of a small group of qualified and skilled individuals. The ISA certified arborist and municipal specialist provides tree care and maintenance. There is a parks foreman, building maintenance technician, plant health care specialist, and sports field/turf care maintenance, landscape and irrigation specialist. Together they maintain all park facilities in cooperation with other City Departments. - Del Barton, Parks Superintendent / City Arborist - Tim Miller, Parks Maintenance Foreman - Tom Linville, Parks Maintenance Worker III - Jim Vanek, Parks Maintenance Worker I - Brett Williams, Parks Maintenance Worker I - Dustin Hamilton, Parks Maintenance Worker I - Tim Jordan, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Austin Layton, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Jarred Oliver, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Alyssa Picket, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Nicole Watts, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Teresa Cheney, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Connor Hunt, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker - Cara Neff, Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker City of Powell Parks There are 10 City Parks that cover more than 125 acres and provide a wide range of amenities. Open green spaces, picnic shelters, playgrounds, tennis courts, skateboard and in-line skate park, basketball courts, volleyball courts, a wading pool, horseshoe pitching courts, band shell and stage, 1.5 miles of paved walking/biking trail, soccer fields, landscaped flower beds and potted plants, arboretum, softball and baseball fields, radio-controlled off-road vehicle course, fishing pond, snow sledding hills, ice skating, a warming hut, concessions, 2.5 miles of landscaped canal banks, veteran s memorials, rest area, RV and tent camping, are all maintained by the Parks Department. Beartooth Park,.43 acres J.K. Grover Park,.77 acres Homesteader Park, acres Powell H.S. Veterans Memorial Park and Walkway, 1.25 acres Southside Park, 4.72 acres Veterans Park, 2.87 acres VFW Park,.88 acres Washington Park, 4.05 acres Westside Park, 4.8 acres Whitlock Park,.91 acres Woods Park, 1.12 acres American Legion Baseball Field, 11.7 acres Ed Lynn Memorial Field

3 Bob Kolb Softball Complex Bob Kolb Little League Fields Babe Ruth Baseball Complex Merle Johnson Field Additional areas maintained by the Parks Department; - East and West Coulter Ave. canal banks, grass, trees, litter, and holiday decorating - Chamber of Commerce landscape and holiday decorating - The Commons at Pond Park exterior, and interior table and chair setting - Rainwater Addition, 3.86 acres - City Hall landscape,.17 acres - East and West water tower enclosures and Vining electrical substation landscaping Powell Tree Advisory Board The Tree Advisory Board is comprised of dedicated, knowledgeable, and professional people with a genuine concern for the urban forest of Powell. We meet at City Hall on the third Wednesday of each month. This group reviews proposed plans and ideas to find ways to improve the quality of life in the community by wisely investing in the benefits that trees provide. We had two member renew their term on the board. Powell was designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 28th consecutive year on April 27th in conjunction with the Arbor Day Celebration held at The Commons. Powell also received designation for acquiring the Growth Award for the 4th consecutive year. This years Arbor Day event was held at The Commons. On the first day 5th Grade students attended three 15 minute session on tree planting, the benefits of trees, and weeds and pests. Three stations were set up for the students; creating seed balls from the Park Co. Weed and Pest, the benefits of air from the Park Co. Master Gardeners, and proper selection and planting of tree seedlings by Josh Pomeroy, Tim Jordan, and Scott Hicswa. Mayor Wetzel read the Arbor Day proclamation to the public and Brian Russell from the Wyoming State Division of Forestry presented the Tree City USA and the Growth Awards. On school day all the students were given tree seedlings to plant. Over 1000 seedlings and transplants of various tree and shrub species were available to the 5 th grade students and general public free of charge over the 2-day event. Powell Tree Advisory Board Members: - Del Barton, City Arborist - Floyd Young, City Council Representative - TJ Bell, Park Co. School District #1 - Sandy Frost, Soil Conservation District Rep., Clark - Scott Hicswa, Independent Construction Contractor - Kent Kienlen, Big Horn Eye Care - Josh Pomeroy, Blue Ribbon Tree Service - Josh Shorb, Park Co. Weed and Pest - Jeremiah Vardiman, UW State Extension Office

4 Tree City USA 2018 Forestry Program Information Community Population: 6,500 Tree Planting and Initial Care: $8,000 Tree Maintenance: $2,000 Tree Removals: $1,500 Administrative Management: $27,500 Emerald Ash Borer Management: $ Utility Line Clearance: $30,000 Volunteer Time: $ Other (stump grinding & recycling wood chips): $1,500 Total Community Forestry Expenditures: $71, Expenditures Per Capita: $11.04 Trees Planted: 30 Trees Pruned: 85 Trees Removed: 16 Powell Urban Forestry Program - Three reimbursable grants were received from the Wyoming State Division of Forestry, Community Forestry Partnership Cost-Share Program - One grant was received in the amount of $25,000 for conducting a comprehensive City tree inventory that included all park, greenways, and right-of-way trees greater than 4 inches in diameter. From this inventory a management plan for public trees was created to guide future City tree plans. - A second grant was received to plant 32 trees along the Coulter Highway corridor between Road 10 and Road 8. This is part of the introduction of species diversity in the City forestry program. - A third grant was received to create the City of Powell Parkway / Street Tree Planting and Establishment Guidelines. 600 copies were printed - 85 trees required tree trimming in the Downtown area and City Parks due to overgrowth or dieback - A total of 302 ash trees in the downtown Powell area, City Parks and green spaces were treated with insecticide as a preventative management measure for Emerald Ash Borer - 22 ash trees at the Powell Golf Course were treated with EAB insecticide - Over 400 gallons of insecticide were applied to public ash trees in keeping with the City of Powell Ash Tree Management and Canopy Replacement Plan - The Electrical Department has continued contracted electrical utility line clearance, trimming or removing tree limbs or trees in the easement, dedicating $30,000. Green Life Solutions was contracted for the work.

5 - This past calendar year saw 59 tree requests sent to the City Arborist regarding tree evaluations, including one with the Street Tree Maintenance Cost-Share Program - There were 18 letters sent out requesting property owners to trim or remove trees and shrubs in accordance with standards set forth by City Ordinance - The Tree City USA and Growth Award application has been submitted to the Wyoming State Forestry Division for review and approval, due each year by Dec. 31. Training Attended The level and standard of care that Park Department employees provide are directly associated with the training, certification and continuing education that they receive. With safety of the utmost importance, frequent training on the use of equipment, development of skills and abilities is essential. Sharing information and networking with other public employees provides the opportunity to learn new ways of accomplishing tasks and reaching Department goals. Attendance at training outside the City allows for that interaction. - Wyoming Groundskeepers and Grower s Annual Conference, Casper, WY, January - Northern Rockies Mountain Tree School, Cody, WY, October - i-tree inventory webinars, January, February, and March. Live online training in the use of i-tree programs - Stihl sponsored Chainsaw Safety and Maintenance Workshop, Park Co. Fairgrounds, August Community Events The Parks Department actively participates in and provides support to community activities throughout the year. From Little League Baseball to Kinder Day to the Arbor Day Celebration, the programs supported by the Department are made successful by accomplishing assistance requests, providing picnic tables, athletic field preparation, setting up tables, chairs, bleachers, and decorations for the events. - Arbor Day Celebration, Parkside, Southside and Westside Elementary Schools at The Commons, April - Kinder Day at the Parks, Street, Water and Electrical Departments, May - Shakespeare In the Parks, Washington Park, August - Wings and Wheels, Powell Airport, August - Powell Arts Festival, Plaza Diane Community Center for the Arts, August - Paint the Town Red, August, Plaza Diane - Homesteader Days, Homesteader Museum, September

6 - Sample the Seasons, downtown Powell, November - Powell Country Christmas, downtown Powell, December - Big Horn Basin Farmer s Market, Washington Park, May through October Park Special Events Touting excellent facilities that are located within the parks, it makes them ideal for special events and recreation programs. Working in conjunction with the Powell Recreation District, a large number of cultural and recreational activities are available. There is something for all age groups to participate in and enjoy. And the handicapped accessibility to nearly all facilities make them an ideal place to go. - Little League Baseball, June August, Homesteader Park - Homesteader Off-Road R/C Track, 10 scheduled events, May through September, Homesteader Park - Powell Horseshoe Club Tournament, 2nd weekend in June, Homesteader Park - Girl s Fast pitch Softball League, Homesteader Softball Complex - Lion s Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Washington Park, April - Powell Aquatics Center, triathlon, Homesteader Park, May - Sugar Beet Classic 5K and 10K, Homesteader Park, September - PHS Class Reunion Softball Game, Homesteader Park, June - Powell Middle School Aquathon, Homesteader Park, October - Color Run 5K Race, Homesteader Park, August - Wyo-Cysters PCOS Awareness 5K Walk, Homesteader Park, September - Hometown Hitting for Heroes Softball Tournament, Homesteader Softball Complex, September Park Hosted Events The Parks Department provides additional support by providing and caring for athletic fields, outdoor and indoor facilities used by the Powell Recreation District and other public and private organizations. - Fishing Derby, Homesteader Park - Day camp for children, Homesteader Park - Girls and boys soccer, Rainwater Addition and Homesteader Park - Youth tackle Football, Veteran s Park and Homesteader Park - Youth flag football, Homesteader Park - Youth baseball, Homesteader Park - Youth tennis program, Westside Park Tennis Courts - Youth & Adult Softball, Homesteader Softball Complex - Ice skating, Homesteader Park skating rink - Snow sledding, Homesteader Park - Cross-country skiing, Homesteader Park Picnic Shelter Reservations From family reunions to birthday parties, organizational and business picnics to musical and stage events, there are well maintained picnic shelter facilities at most City parks. The band shell in Washington Park offers a place for special gatherings and is available through a convenient reservation system. Limited RV and tent camping sites are available, at no cost, located at the Homesteader Park & Rest Area, with a 3-day, 2-night stay limit.

7 #Reservations by Month March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Homesteader Park Southside Park Washington Park Washington Park Band Shell #Guests by Park Homesteader Park 25 reservations, 1,375 guests Southside Park 27 reservations, 1,055 guests Washington Park 46 reservations, 2,376 guests Washington Park Band Shell 13 reservations, 1,785 guests *In September Grover Park hosted a wedding with about 100 guests TOTAL 112 reservations, 6,691 guests Total #Reservations by Year Park Maintenance Projects Park maintenance projects continue to focus on infrastructure repairs and refurbishing. Numerous buildings and structures have been in need of repair for quite some time. Between maintaining sports turf and athletic fields to a high standard and beginning these facility repairs, finding available time for these projects has been difficult. By eliminating some of the smaller repairs first we were then able to focus on the larger projects. Plans are to continue this method. - Five-piece fitness station was installed at Homesteader Park adjacent to walkway - Picnic tables were refurbished, repaired and re-stained or repainted - Park signs were refurbished - All the downtown Powell wooden benches were refurbished - Homesteader Park warming hut roof that had been vandalized, was repaired - Damaged greenhouse plastic roofing was replaced - American Legion baseball field concession stand cedar-shake roof replaced with new metal roofing - Landscape timbers were added to the front of the Parks Department office area - All parks athletic fields turf areas were core aerated, fertilized and treated for weeds and insects - Park playground safety inspections are conducted monthly at seven parks with repair and/or replacement as necessary - Old deteriorated drinking fountain at Wood s Park removed, filled, and reseeded - Christmas lighting and decorations installed on all light poles, downtown treescape, Absaroka to Clark, First to Third Streets, City Hall, canal bank, Powell aquatic center, and Washington Park - Flowers and shrubs planted and maintained in the downtown area, Westside Park, Rest Area, PAC, Chamber of Commerce, The Commons at Pond Park and other areas of department responsibility - Restroom floors at the American Legion baseball field and Homesteader softball complex were painted - The Homesteader Park fish pond is cleaned and the aerating system is installed on a yearly basis

8 - Fish were purchased (800-mix of brown, rainbow and tiger trout) and placed in the Homesteader Park fishing pond for the annual Fishing Derby held by the Powell Recreation District, fed and maintained by Parks Staff. - An additional 400 Firehole trout were provided by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, fed and maintained by the Parks Department staff at the fishing pond in Homesteader Park - Snow and ice removal and salting operations continued in the downtown Powell area, City Hall, The Commons, Chamber of Commerce, Homesteader Park Rest Area, all City park sidewalks and handicapped access ramps. - U.S., State of Wyoming, and POW flags maintained at City Hall, The Commons, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion baseball complex, Homesteader Park Rest Area, and Powell High School Veterans Memorial. Flags are posted to half-staff, full staff, and replaced as needed. Cost is born by the department. - Sorted, inventoried, prepared and place in storage containers all holiday decorations used in Powell - Ice rink is set up and maintained on the basketball court at Homesteader Park - American Legion Baseball Field concession cedar shake shingles were replaced with metal roofing - As part of the 10-year arboretum monitoring program all weather data collected from the automated weather station was collected and posted on the City website - Grass edging was completed at the Rest Area, West Side Park, and west end sidewalk areas - 30 trees were replanted on the downtown canal bank and west strip areas and watered weekly - Five ornamental trees were removed at Whitlock Park Park Maintenance Contracted Projects With an anticipated budget reductions the Parks Department looked to do as much in-house work as possible using our skilled employee labor, thus avoiding potential costly contracted services and projects. Some projects were completed by another organization or assisted the Parks Department. - Spomer Construction of Powell was contracted to provide red scoria landscape rock to replace the rubberized matting that was removed around the downtown Powell tree wells. The Parks Department provided the labor and equipment to refill the wells. - SWI of Powell was contracted to install sections of fence on the Little League Baseball Fields at Homesteader Park. These additions supplement new fencing and gates that were added two years ago. - Steiner/Thuesen of Billings, MT was contracted to update and redesign the Homesteader Park Irrigation Plan that was originally created in Phases of the design, cost, and implementation have been incorporated into the Capital Improvement Plan. Volunteer Activities The Arbor Day Celebration held at The Commons on Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27, and was only made successful through the combined efforts of numerous volunteers who provided more than 100 hours. Many thanks to the following individuals; Sandy Frost, Jeremiah Vardeman, Kent Kienlen, Mary McKinney, Josh Pomeroy, Scott Hicswa, Floyd Young and many others.

9 Police Reports for Parks Seven police reports were received during the year regarding park-related or tree/shrub incidents - 2 incidents of vandalism - 2 incidents of unsecured facilities - 2 incidents on irrigation sprinklers - 1 incident of damaged property Additional Park Projects A number of administrative projects were completed this past year. Use of the City s website to provide a portal of information for the public has been a huge asset Park County Travel Commission travel guide, summer and winter brochure was updated for parks - Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Commercial Pesticide / Herbicide applicator licensing completed - Rotary Club attendance and membership at weekly meetings - The Park County Museum Board meetings were attended on a monthly basis as vice-chairman - A new Memorandum of Agreement was created with Brio and Balance LLC for use of the soccer fields at the Rainwater Addition for youth soccer clinics - A new Memorandum of Agreement was created with Powell Valley Homeschoolers for use of the warming hut at Homesteader Park for pre-school programs - Renewal of Memorandum of Agreements between City of Powell and Powell American Legion Baseball Association for use of Ed Lynn, Powell Little League Baseball Association for use of baseball facilities at Bob Kolb Little League Fields located in Homesteader Park, and Merle Johnson Field and Ed Lynn Memorial Fields, Powell Community Gardeners, and Wyoming Sagebrush Hoppers - 5-year budget plan prepared and submitted for department Capital Improvement Projects - The fire extinguisher inventory was updated and additional extinguishers were added to new equipment in the department - A new wooden ramp for loading and cleaning all the grass mowing equipment was built and installed - The Wyoming State Division of Forestry invasive insects program provided 5 Lindgren funnel traps to aid in the detection of the Emerald Ash Borer. These traps were placed on the perimeter of the City limits in City parks and the City Arborist checked and recorded results on them once a month