Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting Minutes Thursday December 4,2023  Board Members Present: Lucy Godfrey, Wesley Branch, Richard Hicks and' Vicki Jones  Staff Members Present: Paul Magness and Bobbi Heinz  Guest: Joe Pfaff  Call To Order: Paull Magness called the meeting to order @6:30p.m. At this time Paul informed the board that we had had 2 employees that recently retired with Parks and Recreation.  The Cassilly Administration is focusing on The Southern County" Task Force. The challenges of the lack of participation in youth programs. The task force has been gathering information and has found that in Edgewood there are! 500 registrations fory youth sports, while Havre De Grace there were well over 2,500. The following questions were asked, how can we do al better jobi informing the community? Have we looked into where Belcamp residents are registering due to the community growing? Itv was brought to our attention that Fallston has volunteered to help support and advise Edgewood with  their soccer programs.  Joe Pfaff, President of the Cedar Lane Sports Foundation (CLFS) and former Director of Parks and Recreation was our guest. Joet formed the group that the parki isa 110-acre multi-sport recreational complex for both local and regional use. There are over: 141 total fields, 3j jumbo fields that are used for full sided games or multiple small, sided games and a 90-foot baseball diamond. There is a 1.6-mile ogging/walking/Bikng trail. Cedar Lane Sports Foundation isa a non-profit organization. Thet foundation  contributes an average of $600,000 annually toward facilities and equipment.  Joe asked if anyone had any questions or suggestions at this time and the following were discussed.  Due to the amount of water bottles why doesn't the park have recycling? Have you considered al hydration system, for example Water Buffalo?  Ity was suggested that the planting of mature trees would be beneficial for numerous reasons. Itwould provide shade. Trees reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which reduces Thei idea of "shifting fields" to literally move or shift fields to reduce wear on the field and to  erosion and pollution. save on field maintenance.    It was suggested to have al low mow or no mow zone at1 the complex. Thisi is al benefit for wildlife and pollinators. Thiso could also reduce the cost of mowing. We would have to look  into the MDE regulations.  Have you considered a dedicated court for pickleball?  Joe said that he would consider all the suggestions. The topic for the next meeting willl be Office on Aging.  Respectfully Submitted, Bobbi Heinz Administrative Secretary