New Hope Parks & Recreation Board Minutes for February 24, 2025 The meeting was called to order at 7:07 In attendance: Beth Hasher, Bev Okulicz, Stephanie Nagy, Randy Ragasto, Leslie Larson, Hitomi Margadonna Absent: Diana Williams, unidentified Council Liaison The January Board minutes were approved. There were no change to finances as nothing has been spent from the budget. Sub-Committee Reports: Memorial purchases: Linda Mack submitted a request for a bench in Donna Morello's honor to be placed at Ferry Landing. Word was received from Laura Kent that a person that bought a bench many years ago wants to pay for a new plaque for their bench. A replacement plaque will cost very little and will be ordered from WB Mason. The 2" x 8" version is around $8 and the 3" X 12" one is around $12. A bike rack was ordered in November. The donor wants a receipt letter. Stephanie will ask JoAnn Connell about Parks and Rec. using official letterhead for thank you letters to purchasers Beth and Stephanie identified the Belson six-bike rack as the best option to replace or add bike racks. The new rack will be placed at Ferry Landing. The bike rack that is there should be renovated and moved elsewhere. Suggestions were at the municipal parking lot or East Randolph Street Park, if there is room. Hitomi will ask her husband, who is on the board of the Friends of the Delaware Canal, if they can advocate for the borough to place bike racks on DCNR property, in particular near the former Odette's/Rverhouse building. If plaques are wanted for bike racks, they will need to be placed adjacent via stakes which cost around $50. The Board decided to limit the updated gifts form to bricks only. There currently is little room in the borough's parks for anything else. Bev and Pamm reported that the form for Rep. Brennan's office regarding the Ferry Landing Park irrigation system was sent to Pete Gray for submission, but that it was subsequently not submitted. Borough Council members are reportedly concerned about tearing up East Ferry St. after it is on this year's agenda for being resurfaced. With money now in the budget for professional landscapers to water the parks three days a week, in addition to Public Works doing SO twice a week, the issue of irrigating Ferry Landing Park is considered no longer necessary. It was learned that all financial and grant requests must be presented by the administration, not Parks & Rec. Board members. Landscaping: There is no landscaping update for 2025 to date. Bows, swags, etc. will be removed this week. Board members are to meet at the Visitors' Center at 9:30 on Wednesday morning. Hitomi, Bev, Leslie, and Beth said they should be available to meet with Randy then. Naturalizing New Hope: Diana has been corresponding with Glenn and others at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve about the outcome of the Plant Grant application. Pamm asked that everyone think about how to proceed with the program, to educate residents and business owners about gardening practices that are healthiest for our environment. Projects: Beth said that Peter Gray has stated that the Green Roof Park renovation project will need to be put on hold. Apparently there is already a study underway about weight limits /number of people the roof can hold. It was also mentioned that this project may possibly be covered via the overall Municipal Complex landscaping plan. Old Business: The Borough landscape contract was advertised this past weekend in local papers. We have been advised that in addition to Blue Stone (our 2024 landscaper), there have been 2 other inquiries. New Business: The Board voted to recommend Pamm Kerr as a new Parks & Rec. Board member. Beth will notify Pete Gray to put this on Borough Council's agenda for next month. Pamm asked that Parks & Rec. Board members attend sessions of the new Environmental Advisory Council. Beth and Randy will attend the March meeting, which is the first Wednesday at 6:30. Meeting Adjourned at 8:02 Next Meeting: March 24, 2025