P&RMinutes2022May10
FREDERICK COUNTY COMMISSION FOR PARKS AND RECREATION
May 10, 2022
Sherando Park, Lions Club Shelter
255 Lakeview Circle, Stephens City, VA 22655
Members Present: Gary Longerbeam, Ronald Madagan, Randy Carter, Charles Sandy, Jr.,
Natalie Gerometta, Dennis Grubbs, Amy Strosnider. Non-voting Board
Liaison, Mr. Robert Wells.
Members Absent: Guss Morrison
Staff: Jon Turkel, Andrew Keefauver, Cory Smith, Nathan Almarode, Stacy
Herbaugh
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. Gary Longerbeam.
Approval of March 8, 2022, Meeting Minutes
Mr. Madagan moved to approve the minutes as submitted, second by Mr. Carter, carried
unanimously (7-0).
Adoption of Agenda
Mr. Carter made a motion to adopt the agenda as submitted, seconded by Mrs. Strosnider, carried
unanimously (7-0).
Old Business
None
New Business
None
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May 10, 2022
Monthly Reports
Staff reported as follows:
Parks are in their busiest month of the year
Waiting on a part for the Kubota that has been ordered for Sherando
The Lake Aerators have been ordered
An AeroVator attachment for the Ventrac mower has been ordered and will greatly facilitate
ballfield maintenance
Two Z mowers that were purchased with SGEMF funds have been delivered and are in use
The hot water heater was replaced at Clearbrook Pool
The James Wood shelter at Clearbrook was re-roofed
Pool preparations for the upcoming season are underway
A bench was donated for Frederick Heights Park by Larry and Carol Shobe, installation will
be later this month
Ballfield light maintenance and lamp replacement was completed at Sherando Park
Electrical outlets were installed on the back side of Sherando Pool for swim team use
698 full-time basicREC enrollments and a total of 835 daily enrollments since January
A new Story Walk is up at Rose Hill Park
We had 4 calls in one week about our Active Adult programs from folks looking to get on
the mailing list so they can participate
Running Club has a max of 45 participants enrolled
Spring Training Softball with 12 teams has wrapped up its season.
The Summer League softball season has 23 men’s teams and 11 Co-Rec teams
Youth Wrestling completed its season with 54 participants
Youth Tennis sessions currently have 29 enrolled
Little’s Tee Ball has 62 participants
Apple Blossom was a huge success with 850 10k runners and 872 youth runners ranging
from 6-14 years old. Final revenue and expenditure numbers are being tallied up. The
surplus revenue will be added to the PLAY Fund. Seventeen of our youth winners had a
blast riding in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Grand Feature parade
Staff would like to offer a Big Thank You to Gary Longerbeam for all his hard work helping
at both races and to Dennis Grubbs for helping on Saturday
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We will host a Trout Derby for Youth on Friday May 13 at Clearbrook Park
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The Request for Quotes for the Pickleball Courts went out on May 11 and are due June 2
The 2022 Community Surveys are out and over 300 responses have been received
The new playground for the Warrior Drive entrance of Sherando Park will be installed later
in May, the rope climb feature is delayed until July or August
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May 10, 2022
The environmental review of the Abrams Creek project is complete, once 30% design plans
are created a Public Hearing can be scheduled
The Summer Guide is online, printed copies are available for anyone that would like one
Kassie Thorn was hired to fill the vacant Customer Service Technician position; she will
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begin her employment on June 1
Standing Committee Report
Buildings and Grounds (March 2, 2022):
1. The Building and Grounds Committee made a motion to approve a request by the Kernstown
Battlefield Association for a trail connection between their Sandy Ridge property and Rose Hill
Park. This would be a natural surface hiking trail with installation and maintenance being the
responsibility of FCPRD, seconded by Mr. Sandy, carried unanimously (7-0).
2. The Buildings and Grounds Committee made a motion to approve the installation of a Public
Safety Radio Tower at Clearbrook Park, seconded by Mr. Sandy. Based on assurances that should
Frederick Water ever need to install a water tower in Clearbrook Park, the Public Safety Radio
equipment will be integrated leaving only one tower at the park, the motion carried unanimously (7-
0). All staging will remain away from the asphalt parking lot.
3. FCPRD has received a request from the Literacy Volunteers of Winchester to install a “Little
Library” at Rose Hill Park. The committee has requested that staff return with a Memorandum of
Understanding for consideration.
4. The Committee is recommending the installation of a fence at Stonewall Park to separate users
from the road near Roper Field and the fields dugouts. In response to citizen comments regarding
play features at Stonewall Park, the Committee is requesting that staff return with playground
options for their consideration.
5. Approval has been received to remove the guard rail along Pocono Place to allow for access to
be constructed to the Bowman Lake Trail. Staff will seek quotes for the design documents.
6. An update on the Bowman Library Amphitheatre project was provided, staff will be meeting
with Supervisor Ludwig in the near future to share the vision of the project with him.
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7. Blue Ridge Volleyball Association would like to complete a 6 sand volleyball court at
Clearbrook and explore the possibility of installing lights.
8. Staff has ordered a new entrance sign for Sherando Park.
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May 10, 2022
9. Staff has met with VDOT regarding some improvements to the Sherando Park Bike/Pedestrian
Access points.
Information Items
1. Nathan Almarode provided an overview of the upcoming aquatics season.
2. Andrew Keefauver provided an overview of the upcoming summer camp season.
3. Mr. Longerbeam commented on how well the staff worked during the Apple Blossom races.
Adjournment
Mr. Longerbeam adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Longerbeam, Chairman
Stacy Herbaugh, Interim Director