Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
2006 Year End Report

Nels Roseland, council liaison
Mary Henderson, staff liaison

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board (PRCR) consists of 10 citizen volunteers from within the Town’s corporate limits. The PRCR provides representation for Cary citizens in promoting understanding, appreciation, participation and support for open spaces, parks, recreational opportunities, cultural activities, programs and facilities. The board’s work greatly enhances offerings and programs throughout the Town and reduces demands upon staff and budgetary resources. The PRCR conducted 11 regular meetings and 1 joint meeting with its committees in 2006.

Highlights of the board’s activities for 2006 follow:

• The board established the goals at a joint meeting with the four committees (Athletics, Cultural Arts, Greenway and Teen) in May.  Each committee then developed specific goals as follows. 

·        Providing information to the public about services and facilities is critical to the success of PRCR.  The Board provides input and opportunities throughout the year for presenting information to citizens and facilities.

·        The Town values public input in decision making.  The board provides citizen input in an advisory capacity regarding various PRCR issues.

·        Cary PRCR has a strong tradition of volunteerism, and the board members are typically leaders in volunteerism through support at many PRCR programs and special events.  The board encourages volunteerism and annually recognizes and shows appreciation of volunteers at the annual volunteer family day and volunteer awards banquet.

·        The review and development of meaningful performance measures is a major project of PRCR this year. Last year’s fees and charges analysis provided detailed data that can be utilized as a basis of establishing benchmarks and goals.  The board will provide the citizen input component of the development of performance measures.

·        The board and committees annually set work plan priorities in order to focus their efforts.  The board reviews budget information annually and advises staff on priorities for park development and other ‘big picture’ budget issues as needed.  The board reviews development plans and makes recommendations per the Land Dedication Ordinance based on priorities set within the Master Plan.

• The board made the following recommendations regarding priority setting for the FY07 Capital Improvement Budget: 

·        FY07 CIB priority guidelines, acquisition as top priority.

·        Develop parks based on geographic area rather than park type.

·        Emphasize cultural arts facility development.

·        Develop safe greenway crossings, and American Tobacco Trail as a greenway priority.

Additionally, the board prioritized the development of parks, greenways, and cultural arts.

• The board appointed the members of the committees.
• The board made recommendations as established by the Land Dedication Ordinance for 12 proposed residential developments.
• The board recommended the adoption of a resolution in support of the North Carolina Land and Water Conservation Bond.
• Board members attended the annual Citizen-Board Member conference in Greensboro conducted by the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association.
• The board recommended the approval of design plans for Middle Creek Park Phase II.
• Board members provided input in several public meetings related to various topics including 1/64 Pedestrian Bridge Project, Black Creek Watershed Project, Walnut Street Park , and White Oak Conservation Project.
• The board recognized volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.

  Activities on the four PRCR sub-committees follow:

            Athletics Committee

·        Worked with staff to review the youth baseball program as related to affiliations and sanctioning with various baseball organizations.

·        Initiated a review of youth athletic program player team assignment to determine the impacts of assignment related to geographic location.

·        Provided feedback to youth coaches following evaluations

·        Advised staff on coaches training, evaluations and performance feedback.

·        Assisted staff in conducting team placements for youth sports leagues.

            Cultural Arts Committee

The Town of Cary Cultural Arts Committee reports through the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board to provide support and feedback to PRCR staff and Town Council regarding programs and activities related to the Cultural Arts Division.  Highlights of 2006 include:

·        The committee completed a review of information on the Town Web site and utilized information from citizen feedback to develop recommendations for staff review.

·        Monthly events calendar and bookmarks were developed.  Looked for ways to encourage implementation of a broader events calendar on the Town Web site. 

·        Investigate possibilities for a central information kiosk, perhaps in conjunction with a centralized box office (could be part of new facilities planning).

·        The committee reviewed and provided input into the Marvelous Music Series; Sertoma Series; Christmas Program; and Applause. This year the CAC took responsibility for the planning, layout and administration of the Cultural Arts Row at Spring and Lazy Daze.

·        Provided representation to the Festivals Committee and the Koka Booth Amphitheatre Advisory Committee.

·        Committee members developed questions to solicit citizen feedback and received feedback at the committee booth at Lazy Days and other cultural events this year.  Data was summarized and reviewed for action on a regular basis.

·        The committee utilized citizen input to direct committee efforts and ensure that the Town is offering what the public wants. The renovation of Old Cary Elementary will definitely enhance the ability to expand programs and events.

·        Committee members currently work with a wide range of groups and associations and will continue to look for opportunities to partner with other appropriate groups.

·        Revised the grant proposal utilizing citizen input.

·        Reviewed and made recommendations to council for awarding grant requests for cultural groups.  Council accepted the committee’s recommendations in full.

·        The committee continues to work with staff and consultants on the cultural arts district study and Old Cary Elementary renovations.

            Greenway Committee

·        Several committee members reviewed the greenway information on the Town’s Web site as well as reviewed the greenway information on web sites from other communities.  They prepared a presentation that will be shared with the full committee at a future meeting.  The committee anticipates developing recommendations for how the greenway information on the Town’s Web site can be improved.

·        Committee members have reviewed the new Bike/Hike map and will provide staff with recommendations to be considered prior to the next printing of the map.

·        Greenway committee members set up a booth at the Cary Road Race and interacted with members of the public providing maps, answering questions about current projects, and providing information about the Town’s greenway system.  In addition, the Greenway Committee participated in the Spring Daze and Lazy Daze Festivals by manning an informational booth.  Over 300 maps were distributed at Lazy Daze and over 100 maps were distributed at Spring Daze.

·        A committee member set up an informational table along the White Oak Creek Greenway in October 2006 to hand out maps and answer questions.

·        Developed “next steps” for trying to advance the concept of “Adopt a Greenway” program.

·        Assisted staff in developing guidelines for developer built greenways.

·        Assisted staff in developing rules for greenway system.

·        Participated in the dedication of the Black Creek Greenway re-alignment.

·        Advocated for the development of a sign plan for parks and greenways.

·        The committee visited the site of the proposed Lochmere Greenway connection.

·        The committee made recommendations for prioritizing greenway projects for the CIB.

·        The committee has initiated recommendations for improvements to Black Creek Greenway.

            Teen Committee

·        Provided input for the US1/64 Pedestrian Bridge Public Art Project.

·        The committee meetings included educational opportunities as well as opportunities for Teen feedback regarding the following topics:

o       October 2005 - Town Manager – Overview of Town Government

o       December 2005 - Police – Gang Awareness

o       March 2006 - Water Conservation Team Leader – Water Conservation

o       September 2006 – Cary Chamber of Commerce

·        Tiffany Tuttwiler volunteered to participate as a part of the Citizens Review Committee for the Urban Park Renovation project.

·        The committee planned and implemented the 2006 Cary Teen Forum – Finding Your Way, Making Your Mark—attracting 66 participants.  Committee members secured $3,675 in sponsorship for the Cary Teen Forum.

·        Ryan McCann, Leslie Ann, and Wesly Lo attended the North Carolina League of Municipalities Youth Summit in Greensboro in October.

·        Ian Lee attended the International Youth Summit conference in Washington , DC , representing Cary Teen Council and Sister Cities Commission.  Registration for this conference was paid via sponsorship fees from the Cary Teen Forum.

·        Teen Council volunteer hours are reported at the monthly PRCR Advisory Board meeting by the vice-chair of Teen Council.  Hours are maintained in spreadsheet format by HYCC Assistant Community Center Supervisor.

·        Cary Teen Council received the “Most Diverse Council” award from the North Carolina State Youth Council.