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Advisory board pushes formation of 'Friends of Bay Oaks' and advances pocket-park planning
Summary
Board members pressed for quick formation of a Friends group to raise funds for Bay Oaks projects, reported community-foundation support, and identified two candidate properties for town 'pocket parks.' Members urged staff and council follow-up so volunteers and potential donors are not lost.
Members of the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board urged faster action on two related community efforts at the April 16 meeting: organizing a "Friends of Bay Oaks" nonprofit to fund local projects and advancing town-led pocket-park acquisitions on the south end.
Board members said they have identified at least two candidate properties for small, local parks and want the Town Council to prioritize acquisitions. Several members asked staff to brief council and deliver a status report; one member suggested the advisory board prepare a workshop meeting to develop a prioritized list of needs and funding options.
On Friends formation, staff and members said volunteers already have candidate names for the group's initial board and that Denise Moynihan, who previously led the Friends organization, has offered to help with historical documents and bylaws. Board members asked staff to contact the volunteer applicants promptly so momentum is not lost.
Community support was already available: Joy Sullivan reported that the FNB Community Foundation is voting on grant awards and has earmarked funds for Bay Oaks to replace Halloween materials and possibly to buy a multiuse play table if funds remain. Sullivan said this is the third consecutive year the foundation has allocated funds to Bay Oaks.
Board members agreed to pursue a workshop meeting to lay out priorities, map responsibilities and coordinate with a formally organized Friends group once it is incorporated. Several board members asked staff to send a brief acknowledgement to volunteers who have applied to serve on Friends so they remain engaged while formal steps are completed.
