Large applicant pool seeks three Parks & Recreation slots; council to decide next week

The Fletcher Town Council heard from a large slate of applicants for three openings on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, with residents stressing accessibility, expanded programming and volunteer support.

Councilors said there are two vacancies and one expiring term and that appointments will be made next week.

Candidates included Catherine Taylor, who described herself as “a home health physical therapist for Care Partners” and said she would bring accessibility expertise and community perspective; Patrick Nard said he spends much of his time in the park and called it “the heart of Fletcher,” urging attention to benches, seating and family programming. Julie Hunter, a retired educator, highlighted experience leading school and recreational programs; Helen Dixon (a neighborhood HOA president) and Shelby Henderson (a former HR manager and nonprofit board member) emphasized summer camp capacity, family access and staff support. Incumbent Richard Hash sought reappointment and proposed marketing and small‑business partnerships to expand park use.

Several applicants also suggested modest capital or amenity changes — adding recycling bins at shelters, improving baseball‑field fencing, and considering additional benches and pickleball capacity — and multiple candidates emphasized volunteering for events and maintenance.

Councilors thanked the applicants and said they will review the applications and make appointments at the next meeting.