Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Powhatan parks commission approves minutes, hears program updates and meets student liaison candidate
Summary
At its April 2 meeting, the Powhatan County Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission approved minutes and its agenda, heard staff reports on recent events and facility work, and was introduced to Powhatan High School junior Payton Murray as a prospective student liaison. The commission entered a closed session later to discuss the Parks and Recreation Foundation 501(c)(3).
The Powhatan County Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission met April 2, 2026, at the Pocahontas Landmark Center and approved the March 5 minutes and the April 2 agenda, each by 5-0 votes. Chair Judy Cain-Oliver called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
The meeting opened with Vice Chair Alex Higgins leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation. Commissioner Frank Flannagan moved to approve the March minutes; Jason Reed seconded and the motion passed 5-0. Later, Chair Cain-Oliver moved to approve the meeting agenda; Austin Schwartz seconded and that motion also passed 5-0.
The commission heard several operational updates from Megan Heatwole, director of Parks & Recreation. Heatwole reported recent hires and recruitment: a Parks Maintenance Worker, Andy Yeates, was hired March 16, 2026, and the department is recruiting an intern to lead the Capes Over Vapes program. Heatwole described recent events and participation figures: the Shamrock Market drew about 560 visitors; the Monacan Services Wellness Expo and talent show drew 107 participants; and a Capes Over Vapes-sponsored Kids Night Out served 37 youth. The department launched a new Houseplant Care program with the Master Gardeners and is removing old batting cages at Turner Park to install a new three-cage system in line with the master plan. Staff also cleared the Education Trail canopy, graded trail surfacing, and laser graded Lisa’s Field at Turner Park.
On community markets, Heatwole said the Farmers Market held a vendor orientation with 40 vendors, that SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match participation has been approved for Powhatan, and that the market is securing sponsors to offset operating costs; Market Manager Ellie Weatherby is attending Farmers Market University to support market operations.
Commissioner Flannagan reported he visited the Fighting Creek Park athletic fields and described them as the best he has seen in a long time while noting dead spots on soccer Field No. 3 as a maintenance issue to address. Chair Cain-Oliver introduced Payton Murray, a Powhatan High School junior who is seeking to serve as a student liaison; Heatwole presented Murray’s involvement with varsity athletics and community volunteer work.
New-business items on the agenda included a Shed Request Policy and a Naming and Renaming County Facilities and Park Policy; Commissioner Flannagan requested both items be tabled for future consideration and no final action was taken at the meeting.
The commission recessed the public meeting and entered a closed session at 7:00 p.m. to discuss matters related to the Parks and Recreation Foundation 501(c)(3). The closed session concluded at 8:03 p.m.; the minutes provide no additional details about that discussion.
The commission noted upcoming events including a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on April 21, First Friday on May 1, and the Farmers Market opening day on May 7 (moved to Fighting Creek Park). The next regular PRAC meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the PLC.
