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Wellington Parks & Rec committee elects chair, approves minutes and hears staff report on summer programs and events
Summary
The Parks & Recreation advisory committee elected Sal Valzone as chair and Anthony Forgione as vice chair by voice vote, approved prior minutes, and received staff updates on a 260‑child summer camp, field maintenance and several community events including Juneteenth and a 25th‑anniversary 9/11 remembrance.
The Wellington Parks & Recreation advisory committee elected Sal Valzone as chair and Anthony Forgione as vice chair during its regular meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes and heard detailed staff updates on summer programs and community events.
Parks & Recreation Director Eric Chug told the committee the all‑day summer camp opened with about 260 participants and a wait list. He said Village Park and Olympia fields are undergoing sod replacement and "rest" work during summer downtime and are expected to be ready by August. The Aquatic Center and cabana and birthday‑party rentals are “very, very busy,” Chug said, and swim lessons began with strong participation.
Chug listed program offerings and academies that will run this summer, including basketball, soccer, cheer, dance and tumble, volleyball, lacrosse, rugby, fishing and speed & agility sessions. He said open‑play volleyball at the Village Park gym will be the initial public use of the full court provided under a public–private partnership with Wellington Sports Academy (WSA).
The committee approved the prior meeting minutes by voice vote and accepted the leadership nominations. Anthony Forgione moved to nominate Sal Valzone for chair; a second was recorded and the committee approved the nomination by voice vote. The committee then nominated and approved Forgione as vice chair by voice vote.
Chug reviewed upcoming events: the Sickle Cell Foundation leaders forum on June 19 (11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.), a Juneteenth celebration on June 20 (6–10 p.m.) jointly produced with county partners, Wellington’s July 4 celebration (6–10 p.m.) with a new fireworks vendor this year, and a two‑part 25th‑anniversary 9/11 program that includes a county‑partnered ceremony at 9 a.m. and an evening remembrance event with WPTV anchor Ashley Glass and guest Todd Beers. Staff said the evening program uses Eventbrite for ticket registration and described it as ticketed with free registration available through Eventbrite.
Members raised questions about sunshades at parks such as Scott’s Place and pedestrian access on the east side of Village Park. Chug said staff are discussing shade structures and that council consideration of additional parking and roundabouts at entrances is planned to address congestion; adding pedestrian access would be more complicated because some adjacent land is privately fenced.
Before adjourning, members discussed moving future quarterly meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; staff said they would confirm schedules with other key participants and notify members by email if a different time is required. A motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.
The committee scheduled additional follow‑up: staff will share site‑tour options to visit the aquatic center, Wellington Sports Academy, Village Park, South Shore and Greenbrier parks and will circulate meeting dates and Outlook invites once times are finalized.
