Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City of Marionville Park Board backs youth league effort, allocates repair funds and approves garden orchard and dog policy
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the City of Marionville Park Board voted to support steps toward a Marionville youth baseball/softball league, reallocate park-improvement funds to repair aging facilities with ADA bathroom work prioritized, approved a small orchard at the community garden, and voted to allow dogs in the park.
The City of Marionville Park Board on May 26 approved several measures aimed at increasing recreational use of the park and addressing long-delayed repairs. Valerie Hopkins, elected president of the Park Board during the meeting, presided over actions to support a community-led youth baseball and softball effort, to direct funds for urgent building repairs and accessibility work, and to approve new uses at the park.
Board members voted unanimously to back residents who proposed forming a Marionville Little League. Josh Milford and Trent Baker told the board they are exploring a quasi-partnership with Aurora Little League and asked for the board's backing to use park fields; the board said it supports field use but asked proponents to return with a formal structure and detailed financial numbers before any contractual arrangement is finalized. Park members noted that fields must be used regularly or risk falling into disrepair.
The board also moved to reallocate park improvement funds to repairs and maintenance of existing buildings and park infrastructure, with immediate priority placed on the ADA-accessible bathroom. Ron Heald, a Park Board member, said the ADA bathroom needs a new door jamb and updates to fixtures and locks; the motion to use park improvement funds for repairs passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Separately, the board approved one or more 18-and-older softball games as part of Marionville's 250th celebration. Barbara Neely moved the softball-game approval and Polly Duda seconded; Anna Brown was named the contact and the board noted volunteer umpires will be needed.
Amber Brumley, who spoke during public comment, received approval to start a small orchard in the community garden. The orchard will begin with a few apple and peach trees and possibly a mulberry; Amber said she will consult nearby orchards on insect control and noted the garden's plants are doing better this year. Seth Forrester told the board the fire department could help refill water bins for the garden, and he urged the city to consider reshaping a creek that runs through the park to address erosion and infrastructure encroachment.
The board unanimously approved a motion to allow dogs in the park, subject to owners keeping dogs leashed, picking up waste and posting signage indicating owner responsibility. Board members also elected new positions: Valerie Hopkins as president and Cole Amos as secretary; the board did not fill a vice president position at this meeting.
Board members distributed financial reports with no substantive updates and agreed to recruit volunteers via their internal text chain to assist with weekend bathroom restocking and other maintenance tasks. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m. The board set the next meeting date to be determined.
