Park Board sets rental fees
By Eugenia Jones
eugenia@highland.net
During their regular August meeting, the McCreary County Park Board took action addressing and updating policy regarding collection of after hour rental fees for those using the McCreary County Park building for private, non-profit, and community events.
With five members present, the Board voted unanimously to charge the same rental fee to all parties who use the building after hours (weekends and evenings.) Rental fees across the board for all private, non-profit, and community events held in the building are currently set at $35.00 for a minimum two hour rental, $50.00 for four hours rental, and $100.00 for all day rental. The rental fees apply only to after hour use. In July, the McCreary County Park collected $815.00 in rental fees with the Sand Hill RV Park collecting $565.00. Rental fees are used to help cover overhead costs such as electric, water, etc.
In other business, Park Manager Melissa Vanover noted the success of the park’s splash pad this summer. McCreary County Park Board Member and Magistrate Roger Phillips noted there has been significant savings in the splash pad’s water usage since the splash pad system was converted to a recirculating system. Although the 2019 splash pad season was slightly shorter due to a delay in opening because of work being done on the splash pad system, Phillips noted the total water bill thus far in 2019 stands at $108.08. The totals for splash pad water bills in 2017 and 2018 were $3, 898.70 and $3,640.05 respectively. The splash pad season ended on Labor Day.
Missy Strunk made a presentation to the Park Board regarding the need for handicapped accessible playground equipment. Strunk has received design plans and estimates from playground equipment companies for such an area and is in the process of writing a grant for the project. She would also like to launch a fund-raising campaign to help with funding. The Board agreed to consider and look at a possible location for a 40×40 handicapped accessible playground area during their next meeting in September.
The Board also heard a suggestion that the lower walking trail be developed into a nature trail with the addition of benches, picnic tables, bird houses, wildlife viewing blinds, improvements to the existing wildlife interpretative signs, and other wildlife friendly additions (native plants, etc.) It was noted these minor improvements would make the park more appealing to retirees, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and others as well as compliment McCreary County’s emphasis on its natural wildlife and its tourism motto, “It’s Our Nature.”
In miscellaneous business, the Board authorized the park manager to obtain quotes for the cost of pouring sidewalks to the basketball goals. The park manager’s report indicated work continues on efforts to light another baseball field at the Park and that the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are interested in constructing a new shelter and volley ball pit in the park.
The McCreary County Park Board meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 at the McCreary County Park Building.
