DECEMBER 17, 2009 ISSUE
Watauga County Parks and Recreation Master Plan Community Meeting Held
Third and Final Meeting Thursday at Hardin Park Elementary
Dr. Melissa Weddell, a new health, leisure and exercise science faculty member at ASU, mediated the community meeting on Monday, December 14. Weddell brings expertise to the table, having worked with other towns, such as Greenville and Rock Hill, S.C., in similar processes. Photo by Corinne Saunders
Community members discussed what additions and improvements to recreational facilities and programs they would like to see in Watauga County’s future during a community meeting on December 14. Photo by Corinne Saunders
The second in a series of three community meetings to generate public input for the 2020 Watauga County Parks and Recreation Master Plan took place on Monday, December 14, at Parkway Elementary School. The third and final community meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, December 17, at Hardin Park Elementary School.
The comprehensive master plan addresses the county’s future in regards to recreation programs and facilities, including what residents would like to see implemented, constructed or improved upon in the future.
“I’ve been very pleased with turnout,” said Stephen Poulos, director of Watauga County Parks and Recreation.
Sixteen people attended the first meeting, which took place December 2, Poulos said, and more than 20 attended the December 14 meeting.
Dr. Melissa Weddell, a new health, leisure and exercise science faculty member at ASU, mediated the discussion, noting the comments attendees offered on a large pad of paper.
The meetings so far have been characterized by a very positive atmosphere, Poulos said.
“People are realistic about the current economic times, but eager for the community to move forward,” he said.
An up-to-date master plan provides vision for parks and recreation staff as they continue to serve the county, and the public input is crucial because “we’re there for what the community wants,” Poulos said.
The master plan is also necessary for grant purposes.
“You cannot get any government funding without a master plan,” Weddell said, adding that it is important to pursue funding in line with what the community wants, and the master plan demonstrates that the community voice has been actively sought.
Weddell began the meeting by asking community members what activities they participate in, where they participate in said activities and then encouraged attendees to make suggestions and state their opinions regarding additional programs and facilities for the county.
Suggestions centered on the desire to have an indoor community recreation center, featuring a family gym, basketball courts, a swimming pool and diving area, indoor track, studios for classes, a kitchen, craft areas and other amenities.
“Families who like to be active have nowhere to go to be active,” one attendee said. “Being a pediatrician, what I hear from families is, ‘We do okay when the weather’s nice, [but] it’s hard to find areas to be active when the weather is bad.’”
He went on to say that a community recreation center is important, not only from a community health standpoint, but also in the general appeal of Watauga County for those considering a move to the area.
Other community members agreed, adding that any facilities built should meet needs in regards to tourism, the economy and locals.
Suggestions regarding improvements to existing facilities included expanding upon the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex and Brookshire Park area to include more fields and possibly other facilities, such as a BMX velodrome; making sure that outlying communities have fields and pools that are well-kept and improved upon, with possible additions of tot lots and bocce courts, as well as an improved greenway system that could provide a non-motorized route between towns and communities.
Recreation program suggestions included the development of intramural opportunities for kids, both homeschool and public school students, who age out of parks and recreation programs and cannot make school teams but still would like to participate in competitive team sports; the creation of opportunities to participate in non-ball sports, such as disc golf and ultimate Frisbee; and the creation of opportunities for teenagers to learn work skills, such as CPR, life guarding and refereeing.
When one attendee expressed concern that the implementation of aspects of the tentative plan could be hindered by funding and priorities, Poulos said, “I think the county is open to possibilities. We have a strong group of commissioners willing to do what it takes.”
Community meetings are the second step in the data collection process, following on the heels of the needs assessment, which was conducted via surveys sent out by ASU.
The data collection process should end this month, and a pdf of all the data should be available in January, Weddell said.
“I will tell you, the theme is a community center, across the board,” Weddell said.
Typically, a master plan costs anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 when it is completed by a private company, but the 2010 Watauga County Parks and Recreation Master Plan will be completed for only $10,000 because ASU is conducting the data collection and the High Country Council of Governments is writing the plan, Poulos explained.
The process has been characterized by “great community cooperation, [and] it has been a great experience so far,” Poulos said.
For more information about the Master Plan, the community meetings or for directions to the final meeting, call Poulos at 828-264-9511 or email stephen.poulos@ncmail.net.
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