Park board meeting notes: 24.10.07

A Quincy Votes! member attended this meeting. While care has been taken in their creation, these notes are not official meeting minutes and may contain errors or omissions.  

Meeting was chaired by Director Paul Doherty and was pretty short (official minutes here). Only significant items mentioned were continued discussion and next steps for reining in unleashed dogs at Pageant Field and putting up signs on all the tennis courts regarding what is/is not allowed.

• Approve minutes from September 9, 2024, meeting / approved

Requests:

• PAGEANT FIELD: Kerry Byrne representing the Pigskin Gala request the use of the Pageant Field pavilion on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 (6 a.m.-10 a.m.) for the purpose of hosting the Pigskin Gala, an annual tailgate party before the traditional Quincy-North Quincy Turkey Day football game. The event has raised and donated more than $25,000 to the city's children over the past six years. / approved

Old Business:

• AFC Soccer proposal / any thoughts? They are coming in w/ a sketch and an estimate of fencing. Info not yet received. Will be shared with Board

• Signage for Pageant Field Pavilion indicating that the Park is Closed for an Event / signage on an A-frame sign, set at the top of the hill (used when track meet or event), would it be set up for every permit? No. 

Pageant Field is supposed to be a leash-only area, but 90% of the dogs are off leash. Jay wants to encourage the board to come up with policy and signage that states unleashed dogs will be fined $50. Not asking for a decision tonight. Discussion that signage is mostly ineffective; people are blind to it. Without signage, we can't enforce the rules and regs. We have a dog officer who will enforce it, but without the signs, people will claim "I didn't know". Suggest simple, but thorough signage. Can we reach out to the dog officer and get his thoughts? Jay will put together a draft sign and Paul will ask if the Dog Officer would come to a board meeting or discuss via email. 

New Business:

• Set next Park Board Meeting: November 4, 2024, 5:30 pm

• Signage request: Tennis court rules at Bishop and Russell parks. Tennis Court rules: Draft, asked Jay to put something together. Signage request was brought forth by tennis coach at NQHS. The draft rules were some of the suggestions from the tennis coach. 18x24 inch, rounded corners, aluminum w/ vinyl lettering. Commissioner Murphy thought it would be applicable to other tennis courts (all tennis courts, citywide). 

• No pets allowed on courts

• Proper athletic footwear on courts

• Etc.

With pickleball courts being built, that might help relieve some issues. Faxon Park will likely be ready by spring. Fenno Street is paved and lined. How will people know these courts are ready? Maybe a press release or via QATV. Are the locations the same? Bishop has lights, Forbes does not have lights. One suggestion is that the signs would spell out on Bishop and Russell courts that schools have priority on those signs. Jay however, advocates for one template for all the courts. Most park signs are green/white. Paul: we will come up with a color scheme. 

Discussion: the last bullet: we have never permitted private lessons, leagues or tournaments (other than the official ones). So, think about that when reviewing the rules.

Next meeting: Nov. 4th, 5:30 PM.

Projects:

• Commissioner’s report : Commissioner Murphy not present. Waived until next month.

Executive Session: (if needed)