City of Brookhaven Parks and Recreation Governors Commission Report

8/22/2019 City of Brookhaven Parks and Recreation Governors Commission Report

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Governor’sCommissionontheCityofBrookhaven

PARKSAND

RECREATION

11/7/2012 CommitteeReport

AreportcontainingtheExecutiveoverview,dataonthecurrent

inventory,condition,andusesoftheparksandrecreational

facilities,aswellasotherconsiderations,fortheCityof

Brookhaven.



Governor’sCommissionontheCityofBrookhavenTableofContents

OVERVIEW......................................................................................................................................................................................1

SUMMARY................................................................................................................................................................................................1

ACTIONABLEITEMS&CONSIDERATIONS.........................................................................................................................................................2NEXTSTEPS:PARKSANDRECREATIONTIMELINE..............................................................................................................................................3

SUMMARY................................................................................................................................................................................................4

KEYISSUES......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ....4

CITIZENAUDITREPORT....................................................................................................................................................................4

PURPOSE..................................................................................................................................................................................................5

HISTORY...................................................................................................................................................................................................5

PROCEDURE..............................................................................................................................................................................................5

PARKSANDRECREATIONFACILITIESWITHCOUNCILDISTRICTSMAP.....................................................................................................................6

HIGHLEVELSUMMARYOFPARKACREAGEANDFACILITIES.................................................................................................................................7

PARKAMENITIESANDPROXIMITYMAPS

CommunityCenters..........................................................................................................................................................................9

RecreationCenters......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..10

Pools...............................................................................................................................................................................................11

Soccer..............................................................................................................................................................................................12

Tennis..............................................................................................................................................................................................13

Playgrounds....................................................................................................................................................................................14

Football...........................................................................................................................................................................................15

Basketball.......................................................................................................................................................................................16

Baseball..........................................................................................................................................................................................17

Multi-UseSportsFields...................................................................................................................................................................18

INVENTORYANDCONDITIONSUMMARY.......................................................................................................................................................19

INVENTORYDETAILSMATRICES...................................................................................................................................................................22

HIGHPRIORITYCAPITALMAINTENANCECONSIDERATIONS...............................................................................................................................30

HIGHPRIORITYCAPITALIMPROVEMENTCONSIDERATIONS...............................................................................................................................44

KNOWNAGREEMENTSANDRELATIONSHIPS.................................................................................................................................49

FACILITIESBROOKHAVENPARKSDONOTCURRENTLYPOSSESS....................................................................................................50

OTHERCONSIDERATIONS

CITIZENSPARKADVISORYCOUNCIL(CPAC)..................................................................................................................................................51

OTHERCONSIDERATIONS:..........................................................................................................................................................................51

CO-CHAIRS'CLOSINGSTATEMENT.................................................................................................................................................52



Page1

ParksandRecreationOVERVIEW

SummaryThe Parks and Recreation Committee prepared this report to assist the governing authority in

identifying critical start-up and operational requirements. The Committee recognizes that the

operation of the parks cannot be a top priority in the City's first 90 days. However, the Committee

encourages the elected officials to establish a Parks and Recreation Department early in 2013 due to

the complexity and needs of the City of Brookhaven parks and to demonstrate their commitment to

meet community expectations for improvement in our parks.



Page2

ActionableItems&Considerations

Critical Action ItemsObjectives Supporting Rationale Considerations

Determine the Parks &

Recreation (P&R) annual

budget

Assist new city officials in

capturing financial

requirements

Costs/risksofnotacting

Design organization structureto position P&R as a

department reporting directlyto the City Manager

• National and local bestpractices

• Citizens expect Parks totake a prominent role inlife of City

• Resources and Priority itemscould potentially besubordinated if under otherdepartment

• Complexity of requirementsof diverse population

Determine Parks acquisitiondate

• To purchase the parks assoon as reasonablypossible in order toaddress safety concernsand improve maintenanceof parks

• To avoid furtherdeterioration and neglect

This date will be basis from

which all other deadlines

will be determined. SeeTimeline.

• Evaluate cost/benefit ofcontinuation of DeKalbservices

• Consider the seasonalnature of pools

Search and hire Full time P&R

Director

Establish a leadership rolewith direct line to CityManager

• Parks are a priority forthe citizens

• Parks are in adeplorable state

• Oversee the short termcontract with DeKalb toensure delivery of contractualservices

• Gain a thoroughunderstanding of the parksfacilities and programs

• Begin RFP process for cityservices

Conduct Safety & Codeviolation inspections

Provide accurate data upon

which to make capital

maintenance andimprovement decisions

• Protects city frompotential liability

• Cost savings in long run

Parks have been neglected andare in deplorable condition

Approve the development and

structure of a Citizens Park

Advisory Council (CPAC)

Leverage the energy andknowledge of the Committeevolunteers and members ofthe "Friends of the Parks"groups

"Friends of the Parks"

groups have been

advocating safety and

maintenance concerns

Reference Other Considerationspage 51

Initiate the RFP for theBrookhaven Parks Master Plan

• Create vision for City ofBrookhaven Parks

• Create opportunity forcommunity input andstakeholder input

• National and local BestPractices

• Citizens expect to seetheir needs addressed

Length of time from MasterPlanning to implementation isapproximately 9-12 months

Urgent Contract Issues:

• Bond Referendum -Briarwood ParkPlayground

• Brookhaven- DeKalbService Center

Obtain documents and

complete understanding ofthese issues.

These are existing IGA's Brookhaven Park per county tax

records is 2 parcels



Page3

NextSteps:ParksandRecreationTimeline

Date Responsible Party Actions

2012

December Governing Authority Approve Parks and Recreation budget, timeline and reporting structure

Approve Parks acquisition date

Negotiate and oversee DeKalb County contract for Parks & Recreation (toinclude DeKalb Services Center at Brookhaven Park)

2013

February 1 Governing Authority Executive Search for Parks & Recreation Director

Review and approve job description defined in the Scope of Work

document

• Search for full time Parks and Recreation Director

• Design organizational structure to position Parks and Recreation as astandalone department reporting directly to the City Manager

April 1 Governing Authority Start date for Director

• Conduct safety and code violations inspections

• Identify and prioritize capital maintenance projects based on code

violations, citizens' audit and own park inspections

May 1 Parks & Recreation Director Initiate RFP for Brookhaven Parks Master Plan

Approve the development and structure of a Citizens Park Advisory Council

(CPAC)

Identify organizations / contracts:

• Identify current organizations' contractual agreements & expirationdates

• Identify groups using parks requiring contractual agreements

• Identify groups using parks not requiring contractual agreementsIdentify programming at Recreation Centers provided by current staff or

outsourced

May-September Parks & Recreation Director Develop Park Ordinances for approval by Governing Authority

Design, purchase and install proper signage in parks

June 1 Parks & Recreation Director Identify potential revenue sourcesIdentify cost saving opportunities

Develop Agreements with potential partner organizations

June – Aug Governing Authority Start date for Citizens Park Advisory Council (CPAC)

Request, review and award RFP's

Prepare for "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony" with branding, signage and trash

receptacles identifying our New Beginning.

August 31 Governing Authority Purchase Parks

Award RFP for Master Plan

August 31 Parks & Recreation Director Secure all facilities with new locks

September 1 Governing Authority "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony"

2014

January 1 P&R Director Begin search for P&R Supervisor/Assistant

April 1 Governing Authority Implement Master Plan



Page4

KeyIssues

§ Acquisition of parks before September 1, 2013 is overly optimistic. It is unreasonable to expect a newlyformed City to undertake the operational resources necessary to run all 11 parks, 3 pools, 2 recreationcenters and 1 tennis center.

§ P&R Director needs sufficient time to gain a thorough understanding of the parks facilities and programsand to begin the Master Planning process.

§ Urgent Contract considerations must be completely understood prior to acquisition negotiation.

Summary

The driving impetus for many Brookhaven "yes" voters was the parks. The 270.8 acres across 11 parks are

in complete state of neglect and disrepair. At this moment, Friends of the Parks groups, along with countless

other volunteers, are eager to support the City of Brookhaven.

It is essential that the city take the critical steps to determine the P&R annual budget, design the P&R

organization structure, determine Parks acquisition date, hire an expert P&R Director, conduct inspections

and begin the Master Planning process.

With the leadership of the elected officials and citizenry involvement, it is a new beginning and brighter

future for the City of Brookhaven parks.

The following section, Citizen Audit Report, provides accurate detailed information to the

Governing Authority of the City of Brookhaven regarding the inventory of components and the

condition of the city parks.



Page5

CITIZENAUDITREPORTPurpose

To provide accurate detailed information to the Governing Authority of the City of Brookhaven regarding the

inventory of components and the condition of the city parks.

History

The Governor's Commission created the Parks & Recreation committee. The committee consisted of 9 individuals: Kim

Gokce (Commissioner Co-chair), Sue Binkert (Citizen Co-chair), Chad Boles, Terrell Carstens, Wayne Fell, Tom Reilly,

Karen Spitz, Elizabeth Werdesheim, and Karen Whitehead.

The members of the Citizens Park Audit team included: Co-leaders: Sue Binkert & Karen Whitehead; Tim Able, Shane

Boyer, Trey Boyer, Terrell Carstens, Julie Colan-Koriakin, Cass Connor, Joan Dillon, Jim Dupree, Dale Ellison, Wayne

Fell, Mari Garner, Buddy Hechenbleikner, Walter Magnusen, Tom Reilly, Karen Spitz, Elizabeth Werdesheim, Donald

Woodruff, Mark Zamora.

Procedure

A Citizen Park Audit team was established consisting of 20 Brookhaven citizens. The Citizen Park Audit team logged

in over 500 hours auditing the park and found significant disrepair and safety concerns. This group was tasked with

identifying inventory of components and condition of the existing 11 parks. Teams of two were assigned various

components: activity areas, amenities, grounds maintenance, nature/environment, organized sports areas, playground

areas, security and personal safety, structures, and trail system. The audit was created with detailed modules with

predefined criteria. This design ensured accurate, objective and complete information. The completion date of the

audit was October, 22, 2012.



Page6

ParksandRecreationFacilitieswithCouncilDistricts



Page7

HighLevelSummaryofParkAcreageandFacilities

The City of Brookhaven consists of 270.82 acres of parkland across 11 parks.

The parks are concentrated in 3 districts: 1, 2 & 3. There are no existing parks in District 4.

Park Address Zip Acreage District

Ashford 2980 Redding 30319 3.00 2

Blackburn 3517 Ashford Dunwoody 30319 49.50 1

Briarwood 2235 Briarwood Way 30319 18.00 2

Brookhaven 2660 Osborne Rd 30319 21.15 3

Clack's Corner 1410 Cartecay Dr 30319 .20 3

Fernwood Fernwood Rd 30319 6.97 3

Georgian Hills 2800 Georgian Dr 30341 7.00 2

Lynwood 3360 Osbourne Rd 30319 17.00 1

Murphey Candler 1551 W. Nancy Creek Dr 30319 135.00 1

Parkside Dresden/Apple Valley 30319 2.00 3

Skyland 2630 Skyland 30319 11.0 2

Total Acreage 270.82

District # Number of Parks Total Acreage

District 1 3 201.5

District 2 4 39.0

District 3 4 30.32

District 0 0

Total Acreage 11 270.82



Page8

HighLevelSummaryofParkAcreageandFacilities

The 11 parks contain the following facilities:

2 Community Centers: Ashford **, Murphey Candler (Not open)

2 Recreational Centers *: Briarwood, Lynwood

3 Swimming pools & bath houses: Briarwood, Lynwood, Murphey Candler

1 Tennis Center building with 18 courts: Blackburn

8 Playgrounds: Ashford, Blackburn, Briarwood, Brookhaven, Georgian Hills, Lynwood, Murphey

Candler, Skyland

2 Organized sports athletic complexes: Blackburn , Murphey Candler

14 Baseball/Softball fields

2 Football fields

1 Lake with dock: Murphey Candler

2 not adult regulation size Soccer Fields: Blackburn

2 available (not locked) Restrooms (not in recreation centers/sports complexes)

22 Picnic Shelters: Ashford, Blackburn, Briarwood, Brookhaven, Georgian Hills, Lynwood,

Murphey Candler, Skyland

*RecreationalCentershaveagymnasiumandorganizedprogramsrunbycounty

**CommunityCentershaveprivatecompanies/individualsprovidingprogramming



Page9

ParkAmenitiesandProximityMaps

CommunityCenters



Page10

RecreationCenters



Page11

Pools



Page12

Soccer



Page13

Tennis



Page14

Playgrounds



Page15

Football



Page16

Basketball



Page17

Baseball



Page18

Multi-UseSportsFields




InventoryandConditionSummary

Inventory & Condition Matrix

ParkName Ashford Blackburn Briarwood Brookhaven Clack's Fernwood Georgian Lynwood Murphey Skyland Parkside Total Notes

Corner Hills Candler Condition:

Inventory

Poor(P)Fair(F)Good(G)VeryGood(VG)

MultiSportsUseFields 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 5 Lynwood-soccer,volleyball&softball

P P P P P

Baseball/SoftballFields 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 14

F VG

SoccerFields 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Notregulationsize:18x8,116x16

F

FootballFields 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

G

TennisCourts,Other 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 10

G F F P

"TennisCenter"courts 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18

6VG,12P 28

OutdoorBasketballCourts 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 5 Notregulationsize,Ashfordnotusable

P/notregsize F/notregsize G



ParksandRecreation

Page20

ParkName Ashford Blackburn Briarwood Brookhaven Clack's Fernwood Georgian Lynwood Murphey Skyland Parkside Total Notes

RecreationCenter 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

P P-F

Pool&BathHouse 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3

P P F

CommunityCenterBuilding 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1* 0 0 1 *Caretaker'shome,notinuse

G P

TennisCenterBuilding 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

P

ParkingLots 1 4 2 1 0 0 1 3 6 1 0 19

Spaces 24 316 50 7 0 0 8 66 350 12 0

PicnicShelters/Pavilion 1 1 1 3 0 0 1 2 12 1 0 22

G F F P,F,G G F P-F F

M&W:Restroomsaccessible 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 *BrookhavenClosed

F 0 P

M&W:Restroomsnotaccessible 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 *1Underfootballstadiumclosed.

closed 1P1F*



ParksandRecreation

Page21

ParkName Ashford Blackburn Briarwood Brookhaven Clack's Fernwood Georgian Lynwood Murphey Skyland Parkside Total

Trails

Walking 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 7

G P F P G F P

Biking 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

G 8

PlaygroundStructures 2 1 1 1 0 0 2 2 3 2 0 14

P P P F P F P G

OpenGrassyareas 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 8

P P G P F P P G

CommunityGarden 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

G

Lakewithdock 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

F

Fishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

F

Nature&Environment

Natural Area% 40-50 25 50 40-50 0 90 5 10 60 50 100

Erosi on 0 Y Y N N N Y Y Y N

Lakes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Streams/Creeks 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0

InvasivePlants N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y

Engl ishIvy Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

PoisonIvy&Oak Y Y Y Y N Y Y N Y

Wisteria N Y N N N N N N N

Privet Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N

Kudzu N N N Y N N Y Y Y

Mimosa N N N N N N Y N N

Bamboo N N N N N N N N Y




InventoryDetailsMatrices

BrookhavenParkAuditResults

Inventory Details Matrix- Pools*

Lynwood Murphey Candler Briarwood

Age/Year built

Pool size(SF) 2700 5200 3900

Pool depth(feet) 10'6"

Lane lines Y Y N

Kiddie Pool Y Y N

Splash pads/water features N Y Y

Diving Boards 1 1

Bath House Y Y Y

inside showers Y N N

outside showers N N N

Shaded area N Y N

Pool Safety:

Lighting Y Y Y

Fencing Perimeter Y Y Y

Lifequard chairs Y Y Y

Safety Signs N N Y

Furniture:

Tables 3 1 1

Chairs 4 N

Chaise lounges 10 N

Picnic tables 2 1 1

Bleachers

* At the time of audit, all pools were closed/locked



ParksandRecreation

Page23

Multi-UseFields


Inventory Details Matrix - Multi-Use Fields

as of October 22, 2012

Murphey

Blackburn Brookhaven Lynwood Candler Skyland

Park Park Park Park Park

Fields 1 1 1 1 1

Lighting N N N N N

Fencing N Y Y Y

Backstops 1 4 Y Y

Goals N 2 N N

Bleachers N Y N N

Benches N N N

Trash Receptacle Y Y Y N

Water fountain N N N N

Baseball/Softball


Inventory Details Matrix- Baseball/SoftballBlackburn Murphey Candler

Fields 2 12Lights Y Y

Bases 0 12

Backstop 2 12

Lined 0 12

Bleachers Y Y

Concession N Y



ParksandRecreation

Page24

Soccer

Football


Inventory Details Matrix - Soccer


Blackburn

Park

Fields 2

Lights N

Lined YGoals 4

Bleachers Y


Inventory Details Matrix- Footballas of October 22, 2012

Murphey

Candler

Fields 2

Goal Posts 4

Lined Y

Bleachers Y

Lighting Y



ParksandRecreation

Page25

Basketball


Inventory Details Matrix - Basketball

as of October 22, 2012 Brookhaven Georgian Lynwood Lynwood Briarwood

Park Hills Park Rec. Center Rec Center

Courts Outside 1* 1* 2

Courts Inside N N 1 1

Lights N N N Y Y

Hoops 2 2 4 2 2

Nets 2 2 4 2 2

Lined N N Y Y N

Bleachers N N N Y N

* Non regulation or non standard size/shape



Governor’sCommissionontheCityofBrookhavenTennis

Playgrounds


Inventory Details Matrix - Tennis

as of October 22, 2012 Blackburn Murphey

Tennis Briarwood Ashford Lynwood Candler Skyland

Center Park Park Park Park Park

Courts 18 2 2 2 2 2

Nets 18 2 2 2 2 2

Lights Y N N N N

Lined Y Y Y Y Y Y

Fencing Y Y Y Y Y Y

On court Benches 36 4 Y N

Score Posts 18 N N N N NWaste receptacle 18 Y N

Center/Pro shop Y N N N N N

Awning/Gazebo 3 0 2 1 0 1

Bleachers 6 0 N 0 N N

Picnic tables 14 0 2 N 4

Outside benches 14 0 4 2 2 2

Water fountain 1 0 2 N N

Bike rack 0 0 0 N N

Table & chairs 3 & 12 0 N 0 N N


Inventory Details Matrix - Playgrounds


Ashford Blackburn Briarwood Brookhaven Lynwood Murphey Skyland Georgian

Park Park Park Park Park Candler Park Hills

Equipment: Toddler 1 1 1 1

Equipment: Elementary 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1

Fitness Equipment N N N N 1 N N N

Sandbox 1 N N N 1 N N N

Mulching <1” <1” <1” <1” <1” <1” <1” <1”

Fencing Perimeter Y N N N N N N N

Restrooms Y Y N N N Y N N

Water fountain Y 1 N 1 1 N N N

Parking Y Y Y N Y Y Y N



Page27

RecreationandCommunityCenters


Inventory Details Matrix - Recreation and Community Centers


Murphey

Lynwood Briarwood Ashford Candler Park Park Park Park *

Gymnasium 1 1 N N

Kitchen 1 Y

All purpose rooms 1 2 1 Y

Function Hall 1 1 Y

Game Rooms 1 1 N N

Restrooms Y Y Y Y

*Caretaker Home

Trails


Inventory Details Matrix - Trails


Murphey

Blackburn Brookhaven Candler Lynwood Skyland

Park Park Park Park Park

Paved 1.65 miles 2300 FT 1.2 miles 1.2 miles 425 FT

Unpaved 150FT .5 mile 5400 FT 250 FT

Fitness N N N

Bike 1.65 miles N N NSignage Y N Y N N

Lined (paved) Y N N N N

Interconnected (PATH) limited N Y N N

Benches 11 4 5

Dog waste stations 2 1 2 1

Trash 1 Y 5

Picnic shelters 2 Y 2




Structures/RelatedAmenities


Inventory Details Matrix - Structures/Related Amenitiesas of October 22, 2012

Ashford Blackburn Briarwood Brookhaven Fernwood Georgian Lynwood Murphey Parkside Skyland

Park Park Park Park Park Hills Park Candler Park Park

Shelters 1 1 1 3 1 2 1

Picnic Tables 4 4 16 7 10 2 4

Grills 1 N N 2 N 5 N

Trash 4 2 1 4 3 14 3

Water N Y N N N N

Access Y N Y N Y Y

Bridges 1 1 4 1 1 N 8 1

Fenced Perimeter Y N N Y N N N N

Restrooms-exterior 1 1 N 2 3 N

Portable Toilet 1 1

Entrance Signs 1 2 1 1 N 1 2 1

Parking spaces 22 4 lots/316 51 7 0 0 3 lots/66 7 lots/350 0 10



ParksandRecreation

Page29

Amenities


Inventory Details Matrix - Amenities

as of October 2

Ashford Blackburn Blackburn Briarwood Brookhaven Clacks Fernwood GeorgianHills Lynwood Murphey Parkside

Park Park Tennis Park Park Corner Hills Park Candler

Size-acres 3 49.5 18 21.1 0.2 7 17 135 2

Benches 10 10 14 3 14 4 2 11 6

Trash receptacles 10 29 12 5 3 4 13 26 Picnic tables 2 5 14 2 3 4 2 10 2

Table/chair sets 3/12

Bleachers N 6

Drinking Fountains 2 3 1 1 1 2

Water spigots 1 9

Bike racks 1 1

Flag pole

Dog waste station 1 2 2 2 4

Monuments 2 1

Grills 1 2 2 5

Park Legend 1 1

Bulletin/Notice Board 1 1



Governor’sCommissionontheCityof

HighPriorityCapitalMaintenanceConsiderations

This is a representative sampling of the capital maintenance considerations, not a comprehens

GENERALMAINTENANCE: § Trash pick up§ Remove invasive plants§ Regular edging, mowing, blowing and shrub maintenance

§ Remove approximately 12 dead trees in Murphey Candler along streeplayground

§ Remove obstacles from trail edges, playgrounds, etc. for safety



Page31

STRUCTURES

§ Most water fountains inoperable§ Exposed “rebar” by picnic area at Georgian Hills§ Deep hole at Brookhaven near water fountain§ Exposed pipes at Ashford near old basketball court

Drainage:

§ Cliff drop off" at Ashford old Basketball court area

Erosion:



Page32

Retaining Walls:

§ Retaining wall giving way by pool at Murphey Candler

§ Retaining wall crumbling away near Blackburn’s Ashford-Dunwoody parking lot§ Retaining wall crumbling by basketball court at Brookhaven

Bleachers/stairs:§ Inspect/repair bleachers at Blackburn

§ Repair railing on stairs to ball fields at Blackburn§ Repair crumbling stairs at Briarwood & Georgian Hills

Sidewalks: §

Repair and Replace



Page33

Picnic Shelters:§ Paint, structural repair and pad repair needed

Restrooms: § Paint and repair existing structures to later be replaced in master plan§ Provide portable facilities in parks where no facilities exist



Page34

Benches:§ Paint and structural repair required

Picnic tables:§

Repair, Repaint, Remove dilapidated



Page35

Bridges:§ Inspection/repair of one bridge in Brookhaven§ Repair loose boards on two large (metal) bridges in Murphey Candler

Fencing:

§ Inspect fencing in all parks for safety issues§ Provide fencing on dangerous slope in Blackburn§ Determine if fencing is needed at Fernwood, either repair or remove damaged fence



Page36

ACTIVITYAREAS

Recreation Centers:

§ Paint inside rooms§ Repair Restrooms

Tennis Courts § Repair cracks and replace nets where needed



Page37

Playgrounds:

§ Mulch to appropriate depth

§ Checks for hazards on equipment§ Paint and repair§ Provide lines of sight through undergrowth for safety§ Eradicate poison ivy§ Remove rotting railroad ties to avoid all hazards



Page38



Page39

Trails:

§ Mulch or gravel trails as appropriate

§ Inspect for tripping hazards on concrete§ Eradicate poison ivy and oak along trails§ Cover/fill “well-hole” opening along trail in Brookhaven



Page40

Pools

§ Check for efficient operation, maintaining dependability and expense control



Page41

Multi-Use Fields :

§ Aerate and overseed

§ Reopen “closed” fields for community access (Lynwood , Skyland, & Blackburn)



Page42

Basketball courts:

§ Replace torn and missing nets

§ Remove stones from Ashford unusable (no goals) basketball court

PARKINGLOTS

§ Inspect for regraveling§ Repair severe potholes at Brookhaven§ Provide handicap access where possible until Master Plan



Page43

SAFETY

§ Incorporate Crime Prevention through environmental design (Trails at Blackburn,playgrounds, etc.)

§ “Homeless” living in forests in Brookhaven and Briarwood

§ Electrical on Trail/walkway Blackburn§ Remove any gang / or other graffiti§ Lighting



Page44

HighPriorityCapitalImprovementConsiderations

§ Locks replaced in all facilities§ Temporary Park Name (City of Brookhaven) signage§ Park ordinances signage§ Park Facility Maps§ “Recreation area” signs and flashing yellow lights in streets at park entrances/exists§ Inspect streets for visible crosswalks and pedestrian signs for motorists§ New dog waste stations§ New trash cans§ New park benches



Page45



Page46



Page47



Page48

Trash Cans, Benches & Grills:

§ Grills by picnic shelters. Most rusted out or gone.



Page49

KNOWNAGREEMENTSANDRELATIONSHIPS

PARK/LOCATION ORGANIZATION CONTACT CONTACT INFO

Blackburn Tennis Center Universal Tennis Academy Stuart Russell/Managing

partner

770-451-1061

Blackburn North DeKalb Youth

Soccer Association

4055 Spalding Dr.

Atlanta, GA 30350

Blackburn Cowart YMCA Julie Colan-Koriakin/

Executive Director

[email protected]

Blackburn PATH*

Lynwood Latino Youth Soccer

Association

Murphey Candler Colt Youth Football

Little League Baseball*

Murphey Candler Girls'

Softball Association

Ashford Ashford Civic

Association**

* Formal agreements not available to committee

** No formal agreements. Ashford Park Civic Association uses Center for private agreed upon programs.



Page50

FACILITIESBROOKHAVENPARKSDONOTCURRENTLYPOSSESS

DogPark

GrassAmphitheater

RegulationSoccerFields

VolleyBallCourts

SandVolleyballCourts

RockClimbing

SkateboardPark

RacquetBallCourts

BocceBallCourts

GolfCourse

MiniatureGolf

PuttingGreen

Games:Shuffleboard,4square,FrisbeeArea,etc.



Page51

OTHERCONSIDERATIONS

CitizensParkAdvisoryCouncil(CPAC)

TheCommitteeproposesthataCitizenParkAdvisoryCouncilbeformedforthepurposeofactingas

aliaisonbetweenBrookhavencitizensandtheParksandRecreationDirector.

ThesuggestedstartdateisSeptember1,2013ortheparksacquisitiondate.

Aproposedorganizationalstructureisasfollows:

§ 3representativesfromeachCouncildistrictappointedbytheDistrictCouncilperson

§ 1representativefromeachoftheFriendsgroups§ 1-2fromcommunityatlargeappointedbyDistrictCouncilperson

§ 1Mayoralappointee

Maximumtotalmembers=13(3x4districts=12people+1Mayoralappointment)

Rotatingappointments:SameasCouncilperson

Officers:Yearlyofficerelection

• President

• VP

• Secretary

Monthlymeeting:Publicisinvitedtoallmeetings.Publiccommentsaretakenquarterly.

Parks&RecreationDirectoroffersmonthlyupdatestoCouncil.

RobertsRuleofOrder

AdditionalConsiderations:

• Publictransportationoptionstoparks• Accessibility• ProgramsatRecreationCenters• OrganizedSportsLeagues• PavilionandShelterRentals



CO-CHAIRS’CLOSINGSTATEMENT

TheParksandRecreationCommitteeoftheGovernor’sCommissiononBrookhavencompletedan

incrediblylargescopeofworkbetweenSeptember29,2012andNovember1,2012.Inonemonth,the

CommitteehasdocumentedabaselineofknowledgeandreferencematerialthatwillservetheCityof

Brookhavenwellinthecomingstartupyear.

ThesuccessfulcompletionoftheCommittee’sworkwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthededication

ofitsvolunteersandthepreplanningeffortsoftheBrookhavenYESParksandRecreationTaskForce.

Wewouldliketoextendourdeepestgratitudetothedozensofvolunteerslistedbelowthatenabledthe

productionofthisreport.OurCommittee’svolunteersexhibitedthebestqualitiesofcitizenshipandwork

ethic.Collectively,theyloggedliterallyhundredsofhoursandmilesingatheringthedataandanalysis

representedinthisreport.

WealsooweadebtofgratitudetoresourcesofmunicipalitiesthatagreedtobeinterviewedbyCommittee

teammembers.Withouttheopportunitytoleveragetheexpertiseofprofessionalsfromthemunicipalities

ofChamblee,Dunwoody,JohnsCreek,andSandySpringsthelevelofqualityofthisreportwouldhavebeen

unachievableinthetimeframerequired.

WewouldliketoextendspecialthankstoKarenWhitehead,assignedCommitteeExpert,forherguidance

duringtheCommitteeprocess.Lastly,weofferourthankstothecommunityofBrookhavenandtheState

ofGeorgiaforgivingusthehonorandtheopportunityofservingtheCityofBrookhaven.

RespectfullySubmitted,November1,2012by

SueBinkert,CitizenCo-Chair

KimGokce,Governor'sCommissionCo-Chair

Documents

City of Brookhaven Parks and Recreation Governors Commission Report