Parks & Recreation Committee's Annual Report

Parks and Recreation Committee Annual Report
Committee Members
Kellie Schroeder, Chair
Dave Howland, Town Council Representative, Diane Moore, Mike Sievert, Mike Mengers,
David Leach and Nate Trauntvein
The Parks and Recreation Committee strive to strengthen the Town of Durham by providing vital open space and recreational opportunities to our vibrant community.
The Parks and Recreation Committee's Vision:  A broad range of outdoor and indoor recreational activities shall be available to town residents of all ages, abilities, and interests.  Residents can count on events which bring the community together, and useful parks to be proud of.  Residents are welcome to volunteer and/or participate in Parks & Recreation through the committee and the director who are open and accessible, organized, and fair minded.
What we do, for whom, and why -- Durham's Parks and Recreation Committee mission is to work with its director and the community to organize town-wide events throughout the year and to provide residents of all ages, abilities, and interests a wide variety of recreational and leisure activities that encourage and enhance a healthy lifestyle.  By providing access to natural areas, as well as indoor and outdoor programs and facilities, the committee and town celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community. 
2012 Accomplishments:
Durham residents are enjoying our programs and events more than ever.  Working closely with our outgoing Director, Sandy Devins, the committee has seen a 40% increase in attendance at most DPR events and a 30% increase in programs offered in 2012. 
Our outgoing Director will be deeply missed, but the vision- and goals-setting workshops she spearheaded will guide our decision making and enable the Committee to enthusiastically greet the changes and opportunities to come.  The Committee recently voted to move towards a full-time Director position and is looking forward to an exciting new chapter as we seek the ideal fit for the Director position.
Over the past year, the Committee successfully assisted the Director in coordinating advertising and staffing the following events: Winter Carnival/Chili Festival and Macaroni & Cheese Bake Off at Churchill Rink; Spring Festival/Egg Hunt at Old Town Landing, annual Memorial Day Parade; Music by the Bay summer concerts at Wagon Hill; annual Durham Day at Wagon Hill; annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at Wagon Hill.  Our accomplishments mirror our stated vision of offering a broad range of events which bring the community together.
Mirroring our vision of useful parks for residents to be proud of, the Committee provided mulch for Jackson’s Landing and Woodridge Playgrounds through DPW and provided funds to ORPP to maintain the Sensory Garden at Jackson’s Landing. 
Dovetailing with the Town Council’s goal of pursuing environmental sustainability, the Committee and Director hosted Durham Day 2011 utilizing compostable products, considerably reducing the event’s environmental impact.
Partnering with the Conservation Commission for guided nature walks during intermissions in the summer concert series is one example of the Committee’s partnership synergy and reflects our mission to encourage and enhance a healthy lifestyle.

Partnerships:
We appreciate the many partnerships that help us create community.  Working together not only maximizes community resources, but further enhances recreational opportunities for Durham residents.
Sharing an acute interest in the Town of Durham’s lands, the Parks and Recreation Committee has established an exciting collaboration with the Land Stewardship Committee, the Agricultural Commission, and the Conservation Commission.  The Committee also continued its long-standing collaboration and mutual support with the following groups: Durham Public Works (DPW), Oyster River Youth Association (ORYA), Oyster River Parents of Preschoolers (ORPP), Oyster River Community School District (ORCSD), Durham Public Library, UNH Campus Recreation Department, UNH Recreation & Management Policy Department, Durham Conservation Commission. 
In addition, the Committee partnered with the newly formed Churchill Rink Improvement Group, a citizens’ organization seeking to enhance recreational opportunities at Jackson’s Landing.
On the Horizon
The upcoming year promises to be an exciting one.  We look forward to continued growth of high-quality programs that serve the needs of Durham residents.  We will focus on enhancing public awareness of parks, programs, events, and water resources through the Town’s newly created website.  We will strive to maintain financial resources to sustain programs and facilities while maintaining professional and community partnerships that enhance our programs. 
Maintaining properties and facilities appropriate to our program demands such as completing Phase I of bathroom construction at Wagon Hill, and identifying future improvements at Woodridge, Jackson’s Landing and Wagon Hill remain top committee priorities.  We embrace openness in our endeavors and will work constructively with the Director as we strive to make the Director’s position full-time; update the Recreation Chapter of the Master Plan; and share our newly developed vision, mission, and goals with the public.
The Committee extends a special thank you to the volunteers who make a difference in our community.   And, we extend an open invitation to all Durham residents -- bring your ideas, come to our meetings, and check out our events and classes.  Join us in making Durham Parks and Recreation the best it can be.