PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2018/12/04 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
December 4, 2018
I. Call to Order
The Parks and Recreation Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman Charlie Kohlmeyer at
6:00p.m. The following were present:
Board Members: Mr. Charlie Kohlmeyer
Mr. Paul Best
Mr. Rich Adams
Ms. Nancy Duffy
Ms. Melanie Walsh
Mr. Steve Reimer
Ms. Shannon Maguire
Mr. William Zordani, Student
Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation Members:
Mr. Steve Malin
Mr. John Powers
Mr. Ed Zarek
Mr. Patrick Marshall
Mr. Ara Goshgarian
Mr. Mark Milliman
Mr. Mike MacDougal
Mr. Fred Jackson
Mr. Patrick Hoch
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Recreation Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
Special Guests: Mr. Steve Konters
II. Approval of Minutes
Meeting minutes of the October 16, 2018 Park & Recreation Board Meeting were presented and
approved.
Board member Duffy motioned for approval of the minutes and Board member Reimer seconded.
The minutes were then unanimously approved. III. Opportunities for the Public to Address the Board on Items not listed on the Agenda
No comments
IV. Open Lands Park Naming Selection
Superintendent Joe Mobile gave a brief overview of the Open Lands Park project and the renaming
of the park. After meeting with Staff, they are recommending the park be renamed Veterans Park.
There is a great amount of support from the community and this name will give a real memorial feel
to the park. Mr. Mobile talked about Lars Matson, an Eagle Scout who would like to create a Veteran
memorial in the park. Several guests from the community, including members from the American
Legion spoke and shared their history and support of the new name, Veterans Park, and the idea to
have a memorial on site. Former Mayor Rummel spoke about his history with Lake Forest and
residents expressed importance of honoring our Veterans. Currently, there is not an area in Lake
Forest that recognizes Veterans and this would be a great place to honor and remember past,
current and future Lake Forest Veterans and their service. It was noted the Eagle Scout project will
be an amenity worked into the current design. Staff, along with Lars will meet with Craig Bergmann
and come up with ideas.
A motion was made by Board member Adams to approve the renaming of the Open Lands Park
property to Veteran’s Park and to proceed to City Council for their approval. The motion was
seconded by Board member Walsh. The motion was passed.
V. Comprehensive Master Plan Presentation
Steve Konters from Hitchcock Design Group presented the proposed final draft of the
Comprehensive Master Plan and gave a quick overview of the draft format and organization of the
booklet. This draft is an opportunity to give feedback and comments before the final draft is sent for
approval. Key highlights are located in the beginning to give a quick synopsis of the objectives of the
plan. Mr. Konters stressed this is a living document. The different chapters will begin with a title
page and an overview page stating the purpose and main content of the chapter. Chapter 2 shows
the action plan items listed by each facility and their justification of strategies. Chapter 3 is the
analysis and inventory of the facilities, parks and open spaces. He mentioned they are still compiling
data for the North Shore comparison matrix. The next chapter talks about the community
engagement phase along with the trends at the various local and state levels with the final chapter
as an appendix going over the various reports received during the surveys and comments received
through the online survey. There were several questions regarding the responses to the online
survey that was conducted. Mr. Konters replied there was a very high percentage of responses and
these household totals were verified by each unique IP address. He went over the survey results and
how they were generated. A Master Plan becomes a guideline over 10 years, whereas items and
estimated costs are analyzed annually. This Master Plan booklet can be viewed by the public with
detailed survey results removed for privacy. Feasibility studies will be completed for any of the
larger items on the Master Plan.
Mr. Konters encouraged members to review this draft in more depth and to direct any comments to
Joe Mobile to be accommodated for the final draft. This will be considered for final review by Parks
and Recreation Board and Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation for their adoption
after the January 15th Parks and Recreation Board meeting. Small discussion followed on making a
marketing condensed version of the history and adoption of the Plan.
VI. Comments by Director
Director Swarthout talked about the following upcoming events in December.
1. Cocktails With the Claus’ – December 7th at 7:00pm at Northcroft Park Pavilion- Fundraiser
by the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation
2. Annual Holiday Art Sale – December 7th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm and December 8th from
10:00am - 4:00pm at the Stirling Hall Art Center
3. Winter Dance Spectacular– December 8th at 4:00pm at the Lake Forest Recreation Center
Gymnasium
4. Dinner With Santa – December 8th & 9th at Northcroft Park Pavilion- Fundraiser by the
Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation
5. Claus’ Coach- December 16th
Director Swarthout mentioned that a very sizeable donation was made by Nancy Hughes for the
North Beach access road, going forward the North Beach access road will now be called, The Hughes
Gateway. Also, it was approved to name the patio at the Deerpath Golf Course, The Bob Kiely Patio
in honor of all his service and dedication. The target date for the North Beach access road to be
utilized is mid-July, weather dependent. The ravine repair is scheduled to be done by the end of the
year, weather dependent. After much input, staff is looking at next steps for the boardwalk. A short
discussion followed on the boardwalk.
Ara Goshgarian, Vice President of the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation,
mentioned the Foundation would like to see more support and collaboration from the Parks and
Recreation Board members for future events.
VII. Comments by Board Members
Board member Reimer mentioned developing a collaboration component between the Parks and
Recreation Board and the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation.
The subject of Parks and Recreation having their own website was brought up. Members stressed an
updated website will improve the marketing and advertising of events with the Recreation Center
and the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Friends Foundation. They mentioned the current
information is not easily accessible in the City’s website and is not mobile friendly. Board member
Maguire inquired on a status update of a new website for the Recreation Department.
VIII. Adjournment
Board member Reimer motioned for adjournment and Board member Duffy seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant