Board’s itinerary includes Park rules

Members of Fulton’s Parks Board discussed topics to include in the formation of park rules, during board session June 4, with board members Kenney Etherton, Anna McCoy, Jayden Padilla, Kim Jobe, Teresa Johnson and Mike Gunn present.

Board chair Etherton shared his ideas to include in a list of park rules, ultimately to be adopted through ordinance by the city.

The prohibiting of bicycles, skateboarding, alcohol and pets not leashed were among his considerations, as well as prohibiting overnight parking, littering, fighting, open fires, or young children unattended.

Anna McCoy also suggested developing a mechanism by which park areas may be reserved, or at the least, those interested in securing pavilions or other specific areas in any of the city’s parks are made aware of other groups which had scheduled for specific dates and areas.

She noted recently, there were over 200 children and adults at the city’s main park, near the end of the school year, from more than one school, for a field trip or picnic. She said she had contacted Fulton City Hall regarding reserving pavilions, however there was still such a large group of children on hand at the park that day, making it difficult to oversee her group of children. She suggested for safety reasons, to provide those who contact city hall regarding the reserving of any park facility, with information as to whether other large group may be planning to be at the park during the same time period.

While the board agreed the reserving of facilities had always been on a first come, first served basis, it would be best to develop a plan to more efficiently communicate to those interested, events or groups placed on the calendar for park use on specific dates.

Discussion also took place as to the constructing of a basic set of rules for all park facilities within the city, but also to customize the rules and regulations according to each park location, according to regular usage.

City Manager Mike Gunn reported approximately $1,100 had been spent on the snack shop restrooms at the city’s main park, with the replacement of doors and wall covering. He stated he still had an issue in securing bids for more extensive restroom upgrades and repairs at the park, from private contractors, however he hoped the Fulton County Detention Center work crews would soon be available to start the project.

Community events to be discussed to possibly be held at the city’s parks were discussed, including a “day of play”, an Ag related field day and a parade.

The board mentioned engaging in a joint meeting with the South Fulton Parks and Rec board, to hold coinciding events utilizing South Fulton’s Unity Park, as well as Fulton’s Pontotoc Park, with Gunn indicating his intention to research those options and contact the South Fulton board regarding the possibility of a joint meeting.

Both Gunn and Etherton updated board members present regarding the formation of a Parks Master Plan, with the two reporting they had met with Mark Arnold since the last Parks Board meeting, before Memorial Day, and he had performed his drone flyover of the city’s park areas. Gunn said Arnold will address the Fulton Parks Board first, with his draft of the plan, then in turn, the plan will be revised if necessary and presented to the Fulton Tourism Commission board, and further on in the process, the plan will be presented to community members at a public meeting for input.

Board members Sam Dluzniewski and Ashley Grissom were absent from the meeting.