Park Board seeks citizens’ ideas, input

As a result of action taken last week, the City of Fulton’s Parks Board is asking for public input, and extending an invitation to area residents to attend the next regular board session, set for Fulton’s City Park Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.

Although the board regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, open to the public at Fulton’s City Hall, Parks Board members Kenney Etherton, Sam Dluzniewski, Teresa Johnson, Ashley Grissom, Jayden Padilla, Anna McCoy and Kim Jobe chose to move the location for the Sept. 4 meeting to Fulton’s City Park, and request interested parties attend. Those present will be given the opportunity to make suggestions regarding the city’s parks.

A special called session was called for the board on Aug. 30, to tour the park areas in the city, with transportation to be provided through the Fulton County Transit Authority. Board Secretary Sam Dluzniewski suggested the need for a tour, to ensure board members are famlliar with all aspects of the existing parks, prior to a public “town hall” type meeting.

Parks Board Chairman Kenney Etherton, who is FCTA Executive Director, offered the vehicle for the Parks Board members to utilize for the tour, which will be the only item on the Aug. 30 Special Called meeting’s agenda. The public may also attend the tour of the parks.

Board member Kim Jobe agreed to photograph all areas and equipment on site at each of the city’s park locations, a task which was suggested by City Manager Mike Gunn, to document and record the areas, for future use by the board.

Discussion took place as to options to consider to encourage the public’s involvement with park projects, including suggestions by McCoy to speak to local civic organizations, and Jobe’s suggestion to distribute information to parents of school aged children, by sending materials home with them.

Board member Teresa Johnson suggested the distribution of fliers to area businesses and churches.

City Manager Etherton provided board members with information submitted from Kentucky League of Cities regarding safety issues and future safety guidelines to be formulated, noting currently there may be safety issues which result in the city “taking a hit with insurance”, however to tackle each matter cited, would be cost prohibitive for the city’s budget.

He reminded the board that currently the majority of funds earmarked for parks and cemeteries in the city budget, was required to be used to only maintain the areas of each.

Further discussion took place by the board as to questions posed at the previous board meeting by Gunn, among which was prioritizing the needs within the park locations.

Among those suggestions were the placement of bathroom facilities at each park location, fencing, upgrading of pavilions and picnic tables.

Dluzniewski offered the suggestion of exploring the construction of a walking trail at the city park.

Etherton said he had spoken with Hickman County Judge/Executive Kenny Wilson about Clinton’s recent construction of a park and farmer’s market area, with Wilson estimating approximately $112,000 as the cost for the permanent restrooms constructed at that site. He said Wilson had mentioned that volunteers in the community are now cleaning the restrooms there.

Gunn said he had researched pre-fabricated restroom facilities as well, and found an estimate of approximately $35,000 for that option.

Board member Anna McCoy inquired about possible funds available, such as some used by Hickman County for their park, generated through distributions from the Regional Industrial group, in Graves County, a group which was comprised of contributing counties such as Hickman County and Fulton County.

Jobe suggested consideration be given to special needs children and adults when the time came to explore options for playground equipment.

Following extension discussion, the general consensus of the board was to prioritize restroom facilities as the top need followed by the consideration of a walking trail.