2022.10.12 PGAC Meeting

Woodfin's Park, Greenway & Advisory Committee Meeting Recap: October 12, 2022

The Park, Greenway & Advisory Committee (PGAC) convened on October 12th in Woodfin to discuss the current state of town parks and greenways, identify priorities for improvement, and explore potential funding opportunities. The meeting welcomed Lucy Crown as a new member and featured updates on ongoing projects, alongside discussions about future planning. This recap provides an overview of the key topics covered and what residents can expect moving forward.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on Silver Line Park, with a walk-through and discussion of its maintenance plan. The committee engaged in an extensive debate regarding the feasibility of adding professional pickleball courts to the park, acknowledging a growing demand for this activity. Currently, a community survey is open until October 31st, encouraging residents to share their input on park usage and priorities - a vital opportunity for citizen participation. Interestingly, the committee noted that playground equipment at Silver Line Park sees less use than the existing pickleball courts.

Beyond Silver Line, the PGAC reviewed Woodfin’s 2019 Parks and Greenways Master Plan. While the plan outlined ambitious goals like connecting neighborhoods through greenways, improving sidewalks, and adding amenities such as swimming pools and river access, the committee recognized that many of these projects remain incomplete. Rather than embarking on a comprehensive revision of the master plan, the committee agreed to focus on addressing immediate maintenance needs and prioritizing upgrades based directly on community feedback received through surveys like the one currently open for Silver Line Park.

The committee also explored a potential funding opportunity through the federal "Reconnecting Communities" grant, designed to address transportation barriers that divide communities. Woodfin could potentially leverage this grant to improve connectivity between East and West Woodfin, particularly concerning the I-26 corridor. With a rapidly approaching application deadline at the end of this week, the committee will be exploring this option further.

Finally, staff provided updates on various ongoing projects, including the Greenway Blueway project (currently undergoing endangered species surveys and permitting) and concerns about vandalism at Silver Line Park. Discussions also touched upon the condition of Little Free Libraries in town parks, with a potential partnership with local schools being considered to rehabilitate them. While no formal votes were taken during the meeting, several key action items emerged: committee members will review survey results from Silver Line Park; the possibility of pursuing the "Reconnecting Communities" grant is being actively explored, and discussions on the Parks and Greenways Master Plan, Little Free Libraries, and programming options will continue at future meetings.

What This Means for You: Your voice matters! Residents are encouraged to participate in the Silver Line Park survey before October 31st. The next PGAC meeting is scheduled for November 9th, and residents are welcome to attend and engage in the discussion about Woodfin's parks and greenways. You can also contact the Town of Woodfin directly with any questions or concerns regarding these important community spaces.