the June 25th, 2026 Sykesville Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting starting
now 7 o'clock. Um, first thing is to
[snorts] approve the minutes from last
meeting, the May 28th, 2026 meeting
minutes.
A motion to approve those minutes.
>> I second.
>> Any comments?
All in favor?
>> I any opposed?
Abstaining. Right.
>> Were you here, Lauren?
>> Yeah.
>> I don't remember. Um, public comments.
Yeah.
>> I can't start.
>> That's the order of the stuff.
>> I'm sorry. I'm I'm here to kind of see
how it works.
>> How is Joe?
[laughter]
Okay,
>> wonderful. Is it in town?
>> Yes.
>> Perfect. Well, welcome. We're excited
you're here. Thank you for coming.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Old business then. Um, number
one, the children's library update. Has
anyone on Spark received correspondence
related to the purchase or help needed
with this project? Hasn't received
anything?
>> So, Gab reached out to me. It just came
in on Monday. Um, they're waiting to
wants to get a plaque that says was that
she donated the um the little library
and she bought one. She really liked
Billy's idea of having a little one so
that the kids could reach it. So, she
found one where there's a big one and
then a little one so kids can just open
the door and get in the little one.
>> That's cool.
>> Um so, she's waiting for the
>> um the little plaque where she can say
that she donated it and then she was
hoping that the town could provide the
post and the hole.
>> But she'll get back to me once the flat
comes in and then we can move forward
from there.
>> Any questions?
>> No. And and we already told her, "Yeah,
we'll take care of the post and
everything." So,
>> how much um time does public works need
to be there because I know summer is
busy to grow the grass?
>> Not we're out of the spring hump now
where the grass is growing every two
days. So, um they should be able to work
around for anything.
>> Perfect. I'll reach back out to Gavin
Crystal and say let me know and then um
we can let public force to do the whole
do it.
» Cool.
>> That's all.
>> Okay. Uh the natural bulletin board
update. Uh we got limbs from evergreen
and cherry trees that have been set
aside after a cleanup project in Jones
Park. and further discussion as needed.
But Billy's not here, so I suppose none
of us have anything else to say about
that one.
>> Um,
>> yeah, we we can table it until the next
meeting, I guess.
>> Yeah. So, Billy, if you're watching,
your wood is here.
>> Is there Drew? Is it stored in a way
where it's not an issue to to leave it
for a little bit while longer or
>> um I'll double check on it right now.
Jones Park.
>> Okay.
>> Where it was cut down from.
>> Okay.
[clears throat]
>> Uh the Freedom Ring Parade float update.
Um
I guess that's
>> ask the new flocon concept if anything.
Oh. Uh okay. So we tore down the old
float um into little pieces. We recycled
some of the wood to make signs and a
bench.
And the other scraps were picked up by
public works. Is that correct? Or going
to be.
>> Um, we tried to make not that big of a
mess, but we made a little mess. Um,
Eric wasn't there
>> for the public record.
>> Um,
Amy, how's the signs coming?
>> Um, they're coming along well.
>> Cool. I'm going to do a second coat on
the white so that you can really see it
so it stands out.
>> Um, it's going well. I did want to ask,
are we doing like a spark sign?
>> That's what I see. The big sign.
>> Okay. That's what I wanted to double
check before I did that one.
>> Yeah, that's the spark.
>> So, will that just be on maybe the back
end or
>> is it only go on one side?
>> The back might be nice.
>> Yeah,
>> we can worry about all that stuff. Okay.
>> Later. We'll have
a little putting together piecing
session. Is that fine?
>> I'm excited to see it.
>> Um,
what else was I going to say? The only
thing we need now is the trailer. We
want to use the one with the rails so we
can hang stuff on it. Um, we need at
least a day. I think we can do a lot of
the fine
detail stuff the day of the parade, but
it would be nice to get in and see the
trailer Thursday or Friday beforehand,
>> put it all together. Um,
>> yeah, the thing we need to worry about
now is how to
properly secure everything to the
trailer, whether it be with zip ties or
something stronger. Um,
did respond to your email today.
>> Yeah. That we can screw into it as much
as we want. That that will be helpful.
Um cuz we probably we we want to keep
the flags that we had at the front last
year just because we have so much space
on the trailer that the flags will be a
nice um way to take up the space because
our turf only covers 6' by 8. That was
the only size that we could get that
would fit. So, we have a lot of
additional space.
Um yeah, that's it.
We just need straps or something.
>> Do you guys want me to ask Ian or Jeremy
or one of our public works guys to drive
again this year?
>> Yeah.
>> And then what kind of candy do we want
to get that we can pass out that's not
going to melt? Are you guys still the
popsicles again? Cuz that was
>> impossible.
>> Why?
>> They're It's impossible to keep them
cold.
>> We never by the end we're only giving
out liquid
>> no matter what we do. So Now they're
projecting. It's supposed to be like 100
>> neck. [laughter]
Six neck things. Write that down.
>> Um
>> I don't know.
>> If you do purchase, I'm guessing you're
talking about the life guard things.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh [snorts]
we'll reimburse you for that. Wearing
something that represents the town. So,
>> you like freeze some ice packs and put
them in there with your
>> The neck thing works pretty well. You
put it in the freezer the night before.
» Okay. [snorts] So, what do we want to
do? Lollipops. Do we want to do
Skittles?
>> Skittles are pretty good for peanutree
kids cuz it's not made in a factory with
peanuts and it doesn't have peanuts in
it.
>> Dum dums
>> dropped on the ground.
You can't have the hand out.
» I can get them from Costco. I can get
Skittles and Dum Dums. Does anybody want
to add anything else to that?
>> That works for me.
>> What do you guys pass? What is What did
L decide [snorts] we're passing out?
>> Oh, yeah. It's a bag with has candy in
it and other things in there. Yeah.
>> Okay.
Um did you do we have volunteers to walk
with the boat?
>> Yes, it'll be a group of um Girl Scouts
that will walk with us because we don't
want them to ride this year
>> because so that it's just sparking on
the bench with all the trees and the
signs of the park. So, they'll walk with
us and help us get our candy.
>> Okay.
>> Um I think public works said that the
trailer would be ready, they said
Thursday, right?
>> Do we want to set up a time Thursday to
do like a a rough trial run.
>> I can do that.
>> Let's see. Thursday the second
» and then I guess we can shoot an email
out to kind of coordinate timing.
>> Great. And public works can just have
the trailer in that
because there is
>> there is an event on the uh line on the
main that night. So
>> yeah, I mean that's every Friday and
Saturday. So
>> well this is Thursday. There's an event
on Thursday night.
>> Really?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Um will that will the share have room
with parking and cars? That was
>> they'll probably have the trailer inside
of the Sandoski building. Period.
>> But I'll double check with them.
>> Okay.
I do still have the key.
>> Okay. Should we just keep the key then?
Is that fine?
>> Um, do you need any help from me or
volunteer council?
>> I think Thursday we're okay, but as far
as the actual parade day,
>> yeah,
>> okay.
>> What time does it start? I should
» wear spark shirts and everything.
>> Alex always comes in American attire.
I've seen I've seen pictures.
>> What time do they start lining up at the
middle school?
>> People there like 8, right?
>> They can
>> I think we always got there.
» I can talk to DSC.
>> Okay.
And then I can bring signs Thursday.
» No, they do at the shop.
else.
» Yeah, public works doesn't have the the
number that you need, then I'll I'll
make sure I get to detail next week.
>> Yeah.
» Okay, I think we're good.
» Okay. Anything else? Good.
>> I think we should wear our scarf shirts.
Yes. Well,
» okay.
>> Moving on to the outdoor nature
classroom sign. Uh discussion on any
brainstormed ideas for names and what
materials and methods to be used in
creating the sign.
» This is something we talked about last
week, last month.
>> Yeah. Were we able to get any
She's she's she's been going through
some personal stuff. So,
>> okay.
>> And they're really trying to fill a
position before she is gone by the end
of next month.
>> Okay.
» Shall we table it for the future?
>> Yeah.
>> Um, vacant seat open on commission.
Spark currently has one vacant
commission seat. Residents interested in
parks, recreation, community events, and
public spaces are encouraged to apply.
Staff continue to share information
regarding the vacancy and welcome.
Recommendations of community members who
may be interested in serving. Anyone who
is interested in joining SMARK should
email sparks at sitesville.net.
There's our little advertisement.
>> On to new business.
>> Has a question actually on that. Okay.
>> Any of you have recommendations
>> for specific people?
>> Yes.
>> Kyle
>> and he has not answered um direct
message or email. So I don't think he's
>> unless one of you want to reach out to
him, but then again [snorts] that's kind
of like
>> Yeah,
>> I was thinking maybe we could make a
note to at the next movie night like
announce it prior
>> just to get the word out. I know a lot
of people watch the news. And then
something I forgot to have added to this
was farmers market. Um so I talked with
Sarah who manages the farmers market. Um
there's not space for Spark to have like
a formal tent.
>> Um but there is space to have a table in
the shade. So if there's availability
for commissioners
on Saturdays between now and October, we
can also
Yep. Sorry. I did the same thing in
email on Sundays. Um, between now and
October, we could maybe make an
appearance there a couple times and kind
of get the word out to people that we
fill a seat
and in the future. So,
>> I like those ideas.
>> Um, so I don't know if anybody has
availability for July. I told Sarah I
will let her know.
Um
July is a little tough for me. I I would
be able to do August. Um August,
September, October.
Um but if anybody has availability and
an interest in doing farmers market in
July, Sarah said she could work with us
on setting up.
>> I can do can do July probably.
Are we just going to do one time a month
like we did last year?
>> Is that what we did?
>> Yeah,
>> that's what we did last year. I I feel
like it was a good balance. Um,
somebody's really eager to do it more
than that. I don't think it hurts. But
at the same time, most of our events I
feel like are any in the summer. That's
why it's hard. It's a lot.
Nick, I know this is back to back, but
do you want I can do the 12th if you
want to do the 12th, but that's right
after the movie on the 11th.
>> That's fine.
>> Okay.
>> I can email Sarah and copy both of you
guys.
>> July 12th.
>> Is that what you said? July 12th.
>> Yes. If that works for you.
» So, Drew, could you bring
the tablecloth and a box and a flyer so
that we can put them on the table to the
movie on the 11th.
>> Yeah, I bring it to every every movie.
So,
>> okay, great. And then I'll just keep it
in my car and then bring it back to you
when we're
>> Okay, thank you.
>> Yeah, you're welcome.
>> Nick, is it okay with you if we roll up
at 9 when it starts?
» Yeah, especially because there will be a
Yeah.
>> And it'll be right in the area of the
fountain, she said.
[laughter]
» Nick will never be at the table.
[laughter]
>> Here we go.
>> Um, if it pleases the commission before
we move or you guys move on to the new
business as it were, um, would you like
me to go over the budget or is it
speaking for itself.
Are there any questions?
>> You can go over I wouldn't mind me going
over it.
>> Okay. So, pretty much what you're seeing
is the uh one page um for uh parks under
the line 570.
>> Um so that is Spark and Parks and
Recreation. Um [snorts] the maintenance
and all of that side of things is kept
in another line um that almost
exclusively is used by uh either me for
maintenance work or public works when
they're need to do a swing new chains
and stuff like that. Um so you can see
the percentage of the budget we've used
uh a lot out of advertising which is
great. Um concert bands that's a line
right now. I'm not
uh a line next year as we go forward. Um
I I think that Joe has taken it out. Uh
but I I haven't seen it. Uh then we've
got uh the miscellaneous holiday events.
Uh that mainly is Christmas stuff, but
we also had the out uh the added um
charge of around $700 for uh the uh
lighting of the Manora. [clears throat]
and that was to help out with food and
their budget there. Then concessions, um
that speaks for itself. Movies in the
park, uh that is just for the purchase
of the rights to play the movies. It
doesn't include um any of the crafts or
anything like that. Uh pre-event
activities. Um we've got uh we we went
over this here, but uh I I think that
that's going to be added on to
mainly because we're getting more active
into what we want to do. And then uh the
last thing we have is under volunteer
supplies. Um which as you can see we've
gone through a lot of that too. So
>> is that like gloves and
>> products?
>> No, that's all going to be under public
works the public works side of parks and
[clears throat]
>> so like for instance if Lauren Merrill
needed to uh purchase something and
wanted to be reimbursed for it, that's
what that line item would be.
or like if we decided on our own craft
that would be another
» um this is always available if you go to
uh the town's website and go to um one
of the meetings uh uh that they've been
on the agenda for that meeting if it has
treasures report there's a URL code that
will take you directly to this Cool.
>> When people or when we get uh sponsors
for movies, where does that does that
just go overall?
>> I think that's
Yeah.
>> And if it [snorts] worked against like
the
>> $2,500 movie budget or whatever,
>> right? Yeah. in whatever way
treasurer have it figured out is it goes
into the same pot as say donations for
um the gate house and then it's all
reallocated in each different fiscal
year
>> and that's just how they've worked it
>> makes sense just curious
>> I don't know about
Cool.
» First time I've ever seen a number
>> in six years.
So, it's cool to know.
» And the sponsors that we did get this
year that did cover the license of all
the movies. So, we were even with that.
>> Yeah.
>> Great.
>> Maybe a little bit over even. So,
>> a little better. Okay. Good.
So, all of our sponsors covered the
money for our movie licenses.
>> What do we spend? $2,000.
>> So, that's still the expense, but
>> there's they they record the income
somewhere. That's just Okay.
>> Mhm.
>> Again, I can bring that next meeting too
if you guys want to go over revenue as
well.
>> Cool. Cool. Cool.
Okay.
Shall we?
>> Mhm.
>> How about the recap? How'd it go?
>> I thought it was great.
>> Auxiliary police counted 70 attendants.
>> 70. That's really really good for our
first
>> Yeah. June movie is the hardest one.
>> It was
>> What else was happening? There was like
a school function.
>> The carnival.
>> Carnival. Carnival.
>> Music night. There was the carnival. It
was the last
>> It was the last night of carnival.
>> Yeah, we heard them at the
>> at the end of the movie.
>> So 70 was gold mine then for us if we
were competing against all of that.
>> I don't know when the auxiliary counted
>> 15
seriously
>> I thought it was more
>> honestly I didn't skimp or anything.
>> Yeah,
>> just make it 200. That's pastor's
numbers.
» Yeah, I thought it was more than 70,
too.
>> You got 170?
>> No, no, I thought it was more than 70.
>> Okay.
>> But I didn't count. It felt like more
than 70.
>> I mean, I also counted the kids that
were on the swings playground and
watching from there. So,
>> I think that counts.
>> They were there.
>> Um, do you know I'm curious if you know
how much money you made from the QR code
for this time?
>> Yes. uh $37.66.
>> Okay. Yeah.
>> Most of which uh was from our very own
Eric.
[laughter]
>> It's my kids. They're
I need I need to tell them to chill with
ice cream and pop.
>> How did the um
>> what was their name? The um the pine rum
>> basil. Basil.
>> He said that it was phenomenal.
He said lots of kids work excited. He
said he did a um I thought he was great.
He did a little um walk around of the
park first to find bugs so that he knew
it would be good for the kids to go and
he brought little boxes for the kids. Um
he said they were very excited and found
lots of things and he taught them lots
of things and then I was watching some
of the kids just run around and catch
the bugs on the side of the snack shack.
So I think they have a brilliant time.
>> Cool.
>> Do we know has the donation check been
sent to Pin?
>> Not yet.
>> Okay. [snorts]
[clears throat]
Um the popcorn machine cleaning it after
the movie was very very very very
difficult. The drawer underneath that
holds the kernels couldn't come out.
>> It was jammed. It was bent underneath.
So I reached out to Billy and he and I
met at the snack shack the Tuesday after
the movie and we jerry rigged it. I
didn't know that the popcorn machine was
not bolted to the cart
because Billy said, "How are we going to
get this off?" And Billy lifted and he's
like, "It's not connected to the" and I
could see the hole falling off of the
cart again. So um that made me very very
nervous. But It's not an easy machine to
clean
>> at all.
>> And I never want to unplug that thing in
the roof because I couldn't get it back
in at all. It's very difficult how to connect it in. But it selfcleans
once you put the water and the chemicals
in it and then you just have to wipe it
out. But um
>> we were able to fix the drawer and that
all came out and it's clean. Do we need
to still put the
packets inside?
packets. Um,
>> the Russian packets.
>> Oh, I think that would be
good. Probably.
>> Okay. [snorts] Because I did not put
them in there,
>> but they
I know the pot is what? Like Teflon or
nonstick something?
>> I think so.
>> Right. Um, is the What's the top the
inside top of the machine? That's the
part that
>> What is that made out of?
>> No.
>> You know, do you know?
>> Yes. off the top.
>> I mean, it couldn't hurt to put that
stuff in there, especially as it gets
more humid.
>> Um,
>> Lauren and I will be there.
>> Get too dry.
>> Lauren and I will be there the week
before the movie restocking it. I did
inventory last week on the day of the
school.
>> And um and so I'll throw them in there
real quick.
» We have a lot of ice cream.
>> Yes. So, we should not need to buy I
think that it's a lie to me. I don't
think we should be at all,
>> but I don't know. I I might be wrong.
>> I feel like it was hard to gauge it last
movie. There was a lot a lot of people
and then by the time I ran down and
bought it, then after that, nobody,
of course.
So, I don't know what everyone's
feelings are. I feel like it's kind of
nicer to have the smaller various
flavors.
>> Agreed.
>> Versus like one giant like one flavor.
» So, we have enough for July for sure.
>> I think so. And if not, I mean,
Firehouse is like it's 5 minutes down
the street.
>> They have them in stock.
>> Yeah.
>> I don't know. I did the math. It's not
that much cheaper to buy it in a giant
one than it is to buy the smaller ones.
>> Um,
so worst case, you know, if we run out
Someone could just buy more again.
>> Can I Can I call Alex or do you have to?
[laughter]
>> Do you also think it's possible that
there was more ice cream purchase than
normal because of the ice cream truck?
» It got into all the kids minds. That was
more ice cream than we've ever sold. I
think
>> it was a lot of ice cream. Yeah, there
were people coming up and ordering like
five or six
>> time. Well, it didn't sound like
>> play the music like at a certain point.
>> Okay.
Um, but I mean maybe with having the QR
code, people could buy it more, but
didn't sound like it was like that much
we got in the QR code either. So
>> that's also brand new now. So maybe
>> Yeah. So I think people Yeah.
>> Unfort you add now it's you can actually
buy whatever you want,
>> right?
So maybe next movie we with with our
announcements right before the movie, we let people know that you can use QR
codes. There's ice cream. Like you can
just tell people there's ice cream,
kids, tell your parents. I don't know.
[laughter] We can do that. But
>> I would get another two things of the
selfare because there's only half of one
left.
>> That's
I can take care of that.
>> But I thought it went well and I think
we started the movie as early as we
could have where you could see it enough
but it wasn't so late where we were
there forever.
>> So in the past we've started at like 9.
>> That's brutal.
>> I think we started at 8:30 45.
>> Yeah.
So you could see the ad. I mean, it was
a little hard to see some of the ads,
but by the end, you could definitely see
them all. And then the movie was it was
dark enough.
>> Good.
>> It was good enough for the future for
June to like
>> Mhm.
>> Right. Was there anything that we needed
that we didn't have? Like did did we
need to buy the pins?
>> Yeah, just if we got extra ones of the
speaker pins,
>> we found like a rusted thing that we
that worked.
>> Yeah.
>> But those those get lost so easily. So,
like,
however many you want us to lose, just
buy that. We'll lose that. But they they
go quick cuz it's where it is.
>> I think that was the only thing I can
remember that.
>> Yeah.
All the equipment worked.
>> Oh, the little vacuum. Can we get a
little vacuum?
>> Yes. Thank you for reminding me.
>> Shark
things.
Um, kind of segueing into Princess
Bride. Sunset is again similar. 8:27
p.m.
>> That's earlier.
>> Sunset in June was like 8:50. We never
We didn't see it. We started earlier.
» I know. We're doing
uh a shield craft or something, I think.
Are we doing sword craft or something?
Yeah,
>> you guys are providing shields that the
kids can mark up and stuff like that.
Uh, and then I bought uh boatload of
inflatable swords, pirate cutless
swords.
I used to be in a group called SCA,
which stands for Society for Creative
Magism. I'm a giant nerd, as you know.
Uh, I have an actual like rap here with
the cage around her hand and everything.
So, I figured I'll bring that. Kids will
not be playing with that, but I'll do a
sword play school of sorts where really
all I'm teaching them is you say, "My
name is and
you killed my fairy princess or dinosaur
or whatever their favorite thing is,
prepare to die." And then you have to
wear a mustache. So, we might get
mustaches out. And then the last thing
will be like, "And then in the middle of
your duel, you have to a chance. So,
>> perfect.
>> Amy, I know it's all going over your
head. You'll
>> I Well, so I'm really bummed. I can't
make the July movie. We're on
>> I'll be there for Dog Man in August.
>> That's I
>> You have to watch it on vacation.
>> I do. Yeah. Um Yeah, I'm bummed about
that one. Um I can get the ice cream
ahead of time, though. And then I don't
know. I saw the the advertisement on
Facebook. It looked great. I don't know
if we want to do more pre movie events
if anybody has ideas.
>> I had a couple, but I don't know that
there I reached out to um
uh there is a like birds of prey person
who like will bring falcons and that
kind of thing, but they said no loud
noises.
>> Um so I don't know that like a
[laughter] screaming is the best
environment. So that was kind of a dead
end.
>> And then there's somebody who comes to
the farmers market who occasionally has
a pony like a miniature horse which I
thought could be fun but I haven't heard
back from them yet.
>> Um and I don't know how much of a I
think it would be cool but I also don't
know how much like logistically that
would entail to be able to get them
there.
>> Um for Dogman in particular, uh I think
I've said this before, but just to
remind you, Park Books did a release
last year where they had a dress up dog.
>> So I could always reach out to Emily who
put that on last year and ask her.
>> I think that would be great.
>> Dog came to Christmas. So at Christmas
» is it there? Do they just have it at the
bookstore?
>> No, I think they go through like a
superhero costume.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, that' be good. So it would be
asking how much.
>> So that's one of those
>> that whole kids would love that.
>> Yeah. My other idea for Dog Man was
because he's [snorts] like a dog
policeman. We could have like meet and
greet with baby police, but I have not
reached out to them yet about that. And
I don't know.
>> I know that there used to be I don't
know if there still is a K9 unit if they
do still have the dog.
>> We do. Um, but that could also
potentially be really cool if they're
open to it and that's something that
they could bring the dog along for dog.
>> So freaking cute.
>> But again, I had that was just an idea I
had. I haven't reached out to anybody
about it yet.
>> Would you like me to?
>> That would be great.
» Okay. That's a great idea.
>> Um, Lauren Barl, who was a good idea,
also posited, uh, Howard County does
something of like a pirate chest,
uh, thing in parks. She said, "What if
she just buys like really cheap Amazon
treasure chests uh and then have the
kids go throughout the park finding
clues and then go back and they have to
tell you the slogan or something and at
the snack check and uh you hand them a
little treasure chest full of like candy
or something."
>> You remember like the gold chocolate
coins?
>> Oh yeah, those be fun.
>> So Hanukkah, that's A huge thing is the
dropping of of the chocolate coins. And
I will say they are a biohazard
nightmare.
>> They they will be opened. They will be
smashed into everything. But we could do
that. Just that's a fair warning.
>> We'll have you guys come and help me
pick them up. [snorts]
>> Would that be for Princess Bride or
>> Goonies? For Yeah.
>> Could we fill it with Probably not.
Could we fill it with popcorn? But maybe
not.
Why not
>> souvenir popcorn?
>> Yeah. I mean it's clean, right?
>> Yeah.
>> Like they're
>> Well, they are wooden too, so the oil
will stain it, but I mean it's their
[laughter]
>> get some splenders as they're eating it.
But
>> but popcorn be easy because just fill it
up.
>> Yeah.
>> A little bit of free popcorn.
>> I think that's a great idea.
>> That's good news is when? September.
Yeah. Okay.
>> We're ahead of the game now.
I was thinking while I'm thinking about
orders at the snack shack, we could say
something like as you wish or something
from the movie. And then I was really
trying to figure out how could we make
Miracle Max's mostly dead pills. Like
what could we
>> raise an ass?
>> What?
>> Raise an ass.
>> That could work. And they we could give
them out.
I do think for movies if we had like a
special movie thing whether it's a a
special drink or whatever it's very easy
to theme a
>> drink or a candy
>> reame the
but if we have a little theme and people
could buy like a certain drink that
would go with something I don't know
>> that'd be fun but
>> I don't have an idea but besides that
the general
>> just yeah just throwing it out there
I'll ask Lauren
Um I will not be at the July movie.
Lauren will be there when our when
church is in but
>> okay
>> for setting up the movie.
>> I will be there. So do we have enough
people?
>> I can be there.
» Okay.
>> And I have two volunteers.
>> Okay. So we'll be all right.
>> Won't be as much fun without Amy and I,
but be fine.
» As kind of a preemptive thing. As we get
more
news articles and more greatest small
town, greatest downtown and all the
accolades that comes with that comes a
lot of attention. Uh, our funds have
been blowing up for SSL hours because
they know how much or how many
volunteers or they think they know how
much volunteer opportunities there are.
>> Um, so kind of letting you know, but
like really letting you know,
>> um, there might be
is coming.
>> But this is this is the hard part
though. We can only have two volunteers
in this action,
>> right?
>> And I don't I I feel bad bringing them
to help set up the movie and then that's
all they can do and then they just have
to sit. Now they can enjoy the movie but
and then they can help with cleanup but
I don't know what kind of volunteers
that movie equipment is heavy and
expensive.
>> Um I'm afraid if I got too many
volunteers, they would just be in the
way because I know you guys have it down
to a system, but we can only really have
two people in the Snapchat
>> and all my slots are all of mine and
Lauren's slots are full.
>> So,
>> which is a good thing, but I feel bad
that I'm still getting emails and I
don't have
>> the whole summer already. Yeah,
>> that's amazing.
>> Yeah.
If if you're still getting emails,
maybe um
>> you're sending them to me. You're in
charge of email now, right?
>> Yeah.
And I got one. I have I was going
to reply to them that we have fall clean
up.
>> Yeah.
>> Because the movies are full.
>> So that might be up to you guys to start
brainstorming on where other manpower
can be placed and stuff like that.
>> Like I'm sure they could have been
helpful when you were building the float
and stuff this past weekend.
But I mean, say you have a kid who's in
the AV club or what have you, um, and
wants to help set up stuff like that,
like that's that's a good place to have
a a volunteer to help. So maybe if we're
doing more crafts besides what we're
offering, like who's running those? Like
we could have maybe volunteer help with
crafts, too. Right.
>> If we have more and I think the more
down there the better. Make it more of
an event things to do.
>> I agree with that. I just just let me
know and I can um I can reach out to
find more.
>> You are the um the volunteers that we
have coming to the July movie. Have they
worked with us before?
>> I know.
>> Do you think it's
>> Oh, no, no, no, no. They they're
running.
>> Okay.
Do you try to
like when you select volunteers, do you
always try to pick as many new people as
possible to give everybody some hours or
do you try to pick
recurring
kids like kids that we've already
trained in the snack shack? Do you
>> both? Okay.
>> Both. The girls that we had in June were
phenomenal volunteers at Easter.
>> Yeah.
>> And I said, I would like for you guys to
come back and do the movies. So, they're
June and September. And then this mom
reached out and they're July. And then I
have somebody from August that did last
Easter
>> the year before. And then September is
somebody else. And then
>> um I have them until October.
>> Okay.
>> But I I I just I send it to the high
schools. They send it out and then
people just come.
>> If we have a lot of people, we can
always have one or two for setup and
tear like it won't be that much help but
at least it's hours and like carry this
up like
>> right
>> it's it's something
>> won't hurt
>> uh
with uh impact
>> uh once the crafts are all put away and
stuff like that how many actually end up
staying
>> uh whoever's kid stays
>> okay
>> so
>> and I know you have some where I'm
getting here is like maybe they could
help out this July since we're kind of
skeleton crewing in um with with tear
down. I know you have some young
>> Oh, with tear down. Yeah. Um let me see
who is going to be signing up for it and
I can let you know.
>> Okay.
>> That part because most of the times
people that stay don't
>> Thank you. You guys do so much already,
but like I figured no harm in that.
>> Yeah, I can let I can let you know who
signs up and see if it's There's some
people that could help and some people
you don't want to help. So, I'll let you
know.
>> Sorry.
And we'll we can find out if Billy will be there. He can help it
through us. He knows how to do it.
» Cool.
All right. Is that all for that?
>> We covered Aud's life. We covered the
new movies.
>> I won't be there, but what time leaving
for 7.
>> Same. Yeah.
>> And then I always have the volunteers
come at 7:30.
>> Yeah.
» And Dog Man is 8:15 p.m.
>> Nice.
Don't rush away.
» Um, the last thing we have is open ideas
and visions, but
>> sorry, signs.
>> Signs.
>> For Princess Bride.
>> Oh. Oh,
>> yeah. Last time we forgot and Drew did
it for us, which was great. But do we want
signs. This time
>> I can do signs.
» Um I can place signs cuz I don't go out
of town until
>> Saturday morning.
>> I think whoever places them should also
just makes it easier. I can put them
out.
So you'll come out Thursday
>> like midafter afternoon get
>> Thursday people come coming home from
work and then Friday to and from and
then it's been advertised.
>> Can you set them can we set them up
earlier than Thursday? It hurt.
>> No.
>> Yeah. Like it says movie this Saturday,
right?
>> Yeah. So it can't be before set but like
I think as early as you set it up the
better.
>> I think the
>> whole week of people seeing it as better
than two days.
>> The theory behind it before was that if
they sat out too long people would start
ignoring them and then would forget by
the time the weekend came.
>> Yeah. But Yeah.
>> But I don't either.
>> If you don't see it on Thursday then you
don't see it like you can see it on
Tuesday. See, Friday or say Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday, which really remind me.
>> How about Wednesday?
>> I mean, it's I'm not set up. So, I feel
bad even saying, but
>> I don't I don't personally think it hurt
to set it really want to set it up. I
don't see how hurt personally.
» Do you want me to reach out to my friend
again who can make the movie topper?
>> Oh,
yeah. That would be helpful.
Well, how much is she charging?
>> The last time that we did it, I believe
it was $50.
She won't make 20. She'll make 10. And
we put those five those 10 in key areas.
>> I mean, your best call. Me personally
though, like I I feel like that's we've
got Facebook and Google now, and if they
can't find the movie night and what
movie is playing based off of that,
They're not really interested to begin
with.
>> And I I agree and I disagree.
>> Um, when you drive by and you see it
says Princess Bride, you're like
Princess Bride. And when you drive by
and say, "Let me check that when I got
when I get home." And then you're making
dinner, there's laundry, kids are
streaming, there's homework, there's
this, and then you forget, and then you
do it again. If it's instant, then you
know what the movie is.
>> Yeah.
>> That's what I was asking you the other
week. how she did them because to me
>> she's a cricket and there's paper.
>> To me, it seems like there should be a
way that's easy enough for us to just do
that. But
>> Billy made them first and he would cut
it out and spray paint it and it took a
long time to dry and it took a long time
to make.
>> Right.
>> Is she going to Is she just going to
print us out the stickers or is she
going to make the actual thing that's
>> She printed out the stickers and then I
old signs
>> and put on signs and then put them in
the signs.
>> I'm not sure if she can do it. I can
reach out and ask.
>> I think it might be nice to try,
especially for a movie like this.
>> Yeah, I think this is a big one.
>> It's a memorable movie.
>> But Amy still has
[laughter]
>> It's a good movie.
>> I was going to defend myself.
Do we have to vote on that? Is that
something we have to vote on? Because
there's money involved.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> Possibly money involved.
>> What's the decision? Yes. Go for it.
>> To Yes. To
>> Yes, it needs to be.
>> All right.
>> Okay.
A motion to
approve the spending of
$50 or less. Is that right for
movie advertisement sign toppers? Movie
sign. Yeah.
>> I'll second
>> discussion.
All in favor?
Any opposed?
Yeah.
Is that enough?
>> You did it.
>> Did great.
» Um,
>> that's actually
>> okay. No open ideas and visions.
» Updates.
All right.
>> There's a lot of them.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um so uh splash hat updates.
The Miller Cooper Park splashback
continues to experience strong
attendance and remains a popular
destination for residents and visitors
throughout the region. Um the staffing
adjustments have been made to support
operations through the remainder of the
season and routine water quality
monitoring and facility inspections
continue. We got an A+ from the health
board. So
>> good. Uh staff are also documenting
operational observations and visitor
trends to help inform future grant
writing and planning efforts. Um so I've
been taking pictures of the buses,
talking to the people, seeing where
they're coming from and stuff so that
when it comes time to um write grants
for stuff like that, we have that
information. I'm also going to start uh
one day out of the week doing field days
where I pretty much pick a picnic table,
sit down, and every half hour I'm
counting how many people in the park and
taking pictures and stuff like that
because that's the kind of data grants
want. So,
uh, Little Sykes update, Little Sykes
has continued to see excellent
participation and community support
throughout the season. Ridership and
donations remain very strong, and the
attraction continues to serve as a
popular family activity within the town.
Staff continue to coordinate with
volunteers to ensure safe and successful
operating days. And I just learned today
they're going to um paint the metal
gates uh the black parts of those. Uh so
fresh.
We had some zipline repairs at Miller
Cooper. um two weeks ago. Uh the
mechanical failure was that the cable
itself started to bunch together so that
the swing part itself uh it just
wouldn't move. Um so uh Derek was out in
uh Alaska for the past two or three
weeks. I think three weeks. Um, so the
um the rest of the guys were able to get
together and they learned a thing or two
and they were able to put everything
back. Um, I did have to tell a a young
boy 10 11 years old today. Um, do not
stand on the seat and do not jump as you
go down because he will break it.
>> That is definitely how you break it.
>> Uh, rain infrastructure. Uh, I gave a
tour to
>> a question. Are there rules posted for
the zipline?
>> No.
>> Should we think about posting?
>> We would have to get those rules
directly from Game Time.
>> Game time doesn't make that zip line
anymore.
>> So, I I I will reach out because I think
that's a great idea. Um, but at the same
time, I know that they will charge us an
arm and a leg for those rules since they
don't print them on the regular anymore.
We can't make our own rules
>> because it's not we didn't manufacture
the equipment
like common sense rules.
>> Need to be posted.
>> I love where your head's at. I
unfortunately am living in government
world.
>> Could we figure out or could we find the
rules and then make it ourselves or no?
>> Yeah. Uh that's actually an idea.
>> Yeah. Yeah. supposed we just make it.
>> But there's also we have holes for the
splash pad and I'm still finding food
containers.
>> Yeah, I mean it's all
>> I'm just thinking liability, [snorts]
>> you know.
>> So in playgrounds in playgrounds there
is um I forget the use that term
inferred um liability so that if you do
get harmed it's at your own risk. So
we're we're covered by that already
through legit
So
>> yeah,
>> it's it's only to hope that we don't
have to fix the zip line too many times.
>> Right.
Breaks a lot
>> and that's if they meet it and then
follow it.
>> Right.
>> Yeah.
>> That's what I was saying.
>> Is that just typical zipline? Like do
other parks experience the same.
>> So I'm telling you right now of all the
parks I've been to and people I'veworked
with and talked to, nobody has a zipline
like that.
>> I wonder why. Because of that, you will
find the zip lines are lowered to the
ground. They are metal and you oil them
up once a week and shuffle through and
that's it. The zip line itself is
I very much dislike it.
» Makes sense.
Uh so green infrastructure uh I gave a
tour to a couple of guys from Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay um so that they
could learn all about us and what some
of the practices we already have um like
drainage and stuff like that and what
else we could be doing. Um so they're
going to write up a report but they
already came out of the park swinging
whatever the saying is. Uh they had some
great ideas like for instance um getting
a bird watchers uh kind of area uh right
off the linear path or Mr. Trail um
especially where that huge reservoir
lake is.
>> So I thought that was pretty cool.
>> Uh MML summer conference uh staff and
some council members uh attended the
Maryland Municipal League summer
conference and participated in and I
participated in the parks and recreation
association booth. Um the conference
provided assoc opportunities to connect
with municipal leaders from across the
state, discuss emerging trends in parks
and recreation and share ideas related
to community engagement programming,
public spaces and municipal operations.
So with the PLA branch, um pretty much
what we're trying to do through MML is
let township smaller than Sykesville
know that there are professionals that
do it 247 um that they can reach out to
us and ask questions. We can we can tell
them the people that we work with um
through playgrounds or through the
county state level, all that good stuff.
So, and then of course I was repping in
Sykesville the whole entire time. So,
people got to hear about Sykesville an
awful lot.
Uh park maintenance and safety updates.
Uh the staff continues to work closely
with public works to address routine
maintenance needs, safety concerns, and
infrastructure improvements throughout
the park system. Uh recent efforts have
included ongoing coordination related to
a proposed sidewalk connection serving
South Branch Park. So that'll be the
connector between the bridge and the
park itself. Uh in which uh
it's not on here, but Joe and I were
actually in Westminster earlier this
week uh when they had open session and
we answered some questions from the
county council on
uh the grant that we wrote and why Carol
County money um is going on a Howard
County uh land and just economically
it's it's going to help Carol County
sites go out in the long run. Um Seth
have continued to the project through
planning discussions and grant
application efforts aimed at improving
pedestrian accessibility. Um I didn't
write all that. Uh the project was
wellreceived and staff appreciate the
support shown by county leadership. Um
additional efforts have included tree
maintenance, playground inspections,
facility monitoring, and response to
resident concerns. Um which we've had a
few but nobody yelling at us about just
like trim this tree. Um,
please stop yelling at my kid to get off
the zipline, stuff like that.
Uh, and last thing I have is um through
[snorts] professional development uh and
community engagement. Uh, I was recently
elected to serve as the secretary of the
friends of Fort Frederick board of
directors. um participation in that
organization uh I think is going to
provide me with opportunities to gain
more experience uh and better serve you
guys as a secretarial role. Um I look
forward to applying the lessons learned
through this role and that's all I got.
>> Nice.
>> Um
does little sites need volunteers
because if an email comes through you
can send it to them. They're booked.
They're good. They get booked pretty
much January 1st.
>> That's what I thought. That's what I
thought. Um, could you ask Public Works
because they did this for the last
movie. They cut the grass on a Tuesday.
It was perfect.
>> Okay.
>> The Tuesday before the movie,
>> the grass was gone. There wasn't any
extra stuff flying in there. It was It
Tuesday was perfect. And the splash
pad's gone. you know,
>> that's usually the day that they'll cut the grass there. Um,
>> it's raining,
>> right? But it was just it was just
perfect because other days I think
because of the rain and they've cut it
Friday there's a lot of grass and it's
just messy. But Tuesday was perfect.
>> Would we rather just tell public works
that on Friday it's a little bit long
because at that point it's just going to
be way too muggy.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Yes, please. Speaking of that, is the
screen good to go? Did it need dried out
or clean?
>> The tarp was a little damp, but we just
folded it up.
>> Okay.
» Count uh council updates.
I can't think of any updates for you.
Anything from me or the council?
>> I don't think so.
>> Okay.
Shall we?
>> Anybody care to do the honors?
>> I motion to adjourn.
>> All in favor? I don't think