MINUTES
| PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MONDAY MAY 19, 2025 |
IN-PERSON ONLY SUSTAINABILITY OFFICES 419 N. MOGOLLON ST, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001 4:00 PM |
1.
Call to Order
Chair Stephen Parsons called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
2.
Roll Call
Staff and Others Present:
Amy Hagin, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Tyrone Johnson, Recreation Manager
Haley Reynolds, Events and Marketing Manager
Gino Leoni, Parks Manager
Lori Reynolds, Administrative Specialist
Cory Woodall, Project Administrator for Beautification, Arts and Sciences
| NOTE: One or more Commissioners may be in attendance through other technological means. |
| Chair Stephen Parsons - present Vice Chair Austin Kerr - present Commissioner Neil Frazier - present Commissioner Autumn Layden-McLeod - present |
Commissioner Jill Christensen - present Commissioner Josh Stackhouse - present Vacant Councilmember Representative: Anthony Garcia - not present |
Staff and Others Present:
Amy Hagin, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Tyrone Johnson, Recreation Manager
Haley Reynolds, Events and Marketing Manager
Gino Leoni, Parks Manager
Lori Reynolds, Administrative Specialist
Cory Woodall, Project Administrator for Beautification, Arts and Sciences
3.
Land Acknowledgement
The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
4.
Approval of April 21, 2025 Minutes
Commissioner Josh Stackhouse motioned to approve the April 21, 2025 minutes as written. Commissioner Neil Frazier seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor of approval.
5.
Public Comment
A member of the public shared that they have found large trash sites around the city, and they have been actively working to help keep those sites clean. They also expressed their gratitude to the Parks and Recreation team of the City of Flagstaff.
6.
Discussion Items
A.
Meet the Park Ranger, Thomas McKenna:
Mr. Mckenna was unable to attend this meeting. It was discussed that he might attend the June meeting instead.
B.
Visit Future Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC)
Amy Hagin led the Commissioners and members of the public inside the future building that would be the home of the Indigenous Community Cultural Center. The building was largely used as a fleet mechanic shop and is temporarily being used for storage by the City of Flagstaff until the City locates a group to assist staff with next steps of restoration and rehabilitation. A member of the public asked if the building would ever be sold for a purpose other than the ICCC. Ms. Hagin responded that the purpose of the building falls under a city ordinance for its use and that the building would not be sold as it remains a part of Thorpe Park. Additional questions were taken by Amy from the public on outreach and funding for the building. Chair Parsons asked how long they could expect the design process to take for the new park amenities outside the building. Amy replied that the City was about seven years away from that starting and that everything is still conceptual.
C.
Visit the area around the Frances Short Duck Pond for future Beautification Arts Sciences rotating art displays:
After completing a tour of the future ICCC, Commissioners and the public walked to the Frances Short Duck Pond where Cory Woodall, with Beautification Arts and Sciences, discussed the installation location of a donated piece of artwork on the north side of the pond. The piece of art was completed by Gene Galazan, based out of Prescott, Arizona. A member of the public asked Ms. Woodall to elaborate on the artwork. Ms. Woodall responded that the piece was currently untitled but considered an abstract sculpture that provides a visual window to view nature through. The sculpture consists of both lumber and steel.
The group walked to the trees along the north side of the pond where Ms. Woodall directed everyone's attention to the six (6) vacant concrete slabs that would be the sites of a future rotation of art displays. The artwork displayed on the slabs could consist of art programming that was ephemeral - changing often.
Concluding the meeting, the group visited the existing Thorpe Park Handball Courts to discuss the previously proposed graffiti art wall. Amy Hagin shared that the original proponent of this idea has chosen not to move forward with a grant opportunity or private funding at this time. There was some discussion among the group about how a public graffiti art wall would need to be managed.
The group walked to the trees along the north side of the pond where Ms. Woodall directed everyone's attention to the six (6) vacant concrete slabs that would be the sites of a future rotation of art displays. The artwork displayed on the slabs could consist of art programming that was ephemeral - changing often.
Concluding the meeting, the group visited the existing Thorpe Park Handball Courts to discuss the previously proposed graffiti art wall. Amy Hagin shared that the original proponent of this idea has chosen not to move forward with a grant opportunity or private funding at this time. There was some discussion among the group about how a public graffiti art wall would need to be managed.
7.
Reports and Updates
A.
Council Representative Report, Council Representative Anthony Garcia
Councilmember Garcia was not present at this month's meeting to share a report.
B.
PROSE Monthly Newsletter, April 2025.
8.
Informational items to and from Commissioners and Staff
All commissioners present expressed interest in having more field trips to parks or recreation centers.
9.
Agenda Items for next meeting, June 15, 2025
- Rescheduling for Meet the Park Ranger, Thomas McKenna.
- Citizen proposal for an RC car area at The Basin BMX Park
- Upcoming events for Parks and Recreation Month (observed in July)
10.
Adjournment
Chair Parsons adjourned the meeting at 5:10 PM.