Byars Named Chair of Parks & Rec Commission

With five commissioners and two ex-officio members around the table at the county chamber's conference room, the Parks and Recreation Commission had its first "real" meeting Wednesday, according to county councilman and commissioner Jay Byars.

The commission had met once before, but since then, councilman George Bailey was replaced by Byars on the commission. Now, the members could get down to business. 

First on the agenda was selecting officers. Byars had already talked about chairing the commission during the Oct. 11 meeting, and was nominated Rita May Ranck.

Commissioners voted unanimously for Byars to become chairman. 
Ken Minus became vice chair and Ranck became secretary-treasurer. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission is a brand-new entity to the county, which . 

"We've got a lot to work to do; I feel like we're almost a year behind," Byars said.

During Wednesday's meeting, the commissioners viewed presentations on the two identified projects — a park around the St. George courthouse and — and also a presentation via Skype with Go Ape, which would create an elevated canopy obstacle course in the county.

"It wouldn't cost the taxpayers a dime, which would be really cool," Byars said.

Byars also pushed for the parks systems to adopt Conservation Concepts, which follow 10 ways to promote conservation.

"I want us to think about integrated these conservation ideas into what we're doing," he said.

The 10 concepts are:

1. Take a leadership role in the community to promote conservation.
2. Lead by example in employing best conservation practices in parks.
3. Protect natural resources in parks and in the community.
4. Forge partnerships that foster the mission of conservation.
5. Create substantial landscapes that demonstrate principles of conservation.
6. Engage youth conservation.
7. Involve volunteers in conservation and stewardship.
8. Establish a strategic land acquisition strategy.
9. Conserve energy in all ways.
10. Utilize technology to promote conservation.

The commission is an advisory panel that will make recommendations to County Council. Five-person sub-committees under each commissioner will also provide insight to the commissioners.

Its next meeting will be next week. 

Updated to add more information about the commission's role in the county.