Crestwood Park Board Meeting - August 20, 2025

Note: The agenda indicated the meeting was scheduled for August 19, 2025, but the provided instruction uses August 20, 2025. The summary uses the latter date as directed.

The Crestwood Park Board met on August 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers. Chair Debra Hewing called the meeting to order. Members present: Debra Hewing, Dan Krewson, Lisa Bozdeck, Zach Fiebig, John Moore, Jim Zavist, Megan Gadallah, and Director Eilien Ramirez. Brian Koscielski and Timothy O'Neil were excused. The board approved minutes from June 17, 2025, with an amendment fixing a typo, approved a ranked capital improvement list, elected a new vice-chair, reviewed logo concepts for the new community center, and discussed a proposed part-time park supervisor position.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board approved the June 17, 2025, meeting minutes with an amendment to correct the spelling of "NERF" and to add Megan Gadallah back to the record. Motion by Dan Krewson, seconded by Lisa Bozdeck, passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Logo Presentation: Two residents provided input on the community center logo concepts:
  • Angela Sebin (9675 Yorkshire Estates) expressed support for Concept One, describing it as "community camp" and more versatile. She felt Concept Two resembled a private golf club or private school and had less character.
  • Jacqueline Jezick (819 Sanders) criticized Concept One's lettering as difficult to read and suggested replacing the limestone element with an acorn for better recognition. She liked Concept Two's acorn motif.

Discussion Items

• Aldermanic Report (Jim Zavist): Reported on meetings from June 24 and July 22. Key items: minor fence changes, supportive public comments on traffic on Ligate, positive financial update, oil spills at Mulberry Creek (being addressed), public safety board exploring options, and a new police department messaging system. A proposed golf cart ordinance was voted down due to need for more holistic discussion on mobility device regulations.
• Staff Report (Eilien Ramirez):
  • Community center construction: Foundation poured Friday; building shape visible at Whitecliff Park.
  • Quarry restaurant installed (300-ton building from Oregon) with electrical work pending St. Louis County approval; potable water needed for handwashing.
  • Back to Nature: Grass dying, expected to look rough for about 1.5 years.
  • Aquatic center: Adult-only swim test (12-2 PM) had 47 adults; successful but lazy river could not open simultaneously.
  • Citizens Academy on parks and rec scheduled for tomorrow.
  • Activity guide to be delivered by first week of September.
  • Spellman Park toddler playground open house held; online survey low response; proposal to be presented at September 9 Board of Aldermen meeting; funding workable.
  • Upcoming events: Doggy Dive (Sept 4), Touch a Truck (Sept 26) with sensory-friendly hour, Moana movie, Blues and Bruce Fest (Oct 11), Suncrest Fest (Oct 25) – volunteers needed.
• Capital Improvement List: Board reviewed the CIP list and identified projects for ranking. Key considerations: safety (Spellman Playground rusting), parking issues at Crestwood Park, Sappington House pond condition, Whitecliff Playground (deferred due to ongoing construction), and smaller items like benches. After discussion, the board ranked the top three priorities plus a fourth:
  1. Spellman Playground (No. 72) – replacement of main structure and surfacing (toddler playground already funded separately).
  2. Crestwood Park Parking Lot (No. 24) – reconfiguration to address congestion.
  3. Sappington House Pond (No. 94) – addressing poor pond condition.
  4. Addition of Benches along Crestwood Park Trail (No. 78) – smaller ticket item (<$20,000). Motion by Lisa Bozdeck, seconded by Zach Fiebig, passed unanimously.
• New Vice-Chair: Lisa Bozdeck was nominated and unanimously elected as Vice-Chair of the Park Board.
• Community Center Logo: AJ Naughton presented two concepts for "The Cliffs" community center logo. Concept One featured a house/tree structure with limestone strata; Concept Two was geometric with an acorn and "Est. 2026/2027" tagline. Board members expressed preference for Concept One but suggested replacing the limestone with an acorn and improving letter legibility. The recommendation will be taken back to staff for refinement.
• Part-Time Park Supervisor Position: Eilien Ramirez proposed hiring part-time staff (2-3 people) to patrol parks from 5-9 PM weekdays and 11 AM-9 PM weekends (March-October) at ~$18/hour, totaling ~$22,000 annually. Duties include checking pavilion rentals, enforcing park ordinances (dogs off-leash, driving on quarry trail), and deterring vandalism. Board members expressed strong support, noting potential for retirees or college students. No vote required; idea will be further developed.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved with amendment.
• Capital improvement ranking approved: #72 Spellman Playground, #24 Crestwood Parking Lot, #94 Sappington House Pond, #78 Benches (as 4th priority). To be forwarded to Board of Aldermen.
• Lisa Bozdeck elected Vice-Chair.
• Logo recommendation: Board preferred Concept One with modifications (acorn instead of limestone, lettering adjustment). Staff to refine.
• Part-time park supervisor idea received unanimous support; staff will proceed with developing the position.
• Next meeting: October 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Government Center Chambers.