Milton’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will meet Thursday to discuss the future of Legacy Park and Freedom Park, as well as proposals for new programs aimed at the young and not-so-young.

The April 16 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers. Anyone can attend in-person or watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C2atAgp28c. 

Also referred to as PRAB, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is a seven-member committee appointed by Milton’s Mayor and City Council. Its members share opinions, expertise, and insights on topics ranging from recreational programs to park facilities to related policies. 

Thursday’s meeting will begin, as is customary, with committee reports on Milton Parks and Recreation-affiliated programs. These include updates on athletics (like lacrosse, football, basketball, and the Milton Mustangs swim team), summer camps, as well as arts, adults, and outdoor recreation programming. 

PRAB will roll into consideration of two possible new recreational programs. 

One such partnership is with the The Little Sober Bar to provide classes and tastings tied to non-alcoholic beverages, a.k.a. mocktails. 

Then the committee will take up a proposal for instructors from Safety Penn Training to lead swim lessons at the City Pool in Milton City Park and Preserve. 

Members next will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on a policy that specifies standards and requirements to be met by Parks and Recreation program providers. These endeavor to ensure alignment with the City’s values, outline prohibited items and actions, promote optimal safety, and generally aim to provide high-quality, high-impact programs. 

A second draft policy that PRAB will take up on Thursday relates to the refund and credit policy for City-affiliated programs, rentals, facilities, and other transactions. 

Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen then will talk about the future of Freedom Park in Deerfield. Earlier this week, McKlveen got general direction from City Council to explore ways to reimagine and reinvigorate this 1-acre space with intentionality, such as improvements showcasing the service and courage of U.S. military servicemembers and creating usable, exceptional spaces. He mentioned that PRAB is high among those groups that will be consulted with before anything is designed, much less constructed. 

Any improvements at Freedom Park will not happen for some time. Much more imminent are positive changes at Legacy Park, which PRAB will hear about Thursday. These will focus on improving the size and flow of the parking area for this athletic facility off Cox Road. 

The PRAB meeting will conclude with a preview of two events at City parks scheduled for Saturday. From 9 a.m. to noon, the Trail Grand Opening at Milton City Park and Preserve will include a trail mix hike, wildflower seedling giveaways, Earth-themed arts and crafts, and more. Meet the Neighbors – the City’s horse-themed, family-friendly event – will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the City’s 21-acre Freemanville-Birmingham greenspace. 

Following Thursday’s meeting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is next scheduled to convene on May 21.