The Live Oak Parks and Recreation Commission voted on Oct. 13 to install a memorial picnic site and plaque near the pool to honor the late Vice Chair Charice Smith.

The decision matters to residents and swim-team families because Smith served the city for decades and was active with the Live Oak Dolphins swim program; commissioners described her as a longtime volunteer whose work shaped pool programs.

Staff presented two options: a memorial bench with plaque or a picnic site with a covered table and plaque. Commissioners discussed both and expressed a preference for a picnic-sitting area where families could gather and read the plaque. One commissioner said a picnic site would give families “a space for people to come together,” and others noted Smith’s long involvement at the pool.

A motion was made to develop a picnic site memorial with a plaque. The motion was seconded, and the commission voted in favor. The staff member who presented the options said the memorial would be located in the park area near the pool under existing oak trees and that the memorial would recognize Smith’s service to the commission and youth swim programs.

Commissioners said Smith served more than 30 years with city programs; meeting materials included an obituary and a photo, which the chair had circulated. At least one commissioner noted the transcript and meeting remarks used alternate spellings and nicknames ("Sharice," "Sherry") when referring to the late vice chair; the commission recorded the name at the meeting as Charice Smith.

Less critical details: commissioners suggested the picnic site could include picnic tables and benches; staff will finalize location and design.