PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
7:00 p.m.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present
Committee Members John Dupont, Woody Woodburn, Jean Midthun, Charty Oliver, Jennifer Young, Council Liaison Jon Monson, Staff Dana Young
Members Absent
Barbara Nye
September 3, 2003 Minutes
The Committee approved the September 3, 2003 minutes on a motion by Charty Oliver, seconded by
John Dupont. Motion declared carried.
Ballfield Improvements
John Flynn, 19200 Cedarhurst, was present to discuss the need to upgrade the three City ballfields at Thorpe Park and Village Park. He stated that infield dirt at the south field at Thorpe is like sand and when it gets wet it turns into quicksand. He stated that the kids make the best of the poor infield. He stated that the north field at Thorpe has some substantial drainage problems especially by 1st base. He stated that the ballfield at Village Park is somewhat better because the entire infield is dirt. He stated that he has obtained a quote from Castlerock in the amount of $4,500 to repair the three ballfields but stated that the project could also be undertaken by the City’s public works crew. He added that the fields do need more on-going maintenance than they are currently receiving such as dragging the infield and mowing more frequently. He stated that the perhaps the City wanted to consider providing additional training to the crew on how to properly maintain a ballfield.
Jennifer Young questioned the cost of the project since the ballfields were only used as practice fields and stated that there are other programs, such as soccer, that don’t receive any attention or funding from the City. She asked Dana Young how much the City had contributed to Bennett Park. Dana Young stated that the City donated $10,000 to Bennett Park in 2001 and 2002.
Woody Woodburn stated that the Committee should evaluate all recreational activities that are provided within the city.
Jon Monson thanked Mr. Flynn for his concern and stated that he has played at the Village Park ballfield and also felt that the field was in rough condition. He stated that the City needs to be more proactive in maintaining its recreational facilities and felt that it would be appropriate to hire Castlerock to improve all three ballfields.
John Flynn also suggested that some improvements were also needed at the Thorpe and Village Hall hockey rinks. He stated that rubber mats should be provided for skaters walking between the warming house and rink, the entranceways should be relocated to the side of the rink and away from rear of the rink and its close proximity to the hockey goals, and install backstop screens behind the goals. He stated that these improvements would help to prevent any injuries to skaters walking to the rinks from the warming house.
The Committee thanked Mr. Flynn for his input and decided to include Mr. Flynn’s recommendations under discussion of the 2004 Park Improvement Budget.
Council Liaison Jon Monson stated that he has to leave the meeting and that Councilmember Middleton, who was also in attendance, will cover for him the remainder of the meeting. He also stated that he would like the Committee to review sign standards at a future meeting. Jon Monson exits at 8:10 p.m.
2004 Park Improvement Fund Budget
The Committee recommended a 2004 Park Improvement Fund Budget in the amount of $74,500 on a motion by Jennifer Young, seconded by John Dupont. Motion declared carried.
A summary of the 2004 Park Improvement Fund Budget as recommended by the Park Committee is as follows:
|
Projects |
Cost |
|
Roll-in Dock at Linwood Beach |
3,000 |
|
(2) Bike racks and a swing set at the Main Beach |
1,000 |
|
Repair East Side Tennis Courts at Thorpe Park |
50,000 |
|
Ballfield Improvements |
4,500 |
|
Amesbury Park Improvements |
5,000 |
|
Hockey Rink Improvements |
4,500 |
|
Repair Brick Erosion Problem at Children’s Park |
2,000 |
|
Soccer Goals |
4,500 |
|
Total 2004 Project Cost |
74,500 |
Tree Dedication Plan
Dana Young stated that he has been contacted by a couple of individuals over the last few weeks with a request to plant trees at Thorpe Park and Village Park. He stated he was unable to give either individual permission because it appears that most parks already contain a sufficient number of trees. However, he recommended that if the Park Committee would like to take advantage of these offers, a Tree Dedication Plan should be developed for each park. It was generally agreed that the Committee should develop a list of recommended trees and approved locations for each park.
Committee Oversight on Park Property
Dana Young stated that Woody Woodburn had come up with a suggestion at the last meeting to assign each Committee member with the responsibility to monitor one or several parks in order to provide better oversight on maintenance issues and recommendations on the need to upgrade facilities and equipment. The Committee felt that this was an excellent suggestion and the following assignments were given:
Cottagewood Children’s Park - Jean
Midthun
Schuck Park - Jennifer Young
Thorpe Park - Charty Oliver, Jean Midthun, Woody
Woodburn
Village Hall Park - Woody
Woodburn
Burton Park - Woody Woodburn
Cleveland Park -
Northome Trail - Charty Oliver
Pump Park -
Linwood Beach - John Dupont
Sandy Beach - John Dupont
Rocky Beach - Jennifer Young
Robinson’s Bay Beach - John
Dupont
Nocomo Beach - Woody Woodburn
Deephaven Main Beach -
New Membership
Discussion was held on the need to submit recommendations to the City Council on three new members to fill vacant Committee seats. The Committee requested that information be sent to each member next week on those residents that have volunteered to serve on the Park Committee. This will help to facilitate discussion at the December 3rd meeting on the appointment of new members.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by John Dupont, seconded by Woody Woodburn. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. The next meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd.