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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 10/22/2003PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting —October 22, 2003 215 North Mason Community Room 530pm Council Liaison Bill Bertschy Staff Liaison Marty Heffernan224-6064 N President Paul Van ValkenburQ Phone 226 4700 (work) 689 5205 (cell) Call Meeting to Order President Paul Van Valkenburg called the meeting to order at 6 00 p in Inspiration Park Brownie McGraw and Bob Powell spoke to the Board about Inspiration Park The idea started in California to build a playground that is fully accessible by children with disabilities This is a project that the Mayor has asked Brownie and Bob to lead The developer of Rigden Faun, Bill Neal, has donated the land at Rigden Farm for the Inspiration Park, however there isn't a design yet They are working on a budget of $475,000 and they are going to raise the money through private donations Bob said the playground equipment would be designed for usage by kids of all capabilities Kids of any ability can go to the park and enjoy it Ann Hunt asked who is the designer of the eguipment9 Brownie said that the equipment is very unique and so far they have only found one supplier Ann asked what size park they are building? Brownie replied that the park will be approximately five acres Marty asked how much did they spend on the park in California? Bob said the California Inspiration group has raised money to build several parks in California from $300,000 to well over $1 million He explained that his group meets from 7 00 to 7 45 once a month at Brownie's house They would like a representative from the Parks and Recreation Board on their committee Greg Miller said that he would be interested in serving as the liaison from this Board Ann Hunt asked how does this fit into our maintenance if the private sector builds this9 Marty said that Council passed a resolution that if the private sector would build it, the City would maintain it if money was available to pay for the maintenance Marty said his hope is that Parks and Recreation will receive additional funding for maintenance if and when it is developed Bob said that was the committee's first question, and the Mayor assured the committee that it would be funded and maintained by the City Marty said that the City has funding to build the Southwest Community Park, the next 100-acre community park, but Council has expressed concern about the cost to maintain it This could be a competing park project for scarce maintenance funding Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 22 2003 Page #2 Del asked if what the group is doing is building a prototype, and if this turns out well, the hope is that the City will retrofit all our playgrounds Brownie and Bob said that is correct They are applying for grants, along with private fundraismg Paul asked if they have checked with Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Renee Lee for her input on what is needed9 They have not, but will consult Renee when they are ready to purchase equipment Marty said that we build accessible playgrounds now, but tins takes it to the next level Brownie asked if the committee could call on Parks and Recreation staff when it comes to design Marty said yes, it is imperative that our Parks and Recreation staff is included in the design Brownie said the committee would want the City's standards to be met when designing Marty agreed The Board then discussed the numerous advantages of building this playground in a new community park because restrooms, parking, utilities and other infrastructure would already be in place This would allow the donations to be used to build a great accessible playground Agenda Review No changes Items of Note Mary Carlson and Lance Freeman will not be able to make tonight's meeting Minutes On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Ann Hunt, the Board unanimously (6-0) approved the minutes of the October 1 meeting City Plan Marty reviewed the document that reflected what this Board expressed at their last meeting The riming on comments for input on tins document is that Council will be considering this at their next Study Session Therefore the Board will need to make their recommendation tonight Del said it doesn't address a basic issue we discussed "Appropriate Recreation Activity" needs to be further defined We need to have a Board position on this Paul said that every time we try to define the terms within the phrase, we get further into discussion and confusion The Board, at their last meeting said that we would work on it on a case by case basis Continued communication with the Natural Resources staff and the Board is imperative Park Planning should have input on the land acquisition Del said that before the "Natural Areas" definition is placed on the property, Parks and Recreation staff needs to review it for recreational opportunities Paul feels that the Natural Resources staff will give Parks and Recreation staff more involvement from a staff perspective Jessica said that John Stokes, Director of Natural Resources, is very open to our concerns After reviewing the plan and noting the changes, the Board on a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Del Price, voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend the changes shown on the City Plan update document and instructed staff to give these changes to Ken Waido, Advanced Planning, for the Council's review Recreational Use of Open Lands Marty said that we spoke at our last meeting about making a list of future recreation facilities the community needs Craig offered to use the list taken from the Board's minutes (8/2003) He will take that list add the best location, and the cost associated Staff will bring that list back to the Board for their review Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 22 2003 Page #3 Some of the facilities the Board discussed were Large dog park, north of town, on a 100 acre site, with fenced area, and a parking lot The dog park would also have capabilities to serve as a training facility for dogs A location for model planes would need approximately five acres, a sledding hill, a model rocket launching site, equestrian site, and cross country track, disc golf in the northeast community park Del suggested that we plan for a par three golf course He feels there is a need in our community for a par three Paul suggested working on an easement for winter balloon launching This could be property that we acquire an easement from a farmer and use only in the winter months Craig said when we are planning on these added amenities, we need to look at travel time Craig and his staff will take a look at the list the Board generated, review it, map it, and give that to the Board to review Jessica said that we can't be everything for everybody Do what we do well and continue it Del said that we need to continue working on the trail system and continue our efforts to have a larger trail system and focus on the land acquisitions on trail expansion Design a trail system that provides a loop around the City He thinks the northeast quadrant could be a great place for more trails Marty asked when do you want the staff to bring potential Natural Area acquisitions to the Boards Del said he likes the direction we are moving tonight Ideal situation is to give the Natural Areas staff a list and Park Planning staff will work with Natural Areas staff Marty said staff will develop a guide and will bring significant items to the Board Dean Hoag said when the properties are acquired, give the Board an idea of what recreational amenities our staff is recommending Ann said we need to be proactive Dean asked if the money going for the open space can be used for any of the recreational amenities? Marty said yes, but it is limited Del said we need to encourage the special interest groups to participate in areas that would be desirable and ask them what their needs are Southeast Trails Paul said that he was thinking about Harmony Road and the new high school What is proposed for trails in this area and his concern is bikes on the road Craig illustrated the bike lanes on streets and our connections as follows The Power Trail from Harmony to Horsetooth will be completed next year Harmony to Tnlby, should take approximately two years to complete In 2006, the trail will go under Trilby and back to College The Regional Trail will go to County Road 32 and south on the power line to Boyd Lake Greg asked what plans are there to join the trail with Wmdsor9 Craig said the trail will go under I-25 in approximately 2006 and extend as far as Timnath The City will build to the growth area boundary Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 22, 2003 Page #4 Other Business • The Board commended Craig and his staff for great job at Fossil Creek Community Park Paul Van Valkenburg turned in his letter of resignation from the Parks and Recreation Board He resigned his position as he and his wife are moving to Bomta Springs, Florida Jessica MacMillan will take Paul's position as President of the Parks and Recreation Board Jessica and the Board said that Paul will be greatly missed Adjournment The Board voted to adjourn at 8 35 p in flully subZA— Rael Executive Administrative Assistant Meetine Attendance Board Members Dean Hoag, Ann Hunt, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, and Jackie Rael Guests Brownie McGraw and Bob Powell