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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 - Parks And Recreation Board - Annual ReportPARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2006 ANNUAL REPORT The City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held 8 Regular Meetings in 2006. Board Members were Mary Carlson, Ann Hunt, Cathy Kipp, Mark Lueker, Jessica MacMillian, Greg Miller, Michael Chalona, Walt Peeples, and Jon Sinclair. Annually in February the Board elects its officers, and Jessica MacMillian was elected as Board President, along with Greg Miller elected as Board Vice President. Board Members, Jessica MacMillian, Michael Chalona and John Sinclair's terms expired on December 31, 2006. Jessica and Michael were reappointed. Jon chose not to reapply and William Pickering was appointed to the Board in January. Kelly Ohlson served as City Council Liaison to the Board in 2006. Marty Heffernan, Executive Director of Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services, served as Staff Liaison to the Board, with Dawn Worth, Administrative Aide, providing staff support to the Board. 2006 Budeet Marty kept the Board updated on the budget issues the City continued to face in 2006. Since Sales Tax revenues remained flat the City had to come up ways to reduce expenses and/or increase revenue. Many departments were asked to make reductions. The Parks and Recreation Board recommended to Council that they adopt a Park Maintenance fee to help with the issues the Parks division is continuing to face. The fee was not adopted due to the Library District passing. Council felt that it wasn't a good time to implement such a fee since formation of the Library District provides money back to the General Fund. Building Community Choices (BCCI Projects The Board supported the use of the last of the Building Community Choices money for sidewalk improvements at Edora, Rolland Moore, City Park and Lee Martinez. Children's Garden Completed construction of the $500,000 Children's Garden and hosted two Grand Opening events, with more than 700 people attending. Northside Aztlan Community Center In July Recreation staff reviewed the design changes with the Board. The Board was concerned about the handicapped parking. In November Transportation Planning staff discussed the Willow Street Design options with the Board that are a part of the Downtown River District project. They said handicap spaces would be designated with any of the parking configurations on Willow Street which could be utilized by the NACC. In December a $30,000 grant was issued by the Bohemian Foundation on behalf of the Fort Collins Handball Association for 3 wall handball courts at the NACC. In 2006 work continued with the design/build team for the new facility which is scheduled to open summer, 2007. Parks and Recreation Policy Plan The existing Plan was written in 1988 and was updated in 1996. It is normally updated every ten years. The update is important because Fort Collins is maturing and the plan will need to include how parks, trails, recreation facilities and programs will develop over the next ten years. The new policy plan will include park planning & development, recreation, park maintenance, forestry and funding on both the capital and O&M side. The RFP process and interviews started in August and Green Play was the consultant hired. Green Play will be working with the Board and staff throughout 2007. Neighborhood and Community Parks • Case Park The contract went out to bid for the final construction phase of the park which will be completed in mid 2007. • Golden Meadows The City is working on a partnership with the Poudre School District to access water from the pond located at the park for irrigation. • Oak Street Plaza The park was reconstructed with new concrete and granite pavers, granite art sculptures, interactive water features, light fixtures and landscaping. The park was open to the public on August 18, 2006. • Provincetown Construction was scheduled to start in 2006-2007 however it was pushed back because of the BFO (Budgeting for Outcomes) process as funding to maintain the new park was not readily available. The design and public outreach process is scheduled to take place this winter and the park is scheduled to open in 2008. • Spring Canyon Community Park Throughout 2006 the Board was updated on the park design and construction. The bid was awarded to ECI in April and construction also started that month. The Board was concerned with the amount low bid exceeded the consultant's construction estimate. Some members wanted the project to be re -bid. After working through the issue with the Council liaison, the Council and City Manager gave direction to proceed without re -bidding. ACT (All Children Together) continued to successfully fundraise for the Inspiration Playground. The ground breaking ceremony took place on June 2nd and the park is scheduled to open in fall 2007. Trails Fossil Creek Trail Construction started in February on the trail underpass of Highway 287 at Fossil Creek. The underpass was completed in July. The new section of trail also ties to the Mason Street Corridor. The connection of the Fossil Creek Tail from west of the Taft Canyon Subdivision to Spring Canyon Community Park will be completed in 2007. Northeast Trails An underpass of County Road 52 was installed. The northeast trail system will connect south to the Poudre River Trail and east into the Old Town area. Power Trail The section from Horsetooth to Golden Meadows was completed.