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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 07/25/2007Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 25, 2007 Page 1 Call Meeting to Order: Michael Chalona called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. Agenda Review: No changes to the Agenda as printed Items of Note: None Citizen Participation: A group of avid disc golf players attended the meeting to discuss the courses in the Fort Collins area. They informed the Board that disc golf started in 1975 and the game has increased greatly since then. They presented a slide show which included a graph that showed the increase of the game as well as the number of courses per population. The group went to Edora Park to calculate the number of players from June 21-24. They determined that was an average of 16.5 players per day. They also found that there were individuals from out of state. They felt that the average would have been larger; however the weather was extremely hot and there was an event at Epic as well as Brew Feast. They spoke to Dawna Gorkowski in the Parks Division and she the City's cost is around $1,400 per year to maintain the course at Epic. The group feels it could be beneficial if the City would build another 18-hole course. Jessica asked if they could use the course at CSU and they informed the Board that the course is not usable because there was damage being done to the buildings. During their presentation they pointed out the different age groups that the game attracts. They said that during their survey the ages ranged from 5 to 72 years of age. They also pointed the congestion while people are trying to tee -off. One of the members of the group suggested that the City find land for a new course before it's all consumed. J.R. complemented them on their presentation and explained that when the course was built at Edora we didn't think the game would be so popular. He said that there has been some wear and tear to the park due to the course. The group informed the Board that there are other 9-hole courses in the area, including one at Boltz, however the one at Boltz is not available at all times since it's located at a school. They stated that there are different types of disc golf courses just like there are different types of regular golf courses and at one time Edora was considered a championship course at that is no longer the case. They group explained that those individuals who travel here aren't likely going to go to a school to play. Jessica asked what it was that makes Edora so attractive and the group members stated that the park has a great atmosphere. Jessica asked how many acres it takes to make a course and they responded by saying it's about one acre per hole. Ann asked what the impact is on the other users in the park. J.R. stated that there have been complaints from families. They are concerned about the lack of control of the disc, but there haven't been any major issues. Craig said that individuals have been hit so they moved the holes. Craig said that they weren't prepared for the growth of the game at Edora. One member of the group said that he spoke to an individual who found a disc in Minnesota that had a list of their favorite courses and Fort Collins was on the top 5. Jessica asked if there was space at Fossil Creek Park and Craig said it would take up too many acres. The group said that they Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 25, 2007 Page 2 wouldn't even mind having land with rough terrain. Jessica asked if Soap Stone was an option and Craig said that was considered open lands. The group said that there was discussion about putting a course at Lee Martinez but it is too close to the river. Craig said that this is good time discuss this because were implementing the policy plan. Jessica suggested that they approach the surrounding areas and they said that they said they have but they would prefer to have something in Fort Collins. Kathy brought up the BMX section at Edora and Craig said that they have considered taking that out and possibly moving it to Spring Canyon to make the park less congested. Cathy said that it's such a good location since its central. Mary said that she is concerned with individuals leaving their dogs off their leash. The group said that there are individuals that do that but they feel the percentage is small and there are others that don't play that do that as well. Cathy asked if they could put something in adjacent to the trails and Craig said that he doesn't feel it would fit. They group said that they are concerned with some additional changes being made by taking out some of the best holes at Edora and they asked that staff reconsider. The group stated that the more use and congestion at Edora increases the risk of injury. Mary asked if they felt the course should just be redesigned. Craig said that they are looking at options and we have to consider what works for everyone. Cathy asked how disc golf rated on Green Plays survey and Craig said that he wasn't really sure but he didn't feel it was very high but he reminded the Board that the survey was sent out randomly. The Board then thanked the group for coming. Approval of Minutes: Approval of Minutes On a motion made by Jessica seconded by Cathy the Board approved the June 20, 2007 Minutes: (7:0) BFO Discussion Craig informed the Board that the final offers have been given to the results teams but Dawna Gorkowski from the Parks Division told Craig that they didn't have any information to give out yet. Michael asked if Craig had any idea if we had anything below the line. J.R. said that it doesn't appear there will be any enhancement money. He said that he did find out that we have received money from an outside source for the fireworks which will help us. Cathy asked J.R to clarify what he meant by enhancement and he said that it means to get back to where we were or to make things better. He said that we would like to make sidewalk enhancements in the downtown area, like cleaning the cigarette butts. Cathy asked if the business owners help clean up and Jessica said that she is aware that some do. J.R. said that the DDA, DBA and POTTS are all interested in being a part of this so we would like to partner with them. He also said that we would like to do some more planting in the area. J.R. informed the Board that we have received bids for the lighting in the down town area. The bids include the installation and removal as well as storing the lights. He said that they have asked Utilities to let them know if they could install and store them in order to possibly save some money. He said that the DDA is interested in the lighting so a portion, if not all of it, may come from them. J.R reminded them that the Gardens on Spring Creek is below the line and we are working towards changing that. He has directed them to be open on Sundays to increase revenue. Ann asked about them having programs there and J.R. said that they have bike and jazz night taking place through the summer. Cathy asked about the farm charging a fee and J.R. said that they would like to do that at the Gardens but the product isn't there yet. Mark asked if they were trying to develop something similar to the Denver Botanical Gardens and J.R. said that it would be nice to be at that pint someday. He said that they would also like to have weddings there. Mark suggested that they hold outdoor plays there. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 25, 2007 Page 3 Policv Plan Update Craig reminded the Board that the findings portion of the policy has been completed and they are working on guidelines. Craig then briefly went over GRASP analysis to make sure the Board had a better understanding of the concept. Craig said that they are taking the plan to the August 28ffi Work Session. Jessica asked if the P&R Board should attend the meeting. Michael was concerned that we may have to post it as a public meeting if there's a quorum. Craig said that the Board could attend if they would like and he would get back to them about it needing to be posted. Proiect Updates Spring Canyon Craig introduced Kelly, the Park Planning intern. Kelly then gave a slide presentation of the Spring Canyon Park site. She showed the giant and explained his features. Cathy asked if they were watering the grass and Kelly explained that they are watering to check for coverage. Jessica asked what the sign would look like and Kelly thought that it was going to be a large piece of sandstone. The grand opening is scheduled for October 270' at 10:00 a.m. Water Craft Course Craig said the location is by the old power plant and that they have hired McLaughlin as the consultant. The project should be constructed in 2008. Provincetown Park Craig said that Natural Resources have asked us to help them manage the reservoir. The Board will be informed of the public meeting dates. The opening is scheduled for 2008. Fossil Creek Trail Craig showed the location and said that we are in the preliminary design stage. NACC Ann asked when the center would be open and Craig said that it's scheduled to be open in November and they will have a small opening and are planning a large grand opening in December. Craig said that he would like the Board to tour the facility. Other Business Craig went to his office and looked at the rating for disc golf on Green Play's survey and he said that it rated at 36% for interest. He said that the interest at Edora will still be there since it's a convenient location. Mark asked if the group was willing to raise money like the hand ball group for the NACC. J.R. said that they are willing to put fourth money to pay for the holes. Jessica asked if the tennis courts at Golden Meadows were going to be taken out. Craig said that is being considered because of the maintenance. Cathy said that her boys take lessons there and she is aware of other individuals that use the courts as well who are concerned. Jessica asked if they could form a partnership with the HOA and Cathy said that the area has an optional HOA. Ann asked what the maintenance was early and Craig said it is around $4,000-$5,000 a year. Jessica said that her HOA only pays $3,000 a year. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 25, 2007 Page 4 Board Member and Staff Comments None Correspondence None Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Worth Administrative Aide Board Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Michael Chalona, Ann Hunt, Cathy Kipp, Mark Lueker, Jessica MacMillan, Walt Peeples Staff: Craig Foreman, J.R. Schnelzer, Dawn Worth Guests: None