Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 06/24/1998Call Meeting to Order: The Regular meeting was called to order by President Marilyn Barnes at 6:30 p.m. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the Regular meeting of May 20, 1998 were unanimously (6-0) approved on a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Lance Freeman. Note: Jessica MacMillan and Rebecca Chavez joined the Board after the minutes were approved. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda Items of Note: Board Member Dean Hoag called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. Five Year Trail Master Plan Park Planning Manager Wally Piccone and Park Planning Civil Engineer Craig Foreman gave the Board an update on the five-year trail master plan. Del Price questioned why we are widening the trails from eight feet to 10 feet? Craig responded that most cities of our size are converting to 10 foot wide trails because of safety purposes. He added that the feedback of the 10 foot wide trails has been very positive among users who tell us the extra width is definitely a comfort level. He added that 40 percent of the trail users are roller bladers and bicyclists. Del thinks we could have concerns with the 10 foot wide trail because of the extra width through Cathy Fromme Prairie. He questioned how much more criticism will we receive by placing a 10 foot wide concrete trail through this area? He also questioned if we could use some other material than concrete. Diane Thies said that we need to consider the accessibility for all. Craig replied that when it is 10 feet wide people will stay on the trail and there are rattle snakes in that area and the Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 24, 1998 Page 2 on each side of the trail. He further explained that with the population growth in Fort Collins, the wider width of concrete trails is best for safety purposes. Craig reviewed the five-year plan as follows: Trail Asphalt to Concrete Conversion: 1. Centre Avenue Road Project will be completed in 1999. 2. Spring Creek TraillCottonwood Glen --The plan is to align the trail away from the trees and Spring Creek. 3. Poudre River Trail west of College Avenue to Taft Hill Road -- Safety concerns in this area as the asphalt trail has out lived its expected life. We are trying to convince landowners to give up a few feet of land to move the trail away from the river. 4. Poudre River Trail at Kingfisher Point Natural Areas (Timberline Road extension) as plans for the site area are developed, the trail will be aligned. 5. Poudre River Trial at Link `N Greens Golf Course Redevelopment --- would like to work with the owner to move the trail away from the river a few feet if possible. New Trail Construction: 1. Fossil Creek Trail west of Taft Hill Road. Observation area by Shields will be completed in July and then the trail will be opened at the dedication of the observation and the trail opening. Jessica asked if we ever had a grand opening to invite the public to a trail dedication? Craig said on National Trails Day we could celebrate the Spring Creek Trail. 2. Union Pacific Railroad Trail, Cdora Park to Drake Road -- Easements have been received from the railroad and GOCO money will be used to start the trail. 3. Union Pacific Railroad Trail, Drake Road south -- This will serve as a north/south trail connection to Harmony Road along the utility line. This could then be connected to the regional trail to Loveland (Boyd Lake). 4. Laporte Trail Connection -- Right-of-way along the rail line west of Taft Hill is still being pursued by staff. 5. Spring Creek Trail at Taft Hill Road Underpass --Capital money will be used to improve the road. A trail with an underpass will be included in the road and stormwater improvements. H„_ila n _ cr..r... -1 A,;A . ;II .-,,,Ioro I. rl r f;..,o !'1(101 A Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 24, 1998 Page 3 6. Poudre Trail at Lemay -- Rebuild steep grades to a 5% grade for full accessibility. 7. Fossil Creek west of College -- Red -tail Hawk has been nesting in the area. The trail will go under the railroad and build the trail in the area where the nesting hawk won't be disturbed. Staff is working with developers in the area to minimize the trail placements impact on the hawk nest site. 8. Fossil Creek east of College (where Fossil Creek Drive ends). The trail construction will be timed so that when Fossil Creek Community Park is constructed, the trail is built at the same time. 9. Regional Trail Connection to Boyd Lake at the intersection of Lemay and County Road 32 -- The box is in place for the trail to go under the road at County Road #32 at Stanton Creek. Loveland has ISTEA money that has to be used prior to the end of 1999, however the County's trail right -of -way plans are unknown at this time. Our connection plans are varied at this time. Staff is studying whether to follow the power lines or along Stanton Creek or the sidewalks along Lemay. 10. Regional Trail to Timnath -- This is in the three- to five-year plan with the regional capital money. 11. Northeast Trails -- This will be the next area of growth in the city -- difficult area to place trail because there isn't any water focus as we have built along the Poudre River, Spring Creek, and Fossil Creek water areas. 12. Canal and Railroad Trail Evaluation -- Staff is preparing a feasibility trail study to determine if there are areas that would provide a recreational linkage. Update Community Horticulture Center Tim Buchanan gave the Board an update on the project. He said that at the Study Session we didn't hear a unanimous response from the Council for location. Some Council members spoke about possible purchases along North College Avenue for beautification of the north area; concerns about fencing around the Horticulture Center at Martinez; and direction to keep looking. Also, heard ideas for the Horticulture Center to be built next to the library or the recreation center. We didn't receive favorable comments for the sites presented by CSU. However, they are in favor of a cooperative agreement with CSU. September 8 has been scheduled for the Study Session with Council to revisit the Horticulture Center. Tim and Jim Clark have looked at property along North College Avenue. CSURF owns Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 24, 1998 Page 4 some property on North College Avenue. Staff is working with Ron Mills from our Right -of -Way Department in the City to determine land value. We question if we modify the Martinez site would that be a good site? As far as the partnership with CSU, Tim and Jim met with the Department Head of CSU Horticulture Department. Their master garden program would be one partnership they would be interested in. They are very interested in the CSU site proposals and the Horticulture Center Committee will meet with them and discuss the possibilities. The proposed CSURF property behind the Holiday Inn would not be suitable since it is in the flood way and wouldn't be possible to build there. Other sites in this area.are being explored. Marilyn said that what bothers her is building on CSU property. She asked if they would be interesting in putting their property in a horticulture foundation. She said that Del Price met her at Lee Martinez and toured the property with her and she feels it is still the best site. Jackie Rael spoke with Dean Hoag, and he said that he is the President of the North College Avenue Merchants. At their meeting last week, they unanimously supported the Horticulture Center at Lee Martinez and they are sending a letter to the Council stating such. Front Range Community College Vice President Eric Reno said they might have some land at Front Range that they might be interested in donating for the Horticulture Center. Other Business • Marilyn Barnes expressed her congratulations to Rebecca Chavez and Diane Thies for their reappointment to the Board. • July --- Next month's meeting will be held at Gateway Park. We will meet at 281 North College Avenue at 5:00 p.m. and go to Gateway Park for a meeting and tour. Jackie will arrange for transportation and catering. • Mike met with Don Parrott, a consultant for Poudre Valley Hospital. Don is designing the south satellite center for outpatient surgery. Mike said that PVH owns a one square mile at Timberline and Harmony. In this complex, there will be a hotel, restaurants, and a health club center for rehabilitation and preventative health problems. Mike met with Don to discuss joint use of recreation facilities on the property. Diane Thies said PVH is trying to become a health system and they have purchased Mountain Crest. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 24, 1998 Page 5 Adjournment: On a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Rebecca Chavez, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. hackie Rael Administrative Aide Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Marilyn Barnes Tim Buchanan Rebecca Chavez Craig Foreman Lance Freeman Wally Piccone Jessica MacMillan Mike Powers Mary Ness Jackie Rael Del Price Diane Thies Paul Van Valkenburg