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Home My WebLink About1983-07-26 - Minutesr _(1 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER if 72702 (501) 521-7700 PRAB July 26, 1983 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board came to order at 4:10 pm. MINUTES: Minutes were approved as mailed. BUSINESS: 1. Park Proposal: Kirby Estes from the City Entrance Committee informed the PRAB of a City -University effort for a park located on Highway 62 West by Bates Park and the Car Wash. The property is owned by the University and the University is interested in the City upgrading that area. The area contains 2 acres and Mr. Estes proposed that a parking lot, play areas, pond, basketball court, and a bicycle -jogging course be developed. Mrs. Estes said that Mr. Grimes committed plantings in that area as part of the Clean Committee Fund. This project would have to be approved by the Campus Committee Planning Session. PRAB discussed that there is Bates Park, the Youth Center, and Finger Park to serve that area. They were concerned also about the maintenance of the area and questioned whether that is a priority area in existance with what the Department already provided. Mr. Estes remarked that he is working with the City and University and feels that the Physical Plant might be able to do some of the work. PRAB feels that they need to determine who would have the major responsibility of the park since it is the property of the University with the City placing money into the park. The University stated that they liked the idea but could not put any funds into it. PRAB's response was "Until we know what the University's stand is, we cannot make our approval. However, the concept is consistant with our interest in providing neighborhood parks; whether we concur with every idea, we would have to weigh it with our other projects. One of our challenges this year is to beautify our parks. We have other pieces of City property that might be converted to _neighborhood parks, but don't have the money to develop and maintain the park." Mr. Estes is to determine what the University will do. If the park is declared the major responsibility to the City the Parks Board felt they should be involved with the planning, but if the Park is the FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS F. D. DRAWER F PRAB Page 2 July 26, 1983 72702 (501) 521-7700 University's with the City placing some money in it, the Board felt that they should not be involved. Further Discussion: - 1250 feet is not long enough for a jogging course nor a bicycle path. It could only be used for a pre-school tricycle path. - There is not that many people in the housing development in that area outside of Carlson Terrace and what is separated by the Highway. - The high density traffic in that area will have a bad effect on the park. - This would be a lower priority on our list compared with other projects - Would rather spend money to improve Bates and Finger Park. - We already have comparable facilities in that area. Only plus is that it abides by our concept. -'This.would be a neighborhood park the University would develop for Carlson Terrace. - "We support the University developing and maintaining that park for the city." - Serious concern on the maintaining of the park and the Department currently does not have the capacity to maintain it. - Dale Clark stated that he was concerned with putting any of his budget into building the park. 2. Walker Park North: Bill Waite reported that there is one more level of approval from the Naval Reserve concerning the parking lot/basketball court at Walker Park North. • HCRS Funds have been extended until July 31, 1983 for the ground work at Walker Park North. Bill Waite said that it looked as though they were finished with the work. A meeting is set with Tom Beverly for professional planning in the development of the play/picnic areas in Walker Park North and Finger Park. 3. Parking Lot Layouts at Finger Park and.Waikei Park North: Dale Ciark reported that he met with Sandra Carlise and the Engineers concerning the layout of the parking lots/ basketball courts at both Finger Park and Walker Park North. fr FA.YETTrrIL,L,E, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER F PRAB Page 3 July 26, 1983 72702 (601) 6214700 3. Asbell Development: Dale Clark reported that the County has finished the ground leveling work for the softball and soccer fields at Asbell Park. The maintenance crew have disced, leveled and sowed grass on the fields. He also stated that the ground work did not solve the drainage problem on the northwest side (north of the gym). Underground piping needs to be installed to take the water on out to Sang Avenue, which will be expensive. Dale Clark stated that he is moving on items for the renovation of Asbell Gym with purchase orders and is also working on the specs for the bid items. In one week to ten days he hopes to start some of the work. The School has no problems with the renovation after school starts. 4 Lake Wilson: Dale Clark reported that Don Bunn will be ready to drain the Lake in September or October. 5. City Park: The Art Mural of the whale has been completed. Connie Edmonston gave the enclosed report of the City Pool. She stated that the attendance of the pool and swimming lessons has increased tremendously. One day the attendance reached 653. Parking is still a problem. The City is working on asphalting the parking lot. 6. Lake Fayetteville Water Quality Meeting Report: David Lashley highlighted the meeting concerning the water quality of Lake Fayetteville held last meeting on July 12. The forum concluded that the department needs to beaware and to watch the Lake, that there is no current serious problem. 7. Rotary Club Project: David Lashley stated that the Rotary Club is looking for a project to do in the parks. PRAB made the following list of possible projects for the Club: money for a boat at Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center; scoreboards at Asbell (2), Wilson Park, and Babe Ruth Ballfields; pavilion at Wilson Park, bridge at Wilson Park, "adopt a park program", jogging trail. Mr. Lashley will present the above projects to the Rotary Club. i PAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. D. DRAWER F PRAB Page 3 July 26, 1983 72702 (501) 521•nW 8. American Legion Ballfield: David Lashley reported that nothing has been done on an agreement concerning the ballfield at American Legion. The Board feels that the field does need lights and that they have an obligation to provide adequate facilities for that age group of youth as they do for the other ages. 9. City Swimming Pool Closing Date: PRAB decided to keep the City Swimming Pool opened until at least Labor Day, September 5th. It will be opened on weekends and after school hours. MEETING ADJOURNED: 6 pm NEXT PRAB MEETING: Tuesday, August 9 at 4 pm, Continuing Education Building. IN ATTENDANCE: Dale Clark, David Lashley, Bill Waite, George Knight, Rodney Ryan, Charlie Sego, Kirby Estes, Connie Edmonston Respectfully submitted, Connie Edmonston Administrative Assistant