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Home My WebLink About1984-08-14 - MinutesThe Parks MINUTES: BUSINESS: PAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER F 72702 (501) 621.7700 PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENT PRAB August 14, 1984 and Recreation Advisory Board came to order at 4:05 pm. Minutes were approved as mailed with the addition of Frank Rackerby being present at the meeting. I. Lake Fayetteville Softball: Chuck Yarborough, District Softball Commissioner, attended the Parks Board meeting to express his concern to improve the Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex. He stated that if Fayetteville did have better facilities, they could host a national level softball tourney. ,Recommendations from Chuck Yarborough to the Parks Board were as follows concerning improvement of Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex: 1) Outfield fence perimeter extended from 4 feet to 8 feet high - The existing height has caused some injuries. 2) Redue duouts on Field #1. 3) Warning strips made of sand or wood chips around the outfield fence. 4) Irrigate the softball fields from the Lake. Will need a small pump. 5) Reset the lights on Fields #2 and #3. They shine in the players eyes on Field #1. 6) Need tops on the bleachers for safety and to block the sun from the spectators. One city used a tennis screen draped from the backstop to post behind the bleachers. 7) Upgrade parking on the west side of the fields. Need a culvert for an entryway. 8) Separate the concession and restrooms within the same building. Make the building into concession stand only and build the restrooms as a separate building. FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. D. DRAWER F PRAB Page 2 August 14, 1984 72702 (501) 521-7700 Lake Fayetteville Softball (continued): 9) Need to relocate the scoreboards at each field. 10) Establish a warmup area. 11) Raise the left field fences of Field #2 & #3. PRAB discussed that they need to look into the tournament policies. The Personnel and Recreation Committee was appointed to do so. Connie Edmonston presented results of the survey she administered to the teams at Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex attending the State E Tournament. See enclosed survey results. Her survey concluded that the total cost of food and lodging for forty-five out of town teams spent here in Fayetteville was $78,930. This figure did not take into account the money spent in Fayetteville on gas, liquor, recreation and other merchandise during the team's three day weekend. Edmonston will administer the survey again on the 17, 18 and 19th of August when Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex host the Regional Class D Slowpitch Softball Tournament. Forty-three teams will be attending from Louisiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi and six teams from Arkansas. PRAB expressed their concern that Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex definitely needs to be improved. II. Wilson Park Parking Lot #1: Horticulturist, Patti Reid, presented a•proposed parking lot for Wilson Park to the Parks Board for their approval. The parking lot will hold forty-two cars, four handicap spaces, and bicycle and motorcycle parking spaces. The parking lot was designed in view of the Master Plan of Al Einert; saving as many trees as possible; buffering the parking lot from the view of the neighborhood ; serving the ballfield, swimming pool overflow, and tennis participants; and to make the parking lot as attractive as possible. Reid recommended that the lot should be start on the same level of ground as the ballfield bleachers. PRAB stated that the engineer and contractor should work closely with the Park Department in building the parking lot. Reid said that the pine tree on the end will have to be dug up and also the wild cherry close by will be eliminated. She is still trying to preserve the bauld cypress. Einert stated that if the above trees are not eliminated, the people parking will kill them by digging up the roots as is currently the problem. PRAB wants to try to preserve the trees they FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER F PRAB Page 3 August 14, 1984 72702 (501) 621.7700 II. Wilson Park Parking Lot #1: (continued) have. The trees are currently taking a beating with the present parking in the park. MOTION: Ryan/Rackerby To approve the proposed parking lot for Wilson Park as presented by Patti Reid and for the proposed parking lot be presented for engineering bids. (Passed 4 - 0) III. Combs Park Preliminary Master Plan: Dr. Al Einert presented a preliminary master plan of Combs Park to the PRAB. Included in the plan are two parking lots, model airplane flying area, four regulation size soccer fields, four softball fields, hiking trail, fishing pier, and the possibility of the Park Maintenance Headquarters/Office in the old pump station building and the existing house. The area was developed to a minimum due to the area being in the flood plain. Dale Clark was to check about the lease of the Park. PRAB expressed that they need the input of the Model Airplane Club before the plans are approved. It is the intent of PRAB that the Parks Department will help the club in providing a road and parking lot to their area, and that the club will develop and maintain their own area. The Park Department would also help with mowing the area for the club. PRAB suggested that the location of the Model Airplane Course with the City Airport over the mountain needs to be investigated. Dr. Einert will meet with the Model Airplane Club to present the proposed plan and he will also visit with Dale Frederick from the Airport concerning the location of the Model Airplane Course. The plans will be discussed again at the next PEAR meeting. See enclosed handout. IV. Strings & Things Fall Tennis Tournament Proposal: Matt Pope, from a tennis pro shop in town called Strings and Things requested to host a fall tennis tournament for adults on September 6 - 9; or on September 13 - 16. A $7.50 entry fee would be charged with the profit going to the Fayetteville Youth Center. PRAB discussed that the tournament could not be commercialized with the business names because it is not the policy of the Park Department. No advertising in the parks is allowed. If there is a need for more tournaments, the League Director should organize one and Mr. Pope may volunteer to help run the tournament. The request was denied by PRAB. FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER F PRAB Page 4 August 14, 1984 V. 72702 (501) 521-7700 Park land on Highway 45 and Joe Fred Starr Drive: The City is buying some acreage that has been condemned due to the sewage overflow problem that is located off of Highway 45 on the east side of Joe Free Starr Drive. The acreage contains a springfed pond. Connie Edmonston and Dale Clark drove out to the site and there is a housing addition and apparment complexes in the near proximity of the land. Root Park is reported as being overflowed with users in the area. PRAB is to visit the site and it will further be discussed at the next Board meeting. VI. Lake Wilson Dam Report: Dale Clark has visited with Mr. Grimes and Don Bunn concerning the dam problem at Lake Wilson, Jack Dick from Sportsco is to dive and inspect the dam so that the problem can be eliminated. VII. Request for Huntingdon Subdivision Neighborhood Park: Mr. Mike Corso of the Huntingdon Subdivision requested that a park be developed in the subdivision. He stated that Sweetbriar Park is too "tot" orientated to meet the needs of the older children. A wide open space is needed for their play. There are two lots located in the sub- division with a price of approximately $15,000 each that are available. PRAB suggested that the lots would be too small and too expensive, but they appreciate his concern and interest in providing parks to the citizens of Fayetteville. VIII. Arts and Crafts Program Proposal: Jim Glenn submitted a proposal for creating an arts and crafts teaching facility to PRAB. The proposal will be discussed at the next PRAB meeting. IX. State Parks and Recreation Annual Convention: Fayetteville will host the State Parks and Recreation Annual Convention held on September 16, 17, and 18 held at the Hilton, Continuing Education, and new HPER building at the University of Arkansas. A barbeque and tour of Fayetteville's parks will be held on Monday starting at Wilson Park. All PRAB members are encouraged to attend. X. Other Business: Dale Clark is attending a Parks and Recreation Maintenance School in Colorado this past week. FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER F Page 5 August 14, 1984 MEETING ADJOURNED: 6:40 pm 72702 (501) 521.7700 NEXT PRAB MEETING: Tuesday, August 28 at 4pm, City Hall Room 326. PRESENT: J.O. York, Chuck Yarborough, Al Respectfully submitted, onnie Edmon on Administrative Assistant David Lashley, Frank Rackerby, Rodney Ryan, Einert, Patti Reid, Connie Edmonston `1 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS P. 0. DRAWER F FAYETTEVILLE 72702 (501) 521-7700 • ''PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT State Softball Tournament SURVEY 1. How many players are attending the State Softball Tournament? 2. How many spectators came with your team? 3. How many miles did you travel to the tournament? 4. How many nights do you anticipate staying in Fayetteville? 5. Estimate cost of lodging for your team and spectators? 6. How many meals do you anticipate your team and spectators will eat in Fayetteville restaurants? 7 Estimate cost of your team and -spectatorb meals? 8 How do you rate Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex facilities? Check one of the below: _Excellent; Good; Average; 4 Needs improvements; Poor 9. Suggestions: The Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department hopes you will enjoy your visit in Fayetteville. Thank you for taking the time to participate in our survey. Good luck in the tournament!