HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-06 - MinutesArkansas Parks and Tourism Outdoor Grants Program
Public Meeting Minutes
June 6, 2005
The public meeting to gain citizen recommendations on possible park projects to use
grant money convened at 5:00 P.M.
There were 12 citizens and one Parks Board Member present as well as the City of
Fayetteville Parks Staff which included David Wright, Connie Edmonston and Cheryl
Whillock. Monroe Harrison represented the Parks Board membership.
Connie Edmonston, Director Parks and Recreation, explained the grant request process
and this grant in particular. She emphasized the August 26 grant deadline and the
amount of information that will be gathered for the grant request. The purpose of the
meeting was to allow the public to give project requests for the grant application.
Scott Starr, Director of Operations for the Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks,
presented the possibility of a combined effort between the City's Parks Department and
the BGSO to utilize the grant in the completion of the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks.
He expressed the intent to build a high quality facility where all citizens of all ages,
abilities and nationalities will have the chance to enjoy the benefits of a horticultural
experience. Having visited with seniors, educators, and Hispanic community
representatives, he found all were interested in assisting in the creation of such a
facility.
To meet these goals of public use and enjoyment the structure needs to be finished
and the paving completed. The Garden will be connected to the existing trail system
and preservation of our natural resources through the reuse of rainwater runoff are
more objectives. Several gardens consisting of high-end horticulture, children's
garden, and sensory gardens to appeal to the special needs/handicap person will be
installed.
Mina Marsh, a teacher and interpretive naturalist, Gail Pianalto, a board member of the
BGSO and Dalinda Galaviz of the NWA Hispanic Advisory Council spoke supporting the
cooperative effort between the City of Fayetteville and The Botanical Garden Society of
the Ozarks toward applying for the grant.
There were no other comments so Connie Edmonston closed the meeting by thanking
the attendees and presenters for participating in the decision making process.
Minutes submitted by Parks and Recreation Secretary, Cheryl Whillock
