No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-03 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes November 3, 2008 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:33 p.m. on November 3, 2008 in room 326 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Park and Recreation Advisory Board Members Colwell, Biendara, Waite, Hatfield, Jones, Meldrum, and Benson were present. Mauritson was absent. Parks and Recreation Staff members Edmonston, Humphry, Jumper, C. Jones, Thomas, and the audience were present. 1. Approval of October 6th, 2008 PRAB Meeting Minutes PRAB Motion: Hatfield motioned to accept the minutes as written, and Waite seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote. 2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report: Walt Filers, Board of Directors Filers talked about several items on the November monthly report. The winter hours are in effect now. All the gardens and other features in Phase IA are completed. More than 10,000 people visited the gardens this summer. The soft trail has been mowed and maintained throughout the summer. The membership committee is talking to the five area Chamber of Commerces and the Northwest Arkansas Council to identify prospective business and industry members to invite them to join BGSO. 3. Naming of Fairlane Park Land: Carole Jones, Park Planner The following suggestions were submitted to the Parks and Recreation Division as possible names for the park land: Jaguar Park (former Jefferson Elementary School mascot); Jefferson Park; Heritage Park; and Flyover Park. According to the Facility Naming Policy, the item was tabled from last month's PRAB meeting in order to allow for public input. At the October PRAB meeting, PRAB requested that additional names be submitted during the one month input period. Staff requested for the Historical Society to review this area for any historical information about the area; however, no significant information was found. Walt Eilers suggested naming the park after Dr. James Mashburn, a booster of Jefferson Elementary throughout his life. Staff is currently obtaining information for this park naming request. Staff Recommendation: The Parks and Recreation Staff recommend tabling this item for one additional month. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to accept the Staff recommendation, and Hatfield seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote. 4. Request to Name the Creek at Gulley Park: Wade Colwell, PRAB Chairman Wade Colwell recommended naming the creek that passes through Gulley Park as Gulley Creek. GIS Division confirmed that the creek was an unnamed tributary of Mud Creek, and therefore could be named. If this name is approved, Staff will request the name change through the local USGS Office. Staff Recommendation: The Parks and Recreation Staff recommend naming the creek in Gulley Park as Gulley Creek. Edmonston said that the only family around she knew connected to the name is Terry Gulley's family and they are fine with naming the creek Gulley Creek. PRAB Motion: P. Jones motioned to accept Staff recommendation, and Biendara seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote. 5. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Edmonston said Southpass will go to the City Council Thursday night. Jumper gave a brief review of the history of Southpass with a PowerPoint presentation. The total cost of the project will be approximately 26 million with the cost share. The previous estimates did not include the infrastructure for streets and utilities. There are five phases. Phase A will be the Great Lawn and soccer fields. Phase B will be youth softball fields. Phase C will be the multipurpose fields and the large amphitheater. Phase D will be the tennis courts and dog park. Phase E will be the small amphitheater. Colwell wanted to know how the eight soccer fields compare to the Lewis soccer fields. Edmonston said there are four full size and one smaller field at Lewis. At Southpass, the Great Lawn could be used as soccer fields during tournaments if necessary. Hatfield wanted to know why the Great Lawn will be the first thing developed in the project instead of something else. 2 Jumper said that the Great Lawn was the main entry to the park. That needs to be taken care of first. Colwell said the City Council needs to know how much time was spent finding this spot. "It's very accessible to the interstate, and is a great location. This needs to be pointed out to the aldermen." Edmonston said a strong effort has been made to do just that. Biendara commented that at first, people seemed to be all for the park. Now, it's so political. Edmonston said she thinks a lot of people have given up on it. Jumper then discussed some of the costs for Southpass. Edmonston said the City will go nationwide for donations for this regional park. Private donations, sales tax bonds, grants and other monetary revenues will be considered. Meldrum asked if there would be any road improvements outside the park that we will be cost sharing. Jumper said the main road and the perimeter will have parking. Biendara said she thought that there was some parking in the middle of the park. Jumper said that will be a possibility. Colwell asked what type of soil there was for the playing fields. Humphry said he wasn't sure what type of soil was out there. Phase A has flat land and possibly deep topsoil. Colwell wanted to know how much soil was needed for the soccer fields. Humphry said at least six inches. Edmonston said this was an exciting time for the City. Colwell said the accessibility is great at that property. Edmonston said the amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. will be phenomenal. Waite said a tour of the future park area would be good. Edmonston asked if a time should be scheduled. It will have to be arranged with the owner. Biendara would like an afternoon around 4 p.m. Meldrum said he would need to see the date choices, but would be flexible. Edmonston said some dates to choose from would be emailed soon to everyone. 6. Other Business: Colwell said that Matt Owens is working on his Eagle Scout project at Sequoyah. Anyone that is interested in helping can come at 8 a.m. next Saturday morning. November 14`h and 15`h is a joint Boy Scout camping trip and building a trail. Waite said the Scull Creek grand opening was great. Edmonston said Parks and the University of Arkansas is working on an educational film for trail etiquette and safety. 7. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas. 11