HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-02 - Minuteshl�;hry'�M1'�
FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes for May 2, 2011
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to
order by Jim Meinecke at 5:40 p.m. in Room 111 at the City Administration
Building at 113 West Mountain Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Present:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Watson, Hazelrigs, Waite,
Meldrum, and Meinecke were present. Bailey arrived later. Lindsey and
Thompson were absent. Staff members Edmonston, Humphry, Jumper,
Gipson, Howe and Thomas were in attendance.
1. Approval of April 4, 2011 PRAB Meeting Minutes:
PRAB Motion: Watson motioned to approve the minutes as written, and
Waite seconded it. Motion passed 5-0-0 by voice vote.
2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report: Michael Lindsey
Lindsey was not able to attend the meeting.
3. Urban Forestry Report: Greg Howe, Urban Forester
Howe presented an Urban Forestry report. He said that Urban Forestry is
the art, science and technology of sustained planned and managing trees,
green spaces, etc.
Meinecke asked if the 13,000 to 22,000 trees were street trees.
Howe said that they were potential trees that could be planted.
Waite wanted to know how the 27% tree canopy compared to other cities the
size of Fayetteville.
Howe said that east of the Mississippi the canopy percent is higher.
Fayetteville's percentage should be 35 to 40 percent.
Meldrum asked if the tree escrow fund is from development. Development
has stagnated.
Howe said that the largest portion of the tree escrow would be used by
2012.
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Meldrum said that it sound like it's moving forward.
Edmonston said that there are many small trees around Fayetteville that
have been planted.
Meinecke asked if trees could be planted in the highway right of way.
Howe said yes, but a highway permit would be needed.
4. April 2011 Flood Report: Byron Humphry, Maintenance
Superintendent
Humphry showed some storm event photos. The Frisco Trail damage has
been estimated at $200,000 to repair. At the Greathouse Park playground
the sand piled up. The Lake Fayetteville marina walkway was pulled away
from the concrete, and four boats capsized. The water was over the bridge at
Gulley Park. The Scull Creek tunnel was totally flooded. At the White River
baseball complex, a lot of debris piled up against the batting cage. Wilson
Park was flooded.
Meinecke asked if the project at Gulley Park held up.
Humphry said it held up pretty well.
Meldrum said that the crews did a phenomenal job cleaning up. One of the
trails he saw that had debris was cleaned up the next day.
Edmonston said that a shelter was opened up Monday through Wednesday
of that week.
5. Bryce Davis Park Expansion Update: Alison Jumper, Park
Planning Superintendent
Jumper said that at Bryce Davis Park, the second pavilion has been set. The
sidewalk is being completed. The last phase will be to add a parking lot.
6. Regional Park Update:
Edmonston said a new plan is being completed for the park and the
fundraising.
7. Other Business:
Meinecke said that he understands some people are unhappy about the Off
Road Cyclists working on some of the umpaved portions of the Lake
Fayetteville Trail. He says they are doing a fantastic job. They are berming
up areas so water won't run down the trail, but across it. They will be
working on the trails May 14th starting at 9:00 a.m.
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Jumper said that she has applied for a trail grant for $100,000 to reroute
trails and build wildlife observation decks around the lake. She has applied
for $100,000.
Meinecke said that he visited Rookery Trail and that it was unique. It has
meadows, open water, slews, and a rookery. He said that he didn't get close
to the rookery, because he didn't want to disturb it. He said if you like bird
watching, it's a great place to go.
Watson asked if fields C and D have been resurfaced at the Lewis Soccer
complex.
Humphry said sod has been removed from field E and put in the bare places
in D. The other bare spots have been seeded.
Watson said that maybe Parks could use a sod cutter and possibly resurface
new areas.
Humphry said that they wouldn't for Regional Park. The sod farm is two
acres and is used for patch jobs.
Edmonston said that June 3 is the last day for soccer at Asbell.
Humphry said that Lewis is closed now to rehab the fields, and hopefully
reopen in the fall.
8. Adjournment:
Watson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 pm, and Waite seconded it.
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