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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2016-09-16 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 16, 2016 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Rooms 202/203, in said Town of Estes Park on the 16th day of September, 2016. Present: Celine Lebeau Dewain Lockwood Terry Rustin Vicki Papineau Merle Moore Ronna Boles Also Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator Present: Patrick Martchink, Trustee Liaison Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Lars Sage, Arts District Brian Berg, Parks Division Supervisor Porter Florence, Scout Absent: Carlie Bangs Chair Lebeau called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m. GENERAL BUSINESS It was moved and seconded (Lockwood/Boles) to approve the August meeting minutes with corrections and the motion passed unanimously. ARTS DISTRICT UPDATE Lars Sage updated the PAB that Fun Junkies will not occur this month. He also informed us of current happenings and upcoming events for the Arts District. PIKAS IN THE PARK – AIPP: Town Administrator Lancaster has been working on this proposal for quite some time. The addition of the bronze pikas in select locations around town will provide fun, interactive art and will help contribute to a viable downtown keeping kids/families happy. This is to be a family activity – not a revenue stream. Estes Park would be the unique location in Colorado that has this type of activity. Pikas are unique to alpine regions. Providing a list of the names and locations of these pikas to visitors, along with a geo- cache option will take families all over town. Some of the proposed locations may require private property agreements as they’ll be placed throughout the downtown core (Kind Coffee to Tregent Park). Once an individual/family has found all pikas, some type of award will be provided. Town Administrator Lancaster also provided samples of artwork from a gentleman in Loveland. All pikas will be different. It is hoped these sculpts will be installed by April, 2017 and Lancaster would like to have it implemented alongside the Centennial work to occur. There will be annual maintenance work that the Town will adopt as part of its existing sculpture maintenance. Parks Advisory Board – September 16th, 2016 – Page 2 Terry Rustin made a motion that the PAB encourage Frank to move forward to complete paperwork and take to town board. The motion was seconded. (Rustin/Lockwood) Porter Florence Eagle Scout Proposal: Porter Florence, 16, of Estes Park High School presented his Eagle Scout Project to the PAB. His project involves work at Carriage Hills Park. He noticed that when he went down there with his family during the warmer weather that there is no shade and it became quite hot. His thought is if he plants trees it will help provide the needed shade. Porter brought it up to his dad then the Town. Based on his discussions, the plan is to plant ponderosas, cottonwoods, aspens around the perimeter of the playground for shade as well as a windbreak. Upon approval, his plan for funding is to create a Facebook ‘Go Fund Me’ page utilizing the Boy Scout emblem. The Scouts will also put up notifications/flyers, etc. The initial plan for irrigation is to utilize 55-gallon water drums with gravity feed. There was heavy group discussion regarding placement of 55 -gallon drums and the aesthetics. Planting in the spring is best for survival. The Town has agreed to take over the watering later on if things get dry, etc. Brian Berg suggested going to the Forest Service (less expensive) to purchase the trees. Porter also asked if it would be possible to install a water fountain (requiring a tap into the water main) to allow dogs/kids/parents to get a drink during playground activities. The PAB agreed it would be a great idea and would help with the watering of the trees. The problem is the cost to tap into the main (approx. $5,000). Director Muhonen encouraged Porter to continue to pursue this by having discussions with the Utilities Department about the tap. PAB agreed this was a great idea and EVRPD is supportive as well. Porter will continue discussions with the Town of Estes Parks Department to determine the tree species to be planted. All purchases are dependent on funding. RIVERWALK INSTRUMENTS VIDEO: Member Rustin presented YouTube videos of the local high school band members playing the instruments on the Town’s musical walkway. PARKS DIVISION UPDATE: Willow Knolls Renaming/Maintenance Goals: Member Papineau expressed concern about the re-naming of the Willow Knolls (announced in Town Bugle) to Centennial Park as part of the 2017 Centennial celebration. Supervisor Berg is aware of this concern and stated that this was simply an idea and the name change has not happened. Member Papineau provided other name ideas: ‘Centennial Open Space’ or ‘Centennial Natural Area’. Papineau stated,“It’s not a football field to be sold. . .” The word “park” depicts playground equipment, etc. which causes confusion for visitors. She agrees, however, that maintenance needs to take place in that area. Supervisor Berg will be taking these concerns/ideas to the Centennial Committee before anything is finalized, and public comment will be solicited as well. Division of Parks/Museum will present ideas on Centennial purchases (with logo) contributing 5% to the new natural area. Other Parks Activities: Parks Advisory Board – September 16th, 2016 – Page 3  The Parks Division removed 2 picnic tables by Kind Coffee due to the decrepit state of the tables. The tables have been replaced by adirondack chairs.  Flowers around town are being removed due to the seasonal change.  Keri Kelly and Suzanna Simpson are attending the America In Bloom Symposium in California. The Parks Division is feeling hopeful and confident that Estes Park will be receiving another award.  Supervisor Berg will be attending the Communities In Bloom/Healthy Communities Symposium in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Tunnel Tile Project: Kristin has received private funding for tile project and 10 boxes of tiles were discovered in storage.  Boot Pump – Owner of this fountain is supportive of it being moved to a better location. Her only condition is that it must run! OTHER BUSINESS With no other business to discuss, Chair Lebeau adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.m.