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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2019-02-14 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 14, 2018 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Administration Conference Room, Room 150, of Town Hall on the 14th day of February, 2019. Present Merle Moore Vicki Papineau Geoffrey Elliot Dewain Lockwood Ron Wilcocks Also Present: Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Kevin McEachern, Public Works Operations Manager Absent: Rex Poggenpohl Wade Johnston Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Chair Moore introduced the new member in attendance, Ron Wilcocks. Wilcocks shared some personal history and the existing PAB members introduced themselves. PUBLIC COMMENT No public was in attendance. GENERAL BUSINESS A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Lockwood) to approve the January meeting minutes with suggested edits and all were in favor. PAB OFFICER ELECTIONS Moore opened the floor to nominations for PAB Chair and Co-Chair seats. Member Papineau nominated Merle Moore for another term and nominated Wade Johnston for another term of PAB Co-Chair, although Johnston is absent for today’s meeting. Member Elliot self-nominated for PAB Co-Chair with scheduling uncertainties this year for Johnston. Papineau withdrew the original motion for Johnston as Co-Chair and nominated Geoffrey Elliot. Member Lockwood seconded Papineau’s motion and all were in favor. MRS WALSH’S GARDEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MWGAC) UPDATE Berg reported that February’s meeting discussion involved the Mission Statement for MWG, eventually determining they’d go with the 2009 Mission Statement with minor wording edits. The MWGAC is also working toward establishing their goals for the garden. They’re discussing whether the garden will contain strictly Estes Valley native plant species Parks Advisory Board – February 14, 2019 – Page 2 where Estes Valley residents are able to see what types of plantings work in this climate. If it contains only those plants in Rocky Mountain National Park it limits the palate of what can be provided in the garden. Discussions to continue next month. They’ll also be discussing whether the included plants need to be grown or if they can be purchased. Planning continues for the hillside located just west of the MWG patio area. This should be a primary focal point and be made showier. All ideas are shared on the MWGAC Google Drive. Chair Moore invited PAB members to the Google group if anyone is interested in adding or viewing the ideas developed to date. PARKS DIVISION UPDATE Supervisor Berg met with Abi from Visit Estes Park (VEP). The new VEP CEO may start attending PAB as able. VEP wanted to donating a climbing wall however the School District determined it would be too dangerous. The thinking has been extended to the Carboard Duct Tape Boat Race which has been held at the Estes Valley Community Center swimming pool. The same company that has the climbing wall could also rent a 15,000-gallon pool. Berg is speaking with the Events Center about having the pool located at the Pavilion with no drainage available. Berg reported the following updates from the Town’s Parks Division: • Working with VEP’s new Board to get all websites linked together related to events, parks, etc. VEP can promote what the Parks Division is doing and providing consistent information to all. MWG will be in VEP’s Visitor Guide this year. • Hard work is occurring to construct the Sensory Garden. The recent ProGreen offered new ideas so a few changes are in the works. • The Town will be entering America In Bloom again this year. • Berg attended the CSU career fair. OTHER BUSINESS Mountain Heritage Festival: Member Elliot provided an update on the 2019 Mountain Heritage Festival (May 3, 2019) planning. The committee is reaching out to those entities that were involved in last year’s festival and has added a few more names (family groups, etc.). The committee is looking forward to some exciting things this year. There will be another meeting later this month to will dive into advertising and publicizing the festival. Berg provided Member Wilcocks with a brief history of the Mountain Heritage Festival. He stated the festival continues to grow each year. Typically, there is a minimum of 600 grade school students, 100 middle school students, and many home-schooled students. The Parks Division will be checking into having the barbed wire fencing located at Centennial Knoll-Willows removed. Berg was asked if there are any plans for more musical instrument installations. Berg stated there are none planned for the Riverwalk Proper but there are plans to install four in the Sensory Garden being constructed. Parks Advisory Board – February 14, 2019 – Page 3 The question was also posed regarding creation of a virtual Riverwalk tour. Trustee Liaison Martchink stated that Visit Estes Park may be able to help and/or provide resources to launch this idea. Berg reported that the Town has done a few similar things and will look into that option. Member Elliot asked how the businesses are responding to the installation of the Sensory Garden. Berg stated he’s only received positive feedback, even with sidewalk closure. Berg reached out to Events Center early on to provide updates for the Whiskey Warm-up and Duck Race events that take place in this location. Manager McEachern informed the PAB that the downtown tripping hazards have been addressed. Chair Moore stated that the east side of the Hwy 36 tunnel always ices over and needs attention. This is a very touchy area and Berg will see if anything additional can be done to address the situation. Member Wilcocks wanted to clarify the scope of a current project. He requested more information about an urban arboretum. Chair Moore stated this evolved from discussion about utilizing plantings within town and labeling them which has begun. Berg explained that the original Tree Board had a vision of an arboretum extending from the Visitor Center to the bird sanctuary at Lake Estes. The Town was unable to make it work due to needed irrigation along the route. The project could be considered again and Berg will look at as an option moving forward. Chair Moore suggested looking at utilizing more native plants which would require less water. Berg agrees and thinks this is a good idea. Member Wilcocks informed the PAB that he’s also a member of the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and they’ve been discussing the Trails Master Plan. He is willing to funnel information back and forth for information and inclusiveness. He wants all properly involved so he’ll help in any way he can. PAB would appreciate updates as they occur. A motion was made and seconded (Elliot/Lockwood) to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 and all were in favor. Recording Secretary Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works