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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2015-01-13Approved: 2/10/15 1 CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION Tuesday, January 13, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca MINUTES Present: Commissioners: Dan Krall, Stephan Schmidt, Ellen Leventry, Roberta Moudry, Margaret Hobbie (Roberta taking notes) Staff: Jim D’Alterio, Recreation Facilities Director/Cass Park Megan Wilson, City Planner Bill Goldsmith, BPW liaison Others: Marc Messing, Diana Riesman, Rick Manning, Tim Scott, two IHS students (fulfilling Government class requirement) Minutes On a motion by Dan, seconded by Roberta, the December 2014 minutes were approved (5-0). New Business 1. SCIENCENTER PROPOSAL FOR EDUCATIONAL GRAPHICS & BENCHES (TIM SCOTT) The Sciencenter is in the quiet phase of a capital campaign to improve outdoor spaces, including the area adjacent to Sciencenter land that is owned by the City. They are proposing to install educational graphics in this area that connects to Conley Park. They would like to have an accessible bench area and additional benches. The Sciencenter will maintain this area in the future, which is City property. Dan feels that the Sciencenter needs to speak with the people who are working on the Permaculture Park project that is adjacent to this area. He would also like to have an assurance that the Sciencenter would continue to maintain this area. Tim Scott affirmed that the Sciencenter would continue to maintain the area. Dan also asked about the future use and possible improvement of the road that passes behind the old P&C building (recently the Neughborhood Pride Store). Bill notes that this proposal from the Sciencenter will also go before BPW and that an endorsement or resolution from Parks would be welcomed. Megan and Bill note that there is a visioning event for the old P&C site (now planned to be INHS housing). Approved: 2/10/15 2 Margaret moves that the Parks Commission strongly supports the Sciencenter proposal to improve and maintain adjacent area, currently owned by City, and recommends that the BPW approve the proposal. Ellen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 2. STEWART PARK - LOCATION AND DESIGN OF FUTURE CAYUGA WATERFRONT TRAIL BENCHES (RICK MANNING) Rick asked the Parks Commission for guidance on the issue of park bench style and placement in the case of specific donation requests. Most benches are adjacent on the trail and sited on a small concrete pad that offers additional space for strollers or wheelchairs. There is a desire for two new benches. One would be near the Tea Pavilion, and the donor has asked if could be located near the water. Should trail benches be tight to the trail? There is already a trail bench, swing bench, two other benches, and a modern metal bench in the area, and that also raises the issue of stylistic uniformity. Cayuga Trails Club would like to donate a bench to the trail. They want it to be a state park bench type design, or it could be a trail-style bench. This brings up yet another question of style. They are interested in the Farmers’ Market area or on the boat landing area. This would involve having a conversation with the Farmers’ Market. It is City-owned property, but the Farmers’ Market puts benches there. Diana asks – is there a desire for uniformity of style in bench, along the trail or in the park? Dan is concerned that if there is more than one type of trail bench then others will want to have unique benches as well. Ellen states that we should as a Commission work toward identifying an aesthetic that is appropriate for the parks. We should simplify aesthetically. Marc notes that he was in Stewart Park this morning, and the benches along the waterfront appeared as interfering with the beauty of the lake. Perhaps benches should not be put right up to the lake and perhaps clustered or at least not uniformly placed along the shoreline to give different experiences, particularly preserving an open view of the lake and shorefront in some areas. Bill notes that there are already unique benches in the Farmers’ Market area. Dan suggests that perhaps benches other than the Cayuga Waterfront Trail bench could be best placed where there are already some original benches. Stephan asks if there are that many people who would really want to create an original bench and might withhold funds. Bill says BPW worries about aesthetics but also about long-term maintenance. Jim notes that the donation is going to the waterfront trail. He asks if the trail would consider replacing some existing benches. The Commission came to a consensus that the benches should be located adjacent to the trail and Approved: 2/10/15 3 be uniform in style with other trail benches. Margaret moved that the commission encourages the Cayuga Waterfront Trail to maintain uniformity of style and placement for bench donations. This maintains aesthetic uniformity and full accessibility. Stephan seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Bill asked about the maintenance of trail benches. Jim notes that $8,000 is set aside for maintenance of the Bordoni trailhead but notes that there has not been an agreed-upon policy. Rick notes that private donors give trail benches. A future conversation needs to focus on what happens to the trail after the initiative ends in two years. Interpretive signs will fade. Donations do not cover much maintenance. The trail initiative is housed within the Chamber of Commerce. In another year, it will shift to maintenance mode. Dan asks if there can be an endowment created from tourism money. 3. STEWART PARK – INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE FOR THE TEA PAVILION Diana Riesman requested support for an interpretive sign for the Tea Pavilion, now restored by the City. The goal is to create signage that matches the other interpretive signs on Wharton, Large Pavilion and Boathouse. It would probably be square to match shape of building. She would like to use same writer and same design elements. The hope is to fundraise and have the sign placed there by when the pavilion opens in the spring. Dan would like it to be placed inside where it will be protected and obtrusive. The Commission unanimously supported an interpretive sign for the Tea Pavilion. 4. STEWART PARK – NEW FENCE FOR CAROUSEL Diana has also been fundraising for a new fence around the carousel. She would like to see a simple wrought iron fence. Vertical rails are preferred as horizontals may encourage climbing. Diana has a potential donor, a local foundation that might cover the cost of the fence. Diana has received two bids and a final fence type would be brought to the Commission. Jeanne Grace, (not present but via email) said she has $40,000 for capital project for carousel storage. Should this be a covering over the carousel or for new sheds that are out of sight? Rick notes that this is a bigger discussion that needs to be carefully considered. Given the number of questions, the commission asked that the fence discussion and other issues related to the carousel be revisited in a future meeting. Old Business 1. SELECTION OF NEW CHAIR FOR 2015 Dan nominated Ellen Leventry as the Chair for 2015. Margaret seconds the nomination, and Ellen was unanimously elected. Approved: 2/10/15 4 Member and Staff Reports 1. DESIGN PROCESS FOR PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS TO ITHACA FALLS NATURAL AREA Megan wanted to clarify that at last month’s meeting, Bridge Systems Engineer Addisu Gebre was seeking a resolution of support to seek funding for the design of the enhancements, not support of a design. Common Council approved the request and the project has received funding from New York State as well. The County also said it would qualify for tourism money. A small committee is being formed to work on the design, and Addisu has requested that a Parks Commissioner serve on this group. Margaret offered to serve on the committee/group who will work with designers and the city on this design process. Ari Levine responded to Bill about parkland. The city does own this area and it is designated as parkland. The city can also designate parkland as a natural area. A natural area does not alter land’s identity as parkland. There is a difference between natural area and active use park. This is a city category and not a legal designation. Question – how much parkland in the city is designated as a natural area? As there is no complete inventory, there is no full answer. Bill notes that there is parkland and other city land in the Ithaca Falls area. It is designated as a natural area. The specific designations do not alter the project. The proposed plaza will improve access to the entire area, all city land. 2. COLUMBIA STREET PARK CAPITAL PROJECT Update on this project for the stepped area west of the old South Hill School. There is $40,000 and design work will be done in house this winter. Roberta asked again for the staff to consider removal of the dangerous metal ladder just across the street on Columbia. 3. SKATE PARK Bids are due on January 20 and it is anticipated that enhancements will be completed by June. The IYB, DPW and skate group working on this. It is a small addition but there are drainage and settlement problems. There is a large graffiti problem at the skate park. Jeanne is interested in mural placement there as a way of deterring graffiti. Dan asked about the GIAC shed placed there. 4. OTHER Dan noted that they have moved MLK statue. The new park across from GIAC is unsightly. Could that be called MLK park and place the statue there. This is school district land. Megan noted that the MLK statue will return to the Commons. There is a MLK walkway in development and that will highlight African-American culture in Ithaca. Dan also wonders if we could work to develop capital projects for next year. What about Hillview Park? Or Strawberry Fields. Jim submitted nine projects. He has been granted replacement of the pool filter, painting gutters, and a truck. Approved: 2/10/15 5 Dan asked about picnic tables in Cass Park. Jim notes that there are not picnic tables near the lake. Dan suggests that picnic benches night be attractive in this area. Megan says that applications are available in late spring, and approval process goes through the summer. There are also Community Development Grants (applications due in the spring).