HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2015-07-14Approved 8/11/15
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CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 14, 2015, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca
MINUTES
Present:
Commissioners:
Dan Krall
Ellen Leventry
Roberta Moudry
Staff:
Megan Wilson, City Planner
Jeanne Grace, City Forester
Jim D’Alterio, Recreation Facilities Director/Cass Park
Bill Goldsmith, BPW liaison
Josephine Martell, Common Council liaison
Others: Cynthia Brock; Marc Messing
Persons to be heard: Marc Messing – several boating accidents on the lake. Notes
that the Ithaca Journal has recently written an editorial about life vests. Two other
boaters were hospitalized this week due to an accident.
Marc says he has not been able to use Stewart Park since April due to objections by
the CBC.
Marc would like to propose that there be signage in all parks concerning boating in
cold water. New York State and Pennsylvania and others have laws in place
concerning boating in cold water. He asks that we consider appropriate signage
warning people about dangers.
Cynthia Brock distributed a memo to various agencies to look for appropriate
storage for rowing shells. A group of people applied to CBC for rental space to store
shells. The CBC requires that all rowers become members in order to rent storage
space. This makes it very expensive for those just looking for a rental space. Cynthia
suggested that (1A) a trailer could be parked near to the boathouse and the city
would get revenue. Or the city could (1B) build boat racks. A third option would be
to install a floating dock on Inlet Island, where there would be little visual impact on
the park. This could be a good spot for a paddler to come to town for lunch or
shopping. The BPW and the mayor support the idea of a rowing rack.
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Cynthia said that the floating dock would need considerable permitting, but it could
be achieved with fundraising.
Dan felt that storage at Stewart Park (1B) would be preferable. He feels that if there
is a long-term vision for Inlet Park then there is really not space for boat storage.
The concrete wall in question at Inlet Island has ladders, for safety purposes only.
The work is to develop a plan for Inlet Island for next year, to consider options and
to then create a proposal. This idea is more of a long-term idea, but not the solution
for present, which is to place racks near the boat house and to rent them.
How are spaces allocated? Who is liable? Is the city liable if there is damage? Jim
notes that we are already “leasing” boat storage to the dragon boats. The boat
owners carry liability insurance. Bill notes that the state provides boat storage
racks at Myers.
Cynthia clarifies that this is a late spring to early fall storage situation. Not a year-
round storage.
Bill recalls that the BPW meeting endorsed a quick arrangement for the present to
store shells. The task is to bring in a trailer for storage purposes. BPW strongly
endorsed taking quick action on this, after approval of city attorney.
Dan notes that the Stewart Park racks are temporary but will also give a sense of
how much demand exists for boat storage. BPW approved placement of trailer. Ellen
and Jeanne are concerned about parking storage trailer near swan pond.
OLD BUSINESS
UPDATE ON LAKE STREET PARK ENHANCEMENTS
The area will be a staging area for improvement of Lake Street Bridge, and the idea is
to then do improvements after the bridge work has been completed. Addisu Gebre
has provided some renderings and a plan to show fencing along perimeter of area.
There is also a gate that could be closed if water levels became dangerous. Jeanne
feels it would not be all winter, but just during dangerous or emergency situations.
Bill would like the documents to be labeled Ithaca Falls Park and not the Lake Street
Public Park. Bill also notes that the commission should look at this area and consider
the design. Cynthia notes that there are concerns about the amount of concrete in the
area and cost. Jeanne feels that some of the concrete could be eliminated. Discussion
about costs: county offered $60K and now it has been reduced to $20.
Bill asks about signage that notes danger, and there is an additional question about
the wisdom of including a gate (this could be a liability concern).
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NEW BUSINESS
MURAL PROPOSAL FOR CASS PARK (DENNIS & MARIA BAUSER)
Cass Park walls are a possibility. The proposed design doesn’t seem to relate to the
use of the facility. Ellen feels the image is inappropriate. Others note that this is not
an “Ithaca” design. Bill suggests that perhaps a participatory project would be a good
thing.
MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS
UPDATE ON WATER RECREATION COMMITTEE (BILL GOLDSMITH)
Meeting on July 23. Roberta now appointed to committee. Group of about a dozen
people – State Parks director, 1-2 IYB, 1 BPW, 1 CBC, 1 from Planning, Jeanne Grace.
Four from Parks on committee. Tasks assigned at each meeting – to come to next
meeting and report on conditions, including town park just north of the Cornell
Sailing Center. Idea to see what is going on, and long-range plans to improve access
to water for swimmers, non-powered craft and some power craft.
We don’t have much going on at Cayuga Lake. There is a group doing a “blue way”
access to the water. For example, we don’t know who owns docks along concrete wall
and the status of existing docks.
There is great enthusiasm to provide more opportunities and more docks. We have a
problem because we are at the bottom of the lake. One possibility is to swim in the
swan pond. Jeanne notes that the birders would object. Dan notes that there will be a
car problem if people can swim at Stewart Park.
Jim notes that we have two aging pools that also need to be maintained and this could
be a competing interest.
Megan notes that the IYB, Planning Dept and BPW have put in a capital project to do
a master plan for the park system. Ellen notes that walkability is important. Megan
clarifies that this is parks and recreational facilities, but that a phase two would
include management for natural areas.
OSPREY INTERPRETIVE SIGNS IN STEWART AND CASS PARKS (JEANNE GRACE)
Two platforms are up-one in northern end of Stewart Park between IYB and the park.
The other is on the golf course. The NYSEG forester (Paul Paradine) and his wife
(works at Lab of Ornithology) created an interpretive sign that has been placed at
spots in Lansing. He would like to place two signs, one in Cass Park related to the next
across the water, and one in Stewart Park.
Ellen feels that the sign should be redone for design and grammatical reasons.
Jeanne asks if there are concerns about signs near nesting platforms. None noted, all
positive responses.
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TRASH COMPACTOR AT CONWAY PARK (JEANNE GRACE)
Jeanne reported that there have been complaints about excessive garbage in this area.
She noted that Dewitt Park has a trash compactor that has reduced garbage there.
Jeanne put a garbage can in the park as a test, and it hasn’t reduced garbage, so she
feels that there is no justification for a trash compactor. The issue is behavioral and
not because there is no receptacle for garbage. The trash compactor is solar-powered
and it has worked well in Dewitt Park.
UPDATE ON ESTY VAULT IN CITY CEMETERY (ELLEN LEVENTRY)
Vault wall has collapsed. The large monument has been removed as the lower wall
has eroded, due to rain, animals, people. People sled and sit on the stones.
This is an endowed monument, which means that the family gave $250 in the 1920s
to maintain the monument. It is unclear what it means – is the city required to
maintain the monuments? Are there grants available?
Jim suggested checking with the city clerk’s office to see if there is a list of endowed
monuments.
The cemetery will have another cleanup day on August 29. Discussion about need
for improvements to cemetery.