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Home My WebLink AboutMN-Parks-2015-10-13Approved – 11/10/15 1 CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION Tuesday, October 13, 2015, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca MINUTES Present: Commissioners: Larry Fabbroni, Jr. Margart Hobbie Dan Krall Ellen Leventry Stephan Schmidt Staff: Megan Wilson, City Planner Jeanne Grace, City Forester Teagen Barresi, Parks & Forestry Intern Bill Goldsmith, BPW liaison Josephine Martell, Common Council liaison Others: Cynthia Brock; Jack Elliott; Jhakeem Haltom, Sam Greenhouse, George Jole (New Roots); Diana Riesman ANNOUNCEMENTS Ellen reported that the 2nd Annual City Cemetery Sprint will be held on Saturday, October 31st. The event is a one-mile fun walk or run. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers and costumes, and cookies will be served for all. The event is raising money for repairs to the Esty vault that collapsed over the summer. Josephine reported that the subcommittee has been continuing its work and the next step will be a conference call with the Director of Geese Peace. Geese Peace is a multi-pronged program that includes egg addling/oiling, public education, and dog hazing to discourage adult geese. The City could potentially pilot the program this year, beginning in January. The costs of the program would primarily be for the dog hazing component, and Geese Peace has suggested innovative ways to fund the program. The Lab of Ornithology and Friends of Stewart Park will be involved in plans for such a program. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Cynthia Brock noted that the City cemetery is not officially a park and does not fall under the purview of the Parks Commission. She stated that Common Council will Approved – 11/10/15 2 be reviewing capital projects at the October 13th meeting and reported that a capital project to replace the Cass Park Rink’s roof and insulation is currently not included in the budget for approval. She urged the Commission to write a letter of support. Ellen noted that the Commission had already sent a letter of support to the Mayor but would forward it on to the Common Council. OLD BUSINESS NONE NEW BUSINESS TREE STUMP SCULPTURAL ART IN STEWART PARK Jack Elliott presented a proposal to create sculptural art from an Ash tree stump in Stewart Park. He has previously focused on trees affected by global warming and would now like to use an Ash tree since many will be destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer. The tree would be uprooted and volunteers would clean and debark the roots. The piece would be worked on at the site. Tools (long screw drivers and copper grounding rods) will be attached to the tree so people can work on it at any time, and the area would be recorded by video to both document the project and for security purposes. Jack and Jeanne have identified a tree near the entry to Stewart Park, adjacent to the railroad. Larry questioned liability and safety issues resulting from having the tools available at all times and working without supervision. Jack is open to suggestions on how to better address these concerns but noted that the ability for people to work on the project when they wish is a key component. The Commission discussed the final location of the piece. Jack suggested that it remain in the park. Commissioners suggested a highly visible locations, such as next to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail or adjacent to the large parking lot. Bill recommended that Jack try to involve students from Ithaca High School, New Roots, Lehman Alternative Community School, and the Youth Bureau. Jack has received funding from Cornell’s Atkinson Center to complete the project and has also applied for a grant from the New York State Council of the Arts. The residency will begin in the spring, and he will spend the first months getting approvals and permits. On a motion by Dan, seconded by Margaret, the Parks Commission voted unanimously to support the tree stump sculptural art project in Stewart Park, provided that periodic updates be provided to the Commission. STEWART PARK CAROUSEL FENCE Diana Riesman reported that all 30 carousel horses have been repainted, and the Friends of Stewart Park would not like to replace the old chain link fence around the Approved – 11/10/15 3 carousel. Whitmore Fence Company is interested in the project and has indicated that it will provide a very low cost estimate to help with the fence. The fence will be 150 linear feet long and 6 feet tall. The design details still need to be determined, and Diana showed the style of fence that was under consideration. This particular fence would have vertical rails that extend to the top of the fence and finials staggered across the fence. The Commission asked about the height of the fence. It is about the same height as the existing fence, which may be mandated by law. Jeanne offered to look into the legal requirements. Cynthia stated that she felt a flat-topped fence (without finials) would be more welcoming. Several members noted that they like the design of the fence that Diana proposed. Jeanne reported that the carousel will be dismantled again this year to replace the wooden timber supports below the carousel itself. The fence installation could be timed appropriately with this work. In future years, Jeanne homes to have the carousel shrink wrapped. Diana also noted that the Tea Pavilion interpretive sign was approved by the Board of Public Works and is currently in production. Dan thanked Diana and Rick Manning for their work in Stewart Park, and several other commissioners noted their appreciation. CAYUGA WETLANDS RESTORATION PROJECT Jhakeem Holtom and students from the New Roots Charter School presented a proposal for wetland restoration along the shore of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park. The project would involve planting cattails to aid in water purification and aquifer protection. The students would grow cattails and transplant them to the location. They would then research water quality and track animal life. Jeanne will check with the Department of Environmental Conservation to see if driftwood can be removed from the lake. Dan questioned what would happen to the project once these students graduate, noting that on-going commitment has been a problem with volunteer projects in the past. Jhakeem noted that it good be an opportunity for future students as well, and Jeanne added that on-going maintenance would not be a concern for this particular project. The project will feature educational signage to share information about the wetland restoration and its importance. Commissioners suggested that the design of this signage be coordinated with the Friends of Stewart Park to create consistent signage within the park. Approved – 11/10/15 4 On a motion by Larry, seconded by Margaret, the Parks Commission voted unanimously to support the New Roots Charter School’s Cayuga Wetlands Restoration Project. Jeanne will provide updates to the Commission as the project progresses. DEWITT PARK Jeanne reported that there has been an increasing number of problems in DeWitt Park. The park is being used much more heavily and is deteriorating physically. There has been a drastic increase in drug activity as well as smoking and littering. Overall the park has begun to feel unsafe to many. The Commission discussed what could be done to address the problems. Trimming the hedges would improve visibility, but it would take the hedges several years to recover. Holly Hollingsworth feels the shrubs create a quiet, calming feel in a park. Other ideas included tree removal, additional lighting, additional programming, and changes to the park furniture. The Commission does not want to discourage use of the park but would like to address these issues. Larry asked what are effective mechanisms for reducing this type of behavior in other communities? It was noted that the larger problem is the widespread, open drug use. The Presbyterian Church held a meeting on Saturday, October 17th to discuss the problems they are having. Adjacent property owners will attend to share their problems and concerns. A few Parks Commissioners indicated that they would be willing to attend as well. MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS UPDATE ON SIGN INVENTORY – POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT MEETING