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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2016-01-12 1 CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION Tuesday, January 12, 2016, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca MINUTES Present: Commissioners: Dan Krall Ellen Leventry Staff: Jim Dalterio, Cass Park Recreation Facilities Director Jeanne Grace, City Forester Megan Wilson, City Planner Josephine Martell, Common Council liaison MINUTES Due to a lack of quorum, November and December 2015 minutes will be reviewed at the February meeting. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA None. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. NEW BUSINESS Ithaca Children’s Garden Entrance Sign (Erin Marteal) Erin reported that the Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) is working on a design for an entrance sign off of Route 89. The additional signage is needed because visitors have difficulty navigating to the gardens. Erin added that the ICG is working on an interpretive master plan and wayfinding is a priority. They are working with New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) and the City on a tall, three‐sided sign. The height of the sign and placement behind the right of way will ensure that it does not impede sign lines. As of now, they are proposing that the posts be constructed of unmilled locust and heavy‐duty cloth facings. There is an opportunity to hang additional permanent or temporary banners from the sign. Jim asked what information they have gotten from DOT about requirements for signs. Erin responded that if located in the right of way, the signs can only be a plain green 2 sign with white lettering. This is one of the reasons they have decided to move the sign back out of the right of way. They are still working with the City on the local regulations. Dan asked if the ICG will keep the existing banners that hang from the fence along Route 89. Erin said they are undecided. They may keep the banners or incorporate them in the new sign. Commissioners discussed the ongoing concern that people will not know that the ICG is part of a City park. It is important for people to understand that the entire park is open to everyone. Erin noted that they are continuing to add “free and open to the public” language to their signage. For the ICG, it is important that people realize the programming is not part of the City organization so that they can fundraise to continue operations. Commissioners understood this perspective but still believe that the relationship of the ICG being part of a City park is still important to define. The group liked the idea of putting the new City parks logo (to be developed) on a banner with “free and open to all language” on the new entrance sign would be a good approach. Ellen noted that she likes the concept, particularly the sail material and weathervane. Jim added that he likes the new placement because of the crosswalk location. He still has concerns about the banners and the distraction they pose for drivers near the crosswalk. A quorum of the Parks Commission was not present, but those members present agreed that if the proposed sign is acceptable to the City and NYS DOT, they would support the installation but request to review the final design before final approvals are issued. Friends of Stewart Park Update (Diana Riesman) Diana reported that Friends of Stewart Park (FSP) are proceeding with the design and schematics for the new playground. The playground will be all‐inclusive and designed to accommodate kids of all abilities. A large part of the installation would be a community build, which FSP hopes to host in the fall of 2016. A maintenance fund will be included for all of the new equipment installed in the park. Commissioners and staff again expressed the need for more information about FSP’s ideas for the spray park, particular physical changes and operation costs. FSP would like to present the playground design to the Commission in February. Diana also reported that the new carousel fence was being installed and should be done by the end of the week (~January 15, 2016). FSP raised al l of the funding for the new fence and are looking forward to reinstalling the carousel in the spring. The Tea Pavilion sign is done and is being stored in the DPW building for a spring installation. 3 FSP would like to have a food truck night with music in the park. Jim suggested that Diana work with the food truck committee on the policies for fo od trucks and possible locations. It was suggested that FSP work with a special event, such as the Chamber of Commerce’s family movie night, to host food trucks in the park. Wharton Studio Museum Update (Diana Riesman) Diana reported that the Wharton Studio Museum is looking at a phased approach to highlight the Wharton Studio building. They would like control of the exterior of the building prior to organization’s license of the facility. They would like to use the windows for dioramas of silent movies on both the water and carousel side of the building. They would also like to install a black and white mural on the garage door to highlight the studio. The proposal could also include some landscaping around the building. The Wharton Studio Museum would like people to engage with the building and learn more about it before the museum opens. Lighting in DeWitt Park (Jeanne Grace) Jeanne reported that there are lamp posts from the Cornell campus that could be installed to provide more lighting in DeWitt Park. They need to be sandblasted and painted. Jeanne thinks they are most needed along the straight sidewalk on the east side of the park, between the Boardman House and the monuments. The Cost would be about $2,000 (plus staff time) to install the two lights. It was brought up that the veterans’ group had previously offered some funding and perhaps that money could be used. While a quorum of the Commission was not present, those in attendance support the installation of additional lighting in the park. Board of Public Works Update (Dan Krall) Dan reported that he and Margaret Hobbie attended the Board of Public Works (BPW) meeting on January 11th to share their work on the sign inventory and the Commission’s concerns about park signage. The BPW was supportive of the Commission’s ideas for signage and is interested in a city‐wide parks logo. At the meeting, Cynthia Brock suggested that park signage could be a c apital project for next year; however, staff believe it would be more appropriate to include the request in the operating budget. Megan will draft a call for logo designs for the Commission to review at the next meeting. The Commission would like to discuss the process for selecting the logo, and it was suggested that it could potentially be a community vote on several finalists. In addition to the logo, the Commission needs to decide on sign content and consider options for sign consolidation. Dan also reported that about thirty children from Belle Sherman Elementary School attended the meeting to request support for the school’s nature trail project. The parent‐teacher group that is organizing the project continues to meet to develop plans. Access to the nature trail is still something that needs to be addressed. Dan noted that the school principal has agreed to take down the no trespassing signs on Cornell Street. 4 Geese Working Group Update (Josephine Martell) Josephine reported that a large stakeholder meeting was held on January 11th to discuss ways to manage the geese population. Representatives from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Natural Resources Department, Cornell Plantations, Ithaca City School District, Ithaca College, the Lab of Ornithology, and City staff were invited and most were able to attend. Based on the meeting, they are now considering a 3‐5 year pilot program rather than the original 2 year proposal. The program would consist of egg oiling, hazing, and a no feeding ordinance. There is a limited time window for this work, and the first step is to identify all of the nest locations. Given all of the waterways in the city, a large area needs to be covered in order for the program to be successful. Next steps include: creating a map of the area and populating it with nest locations and recruiting volunteers for the egg oiling and holding trainings. The program would need to start in late March. Permaculture Project at Conley Park (Megan Wilson) At a previous meeting, Commissioners expressed concern that the organizers of the permaculture project were undertaking work that had not been approved. Megan reviewed the Parks Commission and BPW minutes, and the following were approved for the project’s next phase: raised beds for vegetables; two arbors; and an herb spiral. Dan visited the park and spoke with Josh Dolan, and he now believes that the work that have done was approved. Membership (Megan Wilson) Megan reported that she has prepared a press release announcing the available seats on the Parks Commission. It will be sent out later this week. Megan will provide an update at the February meeting.