HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2016-05-26Approved – 8/9/16
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CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, May 26, 2016, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Common Council Cha mbers, City Hall, 108 E. Green St.
MINUTES
Present:
Commissioners:
Dan Krall
Margaret Hobbie
Ellen Leventry
Staff:
Jeanne Grace, City Forester
Megan Wilson, Senior Planner
Philly DeSarno, Deputy Director of Economic Development
Others:
Diana Riesman, Wharton Studio Museum
Rick Manning, Friends of Stewart Park
Aaron Munzer, Ithaca Farmers’ Market
MINUTES
Due to a lack of quorum, all minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
None.
PERSONS TO BE HEARD
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Stewart Park Updates (Rick Manning & Diana Riesman)
Rick and Diana provided the following updates on projects at Stewart Park:
- Tim Merrick is almost done with the restoration of three window-door units
on the Large Pavilion. The units facing the lake have been/will be restored
with current grant funding.
- The Friends of Stewart Park (FSP) have received two grants to restore the
Fuertes Overlook. They are working with AcuFab on the railing and
Brainstone on the stone work. Once work is complete, the walk to the overlook
and the top level will be accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, etc. It was noted
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that it would be helpful to have a designated handicapped parking space near
the overlook.
- The FSP have worked with Paula Peters on a campaign feasibility study for
fundraising, and the playground is the top project for possible donors. Donors
would like to see public funding (particularly State monies) invested in
Stewart Park as well. The FSP are considering applying for funding through
the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for the playground. Binghamton
received funding for a similar project in a previous round. The FSP are also
talking with Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton about possible funding. The
goals is to raise $1.3 million for the project.
- The Stewart Park Building Study has been completed by Pam Kingsbury. It is
primarily a technical engineering report.
- There will be a celebration for the new carousel fence on Sautrday, June 18th
from 2-4 p.m.
- The City will be painting the Tea Pavilion soon. Power washing was taking
place today. It is expected that the work will be mostly complete by June 18th
for the ribbon cutting event.
- The FSP are working with the City to create a memorandum of understanding
that would formalize the group’s partnership with the City.
- The Wharton Studio Museum has been awarded a grant to study a project that
would celebrate the building’s history with silent film. The project would be
two-phased: Phase one would involve black and white exhibits on the exterior
of the building and phase two would create gallery space in the north area of
the building. The gallery would take the place of the existing Youth Bureau
storage and would thus need to create additional storage space in the park for
IYB. Dan noted that we need to continue to focus on a new building for the
DPW in Stewart Park.
Dogs in Stewart Park (Rick Manning)
Rick asked the Commission to consider allowing dogs in Stewart Park. To do so would
require an ordinance change to allow dogs on leash in the park. The group discussed
the issue of dog waste, and Rick suggested that the Cayuga Waterfront Trail could
provide dog care stations, but they would need to be maintained by the City.
Ellen recalled that dogs were originally prohibited because of birding, and the
impacts on birds should be kept in mind. However, many users of the waterfront trail
bring their dogs with them so the presence of dogs in the park has already increased.
Dan suggested that the ordinance be left as written unless a problem develops, but
Margaret noted it would engender good will among the community to allow dogs.
While a quorum was not present, those commissioners in attendance unanimously
agreed to recommend that dogs be allowed on leash in all City parks.
Farmers’ Market Parking (Aaron Munzer and Philly DeSarno)
Aaron noted that the Farmer’s Market is experiencing ongoing traffic and parking
issues. There are approximately 1,600 cars that come to the market between 9 a.m.
and 12 p.m. on Saturdays, but the market’s lot only holds 250 cars. They are looking
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for additional locations for parking in nearby areas. Stewart Park already has a
significant amount of parking, and much of it seems unused during the market’s peak
hours. People could park in Stewart Park and then use the waterfront trail to access
the market (about a two-mile walk).
Commissioners noted that there are already concerns about inadequate parking in
Stewart Park for park users. That said, there is nothing preventing people from
parking in the park now to visit the Farmers’ Market. The group was comfortable
with some Farmers’ Market parking in the park but do not want to widely encourage
it through a large campaign to promote. It was suggested that the Farmers’ Market
work with the Visitors’ Center to encourage tourists to park in the Stewart Park, visit
the market, and then enjoy the afternoon in the park. Aaron noted they are seeking
other private parking options too as well as promoting bike parking and bike rentals.
Commission members suggested that parking in Stewart Park be promoted as an
option with all of this different options, not by itself.
Wood Street Fence
The existing chain link fence in Wood Street Park is rusted, in poor condition, and
collects garbage. It does not stop balls from entering traffic on Rt. 13 nor does it keep
kids in the park. It will cost approximately $7,500 to replace the fence, and funding
is not available for a replacement at this time. Jeanne proposed that the fence be
removed entirely until a new fence can be installed. The Commission agreed and
asked Jeanne to remove the fence.
Cass Park Roads
The Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) would like the two roads in Cass Park (both
currently called “Cass Park Road”) to be renamed. There is currently confusion over
which part of Cass Park Road the ICG is located on, and visitors are having difficulty
finding the garden. Navigation would be improved by providing each road with its
own distinct name. The ICG would like to propose Gaia Way for the portion of Cass
Park Road near their facility. Jim Dalterio suggested that the roads have Ithaca or
Cass Park-related names, not a name specific to the ICG. If the garden was to close or
relocate, the ICG road name would no longer have meaning. The group agreed and
supports renaming the road but did not have any suggestions at the present time.
Members will brainstorm names for both roads for the next meeting.
Geese Sign
Ellen and Jeanne have created a draft sign that asks people to not feed the geese on
City property. The sign will be metal and mounted on a post near the water.
Commission members noted that they like that the sign focuses on the health of the
birds, not the violation of the ordinance. The signs could be installed in the waterfront
parks, at the Farmers’ Market, and along Floral Avenue. Those commissioners in
attendance supported the sign as proposed.
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Cemetery Sign
Ellen shared a mock-up of the proposed sign for the City cemetery. The sign will be
2’x3’ and mounted on a wrought-iron holder. The sign content has already been
thoroughly reviewed. The group discussed the pictures and text but supported the
sign as proposed.
Parks Logo
The Commission reviewed the three proposals for the parks logo. All of the designs
were too elaborate for a logo that will need to be reproduced at various scales and in
different formats. The RFP likely asked for artists to include too much in the logo.
The group decided to reach out to the Public Art Commission and other individuals
who may be interested. All designs (old and new) will be reviewed again in July.
Membership
The Commission discussed the difficulties it has had at reaching at quorum at
meetings and the vacancies on the Commission. A few applications have been
submitted, but there have been few new appointments due to the committee
restructuring that is under consideration. However, it is difficult for a board or
committee to function with so many vacancies. It was suggested that the applicants
be invited to a future meeting, with the understanding that changes to committee
structure and membership may be occurring in the near future. The Commission
would then recommend new members to the Mayor, noting the impact that the
ongoing vacancies are having on its work.