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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2016-05-26Approved – 8/9/16 1 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 Approved – 8/9/16 2 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 Approved – 8/9/16 3 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. Approved – 8/9/16 4 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.