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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2016-07-12Approved – 8/9/16 CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION Tuesday, July 12, 2016, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 W illow Avenue, City of Ithaca MINUTES Present: Commissioners: Margart Hobbie Ellen Leventry Roberta Moudry Dan Krall Staff: Jeanne Grace, City Forester Jim D’Alterio, Recreation Faciliities, Cass Park Others: Bill Goldsmith, DPW liaison Josephine Martell, Common Council liaison MINUTES On a motion by Dan, seconded by Margaret, the following minutes were approved without corrections: - November 2015 - December 2016 - January 2016 - February 2016 - March 2016 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA Dan asked that the Commission revisit the topic of parks signage and review the official designations of parks and natural areas. MEMBERSHIP The Commission discussed how many vacancies are on the Commission and noted that there may be four. (Staff note: There are currently two official vacancies. Martha Gioumousis has been unable to attend due to her work responsibilities.) Bill notes that there are many things that come through Parks Commission to BPW and that it is important to have a functioning group. 2 PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. NEW BUSINESS Public Recycling in St ewart Park (Jeanne Grace) Tompkins County Solid Waste (TCSW) operates the Public Space Recycling Program. They have a grant to provide recycle/garbage bins for selected public spaces. They have proposed placing a bin in Stewart Park in a high-use area. These containers would not cost the City for installation or emptying. Casella will empty this receptacle. They can be placed on a pilot or trial basis and removed if they do not work well. Photos were provided of proposed site for recycling receptacle. This area is close to the existing Casella pickup spot, and the receptacle would not block views. It is near a donated bench on the Waterfront Trail, but the donation is by Creating Healthy Spaces, not an individual that might object to containers by a memorial bench. The major concern is that the parks have a carry-in/carry-out policy. Despite this, some parks have trash cans in high-use areas, to minimize labor involved in picking up garbage. These cans are heavily used in Stewart Park. For rentals, Jeanne noted that there is emphasis on carrying out garbage. For incidental use, garbage cans are located in places where garbage is a chronic problem. Jim noted that Cass has trash cans near the concession, outside of the main building, and in the pool area. On a related topic, Bill raised the issue of dog care stations, discussed recently by the BPW. The Friends of Stewart Park and the Waterfront Trail would like dogs to be allowed in Stewart Park, on a leash and under the control of their owner. This then creates the issue of dog waste. The proposal is to establish dog care stations on site. Bill stated this comes with costs. The BPW voted to send it on to Common Council, as it is a matter of cost. However, there is also the argument that collecting waste out of bushes etc. is more time consuming (and thus expensive) than emptying a refuse receptacle. Jim noted that there are dog stations along the trail on Rt. 89. They are spaced out in the park. He stated that there needs to be pickups several times a week. Bags cost into the thousands per season. Jim asked about the sites for dog stations. Who would empty the stations? Jeanne has two people working at Stewart Park. She says that currently many bag their dog waste but then leave it along the walk. 3 Dan noted that twice a week, Jeanne’s crew works to clean up Southside. Wood Street Park has gotten busier and more filled with trash. Bill suggested that education at the kindergarten level might help with the issue of garbage and recycling. Ellen suggested that there needs to be prominent signage that says “carry in – carry out.” Ellen suggested that the commission endorse a pilot/trial period for the recycle/refuse bin. Jeanne will then remove her two trash cans and see if the grant- funded combination can and weekly pickup would suffice. Dan asked if Jeanne has talked to Rick Manning and the Friends of Stewart Park. Ellen suggested we pilot it and Jeanne can determine if it works. Ellen asked if the Commission needs to write a letter or pass it to the BPW. Jeanne said that she can approve it and set the process in motion. Margaret suggested that it be revisited in October or November to assess the success of the project. OLD BUSINESS Naming of Cass Park Roads (Harriet from the Children’s Garden) The Children’s Garden has proposed naming the street near the garden after the large turtle, Gaia. However, there is a concern that if the garden moved or closed, the name Gaia Way might seem odd. Margaret and Dan have come with proposed names. Margaret proposed Runway Run for the road near the Hangar Theater and the Cass Park Rink. Dan noted that there are three roads. One comes from the Hangar and goes to the Marina. Jim responded that this is a State road. Ellen asked about the road by the Children’s Garden. Margaret proposed a railroad- related name or a name that recalls the neighborhood that used to be there. Storm Country Road would commemorate the writings of Grace Miller White, an author who lived there (from Ithaca’s Neighborhoods). Dan and Margaret both thought of this name. Dan noted that Linderman Creek came out by the rink at one point, but that name could be confusing. Jeanne suggested that Parks make a recommendation to BPW. 4 On a motion by Dan, seconded by Margaret, the Commission voted to recommend that the BPW rename the two Cass Park roads “Storm Country Way” and “Runway Run”. The recommendation will be sent to the BPW for their consideration. Update on the City Cemetery Sign. Ellen reported that the new signage will be installed. There was graffiti reported at cemetery. Jeanne noted that parking staff and the Commons crew are very good at removing graffiti. She will go and look at the damage and see what needs to be done. Park vs. Natural Area Dan noted that Common Council has decided to demolish the house just north of the falls on Lake Street. He stated that there has been long-standing confusion about the status of this land. Two parcels to the north are part of the natural area. Parcels to the south are both parkland and part of the natural area. Below, close to the falls/water is natural area, and the parcel closer to Lake Street is also combination of park and natural area. Bill believed that the area to the north is not safe for park use but it does frame a natural space. Naming it a park is complicated in terms of state regulations. Park Logo Design The call for logo submissions was left open for another month. There are three or four logos submitted but they are too complex. Most are not “scalable” and/or too busy. One submission is very elaborate but interesting and suitable for a mural or t-shirt. Ellen asked if we should extend competition or go back to those who submitted and ask them to simplify make it quite simple, a symbol. Ellen and Megan will rework the proposal, try to publicize it further, and get back to those who submitted before. They will also ask the detailed logo artist to consider use as a mural in the park and/or as t-shirts for employees. Lead in water in parks Dan asked about reports of lead in the water at Cass Park. Jim says that testing was positive, but the testing process was not in sync with Health Department and EPA protocols. New testing has to take place to know what has to be flushed or replaced. A smaller sample is needed, for example. If a test is positive, then a larger sample will help pinpoint the problem (fixture or pipes). Any current positive results have prompted “out-of-service” or “not potable” signs and graphics. That’s how things will be managed until retesting is complete. Retesting will take place not immediately because there is a specific process with timed steps. Jeanne noted that there were also a few fixtures at Stewart Park that tested positive. 5 Bill noted that there have been reports of turbidity, which are a different matter. Jim added that drinking water is not contaminated at source but that, if anything, there are pipe or fixture that are causing contamination. Jim stated that there is a lot of information going out to the public. He noted that it is unfortunate that the initial testing was not the accepted standard (done by the City based on instructions from a lab), but then the public was notified of these results. OTHER DISCUSSIONS Dan noted there are so many events that involve the parks. He is eager to get the parks logo finalized and a signage program established. He envisions an event that highlights the parks. The “Don’t feed the wildlife” signage was circulated. It was reported that an adult fell off the carousel last week. There was a problem with the connector hooks at the top of the horse. It was determined that riders should not exceed 180 lbs. when the carousel was constructed. The carousel intended for children, and the decking is also not supporting larger adults either. The deck could be reinforced – it dips when larger adults are standing next to children. Jeanne noted that there are structural concerns about the carousel that are being studied. Jim reported that there is a police(?) helicopter landing near Cass Park. This is a training program. Jim and Jeanne mentioned the use of Cass and Stewart Parks by Southern Tier Balloon Tour. The business uses the parks as a pickup spot but has no license or permission from the City. The website now specifies Stewart Park as a pick up spot. Rides cost $225 per person. The City is not receiving any money from this business for use of the park. Jeanne noted that the City is aware of this, but will raise the issue again, asking if this is an issue for the City Attorney to address, given concerns about liability (especially since Stewart Park has high tension wires).