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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-Parks-2016-09-13Approved – 10/11/16 1 CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION Tuesday, September 13, 2016, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, City of Ithaca MINUTES Present: Commissioners: Martha Gioumousis Margart Hobbie Dan Krall Ellen Leventry Roberta Moudry Staff: Jeanne Grace, City Forester Kevin Vorstadt, Assistant City Forester Jim D’Alterio, Recreation Facilities, Cass Park Other: Rick Manning, Friends of Stewart Park Diana Riesman, Friends of Stewart Park/Wharton Studio Museum Andrew Douglas (owner, Homegrown Skateshop on the Commons, advocate for the Skate Park) NEW BUSINESS 1. Skate Park Lighting (Andrew Douglas) Andrew spearheaded the skate park project which wrapped up last September. He reported that the new design has been well-received and the skate park is heavily used. He is now working with Taitem Engineering on a lighting installation in the park. The Park Foundation is providing funding for the project, and Pleasant Valley Electric will do the work. The lights are LED and will have a long life span. The installation will take about a week and will include digging a trench for conduit and putting down concrete footers for the lights. The lights will be on a timer and will shut off at 10pm. Andrew noted that there is not a lot of runoff from the lights. Ellen asks if the lights were part of the original plan. They were not. Who pays the electrical cost? The City will pay for electricity and maintenance. If the Parks Commission recommends that this project move forward, Jeanne suggested that the Commission ask as the Board of Public Works to run this by the City electricians who will maintain the lights. Approved – 10/11/16 2 Dan believes that the neighbors will not object to the lights, and Titus Towers residents may actually benefit from them. Jeanne noted that the lighting may also keep the park safer. Dan proposed that the Commission support this project with the condition that the City electricians approve the specifications. Ellen noted that when Megan returns, a letter of recommendation from the Parks Commission will be sent to the BPW. While considering the Wood Street area, Dan asked if the small shed that belonged to GIAC can be removed. Jeanne repaired a basketball hoop when GIAC said that it is not their court anymore. Jeanne will follow up with GIAC. Ellen asked about the fence in the park, which is in bad shape. Jeanne has permission to remove it and will do so at some point soon. 2. Stewart Park Signage (Rick Manning) Rick provided a series of models for Stewart Park signs. Dan asks if the signs will be labeled on both sides. Rick suggested sitting down with others and looking at a map for placement of signs. The Sign Committee (Margaret and Dan) will meet with Rick and Ellen on September 21 in Stewart Park. There was discussion about the wording of prohibitions on signage, particularly about swimming. The discussion shifted to dogs in the park. Rick spoke to BPW about the issue of permitting dogs on short leash in the park. There are implications of this, mainly maintenance issues. Rick noted that the trail could provide dog maintenance stations in the park. The City Charter specifies that Stewart Park prohibits dogs. Jim noted that the change would simply bring Stewart Park in line with the overarching City ordinance that requires all dogs to be leashed in public spaces. Rick asked Jim if he will attend the BPW meeting concerning this. OLD BUSINESS Street Names (Dan Krall) Dan reported that BPW did not like the names proposed by the Parks Commission (Storm Country Road and Runway Run). His understanding was that Megan was asked to bring this back to the Commission for discussion. The BPW prefers simple names like Cass Park North and South. Dan had also heard that some believe that the name Turtle Way is already approved. There is agreement that Turtle Way is problematic. Jim feels that the road name should not be specific to the turtle or the Children’s Garden. Dan noted that there will be a major trail head for the Black Diamond Trail at this site and that the name is important. Jeanne believes it would be best for Parks Commission to reconsider the proposed names. Dan suggested that we should be more involved in discussions prior to any final decision. Jeanne can ask for Approved – 10/11/16 3 minutes of the BPW meeting. She will also share what she and Megan prepared for the BPW with the names we previously proposed. It was agreed that a detailed explanation needs to accompany any proposed names. Stewart Park (Rick Manning and Diana Riesman) Rick provided an update on the Fuertes Overlook restoration. The Friends will receive money for the project from a foundation, and the insurance paperwork has been completed. The project will proceed. The old rail will be removed from lower area, and the new rail will be measured and fabricated. New stonework will be put down and then the new rail installed. They hope to get volunteers to paint the upper rails. Diana mentioned that there will be a sign at the overlook explaining the project. Diana handed out material promoting a fundraiser that Friends of Stewart Park is sponsoring in conjunction with the Wharton Studio Museum on Saturday, September 24. Geese (Jeanne Grace) A report will be coming out in October about geese movements and hazing efforts. Hazing involves using various methods to disturb migrant geese (as opposed to geese who live here permanently) and urge them to move elsewhere. A small remote control car didn’t work well. Firecrackers seem to work. The work was done by a graduate student at Cornell. The report will also discuss the number of resident vs. migratory geese. The DEC tagged over 400 geese one day and that can help reveal where the geese go. Jeanne noted that the geese had different habits this summer because of the drought. The lack of grass made them move into different places. Parks Master Plan (Jeanne Grace) The City will be funding a parks master plan. It will look at usage of all the parks, what amenities are being used, what improvements are need, and how maintenance and improvements could be funded. There will be public outreach with staff, stakeholder groups, and the public. The County may pay for an administrative study to consider Stewart Park as a County park. There were 11 or 12 proposals from firms nationwide. The firm chosen is out of Indianapolis. Jeanne said that this firm seemed best able to understand what the City wanted and can look at the area with fresh eyes. Their report should be completed within a year, possibly in Summer 2017. Funding is provided by a capital project. Dan asked who is heading it up. Megan will be managing the project. The study will also consider friends groups and how the City can best partner with them, including Friends of the Ithaca City Cemetery, the Children’s Garden, the Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, and Friends of Stewart Park. Ellen asked that the firm speak with Parks Commission, beyond the staff and public outreach sessions. Jeanne will suggest that to Megan. Ellen feels that it is very important we be a specific part of the process. Approved – 10/11/16 4 Ithaca City Court House Area (Roberta) Roberta asked about the creek, the bridge and the view of the court house. It is very overgrown. Who owns this area and could it be cleaned up? Jeanne will ask about the bridge status. Martha noted that APO, a Cornell service fraternity, asked for a fall project, and Into the Streets is October 22. It is possible that this clean-up project could be scheduled for a weekend further into the fall. City Cemetery (Ellen) There will be another cleanup day on October 2. Martha planted flowers in the giant planters in the cemetery. Historic Ithaca and Friends of the Cemetery have done an amazing job of clearing and improving the condition of the cemetery. Wood Street (Dan) Dan noted that Wood Street Park is being very heavily used and there is a huge amount of garbage. There is no garbage can. Would the County be willing to put one of their receptacles at Wood Street Park? Dan said many people come to the skate park from the throughout the county and even from Elmira. Ellen suggested that Andrew be asked to help with the efforts to keep the area clean. It is very busy. Dan said that there was an event on Sunday and there were several hundred people. Jeanne asked if this was permitted. Jim said they should have had an assembly permit. Jim said if it is advertised with the park named it must be permitted. Jeanne is going to look into whether that event was permitted. Jim notes that these County receptacles are in direct conflict with the stated policy of carry-in and carry-out. Jeanne noted that the garbage is there anyway. In Washington Park, for example (on the Park Place side), people eat in the park and leave their garbage behind, and there is a garbage can provided in the park. Her point is that it is less labor intensive to clean up if there is a garbage can in heavily used areas. Conley Park (Dan) Dan went by Conley Park and he thought that it should be redesigned because the INHS project will place housing and a playground right next to this park. He suggests that the dozen Pear trees, a memorial planting for Sept. 11, be removed. The park redesign could be a capital project proposal. Beautification Brigade (Martha Gioumousis) Martha reported that she has a good deal of donated plant material. The Commons plantings are very attractive. A grower at Cornell grows and plants variety trials and donates the plants. Professors Kendra Hutchins and Bill Miller and the Cornell Plantations are important sources of donations. The Brigade rents Cornell greenhouse space, engages with students, and works with a professor doing research (Neil Madsen). Ellen noted that this is a great story of town- gown cooperation that yields many beautiful results across town.