HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PARKS-2017-05-09
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CITY OF ITHACA PARKS COMMISSION
Tuesday, May 9, 2017, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Streets and Facilities Conference Room, 245 Pier Road, City of Ithaca
MINUTES
Present:
Commissioners:
Martha Gioumousis
Margart Hobbie
Ellen Leventry
Roberta Moudry
Staff:
JoAnn Cornish, Director of Planning & Development
Jeanne Grace, City Forester
Kevin Vorstadt, Assistant City Forester
Jim Dalterio, Cass Park
Others:
Josephine Martell, Common Council liaison
Rick Manning, Friends of Stewart Park
Jean Gerow, Ithaca Children’s Garden
OLD BUSINESS
1. Cass Park Road Names (Jeanne Grace)
Jeanne provided background and proposes that a portion of Cass Park Access Road
not be named. Two names for this area proposed are Runway Road and Cove Road
(section of road leading past dock area, referred to “cove” by Cass staff).
Jean Gerow discussed the names for Southern Cass Park Access Road adjacent to the
Ithaca Children’s Garden/Playground/Pavilion. She reviewed Turtle Lane, Cattail
Lane and Garden Lane and the reasons that these might be good names for this road.
All names refer to the landscape, natural and cultural histories and the present use
of the area.
Margaret suggests not using Garden Lane as there is a Garden Avenue on the Cornell
Campus.
Ellen prefers Turtle Lane, Martha likes both. Josephine prefers Turtle Lane because
it refers to indigenous populations, and the presence of turtles in the inlet area. The
sense is that Turtle Lane is the best of the three choices. The commission supports
the choice of Turtle Lane, and the use of Runway Road and Cove Road for the areas
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noted above. Martha asks if two names are the best treatment of this area, and
Jeanne explains that those working in the area have thought about this. Ellen would
like to see signage that explains the natural and cultural history of the turtle to the
area.
Martha asks if Cove Road could be Cove Way. The group is unsure of
conventions/best practices for usage of avenue, road, lane, way. Jeanne will check
this and get back to the group. And then the group can choose between Cove Road
and Cove Way.
Jeanne Grace notes that Jean Gerow should be at the BPW meeting to shepherd this
name change through the process. Jeanne will write the proposal and send to Ellen.
2. City Parks Logo Design (Ellen Leventry)
Mike Mooney and his Ithaca College class have proposed five possible logos for the city
parks: a white oak leaf in a two-tone circle; a set of footprints with roots growing in
them; three color circles with goose, gingko leaf and acorn; ICP with a goose in the P of
Ithaca City Parks; and a leaf with varied greens in a stained glass-type pattern.
Discussion about trees prevalent in Ithaca. Jeanne affirmed that there is a diversity of
trees here. The issue is clarity and visibility. Roberta notes that many cities use a leaf as a
logo.
The preferred logo is the white oak leaf in a two-tone circle. Preferred text would
have “City of” be the smaller part of the text. Preferred text is the text of the second
image (footprints).
Ellen will ask for first image and text of second logo to be used. She will also ask him
to create a small, contained logo, with text wrapped around the circle.
MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS
1. Ithaca Falls Sign Design (Margaret Hobbie)
Dan McClure came to the meeting and has a great deal of historical information. He
wanted to see more of Ezra Cornell’s history incorporated into the presentation of
history there.
Sarah Fiorello of the Cornell Botanic Gardens will draft copy for the signs. Power of
the water is the overriding theme.
Another interesting thing. Salt, gypsum and gas are also products of this geology.
Margaret Hobbie said that this committee and project is moving along. Margaret had
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a brochure that she wrote in 1990 on Ithaca Falls. She has been working at the
historical society on Ithaca Falls material. She notes that there are many paintings of
the Ithaca Falls at the historical society. She also looked at the Sanborn Fire
Insurance Maps to see how the site has changed since the 1880s. The area by the flat
area is known as the Tail Race, which is one proposal for the name of the park.
Another suggestion is Mill Race. Martha suggested that it be called what people
actually call it – Ithaca Falls Park.
Jeanne suggests that we complete the Cass Park names approved and then move to
the Ithaca Falls park naming. Ellen asks if we have a preference now. Jeanne states
that the BPW will name the park. The commission prefers Ithaca Falls Park as the
name for the park at the base of Ithaca Falls. It is a good idea to settle on the name
before the signage is created.
**As an adjunct to this discussion, JoAnn Cornish raised the issue of Titus Triangle Park,
formerly Fair Street Park. This is the park that Dan Krall has worked on tirelessy for
years. JoAnn suggests that we consider proposing to BPW that this park be renamed in
honor of Dan Krall. Jeanne suggests Krall Corner Park. The commission endorses this
proposal.
2. Goose population control (Josephine Martell)
There has been one good addling session, resulting in discovery of nests and
removal of 26 eggs. As present, Stewart Park is home to two families of six and eight
babies. Ellen asked if the geese were aggressive. Kevin noted that there was one
couple that was aggressive but otherwise it went well. The water was high and there
was not a lot of trouble from geese. There was snow and high water and that may
have helped reduce the number of nests. DEC is interested in coming back in and
banding geese to get more data points and find out where they are going.
The city website will be providing more information about why it is important to
not feed geese and goslings. There will be follow up with the media, to get more
coverage of geese and the waterfront. Jeanne notes that the geese typically reappear
in June.
3. Cemetery vault study (Ellen Leventry)
Vertical Access is collecting information and reporting on the repair/restoration of
cemetery vaults. If it is a vault in the cemetery, who owns it? Martha asks if these are
ongoing use vaults. Ellen notes that many of the vaults are not used -- remains were
removed by families when vaults were being vandalized. One vault is a corporation
vault, owned by the city, used for mayors. There is a Cornell family vault. But now
under jurisdiction of the city.
Jim asked if all vaults are empty. Some have been bored into for structural study
purposes. Doors or original openings are not viable, so the bore hole with an
inserted camera is the way to determine if there are remains inside.
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While the city clerk has some records, they are mostly records of burials. There are
not accurate records of reinternment.
4. Stewart Park signage (Rick Manning) Shows image of signs, inexpensive
laminated board through DataFlow. Hoping to get these done by July 4. Jeanne will
find out how these need to be approved. As things evolve, signage will change. He
would like Dan, Margaret and Ellen to review text, and offer feedback in a week.
Ellen would like to see the NOs stated clearly, even if it is not aesthetically pleasing.
For example, people are not allowed to smoke in parts of the park. Rick will send
text to Jeanne and she can circulate the text and people can comment. He notes that
the wayfinding sign is complicated, with some directions appearing confusing.
Rick notes that there is a fundraiser tonight for Friends of Stewart Park, and a
cleanup day on Saturday morning.
5. Committee restructuring (Ellen Leventry)
Ellen reports that there was a meeting last Tuesday. The working group had a
meeting and invited others. They were soliciting suggestions for how to manage
working groups within four large committees. Representatives from a number of
groups are not happy with the consolidation of committees and commissions to four
committees with smaller working groups as subsidiaries. As part of their rationale,
the working group said commissions are not full. Commissions, however, have been
told to not appoint new members. One expressed concern is that secondary
working groups will not have voting power, and that anything would then go to one
of the four large committees that will have multi-hour evening meetings. Another
concern is that some groups that have been merged have opposing missions
(natural space and parks, for example). There was a general feeling of people who
regularly attend committees/commissions that they have not been heard.
Jeanne notes that committees need to be trained, that chairs need to know how to
run a meeting. They need support staff. Ellen suggests that committees that are not
functioning could be asked to either shape up in three months or disband, or ask for
additional support.
Jeanne noted that with some issues straightforward decisions can be made and
implemented, that do not require committee action. A lot can get done between
committee and staff without BPW involvement. Ellen also feels it is inefficient. At
present Parks Commission goes to BPW, not through Common Council. It adds
another layer of bureaucracy for a parks working group to go to a Parks, Rec and
Natural Areas committee that may then go to Common Council or BPW.
Jeanne does feel that it is important to have staff support that can answer questions
and direct committee work into action or recommendations. Working groups will
not have staff assigned.
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JoAnn states that it is hard to find sufficient staffing for these committees and they
definitely need to be staffed. Martha, Ellen and JoAnn note that an additional layer of
work/bureaucracy is being created. Multiple meetings for volunteers may not be
attractive or possible.