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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Parks and Recreation Board - 1995 - 04/01 - WorkshopA MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED WORKSHOP APRIL 1, 1995 - 9 A.M. MEMBERS PRESENT Lonnie Thomas, Chairman Jim Waldbauer, Vice -Chairman Leah Magruder, Secretary Dan Turner Mark Stout Mike Rippe MEMBERS ABSENT [" Byron Nielsen GUESTS PRESENT None STAFF PRESENT Rhoda L. Savage, Director of Parks and Recreation I. PARKS DEPARTMENT STAFF AND Director of Parks and Recreation presented an overview of City Department function. Primary areas of responsibility include: Administration Athletics Special Programs: Aquatics Senior Citizens Maintenance Day Camps PAGE 2 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 The Department is very interested in providing the best facilities possible and work as allies with our interested citizens. II. PARK BOARD ROLE IN COMMUNITY The Chairman's stated reason for the workshop is to help define the Board's role in the community and to provide members with an understanding of how to influence major decisions regarding parks. To maximize the Board's influence, it is important to have effective and open communication between the Board and City Council. III. SUBCOMMITTEE PRESENTATIONS A. Leah Magruder - Development Subcommittee Report For Board members to be effective leaders, several key areas should be considered: 1 Knowledge - members should become educated about the park system and political processes to help influence the direction of the City regarding Parks. 2. Board Certification - to promote members knowledge of the Parks and Recreation system and ability to influence change. The Board considered that certain criteria be established to qualify members to be "effective leaders" dependant on how much they learn and know about the City and their role as Parks and Recreation Board members. Board certification should include a time -frame for completion - recommend 6 months for existing members and future members as they are assigned. Criteria for member certification could include: a. Obtain knowledge of applicable laws, City Charter, and comprehensive plan regarding Parks. b. Knowledge of the following: 1) Staff Role 2) Parks and Recreation Board Role 3) When and How to process information to Council 4) Park sites and locations plus other areas maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department PAGE 3 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 5) Attendance at Parks and Recreation Board, Council and Planning and Zoning Meetings 6) Feedback System - Board performance could be rated via a performance matrix addressing all criteria necessary for positive member participation B. Dan Turner - Present and Future Parks Dan prepared a thorough inventory and assessment of existing parks. The report included information on each City park as follows: COLLIN SQUARE PARK Description Short, creekside, nature trail that is part of a small greenbelt area situated near the intersections of Collin Drive and Ridgemont in south Allen. Comments Collin Square has a great deal of inherent potential due to its sloping, tree lined layout and the fact that it includes a natural wooded stream formation within its boundaries. Maintenance Mow Grass Edge Sidewalk and Around Trees Kill Fire Ants Remove Concrete Over -spill at South Entrance Remove stump at south rear along stream Prune all trees and possible removal of some Remove trash from stream - inhibiting water flow Remove ladder rungs from tree at center rear Recommended Four picnic tables on concrete pads Improvement Small playground area in center portion Four trash receptacles on concrete pads Landscape around park sign Overseed barren areas with grass Four bridges over the stream to adjacent greenbelt (take lead from Rolling Hills Park) I� I PAGE 4 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 COTTONWOOD BEND PARK Description Large rectangular park in south Allen that is bounded by Meadowbrook Street on the north and Mountain Side Drive on the south. The park consists of two turf ballparks with backstops, Comments soccer field and a large playground with pavilion. Comments This is a nice park that has an established feel about it. The park looks very enjoyable due to its large size, diverse facilities and secluded location. Bobby White, a Parks Department employee, Maintenance stated that Cottonwood Bend was "his favorite park." Maintenance Edge walks Kill Fire Ants Recommended Prune trees Improvement Edge around backstops Fill in low spots on all three athletic fields paint park signs paint and anchor soccer goals Recommended Landscape around park signs Improvement Place trash receptacles on concrete pads Link -net soccer goals Extend sidewalk to encircle park on west and south BETHANY LAKES PARK Description Sprawling, wooded facility consisting of stocked trout ponds, state- of-the-art playground, nature trail and soon to be completed pavilion, amphitheater, recreation center and ballfields. Comments Bethany Lakes park's true beauty and usefulness is, for the most part, still to be developed but upon completion, this park will most likely be the one that all others in Allen, as well as the surrounding cities, will be judged against. Maintenance Tree pruning and fire ant control might be in order, but at this point most maintenance concerns are irrelevant due to the large amount of ongoing construction in and around the park. Recommended Comments would be premature at this point. Improvement PAGE 5 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING " APRIL 1, 1995 I COUNTRY MEADOWS PARK Description Beautiful, large park located in north-east Allen that consists of a large, up-to-date playground, expansive athletics area, picnic units and lengthy walking area. Comments Country Meadows Park already possesses many of the recommended improvements listed for other parks. The encircling walkway and concrete padded trash receptacles and picnic tables are great. The park shows that the Allen Parks and Recreation staff takes pride in Comments their work and represents a theme of quality that all of the City's parks should emulate. Maintenance Edge walkways Kill Fire Ants West side appears to hold water - possible grade work Overseed west side along Meadowpark Drive Add sand to play area Recommended Park sign with landscaping at southwest corner. Improvement Add playground at the north end of the park. FORD PARK - COURTS AND FITNESS TRAIL Description Ford is a very large park separated into two distinct parts by Whitman Drive. The park is very diverse in that it possesses facilities for soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, rollerblading, swimming and a fitness/nature trail. All of these facilities are in addition to "normal" park facilities such as a play ground, picnic units and a pavilion. It is the only park that can boast of having permanent bathrooms, concession stand and a pay phone. Comments If you participate in any recreational activities in Allen, you will eventually end up at Ford Park. It is an expansive facility that despite its already obvious strengths, still possesses great growth potential. Ij I PAGE 6 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 Maintenance Mow and edge omments Kill Fire Ants [Description aintenance Lights burned out on rollerblade court Pick up trash around basketball courts Prune shrubs and trees Clean up fitness trail station signs Repair gate latches on tennis courts Replace basketball court nets - possibly chain Water fountain at pavilion broken and running Remove weeds from play area Add gravel to play area Repair fitness station N9 - parallel bars Weed a fitness station stretching areas Recommended Landscape fitness trail instructional areas Improvement Trash receptacles on concrete pads Make "Tennis Only" signs more visible (lower signs, bolder lettering) Add center tie downs to tennis nets Tennis court caddies on net poles (8) Secure picnic tables to pavilion floor Possible backstop at west end of grassy area Landscape Ford Park entrance sign FORD PARK - ATHLETIC FIELDS Consist of soccer fields, softball fields, practice area, concession and restroomfacilities. (See Ford Park - Courts and Fitness Trail). omments See Ford Park -Courts and Fitness Trail [Description aintenance Mow and edge Kill Fire Ants Prune north and south running tree line between parking lots Clean up creek in tree line Backfill under caving sidewalk -washout PAGE 7 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 Recommended Link -net all soccer goals (8) Improvement Install landscaped park sign Trash receptacles on pads - north soccer fields (2) Backstops on practice fields east of Ford school Place bleachers on concrete pads (3) Name the ball fields after prominent citizens - place names at the tops of the backstops Improve electrical enclosure south of concession - looks rather bad Light bathrooms better HILLSIDE BALLFIELDS Description Largest purely ballfield facility in Allen. Hillside is a large and very visible park located on the south side of Main Street between Greeting Gate Lane and Fountain Gate Drive. Comments The temporary nature of this facility makes it difficult to justify the expenditure of large amounts of money and time on the park but in contrast the City has to deal with the realities of "HBF" high visibility to all that visit Allen. It's a difficult balancing act for Parks and Recreation to keep the facility appealing to the eye while at the same time dealing with the understanding that the park is going to go away at some future date. Maintenance Straighten parking poles Excavate north drainage ditch so that it works Kill Fire Ants Remove metal post in far left and right fields of west - most ballfields Fill low spot in far center of field behind tower Clean up drainage ditches surrounding the park Smooth out right field of west large ballfield Grade and resurface area between two large ballfields I L I PAGE 8 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 Recommended Refurnish parking area Improvement Install large nicely landscaped park sign along Main Bury overhead wires and remove light poles along Main Remove Porta -a -let units Build Restroom and Concession Facilities (Ford Park) Landscape large pipe head west of Main Street entrance All bleachers and trash receptacles on concrete pads Resurface infields on fields behind water tower Refurbish dugouts on fields behind water tower Name all ballfields after prominent citizens Add playground at northwest corner behind tower Landscape and detail east entrance to park Straighten foul net poles adjacent to big fields Add shrubs and landscaping as needed to beautify HILLSIDE PLAYGROUND PARK Description This is a secluded residential playground located almost in the center of Allen's residential areas. The park is quite small and consists of two play areas and an uncovered pavilion area. Comments Hillside playground, though small, has the potential to display a lot of character and be a focal point for small neighborhood gatherings. Maintenance Mow and edge Kill fire ants Weed both play areas Paint rocking animals Paint pavilion benches Prune trees Recommended Install new bench, on concrete pad, at swing set area Improvement Add tire to jungle jim area Add ladder to jungle jim slide perch Place trash cans on concrete pad Landscape around trees Rework pavilion area landscaping Landscape park sign Remove ties at southeast entrance Add picnic table and trash receptacle on concrete pads I A JUPITER BALLFIELDS Description PAGE 9 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING Comments APRIL 1, 1995 I A JUPITER BALLFIELDS Description Ball and soccer fields on the west side of Jupiter, south of Park Lane Comments This facility is another tough call for Parks and Recreation. As in the case of the Hillside ballfields, Jupiter ballfield is also temporary in nature but at the same time represents another high visibility, high usage and high marketability facility that has alm of picturesque potential. This facility is used by the Allen High School for competitive games and as a result is a bit of a show -piece and community statement maker to those that attend the games. Maintenance Edge around all fixtures and structures Kill fire ants Remove dirt piles in southwest corner Prune trees at fence line west of parking lot Level and re -sod bald spot in right field Finish drainage work Straighten, secure and paint soccer goals Paint football goal post Recommended Pad and secure trash receptacles (8) Improvement Grade and resurface entrance and puking lot Hire engineer to perfect drainage - big problem Pad and secure bleachers - replace as necessary Refurbish scoreboard - field name and advertising Name the field after prominent citizen Recognize Allen Eagles teams Landscape along west fence line - shrubs Construct permanent restrooms and concession - Ford Link net soccer goals Clean up stream area to north Add picnic area along stream - add landscaped sign MCDERMOTT SOCCER FIELDS Description Very high use and very high visibility facility located at the corner of US75 and McDermott. At this time the park is dedicated exclusively to soccer. I PAGE 10 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 Comments The marketability of this location for our City is obvious. We should strive to make McDermott the best and most user friendly soccer facility in the area. Maintenance Kill fire ants Fill-in and level soccer field low spots Edge around bleachers and goals Maintenance Clean up around pond Paint and secure goals Recommended Grade and resurface entrance Improvement Install running track around facility Link -net soccer goals Pad and secure trash receptacles and bleachers Construct permanent restroom and concession Highlight pond with picnic and play area Possibly install scoreboards Name the individual fields Landscape park sign REED PARK Description Large and very diverse use park located adjacent to Reed Elementary School at the intersections of Rivercrest and Allen Heights Drive in north central Allen. Comments With a little "TLC" this could be one of our city's nicest neighborhood parks. Due to the high density population location of the park, the utilization is very high. Maintenance Edge walkways Kill fire ants Repair park sign and add wild flowers High pressure wash park sign Remove or repair water fountains Paint train and landscape around Prune trees at west alley and play area Paint zoom slide perch Tighten seats on picnic tables I 11 PAGE 11 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 Recommended Add new tires in play area Improvement Add trapeze in play area Resurface ballfield infield Grade and level ball park outfield Clean up and highlight tree area east of ballfield Fill in low spots behind northeast dugout, bleachers, fountain The bleachers are great ROLLING HILLS PARK Description A park small on size but big on beauty and character. Park is located at the corner of Federal (US75 frontage road) and Exchange Comments in far north west Allen (just east of US75). Comments The local neighborhood has to be proud of what the Parks and Recreation staff had done with this park. It has a cozy, tucked away feel and I recommend that everyone take a look at this park. Maintenance Kill fire ants Weed play area Clean trash from stream Paint bridge Add gravel to play area Recommended Backfill around concrete drain Improvement Repair wood edging around walkway Backfill erosion under bridge ST. MARY'S PARK Description Ballfield facility tucked away in the wooded area of northwest Allen. The park is located north of St Mary's Road. Comments Though the parks location is in a rough and unkept area, the esthetics potential for St. Mary's is great. You do not get much better than a tree encircled ballpark for local Sunday afternoon competition. PAGE 12 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 Maintenance Mow and edge Kill fire ants Comments Prune tress around perimeter Refurbish wire around parking area Maintenance Grade the infield Level outfield Recommended Landscape park sign Improvement Grade and resurface parking area Replace no parking signs on road Have City clean up lots across from park Grade and overseed dirt area to northwest STORY PARK Description This is a very large and diversified park located in northeast Allen at the intersections of Edelweiss Drive and Malone Road. Comments Story park is another high utilization facility that consists of picnic units, playground, pavilion area and athletic fields. Maintenance Mow and edge Landscape park signs Straighten northwest comer underground cable sign Fill in ditch across from 408 Azalea Fill in hole at Azalea and Gardenia Fill in ruts at far back southeast corner Grade down dirt pile on Story School field Fill ditch behind southeast play area Recommended Resurface infield on southwest ball field Improvement Name ballfields after prominent citizens Pad and secure all trash receptacles and picnic tables Resurface Story field infield PAGE 13 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 WALDEN PARK Description This is a very nice and homey park located at the corner of Thoreau Lane and Roaring Springs. Comments The park appears to be extremely well kept and it is obvious that those in the neighborhood are very proud of the facility Maintenance Kill fire ants Edge better Recommended Possibly install a play area where the monkey bars used to be. Improvement The Director offered to provide Dan information regarding future park sites and greenbelts including a guided tour if desired. C. Lonnie Thomas - Budget In preparation of the Parks and Recreation Department budget, this subcommittee will: 1. Serve as a Parks and Recreation Board Liaison to the Parks Director. 2. Identify key budget items of interest especially as they relate to maintenance and land purchases. 3. Inform Council of Parks and Recreation Board budget desires. 4. Lobby the Council for financial support. 5 Consider sale of temporary parks if revenues can be filtered back into parks. 6. Keep 1/2 cent sales tax on the burner for a future election. D Mike Rippe - Capital Improvement Programs Parks and Recreation Board involvement in the CIP may include recommendations to Council regarding timeline for future bond sales and use of park bond interest earnings. 11 PAGE 14 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 E. Mark Stout - Comprehensive Plan Discussion included information that if a comprehensive plan is adopted, it becomes a legally binding document. The Chairman indicated he would draft a letter to Council in advance of their Spring Planning Session including a recommendation to revise the City Comprehensive Plan. Revisions should include the location of our Community Park and Special Use Park based on various zoning changes and the plan should meet criteria established by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for grant priority F Jim Waldbauer - Alternative Transportation Subcommittee Jim and the Parks Director presently serve on an alternative transportation ad hoc committee. The committee will exist approximately 6-9 months to study ways to incorporate bike trails into the City Master Plan for development. Fifty-two percent of respondents to the 1992 Comprehensive Plan Survey reflected an interest in bike paths for transportation and recreational purposes. This committee is one of three being provided assistance by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Dallas and Grand Prairie are the other cities receiving Council of Government assistance preparing the bike path plans for their cities. Thus far, the greatest controversy has been in the design and location of future bike paths. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. Each subcommittee has the following general responsibilities: 1. Be the focal for the subject. 2. Keep teh Chairman and Board advised (report at Board meetings). 3. Become knowledgeable of the subcommittee subject. 4. Attend related City/community meetings. 5. Develop action plans as necessary A PAGE 15 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING APRIL 1, 1995 IV. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. These minutes read and approved this 12th day of June. 1995 LNnnie Thomas, Chairman