12-06-2018 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION December 6, 2018 he would present the cost estimates to the LCRA at their December meeting. The Community Services Manager stated the Commission had discussed adding a second parking lot to Spooner Park in October. He reported the Canadian Days Committee had committed to donating $50,000 to constructing the parking lot. The Community Services Manager stated staff are considering design options for the parking lot and would provide the Commission with a recommendation. He noted the buckthorn and brush trees in the northwest corner would be further cleaned out this winter, and would help staff determine a location for the parking lot. The Community Services Manager indicated the Canadian Days Committee would be consulted on the design process. Ray asked if the parking lot would be complete by Canadian Days in 2019. The Community Services Manager stated it is not in the 2019 budget. The Community Services Manager reported he was looking into using goats to clean up the buckthorn remaining in the northwest corner of the park. He explained it may be more sustainable to have the goats eat the invasive species, although the process may take three years. Darling stated many other cities have used goats to clean up invasive species. The Community Services Manager noted the cost of the goats would have to be within the budgeted amount, otherwise more traditional removal methods would have to be used. The Community Services Manager reported a community survey was conducted by the Morris Leatherman Company in August and consisted of 400 households answering 120 questions. The Community Services Manager shared information from the survey that pertained to the Commission. Ray asked if he had conducted this survey in Little Canada in the past. The Community Services Manager reported he had done the survey in Little Canada in the past and in surrounding communities. He noted the results were projectable within five percent. The Community Services Manager shared the results of the survey. When asked what respondents liked most about the community 7% said parks and trails and 4% said open space. 92% of residents said Little Canada was headed in the right direction. 88% of residents stated they had a “very strong” or “somewhat strong” sense of community. When asked what they would like fixed or improved 5% of respondents said they would like to see more recreation programs offered and 4% said they would like more parks and trails. 24% said nothing should be fixed or improved. 96% of survey respondents rated the maintenance and upkeep of parks and trails as excellent or good. 83% of survey respondents felt that COMMUNITY SURVEY SUMMARY SPOONER PARK PARKING LOT UPDATE