03-02-06 Parks Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission March 2, 2006 the plans with area residents. Mans expressed concern with the path through the wetland down to Demont. He felt the path might be too obtrusive on the wetland. Sanders stated that there is about asix-foot elevation change from the top of the bank to the water level. He felt that the grade would have to be cut back to make the deck handicapped accessible. He said that the deck could be built six feet up, but a floating boardwalk would be nice since it would bring residents right down to the water level. He indicated that the floats could lift the viewing platform around 2-3 feet. A few trees would have to be removed to accommodate the deck and the DNR would need to approve the project due to its proximity to the wetland area. Davis felt that the 6-foot high deck would stand out. She preferred to see the deck on floats. Sackett Glaser expressed concern about the residents' ability to view the wetland due to all of the cattails in the area. However, she felt that a 2-3 foot lift from the floats would help with viewing. The Director stated that there is $7,500 budgeted for this project. Sanders indicated that the project would cost approximately $10,000-$15,000. The Commission was very receptive to pursuing the observation deck project. The Director felt that the city should proceed with obtaining estimates on the deck. He felt that the additional path from the deck down to Demont Avenue could be pursued in the future since there is no money appropriated for it yet. He suggested holding a neighborhood meeting to discuss the deck only. Another neighborhood meeting could be held in the future if the additional path is ever proposed. Maus recommended having Sanders proceed with obtaizing cost estimates for the observatiozz deck for the Nadeau Wildlife Area off of Lake Street to include 2-3 foot floats. Motion seconded by Gray. Motion carried S - 0. COMP. PARK Sanders began to review different parks within the city. He asked for the Commission's PLAN ideas for improvements to the park facilities. Saooner Park: Items identified included the following: ^ Lower shelter needs replacement. A larger size would be nice. Electric is already present, but a large grill is needed. ^ Erosion on sides of path needs to be addressed. Erosion control is needed especially in the area south of the ball fields. Buckthorn removal is needed. ^ Addition of a butterfly garden would be nice and creating some un-mowed areas featuring longer, natural grass is recommended. ^ Trash problem by dumpsters in the school parking lot needs to be addressed. Trash is blowing into area east of parking lot. (This may be a school problem, but the Director wi1.1 look into it.) Page 2 of 4