08-07-2014 Park Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 7, 2014 and/or Spooner Park was very desirable. He felt, however, that placing the sidewalk in the area between the two retaining walls would be unnatural and people may not want to use it. The Parks Consultant noted that extending the sidewalk beyond the Gervais Mill Park entrance will disrupt the existing garden area, but indicated that the garden can be modified to accommodate that disruption. The Parks Director agreed. Fahey asked the feasibility of relocating the fire hydrant. It was explained that the hydrant was just installed. Sullivan asked how this sidewalk project originated without any input from the Parks & Recreation Commission. The Director indicated that the sidewalk discussion began as an offshoot of the Little Canada Road sidewalk project. After additional discussion of this matter, the consensus was that the Commission would meet on site to look at the area and determine what options there may be for this sidewalk installation. The Commission's consensus will be reported later in the minutes. CANADIAN The Director reported that the Canadian Days Committee has leased DAYS parking from property owners across the street from Spooner Park for PARKING several years. This parking was used by Committee members and vendors, and consisted of about 60 spaces. The house is currently for sale; therefore, the parking was no longer available. The Committee contacted the City a few weeks ago about the possibility of taking down some trees in the park to provide for additional parking. The Director indicated that it was his feeling that the trees Canadian Days identified for removal would not have provided the amount of parking they were seeking. He also indicated that removal of these trees would have a negative impact on other uses of the park. The Director stated that the biggest impact on parking occurs on Saturday during the car show. City staff and representatives of the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Canadian Days Committee met in the park to review this request. The Director reported that as a result of the on-site meeting, it was determined that the trees suggested to be removed would not provide enough additional parking. Therefore, the Canadian Days Committee indicated that they would monitor the need during this year's event and would come back with a proposal within the next few months. As a temporary solution, Canadian Days hired a bus to shuttle people to and from Spooner Park and Pioneer Park to help alleviate the situation for this year. 2