HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEIGHTS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING SUMMARYHEIGHTS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Wednesday, May 7
Meeting Summary-
1. Park Commission Chair David Steele opened the meeting with a welcome and expression of gratitude for their attendance and past input. An overview of the park planning process was
given as follows:
A.. May 7 meeting - input gathering from neighbors in creating a general vision for the park.
What characteristics currently exist at the park that they feel compelled to preserve or protect, and what improvements or added amenities might they support.
Input from meeting will be used to generate a vision or plan for the park that might (or might not) include proposed improvements or added amenities.
C. A vision for the park will be presented at a future neighborhood meeting. Neighbors will be invited and encouraged to provide feedback and input to this vision and any proposed
improvements.
2. Carol Kriegler gave a brief presentation related to the park’s “footprint”, current physical characteristics of the park, and identification of the associated issues and challenges
in planning.
Identified goal: Finding the balance between:
Adjacent neighbors need for privacy and protection versus the right to public access and reasonable use of a neighborhood park.
3. The meeting was attended by 12 neighbors and 4 commissioners. The meeting was positive in tone and very productive. Neighbors made comment in 3 general areas:
1. Preservation Goals - - what qualities and characteristics exist at the park that they'd like to see preserved.
2. Concerns - - what concerns do they have related to the park as it exists now as well as if it were to be improved.
3. Project Goals - - - what "improvements" might they support
There seemed to be a great deal of respect for all comments expressed and broad support for a park vision focusing on site restoration with an improvement in plant quality and diversity,
wildlife habitat improvement, soft walking path, possible mowed green space for play and relatively passive use. Attendees expressed their appreciation to the Commission for conducting
the meeting.
Preservation Goals
Natural state
Consistency with the character of the city
Quiet / tranquility
Water retention
Wildlife habitat
Concerns (Current conditions / Improvements0
Users cutting through yards to access
Trash
Improper use
Currently hard to use by people
Safety of kids (lack of visibility)
Pond safety
Potential drainage problems
Impact on trees, etc.
Project Goals
Clean up site
Grading, fill ruts
Community planting project
Walking path
Open green space for play
Backstop
Mowed / maintained
Proceed with test period for mowed play space. See how it is used.
Pleasure skating area