Minutes - Council - 06/10/2010 - Joint with Park & Rec Commission

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asked for feedback. He explained that a 2010 strategic goal was to improve the Central Park parking. He explained that when the church builds it will contribute to park dedication fees. He explained that a trail will come from a playground area and eliminate or reduce the need for people to drive around looking for a parking space. This will result in better traffic control. He explained that a bottleneck is created when people cannot find parking in the north parking lot and have to turn around. He explained that the neighborhood will gain access to the park in the north end when the church builds. He explained that the neighborhood does not currently connect to Central Park. He addressed questions about the location of the road within the park. Mayor Ramsey asked if the proposal would provide enough parking for the future. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that about 80 parking spots are being added and unless there is a tremendous event it should be enough parking. Councilmember Wise asked about liability for foul balls, etc going into the parking lot. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that they will put taller backstops up to address it. He explained that the diagram is a draft and Council will be looking at this proposal. He stated that 30 parking warnings were issued to people who were parked in the grass. He explained that starting in two weeks tickets will be issued. He explained that there has been enough parking available in the other lot but instead people park in the grass near the north field. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that there is a grant for dugouts. Commissioner Dehen asked if having a fence will minimize the field use for football. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that there are temporary fences that can be used which are very functional. He explained that the fields are used for rocket shooting and a variety of nonsport uses as well. Chairperson Shryock asked about volunteering Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that soccer has committed to cleaning the restrooms but not enough money has come in through fundraising as was anticipated. Mayor Ramsey asked about the dog park and whether an additional location is available. Parks Supervisor Riverblood suggested putting one up in North Park. He explained that residents in the North Park area are requesting landscaping. He explained that there is a backlog of community garden space and they would like to encourage use of this particularly in Town Center. He stated in 2010 there is $5,000 for volunteer opportunities. He explained that this money could be used to purchase landscaping supplies and volunteers would install it. He reported that this funding has been in place for the last few years and is available again in 2011. He suggested that a dog park would go well in there also. It was the consensus of the Commission that something needs to be done about the parking in Central Park, and Elmcrest needs to stay on the CIP list. Park and Recreation Commission/June 10, 2010 Page 4 of 7