Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/11/2003

Home

North Park Ms. Bartels inquired if the Commission has any comments regarding the north park, other than reorienting the sliding hill. The concept plan shows the trails as all interconnecting and the grades would be kept under five percent. There would be a storm water swale moving through. Chairperson Johns indicated the plan looks fine. Downtown Area Parks Ms. Bartels reviewed the concept plans for the downtown area, which includes the Downtown Commons, the Civic Square, and the Sports and Skate Park. Commissioner Shryock inquired about the lighting in the Downtown Commons area. Ms. Barrels responded lighting and seating would be a critical component of the design. The lower area would be depressed a couple of feet. ParksFUtilities Supervisor Riverblood advised in this urban environment the quality skating period at the Downtown Commons will be small unless they do a good job of providing nearly full day shade. Commissioner Shryock inquired about utilizing refrigeration for the skating rink. Commissioner Olds suggested the Skate Park should be able to be converted to other uses, such as street hockey. This might be able to be done through things such as movable ramps. He explained his concern is that skate parks are very common. They need to think out of the box and not limit the use to one functioh. Chairperson Johns stated the Commission has had kids approach them over the years many times wanting something like the Skate Park. Commissioner Shryock concurred with Commission Olds regarding flexibility. She suggested the Skate Park could be programmed to have different uses on different nights, such as roller blading and roller hockey. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood inquired about the concept of having the park run by concessionaires. Ms. Bartels responded the City may want to have the park run by concessions rather than by the City. There are four conditions that must be met for the government not to be held liable for injuries, and this will have to be discussed with a lawyer. The park would be a very maintenance intensive facility and the City would have to maintain it to release them from liabilityl She explained the city of Denver runs a skate park and the incidents of skateboarding on other property has dropped 50 percent. Denver created a special district to maintain the park for such Park and Recreation Commission/August 19, 2003 Page 4 of 10