Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/12/2020

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Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded he does not know that there is any applicable zoning. However, finding an off -leash siting can be difficult. When they are proposed close to residential properties, people tend have concerns. The staff did a complex matrix when the City went to find a location for the dog park. Expansion rather than developing a new one might be worth the money. Residents tend to have concerns about loose dogs and noise and traffic from people outside the area. They are also concerned with dog waste with respect to groundwater impacts. Alpine Park has worked well, with no significant runoff to streams. The siting of that worked out well. City Council Liaison Musgrove stated she likes Alpine; it is one of the best active parks in the City. She also asked about a separate entrance. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded the existing dog park is a pyramid shape. What is being proposed is using the back side of the westerly ballfields and the landfill's northern fence. There will be an entrance near the soccer field. On the existing outfield fences, those two gates would remain and one more would be added under Ms. Brockman' s proposal. City Council Liaison Musgrove stated she would have concerns with an entrance on that side that is not doubled. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded that is certainly a possibility. City Council Liaison Musgrove stated a double exit is important with that second entrance. She does like the idea of having it extended, as it goes with the park. Chair Bennett expressed agreement. If there is a second entrance, there should be a "dog trap," to provide a safety buffer. The existing fences will help leverage this project, though there will still be significant fencing and gate costs. Ms. Brockman stated a double gate would be great. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated these projects will come back for Commission input and project development. 5.03: Advance the Ford Brook Playground Renovation Project Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the Commission has looked at this project a few times already. A Listening Session with the neighbors was held in May 2019. The plan calls for the existing playground equipment to be removed and turf to be installed in that area. The playground would be moved closer to the center/south park of the park, and the playground would also become ADA-compliant. Also proposed is a sheltered picnic area. The table and bench would be made out of recycled plastics. The playground would be relocated from a nearby regional park that is in fantastic condition. There would be separate play Park and Recreation Commission/February 13, 2020 Page 5 of 10