Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/08/2022

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Barten, Olson, Leistico and Walker. Voting No: None. Vice Chair Sis and Commissioner Loss 5.02: Consider Sculptural Carving of Two Dead Oaks at Sunfish Lake Park Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood stated that there are two magnificent burr oaks at Sunfish Lake Park that sadly died at the same time. He stated that he wanted to see if there was something they could do with those trees. He noted that while at a nature-based park it would be appropriate to leave dead trees for wildlife habitat, these are near the canoe area and for safety purposes they do need to be addressed, due to concern for falling limbs. He stated that the concept of doing something sculptural was brought forward. He stated that he reached out to three tree services and only one was interested in removal of the trees and provided a cost estimate of about $6,000 which did not include wood removal or stump removal. He noted that he also reached out to a professional chainsaw sculpture that could do the carving of the trees who provided a not to exceed amount of$4,200. He stated that rather than paying $6,000 for removal, they could have them carved in an artistic manner. He provided some examples of what could be carved into the trees. He commented that the carving and staining of the oaks would have a relatively long lifespan, even longer with some periodic maintenance from staff. Chair Bennett agreed that those are both beautiful trees and they still look beautiful even dead, so it would be nice to see something done that would allow them to remain. He stated that he liked the introduction of wildlife and fish in the concept. Commissioner Leistico asked if staff proposed these ideas or whether the artist proposed these ideas. Parks&Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood stated that he proposed the different concepts as they could be educational to children and would be a discovery type activity where kids could find new animals. He stated that he did not recommend the typical bear or eagle carving that is often done. Chair Bennett agreed that he also liked the educational fable concepts which would tie into the different learning stations around the park. Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood agreed that would be a fun opportunity to explore. Councilmember Musgrove was curious of the proximity of the neighbors and their input. She stated that she likes the concept with animals where kids would search for different animals and did not necessarily like the fable theme. She also liked the idea of a naming concept for the trees. Parks &Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood stated that they could poll the neighbors but would speculate that many would not respond. He stated that there could also be a variety of responses which would be hard to process. He noted that they could also receive as an example, a majority of suggestions for a totem pole which would not necessarily be appropriate. He confirmed that if more elements are added, it could increase the cost. He stated that if the creatures were too small or detailed, the features could be lost over time. Park and Recreation Commission/September 8, 2022 Page 4 of 6