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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/30/2002 - Special Agenda - Parks BoardMinutes College Station Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Tour of Parks and Related Facilities Tuesday, April 30, 2002 Central Park 1000 Krenek Tap Road 2:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Chairman John Nichols; Larry Farnsworth; Don Allison; Glenn Schroeder; and Glenn Davis. Board Members Absent: Bill Davis and Laura Wood (Alternate). Staff Present: Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation; Eric Ploeger, Assistant Director; Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent; Curtis Bingham, Operations Superintendent; and Kris Lehde, Board Secretary. 1. Convene: The Advisory Board convened at Central Park at 2:00 p.m. 2. Discussion and possible action regarding a tour of parks and related facilities (see itinerary below): The Board took a tour of the following parks and their related facilities: Central Park: Steve Beachy showed the Board some of the intergenerational benches that had been installed at the park. He also pointed out that there would be a dedication ceremony on May 11, 2002, to name the College Station Bike Loop in memory of Mr. Wayne Bryan. Veterans Park and Athletic Complex: The Board toured the site of the construction that had been underway for Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. Some of the areas in the park toured were: The site where the Veterans Memorial will be built. Steve said that Madison Construction had been hired to work on the entryway to the memorial, and that Acklam Construction had been hired to construct the rest of the park. The maintenance building. Eric Ploeger said that the maintenance building has a metal side that could be taken down to expand the building if needed at a later time. There will also be a small restroom and concession area in that building. Softball fields. Eric said that each field will initially receive one set of bleachers during the first phase of construction. Soccer fields. Merry Oaks Park: Steve stated that Merry Oaks Park has street frontage on two sides. He added that there have been some recent improvements to the park. Some swings have been replaced on the playground, and handicap accessible drinking fountains have been added. The park will also receive concrete walks, minor landscaping, and antique area lights. Oaks Park: Steve referred to the bridge replacement project that had been completed the day prior to the tour. The old bridge at the park had been demolished, and a new bridge was built in its place. Brison Park: Steve said that a new foot bridge had been ordered that will replace the one that crosses the creek. He added that the park would also be receiving additional concrete walks, intergenerational benches, and a handicap accessible drinking fountain. He added that there are also memorial plaques under the antique lights in memory of the twelve Aggies that died while working on Bonfire. Park Board Tour Tuesday, April 30, 2002 2:00 p.m. Lincoln Center: The Board toured the Lincoln Center that is currently under construction to expand the north side entrance. The entrance is being remodeled and expanded outward by 20', and will encompass a new foyer and snack area. The expansion is being done to ease the pedestrian congestion and overcrowding that has been experienced in the hallway during special events at the Center. The Lincoln Center was originally a school building and has been renovated several times since it was built. The Center Supervisor, Lance Jackson, gave the Board a tour of the game room, the community room, and the gym. A Board member asked if staff has had any problems with parents picking up their children that attend the Center. Lance responded that there has not been a problem because the staff know all of the children that attend the Center, and their parents. Lance said that the Center has a tutoring program and a good relationship with the College Station Independent School District. He said that most of the school's history has been kept in the gym area, and added that most of the kids that attend the Lincoln Center today are the children of Lincoln Former Students. Woodway Park: Woodway Park is an approximate nine -acre tract of land. It is triangular in shape, and is flat and open with frontage on Holleman. Currently the site is undeveloped. The City is in the process of trying to acquire approximately five acres adjacent to the site to develop the park. Edelweiss Park: Edelweiss is approximately twelve acres and was acquired through park land dedication funds. Most of the park is in a floodwater/retention area. When not flooded, this area is used as soccer practice and an open play area. This park also includes newly planted trees, a covered playground, a shelter with tables, a 1/2 basketball court, walks, and a new irrigation system. Jack and Dorothy Miller Park: Steve said that the City Council approved a construction contract on April 25, 2002, to make repairs to the jogging track at Jack and Dorothy Miller Park by adding rubber surfacing. The poor shape of the track had been a concern of the Advisory Board for a few years. There is an interlocal agreement between the City, the College Station Independent School District, and the Rock Prairie Parent/Teacher's Organization that guides the completion of this project. The project is expected to begin during the summer break to avoid conflicting with school schedules. Southwood Valley Athletic Complex: Steve showed the Board the three youth soccer fields that were recently renovated in 2001 as a result of the Park Maintenance Standards that were approved by the City Council. He added that practices have started and are held one night per week. Castlegate-Park: Castlegate Park is unique in that the developer actually built the park and dedicated it to the City. Steve said that the entrance area, which includes the ponds, has also been dedicated to the City. This park includes a playground, a swing set, a basketball court, and tennis courts. The park is approximately five acres and has full street frontage. Steve added that the park will be maintained through contract maintenance, but that the City may pick up the maintenance at a later date. Pebble Creek Park: The Department is currently working with the Pebble Creek Homeowners Association to make some improvements to the park. Some improvements that have already been made are the installation of an iron fence and the planting of some trees. Park land dedication funds have been used to fund these improvements. The Homeowners Association is also requesting that another smaller playground be constructed in that park as well. 3. Adjourn: The tour ended at 5:00 p.m. Park Board Tour Tuesday, April 30, 2002 2:00 p.ar.