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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWoodway Public Hearing MinutesJoe D. asked where staff would go for information on designing a course. (The manufacturer could provide information, as well as the City of Bryan.) Justin Minton preferred the first concept over the second and didn't see the need for a playground. April C. would like to see a small playground put in. She said she lived in the neighborhood and there were people with small children. Others agreed. Michael Levy asked what style trash can would be used. (The standard trash can used is called the XTR. It has a plastic liner, with wood on the outside.) John N. asked if there were any other amenities that had not been mentioned that they would like to see considered. Mike B. reiterated that he would like to see the park kept as natural as possible. He felt the park needed a playground and other amenities, but would like to see it left more natural. Someone asked about restrooms in the park. (Restrooms do not normally go into neighborhood parks because most users are within walking distance from home. Depending on the amenities that go into the park, rest rooms may have to be considered.) Krystal K. felt that restrooms were needed. At Research Park you have to pack up and leave if you have to use the restroom. She also felt that the pavilion in Bee Creek Park was very nice. Jeremiah M. would like to see picnic units with a barbecue pit. (Picnic units have a table, barbecue pit, and a trash can.) Larry Farnsworth asked what size pavilion would go in. (Staff had no specific size in mind.) Krystal K. said she would like to see a larger pavilion that could be utilized by various organizations. (Larger pavilions require more parking and restrooms, and there would be an impact on the neighborhood.) April C. thought that a small pavilion and parking area would be best since there was a lot of traffic in the area already. Lance H. asked if there would be an aerator installed in the pond and if there was an alternative to the fountain type aerator. (Normally, aerators were installed in the ponds because it improved water quality and was better for the fish. There was an aerator that had been invented by someone locally that sat on the bottom, without the spray.) Jeremiah M. asked if there would be any irrigation or a sprinkler system. (Normally irrigation did not go into neighborhood parks except around trees, shrubs, or flowers.) A last comment was added that picnic tables were important. Ric said he felt that these were all very good ideas and appreciated everyone coming out. Everyone would be kept informed of the next public hearing, which hopefully would be held before finals. 4. Adjourn. A motion was made to adjourn and seconded. Hearing no objection the motion passed unanimously. Woodway Park Public Hearing Page 6 March 3, 2004 Joe D. asked about the possibility of using mulch for the trails with wood decking in areas where drainage was a problem. (Mulch would be a maintenance issue anywhere that there is more than a 1 % slope.) Gary Erwin asked if mulch on the trail would inhibit the ADA requirements. (The department has a lot of experience with different trail surfaces. The cinder/crushed brick tracks are being taken out of the parks because maintenance is a problem. Concrete with a rubber surface is preferred and has been installed in a number of places. It runs about $8-$9 per square foot for the concrete and the surface. Fortunately, the budget for this park is good. The trail loop design will be looked at to see where it can be done.) Maria G. would like to see emergency phone boxes put on the trails. (The emergency phones were a possibility that would have to be checked into.) Kevin M. felt that the 5.25 acres would need to be cleared out so that law enforcement and emergency vehicles could have access. (Once Jones Butler Road went in, they would have good access.) Mike B. asked when construction on the existing park land would begin. (Based on the input from the meeting, staff would go back and prepare design concepts with cost estimates, which would be introduced to the Board at another public hearing. The exact schedule was not known, but it would be a month or two before that happened.) John N. asked that the next public hearing be held while the University was in session so that there would be good student representation. Jeremiah M. wanted to know if a dog park was put into place, where it would go and how large an area would be needed. (Staff had not gotten to that level of detail. The smallest park seen on the internet was about an acre, and some were as large as fifteen acres, with the entire area dedicated to dogs.) Jeremiah said if an area for dogs went in, he would like to see it be smaller. Jennifer Jobe would like to see a dog park. She wanted to know if the upper, existing park land could be developed with other amenities, while developing three acres or so of the lower portion as a fenced off dog park with a cement ramp going into the pond. The trails could continue around that portion of the park outside of the dog park area. (It was possible that this could be done.) Joe D. wanted to reiterate that it would be really nice to have a Frisbee golf course. Glenn Schroeder asked if Frisbee golf could be integrated in with other amenities such as sand volleyball and basketball courts. (Staff did not have a lot of experience with Frisbee golf courses and would have to look into it.) Mike B. thought it would be feasible to integrate all amenities together, and used Austin's Colony and Hensel Park as examples. Both were nine -hole courses with picnic tables, running trails, etc. with disk golf baskets set up along the jogging trails and integrated in with the other amenities. Lance H. wanted to encourage the idea of a disc golf park as well. Jeremiah M. said the course was integrated through the park but not near the open space, pavilion or playground. He felt that it would have to go into the proposed portion of the park land. Andrew V. added that it would not need to be spread out. Woodway Park Public Hearing Page 5 March 3, 2004 John N. asked if the students would like to see benches in the park. Lori B. said a few benches would be nice, but not an overabundance. Krystal Kennedy said that if the dog park idea was considered, then signs should be posted requiring leashes or else it might keep people from going. (There was a leash law in College Station.) Kevin Myers would like to see an area where he could take his dog off -leash. If the jogging trails went in, then the brush would have to be cleared out for security purposes. Maria G. said that she thought the trails were a good idea and would prefer the underbrush cleared as well for safety reasons. She asked what type of material the trails would be. (They would probably be concrete or, depending on the budget, they could also be rubber cushioned surfacing.) Andrew Vacek liked the idea of lighted jogging trails and asked about the curfew time. He also wanted to know what would be done with the beaver if developed as a dog park. (Bank beaver are very hard on ponds. They tunnel into dams/dikes and destroy the integrity of them. They may have to be relocated. There is a Park Curfew Ordinance. For neighborhood parks the curfew is 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m., unless changed by an ordinance amendment.) Lance H. would like to see a more natural type material, such as mulch, for the jogging trail. Jeremiah M. was in favor of concrete for the trails, because there would be a containment issue with mulch or gravel. He would like to see the metal benches with rubber on them (because they are more comfortable) placed along the trails. He also liked the idea of the basketball and sand volleyball courts. Unless you were a resident of one of the apartment complexes, you did not have access to their courts. (The benches that are used have backs.) Maria G. would like to see a dog park area within the park and asked about maintenance issues associated with it. (Maintenance is typically the biggest problem mostly because the grass disappears. Most dog parks are going to a gravel surface and the pet owner is required to pick up after their dog, with plastic bags and waste containers provided. It might be tough to do a dog park in this location. There were other parks, where it might work better.) David Wood stated that he had seen a dog park with a concrete boat ramp - type of entry into water. It kept the park a lot cleaner by cutting down on the mud. John N. stated that there was a fairly recent National Recreation and Park Society magazine that had an article on dog parks. One of the things stressed in the article was to have a local citizens' group get involved in helping to maintain the park. Jennifer S. asked what would happen to the beavers. (This had not been discussed, but it was possible they may no longer be there by the time the park is developed.) Tomye Folts asked if they were actually nutria and not beaver. Nutria is considered an invasive species and could be eliminated. (These have actually built a dam structure and there have been beaver in the parks before.) Woodway Park Public Hearing Page 4 March 3, 2004 to make as much of the property as possible, handicap accessible. Any trails put in would be handicap accessible.) Michael Bennett asked if staff had given any thought to a nine -hole disc golf course. (Those are a challenge for small facilities, but could certainly be looked at.) Joe Dalton didn't know if a dog park would be good in that neighborhood since everything around it was apartments and dogs weren't allowed. He liked the jogging trail. Jeremiah Minarcik asked what type of material the jogging path would be made of (Probably concrete.) Lance Haynie felt that since the neighborhood consisted of mostly students, a playground might not be necessary and asked if any demographic studies had been done. (Staff had some demographic information and the area is mostly students, but experience has shown that this changes over time.) Maria G. suggested putting the basketball court closer to Jones Butler Road so that it would be more easily accessible to the people in that area. Justin Minton said he knew that a sand volleyball court and basketball court would be used a lot. Lights were also important for play at night. Ken Livingston said that he didn't like the practice field so close to the busy streets in the second concept. (An attractive fence may have to be considered for along the street.) Joe Dalton asked if there would be any grassy, open spaces. (Probably the only open area would be around the pond or parking lot. Grass could be considered.) Jeremiah M. asked if the existing woods in concept one would be turned into open space. (It probably wouldn't be cleared completely - just the underbrush.) April Conkey would like the site to be left more wooded rather than completely cleared for open areas. She asked what the pond would be used for, and if Jones Butler Road would go through to 2818. (The Thoroughfare Plan proposes that the road continues out to 2818. Most ponds were for aesthetic purposes and stocked for fishing, but staff was open for comments.) Joe D. wondered if it was possible to develop the top portion and open the bottom portion for access but leave it as a natural habitat. (This will probably be what takes place due to the natural layout of the land. A trail system and a pier may be all that are done on that portion. There is also an issue with the pond. The pond level has been raised about two feet by beaver damming up a portion of it.) Lori Buck asked if there would be any drainage for the sand volleyball court. (Any new courts have a French drain - underground pipes that drain the water off elsewhere.) Jennifer Sellers would like to see the site remain more wooded and natural. Joe D. felt it wasn't completely necessary to develop that park - it could be left more natural and residents could use the facilities at the other apartment complexes. Lance H. would like to see the site kept more wooded. Woodway Park Public Hearing Page 3 March 3, 2004 attending and explained that the purpose of the meeting was to get feedback from the public on Woodway Park, and to take those ideas and formulate a conceptual plan for the construction of the park. Eric introduced Pete Vanecek, Senior Park Planner, who would be explaining a couple of concepts that had been developed. Eric stated that these were not the final designs for the park, only concepts of what was typical of neighborhood parks. He said neighborhood parks are intended to serve the immediate neighborhood and normally do not have amenities for organized sports, such as lighted ball fields, playing fields, or parking lots. However, since there were enough funds available and this park was located on a very busy street, a parking lot may be included. Eric briefly explained park zones and the Park Land Dedication Ordinance. Woodway Park is located in Park Zone 7, and is bordered Holleman on one side and the proposed Jones Butler Road extension. Once the extension is complete, the park will be bordered by two major thoroughfares. The park is basically a triangle divided into two sections, with the city owning the top 9.7- acre portion and negotiating to purchase the remaining 5.25 acres. There is an agreement for that portion, however the owner is waiting until work begins on the Jones Butler Road extension before he will sell it to the city. Staff intended to create a site plan for the entire piece of property. If the 5.25 acres was not acquired by the time construction was ready to begin, the 9.7-acre portion would be developed anyway, which is probably where most of the amenities would be situated. The second piece of property has some significant elevation changes, as well as a large pond. The pond would need to be evaluated to see if it will need to be cleaned up in order to make it attractive and safe. There was a significant amount of drainage that ran through the park, and if trails were put in, there would need to be some bridges. Ric stated that for the purpose of the meeting, the entire site should be considered. Ric mentioned some of the amenities that could be considered for the park, such as covered playgrounds, shelters, picnic units, bicycle racks, amenities for dogs, swing sets, and exercise stations. He turned the presentation over to Pete Vanecek. Pete V. talked about the two concepts which included parking for about 50 cars, a 1/2-3/4 mile jogging trail, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, a pier on the pond for fishing, identifying signs, landscaping, and trees. There was an existing sidewalk along Holleman. The pond would probably be drained, dug deeper, and an aerator installed to keep the water circulating. The second concept was basically the same, except it had tennis courts and a practice backstop. Pete asked for ideas. (Staff responses are noted in parenthesis.) Maria Gijon asked how extreme the elevation changes on the proposed piece of property were, and if it would be handicap accessible. (The goal would be Woodway Park Public Hearing Page 2 March 3, 2004 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Public Hearing Tuesday, March 3, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Lincoln Recreation Center 1000 Eleanor Street College Station, Texas Staff Present: Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation; Eric Ploeger, Assistant Director; Peter Vanecek, Senior Park Planner; David Wood, Park Planner; Scott Hooks, West District Supervisor; Lance Jackson, Lincoln Center Supervisor; Pamela Springfield, Staff Assistant. Board Members Present: John Nichols, Chairman; Larry Farnsworth; Ken Livingston; Don Allison; Glenn Schroeder; Jodi Warner (arrived late); Gary Erwin, Alternate. Board Members Absent: Glen Davis. Visitors: Michael Levy, P.O. Box 6642, CS Shawn Thomas, 939 Spring Loop, CS Andrew Vacek, 1411 Antone Court, CS Mike Bennett, 1216 Oney Hervey, CS Jennifer Jobe, 2334 Pheasant, CS Bubba Molinare, 3201 Lane St., CS Kim Taylor, 2300 Axis Ct., CS Jeremiah Minarcik, 117 Ridge Cove Lance Haynie, 7576 River Ridge Dr., CS Joe Dalton, 1520 Wolf Run, CS Jennifer Johnson, Hickory Dr., CS Maria Gijon, 100 Winter Park #309, CS Lindsay McDonald, 4149 Wellborn Road #211, Bryan Arthur Soloman, 2250 Dartmouth #1228, CS Lori Buck, 2521 Ashford, CS Justin Minton, 3626 Hollyhock, CS Tomye Folts Zettner, 311 Stasney #1401, CS Kevin Myers, 3319 Lodgepole Circle, CS Grace Rabuck, 117 Holleman Dr. W. #13303, CS April Conkey, 1809-B Woodsman, CS Matt Wilson, 1216 Oney Hervey, CS Katie Kasmiersky, 617 San Mario, CS Pamela Kiekman, 117 Holleman Dr. W. #13102 CS Jennifer Sellers, 1415 Holik, CS Chris Ceballos, 2250 Dartmouth #1228, CS Krystal Kennedy, 1603-D Anderson, CS 1. Call to Order. John Nichols, Chairman, called the public hearing to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Possible action regarding requests for absences. Jodi Warner had submitted a request that she may be unable to make the meeting. A motion was made by Glenn Schroeder to accept her request for absence and seconded by Larry Farnsworth. Hearing no objection, the motion carried unanimously. (Jodi W. ultimately arrived shortly before the meeting adjourned.) 3. Public hearing, discussion, and possible action concerning the development of Woodway Park. John N. introduced Steve Beachy and Eric Ploeger, who would be leading the meeting. Eric thanked everyone for Woodway Park Public Hearing Page 1 March 3, 2004