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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />Monday, November 3, 2014 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />could create a list of shovel ready projects and then contact the Boy Scouts Group or other volunteer <br />groups to see if they would be willing to help. <br />15. PARK SURVEY <br />Bryce Johnson stated he was thinking, now that the Park Commission is starting up again, on how to get <br />input from the community and what their expectations are for the parks. Johnson stated in his view the <br />2008 survey was a little flawed when it came to the parks and that perhaps there could be some focus <br />groups created or the Park Commission could hold some open meetings with the local neighbors. <br />Meyers stated in the intergenerational study by Mr. Gasch he discusses parks and that perhaps the Park <br />Commission could work with him on that. <br />Bryce Johnson stated his thinking was that it could be a spinoff from that and that with the <br />intergenerational you do not want to have something that is so focused you could create controversy. <br />Johnson indicated he was thinking more broadly and that the Park Commission could pick a project that <br />they would like to do and then put some focus on it. Johnson stated the survey could be used to <br />determine what the public really wants and that by doing the survey it would show the residents that there <br />is a park commission in Orono that is doing more thanjust maintenance. <br />Brenda Johnson stated to her understanding Jim Gasch is going around some areas and knocking on the <br />doors and obtaining suggestions about what they feel are the big issues. Johnson stated when he meets <br />with the intergenerational group, he will be giving them one or two questions that they will focus on but <br />that those questions come from a larger collection of smaller conversations. <br />Brenda Johnson stated the intergenerational study would not necessarily have parks on the agenda, but <br />that Jim Gasch is getting into environmental related topics, which relates to the parks. Johnson indicated <br />he is also going to be speaking with officials from the City and will likely speak with the Park <br />Commission. Johnson stated it might be a good idea to have him talk to the Park Commission. <br />Meyers indicated he would be willing to meet with Jim Gasch. Meyers stated if Crystal Bay Park is <br />chosen, the Park Commission could meet with the residents and ask them what they what to see happen at <br />the park. Meyers stated he would recommend picking one park as the focus. <br />Bryce Johnson stated he would like to get the input of the community and that this could perhaps be done <br />in preparation for the new Comprehensive Plan. Johnson asked if a park survey is typically a part of that. <br />Gaffron stated it can be. Gaffron stated the 2008 survey did provide useful information that was <br />incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. Gaffron stated he is not sure it was designed for that purpose <br />but that it helped get an idea of what the residents wanted. <br />Meyers asked if it would be beneficial to the City to have a park survey. <br />Brenda Johnson stated a survey focuses on a methodology and that what the Park Commission wants is an <br />inquiry into what the thinking of the residents is. Johnson stated she would like to keep it at more of a <br />conversation or input level <br />Meyers stated the Park Commission could have a series of conversations on Orono parks <br />Page 20 of 24 <br />