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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Tuesday, January 3, 2017 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Carter stated while doing the grooming for the event, they could create a trail on Big Island to see how it <br />would work. <br />Carter stated if the test run works, the desired outcome would be for the City of Orono to purchase a <br />groomer and maintain a trail using existing tracked vehicles already owned by the City. If the trail was <br />determined to be low enough impact, Carter indicated it might be possible for the classic portion of the <br />course to include a portion of Big Island. Carter stated currently two volunteers help groom the trail for <br />them each year, with the group paying for their gas. <br />Carter stated the money raised from the event is donated to the Freshwater Institute or the ICA Food Shelf <br />and that through the years they have raised $28,000. <br />Carter stated this year the event will be combined with a kite skiing event being sponsored by the <br />Excelsior Brewing Company. Carter stated he typically does not see very many people on Big Island <br />during the winter and that this would be a good way to showcase the island. Carter stated the trail would <br />probably be good for two to three months. <br />Meyers thanked Rick Carter for appearing before the Park Commission tonight. Meyers noted the event <br />would go on as normal this year and that Mr. Carter is basically asking the City to consider allowing the <br />BLAB to create a classic ski trail on Big Island to see what the impacts would be. Meyers stated in his <br />view this would be a good activity for Big Island and would hopefully help to deter undesirable activities <br />that occur periodically on Big Island. <br />Meyers asked what the groomers do for a living and whether they own their own equipment. <br />Carter indicated one of the gentlemen is retired and the other one is a coach and that they do own their <br />own equipment. <br />Meyers stated one option might be for the City to contract with the two gentlemen to create the trails at <br />Lurton Park. <br />Carter stated there would be no cost to the City for the trail the first time and that perhaps they could go <br />with the contracting in the future. Carter stated if the trail worked out, they would like to keep a trail <br />around the island as well as a trail to the island. Carter stated if they are going to actually do this, they <br />will need more snow, but that they would plot a course and put it on a map for the City. <br />Meyers stated he would be willing to go out there with Mr. Carter to plot out the trail, <br />Bryce Johnson asked if this activity takes place at any other venue. <br />Carter indicated it does not. Carter stated his dream from the beginning was to start up at Water Street, go <br />a couple of blocks on the street, and then out on the lake. Carter stated that would take a lot of snow and <br />more money, but that they are thinking about perhaps moving it up to the Commons at some point. Carter <br />indicated he is not interested in looking for other opportunities at this time. <br />Pesek stated he was involved with the Park Commission a number of years ago when the City acquired <br />the park on Big Island and that he was not happy at the time the City acquired it because it would likely <br />Page 2 of 9 <br />