02-05-1996 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 5, 1996 � (#3 - Bederwood Park- Continued) Hawkinson responded that two fields in Medina are being used for t-ball when asked by McMillan. McMillan noted that the Lions were building a field south of Hamel and asked the association to talk with Medina officials. It was reported that Morningside field was used for Medina children only. 1VIcMillan commented that Orono teams consist of children from Medina too. The fields in Medina were said to be small. Haliquist reported that Long Lake charges $5 a night to play at Holbrook Park. Ilse asked that the association coordinate with the Park Commission on organizing meetings with a#her communities. Hawkinson said he has spoken with Jack Veach of the Orono School Board, who reported that he is proposing a sports board commission. Ilse noted the lack of a recreation department within the City, and the importance of all groups to work together. Hawkinson commented on the forementioned meeting of March of 1990 regarding the use of Bederwood Park He believed that it was said that Bederwood was to serve more than the neighborhood and added that he did not think it was a contradiction to ask for more usage for playing ball. McMillan said the comprehensive plan noted specific activities that could take place at Bederwood but that this did not necessarily mean organized athletics. Flint said the 1980 plan calls for a neighborhood park to be more active and to serve more than the immediate area. This would include Bederwood, which is classified as a neighborhood park McMillan said the use was for field games, but not listed under intensive-active or specifying athletics. Flint recalled that the recent survey outcome was for a preference for open space and nature trails. Organized activities was not a high priority in the survey. He did however, note the receipt by the Orono Baseball Association of the Friends of the Park award in 1995. Hawkinson commented that he came to the meeting to shaw cooperation between arganizations. He added that, in addition to the neighbors of Bederwood who wrote letters received by the Park Commission, there were neighbors who are in favor of more baseball being played at the park. Hawkinson noted the term, "park full of people" in one letter, and commented that this is what a park is for. He added that it was the grandson of the previous owner, Larson, who spoke at the Council meeting of 3/26/90. McMiilan asked what nights the field is used for basebali and was told Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hawkinson cammented that if the park was left open, the baseball fields wouldn't be used. He noted the difficulty in scheduling 60 teams and the future needs of a possible aduIt league. McMillan asked if there was such a field as a multi-use field. Hallquist said four fields at the high school were multi-use. The softball fields are used up through the 8th grade. Baseball was said to have different pitching distances. �