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ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING <br /> MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 <br /> (#6) PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> There were no public comments. <br /> (#7) PRESENTATION - LANDSCAPING CITY PARKS BY STEVE RUCE <br /> Steve Ruce presented a 10 minute slide show to the Park Commission concerning future <br /> plans to landscape the city parks. Ruce recommended the Park Commission consider <br /> using perennials for the majority of the planting, and suggested Purple Conefiowers, <br /> Daylilies, Geraniums, Hostas, and Daisies, among others, because of their hardiness <br /> and the wide variety available. <br /> McDermott inquired whether protection over the winter for the perennials would be <br /> necessary. <br /> Ruce stated the perennials suggested would not require much winter protection, with <br /> mulch around the plants being recommended to reduce weed growth during the summer <br /> months. Poor soils can be improved upon by adding organic matter, such as a mixture <br /> of black dirt, sand, peat moss and compost. <br /> McDermott commented he thought the soils in the parks should be enhanced wherever <br /> necessary. <br /> Wilson remarked that landscaping of the City parks is a great idea, but raised a concern <br /> regarding the long-term maintenance of the plants which might become too time-consuming <br /> and costly. Wilson stated Crystal Bay Park had been landscaped previously but a majority <br /> of the plants died due to a lack of watering. Wilson suggested the Park Commission <br /> address the issue of how the parks will be maintained before proceeding with the actual <br /> landscaping. <br /> Welles stated landscaping of the City parks is a great idea, but also raised a concern about <br /> the long-term maintenance of the plants. Welles noted the Park Commission should adopt <br /> some simple guidelines on how to install and maintain the landscaping first before proceeding <br /> with planting. <br /> Wilson suggested that the Park Commission implement long-term care and maintenance guidelines <br /> first concerning the parks, followed by planting of trees and shrubs, and then planting of flowers. <br /> No action was taken by the Park Commission. <br /> SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS <br /> (#8) REPORT ON SAGA HILL, GRANT APPLICATION <br /> Silber reported the City has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the DNR and now matching <br /> funds need to be raised. Silber suggested the Park Commission consider a mixed use park; <br /> some active and some passive park use which might be more attractive to fund givers. <br /> Silber reported there were four families in the Tonkaview and County Road 19 area who were <br /> opposed to any active park in that area due to concerns about loss of privacy, but the majority of the <br /> people in the area expressed excitement over the project. Silber stated if the City is able to <br /> Page 2 <br />