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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, January 6, 2020 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 4 of 11 <br /> <br />Johnson noted it is not only a park, it is Orono's face to other communities in many ways. He added <br />Meyers did an outstanding job. He is hopeful that regular users will self-organize a little bit. <br /> <br />Walsh said it is not just a dog park anymore. It has also become a community-gathering place. <br /> <br />Johnson shared a story about some people who said they have multiple social groups at the park <br />depending on the time of day -- people taking their children to school and then taking the dog for a walk; <br />the retirees; the after-work people -- and they were actually meeting socially. <br /> <br />Walsh said there may need to be more tables if more people are meeting there and it becomes a true <br />community-gathering place. <br /> <br />Chair asked Johnson if he had any vision for Lurton Park. <br /> <br />Johnson stated he did not but regretted that he did not get the set of maintenance standards because he <br />thought that would have eliminated a lot of the strife over the last year. He said the park was evolving <br />with new trails, projects, tables, trees, and signs. Now it will be about maintaining things and looking <br />where to mow. He understands from Meyers there was an endless stream of suggestions coming from the <br />regulars. He feels it was very successful. <br /> <br />Klaahsen said she will continue to manage the Facebook page and also occasionally puts out notices of <br />when Park Commission meetings are. <br /> <br />The Commissioners, Edwards, and Walsh discussed Community Events which include tree-lighting, the <br />Bederwood grand opening, the dog park (Lurton), and an Oktoberfest/Fall Festival/Brewfest at the golf <br />course. They also discussed a grand opening on Big Island in 2020 or 2021 and suggested different ideas <br />of what that may involve. <br />Chair and the Commissioners discussed Berg being the coordinator of the calendar of events but each <br />event having a point person which Berg agreed to do. <br /> <br />Roath suggested, as an example, Berg could be the overall person, but he could be the point person for <br />Big Island. <br /> <br />Commission members discussed holding the Big Island and dog park events in June. They also talked <br />about using “Brewfest” instead of “Oktoberfest” so the date could be changed and the appeal each name <br />may hold to the citizens of Orono. Since the event is held at the golf course, depending on when it is held, <br />they need to be considerate of season passholders and regular users if the event includes golf. They <br />decided they would first need to figure out what the event is and the purpose of it. Councilmember Seals <br />will be contacted to make plans. Hudson offered to work on the Oktoberfest/Brewfest event. <br /> <br />Chair noted there's a working calendar for the events, Berg will be overseeing the events, and there are <br />individuals/people for each event. <br /> <br />Berg said a date for the holiday tree-lighting was picked but Santa has a standing contract for the second <br />Saturday of December, which is what it was changed to, so it may have to go back to the first Saturday. <br /> <br />Walsh said he did not feel it would matter whether it was the first Saturday or the second Saturday. It's <br />more about having it and getting the right people there.