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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />Tuesday, September 7, 2021 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />The Commission recommended the team reach out to park neighbors and gauge neighborhood support <br />for such a use prior to moving the idea forward formally. It was determined that bicycle access into the <br />park was not suitable for the team. No further action is planned at this time. Still, the Commission <br />believes access to Lowry Woods —for any user - is inadequate. The property is nearly surrounded by <br />private property. And, the natural terrain adds other access challenges. The Commission will continue to <br />explore options to provide improved access to this beautiful natural park for all residents. <br />6) Bederwood Park: In Spring 2021, the Commission recommended, and the City Council passed a <br />resolution, allowing the Orono Mountain Bike Team to use a portion of Bederwood Park to conduct skill <br />training for their youngest riders. The approval allows the team to use existing grass and dirt pathways <br />and to make minor improvements (clear deadfall, leaves and debris from the ground) creating a dirt <br />pathway in the undeveloped areas of the park. To date there have been no negative impacts from <br />mountain bikes in the woods at Bederwood. In fact, any impacts are all positive. We appreciate the <br />mountain bike team removing debris and dead branches. If in the future we hear of misuse in thatpart of <br />the park, the City Staff and Park Commission will take this matter up and understand the impacts. <br />7) At both Lowry Woods and at Bederwood, the Commission does not have any plan to: a. Take%ondemn <br />private property b. Permit the removal or cutting down of healthy trees in protected park woodlands c. <br />Fill drainage ways or wetlands d. Engage any landscape engineering or architectural firm for any work <br />related to protected undeveloped areas of the park Any such plans for these activities in the future would <br />first be contemplated in public City Council or Commission meetings, where all residents have the <br />opportunity to voice support or concern. <br />8) Please be aware that making unauthorized changes to our parks is not allowed. Activities such as <br />clearing trees or even planting seedlings in Orono parks without City approval are violations of city <br />code. <br />9) Park Commission and Cit1) Council meetings are the fora to receive accurate information on Cit)) park <br />projects. Your participation is the way to invoke change in our parks. This is the proper channel to voice <br />concerns or complaints. You are all welcome, and encouraged, to participate in the process of improving <br />our parrs. <br />10) Lastly, Orono parks are for everyone. It is important everyone — whether child, adult, organized, not - <br />organized, resident, non-resident —feel welcome in all parrs. Any activio3 that makes Park users feel <br />intimidated, scared, bullied, harassed, or otherwise unwelcome will not be tolerated. <br />Carter moved, Hudson seconded, to add the Park Commission Statement to the record. VOTE: <br />Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />b. Park Assignments Review <br />Chair Roath asked to walk through the goals for each park. <br />Berg updated regarding Summit, noting the boy scouts were putting in the stairs and she looked at the <br />designated playground area and thinks they just need some swings and a slide. <br />Edwards is looking at playground vendors and noted there are grant opportunities in the fall and the <br />spring. <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />