07-27-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, March 2nd, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 14 the benefit to the community and better utilize the beach and park. His biggest concern is how club activities would impact other people’s activities. Berg pointed out that it is a natural area; it is relaxing to go there. Most people are concerned about taking the feeling away that you are in a natural area. Ruegemer stated Bruce Dayton donated land specifically as a place for people to go to enjoy nature. She hates to see this land as an opportunity to build when his intent in donating it was opposite of that. Even if it is there, it doesn’t mean that it should be developed just because the City can and somebody wants to. Berg asked if Ruegemer opposed a playground. Ruegemer indicated that a natural playground has been in their plans for a long time but that is different than a 6,000-9,000 square-foot building. Berg said the playground was pushed to the side because of other developments. Her vision has always been to create a natural playground at that park. Hudson stated because it is so early in the planning process, a lot of questions cannot be answered -- what the finishes are, how it ties into nature -- and it makes it hard for the Commission. A big part of conserving nature is also promoting the use and interest of nature. The more people on the lake, the more people interested in the conservation of the resource. Ruegemer said the Commission is currently transforming a road into a trail and being careful with putting a lot of environmental aspects into it such as rain water gardens and new trees, which will bring more people into the park and increased use. Carter stated that this is a good plan that needs further development. He noted Dayton’s vision/intent needs to be figured out and the abstract found. There needs to be better engagement, and it would be better to do that in the summer when people are using the park so they can be reached out to. People in the community and the rowing club need to come together and be the client so the Park Commission does not need to decide if the client is the rowing club or the community, because it should be both. He suggested doing a trial period without a building with some amount of traffic from Birch’s moving to Summit to see how it works. A master plan needs to be created. He said it would not be that difficult to show the impact on the neighbors’ views. There is a lot of potential, but if the Commission rushes to judgment, it would be hard for him to make a choice to go in this direction. Stephens gave his initial impression: it is a large building and large impact on a small park. Some will view it as a positive impact; some will view it as a negative impact. He also would like to see more collaboration and creativity so it can be a more positive impact for everyone. He does not know if it has reached an “inspired design” at this time. He thought the rowing club would have a more favorable response if it was a more creative proposal. Hudson noted the letters/emails/conversations had nothing but the highest praise for the LLRC and he is proud to have them in the community. He would like to see increased outreach such as an open house and not just invitations to people. He agreed the abstract needs to be found. The Commissioners are concerned with the use of the park. He believes this promotes increased use, community participation, fitness, and well-being. The contact he received was 75% in support of the proposal.