Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, November 1, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 3 of 4 <br /> <br />Chair Roath is happy to welcome Commissioners Gordy Stofer, Kjersti Duval, and Alternate Cameron <br />Porter to the Park Commission. He announced there is still one opening on the Park Commission and if <br />anyone is interested they are always looking for good people. <br /> <br />COMMITTEE REPORTS <br /> <br />a. SUMMIT BEACH PLAYGROUND DISCUSSION <br /> <br />City Administrator/Engineer Edwards noted they have been looking at Summit Beach for the past few <br />years and at the direction of the Commission, a Committee was set up to explore what the playground <br />might look like. Edwards showed various options on screen. <br /> <br />Chair Roath noted the beach is very busy over the summer and the park itself is a little dated with no <br />equipment there which is why they hoped to look into a more natural-looking play structure. <br /> <br />Alisa Benson, 1220 Lyman Avenue, gave a presentation on standard metal and plastic play structures, <br />noting many of the current parks are not designed for children with limited mobility due to illness or <br />injury. She spoke about what a natural play area is, noting that these spaces incorporate the surrounding <br />landscape, vegetation, elements like wood, boulders, logs, sand, stepping stones, grasses, and perennials <br />to create a play area that is accessible to all ages and there are opportunities to use large motor skills. The <br />spaces are not overly manicured but just like nature and encourages seeing, touching, and smelling the <br />elements. Another benefit of a natural play area is that the land dictates the design…if a slide were to be <br />considered it would be built on the existing slope, rather than 6-8 feet in the air. She continued speaking <br />about children’s development and the way they could incorporate a natural play area. <br /> <br />The Commissioners thanked Ms. Benson for the presentation. <br /> <br />Chair Roath noted 2022 is when the Park Commission will review the options and will then bring a <br />recommendation to the City Council and it will be their decision on whether to move forward. <br /> <br />COMMISSIONER REPORTS <br /> <br />a. PARK ASSIGNMENTS REVIEW <br /> <br />Chair Roath stated the Park Commission finalizes goals in the January meeting. He asked everyone to <br />think about what roles they may like to take for the rest of this year and as they plan for 2022. He walked <br />the group through each of the parks and the Commissioners volunteered for assignments in each area. <br /> <br />b. COMMISSIONER UPDATES <br /> <br />Carter noted there is a non-profit 501c3 established called the Big Island Legacy. The Board has decided <br />to transition it to support all parks and of the four current Board members, three are ready to move on. He <br />noted this is an open request for possible board members and there is no commitment to live in Orono. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORTS <br /> <br />a. PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) REVIEW