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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 2,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Chair Roath hit his gavel and asked Mr.Nygard to please sit down, sir. <br /> Mr.Nygard replied Turbine Guy just wants to say this is so disappointing. <br /> Chair Roath asked Mr.Nygard to please sit down again, sir. <br /> Mr.Nygard asked if Chair Roath would hit his gavel again, saying"come on,the video wants to see it." <br /> He stated by the way,the Park Commission said earlier that people can mountain bike in Bederwood Park <br /> and that is against City ordinance and he cannot believe that was said. Mr.Nygard left the podium. <br /> Chair Roath noted they were in the middle of the proposal for Summit Park and Ms.Benson had some <br /> good input which he agrees with,that the City needs some community engagement and that is the number <br /> one objective. He noted Bolton and Menk is the expert on community engagement, and he is not. <br /> Roath moved,Stofer seconded,to bring a proposal to engage with Bolton and Menk before the City <br /> Council around a community engagement project that focuses on Summit Beach Park and involves <br /> the creation of a guiding document for the park now and in the future.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 1 <br /> (Benson). <br /> Members of the public in the chambers booed. <br /> COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS <br /> 9. Casco Circle Park Listening Session. <br /> Chair Roath stated Benson has been working on Casco Circle Park. <br /> Benson stated this is a timely issue, she knows this is not an easy job to do, she has heard other people <br /> echo that sentiment, and she appreciates each and every one of the Park Commissioners for bringing forth <br /> their ideas and taking time to serve the community. She also appreciates meeting new people and seeing <br /> perspectives, ideas, and learning about the history from the public that comes to these meetings. It is her <br /> desire to represent the public to the best of her ability. Benson shared one of her park assignments is <br /> Casco Circle Park and because she is new to the Commission she does not know the area that well. It was <br /> only a couple months ago that she visited the park for the first time and she knows she has a lot of <br /> learning to do. She has learned that when the park was born in 1971 the land was donated by a consortium <br /> of 10 neighbors,which is an amazing testament to peoples' trust in their City to keep it as a natural place, <br /> and the park is designated as a nature area. She clarified it is not allowed to be built on, have any <br /> pavement or structures built there,which is in the deed. Benson picked up a couple bags of garbage at the <br /> park and she wants to learn more about the park to bring better information to the Park Commission, and <br /> proposes the idea of a listening session later in the summer. This effort would be to engage the <br /> community and get ideas from them because she does not live in that area and does not know how it is <br /> used and loved by the people who do live there. She and Chair Roath have talked about the end of June, <br /> for example a weeknight after work to make herself accessible and listen. <br /> Chair Roath thanked Benson for taking this park and noted they spoke about a listening session in a <br /> broader sense, even around other parks in the system starting with Casco Circle Park which could be a <br /> model for other parks. They are trying to set up a model which they can then replicate, control invasives, <br /> and promote the health of that nature area. He and Benson want to introduce the concept and the Park <br /> Commission will bring this to their next workshop session. <br /> Page 9 of 10 <br />