Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> April 10,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> PARKS REPORT <br /> 15. APPROVAL OF HACKBERRY MASTER PLAN DESIGN SERVICES <br /> Park Director Lemons,reported the Parks Commission has had Hackberry Park on the radar for a while. <br /> In 2016 the house at 140 Hackberry Hill which sits in the middle of the park was purchased by the City <br /> and the residents given a lifetime estate.The house was just vacated in December,2022. The Park <br /> Commission would like to go ahead and start this Master Plan process. Staff is proposing engaging <br /> Bolton and Menk to do the Master Plan.Design would take place over the next few years and then <br /> construction in 2025. Over the next month and a half,you'll see the Police Department using it for <br /> training,you'll see the Fire Department and I believe the final burn is scheduled for May 23. <br /> Seals pointed out the City should give plenty of notice about the burn to persons living in the <br /> neighborhood. She also said she has had feedback from some residents near the park with ideas for <br /> enhancements and concerns about parking and the roads around the park. She asked about plans to get <br /> broad feedback from the residents. <br /> Lemons said the point of the Master Plan would be to get some concepts of what the City can do with the <br /> park.The Park Commission is actively communicating with users of the park and will communicate with <br /> neighbors as well.He said once we have that framework for what we would like to see done there,that <br /> gives us an opportunity then to engage the public and really refine that plan.Design would happen in next <br /> year,2024, so we have some time to receive that feedback. <br /> City Administrator Edwards said the road network around the park is not in terrible condition but is <br /> starting to creep up on our radar for work. Drainage has been identified as another issue. Part of the <br /> reason wanting to do this Master Plan is looking at all those different things that are out there that we <br /> would need to incorporate into any kind of project we would do at that park.And that helps us inform and <br /> helps the Parks Commission be able to do even more of that public outreach. There are years where we <br /> have not been able to use the two T-ball outfields for the majority of the summer season,because they just <br /> get soggy and stay soggy. There's been years where we couldn't even mow. <br /> Benson said within 1,000 feet or so of the park there are at least 100 homes. She recommended listening <br /> first,saying the Park Commission could conduct listening sessions to go into the Master Plan stage with <br /> more information from the public.That costs nothing and it's not going to likely take a lot of time.And it <br /> also it fosters a lot of good trust and will within the community,she said. <br /> Seals said Park Commission members had asked her to recommend that public engagement should be <br /> step one and she would also suggest doing it a Park Commission meeting or workshop. <br /> Edwards said the City has been talking to the residents and the Orono Baseball Association and the Orono <br /> Football Association for a year. It's not like we don't know, one,what's wrong,what the issues are at the <br /> park,nor what the potential future needs are at the park.He added that a couple of Parks Commission <br /> members have focused for a couple of years on reaching out and having those meetings.We can put that <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br />