03-12-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Park Commissioner Jim Gilbert said that he voted in favor of :his proposal because it was his understanding that Bederwood >ark was acquired for the purpose of establishing a baseball liamond such as this. He said that the results of the Park Survey indicate that Bederwood Park is used very little. Gilbert said that there are several hundred children that would use the field.Mr. Larson said that there would be approximately 250 boys si ying Littlo League. Mr. Larson said that the field would be svailable for Public use all but weekday afternoons and evenings.Mr. Scott Stien, 3575 Christine Drive, said that there is sot very much parking available at Bederwood Park. He said when :here is a soccer game at the Park, people are parking sideways sn Stubbs Bay Road. He also indicated that he opposed the p.a. system.Acting Mayor Callahan asked how the Park is currently being stilized?Mr. Stien replied that i'- is used regularly for soccer, softball, picnicing, etc. He said that the baseball diamond is srobably under utilized but the Park is used. Ms. Sherokee Use, 3630 Eileen Street, said that she did not lomplete the Park Survey, but is a frequent user of the Park, ihe said that the equipment at Bederwood Park is not conducive to such activity. She and her two sons use the park for kite lying, frisbee and bike riding. She said that she was concerned ibout the Baseball Association having exclusive use of the •aseball diamond. She said after school on weekdays is when her :hildren use the Park the most. She also said that a neighbor of lers has four girls and feels that this is a male only activity ind closes off unorganized activities in which her girls might participate. Ms. Use indicated that she also had concerns egarding parking. Mr. David Use, 3630 Eileen Street, said that he was not lure of what exactly is being proposed. Mr. Larson said that the proposal is for a chain link fence :o be placed around the field. A dug out would be constructed lown each base line. The concession/press box building will be 14* X 10' and located behind home plate. Sod will be placed on ;he infield. Mr. Stien asked whether this proposal would have an impact >n the area used for soccer? Mr. Larson said that the fence would be placed such that ioccer could not be played in the area now used. Mr. Larson loted that the baseball diamond does not cover the entire Park ind there is other space available for other activities. MINUTES OF ORONO COUNCIL TING OF FEBRUARY 22, 1990Mr. Stien said that the fence will limit the use of the field.Ms. Use said that there is also a problem with the children that come to watch the games getting bored and using the equipment. She said that it makes the Park too crowded.Park Commissioner Flint said that he is not sure that Bederwood Park is the best place for Little League. He said that Mr. Larson has indicated that they will use Bederwood for two or three years and then move to the school. He said that the school area is much more suitable for this use. Mr. Flint said that he voted against this proposal because he was concerned about the impact on the neighborhood. He said that concession stands can be an attactive nuisance.Mr. Dunn ..aid that a baseball game is played at least once aweek. Ms. Use asked for an estimate of how many cars will be in the area for the games? Mr. Larson said that from observing games over the last th-ee years, the parking that exists for Bederwood Park should be adeqw’ite. Counci Imember Goetten said that she too is concerned with the aspect of exclusivity and the parking situation. Goetten asked Gerhardson if he agreed with the neighbors that the Park is used more than the Park Survey indicated. Gerhardson replied that the ball diamond portion of the Park is not used very much. Goetten said that she did not think there would be r.iough room to do everything proposed for the ball diamond. She indicated that the p.a. system was another concern. Goetten said that she understands the need for the ball diamond, but is concerned about the impact on the neighborhood. CounciImember Nettles agreed with Goetten. He said that he was an assistant coach in Little League last summer and it is a good program for boys and girls. However, he was concerned about the location of this program in relation to the residential area. He agreed that the school area would be much more suitable. He did not understand why public use would be prohibited starting at 2:00 p.m. when most of the parents involved with Little League are not home from work until 5:00 or 6:00. Nettles said that he favored the use of private monies for such programs, but not if it is going to limit public use of public areas. Nettles said that he would like the Park Commission to take a more indepth look at the issues involved with this proposal. Nettles thought that Mr. Larson was underestimating the number of cars that would be generated.