HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 04.05.2007 MINUTES
PARK BOARD
APRIL 5, 2007
COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Staffi
Others Present:
Chairwoman Kate Hart
Amy Pollock
Public Works Director Steve Klotz
None
Norm Stamper
Mark Mace
No public input.
State of the Parks Director of Public Works Steve Klotz was asked by Chairwoman Hart to give
an assessment of where the parks are located, what condition they are in, and what the City of
Laurel has identified as needs.
~ Used primarily for youth soccer and some baseball, T-ball and football
practice. The condition of the infrastructure is that a water booster station needs some maintenance.
The drainage swale that was designed to empty runoffinto the big ditch has collapsed. The grass is
in adequate condition, and the city crews have planted three new trees recently - two Autumn Blaze
and one Burr Oak.
Future Plans are: A large playground structure could be installed at an estimated cost of $15,000.
In addition to the general area of Murray Park, there is an area along the Big Ditch at the entrance to
the Pedestrian Bridge on the north side of the ditek Mr. Dave Schreiner has been mowing and
watering this strip of right-of-way for several years, and he has allowed the city to mow it fi'om time
to time. Steve would like to take over the strip and make it into a picnic area with some ADA
accessible tables and walks with a connection to the new bridge that Yellowstone County has
planned for there sometime this summer.
~ Park: (south of 12~' Street) This park is not developed and needs considerable funds
to be available to the city residents. The location does not allow it to be very desirable for much
attention at this time. Director Klotz feels this would have been a good candidate for the option for
the City of Laurel to accept cash in lieu of for this area to generate needed funds for other parks to
use the dollars to bring those spaces into the system which could be more usable. The process to sell
this space for building lots for a private venture would require a vote of the public to allow the City
of Laurel to sell it to a private owner.
This park has fenced basketball courts and horseshoe pits and has the new
"Kids Kingdom" structure. The trees and grass are in good condition and a sprinkler system is
needed. This summer the city plans to install a new bathroom system with running water and sewer
stubs from the street. ADA walks to the bathrooms and new picnic tables will be installed and this
can be done around three months from now. The future plans may include a new tennis court in the
Park Board Minutes of April 5, 2007
far east end and removal of the horseshoe pits, which are not used very oi~en. A new tennis court
would allow the present courts in Thomson Park to be dismantled to make way for a new swimming
facility in the future.
Ponderosa Park: Is primarily a soccer field for the high school age kids. The School District
has partnered with the city in the construction and maintenance of this field. The school paid for
the fence, the dirt, and the seed. The city crews did the initial site preparation and the parking lot
and the water lines for the sprinkler system. The city maintains the water and the winterization of
the park. The school district schedules practice and games on it and all other times it is open to the
public.
Future plans are: Development of the parking lot complete with curbs, gutter, and drains for
storm water; sidewalk to and from the field with ADA ramps instead of steps. A new memorial
Ponderosa Pine tree will be planted soon with a decorative curb around the base of the tree root ball.
This tree is in honor of Gay Easton's son, Doug Easton.
Nuttinu Park: This is a designated T-Ball field and a Minor League field. Two years ago,
city crews dug up the top six to eight inches of soil to replace with donated topsoil, which will
replace the "goat head" weeds that have been so prevalent there.
Future plans are: To install sidewalk around the entire park and put in a drive approach for
vehicles. The dugouts need maintenance. The baseball club needs a building with power available.
A new playground is needed, and the cost estimate is $15,000.
Rotary Park: (Triangle) The city is putting back flow preventers into the sprinkler system.
Benches were made and Fiberglass Structures coated them to guard against skateboarders. The
present picnic tables need to be replaced.
Thomson Park: The complete park needs curb and gutter.
Future plans are: The city council has approved a pool cover. The tennis courts need to be
demolished and located in Kiwanis Park.
Area between shelter and Graft School field; Picnic shelter, repairs to concession stand, new
playground equipment and rock structure and planted a Ginkgo tree.
Future plans are: To put a skate park in this area.
Firemen's Park: Installed sprinkler system, new tree species, flower beds, cleaned hedge by
tracks.
Villaue Subdivision Park: Primarily cat tails; native habitat undeveloped.
Russell Park: Dilapidated, no new trees, lost a tree to a truck accident offthe freeway. Presently
negotiating a r~lacornent tree.
Future plans are: New restroom and concrete pad for picnic tables; needs water and sewer stubs;
wants to fence offarea behind houses; needs sprinkler system.
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Park Board Minutes of April 5, 2007
Riverside Park: All clubs and buildings need leases immediately. The campground is in
good shape. Very large cottonwood trees need to be trimmed and maintained. These are some of
the oldest living cottonwood trees in the area dating back to the Lewis and Clark timeframe.
Future plans are: To install a trail system and possibly amphitheater; relocate clubs that have
opan weapon ranges.
Lion's Park: Steve has met with Dave of the Lion's Club. They need ADA ramps into the
shelter, some concrete work this spring. The city crews have done some trail work, installing chips.
Future plans are: Steve would like to see barbecues and picnics tables installed throughout the
trails. Would like to install a drip krigation system and a row of trees along the freeway. MT Fish
and Game has some money for playground equipment. Amy has been talking to Dave about
donating money for playground equipment mad using donated labor to install this equipment.
Kate Hart asked Steve what he feels are the Park Board's respons~ilities. He feels a master plan
would be needed to develop the above mentioned parks and the needs mentioned. Steve also
thought that the board should be able to recommend park's expenditures to the council.
Next meeting: Discuss leases.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mace
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