Chip Osborne's Organic Lands Program
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uncleadolphRECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Wednesday, November 14, 2012 ROLL CALL The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 5:06 p.m. at the Durango Communit y Recreation Center. Present from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board were Chair Sandy Burke, Karen Carver, Peter Schertz, Richard Speegle, Frank Viehmann, Bill Zimsky and Lily Oswald, Youth Ex-Officio. Staff present included Cathy Metz, Parks and Recreation Director, Kevin Hall, Natural Lands, Trails and Sustainability Director, Scott McClain, Parks, Open Space and Trails (POST) Specialist, Kelli Jaycox, Recreation Manager and Joanne Gantt, Administrative Assistant. Present from the public were Matt Jones, Cindy Smart and Darrin Parmenter. Board Member Speegle motioned to approve the October 11, 2012 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board minutes. Board Member Schertz seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion carried. Matt Jones addressed the Board about development of Crestview Park, also known as triangle park, with modest amenities such as a swing set/slide and a bench. Discussion included: (1) Safety concerns with the traffic around this 1/3 of an acre park. Kids already use it, consider speed bumps in the street to slow traffic; (2) This park is not identified for development in the Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation Master Plan; (3) What about expansion of this park by narrowing roads and buying houses; and (4) Staff will look at options for this park, including trees, benches and/or minimal play equipment. Cindy Smart, with the Durango Botanical Society, addressed the Board about signage at the Botanical Garden at the Durango Public Library with the following discussion: (1) The Botanical Garden at the Library is a demonstration garden and signage is very important; (2) The Botanical Society looked at the criteria put forth by the Board and redesigned the signs which included smaller name and logo for the Durango Botanical Society, clearer message, design signs closer to the ground and to install one large sign at the entrance to the gardens; and (3) The Board will review the entrance sign and smaller signs before Thanksgiving and Director Metz will relay any comments onto the Botanical Society. Darrin Parmenter spoke to the Board about the calls received by his office with requests for community gardens on public lands. Mr. Parmenter indicated that Cortez, Mancos, Aztec and Farmington all have community gardens on public lands, but Durango does not. The Board had the following discussion: (1) What about a community garden at Jenkins Ranch Park? Staff explored options in the Park and at the entrance to the SkyRidge subdivision, however, a suitable location was not found; (2) Need a strong non-profit group to take this on that will stay committed; (3) What about County property? Mr. Parmenter noted that it is hard to find County property with irrigation capabilities, plus there needs to be public transit or trails to the garden areas; (4) Fort Lewis College (FLC) has a small community garden, but the students come and go too often. However, the Board suggested FLC could potentially contribute land for a public community garden; (5) City could use undeveloped land or can take an existing park and convert the turf to a gardening area; (6) Likes the idea of part of a park being a community garden and the other part a playground. Pioneer Park is a good candidate for this; and (7) The Board would like an organized group to come and address the Board about their plans and commitments. The Board received the new smoking ordinance in their packet and was informed that it will become a law by the end of the year. The organizational group that encouraged the ordinance will be seeking grants for financing the signage for the parks and Animas River Trail. The Board was notified that Durango Parks and Recreation won the National
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
PUBLIC COMMENTS
REPORTS
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Gold Medal Award for Excellence in the Field of Park and Recreation Management from the National Recreation and Park Association and was shown the winning medal. Scott McClain updated the Board on the following trail projects: (1) Animas River Trail north extension options through Animas City Park will require an easement from neighbors if the trail extension is lower, but will not if trail is higher, because the retaining wall would be under the trail; (2) Once one of these alternatives is selected, it will go out for bid for construction next summer; (3) Board likes the option of going (higher) but is not sure if it is worth the extra expense to build; (4) Others feel it is worth the money to not pave over City parks and to continue to build at a higher standard like the trail connection by Harley Davidson; and (5) Another alternative is to combine the two options. Following discussion of the proposed trail alignment options, the Board advanced the following motion: Board Member Zimsky motioned to recommend to Staff to explore option A with adding the $60,000 to narrow the road and provide additional turf. Board Member Carver seconded the motion. The motion was amended to develop the northern end of the park at the appropriate time. Discussion included that the $345,000 is in the 2013 Capital Projects budget for the Animas City Park Trail. The Board Members Burke, Speegle, Carver and Zimsky voted in favor and Board Members Schertz and Viehmann were opposed. Motion carried. The Board was informed that the City did not receive the Great Outdoors Colorado grant for the Whitewater Park project. Director Metz added that the Finance Department noted that there is a Conservation Trust Fund (Lottery Funds) balance of $500,000 available to the City that could be utilized for the park development improvements associated with the Whitewater Park project proposed for 2014. Following discussion of the proposed 2013 Budget, the Board advanced the following motion: Board Member Carver moved to recommend to the Durango City Council the proposed expenditures in 2013 for the Open Space, Parks and Trails Fund: $600,000 $100,000 $1,260,000 $150,000 $263,745 Open Space Preservation Open Space Maintenance and Stewardship Whitewater Park Development Park, Trail and Recreation Improvements Transfer to the General Fund
OLD BUSINESS TRAIL PROJECTS
2013 BUDGET AND BOARD RECOMMENDATION ON POST FUND EXPENDITURES
It was also noted that $749,000 will be included in the Capital Improvement Budget for the SMART 160 Trail, all funded by FASTER grant funds. Board Member Zimsky seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor. The Board was apprised of the recommendations by consultant Chip Osborne to include nine parks representing approximately 20 acres in Phase I of the initiation of the Organically Managed Lands Program. Board Members who met Chip Osborne were impressed with his scientific approach. Director Metz notified the Board that Mr. Osborne will return to Durango for the next Organically Managed Lands Program community meeting on January 22, 2013 followed by a staff training day on January 23. The revised Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) was given to the Board pertaining to landscaping, buffering and tree protection. The Board was asked how the LUDC is enforced. Staff replied that a lot of City staff refer to the codes in conjunction with projects, on a consistent basis. The Board would like to see the City look at long term enforcement for tree disappearances, with penalties for removal of healthy trees. The Board was apprised of the public meetings on the LUDC.
ORGANICALLY MANAGED LANDS PROGRAM
LUDC LANDSCAPING ELEMENT
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PROJECT AND PROGRAM UPDATES
The Board was updated on the following projects and programs: (1) The Lake Nighthorse annexation process is moving forward with expanding the urbanizing boundary map at the next Planning and Commission meeting on November 26, 2012; (2) Railroad crossing decking is being replaced at 32nd Street; (3) The City is moving forward working with Pediatric Partners in development of the Horse Gulch Trailhead. It will include a 16 18 space parking lot, a trailhead sign and a portion of the Animas River Trail spur; (4) The national Silver Sneakers program is now at the Durango Community Recreation Center, which utilizes health insurance to pay for participants visits to the Recreation Center; and (5) The Business Pass program, which gives a 20% discount to employees, plus other benefits for those participating businesses, has continued to expand. The Board viewed photos of the sculpture that is being donated to the City for public display. The proposed location is in Rotary Park, near the Animas River Trail that goes over the pedestrian bridge.
NEW BUSINESS SWIRL ARTWORK DONATION
Following discussion on the sculpture, the Board advanced the following motion: Board member Viehmann moved to accept the Swirl sculpture and approve the recommended placement in Rotary Park. Board member Carver seconded the motion. The motion carried with five Board members in favor and one opposed (Board member Zimsky). A group proposing a new gymnastics facility will attend the Thursday, December 13, 2012 Board meeting. A Joint Board meeting has been scheduled for January 14, 2013 at 5 p.m. at the Durango Public Library in program room 2. The City Council will have a study session on January 22, 2013 to discuss the Organically Managed Lands Program. The Board was reminded that on their regularly scheduled board meeting on December 12, there is a Boards and Commission Appreciation Party. The next Board meeting will meet on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the Durango Community Recreation Center. Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS
ADJOURNMENT
_____________________________________ Sandy Burke, Chair
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Common questions
Powered by AIThe Board's approval processes, as seen in projects like the Whitewater Park and trail developments, demonstrate a commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban planning. They prioritize public input, deliberate discussions, and alignment with strategic objectives. Initiatives like the Organically Managed Lands Program further illustrate this ethos by incorporating environmental responsibility and innovative planning .
The Silver Sneakers program provides seniors access to the Recreation Center, promoting health and wellness and is funded by health insurance, easing participant financial burden. A challenge could include ensuring broad accessibility and engagement of the senior community, alongside logistical aspects such as staffing and resource allocation to accommodate increased usage .
The Board explored options for a community garden at Jenkins Ranch Park and possibly using undeveloped land or creating garden areas in existing parks. However, finding suitable land with irrigation capabilities and access by public transit was challenging. Fort Lewis College was suggested for a possible land contribution despite student transiency. A strong non-profit group would be necessary to maintain the gardens, and community organized plans were encouraged .
The program aims to integrate organic management practices across approximately 20 acres in nine parks as Phase I. This approach seeks to enhance ecological health, reduce chemical usage, and align with community values. Board members appreciated Osborne’s scientific methodology, indicating potential for broader adoption and impactful environmental leadership, although implementation may face initial resource and training demands .
The recommendation was to explore option A, which involves a higher trail alignment to avoid paving over city parks, despite the higher costs. This alternative was favored for maintaining higher construction standards and preserving parkland. An additional $60,000 was suggested to narrow the road and provide more turf, indicating the importance of aligning the trail without compromising current park space and natural aesthetics .
The Board recommended consistent use by city staff of the revised LUDC guidelines for landscaping, buffering, and tree protection. There was a call for long-term enforcement strategies including penalties for unauthorized tree removal to maintain sustainability. Moreover, the Board stressed the importance of public meetings to engage stakeholders in the LUDC processes and raise awareness .
The Board evaluated the potential aesthetic and public engagement value of the Swirl sculpture. They advanced a motion to accept the gift and place it near the Animas River Trail in Rotary Park, recognizing this as a strategic location for visibility and access. While most members supported the decision, one member opposed, indicating a diversity of opinion on the decision-making process .
The City planned to use the $500,000 balance from the Conservation Trust Fund for Whitewater Park project improvements, despite the failure to secure the Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Other proposed expenditures included $1,260,000 for Whitewater Park development in 2013, as part of a broader strategic funding allocation supporting open space and recreational improvements .
The Board aimed to support ordinance implementation by endorsing the organizational group’s efforts to secure grants for signage at parks and trails. The signage would serve as educational tools to inform the public, reinforce the ordinance, and promote compliance, thereby mitigating any adverse public health impacts from non-adherence .
The key concerns discussed were safety issues related to traffic around the 1/3 acre park, with considerations for speed bumps to slow traffic. Furthermore, Crestview Park is not identified for development in the Master Plan, raising questions about its expansion by narrowing roads or buying houses. The staff was tasked to explore options for minor improvements like trees, benches, and minimal play equipment .