PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION UNAPPROVED
WORKSESSION
Session 08-06 a Worksession of the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Commission was called to order at
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS
STEWART
STAFF: PLANNING
TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN
DEPUTY
Chair Stewart gave a brief summary
on the purpose for the worksession and asked if everyone had a copy. Additional
copies were distributed to the audience.
WORKSESSION TOPIC/ STAFF REPORT
Staff Report
Planning Technician Engebretsen
summarized her staff report for the Commissioners and audience. She referenced
the copy of the ground layout of the park. She then asked those assembled if
there was a need for four ballfields. The number of the fields will drive the
number of required parking spaces. If four fields are not required then there
are some alternatives she could propose for parking.
Bonnie Jason, resident and member
of Little League stated that as far as she knew the fourth field would not be used
and according to the information she has heard, the age group that would use
that field is declining. She added that there has not been the demand for another
field for a number of years.
Planning Technician Engebretsen used
an aerial view of the park to diagram out a parking lot next to the playground.
She elaborated on some of the reasons why the existing parking lot was not working
for the park. One plan would extend the existing parking lot near the
playground approximately 15 feet adding some parking spaces for a total of 33 spaces;
paving and parking stops would force more uniform parking, however it costs
more.
There were concerns regarding
drainage and runoff if the area was paved and pedestrian movement through the
parking lot. There are already children running through the parking lot but due
to the conditions the cars are moving really slowly. It was noted that speed
control measures could be installed in the parking lot and islands to control
direction of traffic, use angled parking to assist in parking controls.
There was a brief discussion
regarding removal of a pole that serves no purpose but is a safety hazard to
vehicles backing up; installing bike racks at each ballfield; creating a
pathway from
Mr. Mike Illg, Community Schools
Director, recommended considering large venues such as Concert on the Lawn.
There was further discussion
regarding accommodating uses for the next 40 years, construction and grant
seeking for new restrooms, east parking lot specifications and location; angled
parking along the road is best to avoid; future paving with sidewalk and no
parking; paving would encourage speeding; no parking would add visibility and
encourage cyclist and pedestrian usage.
Ms. Cumming provided some
specifications on the parking area, what is required and what was necessary.
She also related some standard measurements for parking lots, and pointed out
an area for additional 14-15 spaces. She stated that there would be room for
approximately three parking lots. Planning Technician Engebretsen pointed out
an area that is more stable for parking.
The group discussed installation of
a soccer field since there was a growing user group in that sport. It was noted
that there are fields at the middle school and
Further discussion by the group encompassed
short term goals, what would be considered short-term; drainage would be short
term and a priority repair. Planning Technician Engebretsen reminded those in
attendance that it required the public to show up at the Council Meetings, that
the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Additional topics that were discussed by those present were:
1. The school fields are not available due
to new sod installed for another 4-5 years. It was created as a multi-use
field.
2. The farthest western ballfield is the
only junior baseball field.
3. The Jack Gist is all adult ball fields.
4. The field is borough owned at the
middle school and is deteriorating yearly.
5. Size requirements for a official soccer field.
6. Undefined parking will not promote
proper use. Install curb stops on gravel lots.
7. Relocating shed and kiosk.
8. Is paving parking lots really
necessary?
9. Possible relocation of existing picnic
area and construction of additional picnic area.
10. If
the park was redesigned to better utilized the available land.
There was a brief discussion on alternatives sites that
could be used as soccer fields. The official size of a soccer field size for adults can range from 50 to 100
yards wide by 100 to 130 yards long. However, the rules allow soccer field sizes to be reduced for women, players with
disabilities and for players under 16 and over 35 years of age. An adult over-30 novice recreational team plays on a 60-yard x
100-yard field (most play on this size or smaller because it is more fun), then youth recreational teams should play on
proportionately sized fields. The size of youth fields should be based on the
size of the step and the length of the kick of each age group relative to
adults. For example, if a 12-year old's step is about 80% that of an adult,
then the field size should be 80% of the adult size, or about 50-yards x
80-yards. Dimensions for recreational teams might be as below:
Age (% Adult Size) Field Size (in yards)
U-14 (100%) 60
x 100 = 180x 100
U-12 (80%) 50
x 80 = 150x 240
U-10 (70%) 40
x 70 = 120x 210
* U-8 (50%) 25
x 50* = 75x 150
U-6 (25%) 15
x 30 = 45x 90
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It was noted by those assembled
that drainage issues and parking were the top priorities of the park.
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The Woodard Creek Trail and top
trail were also high on the list.
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Ms. Cumming listed numerous
important points about the park that should not be overlooked in her opinion.
She also noted that Kenai, Soldotna and Seward had Parks & Recreation
Departments and isnt it high time that Homer has a Parks & Recreation
Department, too? When applying for grants and funding for parks and recreation
projects if the City has a department it shows that the municipality is serious
about parks & recreation.
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Campground hosts would be a great
idea.
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Hiring a land use planner with
experience planning a park is highly recommended.
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Who are the user groups? It was
noted that there is no Memorandum of Agreement between the City and Little
League.
Commissioner Garay had to leave the
meeting at
Planning Technician Engebretsen
recapped that there were a lot of things to think about. Ms. Cumming noted that
the proposal has not been mentioned which includes some of the parking. It was
noted that the proposal will be presented to Council on
It was noted that the hospital
personnel wanted the trail.
Planning Technician Engebretsen
there are a number of issues and areas that were not discussed such as the
campground.
There being no further business before the Commission
Chair Stewart adjourned the meeting at
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I
APPROVED: