PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION                                                               UNAPPROVED    

WORKSESSION                                                 

JULY 2, 2008 

 

Session 08-06 a Worksession of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:35 pm on July 2, 2008 by Chair Lou Stewart at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                     COMMISSIONERS STEWART AND GARAY

 

STAFF:                          PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

 

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 June 30, 2008 Re: Karen Hornaday Master Plan - Ball fields and parking lots                 

 

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 Wright Street to the ballfields. There is an overgrown existing pathway that could be utilized by clearing away the alders that have taken over the path; The number of vehicles counted was 80 during peak use. It was noted that the extra field was used every two years or so when there are tournaments, but even then the games are played by each level. It may increase the usage of the campground. It was suggested that dumpsters would be nice. Ms. Cumming explained when she has seen a number of vehicles and how they parked. Planning Technician Engebretsen did some research and for a park this size minimum amount of spaces should be around 100 spaces.

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 West Homer Elementary School. It was mentioned that the t-ball would make an excellent soccer field. Mr. Illg stated that the school fields are off limits. T-ball is played at Paul Banks Elementary due to the convenient location. Mr. Illg commented it would be great if the City would prioritize a soccer field for the near future.

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 = 180’x 100’

U-12 (80%)                   50 x 80 = 150’x 240’

U-10 (70%)                   40 x 70 = 120’x 210’

* U-8 (50%)                  25 x 50* = 75’x 150’

U-6 (25%)                     15 x 30 = 45’x 90’

 

-          It was noted by those assembled that drainage issues and parking were the top priorities of the park.

-          The Woodard Creek Trail and top trail were also high on the list.

-          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 isn’t 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.

-          Campground hosts would be a great idea.

-          Hiring a land use planner with experience planning a park is highly recommended.

-          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 7:47 p.m.

 

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 July 28, 2008. Planning Technician Engebretsen stated that some of the other questions relating to the number of fields require further consideration. She also noted that she expects there will be budget requests this fall.

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.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business before the Commission Chair Stewart adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m., the next regular meeting is at 6:30 pm on July 17, 2008 in the Cowles Council Chambers at City Hall located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska

 

 

                                                                       

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

APPROVED: