MPR Commission FY2011-12 Annual ReportMERIDIAN PARKS & RECREA'T'ION COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT: FY2011-2012
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A.
All -Commission
Goals:
1. Pathways plan implementation - Coordinate Safe Routes to Schools, ACHD
Community Programs, east/west bicycle connections, and rail corridor.
Accomplishments:
• MPR Staff continues to work with Public Works and others to explore
options and potential costs for a Rail With Trail Pathway.
• The Five Mile Creek Pathway segment from Pine to Badley was
completed in September 2012. The pathway dedication was held on
October 8, 2012.
• During the Commission's Pathways Tour held on October 10, 2012,
the group visited downtown connections as outlined in the ACHD
Community Programs five year plan.
• Staff has met with the YMCA Safe Routes to School Director for
information about their education programs. They will make a
presentation to the Commission next year.
2. Work with the Kleiner Park Trust to develop a memorial park to get it built
and open to the public, keeping the Commission updated on activities.
Accomplishments:
• The design and development of Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park has
been successfully completed. A grand opening celebration was held
on June 9, 2012.
3. Create a partnership proposal process, application, and policy.
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Accomplishments:
A draft policy was prepared by the Legal Department. MPR staff
members have shared this draft policy with two potential partners for
commenting. This process will be ready for feedback/discussion with
the MPR Commission next year.
4. Start the production of an MPR Department community video.
Accomplishments:
• In January 2012, the Community Liaison Committee was asked by
Director Steve Siddoway to help in the production of a new MPR
Department video that will be shown during MPR activities and
presentations. The Committee agreed that this video would highlight
all of the wonderful activities, amenities, programs, and events that
Meridian has to offer. With that said, the Committee's initial goal was
to take footage (i.e., Movie Night, Concerts on Broadway, among
others) that would be used for this video. So far, they have taken a lot
of footage, and they have dedicated many hours to this endeavor.
After they have completed the filming, the footage will be given to the
MPR Department for editing. We anticipate production work to begin
next spring.
5. Refine and implement the Borup property concept plan. Continue to work
with the Dog Park Task Force (DPTF) to create benchmarks; investigate any
potential expansion opportunities; and investigate the feasibility of a
softball complex or rodeo facility.
Accomplishments:
• The City purchased 17.5 acres of additional land directly east of the
Borup property in May 2012. It is the Commission's goal to continue
to provide recommendations to the MPR Department to amend the
now outdated master plan and prepare plans for a future dog park.
6.- 8. Networking and communication goals:
• Improve communication among Commission members through
combined workshops and other events; i.e., party, barbecue, all -
committee workshop, DPTF workshop, etc. engaging in this type of
setting; cross -committee participation.
• Engage other task forces, commissions, and agencies through
workshops and other outreach.
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• Hold an annual team -building event, such as a softball game, bowling,
ropes course, etc.
Accomplishments:
• The Commission held its first ever team -building barbecue at Julius M.
Kleiner Memorial Park on May 9, 2012 and took a tour of the park.
Mayor De Weerd, Council Liaison Bird, and MPR staff also participated.
• Cross -committee participation took place in which members from the
three Committees joined forces with the Dog Park Task Force and
provided their support and input during several of the Task Force's
special meetings.
• In an overall effort to coordinate with other cities and jurisdictions to
create a regional network of pathways linking the cities together, the
Commission invited each of the cities of Nampa, Boise, and Kuna to
join Meridian for separate pathways workshops held in April, July, and
August of 2012. They identified several possible connections along
Meridian's borders.
• A pathways tour was held in October 2012 in which the Commission
focused on pedestrian/bicycle connections in downtown Meridian.
Representatives from the Ada County Highway District, the Meridian
Development Corporation, and the City's Community Development
Department were all invited to attend and were an integral part of the
presentations and discussions.
9. Implement the park dedication signs at all parks.
Accomplishments:
• The first commemorative plaque was mounted at Julius M. Kleiner
Memorial Park, which was unveiled at the dedication ceremony held
on June 9, 2012.
• President Liddell took the initial design mock-ups of the park
dedication plaques before the Mayor and City Council in May 2011.
There were also discussions with the Mayor and Council in July 2012
at the budget hearings. A budget enhancement was approved for
FY13 to complete all 13 signs.
• Designs are being finalized; all but three final drafts are complete
(e.g., 81' Street, Seasons, and Settlers).
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10. Improve external communication with the public by streaming and archiving
Commission meetings on the internet, updating publications, and using
Facebook more effectively.
Accomplishments:
• Streaming and archiving ideas were assessed and were removed as a
goal for now.
• MPR staff and the DPTF have been using Facebook more effectively. A
Park Park page and individual park pages were created.
B. Recreation & Special Events Committee
Goals & Objectives:
1. Make the annual Meridian Parks & Recreation Community Golf Scramble
more profitable and grow participation by 15 percent.
Accomplishments:
• The Committee supported the MPR Department for the 2"a Annual
Meridian Parks & Recreation Community Golf Scramble raising over
$1,000 for the Care to Share program.
2. Grow the Children's Winterland Festival and expand the event to a tent to
relieve congestion.
Accomplishments:
• The Committee supported Colin Moss on the Children's Winterland
Festival, which was held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 and
continues to work with him to expand the event, which is scheduled
for December 1, 2012. This event will be moved to Meridian City Hall
to spread out planned activities and save the City money from the
expense of renting a tent.
3. Create a 2013 Nightlight Christmas Parade.
• Due to ACHD road improvements scheduled for this winter 2012, a
Nightlight Christmas Parade will be coordinated for 2013.
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Other Noteworthy Accomplishments:
• The Committee provided input/suggestions to Colin Moss about activities
planned for the Kleiner Park Grand Opening Celebration held on June 9,
2012.
• The Committee assisted Colin Moss with the decision to make the
CableONE Movie Night season more family -friendly by implementing a
policy entailing all children under 18 must be accompanied with a parent
or guardian.
• The Committee extended support to Colin Moss regarding the 311 Annual
Community Block Party held on September, 8, 2012.
C. Parks Amenities & Signage Committee
Goals & Objectives:
1. Develop a master amenities plan for all parks.
Accomplishments:
• After visiting each of the parks as a Committee last fall for the
purposes of identifying existing amenities, their condition, and the
need for new amenities and features, the group began the process of
compiling this data on a spreadsheet to itemize and account for
individual park needs. The spreadsheet became a necessary tool for
quickly recognizing where the most pressing needs occur. The need
for additional shade was identified as the single most important need
at many of the City's parks. Continued investigation of how to meet
this need is currently being evaluated.
2. - 4. Signage goals:
• Develop parks signage prototypes.
• Develop and post an amenities map in all parks.
• Develop distance and signage markers for all pathways.
Accomplishments:
• In addition to the signs received and installed along the Diane &
Winston Moore Pathway in May of 2011, the Committee developed
pathway directional signs for the Five Mile Creek Pathway (Segment
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H1), which were recently installed at the three pathway locations from
Pine Avenue to Badley. The signs include the pathway segment name,
major street connections, directions with distances, and pathway
rules.
• Similar signs will be utilized on other City pathways, such as the Bud
Porter Pathway, going forward.
5. Continue to improve site plans at all parks.
Accomplishments:
• This effort is going through the budget process and is a part of the
FY2013 budget.
Other Noteworthy Accomplishments:
• The Committee began an investigation into goose management at
Meridian parks, especially Kleiner Park. Several ideas to accomplish this
were identified.
• The Committee worked with the City of Boise Parks & Recreation staff to
discuss a dogs off -leash trial program in Kleiner Park. Boise had similar
challenges as Meridian. As a result, the Commission recommended a dog
off -leash hours administrative policy be forwarded to the Mayor and City
Council, which was approved in October 2012.
• The Committee began the process of recommending improvements to 8`h
Street Park. This includes new restrooms, a new picnic shelter, and new
playground equipment. Through grants and a budget fund reallocation
approved request to City Council, the Committee is closer to achieving
this effort.
• The group discussed and evaluated the need for a "No Fishing" policy at
the wrought -iron railing feature on the main promenade of Kleiner Park.
The idea of a "No Fishing" policy was placed on hold, but the Committee
will look into the possibility of consolidating other signage.
D. Community Liaison Committee/Dog Park Task Force
Goals & Objectives:
1. A Meridian Parks & Recreation Department video will be used to highlight
the department and all of its activities and programs. it is the Committee's
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goal to take footage of these activities and programs affiliated with the MPR
Department.
Accomplishments:
• The Community Liaison Committee is working on a community video
as described in section A.4. (page 2).
2. To outreach to the community to better inform the citizens of Meridian of
activities, programs, and projects affiliated with the MPR Department. This
will be done through different media outlets, both internal and external.
Accomplishments:
• The Committee felt lucky this year to have the addition of Tiffany
Morrin to the Community Liaison Committee. She has brought a much
needed perspective because of her journalism background. Presently,
they are working on a small Z -map to highlight Meridian's parks and
pathways. The group felt like the citizens of Meridian could be better
informed of Meridian's parks and pathways. Hopefully this Z -map will
do the trick. Their goal is to find a sponsor that will cover most, if not
all, of the design and printing costs. This project will become an
important goal for the Committee in 2013. Also, Committee members
have continued to assist the MPR staff in presentations highlighting
the Department to different organizations in the community. This has
always been a priority for their committee.
3. To provide continued priority support to the Dog Park Task Force. The
Committee will support their fundraising efforts, and all will continue to
support all activities that will make the Meridian Bark Park a reality.
Accomplishments:
• The Dog Park Task Force (DPTF) has struggled to raise funds. It really
hasn't been the ideal climate for local businesses and private entities
to donate time and resources. However, Brian Draper and his team of
dedicated dog lovers have worked hard and haven't taken their eye off
the ball. In fact, they recently received a Solid Waste Advisory
Committee (SWAC) grant of $3,500 that will provide the DPTF with
funds to organize a dog walk. Currently, the DPTF has partnered with
Intermountain Veterinary Clinic to be the lead sponsors of a dog walk
that is scheduled for May 4, 2013. More details to come as this
partnership is discussed in further detail. Their goal is to continue to
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create public awareness and support for the Meridian Bark Park. Also,
the Commission has discussed off leash hours in certain Meridian
parks where dogs and their owners can enjoy some free time. These
discussions are new and will be discussed in further detail. As always,
the Committee will continue to support the DPTF fund raising efforts
and all will continue to support all activities that will make the
Meridian Bark Park a reality.
4. To provide participation and support with MPR Department presentations to
help promote the Department in any way. The Committee will continue to
find different opportunities to inform businesses, organizations, and
homeowner associations of past, present, and future projects, parks, and
pathways.
Accomplishments:
Committee/Task Force representatives have been invited to
participate in community outreach presentations, special events, and
meetings, such as Town Hall, Coffee with the Mayor, Meridian Rotary
Club, Community Block Party, South Meridian Outreach, etc.
PHILLIP LIDDE L, PRESIDENT
TREG BER T, VICE PRESIDENT
DATE
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