Parks & Recreation UPDATE.2-08-CommissionParks & Recreation DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
1. Downtown Trees & Streetscape
Existing Streetscape
92 existing tree box locations
32 tree boxes replaced or new
60 remaining for replacement
(approx. $5,000 each = $300K)
New Streetscape
Carlton to Ada, Meridian Rd. to E. 3rd
Coordinating Improvements with MDC
88 block faces (870 tree boxes)
Researching the maintenance cost implications
30 block faces (5 yr plan) $175K/yr
Downtown Streetscape (cont.)
City Hall tree replacement on hold
Looking into grinding concrete trouble spots as interim fix.
Priority replacements for 2008 based on leaks
H&H Block next focus for MDC
Investigating potable vs. irrigation water
Trash cans and benches from MDC
Old Town Library Streetscape
Plan set near complete
License agreement with ACHD underway
Coordinating cost sharing
Spring 2008 Bid/Construction
Built to New Streetscape Standards
Flower pots, bench, bike rack, trash receptacle
$30+K cost estimate
2. Field Usage Scheduling
Problem: Over-use & wear and tear on fields. No rest periods scheduled. Other areas may be underutilized.
Solution: Schedule fields for games & practices.
Result: Manage the turf intelligently
Know what is happening in the parks when and where.
Allows for monitoring and adjustments.
Field usage Scheduling: How?
Option 1a: Implement $10/hr reservation fee.
Option 1b: Allow volunteer hours to cover practice reservations
i.e. 20-person team, 1 hour service project = 20 hours practice time
Encourage volunteer hours, community service
Option 2: Require scheduling of practices, but charge no fee.
Similar to School District
Consider fees and/or volunteer hours in future as demand and conflicts arise for same space.
3. MPAL/Heroes Park
Parks Staff planted all interior parking lot landscaping. Irrigation prep for next phase of construction done.
Contract ready for bid: grading, irrigation, concrete, and remaining landscaping.
New Agreement negotiations underway
Preliminary stages of design for restroom & concessions building.
4. Heritage Middle School Ballfield Agreement
Agreement is nearing completion
Issues of priority use, scheduling, supervision, etc. have been worked out.
Outstanding issue is reimbursement amount. $280K requested by School District.
5. Meridian Youth Baseball Complex
Coordinating with Trace Leighton and Finance Dept. to bring Council a summary of the full close-out of the project.
So far, we have documented over $1 Million donations (over 1/3 of total project)
Restroom/Concessions buildings being completed by MYB
Flagpole to be installed this spring
Installing sign honoring 14-year old World Series team
6. Champion Park Restitution
Restitution amount ordered by Court: $4209.
Family is working out a payment plan with the court.
Previous court date was canceled (snow)
New date this Friday. New prosecutor.
Letter apologizing for actions
7. Splash Pad Solutions Update
Splash Pad Solutions
Option 1: Ultra-Violet Disinfection
Constant disinfection of splash pad system
Familiar technology, widely used including Wastewater treatment plant
May require water softener
Weekly super-chlorination of reservoir
Weekly draining/refilling of tank during peak periods
Water usage approx. 325,000 gallons.
Under $20K installed
Splash Pad Solutions (cont.)
Option 2: Adamant Technologies
Boron-coated diamond treatment
2 test sites in U.S., looking for more
Promising technology, but currently unproven against crypto
Option 3a: Fresh water connection
No additional treatment required
3 to 6 million gallons per year, depending on amount of use
Option 3b: Fresh water connection, plus reuse of waste to irrigation lake
Treat water with UV after use for irrigation
Less pumping from groundwater well required
Splash Pad Solutions (Cont.)
Confirmed air gap between city water and splash pad
New splash pad signage
New SOP manual
Reduce overspray of irrigation system
Aquatic Facilities Operator (Pool School) training
Crypto tests before and after season startup
Daily water samples until enough data to confirm safe operation
8. Kiwanis Shelter Update
Log shelter planned for Kiwanis Park
Ongoing coordination with Kiwanis Club
Concerns
Liability
Quality of logs (moisture content, etc.)
Researching solutions
Kiwanis provide logs, licensed contractor install ($15,000-20,000)
Professional supply certified logs and construct shelter ($31,000)
9. Rental Ordinance
Interest in renting concessions building in Settlers Park, especially during tournaments.
Interest in renting movie screen
Work with legal to draft an ordinance
10. 8th Street Pedestrian Crossing Update
Meeting with NMID
Will not accept a bridge, but will allow a culvert.
Floodplain Analysis
Completed last week
Meets no-rise requirements
Next Steps
Take results to NMID
Corps of Engineers 404 Permit
Bid
11. Public Input Survey & Community Presentations
Parks & Recreation Survey
Released in conjunction with State of the City Address
Link on City Website
Promoting it city-wide
PowerPoint Presentation
Will be used this year as public outreach, service organization, etc.
Tell the story of Meridian Parks & Recreation
Future Topics
Boys & Girls Club
Neighborhood Parks
Signage Standards for New Parks
Partnership Policies