City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board               

December 13th, 2005

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Vice Chair, Bill Penny, Chris Schumm and Kelly Barth

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Chair Sharon Spratt and Tom Bracciano

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Fred DeVictor, Mark Hecker, Ernie Shaw and Roger Steinbrock

 

GUESTS:

Deborah Snyder and John Richardson

 

         

          Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair, Bill Penny.  Minutes of November 8th meeting were approved.

 

          Board members noted and thanked staff for planting trees on the medians on Clinton Parkway between Iowa and Kasold Streets.  Staff indicated additional trees would be planted on medians on Bob Billings Parkway west of Iowa and south of Iowa Street.

 

Penny noted a recent article in the Lawrence Journal World about a $25 million grant to Columbia, Missouri and other cities for trails.  DeVictor indicated the City Manager’s office had already contacted our federal legislators inquiring about these funds and indicated interest in grants for Lawrence.

 

          Deborah Snyder was introduced and she expressed concern about horseback riders using trails in Riverfront Park.  She felt there were conflicts between horses and other trail users.  She thanked the City for opening the dog park and disc golf course.  She felt the users were from an adjacent stable and were using the park for private financial gain for trail rides.  She asked the Board to encourage park management to not permit horseback riding on the existing trails.  She suggested fences could be installed to protect the trail if we wanted to allow bridle trails in the parks.  She pointed out there were horse trails at Clinton Lake.

 

          After considerable discussion, Schumm made a motion “at the present time to close Riverfront Park to horseback riding”.  Motion was 2nd by Barth.  Motion passed.  The Board further discussed the possibility of properly organizing or arranging for bridle trails in Riverfront Park at a later time.

 

          DeVictor presented a drawing showing expanding the fence enclosure for the KU Rowing Club in Burcham Park.  The competitive women’s team is receiving new equipment and told the club they no longer have space for their rowing equipment.  KU Recreation Services would need to work through the permit process with the Planning Department for this approval but Parks and Recreation staff saw benefits to the community for rowers on the Kansas River.

 

          Barth made a motion to approve the expansion of the storage area in the park for the KU Rowing Club.  Schumm 2nd.  Motion passed.

 

          DeVictor reviewed a “park site selection criteria” memo with the Board.  Staff is proposing that criteria be developed to be used as a tool to help evaluate potential future park sites for inclusion in the parks system.  With three members absent the Board asked that this item be tabled until the January meeting.

 

          Steinbrock reported there were some glitches in the first weekend with the winter class enrollment process, which reduced the on-line registration for classes the first week.  All problems are repaired now and on-line enrollment continues.

 

          Hecker showed the Board an updated park district map and said work has begun on median tree planting, ball diamond infield material replacement and downtown landscaping plans.

 

          Shaw reported recreation division revenue would surpass budget projections for the year and we were in between fall and winter sessions of classes.

 

          Meeting adjourned at 1:50P.M.  Next meeting January 10, 2006.