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Minutes 05-24-04MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 24, 2004 AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Elizabeth Pierce, Chairperson Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director William Orlove, Vice Chair John Wildner, Deputy Recreation & Lisa Peterfreund Parks Director Margaret Murphy Betty Thomas Tom Williams Jack McVey, Alternate John Spannuth, Alternate Absent: Pam Winters I. Call to Order Members met at the City's Tennis Center, 3111 South Congress Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. I1. Attendance Chairperson Pierce took attendance and declared a quorum was present. Also present were Commissioner and Mrs. Bob Ensler and Ms. Mary Morera, Vice Chair of the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. III. Approval of Minutes of April 26, 2004 Motion Vice Chair Orlove moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Murphy and unanimously carried. IV. Unfinished Business A. Senior Center Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Meeting May 24, 2004 Mr. Majors reported on the Senior Center and noted that the phase 2 is almost complete. The front doors have been installed and they will be moving forward with phase 3. V. New Business A. Site Visit - Congress Avenue Community Park (Tennis Center) Maps of the Tennis Center were distributed. The various areas of the Tennis Center were discussed in conjunction with the construction of a Boundless Playground. It was pointed out that the first phase of the Tennis Center was completed in 1986 and contained eight courts. Mr. Majors thought that they could consider building the playground within the footprint of the Tennis Center so that the current restrooms could be utilized. Some members thought that it should be built in the open space south of the Tennis Center. Mr. Majors pointed out that the lights and fences around the courts need to be replaced since they were installed back in 1992. It is estimated that this would cost around $300,000. Mr. Wildner pointed out that the Tennis Center requires a great deal of maintenance because of all the landscaping. He noted that other Tennis Centers have very little landscaping, if the Boundless Playground were built within the current footprint, this would eliminate a great deal of the landscaping that is considered evasive in most instances. Commissioner Ensler was not in favor of removing the landscaping, but if it had to be removed, he would like it replaced with natives. Mr. Wildner provided a history of the Tennis Center, which originated when the developer of Hunter's Run gave the land to the City. The donation consisted of 25 acres, but 5 acres was given to WXEL for their studios. The Tennis Center sits on 7 acres and the remainder of the land to the south is undeveloped. Members felt that there was a need for a playground in this part of the City since there were none. Ms. Peterfreund was not certain if the Tennis Center should be the place for a Boundless Playground because it might interfere with the people who utilize the Center to play tennis. Mr. Majors said that they have some master plans for a playground at this site that never came to fruition. Vice Chair Orlove requested that Mr. Majors bring these to the next meeting so that the members could review them. Chairperson Pierce pointed out that Girl Scout Park has a great deal of land available and that this would be a good place for a playground as well. She Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Meeting May 24, 2004 inquired what the cost of a Boundless Playground might be, and Mr. Majors felt it could cost between $300,000 to $400,000, depending upon the size and what they put in it. Members left the Tennis Center at 6:45 p.m. and arrived at the Boundless Playground at John Prince Park in Lake Worth at 7:05 p.m. B. Site Visit - John Prince Park (Boundless Playground) Mr. Tim Granowitz, a Planner with the Palm Beach County Recreation Department, who helped design and plan the Boundless Playground, joined Board members at the Park. Mr. Granowitz explained that this project originated two years ago. The County was approached by representatives of the Boundless Playgrounds, a non-profit group, about placing a playground in Palm Beach County. He pointed out that a Boundless Playground is utilized by children of all abilities, including children with disabilities, and family members that may be handicapped. Members asked about the funding of the playground and Mr. Granowitz stated that they received $200,000 from the Picower Foundation and $200,000 from the Quantum Foundation. The park is called the Picower Super Park Boundless Playground that features the Quantum Kid Zone for older children. The playground equipment, including installation, cost $500,000 and the entire project cost $1.2 million. Mr. Granowitz explained that Boundless has typical playground designs for various ages - 2 - 5 years of age is called the Alpha 5 - 12 years of age is called Beta 2 - 12 years of age is called Gamma Mr. Granowitz pointed out the benefits of a boundless playground in that it provides a place where children of all abilities can enjoy these types of outdoor activities. Information on the Boundless Playgrounds was circulated for members to review. He explained that the Boundless people came up with these styles of playgrounds by working with various playground manufacturers. Members discussed the type of playground they felt would be suitable for Boynton Beach and were informed that all three types were not necessary. The Boundless Playground came to fruition because they wanted to start an initiative in the State of Florida to build 50 of them throughout the entire State. They also received a FRDP grant for $150,000, which they had to match by utilizing the County's park impact fees. All the designing and construction was 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation ,and Parks Board Meeting May 24, 2004 done in house, and that saved a great deal of money for consultants and contractors. In addition to the costs for the playgrounds, the County had to redo the parking area to provide more parking spaces. They also put in picnic benches and a group shelter. There are tennis counts currently under construction as well and they would also be adding a splash pad in the future. Vice Chair Orlove inquired if there were any other Boundless Playgrounds in the County and Mr. Granowitz noted that there is an Easter Seals Playground on Congress Avenue, but it does not have as many amenities as this park. Ms. Peterfreund inquired when the Park opened and was informed it opened in mid-November of last year. She also asked about attendance, but Mr. Granowitz said that they do not track attendance. However, he noted that the park is always busy, especially during certain hours of the day. Ms. Thomas inquired if the Park was supervised and was informed that the Sheriff's Park Unit patrols the Park. Mr. Granowitz led members on a tour of the entire facility. The tour concluded at 7:50 p.m. The remainder of the meeting was conducted on the bus ride back to the Tennis Center. C. Monthly Report Mr. Spannuth inquired why the hours of the Wilson Pool were not listed in the FunFare Magazine. Mr. Majors pointed out that they are short on lifeguards and are not promoting the pool. However, the City's summer camps for the youth would be utilizing the pool. There was a consensus among the members that they would like to see a Boundless Playground in Boynton Beach. Members felt that more research was needed and requested that Mr. Wildner provide them with the master plan as previously discussed. Chairperson Pierce felt that a workshop should be held to get input from the people in the area. Members discussed the pros and cons of having the Playground included in the boundary of the Tennis Center or to place it in the vacant land along Congress Avenue. Commissioner Ensler said that he felt that Mr. Hutchinson, the CRA Director, might know of resources that might be able to assist with funding for the Playground, and he will speak to him about it. Ms. Peterfreund felt that Debbie Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Meeting May 24, 2004 Majors, the City's Grant Coordinator, might also be able to help in this regard. Also, Ms. Peterfreund recommended that they could ask Hunter's Run if they could help with some kind of fundraising. Commissioner Ensler pointed out that Hunter's Run raiseS approximately $2 million a year for charitable purposes. None D. Items for the City Manager's Attention Ms. Murphy noted that the City's Lifeguards would be holding an open house at the City's Beach on Friday, May 28th, beginning at 12 noon with a skill's demonstration at 3:00 p.m. VI. The next regular meeting will take place on June 28, 2004 at the Senior Center at 6:30 p.m, VII. Adjournment The Regular Meeting concluded at 8:05 p.m. and members were transported back to the Tennis Center and Senior Center, respectively. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (May 26, 20O4)