Loading...
Minutes 01-23-06 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION & PARKS BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 23,2006 AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair William Orlove, Vice Chair Patti Hammer Pam Winters Janelle Sloan Betty Thomas Tom Williams James McMahon, Alternate John McVey, Alternate Wally Majors, Recreation Director Jody Rivers, Park Superintendent I. Call to Order Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. Attendance Chair Pierce-Roe introduced Catherine Guberman, Recording Secretary. Chair Pierce- Roe called the roll and announced a quorum was present. Chair Pierce-Roe introduced David Barth of Glatting, Jackson, Kercher, Anglin and Lopez, Rinehart, Inc. Mr. Barth's daughter Abigail was also present. III. Approval of Minutes Mr. Orlove had a question on page 4 where it read, "Mr. Orlove added that as a neighborhood park, people should be able to go home and use their own bathroom." He did not recall saying that and thought someone else did but offered to keep minutes as written jf nobody else owned the comment. Motion Mr. Orlove moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Winters seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Wally Majors, Director of Recreation and Parks received nominations for Sam Wright to be memorialized by naming the Intracoastal Club House in his name. Mr. Majors explained other names were also received and indicated this is uncharted territory for Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida January 23, 2006 the Board as this is a fairly new policy. He elaborated in the past they have memorialized people as they decided to as a Board and now there is a candidate pool to select from. Mr. Majors clarified Mr. Wright's name came up first and the facility is not slated to begin construction until 2008Z, so the Board has some time to think the issue over. Mr. Orlove asked if the resolution specifically indicates the memorial can be for an individual who is living or deceased. Mr. Majors responded it could be either. He also indicated a copy of the guidelines in the members manual books could be helpful. Chair Pierce-Roe indicated the one in the manual specifies deceased, so it needs to be amended. Mr. Orlove also clarified the information indicates one or more of the criteria had to be met. Mr. Majors added it has been their interpretation that the person did not have to be deceased. He asked the members to start giving this issue some thought. He also thought it was incumbent on the Board to solicit feedback from the community. Ms. Hammer announced as members of the Board, they are entitled to write in favor of one of the Board members. There was discussion whether those nominations could be considered prejudiced. She was advised that was allowable. Mr. Majors indicated this matter would be kept under Unfinished Business. Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent, spoke about Congress Avenue Community Park, which started as the Bells Playground, and then became known as Boundless 8eUs Park. She explained the City engaged the services of Glatting, Jackson, Kercher, Anglin, Lopez, Rinehart, Inc., who put together a design team for the project design. A kick-off meeting had been held on December 15th with the agencies who support and service individuals with special needs. Mr. Barth reviewed the results of the December 15, 2005 workshop, which consisted of about 30 individuals who walked the site. Out of this workshop, themes, the character of the park and concept plans were developed. Mr. Barth reviewed these results via a PowerPoint Presentation. The workshop included a time line. Beginning with the December 15 Visioning Workshop they would then conduct interviews with the Commissioners, hold public meetings, and hold discussions with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to obtain feedback on what would be developed. The consultants looked at the well field construction on the site and would do a restoration plan in those areas to replace vegetation the well field destroyed. There are ecologists and surveyors going out to the site to determine existing opportunities and constraints. They will start the master plan design in another week or so and that will continue through April or May. After the master plan is completed, they will determine the total cost of the park, and determine how much money is available. Then they will determine what Phase I of the park will encompass. One of the workshop groups developed their concept of the park and entitled it "Bamboo Park." They wanted to celebrate the relationship between Boynton Beach and its Sister City in China as well as the idea of inclusiveness. The park would offer learning and sensory experiences. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida January 23, 2006 The second group had a similar theme, with the idea of imagination, discovery, exploration, and endless play, hence the name boundless, endless, and horizon less. The third group focused on the concept of "journey." They felt it was a place for beauty with purpose and envisioned nature and the outdoors. The fourth group focused on "harmony." This group liked the concepts of interactive, relaxation, imagination, enjoyment, exploration, and developed the name "Harmony Park." The fifth group developed a concept of where play meets nature, without boundaries. They named it "Horizon Park." The idea of limitless experience was emphasized; it could be a balanced park. Concepts developed for the theme were: · access to all · endless possibilities · inclusiveness · diversity of experience · boundless park Some of the uses discussed for the park were: · Butterfly garden · Gymnastics area with forgivable surfaces · Fragrant garden · Shade structures with whimsical designs · Audio headsets for hearing impaired · Free-standing restroom building · Kitchen area · Community Garden · Educational exhibits - Water, Sister City, Environment, Wetlands, etc. · Interactive play water feature · Artwork space · Animals · Interesting topography · Accessible sporting equipment · Chinese Garden as Park theme · Pier/boardwalk to/through pond, wetlands · Performing area · Rails w/Braille, walkway surface "clues" for interpretive areas · Habitat elements 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida January 23, 2006 · Accessible bus stop · Storage/Maintenance facility · Interesting rest areas between facilities · Audio-visual room · Larger clubhouse Mr. Barth summarized the similarities of the five plans and displayed drawings of each plan for the Advisory Board members. One aspect of the park would be the detailing, such as the use of trellis gates and on-site furnishings. There was an emphasis on open spaces, grassy and natural areas and detailed garden designs. Highlights also included all kinds of exhibits, educational signs or exhibits with markers. Other common elements were a high level of detail, fun whimsical, open natural areas, gardening, relationships without boundaries, play spaces and areas for contemplation, hills to roll down, art in designated shade areas, transition spaces, entry ways, and different terrace levels. All the groups recognized the existing grids. There were strong geometric patterns in the plans and the different focus groups added a second entrance/exit to and from the park. One of the groups recommended a drop off area for the benefit of the handicapped, while another showed a pedestrian access on Congress Avenue. Another group showed water permeating throughout the park, while another had a covered bridge and a sculptural area with a small amphitheater at the lake. The concept of a circle or sphere kept coming up. A central building, multiple accesses, exploratory aareas and journeyways to get around the site with one space moving into another were suggested. Another suggestion was a bamboo-lined walkway that opened up onto a grassy area. Mr. Barth indicated he was waiting to get all the comments back and will incorporate the ideas given to him. He had all of the comments to date. Mr. Orlove expressed the process is moving along in a creative way. He really liked the idea of the park having areas for discovery and being sensory. He indicated he personally would like to see some type of splash playground. He commended the workshop participants. He felt the park had a great sense of dignity. Ms. Sloan thought the meandering pathways were nice. She elaborated at every water park, the children have a good time. Putting a pavilion for shade and a bridge over the pond would have the Sister City effect. The only thing she added and felt strongly about were the nesting birds, and thought perhaps some type of buffering might be helpful. She also expressed concern with the amount of unprotected water regarding mothers with a wheelchair and young children since there is a canal on the property. She thought having a natural buffer around the water areas should be considered. Ms. Rivers asked the Board to develop a phased plan regarding the exotics and natural areas to buffer without losing the buffer. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida January 23, 2006 There was discussion the park is for people of all ages, not just the wheelchair bound and others with special needs. There will be senior citizens at the park. Having areas safe and accessible for all, and having small spots along the way for individuals to sit and rest is needed. Providing water fountains for seeing eye-dogs and the park patrons was suggested, as were covered shelters in the event of rain. Ms. Rivers explained once the master plan is developed in April or May, the Advisory Board will need to institute its fund raising program. The City has $1.5 million dollars in next years budget for seed money. When the master plan is completed they will activate their fund raising program and determine how much money will be needed. There was discussion the amount of money needed would be commensurate with the level of detail. Chair Pierce-Roe indicated as long as the master plan is set, as time goes on they can add enhancements. Mr. Barth reviewed the themes mentioned that are layered over one another, i.e. the Sister City concept, sensory garden design, etc. He was intrigued with taking the principles of good Chinese garden design, good sensory experience and boundless principles and try to have them overlap. In regard to the architecture, the garden architecture is the aspect that will pop out the most. He asked for the Board's feelings on the Sister City concept. Chair Pierce-Roe explained the entire park originally began with the concept of a garden. When the concept was suggested, an island nation, encompassing more than just a Chinese culture, was discussed. Mr. Orlove asked how long a sensory garden takes to be developed and should that be considered a phase. He expounded constructing a pavilion or bridge over a pond is one thing, but from the aspect of building/planting a sensory garden, that wouldn't happen over night and would take some time. Mr. Barth would like the entire park to be a Chinese boundless garden. They can plant certain areas with plants that would attract, for example, butterflies, and emphasized it should not be like EPCOT. In his mind that concept would fail. The Board needs to define what the good design principles are. Mr. Orlove suggested showing the heritage of Boynton and the people who live here and integrating different elements, giving a global perspective but not being entirely oriented towards one culture or ethnic background. The maintenance costs were discussed. Ms. Rivers explained this is an opportunity for Boynton to create a really unique area that south Florida has not seen before, but they have to commit the resources to maintain the area. There was discussion to start developing the park on a smaller scale to determine what can be maintained and controlled and then work slowly and ~ fA. eradicate the exotics. It was emphasized 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida January 23, 2006 certain things will be easier to maintain, so when the maintenance person is present, they will know when they can step up to the next level. Chair Pierce-Roe recommended not getting so deep into the project initially and recommended considering developing more than one area, even if they are just pavilions or get-away areas because there is too much blacktop right now. Making a handicapped restroom even more handicapped accessible and features such as lowered water fountains to serve the handicapped and low drinking water areas for seeing-eye dogs were discussed. Ms. Rivers explained Mr. Barth would take all this information plus the information developed during the public meeting. He will need to analyze the data. The design team consisted of a public artist, an architect, landscape architect, garden designer, engineer and landscaper. Mr. Barth explained one plan will be brought back to the Board and will be prioritized. The Board requested the plan not be made too complicated. Mr. Barth will develop something simple but it will have details. The area will be changed from a playground to a park. Chair Pierce-Roe shared more families are spending more time together as reported in "Recreation Magazine." Mr. Majors concluded the plan will come back and once the master plan is developed, they will start their fundraising activities. He noted there would be many opportunities for grant funds. Ms. Rivers added would also be opportunities for environmental funds, educational funds and park funds. There was discussion the park would lend itself to many generations. Mr. Majors announced a Veterans Advisory Board member was not present to speak. They are requesting the Board consider redeveloping Veterans Park to include a Veterans Memorial Park on Ocean Avenue, east of Mr. Dyers' building. Mr. Orlove asked when the City built the memorial at Intracoastal Park, if there was a reason to place the memorial there instead of Ocean Avenue. Mr. Majors replied it was just a better alternative at the time. He hoped they could make Veterans Park the park for Veterans, and take some of the emphasis away from Intracoastal Park, because that park is more family oriented. The memorial there will stay at the Intracoastal site, but the actual Veterans Park would be on Ocean Avenue and would have the flame. Ms. Rivers noted the whole downtown area will be changing and Veterans Park will become a very important place as a piece of the downtown development. Mr. Majors indicated that presently if one travels downtown, the boundaries of the Promenade Project could be seen by the Arches, which will now be called the 500 Project. 6 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida January 23, 2006 There were no questions regarding the monthly report. Mr. Majors announced the City has just purchased a new 32-passenger bus that can accommodate 2 wheelchairs and can travel on the highway. They hope to receive it in time for summer camp. Ms. Hammer complimented the Recreation and Parks Department on the Christmas Parade. Chair Pierce-Roe commented it would be very nice if floats were included, even little trailers so the children don't have to march. Mr. Majors explained in the past they have worked with schools and local carpenters but it has been a challenge to have floats. He added this year the parade would be something based upon the development of the Arches. Mr. Williams asked when Boundless Park is built if there would be security. Mr. Majors responded they would like to have security provided and have not given up on the thought. Mr. Williams agreed security is needed. Mr. Orlove asked if there were updates on with the Old High School project and the Community Redevelopment Agency. There were no updates available. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:44 P.M.. The next meeting is at the Senior Center on February 27 at 6:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, 020706 7