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Minutes 12-05-18 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL TOWNSQUARE OPEN SPACES AND RECREATION WORKSHOP MEETING HELD AT THE SARA SIMS CENTER ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 AT 5:30 PM. PRESENT: Steven Grant, Mayor Lori LaVerriere, City Manager Aimee Kelley, Commissioner Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager DISCUSSION ON TOWN SQUARE PLAYGROUND AND OPEN SPACES Lori LaVerriere, City Manager called the workshop to order at 5:38 p.m. Ms. LaVerriere indicated the reason for the workshop was to receive input on the design for the playground and park space outside of City Hall. The City promised their citizens to provide additional forums for residents input in regard to the park at Town Square. Ms. LaVerriere introduced Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager and Project Manager for the Town Square project and Katie Moffitt, Direct Sales Representative with Kompan playground equipment. Mr. Groff explained this would be an interactive workshop. If there were any questions, please stop and ask. He would introduce some of the concepts which were spoken about in the previous workshops. Ms. Moffitt provided some background information on Kompan. Explained the equipment would be designed to whatever specification the City of Boynton Beach required. The playground equipment offered a number of psychological, physical benefits and challenges. The equipment offers supportive play as well as imaginative play. Mr. Groff inquired how many people had heard about the Town Square project. (there were a few people who did not know about Town Square). Mr. Groff informed the audience Town Square was a 16-acre site planned for the downtown Boynton Beach area. The Project includes the renovation of the Historic Boynton Beach High School into a cultural center, residential and retail spaces, a hotel, playground, amphitheater, open spaces, parking garages, fire station and a new City Hall which also encompasses a new Library. Mr. Groff presented a slide with words describing the community: sensory, sculptural, shade, history, nautical, coastal, reflective, shade, multi-cultural, learning, exploration, preservation, nature, movement, destination, beach, space, interactive, dairy, iconic, Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 ocean, inclusive, vibrant. Inquired if the audience could think of other words which should be included. Citizens provided additional words, such as Pirate Fest, tomatoes and eggplants. A citizen informed all that tomatoes and eggplants were the biggest crops in Boynton Beach for decades. Citizens continued with words such as handicap assessable, coral reef, multigenerational. A citizen asked about open wild spaces. Mr. Groff indicated the City was trying to capture the concept of an open space in an urban environment, the feel of playing in the woods within the City park. Mr. Groff noted this was a concept workshop and the goal was to receive additional feedback from the community. Mr. Groff said having a water feature could potentially be a maintenance nightmare. The park would be multigenerational. Mr. Groff expressed the play area would tell the story of the Boynton Beach unique history of a strong agricultural and dairy tradition an appeal to all age groups. The area would have active, intermediate and quiet areas to accommodate different ways of playing. Mr. Groff stated the area will incorporate balancing, rocketing, climbing, swinging, sliding, social and cognitive skill development. Ms. Moffitt indicated some of the main value concepts were: 1. Security 2. Site 3. Availability 4. Exposure 5. Age Group 6. User Experience 7. Play Value 8. Local Community Identity Mr. Groff showed the value concepts of security, exposure, aesthetics, individual age groups, the identity and the local community. Ms. Moffitt added the play area will become a landmark of the local community with accessibility of the playground with ADA complainant equipment, as well as the exposure and the aesthetics of the material being used. Mr. Groff provided an overview of the value concepts. Noted security was one of the main issues for the park. Expressed Town Square park will insure the residents and their children are safe and secure while visiting the park. 2 Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 Ms. Moffitt addressed equipment placement and the best interactive play area. Mr. Groff interjected this goes back to security. The City wants to make sure the area is safe and secure and available to the general population. Mr. Groff pointed out the City desire was to be known as the best play area in Palm Beach County. Mr. Groff expressed the park would be multigenerational. Ms. Moffitt indicated the inclusion of all age groups no matter the capability. The play area has ground level activities; the area can be defined as a universal design with play for all. Mr. Groff informed the audience Boynton Beach was an inclusive City. Children and adults are able to participate regardless of their physical or intellectual abilities. Ms. Moffitt noted every child plays differently and the equipment allows for different types of play. Mr. Groff presented a map of three different sites for the play area. Area #1 was behind the Children Schoolhouse Museum was 16,966 square Feet. Has full grown trees for shade. The area would utilize the trees for shading. there was a lot of input. This area was slated for younger kids, which would be both indoor and outdoor area. Mr. Groff showed several different rendering of the play equipment. Different concepts and plans were presented. Ms. Moffitt indicated there would be two infant and two accessible swings. There was a climbing structure, it has good viability,.teamwork. There was a rope ship climber, junior spinner, dolphin springer, manipulative multisensory panels, alligator bench, sensory garden, train. This area would have the age group of 0-5-year-old and was in the museum area. The toddler area would have a musical area as well. In addition, there will be the stepping logs and outdoor classrooms which can be used by the School House Museum. There are dolphin springers, citrus tree climbers with a raised shelter. There would be a steam train with three railroad cars. The swing can accommodate up to 25 children at any given time. Mr. Groff asked if this was an acceptable concept. (more than half the room responded favorably.) A citizen said more equipment was needed in the play area; she did not believe one dolphin springer was enough. Another citizen asked about the quality of the spinners and springers. Inquired if the spinners and springers would break easily. Mr. Groff responded the equipment has a 20- year life expectancy. Ms. Moffitt explained the equipment was made out of stainless steel and would not rust like other play equipment. The equipment was built to last. A citizen provided a scenario regarding a 200lb teenager entering the park after dark with the intention of destroying the equipment. Ms. Moffitt responded the equipment was tested in extreme conditions. Mr. Groff stated this equipment can be fixed if broken and pointed out the equipment would be under warranty. 3 Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 A citizen asked if the springs were actually exposed like the rendering. Mr. Groff acknowledge they were. Susan Oyer asked if the Palm trees would provide shading. Mr. Groff explained most of the equipment in this area was under a tree canopy. Staff spoke with the vendor regarding adding shading above the climber. Conversation ensued regarding the Citrus tree climber. Mr. Groff indicated the climber shelter was large enough for play but not large enough for anyone to sleep. Many citizens said that the young people would try to use this for other activities. Mr. Groff stated the number one priority was safety for this area. The City was looking at the security during the evening hours. If anyone was at the park after dark they would be requested to leave. Mr. Groff presented some renderings of the stepping stone logs. A citizen asked how far apart was stepping stone logs. Ms. Moffitt replied she could not answer the question at this time; she understood the length was varied. Added the logs were made of concrete and covered with a material which made it feel like wood. Noted the logs were engineered to last for a very long time. The farm house allowed for the children to use pretend play and play as a team. Ms. LaVerriere interjected the kids have the opportunity to play within the farm house. This provides an opportunity for education for the children of different animals around the farm. Mr. Groff asked if this was what the citizens envisioned from the workshops a few months ago. (Many hands were raised and clapping) Mr. Goff noted the train was a place for social interaction. A citizen asked if the train moved. Mr. Groff responded no. Mr. Groff advised these were not just play pieces there were also works of art. Mr. Groff showed the sensory grass blade panels and the alligator bench. Explained this was a children's bench which was engineered for pretend play. Ms. Oyer asked if there was only one bench. Indicated she did not believe this would be enough for a park of this size. Mr. Groff responded the bench was two-sided. Mr. Groff advised no matter where the parents are in the park they could see their children playing. Pointed out the surface could be changed to whatever theme the citizens desired. Presented a citrus concept, but indicated the theme could be changed to oceans, tomatoes or eggplants. The surface area was thick and spongy which was a safety feature. • 4 Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 Mr. Groff showed the rendering for the 2-5 year olds which had climbing areas as well as swings which were ADA compliant There was a junior buoy spinner, a rope, a ship with an over/under climber. A concerned citizen asked about why there was only one spinner. Ms. Moffitt explained the spinner was very large and could accommodate at least five children at any given time. She explained the piece was fun to use and help the children learn teamwork. Ms. Oyer asked about branding for the City. Mr. Groff stated it was possible to have the logo placed on the spongy surfaces throughout the park. Mr. Groff noted the next area was being called Kapok Park which encompass 27,688 square feet. The area was next to the Historic High School. This area was being designated for 5-12 year olds. This area has a big slide at the playground entrance. Has ocean bubbles surface design, and a giant frog and a clamshell swing with 2 high capacity swing seats, a wetland marsh, balancing poles challenge, multi-spinners, and a giant jellyfish. This area has a walking loop as well as a sitting area. This was a subtropical environment where the Kapok tree would thrive. Ms. Moffitt indicated Kapok Park was for children as well as adults. The park provides a fitness circuit with equipment which was ADA compliant. The equipment chest presses, horizontal rows, upright row and press down equipment. This would be a multiuser area. Mr. Groff wanted to address the huge Jellyfish in the middle of the park. This can be used by all, with and without disabilities. Mr. Groff said the high capacity swing was actually a bird nest, all kids can swing, this encourages inclusion. The swings are able to accommodate more than five children at any given time and balancing was fun. The swings were round disks. Mr. Groff explained the wetland Marsh Balancing pole challenge. Indicated every child likes to climb trees. This provides an option to having trees. Indicated the poles have steps for climbing up the poles. The Frog can be explored both top to bottom, running around and hanging from the top. A concerned citizen asked what happens if a child falls. Mr. Groff responded the area has been tested for falls. The floor was the spongy material, which would provide a cushion to the fall. A citizen suggested adding a zip line to the park area. Said this would be fun for the adults as well as the children. Mr. Groff stated that would be a safety issue. Ms. LaVerriere said that would be a Risk Manager nightmare. Mr. Groff asked if the citizens liked the Jellyfish. He explained this was a very large piece of play equipment. Ms. Moffitt said they would not see the Jellyfish anywhere in Florida. This was being customized for Boynton Beach. 5 Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 A citizen asked about the color coordination for the thickness of the ground area. Mr. Groff explained the colors and thickness are based on the type of equipment in each area. The colors identify the area, such as 0-5, 5-12 or adult fitness. Mr. Groff said the giant frog was a big hit with children. The children are able to climb up, lay and swing from the frog. Mr. Groff indicated the frog was taller than an average person. The clam shell swing was not a basic swing. The swing had the ability to go sideways. It was disk shape and about 3- feet in diameter. Ms. Moffitt stated again, the equipment encourages socialization and team work. A resident asked about the water element for the park. Pointed out this was Florida and it would be nice to have some type of water element for the children. The resident mentioned the wetland marsh balancing poles as an option, having the ground squirting the participants. Mr. Groff explained the problem with a water element was the maintenance. Explained it was very difficult to keep the area clean. There would need to be a full chlorination system as well as a filtration system would be needed. Mr. Groff understood this was Florida and it was hot in the summer, but there would be shade in the park area. Mr. Groff responded they could not use the wetland Marsh area because the poles could possibly become slippery and a hazard to the children. A citizen stated she was a parent with a seven-year-old son and indicated they would not go to a park in the summer without water features. It was too hot. Suggested working it out, or the park would not be in use during the summer months. Mr. Groff stated the park would have shade.A citizen suggested to check out the Fun Depot. It has a type of misting that blows across the park. Mr. Groff replied he liked the idea of misting. A citizen asked about canopies. Mr. Groff indicated there would be shades on most of the property. Pointed out it would be difficult to shade an entire park. A citizen inquired how hot the metal poles become. Ms. Moffitt indicated the poles would be powder coated. A resident stated the poles from the wetland area looked extremely pointed. Ms. Moffitt replied the edges were rounded. Mr. Groff stated the reason they have the poles was they were trying to get tree climbing effect in the park. Mr. Groff asked about the clam swing, if everyone liked the Clam shell swing. (applause and clapping) Ms. Oyer asked if the walkway has been measured to see the width and length. Mr. Groff replied not as of yet. Ms. Oyer asked if the planners considered older persons with walkers. Mr. Groff stated all of the walkways were wide and smooth. Mr. Groff stated all of the equipment was ADA compliant, including the assessable workout area. Noted persons in wheelchairs could use the fitness equipment as well. 6 Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 A citizen inquired about water fountains. Mr. Groff indicated there will be some water fountains throughout the park as well as restrooms. A resident asked if the City anticipated any group activities at the park. Mr. Groff said there must be some type of security controls to make sure the people are safe. A resident asked if the play areas would be enclosed. Mr. Groff replied the play areas would have fencing in certain areas to protect the children. The parkwas designed for safety. The bathrooms will be closed when the park was closed. Ms. Oyer inquired about the transition space between the two parks. Mr. Groff replied there would be a loading zone for the high school. Ms. Oyer suggested using the space between the two sites as a skate park. Mr. Groff responded the design of the park does not include the skate park. Ms. Oyer queried about a chalk board. Mr. Groff replied staff was looking into something similar to chalk boards to be added throughout the park. A citizen questioned the transition space for games such as hopscotch and a skate park. Mr. Groff responded there was no room for a skate park at this time. He informed the audience that a skate park comes with many issues that are not good for the City. A citizen asked about the large frog equipment. What can the children do with the frog? Ms. Moffitt responded the children can climb on the frog, hang upside down, slide down and run around the frog. This was an imaginative and interactive play area. A resident asked how many oak trees were being saved? Mr. Groff replied most of the oak trees were being saved. A concerned citizen inquired as to how close the eastern playground was to the Old School House? Mr. Groff stated there was a pathway between the two areas. Mr. Groff pointed out the City needed to have a concept to move forward. He again asked if the concepts provided were in line with what the citizens of Boynton Beach envisioned. A citizens stated he liked the concepts which were presented with the historic features. He would like to see some water features included in the park. Believed the City would lose park goers without some type of water feature. Mr. Groff replied staff was here to receive input on where to go with the ideas that were provided at the other workshops. Mr. Groff stated the entire project should take about 40 months; the play area should be ready in 2020, the park was about 35,000 square feet. The next step was to work with the site designer and get together a final plan. A resident asked if there has there been any input about a community gardens? Mr. Groff replied the Schoolhouse museum could use the area as a part of a teaching event regarding creating a community garden within the park. 7 Workshop Meeting Minutes Sara Sims Center Boynton Beach, Florida December 5, 2018 Mr. Woodrow Hay inquired if the park was going to be monitored by cameras instead of a physical person. Mr. Groff indicated all the parks would have cameras which are monitored. Mr. Groff stated the City wants everyone who visits the parks to feel safe. This would be an additional level of security. A resident asked why Kids Kingdom was not kept or the Kapok tree. Mr. Groff explained there were several ideas presented and staff chose the one being presented. The selection was made by staff. The City wanted a central park area. Mr. Fitzpatrick informed the audience it was his idea for Kids Kingdom with help from thousands of volunteers they made the idea become a reality.Why not keep it as a Covent with the community? No one would have worked on it if they would have known that 18 years later staff would bulldoze the area. Also the names on the pickets it was stated would be saved. Also the front signage and lanterns would be saved. He noticed none of that was saved. Mr. Groff replied this could be used as a component within the playground. Mr. Fitzpatrick inquired about space for the fire drill. Mr. Groff responded this was addressed. Mr. Fitzpatrick asked about the separation of the different areas based on ages. Mr. Groff replied families will play together. A citizen asked how many of the oak trees are being kept. Mr. Groff replied several oak trees were being kept. A citizen inquired about the distance between the eastern playground to the Old High School and asked if there was a sidewalk which separates them. Mr. Groff replied there was a sidewalk which separate the two areas. Ms. Oyer asked if the pathway for the adults would have some type of cement lighting, like little LED lighting to direct people where to walk. Mr. Groff stated that most of the lighting would be LED. He informed Ms. Oyer that placing the lighting into concrete would be cost prohibitive. A citizen asked since the City does not want a water feature suggested having a walkway of water. Mr. Groff stated this was about the playground. In summary, Mr. Groff believed everyone liked the concept presented. Advised the audience this was a three to five-year project. The park will be branded with the sailfish logo. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm �ueenes er Teves Deputy City Clerk 8