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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.13.2024 APB Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD May 13, 2024 Present: Amy Davis, Lauren Bartelt, Becky Metz, Timothy Franz Excused: Matt Mugerauer, Lester Millette, Devon Hudak Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Ericka Maertz, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Davis for approval of the February 12th minutes. Seconded by Herman. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Franz for approval of the April 8th minutes. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 4-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS THE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN (CORP) UPDATE INCLUDING NEED ASSESSMENT. Mr. Maurer introduced John Kneer and Rebecca Ramirez with Rettler Corporation to review the results of the needs assessment which was conducted by public survey between March 4-31, 2024. John shared a brief overview of the citizen survey that was conducted by the City of Oshkosh as a needs assessment for the community. The survey had approximately 480 responses. The vast majority (90.5%) of respondents live in the City of Oshkosh. A little over a third (36%) of survey respondents fell into the 31–45-year-old age bracket. The next most represented groups were 61-75 (27%) and 46-60 (25%). Responsiveness fell off dramatically at either end of the spectrum. Just 8% of responses came from the 18–30 year group, and only 4% of responses came from those 75+. A third of those responding have at least one child under age 18. Of those who do, 42% have only one child, 37% have two, 15% have three, and 7% have four or more. Over half (66%) of the respondents visit the parks. A dedicated 11% visit the parks daily. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES MAY 13, 2024 PAGE 2 Only 3% indicated that they never visited the parks. Menominee Park and South Park are the most visited parks in the Oshkosh system. Park satisfaction levels are relatively high with 87% of respondents describing themselves as “Satisfied” or “very satisfied.” "Needs are Acceptably Met" is the highest rated category for all park facilities listed, with the exception of Leach Amphitheater, in which “Needs Acceptably Met” tied with "Needs are Well Met." When asked whether they thought there were enough athletic fields in Oshkosh, 48% of respondents indicated that there are enough fields for adults and 54% thought there were enough fields for youth. 18% said there are not enough athletic fields for adults and 14% thought there were not enough for youth. Roughly a third said that they didn’t know. Survey takers were then asked to indicate their top priorities for park maintenance. Restroom Maintenance and Updating ranked highest, followed by Trash Removal, Playground Maintenance, Trail Maintenance, and Facility Maintenance. When provided with a list and asked to select items they felt should be expanded or improved, the Biking/Walking Trails (28%) and the Riverwalk (23%) were the top choices by a wide margin. Comments included a list of additional suggestions, the top five of which were: more Restrooms with longer hours, more Natural/Wooded/Native Planting Areas, Playground Improvements, a desire for maintaining existing facilities in lieu of additional amenities, and the desire for a dog park and/or more gog-friendly areas. Most respondents rated their ability to walk or bike in and around the City of Oshkosh as "good." Based on the results, walkers have a slightly more pleasant experience than bikers. The vast majority (88%) of respondents have not rented or reserved a park pavilion, shelter, or sports field. Of those who did, most (62%) of the rentals were for a family event. "Other" came in at 15%. Most users rated their rental experience as "great" or "good." The most attended type of events at the Leach Amphitheater are Waterfest (42%), Parks Department events (24%) and other Special Events (19%). The final question asked for any other comments or suggestions to help improve the park facilities and services in the City of Oshkosh. 176 people chose to share open comments and suggestions. The most mentioned desire was for more garbage cans and more frequent trash pickup (7.8%). This was followed by compliments to the parks department and staff (7.2%), concerns about biking safety on City streets (4.1%), requests to finish the Riverwalk (3.8%), an interest in additional disc golf courses (2.7%), more trails (2.4%), more restrooms (2.4%), more native plantings (2%), requests to fix the South Park splash pad (1.7%), and a desire for more benches (1.7%). After John shared the CORP progress and next steps, Mr. Maurer shared that, as a result of this survey, staff is already looking at ways to utilize the data. Rettler Staff will be working with Department Staff to look at individual parks next and develop park specific improvements. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES MAY 13, 2024 PAGE 3 2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) 2025- 2029 Mr. Maurer shared the projects recommended by staff for the 2024 CIP that were funded or partially funded by council including, Menominee Park parking Lot and Reetz Field design, the Siewart Trail section Menominee Park road reconstruction, Lakeshore Park development, the 44th Parallel Park play equipment, Menominee Park Zoo improvement and general trail improvements. Mr. Maurer went on to share the projects that were not included this year such as the 44th Parallel Park tennis and addition of pickleball, Stevens Park play equipment replacement, and the Stevens Park tennis and basketball court recoating. These are all being recommended for 2025. Since the Menominee Park parking lot and Reetz Field large project will not be funded all at once and needs to be phased in, Mr. Maurer stated his intent is to use the 2024 funding to renovate one of the Reetz ball fields and begin phasing in other components of the larger project. Mr. Maurer advised that the City Manager, Finance Department and Council want to focus on the next two years when reviewing the entirety of the CIP. The 2025 projects include the Stevens Park play equipment replacement, Stevens Park tennis and basketball court recoating, 44th Parallel Park tennis and the addition of pickleball, LED marque signs at the Leach Amphitheater, South Park and Menominee Park, Riverwalk light bollard replacement, Rusch Park trail lighting, Riverside Cemetery Road resurfacing and the reoccurring park trail improvements. The 2026 projects include Lakeshore Park development, play equipment at Rainbow Memorial Park (20 years old), Abe Rochlin Park (18 years old), Abbey Park(18 years old), West Algoma Park (18 years old) and Red Arrow Park(18 years old), the splash pad at South Park, the skate park at Red Arrow Park, Reetz concession and restroom building, park trail improvements, Stevens Park lighting replacement, Menominee Park Zoo improvements, and repairs to the boat launches at Menominee and Fugleberg. Mr. Maurer then briefly covered the contents of years 2027-2029. Motion by Franz to recommend to council the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2025- 2029 as presented. Seconded by Metz. Motion carried 4-0. STAFF REPORTS PARKS DIRECTOR (Maurer) Mr. Maurer shared the Rusch Park trail project is complete except for the restoration which is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. Additionally, the Pratt Trail reconstruction project is nearing completion on the east side of the road. Paving is expected to be completed by the 4th of July. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES MAY 13, 2024 PAGE 4 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman shared an update on the ongoing landscaping near the Lakeshore Pavilion, specifically the area adjacent to the building that may appear to be weeds. Mr. Dallman stated that this area is filled with native plantings and will take 2-3 years to establish. Signs will be added to this area. Mr. Dallman shared that we are accepting bids for the 44th Parallel playground reconstruction. That is expected to be done in September. The playground will be in similar proximity to the current location, with minor adjustments for accessible routing and stormwater drainage. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER (Derks) Mr. Derks shared that Arbor Day celebrations were a success. The morning was spent at Jefferson Elementary where fourth grade students had both an essay and a poster contest to showcase what Arbor Day meant to them. WPS also attended the celebration to share their Tree Line USA success and the importance of taking proper precautions when planting a tree. A tulip tree was planted on the Jefferson campus to commemorate. Celebrations then moved to Akan Acres/Oshkosh North Conservancy where students from Oshkosh North High School’s Communities Class aided in applying, and successfully receiving, the Tree Campus USA award from the Arbor Day Foundation. Additionally, Mr. Derks shared that we are near half way though the approximately 150 trees in our spring planting list. New trees are located in Stevens Park Neighborhood and throughout the City and include a wide variety of species. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Metz. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ericka Maertz Administrative Assistant