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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.11.2025 APB Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD AUGUST 11, 2025 Present: Amy Davis, Lester Millette, Becky Metz, Timothy Franz, Steve Herman Excused: Jacob Floam, Devon Hudak Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Tyler Klaver, Management Analyst 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 Herman for approval of the June 9, 2025 minutes. Seconded by Franz. Motion carried 5-0. INTRODUCE TYLER KLAVER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST Mr. Maurer introduced Tyler Klaver who joined the department in March of this year. Tyler previously worked at UW-Oshkosh and is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a Secondary Education and Public Administration background. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND CLEARWELL PROJECT ELEMENTS PERTINENT TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT Mr. Maurer provided background on the project and how it relates to the adjacent park areas. Saiki Design and Water Utility staff in attendance to present the two concept plans for the design of Lake Shore Drive and adjacent park areas. Julie from Saiki Design presented the two concept plans highlighting the differences in the two plans. Board members expressed the desire to retain as much as parking along this stretch as possible. Mr. Maurer shared that Parks Department staff preferred concept 1. Board members expressed their preference for concept 1 as well. Motion by Herman to recommend concept 1 and allowing flexibility for Engineering staff for final design of Washington Avenue in this area. Seconded by Franz. Motion carried 4-0. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 AUGUST 11, 2025 2) DISCUSS THE MURAL PROJECT FOR MENOMINEE PARK ZOO BUILDINGS Mr. Maurer introduced Greg Wright from Spark Towns, a consulting firm hired by Discover Oshkosh to work with the community to enhance visitor’s experiences. Mr. Wright explained the process used to select the artist to complete the murals at the zoo. In May, a call for artists was announced for interested artists to create a cohesive and engaging visual theme that reflects the zoo’s mission and environment and complements the park around it. There were two rounds to the process. The first round had 16 applicants that were reviewed by a 7-member community selection committee to identify three finalists. The second round had the three finalists design at least one complete mural and concepts for the rest of the zoo. The committee selected Jake Reeder from the Quad Cities area. Mr. Wright shared the concepts submitted by Mr. Reeder. Board members expressed support for the concepts and are excited to see this project take place. It will make the zoo more inviting. 3) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND AN ON-LAND, WHEELED TRAIN TO REPLACE THE TRACKED AMUSEMENT TRAIN FOR 2026 Mr. Maurer introduced the idea of going from a track train to an on-land wheeled train that could travel throughout Menominee Park and be less maintenance since no track. Community partners have been working with Parks Department staff on the idea and donors have expressed support for this idea. Staff is recommending inclusion of the on- land train to replace the tracked train in the 2026 operating budget. Photos of this type of train were shared with the Board. If enough staffing would be available, the intent would be to operate the train 7 days a week. The train would travel on the park paths. Board members expressed support for the idea. Mr. Franz questioned the width of the train and width of the park paths and ensuring sufficient room is available for allowing 2- way travel. Staff shared that the train is approximately 42 inches wide so less than half of the trail width would be utilized by the train and allow plenty of room for other trail users. Motion by Herman to recommend replacing the tracked train with an on-land wheeled train for 2026. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 4-0. 4) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND NAMING A SECTION OF THE OSHKOSH RIVERWALK IN MEMORY OF LURTON BLASSINGAME Mr. Klaver provided background on the request to name a section of the Oshkosh Riverwalk in memory of Mr. Blassingame. He provided information from the City’s Gift Policy pertaining to naming of facilities and criteria to consider as part of the process. The Policy states that at least 5 years must pass before consideration of naming of a facility; Mr. Blassingame passed just over 5 years ago. Mr. Klaver provided information on Mr. Blassingame’s involvement in the community and specifically his vision for the Riverwalk many years ago. Mr. Klaver did contact the Blassingame family and they appreciate and support this idea. Former Councilor Mike Ford, who initiated this proposal, spoke to the reasons for his request. He shared background information on Mr. Blassingame’s community involvement. Mr. Herman suggested the section of Riverwalk between the Main Street bridge and the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge be the site to recognize Mr. Blassingame. He stated Mr. Blassingame was on the City Plan Commission in the 1970’s when initial discussions started about a Riverwalk. Motion by Herman to proceed with naming the section of the Riverwalk between the Main Street bridge and the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in memory of Lurton Blassingame. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 4-0. Mr. Maurer stated that Parks Department staff will work on generating some ideas on how to recognize Mr. Blassingame and staff will bring those ideas back to the Board for consideration at a future meeting. STAFF REPORTS PARKS DIRECTOR (Maurer) Mr. Maurer updated on the parkland dedication and fee-in-lieu of dedication process and the Siewert Trail reconstruction in Menominee Park. ASSISTANT PARKS DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman updated on the 44th Parallel Park tennis/pickleball court project, the improvements at Stevens Park and the Pickart Park play equipment project. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER (Derks) Mr. Derks updated on the Urban Forestry Plans and the Memorial Tree Program. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ray Maurer Parks Director