N. Park & Recreation Advisory Board

Corrected VILLAGE OF LAKE ZURICH PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD APRIL 10, 2007 The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present - Chairperson Maureen Degen, Board Members Phil Dlatt, Al Froehde, Mike Hilt, and Teri Pytel (7:42 p.m.). Excused – Spring Green and Kathy Kozlowski. Staff present - Park and Recreation Director Perkins. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION made by Mike Hilt, seconded by Phil Dlatt, to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2007 Park Advisory Board as submitted. Voice vote, AYES have it. MOTION CARRIED. ITEMS FOR REVIEW/DISCUSSION/APPROVAL: Bristol Trails Park Master Plan Concepts – Public Review: Thompson Dyke & Associates representatives Peter Dyke and Paul Fyle presented the proposed Bristol Trails Park Master Plan. The area residents had been notified and were invited to review the plan and comment. A conceptual site plan (revised 4/10/07), a plan depicting the existing site conditions, and a sketch showing the suggested configuration of playground concepts were reviewed. The Village of Lake Zurich intends to pursue an Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) grant to assist with the development of the park. When reviewing the proposal, Mr. Fyles said there were constraints in developing the park because of the floodway, which is a designation meaning an area can have moving water. Due to the floodway designation, there cannot be any permanent structures including soccer goals or fitness trail equipment. All play equipment and amenities must be placed outside of the floodway, and moveable soccer goals must be used. He outlined various features of the plan including a ¼ mile looped bicycle and asphalt walking path, small round basketball courts, new playground equipment in a different location due to the floodway and the grade of the property which allows better handicapped accessibility, and a gazebo with nearby retaining wall. Susan Korshaak, 1105 Brittany Road, had several comments. She feels the entrance is currently unattractive and this plan will not improve its appearance. Ms. Korshaak said the existing shrubs should be removed because they obstruct the view of the park, and the park should be moved farther from the street. Park and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes, April 10, 2007 2 A man said he lives across from the proposed basketball courts and said kids like to hang out where there are basketball hoops. He does not support the courts and noted that most kids have hoops in their driveways and do not need to go to a park to play basketball. Comments included objections to the inclusion of a parking lot, the placement of the parking lot and a preference for it to be located off of Stanton Court, request to eliminate existing shrubs at the park entrance, elimination of the basketball court, elimination of the walking path because it is not necessary and would bring people near the homes and create more trash, concerns about kids hanging out in the gazebo or parking lot, and a request to rehab the creek before park improvements were made. Discussion followed about the condition of the creek including the erosion and the attractive nuisance it presents. Brian Burch, Lake Zurich, said he was speaking for his friend who lives to the south of the creek and cuts the grass. He suggested the small section of property be deeded to the property owners and they can be responsible for maintaining it. He made suggestions about pitching the pavement on the parking lot and adding greenery to make it more attractive and less obtrusive. He agreed that the parking lot and park should be visible from the street for security reasons. Mr. Burch said there are Eagle Scouts who would make benches for their project. He supports the walkway and suggested Frisbee golf be considered. Director Perkins will talk to the Public Works and Engineering Departments regarding the creek. He referred residents to those departments if they wished to discuss their concerns further since the Park and Recreation Department does not maintain creeks. He said the parking lot will have pavers to aid the drainage and to be more aesthetically pleasing Low-level plantings will be placed in front of the parking lot. A split-rail fence would be placed between the park and the parking lot. He said the number one issue in the design of the park is safety, and for safety reasons, the parking lot must remain in the front of the park. The majority of the parks have the parking lot at the park entrance, and it is important to get the cars off of the street. This item will be further reviewed by the Park Advisory Board at their May 8, 2007 meeting. The residents were invited to attend. Paulus Park OSLAD Grant Projects: Peter Dyke and Director Perkins provided an update on the Paulus Park improvements. The Public Works Committee recommended approval of the low bid for Paulus Park improvements to Schaefgres Brothers, Inc. There may be delays on receiving the sprayground equipment and on the lifeguard building. Staff will provide an updated project schedule. Staples Park OSLAD Grant Projects: Director Perkins provided an update on the Staples Park improvements and presented a project schedule. The tennis courts may need to be relocated. Bids will be returned in June with construction to begin in August. The size of the baseball fields will not be Park and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes, April 10, 2007 3 increased but the outfield fence may be replaced. Six to eight trees will be relocated so they are not lost. Bristol Trails Park Discussion: A discussion followed on the proposed park improvements and the pursuit of the OSLAD grant in light of the comments made by the residents this evening. Chair Degen asked if the OSLAD grant should still be pursued considering the site constraints due to the floodway. She prefers the parking lot be removed from the plan. The walkway was discussed. Concerns were raised about the amount of water in the floodway that the walkway would go through. Mr. Dyke said if the asphalt walkway was removed, one of the most attractive parts of the plan would be lost and another amenity must be added to be considered for the grant. Commissioner Burch suggested using brick pavers on the path. Director Perkins said there is not enough time to approach another project and meet the grant deadline. He stated his support for the project. He said funding is available this year, and he does not recommend missing the opportunity to receive state funds to make park improvements. The size of the parking lot was discussed and the members polled on their preferences. Chair Degen said 5 parking spaces maximum; Al Froehde said less than 20 but more than 5; Mike Hilt supported off-street parking for safety reasons, recommends 10 spaces, and supported the park proposal and pursuit of the OSLAD grant; Teri Pytel said less than 10 spaces and wanted handicapped parking included, Phil Dlatt said 10 spaces and asked if the parking lot could be moved. Director Perkins said nearby parking is needed to provide handicapped accessibility for the accessible playground. Mr. Dyke said he will research the materials for the pathway, consider other amenities or options in place of the walkway, and reconfigure the parking lot. He said they will need to meet prior to May 8 so the plan can move forward and the deadlines for the grant be met. Director Perkins will notify the Park Advisory Board members of the Special Meeting. Brian Burch, speaking as a private citizen, asked the Park Advisory Board to consider building a pier at Paulus Park for the police boat. He would donate the drawings for the pier and a shed to store the boat. AHCF Walk-a-Thon 2007 Request: Kelly Anrasco requested permission to use Paulus Park to hold a walk-a-thon on September 23, 2007 to raise funds for research and to increase awareness for Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation (AHCF). There will only be a walk and no other events. Director Perkins reviewed the fees for the not-for-profit group that is based outside of Lake Zurich. Park and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes, April 10, 2007 4 MOTION made by Teri Pytel, seconded by Mike Hilt, to recommend the Public Works Committee approve the request for the AHCF to use Paulus Park on September 23, 2007 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to hold a walk-a-thon. Voice vote, all in favor. MOTION CARRIED. OTHER ISSUES: Phil Dlatt complimented staff on a great Easter Egg Hunt. Chair Degen said the new Park Department brochure is the nicest one yet. ITEMS ATTACHED: The following items were reviewed without comments. • Update Memorandum to Park Advisory Board • 30th Anniversary Celebration Flyer • Park Improvement Fund Reserve for March • Recreation Programs Bottom Line Revenue Report • Thank You from Theis Family • Flyer from Expect-A-Miracle • SRACLC Annual Report ADJOURNMENT: MOTION made by Al Froehde, seconded by Phil Dlatt, to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote, all in favor. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Submitted by: Janet McKay, Recording Secretary Approved by: __________________________________ 5/1/07