Parks Commission

Daniel Dickerson Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Fabienne Pattison Sarah Swenson, Chair Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker Montpelier Parks Commission – Meeting Minutes December 19, 2017 Present: Carolyn Grodinsky, Daniel Dickerson, Fabienne Pattison, Geoff Beyer-staff, Alec Ellsworth-staff Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Dan chaired the meeting Agenda approved. November minutes were not approved due Dan not having attended meeting and lack of quorum North Branch Multi-Use trail proposal Tim Flynn, Chair of Mayor’s Multi-Use Trail Working Group, offered a summary of the goals of the working group. 1. Create family-friendly multi-use trails 2. Expand to have a network of multi-use trails 3. Ultimately work towards a hub-and-spoke trail system with a map. The Commission then heard from Brooke Scatchard, of Sinuosity Trail Design, who presented a design proposal for multi-use trails in North Branch Park. The proposal would consist of two phases focused mainly on the upper slope of the park. Phase one would create some new trails while re-branding some existing trails as multi-use, while phase 2 would be exclusively new trails. Phase one would create 1.9 miles of multi-use trail and phase two would create 1.5 miles. When included with existing multi-use trails, the total network would eventually be 6.9 miles. Several individuals spoke in favor of the idea of adding multi-use trails to Montpelier. Several items were brought up during the discussion:  Trail maintenance days to ensure future trails are kept up.  There was concern raised about rescuing individuals who might injure themselves on the trails. An individual from Northfield (who runs Paine Mountain trails?) offered to help.  The land purchase in Hubbard could be an opportunity for a future multi-use connector trail.  There should be a separate trail proposal map for each phase to make it more readable. An electronic version of the proposal should be made available.  Commission should decide whether e-bikes would be allowed.  Fundraising and grant opportunities? Proponents would ultimately like a decision in the next few months so funds can be secured and builder secured before busy trail season (if commission approves). After group of proponents left, the commission discussed the proposal. Members were generally supportive but discussed the possibility of an alternate proposal that would maintain one full loop through North Branch as pedestrian only. Members decided to discuss this further in January with everyone present. Budget Nothing new. The budget proposal from the commission was approved by the City Manager with the exception of the wood boiler, which was partially funded. Caretaker Updates A pre-application was made for a trail map to the Recreation Trails Program. Geoff finished the application for two other grants of $11,000 and $8,000 respectively. Trees are still being cleared in the parks from previous storms. The North Branch Nature Center will be holding a bio-blitz in summer of 2018 and wants to partner with the Parks Department. It would be the same weekend as HOWL fest, and could be paired together. Commissioners will hold the January meeting on the 16th at 6pm and will further discuss the North Branch trail proposal, the canine recommendations for City Council, the parks budget and HOWL fest. Carolyn moved to adjourn at 8:30pm and Fab seconded. www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335