Parks and Recreation Board Meeting 3.19.24

Detailed briefing

Parks and Recreation Board — March 19, 2024 ATTENDEES: Roll call recorded Ann Walder, Sarah Blaine and Jamie Melby present; Sophia and Maggie were reported absent. • Residents raised concerns about recent brush and tree removal at Harborview Park, including the loss of a lilac and the possibility of removing pines beside the pickleball courts. Members favored pausing additional removals until replacement planting and the broader park plan can be discussed. Harborview is expected to return as an agenda item, with trees, buffers, benches, a walking path and a possible picnic shelter among the concepts mentioned. • The board reviewed a skate park landscaping and safety plan. Members supported extending a black fence along the full identified edge and removing proposed interior trees because of collision, visibility and leaf-maintenance concerns. A motion covered irrigation, a patio, the fence and low interior plantings. It was made and seconded, but the transcript does not clearly record the vote result. • About $40,000 to $45,000 from an anonymous donation was identified for skate park improvements. The fence and building windows were discussed as coming from other city funds. Staff needs contractor quotes and a timeline before confirming a ribbon cutting, currently targeted for mid-June. Painting the existing pickleball fence black is planned for April with staff help. • The City Beach playground plan passed. The plan includes synthetic turf with a cushioned layer, concrete access and patio space, benches, picnic tables and low landscaping. Accessible entry details and the width of the secondary entrance still need refinement. Installation was described as moving to the beginning of May. • The board approved a Little League facility agreement that divides maintenance and operating responsibilities between the city and the league. Approval included a restroom condition: two portable toilets or documented access to concession bathrooms during practices and games. Parking restrictions, overflow parking and possible congestion on Hoyt Street will require monitoring. • The board approved a summer trial at Zorn Beach using two additional ropes on the existing fence plus a no-climbing sign. Staff reported no fence-related incident reports, while members requested closer spacing to reduce the risk of children falling through. The Harborway extension was also reviewed, but no action was taken pending 3D visuals and renewed City Council direction. Worth watching: 1. Whether skate park quotes fit the donation budget and allow completion before a mid-June event. 2. How Harborview replacement planting and future tree removals are handled after public concern. 3. Whether City Council continues the roughly $800,000 Harborway concept after reviewing its walls, fencing, environmental changes and public input. Upcoming: Survey review was placed on the April 2 agenda; the beach playground is expected in early May; a skate park ribbon cutting is targeted for mid-June but is not yet scheduled. Why it matters: The board is making lasting safety, access and landscape choices while several projects still depend on funding, design details and public accountability.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.