Park and Recreation Board Meeting 7/18/23

Detailed briefing

Parks and Recreation Board Meeting — July 18, 2023 ATTENDEES: Board members present included Richard Forthout, Dan Mulder, Scott Reese and Sarah Clayton; John Cox was absent. • The board reviewed the skate park and surrounding city property. Members raised needs for shade, safe barriers to keep skateboards from reaching the road, and a future green/plaza area with seating. Staff said the existing fence is expected to come down, except around pickleball courts, and that Evergreen’s future design work will help guide landscaping and amenities. The DNR Passport grant was expected in October. • At Harborview Park, members discussed a walking loop, better site furniture, a possible pavilion or covered gathering area, tree replacement and opening harbor views currently blocked by vegetation. A prior amphitheater proposal remains on hold while the city considers neighborhood impacts and other questions. • At Coosaqua Park, the board identified a need for playground upgrades, attention to the slide landing area, repairs to cracked paths, improvements to dusty parking areas, additional signage and more reliable restroom access. Staff said a future agreement among the city, school and Little League could clarify maintenance and operating responsibilities. Used Zorn playground equipment may be considered for Coosaqua if it remains usable. • Staff announced the boardwalk ribbon cutting for Thursday, July 27, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with the ribbon cutting planned for 5:30 p.m. The event is intended to lead into street music and include food, drinks, music, a donor-recognition banner and a temporary road closure. Three eight-foot benches have been ordered for the boardwalk. • The board set August 7 as the deadline for the Zorn playground donor group to provide a donor contract for City Council consideration. If an agreement is not received, staff said the project could move into the capital improvement plan, with some equipment potentially placed in the grass area temporarily. • The board reviewed its initial parks brochure and discussed whether to include two public water-access points. A motion was made to leave the brochure as drafted and revisit that addition later; the transcript does not clearly record the vote result. Staff said the access points will be placed on the city website and marked with signs. Worth watching: • Whether Evergreen provides skate park concept drawings in time for upcoming board discussion. • Whether the Zorn playground donor contract reaches Council by August 7. • Whether a written agreement is developed for city-owned school-use properties, including restroom access and maintenance responsibilities. Upcoming: Boardwalk ribbon cutting, July 27, 5–6:30 p.m.; formal ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. Why it matters: The board is shaping near-term safety and access improvements while deciding how major park investments, donor projects and shared-property responsibilities will proceed.

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