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PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2018/08/21 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes August 21, 2018 I. Welcome Director Swarthout welcomed everyone to the Joint Workshop Meeting with the Comprehensive Park Master Plan Consultant, Hitchcock Design Group. II. Call to Order The Joint Workshop Meeting was called to order by Chairman Charlie Kohlmeyer at 6:30p.m. Roll Call was taken for the Parks & Recreation Board. III. Introductions The following individuals were present: Board Members: Mr. Charlie Kohlmeyer Mr. Paul Best Mr. Rich Adams Ms. Shannon Maguire Ms. Melanie Walsh Mr. Steve Reimer Mr. William Zordani, Student Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation: Mr. Mike MacDougal Mr. Ed Zarek Mr. Ara Goshgarian Mr. P.J. O’Neil Mr. Fred Jackson Ms. Mary Kay Jaekel Mr. John Powers Mr. Steve Malin Mr. Patrick Marshall Mr. Patrick Hoch Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Recreation Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant Special Guests: Mr. Steve Konters Ms. Bridgett Dietrich IV. Joint Workshop Meeting Review & Discussion Steve Konters and Bridgett Dietrich from Hitchcock Design Group went over the next steps in the process and discussed the results of the prioritized needs analysis from the community input and the last workshop. Mr. Konters went over the preliminary needs and the preliminary strategies that can be used to address and accomplish these needs over the next ten years. Preliminary Needs  Provide new and additional recreation amenities of interest and/or need o Update existing parks and amenities to keep up with trends o Desired amenities included outdoor performance space, artificial turf, splash pad, community gardens, boating at Forest Park  Improve accessibility to park amenities o Parking limitations/lack of paved paths  Align recreation opportunities with the growing active adult/senior population  Expand the trail system and improve connectivity o Walking, hiking and bicycling trails  Evaluate open space partnerships to align with recreation goals o Continue to leverage current partnerships or develop new partnerships  Improve awareness of Department parks, facilities, and programs o Important to improve awareness of ongoing offered programs o Awareness of open spaces and amenities  Provide additional indoor recreation space o Evaluate Recreation Center renovation/expansion and upgrade/modernize o Consider additional space for Kinderhaven o Feasibility study for Nature Discovery Center expansion or relocation Preliminary Strategies  Provide additional indoor recreation space o Renovate Recreation Center to meet short-term needs o Identify potential public and private partnerships to provide additional indoor recreation based on results of Indoor Space Needs Study o Design and build new/expanded indoor recreation facility(s) (based on results of Indoor Space Needs Study)  Address park distribution deficiencies in underserved areas to the community o Monitor community use of other outdoor recreation providers to confirm where there are unmet needs o Provide active-recreation amenities at appropriate Special-Use and Mini Parks o Identify land acquisition and land swap opportunities in underserved areas  Improve sports field drainage o Renovate natural turf fields to improve playability o Convert existing fields to artificial turf o Design and construct a new sports complex and repurpose fields in poor condition  Elevate existing recreation assets to meet community expectations o Implement South Park improvements per 2017 Master Plan o Improve Deerpath Community Park o Continue to implement Deerpath Golf Course improvements per Master Plan o Improve Meadowood Park, Northcroft Park, Triangle Park, Elawa Park and Elawa Farm  Provide new and additional recreation amenities of interest and/or need o Provide trend-demand amenities at key locations o Conduct feasibility study to provide outdoor aquatics  Expand the trail system and improve connectivity o Coordinate implementation with and update the 2014 City of Lake Forest Bicycle Master Plan o Provide and improve internal park paths and connections to public paths and existing trail system  Improve accessibility to park amenities o Coordinate ADA improvements with park master plans and planned CIP projects o Improve access to Forest Park Beach for vehicles and pedestrians  Align recreation opportunities with the key demographic groups o Identify partnership opportunities with Dickinson Hall to supplement active adult and senior opportunities o Monitor population increases and demographic shifts  Evaluate open space partnerships to align with recreation goals o Determine community use of other open space providers After going over the preliminary needs and strategies, Mr. Konters went over the 10-year action plan. The first five years are broken down by quarter, starting with the current year. Questions were asked how the current Master Plans would be incorporated into this action plan. These plans would be inclusive and be considered a recurring item. The first year shows feasibility studies completed. Planning and funding years 2-3, engineering in year 4 with anticipated construction beginning in year 5. The Recreation Center Master Plan and Indoor Space Needs study is corresponding together to interact and influence each other and the needs going forward. Mr. Konters went over the current year and the improvements being made with the Deerpath Golf Course. He mentioned the OSLAD Grant is once again available. He went over the targets for years 3, 4 and 5. The timeline shows Year 3 and 4 starting with the designing of a master plan for Forest Park Beach. Year 5 is focusing on the Master Planning for a new sports complex with repurposing of athletic fields, Elawa Farm and Elawa Park improvements. It is recommended after five years to perform an update on the completed Master Plan and revisit community surveys or look at comprehensive updates. This document is designed to be a working, living document that will constantly be analyzed due to changing of current needs. There was some discussion on the concerns of the feasibility of the 10-year plan along with the space required to achieve the major improvements. Mr. Konters reminded everyone to actively be looking for opportunities of open space expansion. The importance of marketing strategies were mentioned to aid in funding. If there are any additional comments, they can be sent to Joe Mobile or Patrick Marshall. V. Adjournment Board member Best motioned for adjournment and Board member Walsh seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52pm. Respectfully Submitted Dani Spann Administrative Assistant