TOWN OF GRANBY
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
NOTES
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
PRESENT: Edward (Ned) Allen, Chairman; Kathy Ungerleider, Brigid Gunn, and Kay Woodford.
Chairman Allen called the meeting to order at 7:46PM. There was no quorum.
MINUTES
No action was taken on the minutes of the October 7, 2008 meeting due to the lack of a quorum.
PUBLIC SESSION
No Public came before the Board.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Programs
None were discussed.
B. Salmon Brook Park/Ahrens Park Updates
See the GAFLAC Concept Plan below.
C. GAFLAC Concept Plan
Mrs. Woodford reported the consultant’s concept plan was presented to the Board of Selectpersons on Monday, November 3. P&R Board members present looked over the consultant’s maps and noted the following proposals:
Salmon Brook Park:
- The existing tennis courts would be moved to the newly purchased area beside the Gables property. They would be replaced with a new parking area.
- A new Community Gardens area (one of 2 in the concept) would be located in the new area beside the Gables.
- Because a road must be built connecting this new area to the Park, the above changes would be contingent on the town’s receiving a right of way from the Gables.
- The present softball field would be turned around so that it could serve as an adult field.
- Present fields for soccer and lacrosse would be realigned; the ball field in back of the pond would be moved nearer the parking lot and replaced with a soccer field.
- More parking spaces would be made near the present playscape at the cost of reducing the green area used by summer day camp.
- A handicapped walkway would extend all around the Park, meeting handicapped accessible requirements.
Parks and Recreation Board
November 4, 2008
Page Two
- If the town were to acquire the present Greene property at the back of the Park, 3 more all-purpose fields and a bathroom are proposed.
- The new bathhouse complex would extend between the present bathhouse and the bandshell.
- The Rovers area and the Dog Park were left unchanged.
Ahrens Park:
- The Tot Lot presently located near the tennis courts at Salmon Brook Park would be moved to a central area at Ahrens Park.
- The present Community Gardens at Ahrens Park would be relocated to a different site in Ahrens Park.
- Restroom and concessions facilities would be added to Ahrens Park.
- The all-purpose fields presently used by lacrosse, soccer & football at Ahrens would be slightly realigned.
Granby High School/Middle School Campus (Actually 2 plans; one is contingent on moving the present Public Works facility and one is not):
- Basic to both plans is the concept that all varsity sports be played on the High School campus with all the JV sports played at Ahrens Park.
- Both show a six-lane track that surrounds a synthetic all-purpose field (for football, field hockey, soccer, or lacrosse) with bleachers, lights and a second practice field alongside.
- A baseball field would replace the existing field hockey field at the High School.
- Other fields would be realigned, with the tennis courts being moved in one plan.
The Board discussed how this is a long range plan with contingencies on obtaining properties and rights of way and the possibility of future revisions. Kathy Ungerleider asked about timing of the various phases of the GAFLAC Plan and Mrs. Woodford responded that Phase 1 would take place over 1 – 3 years (some work at the High School and Ahrens); Phase 2 would be 4 – 8 years (completing the High School and work at Salmon Brook Park).
The Board members discussed who will be maintaining all the fields and who will be doing the scheduling of them.
They discussed the fact that turning fields around means reinvesting in irrigation and field preparation and whether the result is worth it.
The concept at Ahrens requires moving the Community Gardens, a hot issue in the past, and although the concept provides for two areas, the users may not be pleased that they must be moved once again.
In addition, Mrs. Woodford told the Board that the proposed roadway to a parking area and ball field at Ahrens crosses the brook and that could be an issue.
Parks and Recreation Board
November 4, 2008
Page Three
Brigid Gunn asked how the project is to be funded and Mrs. Woodford said the total cost of improvements would be about 15 Million and that the next step is for the Board of Selectpersons to send the project to CPAC to determine timing and funding.
Chairman Allen concluded that Board members need to digest all this information and the Board should come up with a consensus opinion on what it likes and dislikes (especially any issues that involve Salmon Brook Park and Ahrens Park). Then that opinion should be communicated to the Board of Selectpersons and various stakeholders.
D. Salmon Brook Park House
Nothing new to report.
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
A. 225th Celebration
The next meeting is Thursday, November 6. Mrs. Woodford found the videos of the Bicentennial Celebration, has watched them and had them made into DVDs. She will make them available to the steering committee members so they can view them before they actually start planning events. Even though the 225th Celebration would not be as elaborate, she feels watching the DVDs will give committee members ideas.
B. 2009 Sounds of Summer Concerts
Mrs. Woodford brought up the question of whether to hold concerts next summer. The problem is that these concerts require substantial funding by local businesses. In the present economic climate, businesses may be too stressed to contribute.
Kathy Ungerleider felt that the town would really miss them. Brigid Gunn and Chairman Allen felt that there should be at least one with the ice cream social. They suggested that perhaps local bands would perform without charge.
The Board agreed to continue thinking about this question and that a decision would be made at a future meeting when there is a quorum.
C. Holiday Decorating Contest
Kathy Ungerleider reported that donations for the winners’ baskets are minimal…only 2 places she visited said they would donate an item but the others did say they would enter the contest. Chairman Allen and Brigid Gunn will be visiting more businesses next week.
Mrs. Woodford reported that she has received $200 from Windsor Federal, but that the Board needs to set a deadline. It may be necessary to cancel the event. Mrs. Woodford feels that a decision should be made right after Thanksgiving.
Parks and Recreation Board
November 4, 2008
Page Four
OTHER BUSINESS AS NECESSARY
- Marquis of Granby Encampment in October, 2009
Mrs. Woodford reported that the Marquis of Granby has requested use of Salmon Brook Park for their muster next October. Many groups from other towns will be participating. They are asking for a special permit for alcohol as “jollification is part of a muster.” Alcohol would be served gratis to attendees over 21 and served in tankards.
As with the Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate Granby event, the Board must send a letter to the Board of Selectpersons asking them to approve the special permit. Mrs. Woodford will need the Board to vote on this at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. in the Senior Center/Youth Services Building, Activity Room #1. If you are not able to attend please remember to call Mrs. Woodford at 844-5356.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Ward
Recording Secretary
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