2013-10-01_PR_Comm Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Natural Resources & Trails Projects o Trails i.Commissioner Doneen updated the Commission on discussions from the most recent NRAT meeting. 1.Doneen reminded the Commission of community feedback that asked for better connectivity of trails … People want to be able to walk to parks and then walk around in the parks once they arrive. 2.B-2 Sidewalk a.Important for the community b.Will result in use of the majority of the Renewal Program trails and pathways funding 3.NRATS has looked at other possible connections that may be added with the remainder of the Renewal Program trails funding. The group had decided to wait on making recommendations until the end of community dialogues for other Renewal Program projects is completed so as to have a better idea of what might be provided through other projects ii.Evenson explained the thought process used in creating the priority listing for system- wide trail projects outside of the B-2 sidewalk project. 1.Evenson spoke to Constellation consideration from the Master Plan along with the significance of supporting the Renewal Program iii.Commissioners discussion included: 1.D Holt suggested that future funding may better serve projects that are more park specific with personal connections to individual parks 2.P Gelbach asked about the signage plan for identifying projects and supporting community awareness NRATS suggested a more balanced approach was needed between connections and in park trails. More work to come. Natural Resources o i.Doneen spoke to the high value our community places on Natural Resources. ii.Staff explained that the proposed direction for Natural Resource funding is: 1.The management of existing situations, including; working to eliminate invasive species and adding environment education components to neighborhood parks 2.New Renewal Program Projects might include the addition of a natural area of some sort in every park 3.It was pointed out how the 2001 Natural Resource Management Plan has benefited the City in so many different ways i.Current planning efforts have used the following: 1.A type, size and location study of possible projects 2.Filtered projects using current maintenance needs and processes vs. new maintenance needs 3.Opportunities to leverage funding through partnership grants 4.Sustainability 5.Benefits to overall the park system 6.Creating eco-system components in each sector with ties back to the Nature Center 4.Staff is working closely with Stantec on an estimated priority listing to better establish a system that will direct efforts for years to come