The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPRBMINUTES120494Parks and Recreation Board Meeting December 7, 1994 Minutes Members Present: Odette Mace - Vice Chairman Cindy Sparkman Johanna Weems Connie Spencer Mark Mailes Guests Present: Dave Stanger The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM. Minutes of the October 5th meeting were approved. TREASURER'S REPORT not available. PARK LOVERS BALL Ball is set for February 11. Tables sold to date: 11 - $850, 3 - $2500, 1 - $1500, and 12 - $150 individual tickets. Invitations will be mailed in January. $60.00 individual tickets will be sold if there are any tables left. STAFF REPORTS City Tree Lighting is set for 12/8/94. The Senior Ukelele band, WU Elementary School Chior, and Mrs. Debbie's dancing icicles will entertain. Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Weir Park is set for 1/28/95. Remodeling of community building is set to begin March 1, 1995. MILTON STREET PARK Dave Stanger presented plans for second phase construction of Milton Street Park. He showed the survey and irrigation plans. He showed several types of equipment available. Discussion and recommendations followed. Cost estimate attached. NEW BUSINESS An example of an article and ad prepared by Friends was presented see attached. Johanna Weems suggested we look into an inline roller hockey league for junior high age children. We need a space 90' X 1801. We will explore city for possible sites. Motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed and meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM. f~ Mark Mailes Odette Mace Director, Parks and Recreation Vice - Chairperson, Parks and Recreation Board November 1994 PARK EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT DEPENDS ON SUPPORT OF WEST U CITIZENS As recently as six years ago West University had only four parks, backyards were shrinking with the onset of redevelopment and, just as now, the number of resident children was growing rapidly. According to a use and safety audit, park playgrounds needed upgrading and updating. More open green spaces had to be found. Realizing action needed to be taken and taken quickly, the West University Parks Board commissioned Tapley-Lunow Architects to come up with a master plan. The result was the "West University Parks and Open and Recreation Space Plan," prepared in 1989 and 1990, which included the professional architects working with a panel of residents, city staff and Parks Board members. The plan was ambitious, designed to build quality parks throughout West U. It called for new parklands to be purchased, trees protected, picnic areas established, beautification of and new uses for existing parks developed, quality recreation areas formed and much more. Each park had a specific design plan, aesthetic and functional, suited to west University's residential character. For such a grand plan, a great deal of money would be needed. According to Mark Spradling, Chairman of the long-range planning committee in 1988, "No real fund- raising was in effect. All costs of the parks were paid from funds allocated within the budget of the city. People did not have a way to donate to the parks with a tax deduction." So the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. was incorporated and officially recognized by the City of West U in May of 1988, according to Spradling. "The Friends," a volunteer group, is a private nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation chartered to raise money to improve parks in the City of West U. It is composed of citizens who are appointed by City Council in three-year renewable terms. The Friends work closely with the West U Parks and Recreation board and are supported by an Advisory Committee of residents. Since its inception, through 1994, The Friends have raised a total of approximately $300,000. This includes a resident's bequest of $47,000, Wortham Foundation Inc. grants of $100,000 and $50,000 and $90,000 from the hugely popular Park Lovers Ball which occurs Valentine's weekend and is set next for February 11, 1995. Other fund-raising efforts include the sale of engraved park pavers which go in the buyer's park of choice, the sale of specially commissioned park tee shirts, new handpainted "Friends of West U Parks" Christmas ornaments, gifts and memorials. The widely-attended Parkfest, which will be moved to July Fourth in 1995, also benefits West U Parks. Printing Compliments of JDR With fund-raising efforts successfully underway, Colonial Park doubled in size, the Milton Street site was purchased, trees, pathways and landscaping set in place ...all according to the dictates of Tapley-Lunow master plan. Other improvements include an arbor, new decking, a volleyball court and pool furniture at Colonial Park, playground equipment in several parks, and this year's crown jewel, the total renovation of Wier Park. To complete the ambitious master plan and be prepared as future opportunities and needs arise, much more money is needed. Jere Ahrens, Friends' treasurer and member of the Parks Board, projects that at least $800,000 will be needed to complete the plan, and purchase the two remaining lots adjacent to Colonial Park, which will enlarge that park space to a full city block. "Although we continue to be encouraged by our program in obtaining funds from foundations and corporations, The Friends believe the majority of this patronage will come from the citizens of West University Place," says Ross Frazer, chairman of The Friends. "The campaign for West U parks is another manifestation of the reason many of us live her: quality parks and greenspace in an urban environment. Residents of West U have the opportunity to make a lasting impression on the character of their city via participation in the fund-raising efforts of The Friends," Frazer stated. How You CAN H kE LP EXPAND AND ENHANCE WEST U PARKS VET, yAr . r= Bce one of 4501ucky person attending the. elegant West University Park Lbver's Ball February 11, 1995, at the Wyndham Warwick Hotel. Be a grand sponsor $3500; a sponsor, $2500, patron, $1500, underwriter, $850 or buy individual tickets. Proce ds benefit our parks and your e support is needed. Seating is limited. Call Linda Gray, 660=8588, and w` have wonderful Valentines's evening July 4, 1995, gather up the kids and r head for Colonial Park for the anhual O Parkfest. Celebrate with neighborly, old-fashioned family fun at this terrific park benefit. Buy and wear our C attractive "Just Park It" tee-shirts. Sales proceeds go directly to the Parks Fund. Children and adult sizes available.* New this year: beautiful handpainted "Friends of West U Parks" Christmas Ornaments to use and give as gifts, $10. Every Purchase means additional money for our parks.* *For more information, contact Mark Mailes, 668-8096. All fund raising for West U Parks is through the efforts of the Friends of West PA V University Place Parks Fund, Inc.. AC Give some thought to leaving a be Honor your family, remember a friend. For $300.00, an engraved lncl4s put in a park of your choice and your payment is used to help expand and improve West University parks. lift certificates are also available. - For information, call Mark Spradling at 758-2828. quest, a meaningful decision that will benefit West U parkgoers for generations to come. Donations to special projects in the form of gifts and memorials are special ways to assist in making our green space more attractive for all. And don't forget to check a monthly donation to the Parks fund on yourwater bill. Call 668-8096 for information. Printed courtesy of JOHN DAUGHERTY REALTORS I ao X11 - - q - f NO-- Fen C, _ __l_-___- ~4~ ~