Notes from the PALS Board Meeting Minutes, August 14, 2008:
Mike McCall said that the CDC met on Tuesday night the 12th and unanimously approved the Bakersfield Entryway, playground replacements for Northshore, Rustic Timbers, Jake’s Hilltop Park, Equestrian Trailhead at Dunham Road, Jake’s Hilltop Park Walkways, Wilkerson Park Parking Improvements, the Wilson and Carmel Tracts and the western portion of Bakersfield Park Design Phase I. He said there was a discussed change to the Entryway to the Bakersfield Complex and invited Jack to add to his comments.
There was a mention of a Spirit of Flower Mound Special Olympics team. I need to speak to someone there regarding accessiblity issues for the playground. I would love to get input from special needs families as to what they would like to see in a playground. Russ Higgins is the head of the delegation of the Special Olympics team and John Thomas said his daughter is a Special Olympics swim coach. I will try to follow up on these leads to get some input from this group of families.
The next PALS Board meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2008.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
PALS Board Meeting, July 10, 2008
Notes from the PALS Board Meeting Minutes, July 10, 2008:
Consider recommending approval to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council acceptance of a proposed conceptual schematic master plan for the undeveloped park properties located within Gerault Park and Bakersfield Park including the land tracts formerly titled as Wilson, Carmel, Ruff, and Braden.
Larry O’Flinn and Michael Martin from Dunaway Associates, L.P. presented the conceptual schematic master plan for the undeveloped park properties. This presentation is on file at the Park Maintenance office.
Mike McCall opened the meeting up for public comment. Anyone that desires to make a comment, speak in favor or opposition will need to come forward to the front podium; please identify yourself and give your address. Speakers will be allowed 3 minutes.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Elizabeth Covington 2845 London Lane: The first thing I would like to say is the staff and the subcommittees have put in a tremendous amount of time and work on this. I have been at the meetings and I commend you. They want to preserve as much of nature as possible, the staff and subcommittee ask endless questions and spend enormous amounts of time walking, thinking and working on this. To the Parks Department I say ya’ll are great; Jack and his staff for putting up with some of us. To the original Parks Board, thank you for securing this wonderful piece of property. I am here to say this is a great work, I approve everything on it. Everyone knows of my obsession with the dog park, I want it badly, my dog wants it badly, our neighbors do; but this whole concept is something I think future generations will be so proud of and look back on these people and say thank you, I say thank you to our board and staff. Larry and Michael you have done a wonderful job; you have seen things that the rest of us walking that property couldn’t see, and now we can. I am very proud to say that I am from Flower Mound and that I know some of the best people around.
Amy Brown 921 Rosemary Drive: I live in Baker’s Branch my home backs up to the future Botanical Gardens. The biggest concern we have right now is the existing Park, Arts and Library Services Board Meeting Minutes farmhouse and outbuildings vacated by Mr. Wilson. I know there is money in budget and there is something on the calendar to get that bid out and cleaned up. Right now we have kids in the neighborhood that are back there messing around. We have heard there is a hazardous materials problem, the Fire Department trains back there and leaves their garbage behind and as a neighborhood we would like that cleaned up as soon as possible. We are concerned for the safety of our children as well as any health hazards that may exist. I also would like to see a greater buffer between our neighborhood and the botanical gardens; if we are not going to enclose it I would like to see something go up that is going to separate us from the foot traffic. You will be able to get into this park anywhere because there will not be an enclosure. I feel like there needs to be consideration for the families that live right there. I am very concerned that there will be a lot of foot traffic that will access to the back side of our fences into our homes; there is not going to be any policing of when people can be out there. I am very concerned. Thank you.
Kim Chance 740 Teakwood Drive: I would like to thank all involved in working on this proposal I think it will be a phenomenal addition to our town and something we will all be proud of when it finally comes to fruition. I am a member of the Greater Lewisville Early Childhood PTA which is part of the National PTA Organization that works with children birth to age 6. Our group is mostly Lewisville and Flower Mound residents. We make outings to the Dallas Arboretum and the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens because of their wonderful opportunities to provide nature and education to our young children. Our group as well as other Flower Mound residents will be thrilled to have something like this right here in our town. I am particularly interested in the proposed all inclusive playground area for children; this part of the proposal is an opportunity to go above and beyond and provide a truly exceptional playground that will help draw our children closer to nature. Many children today have what is termed a Nature Deficit Disorder; children just don’t spend as much time outdoors as they did when we were growing up. I think that by providing a really exceptional playground it would help to get some of the children outdoors. Highland Village and Coppell have fort-like playgrounds that include mazes and tunnels which have a more natural feel than the metal and plastic playgrounds we have in Flower Mound; these parks were built with volunteer efforts and sponsorships. I would like to see a park like this that is also handicapped accessible so all children can enjoy it; also I would like to see an educational focus towards nature in the playgrounds, this could include posters of local birds and a button they could press to hear the song. I have provided the Town of Flower Mound with a $5,000 dollar check from Pantene to specifically go towards putting up educational components in a local park to help children learn more about nature. In addition, I have obtained over 100 signature of citizens who support a park like this and feel the community would step up to make this happen with both financial contributions and time commitments. Flower Mound has an estimated 62,000 residents with 28% of those residents being under the age of 15. We need to look at what we can do as a community to get our children spending more time outdoors and connecting with nature.
Kathleen Craig-Silvia 901 Rosemary Drive: When I originally started coming to the meetings all I wanted was the natural land. I didn’t want the dog park, I didn’t want anyone to change anything; I have come a complete full circle. I cannot believe how well you guys have listened the sub-committee and staff; they truly listened to what we wanted back there. I was afraid that there would be lighted tennis courts so I came to every meeting. I am concerned as far as the security issue there is a lot of us who are not there all day long; it is very easy and in about 15 seconds you can climb the back of our fences. I wondered if the Town might be able to put up a fence against our fence or some kind of a deterrent. I am concerned about the wild life getting into the trash at the picnic areas; if you could address that I would appreciate it.
Jennifer Speer 817 Rosemary Drive: I would like to thank all of you have done such a great job; you have really listened to what we had to say. This will increase the value of our homes. I am concerned about the safety and the fact that someone could possibly hide in the trees; a fence that separates us would be greatly appreciated. I am also concerned about the hazardous materials still on the property. I am also concerned about people parking on our street and accessing the park.
Paul Stone 709 Lake Bluff: WOW, Mayor DeLuca council bought the land where Bakersfield Park is. I am very impressed with the inclusive nature of this facility. It is amazing to get to something that maybe adults will get to use. The thoughtfulness that went into the ideal of an inclusive playground, the dog park, I want to go on record that I support the dog park. This is a plan; failing to plan is planning to fail. This is a wonderful thing and you should be very proud of and I certainly support it.
Jack Jones addressed the questions asked in the public hearing.
John Thomas: This project is one of the most exciting things we have done. We are tying to very active areas together, Bakersfield and Gerault. I cannot think of any park in the area that will compare to this. When Spinks is complete this will be a major entry to town and what an entry that will be. We need to stay on top of the fire station planning and try to get more meeting space. I would like to see bat friendly bridges; that would add another feature to the area.
Angie Cox: Is there lighting? Is there fencing around the dog park? Will we have to hire additional staff for the gardens? Water rationing? I love the idea of a Kid’s Kastle type playground. Has the noise from the Amphitheater been addressed? I don’t think we need more concessions at Bakersfield. I would like to see more practice fields for soccer. Will the entry way to Bakersfield going to be changed?
Jack Jones addressed the questions asked by Angie Cox. This is just the first design phase; the details will be worked out at a later date.
Jim Emerich: I would like to thank the sub-committee for all the hard work they put in. I am glad Mayor DeLuca and Town Manager Van James had the foresight to purchase the land between the two parks.
Mike McCall closed the public meeting.
A motion to recommend approval to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council acceptance of a proposed conceptual schematic master plan for the undeveloped park properties located within Gerault Park and the Bakersfield Park including the land tracts formerly titled as Wilson, Carmel, Ruff, and Braden was made by Wayne Farley and seconded by Jim Emerich.
FOR: Elizabeth Lumpkins, Norma Krueger, John Thomas, Annette Weir, Denis Toth, Angie Cox, Wayne Farley, Jim Emerich
AGAINST: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
The next PALS Board meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2008, but the Town Council has scheduled a special budget meeting in the Council Chambers. The alternate PALS Board meeting date is August 28, 2008, but the Town Council has scheduled another special budget meeting in the Council Chambers.
Comments: Hooray! PALS Board approved the conceptual plan! Next the Planning and Zoning commission must vote to approve it and then it moves to Town Council for approval.
Consider recommending approval to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council acceptance of a proposed conceptual schematic master plan for the undeveloped park properties located within Gerault Park and Bakersfield Park including the land tracts formerly titled as Wilson, Carmel, Ruff, and Braden.
Larry O’Flinn and Michael Martin from Dunaway Associates, L.P. presented the conceptual schematic master plan for the undeveloped park properties. This presentation is on file at the Park Maintenance office.
Mike McCall opened the meeting up for public comment. Anyone that desires to make a comment, speak in favor or opposition will need to come forward to the front podium; please identify yourself and give your address. Speakers will be allowed 3 minutes.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Elizabeth Covington 2845 London Lane: The first thing I would like to say is the staff and the subcommittees have put in a tremendous amount of time and work on this. I have been at the meetings and I commend you. They want to preserve as much of nature as possible, the staff and subcommittee ask endless questions and spend enormous amounts of time walking, thinking and working on this. To the Parks Department I say ya’ll are great; Jack and his staff for putting up with some of us. To the original Parks Board, thank you for securing this wonderful piece of property. I am here to say this is a great work, I approve everything on it. Everyone knows of my obsession with the dog park, I want it badly, my dog wants it badly, our neighbors do; but this whole concept is something I think future generations will be so proud of and look back on these people and say thank you, I say thank you to our board and staff. Larry and Michael you have done a wonderful job; you have seen things that the rest of us walking that property couldn’t see, and now we can. I am very proud to say that I am from Flower Mound and that I know some of the best people around.
Amy Brown 921 Rosemary Drive: I live in Baker’s Branch my home backs up to the future Botanical Gardens. The biggest concern we have right now is the existing Park, Arts and Library Services Board Meeting Minutes farmhouse and outbuildings vacated by Mr. Wilson. I know there is money in budget and there is something on the calendar to get that bid out and cleaned up. Right now we have kids in the neighborhood that are back there messing around. We have heard there is a hazardous materials problem, the Fire Department trains back there and leaves their garbage behind and as a neighborhood we would like that cleaned up as soon as possible. We are concerned for the safety of our children as well as any health hazards that may exist. I also would like to see a greater buffer between our neighborhood and the botanical gardens; if we are not going to enclose it I would like to see something go up that is going to separate us from the foot traffic. You will be able to get into this park anywhere because there will not be an enclosure. I feel like there needs to be consideration for the families that live right there. I am very concerned that there will be a lot of foot traffic that will access to the back side of our fences into our homes; there is not going to be any policing of when people can be out there. I am very concerned. Thank you.
Kim Chance 740 Teakwood Drive: I would like to thank all involved in working on this proposal I think it will be a phenomenal addition to our town and something we will all be proud of when it finally comes to fruition. I am a member of the Greater Lewisville Early Childhood PTA which is part of the National PTA Organization that works with children birth to age 6. Our group is mostly Lewisville and Flower Mound residents. We make outings to the Dallas Arboretum and the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens because of their wonderful opportunities to provide nature and education to our young children. Our group as well as other Flower Mound residents will be thrilled to have something like this right here in our town. I am particularly interested in the proposed all inclusive playground area for children; this part of the proposal is an opportunity to go above and beyond and provide a truly exceptional playground that will help draw our children closer to nature. Many children today have what is termed a Nature Deficit Disorder; children just don’t spend as much time outdoors as they did when we were growing up. I think that by providing a really exceptional playground it would help to get some of the children outdoors. Highland Village and Coppell have fort-like playgrounds that include mazes and tunnels which have a more natural feel than the metal and plastic playgrounds we have in Flower Mound; these parks were built with volunteer efforts and sponsorships. I would like to see a park like this that is also handicapped accessible so all children can enjoy it; also I would like to see an educational focus towards nature in the playgrounds, this could include posters of local birds and a button they could press to hear the song. I have provided the Town of Flower Mound with a $5,000 dollar check from Pantene to specifically go towards putting up educational components in a local park to help children learn more about nature. In addition, I have obtained over 100 signature of citizens who support a park like this and feel the community would step up to make this happen with both financial contributions and time commitments. Flower Mound has an estimated 62,000 residents with 28% of those residents being under the age of 15. We need to look at what we can do as a community to get our children spending more time outdoors and connecting with nature.
Kathleen Craig-Silvia 901 Rosemary Drive: When I originally started coming to the meetings all I wanted was the natural land. I didn’t want the dog park, I didn’t want anyone to change anything; I have come a complete full circle. I cannot believe how well you guys have listened the sub-committee and staff; they truly listened to what we wanted back there. I was afraid that there would be lighted tennis courts so I came to every meeting. I am concerned as far as the security issue there is a lot of us who are not there all day long; it is very easy and in about 15 seconds you can climb the back of our fences. I wondered if the Town might be able to put up a fence against our fence or some kind of a deterrent. I am concerned about the wild life getting into the trash at the picnic areas; if you could address that I would appreciate it.
Jennifer Speer 817 Rosemary Drive: I would like to thank all of you have done such a great job; you have really listened to what we had to say. This will increase the value of our homes. I am concerned about the safety and the fact that someone could possibly hide in the trees; a fence that separates us would be greatly appreciated. I am also concerned about the hazardous materials still on the property. I am also concerned about people parking on our street and accessing the park.
Paul Stone 709 Lake Bluff: WOW, Mayor DeLuca council bought the land where Bakersfield Park is. I am very impressed with the inclusive nature of this facility. It is amazing to get to something that maybe adults will get to use. The thoughtfulness that went into the ideal of an inclusive playground, the dog park, I want to go on record that I support the dog park. This is a plan; failing to plan is planning to fail. This is a wonderful thing and you should be very proud of and I certainly support it.
Jack Jones addressed the questions asked in the public hearing.
John Thomas: This project is one of the most exciting things we have done. We are tying to very active areas together, Bakersfield and Gerault. I cannot think of any park in the area that will compare to this. When Spinks is complete this will be a major entry to town and what an entry that will be. We need to stay on top of the fire station planning and try to get more meeting space. I would like to see bat friendly bridges; that would add another feature to the area.
Angie Cox: Is there lighting? Is there fencing around the dog park? Will we have to hire additional staff for the gardens? Water rationing? I love the idea of a Kid’s Kastle type playground. Has the noise from the Amphitheater been addressed? I don’t think we need more concessions at Bakersfield. I would like to see more practice fields for soccer. Will the entry way to Bakersfield going to be changed?
Jack Jones addressed the questions asked by Angie Cox. This is just the first design phase; the details will be worked out at a later date.
Jim Emerich: I would like to thank the sub-committee for all the hard work they put in. I am glad Mayor DeLuca and Town Manager Van James had the foresight to purchase the land between the two parks.
Mike McCall closed the public meeting.
A motion to recommend approval to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council acceptance of a proposed conceptual schematic master plan for the undeveloped park properties located within Gerault Park and the Bakersfield Park including the land tracts formerly titled as Wilson, Carmel, Ruff, and Braden was made by Wayne Farley and seconded by Jim Emerich.
FOR: Elizabeth Lumpkins, Norma Krueger, John Thomas, Annette Weir, Denis Toth, Angie Cox, Wayne Farley, Jim Emerich
AGAINST: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
The next PALS Board meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2008, but the Town Council has scheduled a special budget meeting in the Council Chambers. The alternate PALS Board meeting date is August 28, 2008, but the Town Council has scheduled another special budget meeting in the Council Chambers.
Comments: Hooray! PALS Board approved the conceptual plan! Next the Planning and Zoning commission must vote to approve it and then it moves to Town Council for approval.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Update
The following is a copy of an email I sent to everyone who signed my petition for the community built wooden playground:
You are receiving this email because you signed my
petition to show support for building a wooden playground like Kid’s Kastle in
Flower Mound. If you do not want to receive future emails about this subject
then please just let me know.
I just wanted to
give you all an update on this project. The Undeveloped Land Subcommittee (a
subcommittee of the Parks, Arts, and Library Services Board) has been working
on plans to develop a piece of land east of the new Community Activity Center
on Gerault, west of Bakersfield Park, north of Spinks Road, and south of
Baker’s Branch subdivision. They have had several meetings and public hearings
over the last 6 months or so at which I’ve made presentations about the need
for this playground as well as made comments on their developing plans along
the way. This playground idea fit in beautifully with their overall plans for
the land and the subcommittee has been supportive of the idea from the
beginning. Therefore, the playground was integrated into the subcommittee’s
concept drawings for the land early on. However, their concept drawings for the
land had to be approved by the town’s PALS Board, Planning and Zoning
Commission, and then finally Town Council before any plans could actually be
finalized. I was able to attend the PALS Board and Town Council meetings in
which I presented the need for this playground in our area and showed your
support for the idea through the petition. I’m happy to say that the final
step, Town Council’s approval, took place last week!! So if all goes as
planned, Flower Mound will be getting an awesome new wooden all-inclusive
playground in the future.
I’m very excited
about the plans for this piece of land and wish that they could start
construction tomorrow. However, it will take some time before we actually see
it come to fruition. The land is completely undeveloped at this time.
Completion of Spinks Road east to 121 and completion of Garden Ridge south to
Spinks will need to be completed first. Then construction vehicles will have
better access to the park land to begin their work. The town’s plan for this
land is just incredible! They plan to create a new playground, botanical
garden, amphitheater, duck pond, conservation area, and open play areas and
picnic areas while also working with the land’s features, natural landscapes,
and trees to maintain its natural state with minimal need to remove trees or
impact its inherent beauty. Below is a link to one of the most recent concept
drawings for the land:
What an awesome place to bring our children outdoors to play! If you have
any questions about the plans, please let me know and I’ll explain it as best
as I can. By the way, the dog park on this plan was not approved last week but
that piece of the land will remain undeveloped for potential future development
of a dog park.
Now that the
concept drawing has been approved, the Undeveloped Land Subcommittee and
architects will begin creating more detailed schematics of what the playground
will actually look like. A wooden playground like what we’ve seen in
surrounding communities will cost a lot of money and resources to build. Both
Kid’s Kastle in Highland Village and Kid’s Country in Coppell were built with
financial donations as well as volunteer hours from local individuals and businesses.
I know that Flower Mound residents will be excited to hear about this addition
to our town and I know we won’t have any problem bringing the community
together to work on such an awesome project. But I need your help for this next
important step. If you have any interest in working on the fundraising piece of
this project to reach out to individuals and businesses to gain their support
and contributions, please let me know. This is a huge project and I can’t do it
alone. But together we can make this incredible dre am come true for the
children in our area.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Conceptual Master Plan Has Been Approved!
Tonight I attended the Town Council meeting and I gave a presentation stating the need for the inclusive playground on the WCR tracts. I was pleased to get some very good feedback from a few of the council members who seemed excited about the idea of Flower Mound having their own Kids Kastle playground.
I'm excited to report that Town Council has approved the conceptual master plan with the inclusive playground!
Check out the link below to see the master plan that was approved:
Conceptual Master Plan for the Wilson, Carmel, Ruff tracts
Next we will have to see where it falls in priority in the Town Council's budget. I'd like to start working on fundraising but I'd like to have a few more details about the next step before I move forward on that piece.
I'm excited to report that Town Council has approved the conceptual master plan with the inclusive playground!
Check out the link below to see the master plan that was approved:
Conceptual Master Plan for the Wilson, Carmel, Ruff tracts
Next we will have to see where it falls in priority in the Town Council's budget. I'd like to start working on fundraising but I'd like to have a few more details about the next step before I move forward on that piece.
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