HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Dog Park Committee - 04/08/2019
South Burlington Dog Park Commi ee
APPROVED
Mee ng Minutes
April 8, 2019
Present: Barb Sirvis (at large), Elizabeth (Be y) Milizia (NRC), Linda Chiasson (at large), Larry Kupferman (at
large), Jus n Rabidoux (Public Works/Staff Advisor for the mee ng).
Members of the public: Molly Bezio, Kate Lucas
Absent: Mike Simoneau (RPC) due to a conflic ng mee ng.
1) Safety Procedures: Jus n directed us to rear doors and outdoor mee ng area in case of an emergency.
2) Larry serves as Clerk tonight.
3) Agenda. Linda Chiasson moved/Be y Milizia seconded. Agenda adopted as presented.
4) Minutes of March 25, 2019. Linda Chiasson moved/Be y Milizia seconded. Minutes approved as
presented.
5) Site considera ons and priori za on
a.) Red Rocks – hold for future
b.) Underwood – hold un l wetlands study data are available
c.) Veterans – hold un l Indoor Recrea on Center concept developed
d.) Public area in front of Butler Farms (adjacent to the storm water u lity along Hinesburg Rd). Jus n
measured the area and showed that up to 2.1 acres could be available, depending on configura on. At least an
acre could be available if designed to be 200 feet from nearest house. Parking available on the adjoining streets
before ge ng into the neighborhood and does not compete with other city services.
Linda commented the site was a bit far out from City Center.
Barb thought this site could be a “phase II site” for the Dog Park Commi ee to consider. She believes
the first site should be something more central.
Jus n thought the traffic along this site was manageable and offered some ideas about fencing with
some aesthe cs in mind.
Be y noted that other ci es make commitments for space o en on the outskirts but the parks are
larger and away enough from homes.
e.) Farrell Park. Several DPC members made a field trip to Farrell Park with Jus n and Maggie to at the
area that folks thought might be suitable for expansion. Once there, they found it was too close to the parts of
Farrell used for programming. Easterly and southerly from the exi ng dog park is Potash Brook and steep
slopes.
The exis ng park is .23 acres and expansion into the parking area would mean moving the bike path. A
subop mal park now would only be subop mal if any expansion was contemplated. Jus n suggested that the
commi ee suggest improvements to the park as is (pea stone or other surfacing for at least the entranceway)
and Public Works will implement upon approval by the City Council.
f.) Wheeler Park. The area under considera on is directly north of the Homestead House and adjacent
to the parking area on Swi Street Extension. Jus n drew some poten al configura ons of 1.68 to 2 acres.
Be y commented that appearance in this loca on (fencing, etc.) will be important. Although there is
quite a lot of programming in this area, Barb would like to keep this op on on the list and speak to Tom
Hubbard and Holly Rees.
6) “Must have vs nice to have” lists.
Notes from previous mee ng were reviewed and revised for clarifica on.
a.) Must haves:
One acre minimum not including parking
Water, poop bag dispensers, shade and benches were listed as cri cal.
Rules posted. Discussion followed about enforcement and signage promo ng good sense of what is
expected of respec ul and responsible dog behavior and their owners.
Specific to Farrell Dog Park upgrades, the Commi ee asked Jus n to look at new signage, pea
gravel/surfacing at least at the entrance; and a winter snow removal schedule.
b.) Nice to haves included shade trees, picnic tables outside the dog park area, and upgraded
surface material.
7) Review “to-do” list from Dog Park Task Force Report to SBCC. This item was deferred un l the next mee ng.
8) Updates:
a. Interim Zoning Open Space Commi ee – no report
b. Natural Resources Commi ee – no report
9) Mee ng Schedule:
Current Schedule:
4/24 – 5:00-6:45
5/6 - 4:30-6:00 pm
6/3 = 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. followed by the City Council presenta on
Dates were discussed for the Community Forum. Commi ee members were concerned that May 22 was too
close to the June 3rd City Council presenta on. Jus n will check the schedule to see if May 16th is available.
Whatever date is chosen, the Commi eee will have a pre-mee ng from 5:00-6:30, and the Forum will begin at
7:00 and con nue un l 8:30.