September Meeting Notes

Hi All,
Here is a belated update for the Sept Meeting.

First we had an update about the hermosa vida survey.    Below is a summary of responses by the date of the meeting.

Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
1. Move dog park to the center of the park. Include a small dog area and ramada		20.0%	21
2. The old dog park is revegetated and the old basketball slab removed		15.2%	16
3. New east side parking lot (paved) and bridge over the drainage ditch- accessed off Thomas St		32.4%	34
4. New west side parking lot (paved)- off of Elder St		13.3%	14
5. New south side parking lot (unpaved)		11.4%	12
6. Four new family ramadas- on the East side of the park		37.1%	39
7. New group ramanda/amphitheatre (northeast corner) with grassy area		56.2%	59
8. New wide sidewalks bordering grassy area around amphitheatre		19.0%	20
9. New covered playground (northeast side)		30.5%	32
10. New community garden		46.7%	49
11. New adult fitness area- outdoor weight lifting		15.2%	16
12. Expand existing restroom- unisex and open year round		22.9%	24
13. New bathroom on the east side		20.0%	21
14. Improved security road along north boundary line- Police will have access		38.1%	40
15. Fitness stations along the perimeter sidewalk		30.5%	32
16. New roller rink (paved)- for derby, hockey, etc		34.3%	36
Do Nothing		5.7%	6
Other (please specify)			16

Here are the additional comments

Number Response Date Other (please specify)
1 Aug 15, 2013 3:01 AM More police presence; ban drinking from the park; the permit process isn't working
2 Aug 14, 2013 9:25 PM We do not need any other police access. They can police on foot.
3 Aug 14, 2013 9:16 PM We live in a crowded apartment. We enjoy the openspace in the park. It's nice to get out and away from all the noise with our family. Need doors that work in the bathrooms.
4 Aug 14, 2013 7:22 PM Like the idea of fitness equipment, but worry about the intoxicated individuals that are there more than ever now. Would like to keep the park a quiet serene place to gather. A major improvement would be to outlaw public drunkenness and have the park be a Drug Free Zone (no illegal drugs, alcohol, marijuana or tobacco). Also it would be helpful to monitor children who are ditching school to use the skate park.
5 Aug 14, 2013 7:18 PM stiffer security/patrols!
6 Aug 14, 2013 4:57 PM more security, security, security.
7 Aug 14, 2013 4:32 PM Block access from Park Sante Fe Shopping Center
8 Aug 12, 2013 1:06 AM make east side like the west side with equal access
9 Aug 2, 2013 10:31 PM small dog area
10 Jul 27, 2013 11:48 PM please do not have access off Elder, would increase traffic and cause unhappy neighbors
11 Jul 25, 2013 7:48 PM better skate park
12 Jul 23, 2013 10:49 PM It might be nice if the new covered playground on the east side of the park was adaptive/handicap accessible. There are many disabled group homes in the surrounding neighborhoods and would also encourage more "legitimate" park users as well as responsible adult supervision.
13 Jul 22, 2013 4:10 PM Playground that my son can use with his wheel chair...
14 Jul 22, 2013 4:08 PM I would visit the park more if more 'spots' were available for family activities. Usually tghere is already somebody at all the remadas and no room for other families
15 Jul 19, 2013 9:05 PM Re: the bathrooms: the bathrooms at Foxglenn would be a good model for the Bushmaster bathrooms.
16 Jul 19, 2013 12:04 AM grass for the whole park

Here is a summary of the type of people that took the survey

Please tell us how often you use Bushmaster Park.
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Almost never		2.9%	3
Once a year or so		23.8%	25
About once a month		38.1%	40
At least weekly		35.2%	37
answered question			105
skipped question			1

We also had an update from Steve Zimmerman.  They divided the plan into 2 phases.  The first phase includes the large group ramada and grassy area, the east side parking, 1 small ramada, the ADA playground on the east side, and the new restrooms on the east side.  Phase 2 includes everything else.  Here is a recent email from Steve on the subject

"Good Afternoon Everyone, 
You are receiving this email in response to your request to be on the mailing list for updates on the Bushmaster Park concept plan. As we mentioned back in May we were going to start the administrative review process, which consisted of meeting with the Public Works Director and then the City Manager. During the meeting with Public Works Director there was more information requested to be researched before presenting to the City Manager. Finally, we were able to meet with the City Manager on September 16th. We presented the project as being phased, 2 phases. Staff estimates for the complete project is 1.6M with only 1.1M in funding available through the 1996 Recreation Bond Program. Phase 1 would meet the 1.1m target and phase two would be the difference. With the 1.1M target we provided how we would prioritize the project phasing. The City Manager was receptive to our proposal and gave us additional directions before presenting to the Budget Team and then City Council. 
So these are the directions given to us and some are completed. 
1) Ask the Parks & Recreation Commission approval for the project and their consensus for how staff prioritized the 1.1m – This was done on 9/18 

2) Get design costs - done 

3) Complete a final design – In progress 

4) Get engineers cost for complete project – In progress 

It was also decided that the Community Garden will be done according to past city models. Which is the city provides the site and Food Link will provide the resources as needed to establish the garden. It was also decided to go ahead now and relocate the bark park to the location identified by the concept plan because of Quality of Life issues with the nearby residents. There has also been ongoing discussions about the outdoor fitness area with Senator Carlyle Begay of District 7, Native Americans for Community Action and Hermosa Vida. This group met to discuss programming for the fitness area and available funding. Senator Begay has had a conversation with a possible donor for partial funding of the fitness area. I’m working on a scope of work for an engineering firm for pricing and have been having follow up discussions with Senator Begay on the fitness course donation. 
So there’s still work to do before we present to council and we’ll keep you updated with any new information. 

Thanks, 

Steve Zimmerman 
Parks Manager 
City of Flagstaff 
(928) 213-2192 
szimmerman@flagstaffaz.gov 

We spoke a bit on the conversations with Sen. Begay about the fitness center. His interest is providing a place to improve the health of citizens that is free and open. His specific interest is in the Native American population, but this would be open to all. NACA has agreed to provide instructors that will hold classes at the outdoor facility to teach folks how to use the equipment. There are several examples of the successful implementation of such a facility. Here is the organization that first caught Sen. Begay's eye http://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/. He wanted all of us to go to our respective communities and gauge interest. Write to him or just comment below if you have questions or concerns regarding such a facility in Bushmaster. Personally, as someone who can't currently afford a gym membership, I think it is a great idea--but only if it gets used. Sen. Begay is confident he can come up with funding to build the facility.

We also spoke with representatives from NACA about what their program offers. Despite the name, Native Americans for Community Action--their programs and offerings are NOT just for Native Americans. They have a clinic up in the Safeway Plaza on Cedar that is open to all (http://www.nacainc.org/subjects/programs...). Also their fitness facility (same plaza--different suite) can be used by anyone who has a doctor's "prescription" for fitness activities. Anyway, I encourage everyone to check out their website. They have a lot going on!

Officer Durbin gave a report on crime.  Most everything is down.  Not too much to report recently.  He did have the statistician compare Bushmaster with Thorpe and there were certainly a lot more calls for service at Bushmaster.  Keep calling in though what is important is that we all feel safe!

Next meeting is Thursday Oct 17.  Perhaps inside if the weather is cold.
Marguerite