COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 16, 2011
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
L. BLYER J. FRANCIS D. HERBSTMAN
M. HEYER G. KELLY N. LALLI
L. MALUF B. MCDONALD C. MOLINARI
EXCUSED:
M. DEPALMA K. MAIER E. ROBERTS
M. SCOTT H. HUGHES
ABSENT:
B. GINSBERG Y. GIRELA R. GRAHAM
L. HOROWITZ W. LIU E. SPICER
GUESTS:
S. DEYETTE – REP. FOR DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
H. WILLIAMS – REP. FOR DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
M. MAHER L. FRANCES R. MORAY
V. LITTLETON J. SIMON M. SAUER
J. PORTES M. PAGANO
*** MINUTES ***
Nica Lalli opened the meeting at 6:30pm. She announced that Jonathan Schoenwald and John Burkard had resigned from the committee.
She introduced Marty Maher of NYC Parks Department and Hank Willems of the Department for Environmental Conservation who presented plans for Thomas Greene Playground.
Mr. Maher talked about funding from City Councilmen Brad Lander and Steve Levin that brought us to this conceptual plan. Mr. Maher reviewed the history of Thomas Greene Park dating back to 1939 with handball courts and playing fields. In the late 1960’s a pool was put into this park.
He then presented the new conceptual plan that he cautioned without funding for all of it. • Enlarged pool with lower depths and wheelchair access. • New two story building for locker rooms, comfort stations and community room for the off-season with a green, planted roof (to go for a silver rating). • Curving path runs through the center of the rectangle that connects skateboard oval ( ¼ pipes as well as steps to accommodate the two different kinds of skateboarding); an open area/green turf area; handball courts and 4 basketball courts; retaining the flagpole. • Trees have also been added, particularly around the perimeter.
At the 3rd Avenue entrance, the play area is funded. This circle includes 2 welcoming green entrance paths; new 1939-look benches; spray shower feature; painted games area and 2 pieces of play equipment. The chain link fence will be better that what is there but not up to
the ideal iron fences. Picnic tables will be routed into the ground in the planted edge areas along the DeGraw Street side.
• $950,000 has been dedicated for this from Borough President and the two city councilmen. • There is no timeline for the balance of the park build-out. • Mr. Maher said this part of the park is not impacted by the Superfund. • This part of the park would be out to bid in the late spring and if all goes well, spring 2013 would see it to completion.
Hank Willems from DEC talked about their investigation of the site which should be completed within a few months. He said there are no exposure issues right now in this area of the park anything is 8 feet or lower. Contamination is evident from where basketball courts are and under the pool which is being explored but he reiterated there are no issues on this part of the site.
Lisa Maluf moved to support the Parks Department conceptual plan for the park. Glenn Kelly seconded the motion.
VOTE: 8…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED.
Support for the first phase of the plan that is funded. Judi Francis seconded.
VOTE: 8…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION
The committee discussed the opportunity to draw up guidelines for concessions in CB6 parks. Nica asked Judi Francis to draw up guidelines from other Community Boards across the city and
present the findings to the committee.
Glenn Kelly discussed a plan for a concession in Carroll Park that was not presented to the community and he will report back to the committee.
Connie Molinari explained the process by which vendors are notified of all possible vendor sites. The bids are closed and sites given to the highest bidder.
Bruce McDonald recommended that the park vendor locations be presented to this committee so that information can be disseminated to community groups.
Nica Lalli recommended that we get a copy of the current guidelines dictating park concession bidding.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.
The minutes were taken by Judith Francis.