COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MARCH 16, 2011
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
M. DEPALMA J. FRANCIS B. GINSBERG
D. HERBSTMAN L. HOROWITZ H. HUGHES
G. KELLY N. LALLI L. MALUF
B. MCDONALD E. ROBERTS
EXCUSED:
K. MAIER C. MOLINARI
ABSENT:
L. BLYER Y. GIRELA R. GRAHAM
M. HEYER W. LIU M. SCOTT
GUESTS:
J. SAUNDERS B. ARBOUGH M. MAYSFIELD
E. GREENE B. SOLOMON R. BUTTS
N. O’NEILL J. BARNEY K. JORDAN
L. SYMON P. JONES
*** MINUTES ***
Presentation and update from representatives for Xavier High School on previously discussed planned improvements for the football/soccer field at the Red Hook Recreation Area at Columbia and Bay Streets.
Rod Walker of Xavier High School last visited the committee in 2009. Xavier has an enrollment of 1000 boys. He discussed the improvements being made to the field at the Red Hook Recreation Area. Lighting would be part of the plan to expand hours for the community.
They are already in the park for practices and games – so community would not lose time – but with lights would gain time.
Update on project: • Talks with Parks have advanced • Tom McGinty is the Project Manager for Xavier • Field turf: plastic grass with ground up Nike sneakers to give it spongy, feet-giveable surface. • Existing conditions – dirt field gets worn down with use and turns to mud. • Track is in good condition.
Proposal: renovate field – keep the same size for football, soccer and rugby. - No incidences of people on track interfering with players on field and vice-versa. - Took away chain link fence – new fence is 4 feet. - New field would be “field turf” - not surrounding area. Increase usage time. - Bleachers – leave them as they are strong but clean and paint them.
- Parks Department has okayed public/private partnership. - Architect (Mr. McGinty) would oversee. In exchange, Xavier would have a concession agreement through Mayor and Comptrollers offices.
Question and Answer Session:
Q. New developments with Parks? A. Legal is still working on concession agreement. Want to be sure the community is on board. The city sees this as a possible model for more partnerships.
Q. Funding for the lighting going forward and maintenance money? A. Xavier is doing all of the installing of lights and electric and are committed to keeping thed lights working. Parks will maintain it.
Q. Fence – Barbara Perafes? The higher fence (8 feet) distance from field to lights? Padding around light poles? A. They will be sufficiently away from the field.
Q. Permits. A. Issuers are definitely arising, as usual!
Q. Time Frame? How long do they get it? A. 10 years.
Q. Concession? A. No building, just an agreement.
Eric Greene – focus on this phase now. When you get to the next phase get the Parks people in one room with everybody who uses the fields so they can meet to discuss uses of the fields.
Four months to six months for construction. They will build it themselves.
Permit System for practice? Need to have a meeting with permit people from Parks. New entity in Red Hook Park – soccer classes.
Barbara Ginsberg made a motion to accept the proposed construction and that we request another meeting to go over usage and work out details of permits, etc. The motion was seconded by Glenn Kelly. There is a quorum present.
VOTE: 10…..YEAS 1…..ABSTENTION
Motion was made by Judi Francis and seconded by Elaine Roberts – the Committee supports the plan but is predicated on a discussion follow up dialogue on the city’s permitting process - #non- permitted practice that will ensure there is continued, community priority and not for profit access on the field.
VOTE: 10…..YEAS 1…..ABSTENTIONS
Eric Greene: All turf/not a combination.
Entrances in gates need to be large enough for trucks.
Jeff Saunders, a community member – permitting is a big issue.
Presentation and discussion with a representative for the Department of Parks &
Recreation on the Clean and Green Brooklyn Anti-Litter Campaign.
Kaceen Jordan, City Parks Foundation – supports community and parks – anti litter campaign. Volunteers come out to help clean up parks. Washington and Coffey – It’s My Park Day – May 21st – 2x a year.
NEW BUSINESS
Judi Francis made a motion regarding Brooklyn Bridge Park: To encourage the Brooklyn Bridge Park entity and CAH (Committee on Alternatives to Housing) to follow their December 20, 2010 vote to investigate using the Jehovah Witness properties as part of their alternative funding recommendations, in addition to the many ways already found to pay for this park without more housing inside its borders.