COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2012
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
L. BLYER D. HERBSTMAN G. KELLY
N. LALLI K. MAIER J. SMITH
C. PIGOTT S. SHIFFMAN
EXCUSED:
D. BRAVO E. CHAN J. FRANCIS
R. GRAHAM J. KLETTER S. LONIAL
E. ROBERTS M. SCOTT J. WOLFE
ABSENT:
Y. GIRELA J. HEYER H. HUGHES
GUESTS:
J. ARIDAS A. VAUGHN J. DOUGLAS
L. GELBERG-MULHOLLAND M. MAHER P. DYRENFORTH
S. LABARRE A. BROWN E. NONNO
P. MULHOLLAND S. MULHOLLAND J. THOMPSON
N. O’NEILL J. CROW
*** MINUTES ***
The meeting was called to order at 6:35PM.
• J.J. Byrne Playground ribbon cutting is scheduled for May 11th at 11AM. • Gowanus N. Heyward Park changes made – construction to begin Fall of 2012/Spring of 2013. • Coffey Park pathways • Valentino Pier comfort station - $1.1 Million secured • Thomas Green groundbreaking in Spring 2012
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Department of Parks &
Recreation on the conceptual design for the DiMattina Dog Run located at Hicks Street between Hamilton Avenue and Rapelye Streets.
Funding of $225,000 each from Borough Present Marty Markowitz and City Council Member Brad Lander. It had been built originally 20 years ago with then present technology. The presentation was made by Marty Maher and Portia Dyrenforth from the Department of Parks and Recreation. • New lighting (2 lights) will be installed
• Fencing around the trees • Addition of flowering shrubs • New benches • Two separate entrances for large dogs and small dogs • Dog playground elements are bid dependent • Some sidewalk repairs • New drainage • Some new fencing • Would like to use medium screening rather than stone dust – everyone examined - 2 for stone dust, 3 for medium screened gravel, 2 for pea gravel • Will have 2 water fountains for humans above and dogs below with tipping basin to avoid standing water.
Glenn Kelly made a motion to approve the DiMattina Dog Run plan as presented subject to the final determination of the top surface material.
VOTE: 7…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the New York Restoration Project on their renovation plans for the Gil Hodges Memorial (aka Carroll street) Community Garden located at the southeast corner of Carroll Street and Denton Place, Gowanus.
Renovation plans for the Gil Hodges Memorial Community Garden were presented by John Douglas of the New York Restoration Project started by Bette Midler. The garden is owned by NYRP and they applied for a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection for storm water management and private donations.
A community meeting was held on December 9th at Proteus Gowanus to begin listening to the community gardeners. Have spoken to Gowanus Canal Conservancy and a teacher at P.S. 372. They hope to have several meetings to refine plans and then create bid documents in order to begin construction in the fall. John will notify the committee with construction and design budget and will keep us informed about future plans.
We offered encouraging words toward the goal of park renovation and look forward to seeing the final plans.
Presentation and review of a conceptual proposal to be submitted to the Department of Parks & Recreation’s Green Thumb program for development as a Children’s Garden at 204 Columbia Street (northwest corner Columbia/Sackett Streets.)
Shannon Mulholland made the presentation. She is applying to the NYC Department of Parks Green Thumb Program. The lot is owned by NYC Housing Preservation Department and it has full southern exposure.
The committee recommended her partnering with local schools and restaurants and reaching out to Added Value in Red Hook and other community gardens.
A motion was made to support the Children’s Garden with a letter to HPD encouraging them to release the land to proper agency for ongoing use of the land for a garden.
VOTE: 7…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION
MOTION APPROVED
A vote was taken to accept the minutes of the previous meeting held on October 19, 2011.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS
• Discussion of Brooklyn Borough President’s transportation plans • Discussion of Prospect Park planning involvement 1. The Parks committee would like to meet with Emily Lloyd for an annual meeting.
2. The committee would like to schedule a meeting with Eddie Vargas to discuss permitting roles so that we are prepared to deal with competing interests at the Red Hook ball fields. • Discussed planting trees on paved plot bordered by Henry/Coles footbridge near DiMattina and BQE entrance. Area is currently being used as a staging area for construction. Could DOT do Green Streets? • Joanna Smith introduces a pop-up park idea and suggests the committee make a list of possible locations. They are called Parklets.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned.
The minutes were submitted by Glenn Kelly.