COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MARCH 21, 2012
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
L. BLYER D. BRAVO E. CHAN
Y. GIRELA H. HUGHES G. KELLY
J. KLETTER N. LALLI S. LONIAL
K. MAIER J. OLTMAN SMITH S. SHIFFMAN
J. WOLFE
EXCUSED:
J. FRANCIS D. HERBSTMAN E. ROBERTS
ABSENT:
R. GRAHAM J. HEYER C. PIGOTT
M. SCOTT
GUESTS:
K. KAEBNICK J. GODLEWSKI P. BASILE
R. PAINTER P. MAILANDER J. ARIDAS
R. VANDO M. PAGANO G. FIALA
A. MITCHELL P. NGUYEN D. CASTILLO
*** MINUTES ***
The Committee Co-Chair, Glenn Kelly called the meeting to order. He introduced Martin Maher of the Department of Parks & Recreation. He introduced Nelson Fung, the new Parks manager. • Thomas Greene Playground reconstruction started on March 5th. • J. J. Byrne Playground - $2.9 million construction of playground. Ribbon cutting May 11th. • Gowanus Houses Playground reconstruction scheduled for Fall. Exploring redoing: 1. Basketball court 2. $1.1 million for comfort station at Valentino Park – 2014 construction needs $500K more. 3. $1.75 million pathways at Coffey Park.
4. DiMattina Dog Run fully funded – work in a year.
5. St. Mary’s Playground – MTA controls to 2015 - $800K allocated for work after that.
Co-chair, Nica Lalli asked the people making the presentation to introduce themselves.
Nelson Fung was Facility Manager in Queens and looking forward to his new post. Will return on a monthly basis – works with CB6 and CB7. He gave the committee his e-mail address.
Robert Painter – Red Hook Boats – runs kayaking at Valentino Pier.
Paul Basile – Ennis Park wants to ask Nelson about repairs to the park. Provided art work from kids.
Martin Maher: Nothing funded yet. Paul Basile: Interest in dog run and lighting. Martin Maher: Definitely needs a capital project – “nothing’s cheap”
Rosemarie Vando with Sue Wolfe and Maria Pagano – Friends of Thomas Greene Park. Materials distributed. Construction has started. Three new skate elements added in May. New relationships with local businesses – Gowanus Grind IV happening soon: activities for all ages.
Penny Mailander – Red Hook Dog. Worked with Parks Department to add off-leash hours. Some concern since park gardener left. Some of the community involvement has dropped off since.
Karl Kaebnick – Red Hook Film. 6-8 films per year at Valentino Pier with 200-300 people per showing. Trash cans overflowing is a problem in the park. Cops walking through with flashlights is a problem.
Education Endeavor - Maria said Coffey Park Houses – learning experiences for kids – looking for volunteers.
James Aridas – DiMattina Park – involved in dog run. Asked for 9 inches of surface. Martin Maher said there is not going to be consistent depth because of tree roots…..will most likely be 6-8 inches. Community asked for a three layer membrane. Parks prefers to do one layer deeper down.
Kim Maier – Executive Director of the Old Stone House – owned by Parks but managed by a non-profit. Third phase of 7 year project – ribbon cutting May 11th.
Parks Committee now has a member going to the Community Committee of the Prospect Park Alliance.
George Fiala of the Red Hook Star Review passed out copies of the paper – wants to partner with Parks’ projects.
Nica opens up the conversation.
Glenn Kelly asks if everyone has enough money for their parks?
Nica: Can people buy garbage bags for their parks?
Marty said: I hereby authorize on behalf of the Mayor of New York to buy bags and clean up their parks.
Glenn Kelly – Film companies – Carroll Park asks for donations from film companies for inconvenience.
Martin Maher: Thanks to all. Best Parks have support groups. Best way to support positive programs. More positive attention where constituencies exist. Advocate with large groups. Volunteerism is great. Nelson will help with volunteerism.
Glenn Kelly made a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting held on February 15, 2012. Joanna Oltman Smith said that she was incorrectly marked absent at that meeting when she had asked to be excused.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Nica Lalli said the full board supported the Xavier Fields.
Glenn Kelly said we had volunteer liaison suggest we circulate e-mail address.
Josh Wolfe asked if there were volunteer opportunities on CB6 website?
Nica said to put Nelson’s info on CB6 page about volunteering. Suggest we talk amongst ourselves – would like this to be a regular event - Also a regular event about permitting.
Glenn said we need representative to Brooklyn Bridge Park plans.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by Joshua Wolfe.