BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MAY 18, 2016
ATTENDANCE
M. Caballero A D. Schneider A J. Francis P J. Smith P J. Heyer II P G. Kelly P M. Neuman P J. Pautz P C. Pigott P
P = present, E = excused, A = absent
GUESTS
J. Miranoa S. Mickovic E. Mattes I. Bernsetin J. Butz B. Krongel E.C. Hamilton F. Bah M. Pantior
*** MINUTES ***
Meeting called to order at 6:35.
Glenn Kelly, the Chairman introduced himself and welcomed the team from the NYC Parks Department who were with us to present the proposed renovation, following the remediation, of Ball fields 5-8 in Red Hook.
NYC Parks Department presented an updated timeline and full design features for Ball fields 5-8.
The representatives from NYC Parks Department asked that the committee provide official support of the design of the ball fields which will help them move forward with the project along with EPA.
The committee voted unanimously (7-0-0) in favor of the following motion which was made by Judi Francis and seconded by Charles Piggott.:
Community Board Six thanks NYC Department of Parks, Abel Bainnson Butz and TRC Solutions for a concise and thorough presentation and wishes to support the well-designed plan for environmental remediation and renovation of Red Hook Ball fields 5-8 as presented to the
Parks and Recreation committee of Community Board Six on May 18, 2016. We request that particular attention be paid to public safety during tree removal, and that benches and additional bike racks be added around the perimeter. If possible, night-time field lighting and freeze-free water fountains should also be considered.
Glenn introduced the discussion over the purpose and mission statement of the Parks Committee. Explaining that our new Community Board 6 Chair, Sayar Lonial has asked that all committees reflect on the goals and objectives of their committee. Glenn Kelly continued the conversation he had begun with all of the committee members via e-mail.
Glenn asked how the committee thought that it could increase interest in the Parks Committee, even if that means mixing it with other committees.
Jud Francis, a long-time member of the Parks Committee, stated that she believed the Parks Committee should be going throughout the Community Board District to each different community and hold meetings about their local parks. She further expressed the desire to do a tour of the various parks in the Community Board so that the committee could meet the people who run the various programs in our local parks or make up the “friends” organizations that care for the parks.
Glenn Kelly asked if it would be a good idea to invite the Partnership for Parks to come to the Community Board so that we could work with them in advocating for our local parks in CB6. Max Neuman suggested bringing established “Friends of” organizations together with those who just started “Friends” organizations or those wishing to form organizations for parks where there are none.
Judi Francis expressed her feelings that “Friends of” organizations have become an enabling agent for the city to continuously cut the Parks budget and rely instead on the private fundraising and good will of those who make up the “Friends of” organizations.
Barbara Krongel, a member of Cobble Hill Park, suggested listing of facilities/amenities at each park be shared throughout the community so that one park is not overburdened and is not expected to be “all things to all people” but instead create a Parks system which can accommodate all.
Jennifer Pautz suggests that the Parks and Recreation Committee be combined with the Land- Use committee so that the need for Park space could be better advocated for while considering development in the Community Board.
Red Hook Conservancy is being depended upon by NYC Parks Department in order to fill the budget gaps in the city budget for the Red Hook parks.
Marlene Pantier from the Red Hook Conservancy questioned what effect will the new residential projects along the Kings Street and those throughout Red Hook will have on Valentino Park.
Judi Francis recommends that we request that Parks Department provide us with how much park space should be provided to a community based on population.
Judi suggested that the Land-use committee of Community Board 6 should be split into four committees representing different parts of the community in order to increase participation on a potential Parks and Land Use committee without overwhelming the agenda and limiting who could participate.
Glenn would like to arrange a parks tour for the fall with the Parks Department bringing the committee around as well as another tour with the volunteers who support the parks. He asked if the Parks Committee should be a hub to create a calendar of events happening throughout the Community Board at the various parks and a place for the NYC Parks Department to come together with all the “Friends of” organizations.
Marlene Pantier asked what the status of the facility in Coffey Park is…Glenn suggested she contact the Capital Projects office at NYC Parks in Brooklyn. Glenn asked that the members of the committee collect information about any “Friends of” groups currently supporting the parks around them and report it back to him.
Max will send around the list he made up to each member of the committee so that we may use it as a starter list to populate and update as we gather info.
Minutes were presented from the previous Parks and Recreation meeting held in November of 2015. Charles Piggott made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by Max Neuman and all approved with 1 abstention from Judi Francis who stated she had not attended the November meeting.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned 8:40 PM.
The minutes were submitted by John Heyer.