Overland Park

May 2013 - minutes

Overland Park Neighborhood Association (OPNA) – May 23 2013

Please NOTE:  

Your participation is highly encouraged at next month's meeting (June 27th, 6:30pm) at Grant Frontier park to hear details of the plan being submitted for the river area improvements.  

Meeting called to order at 6:31 pm by President Catherine Sandy

Present:

Catherine Sandy
Ronnie Crawford
Terry Pasqua
Paul Bodor
Mike Accussa
Officer Adam Giggey
Armando Jacox
Tracy Hardeman
James Sample
Ray Ehrenstein
Roseann Porta

Agenda

?—?     Minutes from April meeting

?—?     Treasurer Report

?—?     Police Report

?—?     Chris Nevitt’s Office

?—?     Parks and Rec – Michael Bouchard

Approval of Minutes

?—?     Minutes from the meeting on April 25 approved without modification

Approval of Treasurer’s Report

Balance of $497.19 approved without modification

Business

?—?     Police Report

Officer Adam reported about the redistricting to happen July 14^th.  Also advised everyone  to go to www.denvergov.org  link >  Emergency Alerts to register your cell phone if you do not have a LAN line in your house.  This helps in reverse 911 contact calls during crisis.  Also advised with warm weather here, please remember to close and lock windows to avoid break-ins and to report any suspicious characters in the neighborhood.  Regarding drag racing, in the streets at night, they have set up video cameras to try to record cars and license plates.

Also, a reminder that the Broadway ribbon cutting will be on Friday, June21st at 1pm at the intersection of Yale & Broadway.

?—?     Chris Nevitt’s Office

Valerie Kerns reported that although more people are using the new facilities at Ruby Hill, Wash park continues to be the most used and abused park in Denver resulting in police taking a strong presence in the area to try to avoid the Woodstock effect where after a weekend of heavy usage, trash is found everywhere.  Police will continue to monitor and will be ticketing offenders.  All are encouraged to go to Ruby Hill and enjoy the new improvements. 

?—?     Parks and Rec – Michael Bouchard

 Michael returned with more answers to our questions concerning the plans for Grant Frontier and Pasquinel’s Landing.  He also brought new maps which gave a better idea of what is planned in terms of tree removal and park renovation.  Most of the trees will be removed in the north section of Grant Frontier park, keeping the largest cottonwood tree as the center piece.  The existing trail will be shifted to the east as well as the parking lot.  While trying to save the larger trees, many trees will be removed, the trunks and branches to be reused when possible.  Smaller trees are planned to be replanted to other locations and over 300 new trees/shrubs including box elder and cottonwood will be planted on the outside of the trail. Grading and terracing are planned from the trail down to the river. 

The existing lawn at the south end of the park (the bowl) is not included in the plan, with work occurring only to the North and East of the pedestrian bridge.

Regarding restroom facilities, a Vault toilet is planned to be installed in the park and possibly a drinking fountain. 

Currently there is under discussion what to do with Montana City and how to make it more accessible for everyone where it does not have to be fenced off.  This is still under discussion and Michael will come back at a later date to present the plans for our review.

An 18 foot trail expansion is proposed under the 2 bridges – Evans and Florida, while the remaining concrete bike path will remain the same between Evans and Florida with a plan to add a winding foot path along the river.  At Florida the plan is to replace the existing pump and remove the spillway.  The river will be re-graded to remove the sediment and create larger pools.  One of the overlooks along the river will be kept and new concrete jettys will be added. 

Regarding Pasquinel’s Landing, there is planning for a side channel and island with a concrete jetty.  All existing trees will stay.  There was discussion around the plan to upgrade the adult fitness area and remove the children’s playground.  OPNA expressed concern about keeping some form of a playground (swings and slide) for neighborhood children as well as families that come to picnic in this park.  Catherine proposed that the adult fitness area might be stretched out into various stations along both parks instead of concentrated in one area.  Michael will bring back all suggestions to the planning committee.

Michael is planning to setup a meeting with the SPRRING core group to bring them up to speed on the current project plans.

Michael also mentioned that Public art would be part of the project and explained that in any city project over 1 million dollars, the project automatically receives 1 percent towards art.  This project is currently at 5 million which would mean that 50,000 is set aside for art.  He is organizing a selection committee and is requesting 2 candidates from OPNA. 

Michael has agreed to have a site walk at our next monthly meeting, June 27^th.  The meeting will be held at Grant Frontier park.  We will meet in Montana city area and plan to walk both Grant Frontier and Pasquinel’s landing to get a better idea of the final plans. All are encouraged to attend this meeting!!   

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.