09/08/2003 - Minutes Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Monday, September 8, 2003
Members Present: David Baumgarten, Scott Bernhard, Scot Sutton, Michael
Freudenthal, Darrin Marks, and Jason Ashley
Staff Present: Dennis Koellermeier, Dan Plaza, Steve Martin, and Twila Willson
I. Introductions
The meeting was started at 7:33 p.m., members were introduced. Dennis Koellermeier
reversed the order of the next two items listed on the Agenda.
III. Skate Park Progress Report - Rich Carlson/Dan Plaza
Dan Plaza introduced Rich Carlson, chairman of the Skate Park Task Force Committee,
and Mr. Carlson introduced the eight other committee members that were in
attendance. Mr. Carlson reported that the inception of the skate park project came
about through the Visioning Task Force who envisioned one skate park for every 18,000
people. Since then the Skate Park Committee has had numerous meetings, many with
75 - 80 youth and adults in attendance expressing an interest in a skate park and
helping with the design, site location, and financing phases of making the skate park a
reality.
Comparisons were made of skate parks in neighboring communities, i.e., Tualatin
(approximately 10,000 sq. ft.) and Newberg (approximately 30,000 sq. ft.) and
comments received were that bigger was better.
Design Process - A draft conceptual design was created by the skate park architectural
firm of Purkiss-Rose from suggestions contributed by skateboarders and design
committee members; modifications were then made by the same design committee for
the final conceptual design. The total design area would be 25,000 sq. ft., with 15, 000
sq. ft. as the initial phase and two additional/optional phases making up the difference.
Estimated costs for the total skate park could be approximately $600,000 and would
require 3 acres to build.
Site Location Process — Public and city-owned properties that were classified as
"buildable" (no wetlands)were evaluated. Several proposed sites throughout the City of
Tigard met the requirements, but they did not receive the approval of neighboring
citizens. Through a process of elimination, the Tigard City Council recently approved
the location consisting of a portion of the City Hall parking lot along Hall Blvd. and the
"Niche" area as the future site of the Tigard Skate Park. The site would easily
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accommodate the 15,000+ sq. ft. design and would have the other benefits of being
near the Police Department, Library, restrooms, and have lights.
The process thus far has taken about two years and, unfortunately, there has been a
loss of many interested participants because it has taken too long.
Financial Process — Fundraising efforts will now be the focus of the Skate Park
Committee. The Task Force needs to have activities that will create exposure and build
citizen interest. They need to locate business that will offer support as well as civic
groups, foundations and other organizations.
The City of Tualatin raised approximately $165,000 in cash and in-kind services within a
90-day period of time when they began fundraising for their skate park. Great things
are possible with the right community support.
Mr. Carlson's final statement was that the skate park would allow for a healthy, good
activity for youth and adults to participate in.
A brief discussion followed and the following are points of interest from that discussion:
• Liability concerns - historically there are few claims nationwide and most
people know that the skate park is used at one's own risk
• Maintenance issues— staff and users would maintain the skate park
• It will be one year before the site will be available
• Fundraising outlines —the committee has many ideas, but no real plan
• Use of other skate parks is usually from local citizens as well as people who
come from other states, Canada, and for competitions
• The Skate Park will have set hours to be open/closed
• The proximity to the Police Department and Library is a good thing
II. Visual Park Tour— Dan Plaza
Dennis Koellermeier circulated a letter addressed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board from the Tigard Dog Park Committee. The letter congratulated each of the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board appointees and explained how the Dog Park Committee
was created and what their mission is.
Dan Plaza made a PowerPoint presentation or visual tour of Tigard Parks. The City of
Tigard has 165 acres of developed Park land and 163 undeveloped acres.
There are currently two on-going park project phases in progress at Fanno Creek Park
and Bonita Park.
IV. Budget Information
Dan Plaza gave a brief overview of the budget, including manpower, services, capital
improvement projects, five-year summary, and long range projects. He said that many
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of the capital improvement projects have been affected by the moratorium or slow down
due to budget constraints. Only projects that are funded with grants will continue to
proceed at this point.
The City Council has indicated that no city funds are to be spent to finance the Skate
Park project, but that it is to be financed completely through fundraisers.
V. Finalize Afternoon Park Tour Plans for Saturday, September 27, 2003
The tour of some of Tigard's Parks will be on Saturday, September 27, 2003, starting at
12:00 pm and will end at approximately 2:00 p.m. Staff will send out more information
about the meeting location and will arrange to have a van available for transportation.
Scot Sutton will be out of town and will not be attending the tour.
VI. Set Next Meeting and Agenda Topics — Monday, October 13, 2003
Suggested topics for the November meeting included reviewing the Parks Master Plan
and budget in more detail as well as covering the organizational aspects of the Board
such as selecting a chairman and setting goals.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Rich Carlson requested the following information be made available to board members:
Richard A. Carlson, Attorney at Law
Drakulich and Carlson, P. C.
1170 Crown Plaza
1500 SW First Avenue
Portland, Or 97201
503 224-0871 —Work
(503) 224-4215 —Telecopier
(503) 620-9653 — Home
(5 )
03 329-0675 Cell
rich(a�teleport.com — E-mail
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