2000-09-13 Meeting Report (Parks Plan)W
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2000 Neighborhood Meeting
Report Form
SPIN Neighborhood City Wide
Meeting Topic and Description:
Meeting Dates 9/7 9/13/2000
Parks, Recreation Open Spaces Master Plan Update
Opportunity for residents to hear from City Staff and Consulting firm representatives
regarding current Southlake park, recreation and open space facilities and to provide
input on enhancements that could be incorporated into the revised master plan.
Featured Speakers:
City Staff: Steve Polasek, Deputy Director of Community Services (meeting 1), Kevin
Hugman, Director of Community Services (meeting 2), Chris Carpenter, Senior Park
Planner
Schrickel, Rollins and Associates Consulting: Suzanne Sweek, Landscape Architect,
Robert Fiester, Planner.
Number of neighbors attending: 30 21 51 Total
Location of meetings: Sr. Activity Center and Bicentennial Park Community
Center
Notification Process: City wide post card mailing signs and city publications.
Consolidated Resident Comments from both Meetings:
Recap of key findings from citizen survey were shared by the consultants
(Suggestion: this is important information to be shared with the community during
the finalization of the revised master plan but it needs to be streamlined and put in
lay terms, ie methodology and the conclusions tat can be drawn from the data.)
Request was made for more playground locations with shade (trees preferred) in
close (easy viewing distance) proximity to sports fields so that little brother /sister
can play while big brother /sister is playing sports and mom /dad can watch both.
Discussion on water parks: types, sizes, expense and operating. Resident suggested
for profit company run such a facility.
Concern expressed that our residential growth is outstripping our sports fields.
Assurance made that sports associations are involved with this planning process.
Bicentennial Park: Comment made that it is not a true park anymore but, rather, a
sports complex. Frustration was expressed by adjoining residents that the original
plan for the park has changed dramatically. It is no longer a neighborhood park.
Also, traffic along shady Oaks is bad now... when the new access is made to the
park from Shady Oaks, the traffic will be that much worse. Some type of traffic
stop will probably be needed at the intersection. Also, add picnic facilities and
more trees. Suggestion for a small "junior" in -line hockey rink.
It was recommended that a large facility be placed in the southern part of the city
and move some of the high use activity to this new facility or to Bob Jones Park.
Please insure that we are taking full advantage of utility and drainage easements for
trails and parks.
Trees, trees, trees... The summer heat reinforces the need to utilize shade as parks
and trails are developed.
Make sure the Parks master plan and the Trails master plan are linked. Also, how
about sidewalks or small trails along busy streets to connect parks to
neighborhoods? Noble Oaks as an example where they are needed.
More passive use /preserved open space parks please.
How about a greenbelt /trails that runs all the way around the city as a buffer.
Pursue more joint use opportunities with the school districts.
Please move forward with the Recreation Center plans.
How about small, scattered neighborhood parks with just one or two practice fields
for sports play?
Noble Oaks Park: Glad to see the pond was "saved." Need to save the Post Oaks
better "police" the parking of cars under them.
Sheltonwood Park: Keep it passive with natural space and some picnic. What
about restoring the last log home in Southlake on this property?
Bob Jones Park: Adult soccer fields? If lights are in the future... put them in now
(or at least plan and approve them now) while residential development is at a
minimum.
R.A. Smith Park: What to do with the well? Please move forward with the
development now... trails at least... there has been too long of a delay. Develop the
school property at the same time (This was committed to by city and school district
when the property was sold to SPDC). Current plan calls for tennis courts... would
they really get enough play to justify the capital expense and maintenance?
Please direct any questions to me at (817) 329 -3063.
Michael C. Conrads
SPIN 414