2019-11-12
Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes for November 14, 2019
Call to Order: The Blair Park Board President Neil Jensen called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Neil Jensen, Steve Tonn, Joe Burns, Betsy Anderson and Parks
Superintendent Pat Long.
Approval of Minutes: The October 9, 2019 minutes were approved by
Betsy Anderson and seconded by Steve Tonn.
Approval of Bills: No bills presented.
New Business:
1. Doug Cook of Blair presented his vision for a proposed dog park at
Black Elk Neihardt Park. His presentation included the following
information:
Definition of a dog run – a primitive, minimally
maintained area
Definition of a dog park - a typical park with a greater
level of service
Statistical data of dog ownership
Key considerations for dog park construction and
support
Design criteria
ADA accessibility
Fencing
Ground surfaces needed
Management of trash/dog waste
The need for shelters and benches
Pet etiquette rules
Noise considerations
The need for access to water
Comparisons of dog parks in other cities
What has been learned and observed from visiting
other city dag park sites
The need for site selection prior to fundraising
Fundraising and the design process:
Naming rights of the park
o
Yearly entrance fees/passes
o
Advertising boards on the fences
o
Grants
o
Donations – both money and materials
o
Dog waste naming rights
o
City support such as keno funds
o
Add-on fee to city pet license
o
Concrete benches
o
The Blair Dog Park Vision is a 20 acre park that is a cross between a
dog park and a dog run. The area would be somewhat manicured
with some areas remaining natural. There would be access to water
and the existing trails. The vision would include both a large and
small dog area. The facility would require a two gate system for
dog/owner entry. A parking area of 10-20 spaces would be needed.
The dog park size would need to be of an adequate size so people
and dogs can exercise. A support group would maintain the area.
The board had questions regarding the size, whether a fence would
block hikers from using existing trails, how dog waste would be
managed and whether there would be competing visions for walker,
bikers and cross country skiers? Discussion ensued regarding the
proposed mountain bike trail system and the combined use of the
park area to benefit both ventures. In an effort to better see the
proposed dog park location, it was determined the park board would
walk the area and ensure the site meets the needs of both ventures.
2. C.J. Heaton presented his thesis project which was a survey of the
Blair Parks System.
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This presentation will be presented on December 5
as fulfillment for his Master Degree at the University of
Nebraska in Omaha
An electronic survey solicited responses from 137
citizens, city employees and council/board members
The survey questions included:
How often do you visit/utilize parks in Blair?
o
How often do you visit/utilize parks outside of
o
Blair?
What attributes of Blair’s parks do you like the
o
most?
Why did you choose your option in the previous
o
question?
What attributes could help improve the parks in
o
Blair?
What attributes of Blair’s parks do you dislike the
o
most?
Do you feel safe when visiting parks in Blair?
o
If you answered no to the previous question,
o
what makes you feel unsafe?
What attracts you to Blair’s parks?
o
Would you be willing to pay for better services?
o
Over the past 5 years the city has made several
o
improvements to the city parks. How would you
rate those improvements?
Do you feel parks help increase property value
o
for the properties of Blair?
Data and comments were compiled. 41% of the
respondents utilized the parks monthly. The
playgrounds were viewed as the best attribute to the
park system. Suggested improvements were more
playground equipment, year round bath rooms and
more trails. Overall, 94% of the respondents felt safe
when using the parks and 83% felt the parks helped
increase property value for the properties.
The board found the information interesting and helpful for future
planning purposes.
Old Business:
1. Brent Fullmer of Blair appeared before the board to answer any
further questions regarding the proposed mountain bike trail at
Black Elk Neihardt Park.
(It should be noted; on 11/2/19 Park Board members, Parks
Superintendent Pat Long and Brent Fullmer visited Tranquility
Park in Omaha to view a mountain bike trail system already in use.
On 11/9/19 Park Board members, Parks Superintendent Pat Long
and Brent Fullmer walked Black Elk Neihardt Park to view the
proposed bike trail area and terrain.)
With no further discussion a motion was made by Joe Burns to
move ahead with a multipurpose trail system for Black Elk
Neihardt Park. Steve Tonn seconded the motion. All board
members voted in favor of the motion.
The Board requested a legal document be presented for review by
the Park Board and the City Attorney.
Adjournment: Joe Burns’ motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded by
Steve Tonn. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Betsy Anderson December 1, 2019