2021-01-13Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2021
Call to Order: The Blair Park Board meeting was called to order by
President Neil Jensen at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Neil Jensen, Steve Tonn, Joe Burns, Sarah Boeka, Betsy
Anderson and Park Superintendent Pat Long.
Approval of Minutes: The November 11, 2020 minutes were approved by
Steve Tonn and seconded by Betsy Anderson.
Approval of Bills: No bills were presented.
Old Business:
1. Review Park Improvements for 2021 and Beyond
• HGM is currently evaluating the Steyer Park shelter
renovations and will present their findings.
• As soon as the weather permits renovations will begin at
Ridgeview Park; these renovations will include playground
resurfacing and the replacement of two pieces of play
equipment.
• The designated paving at the cemetery will be completed
and new foundations will be installed under head
stones/markers where needed.
• The poured in place surfacing at Lion's Park, Rhodes Park
and the Daubenspeck playground at Stemmerman Park will
receive a seal coating.
2. HGM Overview of Proposed Splash Park
• HGM provided a flyover/walk thru of the proposed splash
park. The conceptual overview included a splash pad,
playground area, pickle ball and bocce ball courts, horse
shoe pits, shelter, bathrooms and parking area.
New Business:
1. Election of Officers
• The Park Board officers elected for 2021 were Neil Jensen -
president, Sarah Boeka — vice president and Betsy
Anderson — secretary.
2. Presentation by Stephen Fullmer for the Second Phase of the
Black Elk Neihardt Park Mountain Bike Trail
• Construction of Phase 1 of the trail system began August 29,
2020 and was completed October 15, 2020. The work was
accomplished using 20 volunteers for a total of 396 man
hours. Section 1 is three miles in distance. There will be
continued enhancements to this section; a bridge will be
added in the SW corner of the trail where a field drains into
the park. Additional trail leveling and trail benching and
berms will be constructed in select locations. This trail now
has a presence on Facebook.
• Phase 2 of the trail construction will begin when the weather
permits. This section of the trail will be two miles in length.
Additional features in this section will include drops (wooden
ramps for jumping with optional ride around) and table tops
(a roll over or jump constructed using dirt with an optional
ride around). This section will have 357 feet of elevation
gain and 370 feet of elevation loss.
• A copy of the Black Elk Trail Annual Report Year 2020 was
presented to the Park Board by Stephen Fullmer.
Betsy Anderson moved to approve the construction of Section 2 of
the Black Elk Neihardt Mountain Bike Trail and forward the Park
Board's recommendation to the city council for their approval. The
motion was seconded by Joe Burns. The motion was approved.
3. The Friends of the Arboretum meeting will be February 17, 2021.
4. Discussion of Arbor Day Tree Planting Plan
• Arbor Day is April 30, 2021.
• Trees have been requested using the NRD Tree Grant
• The Arbor Day celebration will include multiple trees being
planted at Stemmerman Park near the bathrooms and new
playground area.
• To the extent the Covid19 restrictions are lifted and will
allow, grade school students will be invited to participate with
the tree planting.
Adjournment: Steve Tonn's motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded
by Sarah Boeka. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Betsy Anderson January 15, 2021