2024-02-14
Blair Park Board Meeting Minutes for February 14, 2024
Call to Order: The Blair Park Board meeting was called to order by
President Neil Jensen at 7 p.m.
Present: Neil Jensen, Todd Wick, Kristi Rounds, Betsy Anderson and Park
Superintendent Pat Long.
Approval of Minutes: The November 8, 2023 minutes were approved by
Todd Wick and seconded by Kristi Rounds.
Approval of Bills: No bills were submitted for approval.
Old Business:
1. Big Muddy Moe walked the perimeter of the proposed dog park
location at Steyer Park for evaluation of the elevation, additional
parking, the entrance location to the fenced areas for the large and
small dog enclosures and the overall perimeter layout.
Suggestions were made for a curved fence line in lieu of square
corners to potentially inhibit dogs from being trapped in the
corners by other dogs and eliminating any common drinking water
fountains. The Park Board is awaiting construction diagrams and
further recommendations.
A fundraiser for the dog park is being planned for March 24, 2024,
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the American Legion in Blair.
New Business:
1. Winter projects for the park department staff included:
a. The dock floats at Optimist Park received additional 2 x 12
structural supports to enable the addition of bumpers to the
exposed metal framework.
b. A part time employee has been added to the staff and is
currently responsible for daily trash pickup. Additionally if
time permits he picks up downed limbs/branches in the
various parks.
c. When the temperature permits, nine parking stalls and a
sidewalk from the playground to the parking lot will be laid at
Southern Hills.
d. Tree planting and replacements include:
i. A Black Tupilo will be planted at Lions Park
ii. Two Sun Valley Maple replacement trees will be
planted on Washington Street
iii. Southern Hills Park replacement trees include Purple
Locust and Quaking Aspen
2. Arbor Day will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024 at the
Blair Public Library. The trees to be planted include a Tulip,
Ginkgo and Bald Cyprus.
3. The Park Department Staff assisted by the Street Department
removed the Ash trees and graded the surface area along the
Deerfield Boulevards. These trees were infected with the Emerald
Ash Boer and had become a safety hazard with falling limbs and
branches. These trees, thru a grant from the NRD, will be
replaced with six Spartan Junipers, three Wichita Blue Junipers
and two Chanticlear Pear trees.
Adjournment: Kristi Round’s motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded
by Todd Wick. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Betsy Anderson February 29, 2024