05-14-2003•
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Blair Park Board
Minutes for the Meeting of
May 14, 2003
The May Meeting of the Blair Park Board was held on Wednesday, May 14 at the Blair City
Office Meeting Room. Those present included Neil Jensen, President; Kathy Kuster, Vice
President, Ardee Pounds; and Jim Peterson. Representing the Blair Parks Department was Pat
Long. John Stewart was a guest representing the Blair City Skate Board Committee.
Kathy Kuster moved, seconded by Ardee Pounds, to approve the minutes of the last meeting.
The motion was carried.
Under old business, discussion was held regarding the Arbor Day celebration on April 27 Two
trees and a shrub were planted at Ridgeview Park. The second grade at North School
participated in the ceremonies. Talks by Mayor Jim Realph and Park Board President Neil
Jensen highlighted the festivities. Colorado Blue Spruce Trees were donated to the second
graders in attendance at the program. These were sponsored by the Papio - Missouri River Natural
Resource District.
The Blair Park Board was represented at the Tree City Awards held in Omaha on April 1s Blair
received its Tree City Award for the 20 straight year and also received for the sixth year a Tree
City Growth Award.
It was also reported that Blair has two trees that are the largest reported in the state. The latest
award was for a Norway Maple located in Blair.
Pat Long also reported that the Blair Skate Board Committee had narrowed their focus down on
three sites to construct a skating complex. These included a site just west of the Bowling Alley;
a site just west of the swimming pool at Steyer Park; and a site on Front Street between 19 and
20 Street. It is estimated that the initial area for the park will be 10,000 square feet. It may be
that additional equipment could be added later. The Skate Board Committee wants to see what
the estimated prices are for the equipment might be before making any final decisions.
Under new business, Pat Long led the discussion regarding the 2003 Summer Projects.
Discussion items included:
A. Organizational Signs near Berger King. The present site has too many weeds and
other materials to look good. The site was developed by Boy Scout Troop 143. It was felt by the
committee that this troop should take care of the site cleaning it up and eliminating the weeds
B. Tree Labels. Discussion was held regarding the placement of fifty more tree
identification labels on trees in Steyer and Black Elk Park. Neil Jensen's son has a Boy Scout
Project to place fifty of these signs this summer.
• C. Interpretive Station at Black Elk Park: Initial discussion was held in regard to the
placing of an Interpretive Station at Black Elk Park. Neil Jensen is looking for a design for it and
e would like to develop such a station.
D. Jazz in the Park: The annual "Jazz in the Park" program will be held on Friday, June
13`". It will be held at the Steyer Park. Discussion was held in regard to having an educational
tour just prior to the jazz program. The tour would begin at 5:00 p.m. and would go until around
6:00 p.m. with the "Jazz in the Park" starting at 6:30 p.m. Plans were to go ahead with such a
tour with Neil Jensen and Jim Peterson serving as the tour guides.
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E. Educational Programs the Fall: Some discussion was held in regard to having an
educational program or tour this Fall. One idea was to have the program to dedicate the new wall
in Steyer Park. Other ideas were to show some of the improvements that have been made at the
parks over the past couple of years.
With no further business, Ardee Pounds made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Kathy Kuster to adjourn the meeting. Motion was passed.
Respectfully submitted
James M. Peterson
Acting Secretary
Blair Park Board