04-11-2001Blair Park Board Meeting
April 11, 2001
The Blair Park Board met at the City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on April 11, 2001. The meeting was called to order by President Neil
Jensen. Other members present were Tom Jackson, Jim Petersen, and Ann George. Pat Long represented the Blair Parks
Department.
A motion by Jim Petersen to accept the minutes of the November 8, 2000, Park Board meeting was seconded
by Tom Jackson and carried.
Old Business. No bills were presented.
Unfinished Business. There was no unfinished business.
New Business.
Pat Long reported on the following:
Arbor Day. The observance this year will be on Friday, April 20, at 2 p.m. at Ridgeview Park. Three trees will be planted.
Gift from Millennium Trees. The Millennium Trees program has sent ten trees, two each of cottonwood, white oak, red oak,
tulip poplar, and red maple, through the State Forester's Office. The trees will be planted at the shop until they are large
enough for permanent sites.
Steyer Park news. The former shop has been torn down. The recent windstorm felled the tallest pine.
Future plans. The City Council has approved a four -year plan for blacktopping in the parks.
Election of officers for 2001 -2002. Tom Jackson moved and Jim Petersen seconded that the board cast a unanimous
ballot to return existing officers for another term. The motion was carried.
•2001 projects and plans.
Discussion concerned the following:
Arboretum /parks brochure. Ann George presented a rough outline for the brochure and several items for discussion: The
main purpose of the brochure: Consensus - -focus on Arboretum sites but also mention other parks. Audience:
Consensus — primarily for Blair/Washington County residents. Size: Consensus— three -fold on legal size paper. Photos: Pat has a
digital camera available and will take several photos in parks of trees in bloom, etc. He asked members to call his attention to
photogenic trees. Distribution: Consensus -- Chamber of Commerce, public places, RV site. Design: Neil Jensen's wife has
experience and the software to do the camera -ready layout. Funding: Consensus — initial cost will be low; funds could be
available from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the Blair Community Foundation. Map showing location of parks and
Arboretum sites: Huntel might be able to provide a map. Approval needed: Consensus —not at this point but perhaps later;
should check text with Dana, the city, etc. The brochure is a project of Friends of the Arboretum.
The contents should include: 1. Parks that are part of the Blair Community Arboretum (mention other Arboretum sites in Blair
as well). 2. Reputation of Blair parks (inquiries and park representatives from other cities and countries, much of reputation
thanks to Ralph Steyer, former city forester) and biography of Ralph with photo. 3. List of some of the labeled trees in each
Arboretum park (mention well -known trees in general terms - -oaks, maples, etc., and specifically name some of the unusual
trees). 4. Map and list of all parks, giving locations and mentioning facilities, total acreage. Ann George will attempt to have
copy ready by the June meeting.
Park improvements. Pat Long said that he plans to replace and move the merry -go -round at Lions Park and improve the
playground and complete the fence at Steyer Park.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully mitted,
•
Ann George, Secretary