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05-19-1997• • Blair Park Board Meeting May 19, 1997 The May meeting of the Blair Park Board was held on Monday Evening, May 19 at the City Hall Meeting Room beginning at 7:30 p.m. Those present include Kathy Kuster, Steve Buller, Mary Sue Pook, Donna Mahlendorf and Jim Peterson. Park Superintendent Pat Long and Neil Jensen, President of the Friends of the Blair Community Arboretum, was also present. Motion was made by Steve Buller, seconded by Mary Sue Pook, to approve the minutes of the March 17 meeting. Motion carried. Report of the Arboretum Curator- Pat Long reported that tree trimming at Black Elk Park was going good. Pat Long asked if any of us could help work on Black Elk Park. Help is needed on weekends and at nights. Bushes need trimming back, mulch put around the trees, paths etc. Discussion was held on ideas for the planting around the fountain in front of the City Hall. Several suggestions were made as to the types of flowers to plant in and around the fountain as well as around the two evergreen trees on both sides of the fountain. The Friends of the Arboretum will be taking care of planting flowers around the signs at Black Elk Park. Mary Sue Pook and Donna Mahlendorf will plant flowers around the Rose Garden and other locations. Neil Jensen reported that a Pot Luck Dinner that will be held at Black Elk Park on July 31. The picnic will start at 6:00 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Friends of the Arboretum, Blair Park Board members, and Blair Park staff members and their families are invited. The Friends of the Arboretum will provide the refreshments. In addition, the Horticulture Society will be invited to participate for the meeting. Neil also reported that a joint letter between the Park Superintendent and the Friends of the Arboretum requesting an intern from the Nebraska State Wide Arboretum for two to four weeks. The city would have to pay for the mileage and expenses of the intern. The State Wide Arboretum would pay the salary. The duties of the intern would be to map the trees in Black Elk Park. At this time, they have not heard if the intern has been funded. Neil reported that he is still looking at the master plan for the parks. He encouraged the members of the Park Board to read make recommendations for this report. The Friends of the Arboretum are continuing to work on the 10''' anniversary of Black Elk Park. Steve Buller reported that Brad Teager had completed his Eagle Scout Badge by completing two shelters at the Optimist Club Boat Ramp. • Play Ground Equipment_. Pat Long reported on two items for the Playground Equipment. 1. Swing set to replace the old one at Steyer Park. 2. Merry-Go- Around or Four Way Bounce Equipment Discussion was held in regard to what equipment should be purchased. Pat Long reported that merry-go- around equipment will be outlawed in the next two years. Discussion was held about this. Donna Mahlendorf moved, seconded by Steve Buller, that the city purchase a merry-go- around for the park system. Motion carried. The total cost for both sets of playground equipment will be $2400 to $2500. Grills: Discussion was held in regard to where grills should be placed. Grills were not used extensively at Black Elk Park but could be reviewed in the future when more use would be found. Pat reported that the grills need to be placed away from the playground equipment. Discussion was held about having grills at both ends of the shelter at Steyer Park. Pat indicated that this would not be possible because the west grill would be too close to playground equipment. The board felt that the grill could be placed on the west end above the shelter and away from the playground equipment. • Rose Garden,;, On July 28 and 29, the reduction of Black Elk Park will be held, Pat Long asked what the Park Board would recommend for the Rose Garden. He reported that there was 50% die back of the roses this past winter. It also required a great deal of maintenance. Pat could not justify the expense of handling the rose garden. It was the consensus of the board that the rose garden be reduced in size to accommodate the roses that are still alive. In addition, other perennials will be planted around the area such as peonies, tulips, daffodils, daisies and etc. It was moved by Donna Mahlendorf, seconded by Mary Sue Pook to adjourn the meeting. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday Evening June 16t.