03-11-1998•
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Blair Park Board Meeting
March 11, 1998
The March meeting of the Blair Park Board was called to order by President Kathy Kuster at 7:40
p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 1998. The meeting was held at the City Hall Meeting Room.
Those present included Kathy Kuster, Jim Peterson, Donna Mahlendorf and Neil Jensen. Absent:
Bobbie Cade & Mary Sue Pook. Pat Long, superintendent of the Blair Parks was present as were
Kus Kuster, Judy Seaver, Bruce Weber and Jenny Warrick.
A motion was made by Jim Peterson, seconded by Donna Mahlendorf, to accept the minutes of
the February 11th meeting of the Park Board. Motion was carried.
A motion was made by Donna Mahlendorf, seconded by Jim Peterson, to approve payment of
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) dues. Motion was carried.
Pat Long reviewed park plans for new park that was approved at the city council meeting. A
vote, by Park Board and Friends of the Blair Community Arboretum members, was held on the
top 3 names preferred by the group. They were Ridgeview, Valley View and Simons Bluff (in
order of preference). The 3 names will be submitted to the city council for a final determination
for the name of the new park. Other names submitted in the contest included: Serenity, Town &
Country, Gateway, Heartland, Korshoj, Panorama, Keepsake, Flynn View, Danish Heritage,
Riverside, Villa Vista, and Field View.
Plans for the Arbor Day celebration was finalized. The program is scheduled for April 24 at 2
p.m. at the new park (second choice is Hardy RV park). It was decided to plant the Linden and 2
Maples nearest the cul -de -sac.
Pat Long reviewed grant application with the Papio - Missouri River NRD to secure funds for
completing plans of the new park. Pat indicated that we will not know until April 1 if we are
approved and funds will not be available until August if approved. Other possible sources of
donations could come from Masonic Lodge and Ft. Calhoun Stone.
Donna Mahlendorf mentioned the need to create an activity to get people to the park. The
YMCA board and the Blair Community Hospital have expressed an interest in working with the
Blair Park Board to develop an activity. Donna will keep us informed.
Pat Long indicated that he would contact the members of the playground committee to set a time
to meet and discuss future purchases.
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A short discussion of signage for Black Elk Trail System. Pat Long will contact Tom Jackson,
Dana College, to coordinate the type and placement of signs.
Connie Harper with the UFW Auxiliary has contacted Pat Long in regard to planting a tree in
memory of Elmer Thone. Pat with follow -up with Connie to discuss details.
It was mentioned that the tree planted in memory of Ralph Steyer at, Hardy's RV park, had died.
Pat Long indicated that the Parks Department had funds to replace the tree. It was recommended
that a swamp white oak would be a tree well suited to the wet site.
Pat Long reviewed a list of future tree care workshops (March 12 in Omaha) and NSA meetings.
Contact Pat if you are interested in details of any of the workshops.
With no further business, President Kathy Kuster adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Next meeting, April 8.
• Respectfully,
Neil Jensen
Secretary