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HAMMITT Bob <br /> From: LYLE Les A <br /> To: NORRIS Linda H <br /> Cc: RIKHOFF Greg S; MORGAN Dick A; HAMMITT Bob; WHITLOW Dave A; BRETT Tom <br /> A; ANDERSEN Chris F; SVENDSEN Glen L <br /> Subject: Scobert Park <br /> Date: Monday, August 05, 1996 5:12PM <br /> Priority: High <br /> Here's what I know from a discussion with Dick this afternoon. Dick, please correct anything I might not <br /> characterize properly. <br /> Dick will be going to a meeting this evening sponsored by concerned citizens and the neighborhood council <br /> regarding the unsafe situation at Scobert park. The expectation is this will be an open meeting to discuss <br /> what to do about the safety concerns and possible ways to address them including closure. Dick met with <br /> an citizens group July 17 where they discussed closure and how to go about making changes to the park <br /> eg. landscaping, etc. Dick said they should present there concerns and petitions (if they were to be <br /> gathered) to the Community Council. The did so on July 24 and the WCC recommended they work with <br /> City to come up with alternatives. Dick has been working with the group and based in part on his <br /> suggestions, a public input session has been put together for tonight. He's not sure what to expect at <br /> tonights meeting. He may be presented with a petition and letter requesting closure, fencing, etc. <br /> Dick is suggesting (not at tonights meeting unless pressed) a temporary closure through Oct. 31 with <br /> signage similar to University Park. He is not supporting fencing unless a park planning process occurs that <br /> justifies that approach. Even with the posting option, he is not sure if Public Safety will be able to enforce. <br /> He wants to have time to discuss the proposals internally before proceeding. The temporary closure could <br /> be justified both on the issue of safety and rejuvenation of the landscaping (some of the plant species are <br /> not appropriate for this type of setting but desired by the neighborhood and need time to recover from the <br /> overuse) and that a park planning process is needed to determine what the long term use and needs are. <br /> The planning could occur concurrently with the closure. Dick also mentioned that closing the park is not a <br /> preferred approach and Tom Brett concurs. Closing the University park was apparently a last resort and <br /> not sure if we have reached that point as yet with this park. <br /> Dick simply wants to receive the information tonight and then have the appropriate discussions about <br /> course of action after the meeting with the effected staff. It appears there is nothing specific we can <br /> provide Council tonight and not likely on Weds except possibly to say we are aware of the issue and <br /> working with the neighborhood to solve it. <br /> So, that's what I know for now. Hope this helps. Dick, again hope I got this correct and I'm sure you will <br /> correct me. Thanks Les L <br /> Page 1 <br />