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PRIORITIEI FOR 1998 PARK BOND AND AMAZON PARK <br />Current Facts & Figures <br />• Community -wide surveys indicate the strongest interest in bicycling, walking, concert- <br />going, and swimming more; <br />• Community -wide surveys indicate a desire for natural space in the urban areas; <br />• The February 2003 community survey is the best indicator of broad -based, non - special <br />interest opinion and should drive the current bond expenditures; <br />• Ball fields do not show up as a need whatsoever in the community survey; <br />• The commitment to building and updating ball fields has been met in spades: <br />19 Ball fields have been updated of the 15 planned for the bond measure; <br />• 90% or more of all team managers are satisfied with the number of ball fields; <br />• Amazon park and school property (of which we have interest in) already host 4 updated <br />base /softball fields and 4 soccer fields; <br />• A city parks & open space commitment is to protect and enhance unique natural elements <br />in parks such as Amazon Creek running through Amazon Park; <br />• City staff is working to secure Army Corp money for Amazon Creek restoration <br />• The developed facilities at Amazon Park exceed the capacity and fail to balance active <br />and passive recreation at the park. <br />Amazon Park Improvement Recommendations utilizing community -wide priorities <br />• Secure bond and external monies to naturalize & widen the channel (per 1994 Master <br />Development plan); <br />• Provide better east -west bicycle access into park and over creek in one spot; <br />• Improve landscaping at dog -park and throughout park to provide aesthetic separation <br />between uses; <br />• Update tennis court lights and shield all 288 stadium lights in park; <br />• Develop formal relationship for over -flow parking at Roosevelt school, develop walking <br />path between Roosevelt School and pool, move traffic light to 26` for safer pedestrian, <br />bike and auto traffic at pool; <br />• Utilize volunteers passionate about naturalizing areas to supplement efforts. <br />Bond Utilization Recommendations <br />• Develop a comprehensive park plan for Amazon Park in order to avoid potential conflict <br />between natural area improvements and necessary removal of ball fields planned or <br />implemented prematurely; <br />• Provide public process meetings where citizens can review actual plan alternatives and <br />costs; <br />• Utilize the community -wide survey to prioritize use of remaining bond funds; <br />• Utilize bond money for best and highest use during this time of city -wide revenues short- <br />falls. There is more than $6 million dollars left of bond money to complete a significant <br />project and fill unmet community priorities. We must not count on future bond money at <br />this present time. <br />1. See City staff, City Budget FY `04 & February 2003 Community Survey <br />2. See Amazon Community Workshop #1: brainstorming ideas that dove -tail with community-wide surveys <br />Citizens for a Natural Amazon, 10131103 <br />