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Q. Play area improvements? What's involved? <br />A. Drainage improvements are important given the current standing water conditions in the <br />winter and spring months. This would entail excavating the surfacing of the existing play area <br />and installing drainage pipe. The current surfacing of woodchips should be removed at the time <br />of excavation and replaced. Replacing these woodchips is an expensive item because they are <br />specially formulated to meet safety standards and absorb impacts from falls. And finally, some <br />of the equipment is outdated and does not meet current standards (i.e. the swings). This <br />equipment should be replaced. <br />Q. Feasibility of using other sources? What is a good match for parks .dollars. <br />A. As illustrated on the spreadsheet, there are additional funding sources which should be <br />considered in relation to the large list of proposed improvements. Some improvements have <br />more potential for grant funding or partnering with other agencies. For instance, there are not <br />many known grant sources for athletic field development, whereas the City has had good <br />success with grant applications and partnerships for natural resource restoration projects.. <br />Q. What uses are compatible vs. competing? <br />A. Identifying such issues is an important component of the current planning effort. <br />Q. Why can't park dollars go to proposal to meander Amazon Creek? <br />A. While a restored Amazon Creek would certainly bean asset to Amazon Park, the scale and <br />scope of such a large natural resource project is more compatible with funding resources from <br />the City's Stormwater program. <br />Q. Are wetlands at ballfields? <br />A. Technically yes, see above. <br />Public Comment/ Discussion <br />Prior to the 2"d workshop, it became known that individuals in the community desired an <br />opportunity to make public comment on Amazon Park and the planning process. An opportunity <br />was provided to those who had stated a desire to address the group and those three individuals <br />were recognized first. <br />The first individual to speak was Jan Wilson who provided an alternative concept plan for <br />Amazon Park. A handout describing the vision as well as an illustrated plan were distributed to <br />attendees. The vision and priorities of this plan include: naturalizing Amazon Creek, improving <br />landscaping throughout the park, adding site amenities, building a pedestrian bridge, improving <br />jogging trails and bike paths, creating better•access from the neighborhoods, improving the <br />picnic area and playground, and implementing historical and wildlife signage. <br />The next individual to speak was Corey Dingman who described a need for multi-purpose <br />.athletic fields. He discussed the POS bond measure recommendations for ballfield <br />development at Amazon Park; the growing need and existing shortage of multi-purpose field <br />space for sports such as soccer, ultimate-frisbee, lacrosse, rugby, and football; and a desire for <br />balanced development of parks regarding active and natural areas. <br />The next recognized individual to speak was Mary O'Brien, representing Citizens for Public <br />Accountability. She recommended that three steps be taken to arrive at decisions about <br />recreation and restoration in Amazon Park. The steps include: collating critical existing. <br />information such as usage data, costs information, ballfield data, public survey data, and <br />existing planning proposals and making this information readily accessible to the public; <br />Amazon Park 12/15/03 <br />Workshop 2 Report Page 5 <br />