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Vegetation <br />• SOME DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TREES SHOWN IN THE DOG <br />OFF LEASH AREA. THE FEELING WAS EXPRESSED THAT THERE WAS TOO MANY <br />TREES. THE AUDIENCE THOUGHT LEAVING TREES AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE <br />DOG OFF LEASH AREA AND HAVING THE PERIMETER DOG PATH WIND THROUGH THE <br />TREES WOULD BE DESIREABLE. (Staff indicated that the draft plan was schematic in nature <br />and that it would be a simple matter to reduce the amount of trees in the center of the off <br />leash area.) <br />• IN GENERAL, THE AUDIENCE THOUGHT THAT, FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE <br />PLAYGROUND SHOULD HAVE SOME LOW FENCING AND/OR SHRUB BED BETWEEN <br />THE STREET AND PLAYGROUND. (Staff indicated that this change could be incorporated <br />and will be shown on the final plan.) <br />Kids and I'layg~ound <br />® MANY STRESSED THAT THE HIGHLY USED AREAS BY KIDS (BASKETBALL, <br />PLAYGROUND) NEEDED TO HAVE GOOD VISIBILITY MAINTAINED... TO ENSURE THAT <br />LOTS OF `EYES' ARE ON THE SITE. (Staff agreed.) <br />® HAVING TOT SWINGS IN THE PLAYGROUND WAS CONCIDERED IMPORTANT. (Staff <br />confirmed that this was the intent of the city to incorporate swings for both tots and older <br />children.) <br />® MAINTAINING VISABILITY AND PROXIMITY OF THE PLAYGROUND TO THE STREET <br />WAS VIEWED AS IMPORTANT FOR SECURITY PURPOSES. (Staff agreed.) <br />• A THOUGHT WAS EXPRESSED THAT THE KIDS NEEDED TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE <br />WATERWAY. OTHERS IN THE AUDIENCE QUESTIONED THIS, AND ADDED THAT WATER <br />AND NATURAL LANDSCAPE WAS A NORMAL PART OF A CHILD'S EXPERIENCE. (Staff <br />concurs that the natural environment as an essential part of a child's learning and play <br />experience. No barrier of fencing is being planned along the open drainage way.) <br />Budget <br />• A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMMENTED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EXISTING <br />$500,000 BUDGET AUGMENTED WITH POS BOND INTEREST EARNINGS AND/OR PARK <br />SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT FUND MONIES TO COMPLETE MORE OF THE PARKIN 2005. <br />(Staff informed the audience that this would be a Parks and Open Space management <br />decision and suggested they could talk with the POS Planning Manager regarding the funding <br />decisions on this project.) <br />General Comments <br />• A THOUGHT WAS EXPRESSED THAT IT MAY BE GOOD TO FLIP THE SITE LAYOUT WITH <br />THE OPEN TURF FIELD AND PLAYGROUND ON THE SOUTH SIDE ALONG ROYAL <br />AVENUE AND FENCE THE SOUTH SIDE FOR BALLS AND KIDS. (Staff commented that <br />putting the field sports and playground in close proximity to the heavy traffic on Royal <br />Avenue would create a safety concern. It would also create a difficult situation in keeping the <br />open drainageway thru the park site.) <br />