Archive for November, 2008

Disc Golf Working Group Appointed

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Reprinted from Crescent Woods Neighborhood Forum No. 242

LEDDY PARK DISC GOLF WORKING GROUP APPOINTED
By Melissa Young, Parks and Rec. Dept. – City of Burlington, Leddy Park Rd, MYoung@ci.Burlington.vt.us
Tue, 18 November 2008

The Parks and Recreation Commission has appointed seven Burlington residents to form a Working Group to review the proposal to create a disc golf course at Leddy Park.  The Group will assess the proposal originally submitted to the Commission by the BTown Disc Golf Club and make a recommendation to the Commission as to whether the project should proceed as planned, be modified in some manner or be canceled.

Among the issues that the Working Group will study are:

- Alcohol use on the course and in the park resulting from disc golf play
- Impact of the course on the natural environment-specifically the impact on the forest and potential erosion problems
- Recreation benefits associated with project
- Health and fitness benefits of the project
- Access to bathroom facilities by disc golfers
- Traffic problems associated with an increased number of park users
- Economic benefits of the proposed project
- Layout of the course and its possible impact on private property and other uses of the park

Members of the Working Group are:
Harry Wendt – Ward 3
Patrick Kearney – Ward 4
Joanne Hunt – Ward 4
Matthew Hogg – Ward 4
Nick Hinge – Ward 5
Dan Herman – Ward 7
Greg Jenkins – Ward 7

In addition to the seven members on the Working Group, two members of the BTown Disc Golf Club, Brendan Bush and Peter Hess, will be technical advisors to the Group regarding the design and operation of a disc golf course.  Parks and Recreation staff members Lisa Coven, Land Steward and Warren Spinner, City Arborist, will be assisting the Group as it develops its recommendation.  Once the Group completes its work, the Parks and Recreation Commission will review their findings and make a final decision as to how to proceed.  The Commission’s decision will be reported to the Burlington City Council for their review.  Work on the course began in late summer and was halted in September due to concerns expressed by the public.  No further work on the project will be undertaken until this final review takes place.

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Leddy Park Community Fall Clean-up : Saturday November 15

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Leddy Park Community Fall Clean-up This Sat. Nov. 15

The newly formed Friends of Leddy Park group is organizing a fall clean-up morning.
9am This Sat. Nov. 15.
Meet at the Northeast corner trail entrance at Leddy Rink parking lot.

We will be picking up trash and doing some trail clearing and maintenance in the natural areas in preparation for a safe and enjoyable winter recreation season.  Rubber gloves and trash bags provided.  Bring clippers, plastic buckets, shovels and iron rakes if you have them, and some of your friends, kids and neighbors.  A good community service project for high school students needing those hours, too.

The friends group will be planning other maintenance projects and clean-up days in the future.  To learn more about the Friends of Leddy Park or to share your concerns or ideas, contact Nancy Powers at noodlepower@yahoo.com.

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Protecting Urban Wild Burlington Parks

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Reprinted from Crescent Woods Neighborhood Forum No.  237

PROTECTING URBAN WILD BURLINGTON PARKS
By Nancy Powers, Wildwood Drive, noodlepower@yahoo.com
Mon, 03 November 2008

As a friend of Burlington Parks I would like to support the Penny for the Parks. BUT, I think it is important consider all the facts like how, money is distributed and how financial and development decisions are made in the Parks Dept.  There is a lot of stress on the parks and the raising costs of  maintenance because of natural and human environmental impact. I think that people look to our parks more in times of financial strain because the parks are very accessible and low or no cost to use these great parks. Please take time to look at the Management Plan of this tax increase on the http://www.enjoyburlington.com. I think it is very important to keep in mind all the areas of the park.  The management of the Urban Wilds and Natural Areas of the Burlington Parks are just as important as all the facilities and sports fields. I did not see any information in the Management Plan related to Preservation of Urban Wilds. I also did not see Disk Golf on the any lists, as if it is not a potential project for future spending in Leddy Park.

There is no better time to plan the future development of Disk Golf for Burlington 2-3 years from now, after a master plan is worked on and all Burlington Parks have been accessed for growing development around these parks. When our parks are already over burden with projects to maintain and up keep we really need to protect the wild spaces. Burlington is only going to get more and more crowded. Keeping Urban Wilds spaces is a healthy and inexpensive choice.

-Nancy

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