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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/1997 Agenda Packet IMPORTANT: OPEN FORUM - The Chair may determine the length of time allocated to each speaker or item. Individuals who wish to .have an item placed on the agenda need to address the Commi~ion during this time. The Commission will consider the request and, depending on the nature of the item and other items scheduled on the ag~da. the Commission may include the item on the agenda or refer the item to the next appropriate meeting. CITY OF ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA for the REGULAR MEETING Monday, March 17, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. DEPARTMENT OFFICE - Upper Lithia Park I. CALL TO ORDER II. ADDITIONS or DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Regular Meeting.- February 24, 1997 IV. REVIEW OF FINANCES A. Approval of previous month's disbursements V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A. Open Forum VI. OLD BUSINESS vn. NEW BUSINESS A. Ashland Gun Club Project B. Request from Lithia! Arts Guild for use of west side area of Calle Guanajuato VIII. COMMUNICATIONS and STAFF REPORTS IX. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS f'., X. UPCOMING MEETING'DATE(S) and PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS XI. ADJOURNMENT ..~_.' To: Ashland Parks and Recreation Commissioners From: Summer Outdoor program Re: Continued support Date: March 13, 1997 ..... .. The Summer Outdoors Program at Ashland High School has appreciated the support that Ashaland Parks and Recareation has shown for the experiences we provide for Ashland youth. With your help, we were able to offer 24 youth a wide variety of outdoor experiences again this last year. Through experiences such as learning how to build trails and the rigors of backcountty survival, these students were able to experience a deeper understanding of themselves, their community and the l1-atural environment. And they received school credIt! Enclosed please fmd an update of how last year's programs went, our goals for this year's program, and a request for support. We hope to be able to continue to offer these experiences to our youth as they seem to benefit from them so profoundly. If you have any questions or comments about the program or the proposal feel free to call us at 482-7535. And thanks again for your support! ~~nvnt~. Sue Parrish J'j Haim Program coordinators t " AHS Summer Outdoor Pr02ram .. Background Last year, Ashland High School, with the help of the Ashland Schools Foundation, the RotaI)' Club, and Ashland Parks and Recreation, was able to offer wilderness education for credit to 24 students, comprised of both at-risk and mainstream students. The Summer Outdoor Program (SOP) offered its participants a wide variety of learning opportunities not always available in a school campus setting. Students made connections with peers outside of their sphere of friends. They gained a new appreciation for themselves and their inner strengths and abilities as they successfully dealt with the adversities inherent in a rugged backpacking experience. They also showed a deeper respect for the natural world, having realized in a fuller way that they are a part of it: The course offered an introduction to a variety of outdoor experiences. The first experience involved all students in community service for Parks and Recreation. SOP students were required to work on a daylong project in Lithia Park in which they removed scotch broom, put in waterbars and rerouted a steep section of trail. While being introduced to the fundamentals of trail building they experienced the satisfaction of volunteer effort. The groups discussed the work they had completed and the benefits to their town. They then went on a raft trip on an upper section of the Rogue River, allowing them the opportunity to learn river skills and break down some of the barriers students feel as they meet others who are not in their immediate circle of friends. The 8-day trip into the ~iopsis Wilderness began shortly after school let out. Most of the students had never been backpacking and were given a lot of instruction for a safe and satisfying experience. During the trip a lot of topics were covered; backcountry first aid, fire ecology, wilderness ethics, and other topics particularly of concern to adolescents, such as divorce, parents, emotions, cliques... . Students were required to keep a journal and and were given time alone to write in it each day. Typically, a group discussion was begun at lunch and another after dinner when everyone was asked to "check in" about their day. Students in a group often find common themes of experience and are thus able to learn from others they would not have sought "",' out in town. For instance, this past year, one of our trips was out over father's day and some heartfelt and strong feelings emerged in relation to participants' fathers. As the students shared these experiences with eachother they gained perspectives and shared common feelings in a way they hadn't before. This, along with the hiking and exploration of natural processes led many of them to state at the end that they now had a different understanding of themselves in relation to their parents. And they spoke with more maturity and self-assurance in their voices, ready to go home and begin again. For others, the most important aspect was gaining survival skills and a deep appreciation for the natural world, offering students experience in how to care for themselves as they become independent, healthy adults. Lessons are simple and immediate. You don't cover your belongings; they get wet You leave your food out; it gets eaten. As they make these choices daily they reflect on the choices they make at home as they decide how to care for themselves, their community and their immediate environment. Conflict within the group is also handled differently as students are pushed by circumstance to resolve conflict and communicate in a way they are rarely required to in town. The lessons are as simple as the ones learned individually. Working together"works out the best. One student, who spent the first couple days trying to make things not work, succeeded. Soon after being given the credit for this he became a positive, entertaining, and insightful member of the group. His mother, impressed by the enthusiasm and maturity he now possessed, called the school to offer thanks and inquire about getting him in to the charter school. This young man now has a stronger sense of himself and a renewed love for the environment. To encourage 'students to further integrate what they learned out in the wilderness into their lives in town, students are reunited in August or September for a day of river rafting or a Ropes Course. Here they once again confront challenges physically and discuss their lives in town, gaining insight and support as they face the challenges of reaching adulthood in every aspect of their lives. .. This Year's Program Because of the successes of the Su~er Outdoor Program, the Ashland School District took the initiative to further explore outdoor and environmental ed~cation as a tool in teaching high school students their academic curriculum. This led to the creation of the Wilderness Charter School, begun this year as a pilot program exploring experiential, interest-based learning for students with an interest in the environment. WCS has successfully met the needs of many students who were feeling lost and disconnected within the larger system. It offers a smaller learning community and focuses on environmental and cultural issues, and life skills. WCS also offers an academic curriculum, thus offering college bound students an alternative to traditional education. WCS is a serious commitment as it's students keep a different schedule and so have difficulty participating in clubs and activities outside of the program. It also serves 20 students and so is unable to meet the needs of all interested students. Thus the Summer Outdoor Program meets the needs of a broader range of students who, for whatever reason, are unable or desiring of a WCS experience. Our goal is to secure funding for 2 trips, offering 24 students SOP wilderness training.This year, we'd like to make one of the trips a women's trip as we have had more applications from females than males- and how powerful it could be! Grant Request '. .. The Summer Outdoors Program coordinators are seeking funding from the Ashland Parks and Recreation for the 1997 programs in the amount of $3000 (see budget page attached). This funding, along with other funding being sought, would enable us to continue to offer this course to students interested in gaining school credit for exploring themselves and the natural world. What a powerful way to reach the students that are so difficult to connect into the school system in a pOSitive way. Thank you very much for your consideration. Please feel free to call Sue Parrish or Jim Haim (482-7535), program coordinators, with any questions you may have regarding The AHS Summer Outdoor Program or this request. . I . Projected Budget: 1997 I. BASIC COURSE Pretrip activities and 8-day trip: Food $550 Staffing 2500: (2 leaders @ $lOO/day for 10 days + $50 startup; Insurance 100 3rd leader @$50/dayfor 8 days) Mileage 300 Misc. 100 $3550 Followup Activity: Gear rental 200 Staffing 200 (2 leaders @ $lOO/day) Mileage 50 450 $3550 450 $4000 per group x 2 groups = $8000 III. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: (selecting participants and. leaders, buying food, coordmadon with school, students and parents): approximately 60 hours @ $lO/hour: $600 IV. MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT CACHE: (for anticipated repair and replacement of gear): $200 Outdoor Activities: Administration: Equipment Cache: Total Budget $8000 600 200 $8800 r' . .~ ~? . $1000 $1000 $2500 $3000 ~1800 $9300 -..... ......... AHS Summer Outdoor Program: 1997 Possible Funding Sources Private donations AHS at-risk funds Leftover funds for 1996 * Ashland Parks and Recreation *Student fees (S100/student, with $700 for scholarships) Total *AlI other listed financial support besides Ashland Parks and Recreation and student fees have already been secured. .. .Ov~fe ...... ,a~~ -<;'006. & Gretlt~i .. , "'\ ~~Q.., .. . ~4Y 2. j, 9 ,-9~ ,To The ~shland Parks Commission; As we consider the rebullding of Calle Guanajuato, p,lease consider the' idea of bullding more benches forpedestrians tous~ as well as mor_e out door dining areas. The Plaza Cafe is located at the, ,narrowestpartof the street; as a result we have never been able to ' offer creekside dining to our customers. We have examined the- area 'behind the Plaza Cafe and beHevethere is' ' ro'om for an abutment similar to that behind Greenleaf. This creekside dining area could be constructed in such a way as to let the,' , creek waters flow throughinthe event of another flood. We invite you to 190k at this proposal carefully and _entertain the idea serfousiy. ~~~ Laure 1 Hansen Plaza Cafe !":(u -+1 N.M4in, A~hlar1(l, O~~0tl97520 ' (50;' 49S-Z1?3 Jec::meHe M. potton Russell Q3Q SO. Valley View Road # '28 Ashland, OR. Q75'20 Phone/fax 541/55'2-Q'260 .J=eb1"ua1"Y '26, IQQ7 Ashland Par.k Commission 340 Pioneer St1"eet Ashland, ()regon Q75'20 Re: PARk: S'WANS Gentlemen: After speaking to Dawn, I was advised to write you a letter. I have been seal'Ching fo1" swans fo1" OU1" pa1"k since OUT' te1"1"ible t1"agedy of Janua1"Y, I have a couple of leads of a female white swan, however when I called the Pa1"ks DepaT'tment, have been told that you have lust 1"eCeived one, That makes me very happy, dU1"ing my seal'Ch I found a mated pa1" of Aushalian Black Swans in Buckley, 'Washington at a place called Sandy's B1"ds the number of this fa1"m is '206-86'2-1855 if you want to check it out f01" you1"selves, These swans a1"e yea1"lings (II months old) so they have many good yea1"s. I have been told that swans live up to '25 yea1"s. Since we have OU1" beautiful Black Swan Theater I thought it would be wonderful to have a poi1" of these m~stic animals fo1" mascots. Wowever I can't aff01"d the ~300 they a1"e asking so I thought perhaps we could establish a bank account and solicit funds fo1" them From the business people and pr'ivate citi'Zens. I personally would be willing to promote this as best I can and establish an account fo1" this pU1"pose shoCld you okay this plan. If this is accepted, I would staT't immediately with: I, PuHing a down payment on these bi1"ds so that they will be held f01" us, '2, Opening an account with my initial donation in any Ashland Bank you designate, 3, Publici'Zing with flyers, posters and whatever other means possible fo1" the pr'~ed and having funds sent di1"edly to the bank. 'When we 1"each the appr'opr'iate 1 amount making the trip to Washington to pick up the bin:1s and deliver them to YOU1" depa-rl:ment OT' where ever designated to do so. If these pl(;lns meet with YOU1" approval, kindly advise me of yoU1" p-r>eferences and I shall sta-rl: with the above plan ASAP, t=0T' YOU1" infOT'mation I am a State Certified ColJT'i: Intervreter wOT'king fOT' the 0ackson County Cou-rl:s in Medfo1"d, my super>vi SOT' , s name is 0 im AJ~ms, you c:;rre welcome to check out my 1"eferences, I also am on the Boa1"d of Di1"edOT'S of CDRC (Community Dispute Resolution Center). Thank you fOT' YOU1" kind consideration in this maHer, _ -:4b;n$z. ~ UeaneHe M, Poston Russell ."'f ASNLAND, GUN CLUB " 0 'OX 953 ASHLAND, OR. 915Z0 To; City of Ashland Parks Dept. Dear Steve: I would like to report to the parks dept. that the Ashland Gun Club has come through the recent rains and flood with virtually no damage. We are also pleased to report that all berms and tractor work was done in such a manner as to prevent any soil to be washed away during high water. On the following pages you will see our plans to complete a training range and place two new vault type handicap accessible toilets. The training range will be used to train children and adults in the safe handling of firearm and hunter safety. All work will be done With permits when required and in a professional manner with consideration to the environment. 'f!!aqk You ~.tSJLQ.., Bill Longiotti President Ashland Gun Club !"'f ASHLAND GUN CLUB P. O.BOX 953 J\SHLAND,OR.97520 1. Objective: The objective of this project is to provide a Training only facility on an excising 67 acre parcel leased to the i\shland Gun Club from the City of i\shIand, which is located in Jackson County, OR. We currently make our facility available to the National Guard from i\shIand, Medford, And Grants Pass for use in qualifying soldiers. The Family Firearms Safety Club for Hunter safety and Handgun Classes, also United Hunters and Sportsmen's use our facilities for Hunter safety and Handgun Classes. We have scheduled Oregon Outdoors Woman Program for May 17, 1997. There is, at present on the range sight a completed classroom without sanitary facilities, an antiquated trap range a 10 point covered large bore range to 300 yards, and 3 small covered pistol and small bore ranges. With the 3 National Guard groups, and 2 Educational groups we have seen the need for a special training area dedicated to only to training. We have started the new training range. We have laid out the range, started building berms, and built a cover. With the funding from the Oregon Department ofFish and Wildlife we will be able to fulfiIl our desire to have a facility dedicated to the exclusive use of training people in the safe use of guns and Hunting~ The completed range will have, two Handicap vault toilets installed" warning and range rule signs, and a fence to keep the training range secure. 2. Results and Benefits expected: The completion of the training facilities will result in safer trained people. The training range will be used exclusively for training. 3. Approach: Since the i\shIand Gun Club has completed a classroom and has already built the range cover and started the berms the approach will be very straight forward and easily completed as follows. We have a good group of retired men who have shown their desire to work to make i\shIand Gun Club something to be proud of They have the expertise and the ability to complete all the jobs before us. We would like to complete the project before the Oregon Woman's Outdoor Program needs the use of our range. 4. Geographic Location: Ashland Gun Club is located on Emigrant Cr. Rd. 1/2 mile from the intersection of Dead Indian Rd. All Jackson County will served by this Training facility. This one shooting range will be used exclusively for training and will be made available for training at all times. 5. Relationship: No funds or other assistance has been received from any government. All work has been paid for and built by Ashland Gun Club to this point in time. Submitted by: Bill Longiotti President f"'f Ashland Gun Club Budget Summary TITLE BEGIN COMPLETE EST. COST 1 Feb 1997 lMa 1997 $3 450 2. Construction of Toilet Facili for Handica ed Individuals 1 Feb 1997 lMa 1997 $4 250 3. Construction of Second Toilet Facility for Handicapped 1 July 1997 1 Aug 1997 $4,250 Individuals 4. ~crnuemdmm~~onmS~ 1 Feb 1997 1 Ma 1997 $400 5. Range Weatherization for Target Access (gravel & 1 Feb 1997 1 May 1997 $1,825 adin 6. 1 A ril1997 1 June 1997 $520 Total Budget $14,695 Oregon Department ofFish and WIldlife share = $7,347.50 Ashland Gun Club share = $7,347.50 .# Date: 25-Feb-97 18:10:56 -0800 From: JJFHAR@SMTP (Jon F. Harbaugh){jjfhar@magick.net} To: PARKS@fs1 (Parks) Subject: Lithia Park Message-id: 200E4742015F3179 O-SMTP-Envelope-From: <jjfhar@magick.net> 2/24/97 Ken, I can't make the meeting tonight so I thought I would e-mail my "wish list" relative to Lithia Park: repair creek ~hannel (i.e., where the old channel was washed out) return the creek to it's "original" channel (see above) repair east side trails replace the bridges repair/replace the children's play area clean up the creek bed (i.e., remove all the material from the creek bed that doesn't belong there --- tree roots, cement monoliths, etc.). I expect Ashland Creek to be returned to the condition it was in on December 30, 1996. I realize it will cost $$$ to accomplish that end, therefore I'm expecting that other P&R projects may have to be delayed. I'm not willing to have the issue of cost stop the park from being returned to it's'pre-flood condition. Just so my position is clear let me reiterate --- return Lithia Park to it's pre-flood condition and delay other projects if cost is an issue. Regards --- Jon Harbaugh (482-0732) . . . 3-1.-LJ I"} ~~p~~~ ~h~~~.tl-~ I ~ fo~. -ow -r.d . :2.tf ~. ! lJv,.e ~ 1111 ~ ~ ~ ! , ,f~. ' . (i) c9. ~ J,:";.u..~ 'n~ 1k~ -h~~~.~~d" LA ~ ~ ~ II/i.~' ~TJk., Wl~ - (j}~1lw~ ~~~ ~~I @ .~P.v ~ k.J tU.v · IJWt iuJJ>>.-v ~ J: ~! ~~ . A ~ · ~~ ~ _~tI..,. ~J:;::;; $. ~~4 '!u-: · ~~~~.~~~~ &:f.~ · ~] ~. .9t-:u. ~-/lJ ~ ~ !Ibd.. ~J& . ~.~d- ~J. b-Q u.wr IJq ~ ",....t1!u:, ~ ~ · ~ ~ Au- n.w- (;Lwlv...1' ~~ ~~ ~ ofJ.I..lti1:f,v~# .2}.~~~~~M~ ..r~r-~~~~~ -h& ~~(~.tu.iu). @ :s;;.u.: ~ f" ~ JdU- C)&~ /U,O.. +~,~~ltfI-JE.~ . , ~cafe . .. .. ..c~~'Xoo6. & G7{>qt~. .. , " 1.(.1:'0., . . ~6 2. J,9.-9~ ; To The Ashland Parks CommIssIon; As we consider the rebuilding of Calle GuanaJuato, p,lease consider the'ldea of buildIng more benches forpedestrlans to use as well as mor:.e out door dining areas. The Plaza Cafe' is located at the, ' ,narrowest part Of the street; as a result we have never been able to offer creeksIde dfning to our customers. " . , . . We have examined the. area behind the Plaza Cafe and believe there fs' room for an abutment slml Jar to that behInd Greenleaf, ThIs creeksfde dining area could be constructed fn such a way as to let the' creek waters flow through In the event of another flood.Wefnvfte _ you to look at thisproposaJ carefully and entertafn the idea serf()usly, ~~~ Laure I Hansen Plaza Cafe !'!to f1 N.M4it1, A,>hlan~, O~~,,>> 97520 ' {50?' ~6-.z2?)