043089 PK-Silverwood Pk MINLJ
April 30, 1989
TO: Shorewood Park Commission
FR: Angela N. Weatherly
RE: SILVERWOOD PARK MEETING
Purpose
To report on a meeting with neighborhood residents regarding
Silverwood Park, and to recommend next steps.
Background
In the fall of 1987, several residents of Covington Vine Ridge
attended a meeting of the Shorewood Park Commission. At that
• meeting, the Park Commission was presented with a petition that
outlined concerns about Silverwood Park. The most pressing of
those concerns were the destruction of trees and wildlife, the
park's layout (too many amenities in too small an area), and the
lack of a comprehensive plan that would schedule development of
the park.
The petition asked that the city delay development of the park
until or unless appropriate funds were available to complete the
park.
Since only residents of Covington Vine Ridge were represented,
and because of limited funding and priorities (Freeman Park), the
Park Commission decided to put Silverwood Park on hold.
Three residents of other neighborhoods near Silverwood attended a
meeting of the Park Commission in April, 1989. Their request was
to begin development of the park. They were especially
interested in playground equipment, a playing field and passive
areas. The three were informed of previous meetings with
residents of Covington Vine Ridge.
It was decided at that meeting that I would meet with three
residents of Covington Vine Ridge and the three people who
attended from adjacent neighborhoods, and report on that meeting
during the Park Commission meeting of May 1.
Discussion
16 The aforementioned meeting of six residents was held on Thursday,
April 27. It was very quickly and fortunately determined that
there were not two sides -- everyone wants a park. In fact,
everyone felt that neighborhood residents would be willing to
donate their time, efforts and labor to the creation of
Silverwood Park.
It was explained that the major roadblock to park development
was, and would be, a lack of funding. The three representatives
from April's meeting indicated that they were told that money had
been set aside for Silverwood, but that it was diverted
subsequent to the meeting in 1987. I explained that there is one
park budget - -each park does not have its own budget. Freeman
Park was chosen as the priority because it is a true city park,
designed to serve the needs of all Shorewood residents.
We discussed sources of money to develop parks. I told them that
we were considering a bond issue. Only a bond issue would raise
the amount of money needed to develop the parks right away. Also
we discussed the availability of grants. ' I informed them that
the grant coordinator intimated that funding for Silverwood would
be denied primarily due to crowding and proximity issues.
Finally, we discussed contributions by local businesses. Given
the small number of businesses and the lack of a large company
within Shorewood's city limits, it was agreed that contributions
would be welcome, but hardly adequate to develop a park.
Given the possibility of grant funding, the residents were
interested in a redesign of the park that would eliminate
crowding issues. Specifically, since this is a neighborhood
park, the planned parking lot could be eliminated; there is
parking currently available near the pump house. Also, it was
felt unnecessary to have a regulation -sized softball field in
the park, since the field is presumably designed for neighborhood
pick -up games. Another suggestion was to provide one tennis
court versus two.
Finally, we discussed if any part of the park could be completed
right away. Given the decision to rent, versus build warming
houses for Manor Park, I suggested that money could be available
for a play structure and benches. Of course it will be necessary
to determine the extent and cost of grading an appropriate area.
Next Steps
1) The Park Commission will determine the amount of money
16 available for Silverwood this year, and gain approval to
proceed from the City Council.
2) Area residents would like to meet with Brad and Mark to
identify and resolve grading and design issues.
3) The Park Commission and City Council will identify funding
sources as available and provide a written plan outlining
development of the park.
Conclusion
The meeting was very productive. We are all working toward the
same goals, and look forward to a park at Silverwood.
Attendees /copy: Julie Daugherty
Linda Tilton
Harold Ness
John Cleveland
Holly Jones
Dale Schneider
Karen Heniff (not in attendance)
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