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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-2024 Parks & Recreation CommissionIowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday, July 10, 2024 5:00 P.M. Robert A. Lee Recreation Center — Meeting Room B CITY of IOWA CITY 220 S Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 Public Comment for each item will be limited to 3 minutes for each person and a total for no more than 30 minutes per item. Written comments submitted to parksandrecreation@iowo-city.orq, prior to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 08, 2024, will be distributed to the Commission in advance of the meeting. AGENDA ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF APRIL 10, 2024, MINUTES ITEM 3 PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA The Commission cannot engage in discussion or debate. However, once the commenter has left the stand, the Commission may ask staff to respond to a concern or question posed by the public, or to follow up with the speaker. ITEM 4 PARK PROJECT REVIEW — Bolton & Menk; Ryan Anderson a) College Green Park b) Brookland Park c) New Park near Shannon Drive d) Trail Connection — CalderPark ITEM 5 PARK NAMING: NEW PARK NEAR SHANNON DRIVE — Dir. Seydell Johnson ITEM 5 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF a) Parks and Recreation Director —Juli Seydell Johnson b) Parks & Forestry Superintendent —Tyler Baird ITEM 6 CHAIRS REPORT ITEM 7 COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ITEM 8 ADJOURN If you will need disability -related accommodations to participate in this program/event please contact Gabe Gotera, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department at 319-356-5210 orggotero@iowo-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. I111`1AZT41 M_ d 74 7 .MYKI 9 3101s1_xv_r_[I].cK111313_I 1*1 [SIC 1 Dim [oil CIA Ali MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 2024 MEETING ROOM B — ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER Members Present: Alex Hachtman, Virginia Hayes, Rachel McPherson, Connie Moore, Brian Morelli, Aaron Broege. Members Absent: Alex Stanton, Caleb Recker, Missie Forbes. Staff Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Gabe Gotera, Tyler Baird. Others Present: Jerry Protheroe, Sue Protheroe, Hal Ide, Mitzi Read, John Downer, Mary Helen Stefaniak. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hachtman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): I►�= OTHER FORMAL ACTION: Moved by Broege, seconded by Moore, to approve the February 14, 2024, minutes. Motion passed 5-0 (Stanton, Recker, Forbes, and McPherson absent). PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Sue Protheroe introduces herself as the chairperson for City Park Pool: Back to the Future, and tells the Commission that next month, when they meet with City Council, will be their last opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns about the project. Protheroe asks the commission to view the designs through the lens of safety, specifically for lap swimmers. Protheroe describes the image of City Park Pool as disorderly, intimidating, and sometimes unsafe. Protheroe explains that the current 9 lap lanes are being used by a variety of water walkers, aqua joggers, and swimmers all trying to get individual exercise in a shared space with no lane ropes. Protheroe says that the swimmers themselves are expected to instruct new participants on how and why to circle swim. Protheroe says that if the lap lanes are reduced from 9 lanes to 6, there will be a time when only the strongest and fittest are able to use the lanes at all. Protheroe says that is the opposite of the welcoming environment that City Park Pool: Back to the Future wants the project to embrace. Protheroe says that the project's architects have said that the cost of adding two additional lanes to any of the designs is a million dollars, which is PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 10, 2024 Page 2 of 6 money that needs to be spent. Protheroe says that 2-3 lap lanes being open all day is not enough to offset the loss during high demand times, and that if the pool is being built for the next 50-70 years, then this cannot be ignored. Protheroe says that no matter the design chosen, lane dividers must be purchased and used to keep people in the lane and avoid accidents. Protheroe explains that the current lane dividers are only used by the Iowa City Eels, who add and remove them for their morning practices. Protheroe says there is a need for lifeguards to be trained to communicate with adults and actively be involved in educating people about circle swimming and recommends placing one lifeguard on deck to help and instruct in the lap swim area. Hal Ide says that whatever plan is selected needs to include 8-9 lap lanes. Ide says that the lanes are very busy and usually have a line to use them. Ide fears that if there are only six lanes, then only the most dedicated lap swimmers will be able to use them, where those learning how to swim, or the elderly won't feel welcome. Ide has long thought that circle swimming should be mandatory but understands that it may not be the best for everyone, explaining that the early swimmers or the elderly can't exercise effectively, wondering if there is a speed demon coming up behind them. Ide says that to be inclusive, there must be enough space for swimmers of all capabilities. Ide recalls his first encounter at City Park Pool and says that he had to be brave. Ide iterates the need for both 25-yard and 50-meter lap lanes if the City wants to be inclusive and merge with the rest of the swimming world. Ide says not to build a pool that doesn't work for so many people. Dir. Juli Seydell Johnson comments that 25 yard/meter lap lanes will be included in the drawings shown at the May 7 Joint Council -Commission work session. Seydell Johnson explains that project consultants have been working on multiple versions of the 4 different design options to see how the short course lanes could be added, with some options having the lanes attached to the diving well, while others will see the lanes attached to the main pool. Seydell Johnson clarifies that the price tag would be $1,000,000 per lane rather than $1,000,000 per 2 lanes. STATUS UPDATE FOR PARK PROJECTS — Hitchcock Desi¢n: Eric Hornie TERRELL MILL ROLLER PARK Eric Hornig with Hitchcock Designs presents the attached PowerPoint presentation. Commissioner Biran Morelli asks if a park design of this level could have skating communities/events to draw in people to the area. Hornig says that this would be the goal to be able to have such events if this park is constructed to the designed target level. Chairman Hachtman asks about the accessibility of the park. Hornig responds that all of the walkways and connectivity would be accessible with less than 2% slope. Hornig says that the topography of the site matches the proposed site, allowing ease of access to the features of their abilities. Vice -Chairman Moore asks if the pump track would be wide enough for a person with a wheelchair to use. Hornig confirms that a wheelchair can be used on the pump track PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 10, 2024 Page 3 of 6 Hachtman refers to the flow of the lines on the design and asks how well the different areas transition to each other. Hachtman asks if there is any feedback received addressing this yet or if it is too early in the process. Hornig says that it is still too early to have feedback on this specific design but explains that the elevation change between areas has been considered and that there is intention in the shapes of the features to have proper momentum carried between events on the tracks. Commissioner McPherson arrives at 5:21 p.m. Commissioner Broege asks what the dotted lines on the lawn area refers to. Hornig explains that this would indicate elevation changes on the hill, specifically a 12 inches per line. Commissioner Hayes asks if there will be picnic tables or places for people to gather. Hornig explains that the areas designed to have shade structures would have benches for the public to use. Hays says that she would like to see more trees. Hornig responds that trees are tricky to have in a roller park as they can drop debris onto the track causing risk for skateboarders. Hornig says that trees have been added to the design but strategically spaced from the track. Hachtman asks if there are measures to ensure the integrity and safety of the park if the floodplains flood. Hornig explains that there was a specific choice in the materials, using concrete for its structural integrity. Hornig says that the placement of the roller park is on the highest point in the park, giving the highest option for long-term success. MERCER PARK & CITY PARK TENNISIPICKLEBALL COURTS Eric Hornig with Hitchcock Designs presents the attached PowerPoint presentation. MERCER PARK ATHLETIC FIELDS Eric Hornig with Hitchcock Designs presents the attached PowerPoint presentation. Dir. Seydell Johnson explains that Fields 1 & 4 will both be funded specifically by the Iowa City School District while the rest of the project will be funded by the larger City. Commissioner Broege asks if Fields 1 & 4 will be for public use after it opens or if it will be solely for the school district. Seydell Johnson says that the entire complex will be funded by and for the use of the public, but that Fields 1 & 4 will primarily be used by the two Varsity programs, which has already been the case for the last 3-4 years. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF: Parks and Recreation Director — Juli Seydell Johnson Note on 2024 Park Projects: Dir. Seydell Johnson gives updates on park projects for the playgrounds at Brookland Park & College Green Park, Calder Park Trail Access, and a new park on Shannon Drive. Seydell Johnson says that staff were behind on getting the contracts to consultants to begin the project, meaning that the construction for these projects likely won't PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 10, 2024 Page 4 of 6 begin this summer as anticipated but the following spring. Seydell Johnson announces that the public input meeting for these projects will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Seydell Johnson says that the new park will include a small playground and a shelter. May 7 Joint Meeting: Seydell Johnson reminds the commission of the joint work session with the City Council being held on Tuesday, May 7. Seydell Johnson explains that there is no formal recommendation being made at that time, but that this is the time for discussion. The commission will sit with the City Council and see a presentation from the project consultants, which will include the information gathered from the Phase 2 public input, and the recommended City Park Pool design based on said input. After the presentation there will be time for discussion between the Council and the Commission. Seydell Johnson says that would be the time to talk about what the Commissioners do or don't like about the designs. Seydell clarifies City Council will not be making a decision that same day but will instead 2 weeks later at the next City Council meeting. Seydell Johnson tells the Commission to expect to be present for the fu112 hours from 4-6 p.m. Seydell Johnson expects that the consultants will address all things heard at the current meeting. Seydell Johnson adds that it is part of the design that lane line would be included in the new pool. Seydell Johnson says that staff will do their best to teach patrons how to share lanes and circle swim, but says that it will have to be a cooperative effort from everyone that gets in the pool. Parks and Forestry Superintendent — Tvler Baird Parks: Supt. Baird announces that Restrooms and water are turned on in all of the parks. Baird says that the lockers on all the restrooms have all been replaced free -of -charge due to the consistent issues spoken on in a prior meeting. Baird says that there are still some problems with the restroom's locks at Riverfront Crossings but that it is being looked at by staff. Baird says that staff have been quite busy with mowing, noting that the athletic fields staff have mowed 3 times already this year. Baird adds that the addition of seasonal staff helps, but that the pace keeps the same as the season ramps up. Baird says that perennials and trees have been ordered to be planted later soon, with preparations being made for the fall tree plantings as well. Baird explains that one difference this year is that all of the tree plantings will be from inhouse staff and not contracted out. Icehouse Single Track Trail: Baird announces that the June Commission meeting will be the grand opening of the Icehouse Single Track Trail at Terrell Mill Park. Baird explains that the name is derived from the old icehouse foundations that are featured on the track. Baird says that staff have been installing the track skill features this week, noting that the features will be fun for the public to use. Arbor Day: Baird invites the Commission to attend an Arbor Day planting of 77 trees in Oakland Cemetery. Baird details the event to be held on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will include a brief intro/demonstration, an Arbor Day proclamation, and celebration of the 44 years of Tree City, USA, and a recent Growth Award. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 10, 2024 Page 5 of 6 Commissioner McPherson asks what the Tree City, USA is. Baird explains that it is a world- wide recognized certification, and that of the 46 years it has been around, Iowa City has been certified for 44 consecutive years. The certification is determined by factors such as funds per population associated with planting and a trained forestry staff. McPherson asks what kind of trees are being planted at Oakland Cemetery. Baird says that staff worked with the University forester and the County forester, Cemetery staff, and certain members of the North Side Neighborhood to find a selection of species that will fit the local aesthetic and honor the Hickory Oak Savannah of the Cemetery, while adding some needed diversity. Commissioner Morelli says that there are still some downed trees in the parks from past storms, asking if this will be addressed. Baird says that staff have been working and have cleared away most of the downed trees, but that due to the huge, impacted area, there are some stragglers still being found. Baird tells Morelli to email him any specific locations he knows about. CHAIRS REPORT: None COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Commissioner Morelli asks if there are plans to have more established restrooms or water fountains near the entrance of Waterworks Park. Morelli acknowledges that there are portable toilets but explains that they receive heavy use. Dir. Johnson says that there are not any plans in sight for the next years and adds that there are some restrictions due to proximity to the Water Treatment Plant. Chairman Hachtman adjourns the meeting at 5:49 p.m. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 10, 2024 Page 6 of 6 PARKS AND RECREATION ATTENDANCE RECORD NAME M M M M en O O O O O O O O O TERM N N N N N N N N N N N N N EXPIRES Aaron 12/31/24 * X NM X X X X X X X O/E NM X Broe e Missie 12/31/25 X X NM O/E X X X O/E X X X NM O/E Forbes Alex 12/31/24 X X NM X X X X X X X X NM X Hachtman Virginia 12/31/27 * * * * * * * X X NM X Hayes Rachel 12/31/26 X X NM X X X X X X X X NM X McPherson Connie 12/31/25 X X NM O/E X X X X X X O/E NM X Moore Brian 12/31/25 X X NM X X X O/E O/E X X O/E NM X Morelli Caleb 12/31/26 * * * * * * X X X O/E X NM O/E Recker Alex 12/31/27 * * * * X X X O/E X X X NM O/E Stanton KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member during this meeting 4/10/2024 4/10/2024 7 C—,tl I Mrvav ff-Ig+e ,Fam Ern, ms+ua,aRan naa+y �„nl eon++ere.a,k.a�u..m� eau, Etltnr95tr,epe,R,la[I^g nonFwn,l Enlnnce+onlstnp Aa+epahlhaln9+o u,nen+l PUMICINPUT Roller Park Design Input Survey Cu,rn4,un,lass mJa[eJ Ian 31, NA Lttm MIX OF SKATE ♦ BIKE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESPONDENTS WERE MOUNTAIN BIKERS 22 MIX OF SKILL LEVELS SKATEPARK TERRAIN -50%STREET 150%TRANSITION Ae .'bL5 BOWLS ® EXISTING SKATEPARK ARE TOO ADVANCED SUPPORTIVE OF PUMP TRACK ADDITION, BUT MAJORITY (50-75%) OF FOCUS SHOULD BE A SKATEPAR SPLIT ON PUMP TRACK MATERIAL- CONCRETE VS. ASPHALT STRONG SUPPORT FOR PRIORITIZING LIGHTS MOST OFTEN REFERENCED PRECEDENTS: • LAURISDEN SKATEPARK- DES MOINES, IA • RAILVARD BIKE PARK - ROGERS, AR errell Mill Roller Park Public Input 4 Rest—bWWilg hcIng wr[Mesl E.,„ g,na,.na,,aa—g,—h..„, v'eta,mn n nn,,— RnzrlUtlni3 ea,,, 133 98 0 ParEnV+,ah AmaR r�[W^us k.<ra{«nppment 2 4/10/2024 5 ..,..,..... .cam .,....,..,.. 'errell Mill Roller Park Input B[GWxFPPVMIEPMn BFUx.R i. •� T Iy� C alIM11�xKMxiW. �, 1 flmKEl Z Nnxt �-" mxM+wwmiu � . HfiNYA S F1EMN15 --__. eEowEZmEararmm r R Hp [4P1.VA �. MuoFnwcew rurvw-- \ �- Ei61WLMMIOPIxxx unnxcwuwxr. ___.ham rxorosEOErrtE'ro --- Mnixrnx Exisnw ssnrt v E Lu EgMEIFVFL9Ml - 'auMStMMsfiVRME1--.. _ 3 4/10/2024 wo mmmmmmmmmm_ Terrell Mill Roller Park Character Images - Skate wow �*04 ` r � � � mrnrnTmrnlEel"".lfirarn�'rornr-rrnnrrn��:rnnrrimnrrr�t�ll�Itln�itir� errell Mill Roller Park ratter Images - Bowls e n 4/10/2024 Cnt Ca.c.Brmm.IN s InzaRl 1 73s K1.nmY bW 1 Is IOOa s Rise . 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U elxrtO� 1 L$ 5 75W s ]fW U n 1 l5 f i5W S ]SW Oe519nlEylneeny C.r�ihbl.ol: S ifi1.100 T➢TRCYROWCOST: ) 19E0.350 BIIDBU"AGET IMC$ SOON MRFRI: S IJW.WO DIFFR.CE: S IIMJ901 MTENTULALRRNAMTWR- $ i errell Mill Roller Park 'king Budget 10 4/10/2024 Task % Duration Program and Analysis Phase 89% 187 Schematic Design Phase 65% 99 Design Development Phase 0% 73 Construction Documentation Phase 0% 56 Permitting 0% 198 Bidding 0% 24 Construction 0% 342 Terrell Mill Roller Park Schedule 11 12 Start Date November 1, 2023 January 22, 2024 May 1, 2024 July 7, 2024 August 6, 2024 September 15, 2024 October 10, 2024 May 8, 2024 May 1, 2024 July 14, 2024 September 3, 2024 February 24, 2025 October 9, 2024 September22,2025 A 4/10/2024 • Demolition complete • Grading complete c _ • Base course prepared • Asphalt coming soon Mercer Park-CPS� Plan 13 14 7 4/10/2024 is • Demolition complete • Grading complete �,,,•,_ • Base course prepared • Asphalt coming soon City Park -CPS Plan 16 c; 4/10/2024 17 m 0 4/10/2024 19 Z �.SU_ _ w Mercer Park Field Improvements Current Plans 20 10 4/10/2024 ZEEW WY WPM 7"i _ I _ _ I I Mercer Park Field Improvements (Current Plans 21 Mercer Park Field Improvements Current Plans 9 22 11 4/10/2024 23 DESIGN 24 F1pa Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - June 2024 ate 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 30-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 34p 4-Sp 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals WaterFitness Swim Lessons Event# Count Event Name lun 4 3 1 3 6 1 5 1 024 3 Jun 11 $2 Swim Jun 77J.. 8 3 12 8 13 10 5 59 12 lun 7 7 9 4 12 11 3 53 11 Water Mindfulness Jun 8 5 5 7 4 9 2 4015 Jun 7 9 7 3 4 5 2 37 -Jun 6 8 3 7 10 6 3 43 9 5 $2 Swirl class Samway 8-Jun 8 3 6 6 9 6 0 0 0 38 3 4 LG class Sunday 9-Jun 28 $25wim/LG class Monday 10-Jun 11 9 1 11 11 7 2 52 12 Tueway 11-Jun 6 4 6 2 7 14 2 41 13 Water Mindfulness wedneway 12-Jun 8 2 3 5 9 9 2 38 14 mursday 13-Jun 9 16 12 3 4 7 2 53 cnday 14-Jun 8 7 4 11 6 15 3 54 9 1 $2 Swim Saturday 15-Jun 5 3 3 2 4 5 0 0 0 22 2 Sunday 16-Jun 13 $2 Swim Monday 17-Jun 8 7 4 4 8 14 3 48 11 Tueway 18-Jun 8 6 8 2 11 8 4 47 21 Water Mindfulness wednesday 19-Jun 6 5 4 9 2 10 6 42 13 mursday 20-Jun 8 5 4 2 11 9 4 43 Friday 21-Jun 8 5 2 9 7 13 4 48 0 $2 Swim Samway 22-Jun 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 4 Sunday 23-Jun 55 27 $2 Swim Monday 24-Jun 6 3 3 7 5 11 7 42 12 Tuway 25-Jun 5 4 8 7 6 7 5 42 20 Water Mindfulness wedneway 26-Jun 7 2 2 3 9 12 4 39 15 mursday 27-Jun 6 1 3 9 5 9 4 37 Friday 28-Jun 12 5 2 8 10 10 4 51 8 6 $2 Swim sxuway 29-Jun 5 3 1 3 1 6 0 0 0 19 4 Sunday 30-lun 59 40 $2 Swim Total Scans: 975 Totals: 1017 146 I 114 200 Averages: 33.9 4.9 1 3.8 6.7 Grand Total 1477 49.2 Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - June 2024 Day Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Team Event 4 Count Event Name Saturday 1-Jun 1 3 6 30 11 13 6 14 27 7 13 9 8 3 131 92 Sunday 2-Jun 6 11 6 4 17 19 2 6 0 71 Monday 3-Jun 6 16 11 7 12 9 16 9 12 5 13 13 46 3 178 17 92 Tuesday 4-Jun 5 12 9 4 4 5 15 10 16 8 14 2 104 92 13 $2 Swim wednesday 5-Jun 5 10 13 12 9 6 10 30 13 12 31 11 3 8 153 92 Thursday 6-Jun 7 7 10 8 16 4 11 7 16 6 10 6 108 92 26 $2 Swim Friew Sauna, Sunday Monday 7-Jun 8-Jun 9-Jun 10-Jun 7 6 9 8 14 18 8 12 12 11 17 12 13 12 7 11 19 9 12 19 16 13 8 13 2 4 0 6 144 154 11 15 92 Swim Meet Swim Meet 117 Tuesday 11-Jun 2 10 9 7 3 15 7 13 8 6 20 6 106 92 5 $2 Swim wednesmy 12-Jun 6 13 11 23 7 8 14 14 15 9 11 26 8 2 167 117 Thursday 13-Jun 10 7 6 9 11 23 9 13 16 11 6 3 124 117 18 $2 Swim Friday 14-Jun 6 4 10 15 12 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 8 92 Saturday 15-Jun 0 3 2 0 0 4 4 8 15 16 5 6 3 3 69 92 sun ay 16-lun 12 9 0 6 9 9 5 0 0 50 Monday 17-Jun 8 17 19 20 16 17 6 17 2 5 21 8 25 2 183 17 117 Tuesday 18-Jun 2 9 13 6 12 10 12 11 8 13 10 4 110 92 23 $2 Swim wedoeaaay 19-Jun 9 7 10 21 18 13 11 12 5 1 11 12 16 17 163 117 Thursday 20-Jun 4 6 15 4 10 26 19 14 6 15 11 3 133 117 25 $2 Swim Friday 21-Jun 8 7 12 9 5 9 5 10 9 22 28 8 5 4 141 10 92 sammav 22-Jun 4 4 0 7 10 9 7 11 21 10 7 3 7 3 103 92 Sunday 23-Jun 20 8 11 13 30 9 7 10 30 98 Monday 24-Jun 5 12 19 11 30 17 12 11 14 8 13 17 11 3 183 16 117 ruesdar 25-Jun 4 9 15 6 5 12 11 4 9 10 15 0 100 92 33 $2 Swim wedneway 26-Jun 9 15 11 15 11 18 7 5 17 9 12 16 7 6 158 117 Thursday 27-Jun 4 9 10 16 11 16 15 12 7 6 6 5 117 117 36 $2 Swim Friday 28-Jun 11 8 8 18 14 7 7 17 21 8 15 13 8 11 166 9 92 Saturday 29-Jun 6 4 7 7 13 6 3 17 13 18 6 14 10 4 128 92 Sunday 30-lun Total Scans: 2606 13 19 4 5 12 12 3 12 2 Totals: 82 3478 103 2433 179 Grand Total 6193 Averages: 115.9 3.4 81.1 6.0 206.4 Closed for Swim Meet: Total using Robert A. Lee Pool Open Hours 1551 ICE =92 (includes masters) Average using Robert A. Lee Pool Open Hours 51.7 City Park Pool - User Totals May/June 2024 Day Date 67a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a lGlla 1112P 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-Sp 5-6p 6-7p )-8p Daily Bec Totals Water Fitness Swim Lessons Eventp Count Even[Name sx.,eav 25-May 24 40 28 37 59 44 25 1 258 26-May 3 3 9 18 39 25 23 5 125 a rn , 27-May 30 78 43 65 61 23 0 0 300 *newav 28-May 3 7 6 1 1] w.enew.v 29-May 0 11 14 5 30 30 May 12 11 30 ] 46 rr" 31-May 9 19 18 7 53 1 1-lun 3 0 3 D 13 4 a 0 23 .neap 2-Jun 35 SO 67 35 84 65 4 0 340 rwmav 3-Jun 5 16 11 2 34 Teeww 4-Jun 5 7 9 8 29 weaewev 5-lun 1] 33 38 11 99 189 School's Out Party Tmrww 6-Jun 8 0 4 28 28 23 43 25 18 177 reew 7-Jun 9 12 ] 41 37 83 92 52 51 17 7 4 412 .nu, 8-Jun 3 1 2 12 7 6 4 S 8 10 9 67 9 .neap 9-Jun 3 1 1 0 ] 49 75 85 105 83 103 66 12 1 591 mnnan ID -Jun 5 1 5 0 30 W 41 28 13 32 17 5 265 Tv�v 11 Jun 2 1 fi 23 12 85 17 26 49 221 weanewv 12-Jun 5 9 13 0 87 173 141 92 69 141 203 65 998 409 Pride @the Pool I.ns.,13-Jun 3 14 8 0 54 104 71 0 0 264 175 Camps suar 14-Jun 10 8 8 81 92 IS3 95 73 85 69 79 23 776 sxmeav 15-Jun 2 2 6 55 13 18 22 25 26 36 24 0 0 0 229 10 Pool Party not reserved wnmv 15-lun 4 5 4 8 1] 43 30 46 85 92 51 66 26 14 491 nonmv 17 Jun 11 12 18 42 55 158 94 65 39 90 121 35 740 66 T.ww 18-Jun 7 10 13 0 76 132 115 90 73 516 172 n.. d,y 19-Jun 9 6 15 0 16 42 29 20 18 43 45 15 258 74 103 Ameteenth TI-1, 20-lun 9 86 56 0 0 151 42 142 Camps rrw 21-Jun 7 13 19 66 27 178 141 88 88 84 150 40 901 S—dr, 22-Jun 7 1 10 8 20 10 35 44 48 110 60 89 13 46 2 505 8 61 Pool Parry wneav 23 Jun 2 1 3 4 16 36 105 155 117 121 120 66 26 15 787 wmav 24-lun ) 30 9 0 76 131 89 55 103 90 333 58 761 96 •. 25-lun 47 109 1D2 84 67 409 131 weenwv 26-Jun 46 17 10 0 77 118 IDS 81 81 79 102 66 782 78 247 Swim &Sounds mmwar 27-Jun 6 22 6 0 49 41 231 0 0 355 180 272 Camps snow 211 7 6 2 6 3 24 s wdw 29-Jun 3 7 8 31 30 30 56 86 152 123 134 25 43 1 729 8 55 Iowa City Autism Group • + 30 Jun 5 3 4 3 11 56 54 52 65 47 69 39 36 3 447 136 Belin-Blank Center Grantl Total Clpsetl for weamec Closet Totals: 13215 35 839 1689 15778 Averages: 357.2 0.9 22J 45.6 4264 Community Foundation of Johnson County City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Accounts Statement Activity Iowa City Parks and Rec Charitable Giving Fund May 01, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Beginning Balance: $50,966.59 Total Fund Income: $1,500.00 Total Fund Expenses: $3,326.09 Ending Balance: $49,140.50 Statement Activity Iowa City Parks and Rec Endowment Fund May 01, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Beginning Balance: $208,915.78 Total Fund Income: $7,324.85 Total Fund Expenses: $50.48 Ending Balance: $216,190.15 Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission Packet July 2024 Upcoming Events • Iowa City Farmers Market —Season continues through October • Party in the Park — Season continues on Thursdays through August 15, 6:30-8 pm; various park locations • Play Daze — Season continues on Wednesdays through July 31; 9:30-11:30 am; various park locations • Water Wednesdays — Season continues on Wednesdays through August 21; 5-8 pm; City Park Pool • Discovery Garden Parties — Season continues on Tuesdays through July 30; 2-4 pm; RAL Discovery Garden • Sunrise to Sunset: Learn -To -Swim Fundraiser —July 6, 6 am —8 pm; City Park Pool • Hydrant Parties —July 11 (Broadway neighborhood), July 25 (Mercer Park), August 15 (Pheasant Ridge), 1-3 pm • Yoga in the Park —July 13 (Willow Creek Park), August 10 (Ned Ashton House), 9:30-10:15 am Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff Parks: • Staff have been busy keeping parks mowed and areas maintained. • Pickleball and tennis court construction should be finished soon. • Staff is working on the single track trail again and restoring areas that were flooded with the high river levels. • Storms continue to cause tree damage throughout the city. Forestry staff have been called in after hours on a weekly basis this spring. • We are in the hiring process for one permanent staff to fill an opening on our forestry crew. • All the parks have been busy this summer with many rentals, tournaments, and festivals. Recreation: • Farmers Market continues to operate smoothly and attendance has been solid and consistent. The always popular Kids Market day is set for September 28 and vendor spots filled within the first day of registration. • The City Park Pool season has been going well and lifeguard staff have acclimated nicely. • Staff have been involved with the planning and implementation of many events and programs that have been or will be hosted within City facilities and throughout the community during the summer months. Staff have also assisted with partnership events including the Juneteenth Celebration, Downtown Block Party, Arts Fest, and the Rhythms and the Riverfront Crossings monthly concert series and others. Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City Facilities: • Weather Dance Fountain- o Running at full compacity • Riverside Festival Stage Construction is nearing completion- o Rainy weather is delaying the painters from finishing the exterior. • Senior Center construction, phase Two- * Windows, Doors, Locks/Alarm. o In design phase. • Scanlon Gym Roof/Sky Lighting project- o Contractor is waiting on supplies. o Should be starting soon. • Mercer Wading pool demolition- • Wading pool has been removed. o Fence is reinstalled. o Finish grade and seeding will be this week, weather dependent. Cemetery: • A lightning strike with the last storm caused some damage to the computer/phone system at the cemetery. The lightning also damaged the electrical box and the light for the flag pole. • Total Tree care removed a large Oak tree that was dead and a smaller invasive tree near the gas pump. Top Staff Issues Parks • Storm damage continues to keep Forestry staff busy. • Equipment repair needs have strained our mowing capacity the entire season as repairs are made as quickly as possible. Recreation • Rain and weather inconsistencies have provided challenges for some outdoor programs and events. Facilities • Staff has had roller coaster of facility issues over the last few months that have stretched our staff thin but we are prevailing and making permanent needed fixes. Cemetery: • Staff is busy with mowing and trimming the grass at Oakland Cemetery. • Staff continues to cage many of our new tress as the deer are eating/damaging the trees. Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City Oakland Cemetery FY 24 Revenue Report ** shaded areas represent previous Syr average Revenue from Lot Sales Lot Sale Syr Average # of Interments Interments Syr avg. Revenue from Interments 5-year Avg. on Interments Total Revenue Syr Avg. on total revenue July $6,750.00 $4,550.00 3 6.6 $2,642.50 $3,504.00 $9,392.50 $8,054.00 August $7,875.00 $7,039.00 7 7.0 $2,672.50 $4,321.50 $10,547.50 $11,360.50 Sept $7,860.00 $7,624.25 7 7.8 $3,085.00 $4,741.25 $10,945.00 $12,365.50 Oct $6,750.00 $11,157.00 9 7.0 $4,410.00 $3,899.50 $11,160.00 $15,056.50 Nov $4,270.00 $5,257.50 4 6.8 $3,065.00 $4,070.50 $7,335.00 $9,328.00 Dec $6,280.00 $2,390.50 2 5.8 $1,085.00 $3,511.00 $7,365.00 $5,901.50 Jan $5,295.00 $4,225.50 4 4.4 $2,500.00 $2,405.00 $7,795.00 $6,630.50 Feb $5,955.00 $3,914.00 3 3.8 $1,690.00 $2,798.70 $7,645.00 $6,712.70 March $9,450.00 $6,008.00 6 4.8 $3,640.00 $3,476.50 $13,090.00 $9,484.50 April $3,375.00 $4,138.50 4 4.8 $2,350.00 $3,062.00 $5,725.00 $7,200.50 May $13,950.00 $3,821.50 9 6.0 $3,360.00 $3,043.00 $17,310.00 $6,864.50 June $11,700.00 $9,365.00 11 7.8 $5,355.00 $3,820.00 $17,055.00 $13,185.00 Totals $89,510.00 $69,490.75 69 72.6 $35,855.00 $42,652.95 $125,365.00 $112,143.70 Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission Packet I City of Iowa City LATE HANDOUTS - THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WERE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING 2024 Park Improvements July 10, 2024 BROOKLAND PARK 7 NEW PARK AT SHANNON DR OBOLTON & MENK [ALDER PARK 7 `COLLEGE GREEN PARK Parks & Recreation Agenda 1. Park Overview • New Park • Brookland Park • College Green Park • CaLder Park 2. Project Schedule and Process 3. Public Input Summary 4. Park Design 5. Questions New Park Orl— PROJECT AREA HIGH SCHOOL tt WILLOW CREEK TRAIL R4351 New Park 0 Playground, Shelter and Paths Near Shannon Drive & Andrea Court $250,000 budget includes consulting fees, playground, shelter & park furnishing purchase, and construction BrookLand Park �N~' ► ` PROJEC1 ARE 1 SWINGS � PLAYGROUND s PLAZA SHELTER ♦ R4410 Brookland Park • Playground replacement and ADA paths 423 Melrose Court, Iowa City $150,000 budget includes consulting fees, playground purchase, and construction College Green Park 1 1 ' )JECT AREA 1 v _ 1 e [DRINKING FOUNTAIN f WNW 4 R4385 College Green Park Playground and Basketball Court replacement. 529 E. College St, Iowa City $400,000 budget includes consulting fees, playground purchase, and construction Calder Park R4206 Calder Park • Accessible trail entry and connection to Monument Hills Subdivision. 2831 Hickory Trail, Iowa City. $150,000 budget includes consulting fees, trail construction 2024 Parks Schedule Tasks Due Date �..MUME Basemap Survey Concept Plan Public Input Meeting(s) . 1. ao•/G CDs 60% CDs 100% CDs Pre -bid meeting and pk 2D24 m ° a ,Q�,ozo,LL� Project Process 1. Kickoff 2. Concept Plans 3. Public Input 4. Construction Documents 5. Bidding S. Construction Services Public Input In -person neighborhood meetings for New Park, Brookiand Park and College Green Park - Dot exercise fo - Dot exercise fo - Dot exercise far - Open response park is..." - Comment cards preferred play experiences preferred park amenities preferred play equipment • "my favorite thing about this Online survey available to the public and advertised online and in the community. - Online survey provided the same dot exercise translated to digital format N- yna�c na.ur� .. tT xn...... N 2 OPEN LAWN w - �` NLNCHERS.1I.NG Y CLIMBING STRUCTURES 6 SLIDES_ _ SWINGS TUNNELS_ TEETBRTOTTER M V31CAL ' SHA� ,� 8RODKLANE PARK uQ+euerc.wor+un.u. AAIY t;y gR%ryK W NATVRE.BASEE g w F sonvKLANIJ PARK .yrtiewewdn w`ii`a:u nnueex.°Yiw i.�.. � t�!})c�U�ON . Public Engagement What we learned... New Park: Preferred concept #1 Preferred contemporary theme Preferred active play experience Preferred climbing structures and shade structures Additional comments included... Privacy concerns, mixed responses to fire pit, liked the paved loop FC70NCFPI'7 / 4 � 1 1 - > ®FIRE PIT r ! PLAYGROUND' CD SHELTER 120 X 20j t,T , " 2500 SF PLAYGROUND C C)N(,F-f y J QA FIRE PIT PLAYGROUND' (D SHELTER (20%20) w � '250D SF PLAYGROUND CONGF°13 !� q Z G 1 ti A l o O (A FIRE PIT PLAYGROUND' nC SHELTER)20)(20) '7, '2500SFPLAYGROU4D t. i .` S"PCCSIDEWALK WITH • THICKENED EDGE r •� f }yeG i.ii. .. o i 1.70MF PLAYGRQUND 4 BEAMCURB--� j �� • 1 I � o I - � �t �-.� I ✓ 1. � •, � � 2D'x21T}'SHELTER -� 4 fi' PCC SIDOWALK, TYP. 1 I , I r 4 r \I Cy 1 s arm � r - t. -F, e• a +� �--� ' Y_. J• �y��� �a+'iL Public Engagement What we learned... Brookland Park Preferred nature -based and treehouse themes Preferred active and individual play experiences Preferred climbing structures and similar components to existing structures Additional comments included... "More nature, like the existing open grassy area, like the existing play experience 8E m CURB C3 rz"� Colors: ` h Plastics: G'reen/Red 4 Basics: Starlight Sfack/Red llnr-Plastics: Deep Granite d ti tv Accents: Yellow I` Decks: Blue "C a ter. r nR s.x � • , 1 � www.cunnln9hamrecwm Public Engagement What we learned... College Green Park Preferred nature -based and traditional themes Preferred active and individual play experiences Preferred climbing structures and open lawn Additionat commentsi • "Open space is reaLty important", consider various demographics of park users HIN0,15, T" "al UH 01 6� R11wrQUeowc CAITOU CLARK S-OT MAMER 2.Y.n� 9 OASKODAIL WUPT k 2 u —d' /�� POWDER COAT 1: Char... Black G PLASTIC I: Gml Cray VVlleerr a Green Park SHADERDE COAT?: Gray ne Yellow * PLASTIC 2: Charcoal Black SHADE CANOPY I: Gra} PLASTIC E Charcoal Risk Planet OPTION 1 SHADE CA. DM 3: ay I Black PLASTIC h: Grog Granite � LA5'GBPD HDPE Grey±Black PLAY -CORD: BLnck 2024 Park Improvements J u Ly 10, 2024 i CALDER PARK � BROO COLLEGE GREEN PARK NEW PARK AT SHANNON DR G BOLTONParls &MENK CITY Of IOWA CITY Recreation Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen <dlallenl6@hotmail.com> Project GREEN Gardens (PGG), meeting #1, 2024 A "This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. Hi All, Project GREEN volunteers' first work session for 2024 is planned May 6 from 9 -11 a.m. The address is 820 Park Road and there are 26 parking places waiting for us to use. If more parking is needed we can park along Normandy Drive. Our work sessions are planned for Mondays, unless some event like Memorial Day interferes. In cases like this we will plan for a Tuesday, 9 - 11 a.m. If we have inclement weather, i will cancel our work session by 7:30 a.m. by email. Any questions, give me a call 319-430-6649. I would like to put together a 2024 Volunteers List with email and cell phone numbers. I will collect this information the first couple weeks of May. If anyone would be willing to organize a list like this to share with all the volunteers, please let me know. I will also collect hours spent working at the 2024 PGG. Please let me know if you've done any extra work besides our Monday morning, 9 - 11 a.m. sessions. Your time will be added to our 2024 total. FYI: In 2023 Project GREEN Volunteers donated 26 weeks working at the Gardens totaling 1008 1/2 hours! Our two hour work sessions go quickly! Please be prepared with gloves, hat, working shoes, bug spray, and your favorite garden tools. Labeling your tools with a permanent marker is important and bring a bucket (with your name on it) to carry your supplies & tools is helpful. Project GREEN has a nice collection of tools to borrow in the garage if needed. We have been given permission to use the restroom in the lower level of the Ashton House. Our first session will include general clean-up of our beds and surrounding areas. We have tarps to collect debris which will be collected and taken to the Iowa City landfill. Expect a weekly up -date about the PGG and progress made by volunteers. If you would like your name removed from this email list, please let me know. If you know of anyone wanting to join our merry band of gardeners, please invite them to our Monday morning sessions. All are welcome! Here are a few pictures beginning with November 14, 2023 and the glory of autumn, followed by a picture taken by Cindy Parsons showing the aftermath of the January 11-14, 2024 Iowa Blizzard and Extreme Cold. The following pictures were taken in March, 2024 showing springtime beauty at the PGG. A group of architects (OPN) met at the PGG April 24 to collect winter's debris around the Gardens. Pictured below are two tarps full of sticks, branches, and leaves with another filled tarp not pictured. A total of 4 hours were donated to the PGG by these hardworking volunteers. Project GREEN sends Steve Erickson and crew of the Iowa City Parks and Recreation a huge THANK -YOU for faithfully collecting our weekly debris and taking to the Iowa City Landfill. I am looking forward to seeing the Project GREEN volunteers next Monday! It's time to start building our hours count for 2024. Right now we have 4 hours to build upon. See you soon and until then, happy gardening! Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen <dlallenl6C7a hotmail.com> A ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi All, It was a beautiful morning for our first week together caring for the PGG! The temperature was 63-degrees and a calm breeze. We did not have our rain gauges outdoors, so we'll begin measuring the weekly rain amount next week. We had a long list of chores to tackle, but first it was time to say hello to our gardening friends! As I mentioned when we gathered together in the parking lot, it seemed like the first day of school. There were lots of smiling faces and a few hugs to get us started. There were twelve gardeners in attendance for week tt1. Here is the list of our 2024 Project GREEN volunteers: Mary Laughlin, Monica Hoherz, Jim Peters, Dan Mascal, Rina Sjolund, Sue Terveer-Mullins, Lisa Haverkamp, Jo Pattschull, Cindy Parsons, Evelyn Frey, Hetty Hall, and moi. Our official time together was 9 - 11 a.m., but many arrived early and got to work and many stayed later, leaving around noon. Let's count our volunteer time as three hours for the twelve in attendance. Welcome to our newest volunteer, Dan Mascal! Thanks to Pat Yeggy who has volunteered to create our 2024 PGG Volunteer Directory. We plan to keep things simple, collecting each volunteer's name, email, and cell phone number. If a volunteer does not have a cell phone a house phone number will do. Pat and I will do our best to keep the directory up-to-date. Please let one of us know of any errors or changes. Volunteers got to work pulling garlic mustard, sweeping or blowing clean sidewalks, clearing flowerbeds of sticks, branches, and of course, weeds. We used tarps to pull our debris to the end of the long driveway or where the sidewalk to the house meets the parking lot. It's fun to walk around the PGG and see how trees have grown! Here are a few pictures of trees showing off their springtime beauty. Pictured first is a Flowering Dogwood, followed by a 2018 "Fifty Trees for Fifty Years' Purple Leaf Beech tree located next to the Ashton House. The third picture shows a mature Purple Leaf Beech tree located at the south east section of the parking lot. Lastly is 'Fort McNair" Red Horsechestnut tree, also planted in 2018 as part of the "Fifty Trees for Fifty Years" Project GREEN celebration. -WR There are a few new "artsy" additions to the north side of the Ashton House garage. Mark your calendar for the Saturday, May 18 Native Plant Sale at the PGG! Troutleaf will be selling plants at the Ashton House patio from 9 a.m. - noon. Project GREEN will also be selling "artsy" garden art like these two treasures. Here are the numbers after week one at the PGG! Pre -season hours with OPN Architects+ Week 1 volunteers = 4 hours + 36 hours = 40 h o u rS donated by Project GREEN volunteers! Many thanks to all. Our next work session will be Monday, May 13, from 9 -11 a.m. Our goal will be to plant canna lilies and a few elephant ears down the center of the triangle bed and other places around the PGG, Fun! We will also continue preparing beds for the annual plants which will arrive the week of May 20. Wishing everyone a good weekl Happy gardening, Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen adlallenl6@hotmail.com> Rain date, Friday, May 17, 2024 Week 2 Project GREEN Gardens (PGG) RISK, ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi All, We had rain this past Monday, our usual time to meet. Well, I should say where Rina, Hetty, and I live (rural Solon) we had rain Monday, during our usual day & time to work at the PGG. Sorry I cancelled when Iowa City did not have rain and we easily could have worked at the Gardens. Jim Peters did not get the message on Monday and put in 2 1/2 hours clearing bedstraws from a long bed. Jim calls this bed the "Bill Blair bed". There must be a good story to explain this. Here is a picture showing tarps with remains of clearing the Bill Blair bed on Monday, May 13th. This plant is growing everywhere at the PGG and probably your backyard, too. The plants are also known as Galium aparine or Stickywilly. "The pleasant smelling foliage of a yellow - flowered species (G. serum) was used to stuff mattresses." I got this information from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It's information like this that reminds me I love living in 2024! Thanks to Steve Erickson and crew for clearing away two tarps of Stickywilly. There were 11 Project GREEN volunteers who were able to attend Week #2's work session on Friday, May 17. Those who were in attendance were: Monica Hoherz, Chris Ostrander, Jim Peters, Nick Goergen, Jo Pattschull, Mary Laughlin, Evelyn Frey, Hetty Hall, Pat Yeggy, Cindy Parsons, and moi. Welcome to Nick who told us he lives up Park Road from the Gardens! We had a busy morning planting six buckets of canna lilies and a few elephant ears in the middle of the Triangle bed. We used pink flags to show where the canvas were dug in and blue flags showed elephant ears. We had extra canvas and dug some into the bed directly east of the Triangle. There are pink flags used to mark these as well, Sidewalks were cleared and weeds pulled and placed on tarps. The hose system was put in place by Jim Peters. 6 volunteers worked an extra 1/2 hour each There are many places to find beauty at the Gardens. The iris are spectacular now and peonies are in bloom on the north side of the garage and along Normandy Drive. "Pictures of the Week" are from the Dashes located along the hiking/biking trail. These seven beds are designed and maintained by Monica Hoherz. The Dashes pictured are closest to Park Road filled with Gas plants. The native plants sale was held on the patio of the Ashton House on Saturday morning, May 18 from 9 - noon. The Troutleaf group grew these plants to sell. Cindy Parsons had tables filled with artsy garden treasures asking customers to give a donation to Project GREEN in order to purchase these gently used items. Some things had never been used! was a busy morning with Project GREEN volunteers: Cindy Parsons, Larry Allen, Jo Pattschull, Sue Mullins, Rina Sjolund, Linda Schreiber, and moi in attendance. Troutleaf is giving Project GREEN 30% of their profits & will donate plants to a new native plant bed being installed at the PGG by Johnson County Master Gardeners on Sunday, May 19. Here are the numbers after Week #2 at the Gardens. Week #1 + Week #2 + Native Plant and Artsy Garden Treasures Sales = 40 hours+ 25 hours + 21 hours = 86 hou rS after working two weeks at the 2024 Gardens! Many thanks to all the volunteers! Week #3 will be fun as our annual plants will be delivered and ready to be planted at the Gardens. Ed Rinderspacher has plowed the Triangle, Quilt, and Circle beds. They look beautiful and will make planting go quickly! If volunteers can donate an extra hour, I believe our plants can be put into the ground from 9 - noon. Oh yes, Ed planted a few voodoo lilies at the center of the Circle bed. Thanks, Edl Looking forward to our next session Monday, May 20. If we have inclement weather, I will cancel by 7:30 a.m. fingers crossed all the plants will be in the ground and rains will gently welcome them to their new home. Otherwise we'll use the hoses Jim Peters has readied for volunteers. Enjoy the rest of Sunday and I'll hope to see you tomorrow morning. Until then, happy gardening! Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: 14M Subject: Diane Allen <dlallen16@hctmai1.com> Week #3 2024 summary, beginning May 20 A ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi All, What a crazy week for Project GREEN volunteers! Our normal Monday meeting date was cancelled with Tuesday rain forecast as well. By early Monday afternoon our Week #3 meeting time was changed to Thursday, May 23. It turned out to be a good plan! Then our weather interfered once again. Read on... With severe weather predicted Cindy Parsons, Larry Allen, and I met at the Ashton House Tuesday, May 21 moving all our newly delivered and beautiful annual plants into the garage for safety against high winds, heavy rains, and possible hail. This took an hour and possibly saved our plants. Wednesday, May 22 Chris Ostrander, Mary Laughlin, Cindy Parsons, Pat Yeggy and I met at the Project GREEN Gardens to relocate the annual plants from the Ashton House garage to the driveway. These volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to noon or longer. Monica Hoherz came by at 1:30 p.m. and worked until 4 p.m. planting annual plants into Dashes 1- 7. Thursday, May 23 Larry and I got to the Project GREEN Gardens by 8 a.m. to transport the annuals to plant. We were able to get this accomplished by the time our Project GREEN volunteers arrived at 9 a.m. Thursday's goal was to plant these beds: Triangle, Quilt, and Evelyn's Corner. Volunteers noticed many of our annual plants were soaking wet and declining quickly. We did not plant the zinnias and marigolds thatwere in the worst shape. Volunteers in attendance were: Nick Goergen, Evelyn Frey, Mary Laughlin, Rina Sjolund, Cindy Parsons, Lynn Giles, and moi. Most volunteers stayed until noon and four volunteers continued working a couple more hours. Our last volunteer left after 2 30 watering every plant we'd put into the ground Thursday morning. Thankfully, our planting goals were accomplished. Friday, May 24 Cindy Parsons dropped by the Gardens to evaluate our plants and remaining two beds to plant. We decided to cancel planting Saturday, May 25 as the beds were soaking wet and unfit for planting. Saturday, May 25 Cindy Parsons, Laura Hawks, and I met at 9 a.m. to evaluate our remaining plants that had been sitting on concrete since Sunday (except for a dry overnight Tuesday in the garage). All these plants were in trouble needing sunlight, a light breeze, and their pot bottoms above the driveway surface. The three of us spent 3 hours each separating the plants, trimming flowers, and placing plants above the concrete. There was a lot of critical thinking and imagination going on to accommodate our plants' needs. It was hard to leave our defenseless plants waiting their turn to be planted. Here are the numbers after our crazy Week #3. Weeks 1- 2 + Week 3 = 86 hours+ 561/2 hours = 142 1/2 hours after three weeks at the Project GREEN Gardens! We did our best, who can ask for more? Below are pictures from Week 3. Sunday, May 19 Plants delivered and gorgeous. Tuesday, May 21 Moved plants to safety in garage. 41 �v air L � Sf trimmed, and waiting to be planted. Saturday, May 25 Remaining plants above the concrete, separated, Let's plan to meet Tuesday, May 28 at 9 a.m. We will plant Mary's Tree and the Circle. Also, Rina is ready to fill her containers and 2 red wagons with flowers and elephant ears. We will dig 3 fountain grasses into the bed in front of the Ashton House entrance. The "Party in the Park" committee will meet Wednesday, May 29, 9 a.m. at the Ashton House first floor. Let's hope for a calmer Week #4 at the Project GREEN Gardens! See you Tuesday morning. Until then, happy gardening! Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen <d1allen16@hotmai1.com> RISK ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. *" Hi All, Things are progressing at the PGGI Despite heat, high winds, lots of rain, delayed volunteer days, exhaustion, sore muscles, and anxious worries Project GREEN volunteers have given their all to keep plants alive. So far, so good. Read on for details... Week 4's work session was May 28, which was a Tuesday. Nine volunteers stayed three hours each unless marked differently. Those in attendance were: Larry Allen (1 hour), Hetty Hall, Nick Goergen, Linda Bergquist (2 1/2 hours), Monica Hoherz, Rina Sjolund, Chris Ostrander, Cindy Parsons, and mot (4 hours). We had a long list of goals to accomplish. Larry drilled holes in a second little red wagon for drainage. Yes, we now have two little red wagons filled with beautiful flowers. The wagons are Project GREEN's welcome to the Summer Camp children who will begin their weekly sessions soon. Volunteers planted the berm where Mary Gantt s memorial tree is located with pink lantana. There are daffodil remains in this berm, but the flowers have been deadheaded and their leaves will be cut down soon. The Circle was planted with blue and white annual salvia. Iris and peonies were deadheaded. Of course, we weeded, again! Extra Week 4 included: Mary Laughlin purchased and planted extra coleus and Cindy Parsons purchased marigolds, zinnias, red salvia for the Triangle and Deer Away for Evelyn's Corner. Mary and Cindy were each given 1 1/2 hours for extra Week 4 EGG work. Thursday, May 30,1-4:30 p.m. Cindy and Diane watered all new plantings our hoses would reach and planted extra marigolds, red salvia, and zinnias. Friday, Cindy spent 4 hours watering all the plants with a longer hose. Sunday, June 2, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rina and Diane planted six containers located in front of the Ashton House entrance. Sue Mullins was not listed for Week 3 volunteering. Three hours will be added to our 2024 total. Thanks Sue! Enjoy the pictures of our six beautiful containers. These three containers are on the ground near the steps leading to the Ashton House front door. Each container has an elephant ear planted. It'll be fun to watch elephant ears emerge in a few weeks! Three containers are on the porch located at the top of the stairs or by using the ramp to access. All six containers are a welcoming sight. Here are the numbers after Week 4, Weeks 1-3+Week 4+extra Week 4=1421/2hours +251/2hours +24hours = 192 hours for Project GREEN volunteers! Congratulations to all our extra -ordinary Project GREEN gardeners! Week 5, Monday, June 3 from 9 - 11 a.m. Twelve volunteers were in attendance. They were: Jim Peters, Mary Laughlin (11/2 hour), Rina Sjolund, Monica Hoherz (3 hours), Hetty Hall (3 hours), Dhyana Kaufman (4 hours total for weeks 4 & 5), Cindy Parsons, Chris Ostrander (3 hours), Susan Ahrens, Evelyn Prey, Linda Bergquist, and moi. Volunteers who remained longerthan the usual 2 hours are noted after their name. This group of gifted gardeners spent their time planting extra flowers, deadheading iris and peonies, clearing sticks and branches, clearing weeds, planting beds around the Ashton House preparing for the June 22, "Party in the Park!", and planting fountain grasses. Truly, the Gardens looked much better after volunteers accomplished these goals and more. Extra Week 5 work Susan Ahrens spent two hours pretty-ing up the bed located on the north side of the garage. Enjoy a couple more pictures! The left picture shows The Circle filled with blue and white salvia. The right picture shows Marys Tree filled with lantana. Chris Ostrander is making sure all the plants are happy in their new home. Here are the numbers after Week 5 and Week 5 extras. Weeks 1- 4 + Week 5 = 192 hours + 301/2 hours = 222 1/2 Flours for Project GREEN volunteers! Many thanks to all!! Would any volunteers be available tomorrow morning, Wednesday, June 5, 9 a.m, to plant our remaining annual plants? They are all root bound and desperately needing to be in the ground! It shouldn't take more than a couple hours to get this done. Anyone able to attend please let me know, dial lenl6 hotmall.com. Thanks! Wishing everyone a good week. If you have a chance, stop by the Gardens and see what 222 1/2 hours of gardening can do. Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen adlallen16@hotmai1.com> Week 6 & finishing Week 5 at Project GREEN Gardens (PGG) A ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi All, Our last reckoning giving us a total for Week 5 ended Tuesday, June 4 with Sue Ahrens replanting the bed north of the garage. By the way, it looks marvelous! Work continued at the Gardens beginning June 5, Wednesday when 7 volunteers met at 9 a.m. to finish planting the annuals. Those in attendance were: Nick Goergen - 2 hours, Monica Hoherz - 3 hours, Hetty Hall - 2 hours, Cindy Parsons - 3 hours, Chris Ostrander - 1 hour, Linda Bergquist - 1 1{2 hour, and moi - 2 hours. We had a passel of plants to get in the ground and water well. We finished these jobs by 10 a.m. Some volunteers continued working with Cindy, cleaning up the islands located in the parking lot. Friday, June 7 Cindy worked 3 hours watering very thirsty plants and Saturday morning, June 8 there was more watering needed with Rina and Diane working 2 hours each and Cindy watering 3 hours. Saturday afternoon Jim Peters dropped by to water our newest bed filled with native plants. It seems a lot of watering was needed for Week 5. Fingers crossed the rest of our summer will be filled with gentle, weekly rains. I don't think that's asking too much. Here are the numbers after Week 5's extra work at the PGG. Weeks 1- (partial) 5 + extra Week 5 = 222 1/2 hours + 25 1/2 hours = 248 hours for our 2024 Project GREEN gardeners! In 2023, gardeners had accrued 204 hours after Week 5- This group collected over 1000 hours in their 2023 volunteering! It's possible 2024 will be another record breaking year. I'll keep my calculator close by... It was a beautiful morning when 14 Project GREEN volunteers met, June 10, 9 a.m. Those in attendance for Week 6 at the Project GREEN Gardens were: Nick Goergen, Jim Peters (3 hours), Chris Ostrander (3 hours), Monica Hoherz, Lisa Haverkamp, Rina Sjolund, Sue Terveer-Mullins (3 hours), Pat Yeggy, Linda Bergquist, Hetty Hall (3 hours), Jo Pattschull, Mary McCarthy, Cindy Parsons (3 hours), and moi 13 hours). Those without a number after their name volunteered two hours today. It's very possible I did not know when volunteers left, so if I've overlooked the correct amount spent by you at the PGG, please let me know, dlallen160hotmail.com. Volunteers got busy watering thirsty plants, fertilizing plants, organizing new flowerbeds, clearing the Pergola's limestone flooring, did I mention watering?, weeding, picking up sticks and branches, watering/fertilizing 6 containers & 2 wagons, dealing with poison ivy, did I mention weeding?, clearing leaves and debris around the Ashton House, purchasing supplies for the Gardens, and ID-ing plants to make plant ID signs for flowerbeds. Whew! That's a lot of gardening. Today was the first day of Summer Camp. It was fun to see the children walking from the east side of the driveway to Normandy Drive. From there, campers headed to City Park and a fun day together. Here are the numbers after our Monday, June 10 together for Week 6. Weeks 1- 5 + Week 6 = 248 hours + 34 hours = 282 hou rS for 2024 Project GREEN volunteers after 6 weeks! Many thanks for your continued care of the Project GREEN Gardens. Project GREEN volunteers are an amazing, dedicated group, seriously. Upcoming events: Wednesday, June 12, 9 a.m. "Party in the Park" committee meeting. We will meet in the lower level of the Ashton House. Hope to see you next Monday, June 17, Until then, happy gardening! Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen adlallen16@hotmail.com> Week 7, Project GREEN Gardens (PGG), June 17, 2024 A "This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi All, It was a nice morning when we began our work together at the PGG, Monday at 9 a.m. The temperature was 81 degrees and ready to climb. There was nothing to report in our rain gauge since last week. Thirteen volunteers signed in on ourweekly sheet. Those in attendance were: Sue Ahrens (4 hours in two days), Cindy Parsons (2 112 hours), Jim Peters (1/2 hour), Linda Bergquist (2 1/2 hour), Evelyn Frey (3 1/2 hours), Rina Sjolund (11/2 hours), Dhyana Kaufman (6 1/2 hours In two days), Sue Terveer-Mullins (3 1/2 hours), Monica Hoherz (2 1/2 hours), Mary McCarthy (11/2 hour), Hetty Hall, and moi (3 hours), Volunteers have been busy, often donating extra time at the Gardens. First of all, anyone wanting to start our two hour work session at 8 a.m., please do! lust record your times or shoot me an email. Secondly, it's starting to look a lot like last summer with hot temperatures and little to no rain. This means extra watering will be necessary to keep our plants alive. I believe it's possible to water all our planted beds in six hours. With two hoses working and two volunteers watering we can get the job done at least one extra time/week in three hours. Are there any volunteers who could help with this chore? Think about it. Also while you're at it, do a rain dance... We had a special guest joining our team Monday morning! Juli Seydell Johnson surprised ourgroup as we were discussing our activities for the morning. Juli thanked our Project GREEN volunteers for their dedication, improvements, and enthusiasm to the PGG. Jul] also thanked Project GREEN for the party invitation, but explained she would be unable to attend. Everyone was happy to meet Juli, our Iowa City Director of Parks and Recreation. We had a busy list of goals for our time together today. Our main goal was to ready the Gardens for Saturday's Party in the Park event. Lots of leaves and sticks were raked and put on tarps for Steve Erickson and crew to move to the landfill. Weeds were pulled and it was time to remove daffodil leaves. One volunteer brought a sprinkler to set up before leaving and returned later to turn off water and wind up the hoses. Two volunteers placed signs around the 8+ acre park that told about Saturday's party. The signs also reminded visitors the flowerbeds were planted and maintained by Project GREEN. One volunteer has made it her 2024 goal to make labels for plants and shrubs in beds. Many labels will be in place for the Party in the Park. Another volunteer made up 8 gallons of Miracle Grow water to care for six thirsty planters and 2 red wagons. Of course, watering continued with two hoses making sure all the plants will get a big drink of water. The Little Free Library was filled with books. This was a mighty list of to-do-s! Well done volunteers! Our Project GREEN volunteers were reminded to bring two dozen cookies to the lower level of the Ashton House beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. Please include the name of your cookies and any ingredients explaining diet/health concerns (nuts, gluten, etc). Karen Chappell is in charge of cookies. She asks anyone bringing cookies to place them in a container/bag that is disposable. Any volunteer who can help with set-up is welcome to join the team at 10 a.m. Tables need to be moved to the patio and other locations. Chairs will need to be put in place for listening to the jazz band. A couple of tarps need to be placed over the lemonade - cookie area & the band. Would anyone like to give tours of the Garden? Please let Sue Mullins or me know. Tours are planned every 1/2 hour, beginning at 2 p.m. The last tour will begin at 3:30. There are decorations to place around the park. Laura Hawks will set up at the pergola with easels and a few chairs. Her goal is to let interested guests know of the plans for 2023's REAP Grant awarded to Project GREEN + Iowa City. Of course, we will need volunteers to help with clean-up. It will be a fun two hours to meet neighbors, walkers/bicyclers/visitors, and special guests of the Project GREEN Gardens. Please take lots of pictures! It would be fun to organize a photo album of the glorious afternoon party. Thursday, June 20 is Project GREEN's steering committee meeting. We will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Ashton House lower level. All are welcome! Tonight is the free showing of "Common Ground" at the Iowa City Public Library. The movie begins at 7:00 with a short discussion afterwards. Here are the numbers after seven weeks of gardening at the Project GREEN Gardens, Weeks 1- 6 + Week 7 = 282 hours + 33.5 hours = 315 1/2 hours for 2024 Project GREEN volunteers! Please remember to keep track of any extra time spent doing Project GREEN chores. I will have a sign up sheet at the steering committee meeting and Saturday's party set-up and clean-up. Whew! How about a couple pictures? 2 It's always challenging at the PGG. The Iowa River has been moving quickly and very high for the past few weeks. River waterspilled through a culvert onto the Project GREEN yard in front of Dash 3. What fun to look closely and see two ducks enjoying the water. Wishing everyone a wonderful week and happy summer solstice on Thursday! Diane Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Diane Allen <dlallenl6@hctmail.com> Saturday, June 29, 20241:04 PM 6/20 steering committee, 6122 "Party in the Park", 6/24 Week 8 Project GREEN Gardens (PGG) RISK ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi All, It was a busy week for Project GREEN, Steering Committee volunteers began their time at the Gardens on Thursday, June 20. Project GREEN's monthly steering committee met at 11:30 a..m., the usual third Thursday morning. Remember any and all are welcome! We met in the lower level of the Ashton House as the children's summer camp uses the first floor daily through the second week of August. Those in attendance were: Linda Schreiber, Barb Burkhart (treasurer), Mary Lowder (secretary), Dhyana Kaufman, and moi (co -president with Cindy Parsons). It was a good meeting. Anyone interested in reading the minutes of the 1 1/2 hour, 6/20 meeting, please let me know. The "Party in the Park" was held Saturday June 22, at the PGG, from 2 - 4 p.m. Volunteers began their set-up at 10 a.m., when cookies were dropped off and placed on platters, tables + tablecloths +flower bouquets were arranged, decorations installed at the entrance off Park Road and LOTS of other locations around the 8+acre Park, clearing all concrete areas of leaves etc, name tags distributed, lemonade prepared, signage was secured along Park Road, the hiking/biking trail, and inside the fiowerbeds, Laura Hawks prepared the lower level of the Ashton House to display and tell of the REAP Grant 2025 work, potted plants were placed along the outside stairs leading from the patio to the first floor, ID labels were placed with plants. The band, SloMoBop, set up at the pergola with chairs ready for guests to sit and enjoy the wonderful music. Volunteers headed home around 12:30 to ready for the party and returned by 1:30. When the party ended at 4 p.m., volunteers put items back in place as we had found them by 5 p.m. Here is the Saturday list of volunteers in attendance: Laura Hawks, Lisa Haverkamp, Chris Ostrander, Monica Hoherz, Erin Buscher, Karen Chappell, Sue and Sam Mullins (arrived at 9 a.m for set up), Rina Sjolund, Pat Yeggy, Linda Schreiber, Evelyn Frey, Dhyana Kaufman, Susan Ahrens, and moi. Anyone missing? Please let me know! The party was a success! Despite hot and humid conditions, our guests enjoyed the two hour event. The "Party in the Park' committee began working on the June 22 event on November 6, 2023. Those in attendance were: Pat Yeggy, Dhyana Kaufman, Jo Pattschull, Rina Sjolund, Susan Ahrens, Monica Hoherz, Sue Terveer-Mullins, Evelyn Frey, Lisa Haverkamp, Linda Schreiber, Cindy Parsons, and moi. Karen Chappell and Erin Buscher joined our team when we next met March 4, 2024. Many thanks to all for attending biweekly meetings, organizing the party -fun, securing SIoMoBop, creating decorations, and MORE! Signage was placed around the park with information available about Project GREEN. As always, our Project GREEN volunteers were well prepared for the party and it was fun to be together. 0 Left to right: Lower level Ashton House preparations, Signage in lovely flower bed telling of Project GREEN, cookies and lemonade on the Patio, guests enjoying SIoMoBop. Week 8, June 24, ten volunteers met at 9 a.m. to begin work at the Gardens. It was a nice morning with a temperature of 76 degrees. The rain gauge showed 11/2 inches since last recorded on June 17. Those volunteers working extra time at the Gardens since we last met were: Monica Hoherz (6/19 two hours), Jim Peters (1/2 hour June 20), and Pat Yeggy (June 18 two hours). Volunteers in attendance from 9 -11 a.m., June 24 were: Susan Ahrens (11/2 hour), Rina Sjolund, Nick Goergen, Linda Bergquist, Chris Ostrander, Hetty Hall (2 1/2 hours), Monica Hoherz, Evelyn Frey, Lisa Haverkamp (2 1/2 hours), Pat Yeggy (2 1/2 hours), and moi (2 1/2 hours). Chores completed were: watering, weeding, painting allium balls, fertilizing 6 containers + wagons, and beginning preparations for the Open Gardens Weekend July 13 (4 - 8 p.m.) - July 14 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at the PGG. Project GREEN Gardens are part of the Open Gardens Weekend and will provide tours of our Project GREEN gardens along with maps to over 20 private homes on the tour. Please mark your calendars for these dates and times. Left to right: In front of the house entrance are: container fill with flowers, radio flyer filled with lantana, another beautiful container (can you see the elephant ears beginning to grow?) and in west oval 2 Monarda (red bee balm) is a spectacular sight! Here is a message to all Project GREEN volunteers from Tyler Baird, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry. "Hello everyone, Good news for all volunteers. Starting July 11t, we no longer need the volunteer liability form filled out that we have been using for the last few years. If someone were to get injured they would be covered by our occupational health. In the event of an injury, I should be contacted as soon as possible (TBaird9Diowa-citv.ore) and if medical attention is needed the volunteer should go to the emergency room for emergency conditions or get in touch with me so I can get them set up with UI Occupational Health for non -emergency conditions." Here are the numbers for Week 8 at the Project GREEN Gardens. Weeks 1- 7 + Week 8 = 315 1/2 hours + 127 1/2 hours = 443 hours after 8 weeks volunteering at the Project GREEN Gardens. Whew, no wonder we were tired since our busy weekend together! Congratulations to our volunteers for the accomplishments, extraordinaire! Well done, bravo, you are the best! Gabriel Gotera From: Sent: To: C1M Subject: Diane Allen <dlallenl6@hotmail.com> 7/1 Project GREEN Gardens Week 9 RISK ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. Hi All, What a beautiful morning it was when 14 volunteers met July 1, 9 a.m. at the Project GREEN Gardens! The temperature was 63 degrees and in one week our rain gauge showed 2 inches of rain. Those in attendance were: Nick Goergen, Monica Hoherz, Rina Sjolund, Mary Laughlin (total 11/2 hour), Jim Peters, Hetty Hall (extra 11/4 hour), Susan Ahrens, Jo Pattschull, Evelyn Frey, Chris Ostrander (extra 1 hour), Lisa Haverkamp, Erin Buscher, Cindy Parsons, and mot (extra 1 1/4 hours). Volunteers worked two hours unless noted differently. We had a long list of goals for week 9. They included: weeding, ID-ing with labels, watering & fertilizing 6 containers and 2 wagons, pulling remaining daffodil leaves, spray painting spring allium balls, checking our beds making sure all was in good shape, and filling the Little Free Library. Below find pictures showing our accomplishments. Lots of weeding was completed for Week 9: Jim Maynard's berm, Susan Ahrens's north garage bed, 2 pictures of peony line-out bed, parking lot with boulder. 2 w / 77 a _ ti� sue' t� � Ur.f •irdw s'' - fy� CC ..yY There are so many pretty walks to take at the PGG! These pictures show the view while heading to the front steps of the Ashton House. The picture with pachysandra shows an ID marker. The markers are found throughout the 8+ acre park! y T Another pretty walk begins at the Circle and heads south to Park Road. Lots of beauty can be found along the way. We call this walk "Flower Avenue." As I've mentioned many times, the PGG are over 8 acres and LOTS goes on that I am unaware what has been accomplished. Next week's pictures will show some of our other beds after being mulched. Stay tuned! Here are the numbers after nine weeks of work at the PGG. Weeks 1 - 8 + Week 9 = 443 hours + 31 hours = 474 hou rS for Project GREEN volunteers! Many thanks to all! i We have one week until the Open Gardens Weekend. When signing -in for Week 10, please look for the sign -in sheets for Saturday, July 13 from 4 - 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you can volunteer either of these dates (or both!) please include your name with the Saturday and/or Sunday list. Of course you do not need to stay the entire 4 hours for each day! Please note the times you will be available. Project GREEN volunteers will welcome our guests and tell about Project GREEN, handout maps to ZQ homes an the Garden Tour, give tours of the Project GREEN Gardens, and offer water to our guests. It's a fun time to be together without weeding, but please make time to join the Garden Tour yourself our Week 1D work session is Monday, July g from 9 -11 a.m. Looking forward to seeing volunteers! Until then, happy gardening. Diane