HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/08 CDC
MINUTES
THE COLONY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
SPECIAL SESSION
APRIL 8TH 2008
PRESENT:
John Sanders - Vice President
Stephen Sohn - Treasurer
Debby Short - Secretary
Lisa Leary - Member
STAFF: Pam Nelson
Keith Helms
Kathy Neal
COUNCIL LIAISON: Allen Harris
MEMBER ABSENT: TeRan Lawrence
David Munden
Don Beckel
1. MEETING WITH HALFF ASSOCIATES TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC
RELATING TO SPORTS, TRAILS, PLAYGROUNDS, DOG PARKS, ATHLETIC FIELDS,
AQUATIC PLAY, OTHER FORMS OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
AND OTHER TOPICS IN RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CDC MASTER PLAN _
Keith introduced the consultants hired to develop the Master Plan. They have been given copies
of the Trail Plan, Landscape Plan and the City's Comprehensive Plan so they can incorporate them into
the CDC Master Plan. Prior to this meeting, a questionnaire was mailed to various groups and organizations
in The Colony; complete questionnaires were given to the consultant.
Representative from HalffAssociates explained the process they will use to develop the Master Plan. The
process will include identifying new needs, identifying citizen interests, reviewing existingfacilities,
gathering input through meetings with citizens, staff, city officials, and other city boards, using iriformation
from completed surveys, they will do a needs assessment based on standards, demands and resources, then a
plan will be developed. They stressed the need and desire for public input and encouraged everyone present
to voice their ideas and to also complete the questionnaire.
Jeff Scroggins, a The Colony resident, is trying to get a Vintage Baseball team established in The Colony.
Vintage Baseball is played with rules from 1860 and uses 1860 replica equipment. Gloves are not worn,
pitching is underhand, and they don't count balls or strikes. Jeff currently plays for a team in Farmers
Branch and that team is ran by the Farmers Branch Parks & Rec. Dept. This will provide additional adult
recreation for residents. Jeff said he would run the league.
Dee Mason, a The Colony resident, made a presentation about the need to build a dog park in The Colony.
She attended the Bow-Wow Pow-Wow last year and was very impressed by the number of people that came
to the event. Dee was asked to help organize and recruit volunteers. The group will help find ways to raise
money to help fund the building of a dog park and help find a location for the dog park. They have developed
a website - friendsofthecolonydogpark. org - and have a petition in progress with 1,000signatures of residents
in favor of having a dog park built in The Colony. Currently there are a lot of residents who go to dog parks
in other cities. Dog Parks promote health and fitness for dogs as well as their owners, attract visitors from
other cities, and give people a safe place to go with their dogs without having to have them on a leash. There
are currently no dog parks in Denton County.
Needs / wants expressed by those in attendance are -
. Dog Park
. Vintage Baseball- has a unique and historical aspect
. Facilitiesfor all ages to come together
. Provide economic development opportunities
. Establish a city identity / image
. More softball fields
. More public/private partnerships
. Better signage
. Master Planfor Stewart Creek Park
. Develop a motto - "Active Lifestyle Community"
. Community Spirit - get people involved
. Youth sports - promote health and community interaction
. Adult sports - promote health and community interaction
. Activities for all ages
. Amenities that keep people here and support local business
. Upgrade Five Star and other fields for tournaments
. Shade and restrooms at parks
. Trail access for the entire community
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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Kathy Neal, Recording Secretary
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Don Beckel, President