IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, November 07, 2008 - The regular meeting of the Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee was held on Monday, November 03, 2008, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Municipal Memorial Building, 213 South Marquette Street, Ironwood, Michigan.

Members in attendance included: Sam Davey; Annette Burchell; Scott Stephens; Laura Thomas; John Wyssling; and Marion True. Dave Peite; Kathy Dishaw; and Eric Lytwyniuk were all absent. The Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson; City Mayor Bruce Noren;  and the Community Development Director Dan Petersen were also in attendence. Ironwood Daily Globe photojournalist Ralph Ansami; Superior Chronicle photographer Steve Frank and yours truly respresented the media in attendance.

Sam Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Roll call was immediately taken. Following the approval of the September 1, 2008 regular meeting minutes;  the October 6, 2008 discusssion notes; and the current docket, citizens wishing to address the Committee were offered the chance. There were no citizens at the meeting.

Skateboard Equipment & Rules

According to Dan Petersen, approximately $22,000 has been raised thus far for skateboard park equipment. $10,000 was donated through the Ironwood Rotary; $10,000 was donated through the Tony Hawk Foundation; and $2,000 was donated by the Kiwanis and other sources. When the bids were requested, each of the competing companies were asked to show what equipment was available should the City provide $30,000 and what equipment was available should the City provide $20,000. Naturally, if the City opts to spend more than the $22,000 they have generated through donation, additional funds will need to be gathered from an another source.

Dan Petersen explained the City went to the skateboarders and asked them for input on selecting equipment. The kids overwhelmingly chose equipment manufactured by the American Ramp Company (ARC) of Joplin, MO. The ARC equipment seemed to be the highest quality, and because the company was willing to match the Tony Hawk Foundation funds, there appeared to be "much more bang for the buck" on their equipment. (Essentially, ARC will be giving Ironwood's skate park $40,000 worth of equipment for $30,000.)

The Committee unanimously voted to recommend the purchase of the equipment (allowing for the changes suggested by the majority of skateboarders)  requesting any additional funds from the City of Ironwood.  Dan Petersen will get a price for the modifications suggested and then bring the proposal to the City Commission for approval -- along with a request for any additional money required to purchase the equipment.

Petersen handed the Committee a picture of the Ashland Park rules. The Committee agreed, with minor changes to the hours of operation (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM), and with City Attorney approval, to approve the rules as stated.

Naming the Ironwood Trail System

After much discussion the Committee agreed that naming benches, loops, and special features of the trail system in honor of people was appropriate and actually a good thing to do. The decided it was in the best interest of the entire system to keep the name rather generic. Steve Frank suggested naming the park something as basic as the "Ironwood Trail System" and through the use of quality logo signing, the trail could develop a special identity. Mayor Bruce Noren suggested that the walkway become a "memorial" trail system where people can honor their loved ones by purchasing a spot on the trail.

By naming specific features of the park and keeping the main name rather generic, many of the suggested names can be used throughout the park system.

The Committee basically narrowed the trail system name down to two choices; The Ironwood Trail System and the Ironwood Recreation Parkway. They will further address the issue at their next regular meeting.

Removal of Committee Member

Committee member Dave Peite has missed more meetings than he's attended. He was previously warned that he had three unexcused absenses, and that he would be removed. Since the warning, he still has failed to attend.  The Committee voted to recommend to the City Commission and the Mayor to have him removed and replaced.

Re-Zoning Along Ayer Street

A rather heated discussion regarding re-zoning along Ayer Street took place at Monday's Parks and Recreation meeting. Sam Davey brought up the Rebecca Ryan presentation at the college and he said that our City's greenspace was a true asset to our community. Davey expressed concern about selling property that may be crucial to the trail system. He suggested that no City greenspace property be sold it is certain that the property cannot be utilized by the City to enhance the trail or park system.

Steve Frank suggested that other blighted eyesores throughout the City should be offered as options for development before the City's greenspace is mindlessly consumed. He pointed out that there are a number of empty, blighted and unsafe buildings downtown and that there are many available properties on the highway that should be developed before the City starts selling off valuable greenspace for next to nothing. He also pointed out that much of the industrial park is still unused. There's a brand new spec building that sits empty.

According to Rebecca Ryan, walkways, scenic trails, parks, recreation, etc. are things that people seek out when they locate in a community. Ironwood is very fortunate to have an abundance of greenspace. The City needs to start re-examining the value of that space and it needs to start moving toward cleaning up -- through development -- areas of the City that are blighted and are basically eyesores. Green trees and open fields are hardly eyesores to a community.

Annette Burchell pointed out that the several of the members of the Committee also serve on other committees. She said that members, while serving on this committee need to look out for what is best for the City's Parks and Recreation.