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Parks and Recreation unveils site plan for Children’s Fish Pond Parks and Recreation has been working closely with the Lewis and Clark Neighborhood Council, concerned citizens, wildlife experts and hydrologists to draft a site plan and management plan for Children’s Fish Pond Park at 34th and Bancroft Streets. The Park is an 8 1/2-acre marsh and pond wildlife habitat bordered by 34th Street, Bancroft and Stephens Avenues. Some issues addressed by the plan are wildlife habitat protection, water quality and public access. Citizens are invited to join Parks and Recreation staff for a site tour and brief discussion of the plan on Wednesday, September 1, at 6 p.m. Meet at the 34th Street park entrance (mid-block, west of Bancroft.) The Department is soliciting public comment on the site plan until Friday, September 17. Click here for the site plan. Draft management goals are below. Hard copies of the plan are available at the Parks and Recreation office, 100 Hickory Street, or at the Missoula Public Library, 301 E. Main. Please respond with your comments in writing via U.S. mail or email to parksrec@ci.missoula.mt.us. Contact David Claman, Parks and Trails Development Manager, at 258-4762 or dclaman@ci.missoula.mt.us with questions.
The Missoula Parks and Recreation department is soliciting public comments on the proposed site plan and management goals listed below. Please comment on any and all elements of the plan. The comment period will close on September 17th. Other comments will be considered but may not be adopted in the final site plan and management plan. The Missoula Parks and Recreation’s comments to the below draft are include in italics.
D R A F T CHILDREN’S FISH POND PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM – ISSUES, GOALS & OBJECTIVES [Note: The following is based on the original DRAFT of the Issues and Goals paper prepared by the Missoula Society of Landscape Architects in May 1996. It has been modified to reflect the most recent consensus of those in attendance at the meeting of 9/26/02, and is presented for review and comment by all interested parties.] Overriding GOAL. The overall role of the Park is as a wildlife conservation area in an urban setting. 1. NEIGHBORHOOD CONSIDERATIONS Provide for protection of the park and adjacent properties from: a. Flooding Construction of the embankment will prevent minor flooding occurring in the northeast corner of the park. b. Trespassing (illegal use of the public park for private purposes) c. Visual degradation d. Noise pollution Enhance neighborhood connections (pedestrian/bicycle) Should the park provide for bicycle connectivity? Enhance and protect views and vistas from within and without the park
Establish the park boundary
2. PUBLIC SAFETY Limit/eliminate physical hazards to humans Should remnants of earlier park uses be removed if they present a hazard to humans or wildlife. Provide accessible, safe access to park: a. Identify on-street, curbside parking areas All curbsides not painted in yellow are public parking. b. Coordinate with a Sidewalk Master Plan This park has been identified to Public Works as a high priority for sidewalks. c. Minimize and provide protection from water hazards Safe crossings of historically used water crossings are installed. Is the placement of these new bridges appropriate for the Park? c. Design trails, bridges, boardwalks, etc. with safety in mind All developed structures in the park shall be designed to existing AASHTO and ADA guidelines. Should the existing bridges be connected with gravel paths that are ADA accessible?
3. STORMWATER & WATER MANAGEMENT Determine short-term and long-term goals of the Engineering Department regarding continued use of the Ponds as a conduit/storage facility for Pattee Creek, especially the impact on the ponds when being by-passed during Pattee Creek flood events, and the impact of the new storm flows from the SW Higgins drainage area. Flooding has been controlled with the completion of SID 524 and the ponds retain only stormwater flow from a small section of 39th. This flow may present a water quality hazard where stormwater enters the park in the southeast corner. Maximize flows through the existing pond network Flow in the ponds is controllable now at the grit chamber at Higgins and 39th. During the summer, the ponds receive the total flow of Pattee Creek unless reduced for management or maintenance reasons. Ensure ponds have continued water supply during low-flow periods The cost of ensuring flow during dry periods could be expensive due to the cost of pumping water from wells in Playfair Park. Should the Park be managed with naturally available flows or should Parks and Recreation augment low flows with well water?
4. WILDLIFE HABITAT Provide appropriate signage to curtail inappropriate feeding of the waterfowl Provide food, nesting and shelter opportunities that offer protection from humans and other animals. Should this protection include fencing that demarcates habitat areas and excludes unleashed dogs and harassment from humans? If so, how much fencing and what style? Should swimming be allowed in the ponds? Should winter recreational activities be allowed and if so, what kind? Maintain water levels during dry periods Enhance vegetative diversity Provide habitat opportunities for birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in addition to waterfowl Establish special park rules for pets Should dogs be allowed in the Park, even on leash? 5. PASSIVE RECREATION/EDUCATION Provide trails, bridges, boardwalks and benches for walking, relaxing, observing, etc. Should people be provided access to the interior of the park if the trails are clearly marked? Are benches appropriate in this park? Is a gazebo or shelter appropriate?
Provide interpretive information to the using public that focuses on wildlife habitat.
6. VEGETATIVE DIVERSITY Identify/inventory existing vegetation Should Parks and Recreation implement baseline and follow-up monitoring to determine the effectiveness of any management option? Identify sites/niches for desirable potential vegetation Design a pond profile to support a wider variety of vegetation beneficial to targeted wildlife species Enhanced shoreline vegetation will reduce the visibility of the wildlife. Would a constructed overlook built over the edge of the main pond be appropriate? Introduce integrated pest management and select new plant species to minimize weed establishment Consider aesthetics/views from within and from outside the park
7. MAINTENANCE Target unwanted plants for removal/continued control; develop a site-appropriate weed control program Minimize routine (weekly) mowing; provide an annual mowing/maintenance plan Provide trash receptacles at easily accessed designated locations Design all user surfaces and structures for minimal maintenance. Design water control structures for minimal maintenance
(Edited and revised by Kent Watson, FASLA, landscape architect)
(Issues-Goals.doc)
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