Fulton Parks Board updated on Landscape Architect's suggestions, recommendations

Principal Landscape Architect Mark Congleton Arnold, RLA made the presentation to members of the City of Fulton's Park Board during their special called session Aug. 20, as a representative of Design Works, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.

Arnold reported to Parks Board members Kenney Etherton, Sam Dluzniewski, Ashley Grissom, Anna McCoy, Jayden Padilla, Kim Jobe, Teresa Johnson, as well as City Manager Mike Gunn and Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Lamb, that he had initiated the process to model, in three dimensional format, the city's major park sites, and according to recommendations by the board, would build on the base model for future planning.

Arnold's site analysis included the Lions Club, Louis Weaks Memorial Park, where Twin Cities Summer Youth League T-Ball, Baseball and Softball are played; Riceville Park; Bennie Gordon Memorial Park; Pontotoc Park; and Lake Street's civic park.

"The play equipment is kind of old and hasn't been upgraded in some time.Some are 10-15 years old, but some are even older," Arnold said, referencing the largest of the city's park properties.

He suggested the addition of fencing between the residential area at the back portion of the park and playground, and the consideration of condensing the playground area into one larger play zone. He also suggested the idea of looking at the "loop drive", and the addition of asphalt and striped parking spaces.

Arnold recommended researching codes for new playground equipment and surfaces, adding there were multiple uses for the asphalt court already on site, such as a Pickle Ball court or basketball court. Board members also suggested an area for GaGa ball, near the asphalt.

While Arnold recommended the proposed Splash Pad would best be served to be constructed in the Lions Club Park, he did not suggest the use of the existing court area, as it would require demolition for piping.

Moving across Highland Drive, to the park area containing Lohaus Field, Arnold suggested the consideration of altering the architecture of the stadium seating, to open up the area, as well as expand the parking capabilities. Also in that area, as to current RV hookups available, Arnold suggested expanding the number of hookups, possibly to include full hookups for electricity and water.

Gunn said currently the city receives $10 per night for use of the RV hookups, but the sites are not marketed.

Regarding Bennie Gordon Park, Arnold questioned the frequency of park usage by residents of the neighborhood, and adding suggestions of creating a more accessible link or bridge to the park by neighborhood residents, a walking path which featured exercise stations along the way, shelter and playground upgrades.

Moving on to Riceville Park, Arnold suggested possible expansion of basketball courts and play zones for younger and older youth.

Gunn asked Arnold to also prioritize restroom facilities at the parks, especially Lions Club and Riceville areas.

At the Lake Street, civic park location, board member Anna McCoy asked if that site could be considered for the splash pad, instead of the Lions Club main park.

However, Arnold proposed the Lions Club Park would offer more areas available for families, in one location.

Gunn proposed the main park's snack shop serve as a "watch dog" for the splash pad area, as well as function as a location for restrooms, and in the event a miniature golf course was constructed, it could serve as the location to obtain clubs. He also offered the options of leasing the snack shop to a food vendor or the city operating the snack shop.

"From here, I will do conceptual drawings," Arnold said, concluding his drafts of each park's overview and recommendations, with a two week time frame to complete the conceptual drawings and meet again with the board.