Park Board approves Victory Park updates, discusses dog problem at ballfields

Park Board tables discussion on pets in ballparks, announces new lessons for non-swimmers

By Kate Hayden | khayden@charlescitypress.com

Architects have set a general timeline to receive bids on updates at Victory Park, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Lindaman told the Park Board on Wednesday.

Victory Park, which is bordered by the Cedar River, Illinois Street and Clark Street, will be the new home to Charles City’s “Revival” sculpture by David Williamson. The sculpture, honoring the historical suspension bridge destroyed in the 2008 floods, is anticipated to be installed at or after Labor Day weekend.

Larry Kurtz of AHTS Architects will present the new design plans to the Charles City Council during its workshop Monday, Lindaman said, with hopes that the council will open bidding following its July 5 regular meeting.

The new park design includes five new benches, new poured walkways around the sculpture and a display structure with an etched image of the former suspension bridge in bronze glass panels. Should the City Council approve the plans on July 5, bids would be received by Sept. 19 and contractors would have until June 2017 to complete the project.

“One of the problems going out for bid right now is these contractors, anybody worth their salt has got a plateful,” Lindaman said. “To get good bids, that’s not going to happen if they’re busy. They’re going to double the price if it’s going to be a priority.”

A cost opinion submitted to the Park Board by AHTS Architects estimates the total Victory Park plan at about $52,400. Final prices for specialty lighting and sculpture footings will not be available until Williamson and Kurtz identify the sculpture’s final location, Lindaman said.

CANINES IN THE OUTFIELD

City ballparks haven’t always been a field of dreams for maintenance workers after finding the evidence visiting dogs leave behind, Lindaman told the Park Board.

“We have a lot of instances of people who take pets, shut the gates and just let them run and don’t worry about it,” Lindaman said. “They don’t pick up after [the dogs]…it’s something that if you want to consider, this will give us time for next season to get some signs made.”

The recent opening of the Charles City Dog Park at Waverly Hill may slowly help matters as the dog park expands, Lindaman said, but problems could continue at ballfields until the wider dog park is opened.

Most issues come from owners who lock their dogs inside gates and let the pets run while they sit in the car, Lindaman said, rather than owners who stay in the gates with their pets.

“I’ve even had them drive around the fields because the dog will follow the car. So they’ll drive around the outside and let them follow around,” he added.

“I have a mixed feeling,” board member Bob Kloberdanz, an admitted dog owner, said. “I understand it … but in the dog park, they don’t want you throwing Frisbees or balls.”

“People that are responsible aren’t the problem,” board member Dennis Petersen said.

Many towns have banned dogs from all city parks, Lindaman said.

“When we do finish Waverly Hill, I’d be more apt to say, there’s now a place with plenty of area to run. Right now what we have is wonderful and it’s a great first step, but it’s not real big,” Kloberdanz said.

Further discussion was tabled until the fall.

LIONS FIELD POOL

The Park and Recreation Department is offering new basic swimming/water safety courses at the Lions Field Pool during the evenings of July 18-29. Lessons are open to anyone 10 years or older who have previously not learned to swim, Lindaman said.

The Basic Learn to Swim lessons are $5 for the Monday-Friday course, from 6-6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required by July 16, either at the pool or in the City Hall Business Office.

The pool is also banning the use of personal electronics such as cell phones, tablets and other cameras inside the bathhouse restrooms/changing areas. The new rule is in keeping with moves made across the state, Lindaman said. Pool visitors are asked to step outside the bathhouse before checking devices.

— 20160623