Public's input requested on potential campground improvements

With their eyes focused on acquiring future Resource Enhancement and Protection funds, Spencer Park Board members are requesting public input in regard to what is hoped for in a new-and-improved campground in East Leach Park.

On July 10, the board directed staff to apply for an up-to $125,000 REAP grant for improvements to Deerfield Park. In doing so, the board rescinded its motion made on June 17 to also apply for another REAP grant for improvements to the East Leach Park campground, which currently hosts around 120 sites.

As Spencer Park and Recreation Director Delray Bredehoeft addressed board members Tuesday night, he reiterated that there is currently no master plan in place for what is wanted or needed in the area of campground improvements.

Bredehoeft was directed to compile information on the number of users the campground has hosted in recent years. This information is expected to be shared during an upcoming community meeting in which residents' and campers' insights and wishes for the East Leach Park campground will be sought. The date for that meeting has not been set yet.

Public input may also be sought during the next two months in the form of a survey to be distributed to campground users.

The Spencer Park Board also reviewed department-related capital improvement projects scheduled to occur during the 2008-09 fiscal year. The $154,000 total already budgeted has funds currently earmarked for nine projects. These include $45,000 for the replacement of a New Holland mower; $50,000 for the erection of a basketball court in North School Park; $3,500 for installation of a water fountain in one of the city's parks; $10,000 for the initiation of a master plan for Westview Park; $10,000 for the implementation of a community tree planting plan for grants; $7,500 for replacement of the No. 4 field outfield fence at Pederson Park;

$2,000 to replace a department rototiller; $11,000 for the purchase and installation of new windows in the Leach Park enclosed shelter house; and $15,000 for the tuck pointing and painting of the bandshell in East Leach Park. Of these nine projects, Bredehoeft suggested work on the bandshell, the proposed basketball court and the outfield fence should commence within the next few weeks. Installation of windows in the shelter house, he added, could possibly occur sometime this winter.

As a rendering of the North School Park master plan was brought out, it was noted that there will no longer be tennis courts in the park. One basketball court and green space will take their place. It was also noted that the new basketball court is anticipated to run north and south, which compares to the park's tennis courts that currently run east to west.

As the board discussed the tuck pointing and painting of Spencer's bandshell, Bredehoeft brought up that several people have commented that the department's maintenance building should be painted. He also indicated the roof over its shop area is getting rusted and needs attention. While no money has been budgeted for either, Bredehoeft said he'd get some cost estimates put together for both potential projects.

During the portion of Tuesday's meeting in which Bredehoeft presented several project updates, he reported the U.S. Highway 71 South tree-planting project being led by Denny Klatt of Spencer will have Klatt replacing approximately 17 dead trees by Menards.

"There's also about another 22 or 23 that get planted in front of the Menards store. That has to be done yet," Bredehoeft explained. "When he gets to that and replaces all the other dead trees, then we can get to what we call substantial completion. At that point, that is where we (the city) will take over the project."

The board also heard again that $160,000 needs to be raised locally by the first part of September in order for the city to receive a $500,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant for a Grand Avenue enhancement project proposed. According to Bredehoeft, word has not yet been received from state officials whether an $80,000 grant applied for from the DOT/DNR Tree and Shrub Program has been awarded. This amount, he added, could be applied toward the $160,000 amount Spencer needs to raise.

"Once we get all the funding put in place, by September, hopefully, we have that all taken care of. Then we can proceed ahead with the project itself and probably take it out to bid," Bredehoeft said. "One thing we will be doing is the lights themselves will be installed by the (Spencer Municipal) Utilities. We'll hopefully next week have a meeting with utilities and start working toward purchasing the lights themselves. With (the cost of) materials going up almost daily, I think the sooner we can get that nailed down, the better off we'll be."

Spencer's Park and Recreation Director also stated the town's aquatic center will move toward a 7:30 p.m. closing time on Thursday. While its last full day of operations is scheduled for Aug. 18, and with Spencer school district's 2008-09 year starting on the 19th, he also indicated the pool will be open the next two weekends: Aug. 23 - 24 and Aug. 30 - Sept. 1.

"It's been a good year," Bredehoeft commented. "I haven't really seen the numbers, but I don't think we're going to have any kind of a record-number year by any means."