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HomeMy WebLinkAbout028474 RES - 01/26/2010Page 1 of 1 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INCLUSION OF THE GARDENS AT COLE PARK IN THE COLE PARK SITE PLAN BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the Cole Park Site Plan is amended to include the Gardens at Cole Park, as described on the attached exhibits. SECTION 2. This Resolution takes effect on date of City Council approval. ATTEST: Armando Chapa City Secretary Mayor APPROVED: January 20, 2010. THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI Joe Adari'e Lisa A•,fjlr. r, Interim City Attorney 028474 H:\LEG-DIR\Lisa\2010 Resolutions\the Gardens Cole park site plan.docx INDEXED Corpus Christi, Texas ote4 of C,414 , 2010 The above resolution was passed by the following vote: Joe Adame Chris N. Adler Brent Chesney Larry Elizondo, Sr. Kevin Kieschnick Priscilla G. Leal —747— John E. Marez Nelda Martinez Mark Scott x128474 U) a Z 0 i -i) I Z a < < -J (Ni. A_. z ii �- u) LA)- JvJ L 0 A_av) I vz I-- J 2 FLIl, H. re'sourrces* Community Action Council IFE EXTENSION Texas A&M System The Gardens at Cole Park Project Proposal Project Overview (:).eautif CORPUS On Corpus Christi ASSOCIATION ca. w.beautUl.ycc orq Cooperative Extension Program Prairie view A&M University The Flint Hills Resources Community Action Council (FHRCAC) Environment Committee and its partners are proposing the creation of demonstration and educational Gardens at Cole Park. Our plan includes a three-phase design consisting of gardens, ADA walking paths, kiosks, plant identification, shade trees and gazebo area(s) that incorporate the best practices of Xeriscape and EarthKind principles using drought -tolerant materials and addressing concerns of run-off and conservation. This project will also beautify the City's most visible park. The committee will be responsible for the plant selection process, design approval, volunteer and partner coordination, support of the project at presentations and fund raising as well as overseeing the installation and maintenance of the Gardens at Cole Park. Purpose The Gardens will serve as a tool to demonstrate the beauty and heartiness of salt tolerant coastal plants and showcase the color and variety available in our community while offering an educational opportunity to the public. School children, residents and park visitors will see first-hand the vast array of choices in color, texture and water -conservation that EarthKind plants can offer. The labeling system, informational kiosk and natural beauty will offer an outdoor classroom for educators, tourists and residents to enjoy our key community park and experience the incredible palate of choices in our area. The FHRCAC is particularly concerned with security and maintenance of the gardens. The City Manager has suggested the particular location in the park so we may take advantage of enhanced lighting and security cameras in the designated area. We have an agreement with the Master Gardener program at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to facilitate and assume ownership of the long-term meticulous care of the gardens. Engaging students in maintaining the gardens is also a key element in our plan. The partners in this effort are committed to the replacement of dead plants and the care of the gardens. It is not our intention to have the Park & Recreation Department take on the maintenance of the gardens as that is not within their budget or scope of work. Community Impact & Site Selection The location and visibility of Cole Park make it an ideal location to demonstrate available plants, properly select them using limited water while offering an outdoor venue for the entire community to enjoy. The Committee is also interested in creating a template that can be duplicated in other areas of the city to reach a greater number of citizens. Our intent is to reach the greatest number of visitors in an open and accessible location. Cole Park offers ADA access and ample parking near the proposed location. We are asking the City to provide the irrigation and water as well as a sidewalk to the garden adjacent to the ADA access near our planned site. Other locations were considered as part of the selection process. An alternate site was reviewed at McCaughan Park and other parks have been discussed for the future gardens we hope to create including sites in the West and North Side areas. The committee compared accessibility, visibility, size, visual impact, number of visitors, parking, lighting, security and multi -use of the potential sites. Our decision of this particular site in Cole Park was determined by weighing each factor and determining that this premier park was the best candidate for this premier garden to be enjoyed by the greatest number of potential visitors with the most attributes of any City park in each category. Partners The FHRCAC is a diverse group of business people, community leaders and activists who volunteer to help make the Coastal Bend a better place to live and work. Approximately 50 strong, the Council represents a variety of organizations and interests. FHRCAC has initiated other successful community programs such as the Early Bird Reader Program, Connection Quest, Nature Tourism Alliance, 2004 Youth Summit and the City Council's Youth Advisory Committee. In addition to the FHRCAC Environmental Committee members, the list of partners is growing. Specifically, we anticipate working closely with the City of Corpus Christi by coordinating the improvements with the City's Master Plan and with staff guidance. The installation of the irrigation system and connecting the Gardens with the existing ADA access will be important elements to the project's success. The Beautify Corpus Christi Association and the Community Pride Board are committed to the fund raising and community support necessary to bring the Gardens to fruition and financially supporting the Master Gardeners maintenance costs. Xeriscape Corpus Christi will serve as technical support and teachers will use the Gardens to educate the community about appropriate plants in our coastal environment. We envision student tours as well as student volunteers involved in the process and maintenance. Local nurseries and others will provide donated materials including plants, soil enhancements, hard scape materials and financial support. Maintenance, Security and Long -Term Assurances The City will not be responsible for costs to build, maintain or replant the Gardens. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Nueces County Master Gardeners, under Michael Potter's supervision, will care for the Gardens including replacing damaged or dead plant materials, monitoring the success of the Garden and adjusting as necessary; in addition to caring for the beds as needed on a regular schedule. Their plans include coordinating with volunteer groups to do the maintenance necessary for a successful Tong -term Garden. It is our belief that by empowering the community in our process and giving them ownership of the Gardens, we can foster community pride in this project and protect against vandalism or theft of the plant material. However, we are aware that these are potential issues that we will have to address in our maintenance plans. Security cameras are included in our plans and can easily be added to the existing cameras installed near the skatepark and amphitheater. Enhanced lighting of the selected area is part of the City's park improvement plans. In addition, the partners are committed to return the area to its original state at the end of its useful life. We are prepared to enter into a Use Agreement and/or Memorandum of Understanding as deemed necessary by the parties involved in the Gardens at Cole Park. Time Line & Budget The Gardens will compliment the planned facility enhancements that the citizens approved for Cole Park in the 2004 Bond Election. We anticipate the design, approval and budget process will take 4-5 months, through January 2010. Local landscape architect, Robert Gignac, will complete a generic Garden plan to be presented for approval to the Park & Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) on November 11, 2009. Mr. Gignac is also designing the replacement irrigation for the 43 acre park for the City as part of the bond improvements. This preliminary plan is presented for PRAC approval to allow the garden concept to be added to the Master Plan for Cole Park. Our expected budget for Phase I, the initial Garden, is estimated at approximately $75,000- $90,000. The second Phase, the 20 foot gazebo (or combination of small gazebos) is budgeted at $35,000-$50,000 depending on ADA requirements. The gazebo concept is designed to mirror the Miradors on the Seawall and potentially be duplicated throughout park areas located along Ocean Drive to the University. Texas A&M — Corpus Christi is currently installing 12 similar gazebos and gazebo clusters with a memorial garden and seating on the campus that were donated by Dusty Durrill. Following the PRAC meeting, we will present the plan to the Planning Commission for approval and then to City Council in December 2009 or January 2010. Fund raising will begin with an event hosted by Beautify Corpus Christi on February 26, 2010 and fund raising will continue for approximately 12 months. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2011 in conjunction with the City's improvements. The final phase, Phase III, will incorporate the best practices from Phase I to enhance the north side of the selected Garden area and further compliment the planned gazebo(s). We greatly appreciate your thoughtful consideration of our plans for Cole Park and anticipate a favorable response. Our committee is prepared to answer any questions you may have about the proposed Garden. Respectfully submitted, The Gardens at Cole Park Partners