Marble Falls parks discusses tree care program, fenced dog park

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — Robert Moss couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

“This is a surprise,” said the Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department director as he told the parks and recreation commission that the Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. has agreed to give in-kind matching funds to the department. He made the announcement during the commission’s regular meeting Sept. 8.

That amount equals just under $42,000, which was money left in a community leverage fund the EDC uses for community projects, park projects and other organizations that matches the EDC’s mission.

Moss said EDC President Christian Fletcher asked him to present to the directors a list of parks projects that needed funding.

So he picked four that are projected to cost $7,500:

• lighting at Westside Park
• covered shading at the skate park at Falls Creek
• a new field at The Greens soccer fields
• a sidewalk at Johnson Park

But when Moss spoke to the directors, Mark Mayfield noted several trees at Johnson Park needed to be addressed, adding the biggest attraction to the park is the natural shading provided by the trees. So he suggested a tree care program that includes analysis and inventory.

The projected cost of all the items is $66,000. Therefore, the sidewalk at Johnson Park will be addressed later. Since the EDC bought much of the land near Lakeside Park, the directors asked Moss to hold off on purchasing shade for the skate park, too.

The catch, however, is that contracts and other related paperwork be submitted by the end of September.

“I’m thinking the tree part is very expensive,” Moss said. “I think we’ll come out pretty square.”

McCary said he was happy to see money for a new field at The Greens. He was scheduled to appear at the Granite Country Youth Soccer Association meeting Sept. 8. Moss asked him to tell the officers of the money and ask for their input on the field.

The Parks and Recreation Department’s in-kind match will be using city workers to do installation and trimming the trees, Moss said.

“I’ll hire an arborist,” he said. “They’ll tell us how to care for the trees and the ground around the trees. We’ll do the work under an arborist’s guidance.”

Resident Megan Klaeger asked the commission to consider giving space in one of the city’s parks for a dog park. She used to go to dog parks while she lived in New York with her dog.

“Jo and I want a place to play,” she said. “I know about the off-leash place area in Johnson Park. But that doesn’t work for my dog because she’s not well-behaved. Westside Park is awesome.”

Klaeger has been using social media to gauge interest in a park and created petitions. She is in the process of creating a nonprofit for the park.

“I want it to be self-sufficient,” she said. “I know the city is not flush with funds. Give me the space, and I’ll do all the rest.”

Chairman David Rhodes told her the commissioners have talked about a dog park, but it’s expensive. So he was happy to hear Klaeger say she was unafraid of fundraising for the park.

Commissioner Charles Watkins said his research indicates cities have been sued by small-dog owners because their pets have been attacked by large dogs while at a city park.

“I have big plans,” Klaeger said. “I’ll add in an area for small dogs.”

Commissioners asked her to return next month to present a report detailing the cost, materials and other needs for a park.

Moss suggested she base it on an acre of land.

Commissioner Mark McCary recommended she review the comprehensive park study and “scout out the pocket parks. This commissioner believes they’re not used to the fullest. It’s possible to use a pocket park.”

The commissioners also:

• asked Commissioner Steve Manley to talk to officials at Marble Falls Independent School District about Spring Break activities. Commissioners asked Moss to prepare a list of sponsors for the next meeting
• talked about possibly hosting the 2016 Texas Recreation and Parks Society Central Region Conference and Maintenance Rodeo. Moss said he is still in the process of gathering information and requirements.

jfierro@thepicayune.com