FERGUSON ROAD INITIATIVE
SEMI-ANNUAL TOWNHALL MEETING
Serving Far East Dallas;
Casa Linda/Forest Hills, Greater Casa View, White Rock East, and White Rock Hills
Save the Dates for the White Rock Hills Recreation Center (CENTER) Feasibility Study & Master Plan!
- Monday, November 3, 2014, 6-9 p.m., Vision Workshop
- Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 6-9 p.m., Design Presentation
All meetings to be held at the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Rosine Hall, Enter Main Gate at Garland/Whittier (parking and entry free)
Take the online survey for the CENTER and let your voice be heard! Click here.
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Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Rosine Hall, 8525 Garland Road
Purpose: To update and engage the community on our exciting future.
Meeting Outcomes:
- Approved minutes from February 11, 2014.
- Reviewed history of recreation center.
- Reviewed background of feasibility study.
- Met representatives of organizations involved in the feasibility study.
- Reviewed potential service areas.
- Reviewed goals and feasibility study process.
- Conducted an interactive exercise.
- Reviewed other matters and adjourned.
Roles:
- Sponsors: FRI Board of Directors
- Facilitator: Vikki J. Martin, Chair
- Scribe: Gary Lawler
- Timekeeper: Susan Walker
Ground Rules:
- Listen and respect the comments and ideas of others.
- Honor time limits.
- Stick to the agenda.
- Share your experience and perspective with the group
Decision Making: Consensus, Fallback: Majority vote.
Attendants:
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Minutes
Vikki Martin started the meeting at 7:00 p.m. by recognizing elected officials, public dignitaries, City board appointees, and candidates for office.
MINUTES APPROVAL
Mari Madison moved approval of the February 11, 2014 Town Hall minutes, seconded by Jerry Clancy. The motion passed.
RECREATION CENTER HISTORY
Vikki Martin reviewed FRI’s twenty-year journey in pursuit of a recreation center.
1995 – 150 residents gathered and identified service and amenity gaps in Far East Dallas.
1998 — FRI becomes a 501(c)3 nonprofit, writes Department of Justice Weed & Seed grant to reduce crime, stir economic development.
2003 – FRI’s Bond Committee forms, advocates for library and recreation center, is approached about a multi-generational center.
2006 – FRI Bond Committee successfully gets $13.5M for library and recreation center.
2007 – The former Rosewood Apartments property at 2229 Highland Rd.is determined to be the site for the recreation center. FRI and Mayor Tom Leppert create a Memorandum of Understanding for a public/private partnership for a center.
2010 – The community votes to have $5M for building a regular center be used instead for land purchase needed for a larger center.
2012 – Having completed the library, FRI begins focus on recreation center.
FEASIBILITY STUDY BACKGROUND
- Dr. Gerry Jones, FRI, spoke about $125,000 for a feasibility study secured through City Councilmember Carolyn Davis and the Parks Department. The community needs to think of this as a long term project that may be 5-8 years from being built.
- FRI approached the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society (DABS) regarding a Horticultural Center located on the Highland/Ferguson site. Mary Brinegar of DABS spoke on desire for horticultural training for the community that would allow them to grow their own fruits and vegetables. DABS wants to share the Highland/Ferguson site with a recreation facility, feels this would make the area more attractive and will generate jobs.
- DABS has decided to wait until the outcome of the feasibility study before committing.
THE ORGANIZATIONS
Brian Shivers of DABS introduced their Board members and senior staff.
Bobbi Bilnoski introduced Jacobs, said that FRI had worked with them for about ten years on parks, retail, streetscapes, etc. She introduced City of Dallas participants and spoke on the Recreation Center Steering Committee.
Alan Zreet of Jacobs introduced his staff, including Mike Pratl. Pratl spoke on additional organizations involved in the process: Snøhetta for master planning, GreenPlay for programs and operations, and Catalyst for financial strategies.
THE SERVICE AREA
The City of Dallas is looking at Park and Recreation service gaps as they are updating their Master Plan. They are looking at service area radii of 10 to 15 minute travel time and beyond. They will be looking at unmet needs of recreation centers within these radii.
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Feasibility Study goals include:
- Maintain existing City of Dallas recreation centers.
- Integrate with Recreation Center Master Plan and Aquatic Facility Study.
- Supplement existing facilities’ unmet needs.
- Operational sustainability.
The study process includes:
- Market analysis and needs assessment.
- Programs
- Size and adjacency.
Stakeholder input includes:
- Survey Monkey and written responses.
- Demographic information.
- Top three indoor recreational activities.
What are top priorities for a new recreation center?
Recreation trends include:
- Physical well-being.
- Mental and spiritual well-being.
- Environmental well-being.
- Social well-being.
THE INTERACTION EXERCISE
The night’s interaction exercise included attendants showing areas of primary interest by placing dots on boards with the following categories:
- Fitness spaces.
- Multi-gymnasium.
- Swimming pool.
- Age specific.
- Cultural learning.
- Outdoor activities.
MEETING CLOSURE
There was an announcement of upcoming related events:
- Needs assessment and stakeholder meetings the week of October 6.
- Community survey the week of October 13. Surveys will be due on November 3, 2014.
- Public meeting and workshop on November 3, 2014.
- Public meeting on January 27, 2015. This will include a design presentation by Jacobs based
- on the November 3 workshop.
Ed Snyder presented a list of FRI volunteer needs.
Vikki Martin encouraged attendants to tell others about this meeting, and that the November 3 meeting will be very interactive.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
