1/18/2012 PLANNING BOARD Minutes

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Mashpee Planning Board Mashpee Green Parks Subcommittee Minutes of Meeting January 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Selectmen's Meeting Room, Mashpee Town Hall CALL TO ORDER The Mashpee Green Parks Subcommittee was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Subcommittee Members Present: David Kooharian, Mary Waygan, Dennis Balzarini Also Present: Tom Fudala-Town Planner, Barbara Cotton, Diane Roberts, Roy Roberts, Jim Leonard, Bill Martiros, Selectman Tom O'Hara DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS FOR PARKS AND GREENWAY CONNECTIONS IN ROTARY AREA Mr. Fudala described the contents of the packets provided to meeting attendees. Subcommittee members and members of the public introduced themselves. Ms. Waygan noted that the Subcommittee was formed in response to a need to incorporate parks and green spaces into developments, particularly Mashpee Commons which will.be under consideration by the Cape Cod Commission through a Development Agreement. Mr. Kooharian has visited Blowing Rock, NC, located in the northwest comer of North Carolina and surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, and whose concept has been previously presented to Douglas Storrs. Although Masbpee Commons has not yet applied to the Cape Cod Commission for the Development Agreement, it was suggested that interested parties gather their thoughts in an effort to be prepared for the future. The map of Blowing Rock, NC was highlighted on the overhead and Mr. Koobarian described the resort town, whose population doubles or triples during the summer. The town was surrounded by national and state parks_ Mr. Kooharian recounted that, during the 1930's, a memorial park was created at the center of the town and at the location of an historic hotel that had burned down. The park included playgrounds, a gazebo, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, a horseshoe pit, a climbing wall, walking trails, benches, picnic tables and barbecue pit and public restrooms. Sports equipment was available for use at the park. The library and police station were adjacent to the park. At the back of the park, trails were located around a lake, as well as to a swimming pool and baseball fields. Mr_ Kooharian noted that there was also a 2 %2 mile trail that led to a canyon, stream and waterfalls. Ms. Cotton inquired about the maintenance of the trails and Mr. Kooharian responded that the town maintained the trails along with business sponsorships. Mr. Kooharian emphasized the value of having a park that offered a variety of activities located in the center of town with accessibility to food and shopping. It was noted that schools were also located nearby. Mr. Kooharian suggested that similar qualities were available in Mashpee, including Mashpee River and South Cape Beach, the possibility of connecting the schools with walling trails and a green space located across from the library, with shopping and food immediately accessible. Mr. Kooharian emphasized the importance of bringing people to the center of town for more than just shopping. Additionally, with the privately owned Mashpee Commons becoming the center of Town, Mr. Kooharian suggested the importance of providing a public aspect to residents. Mr. Kooharian noted that a public component, such as a park, would add to the quality of life available at Mashpee Commons. 1