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<br />Mashpee Planning Board <br />Mashpee Green Parks Subcommittee <br />Minutes of Meeting <br />January 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. <br />Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Mashpee Town Hall <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />The Mashpee Green Parks Subcommittee was called to order at 7:30 p.m. <br /> <br />Subcommittee Members Present: David Kooharian, Mary Waygan, Dennis Balzarini <br />Also Present: Tom Fudala-Town Planner, Barbara Cotton, Diane Roberts, Roy Roberts, Jim <br />Leonard, Bill Martiros, Selectman Tom O’Hara <br /> <br />DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS FOR PARKS AND GREENWAY CONNECTIONS IN <br />ROTARY AREA <br />Mr. Fudala described the contents of the packets provided to meeting attendees. Subcommittee <br />members and members of the public introduced themselves. Ms. Waygan noted that the <br />Subcommittee was formed in response to a need to incorporate parks and green spaces into <br />developments, particularly Mashpee Commons which will be under consideration by the Cape Cod <br />Commission through a Development Agreement. Mr. Kooharian has visited Blowing Rock, NC, <br />located in the northwest corner of North Carolina and surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, <br />and whose concept has been previously presented to Douglas Storrs. Although Mashpee Commons <br />has not yet applied to the Cape Cod Commission for the Development Agreement, it was suggested <br />that interested parties gather their thoughts in an effort to be prepared for the future. <br /> <br />The map of Blowing Rock, NC was highlighted on the overhead and Mr. Kooharian described the <br />resort town, whose population doubles or triples during the summer. The town was surrounded by <br />national and state parks. Mr. Kooharian recounted that, during the 1930’s, a memorial park was <br />created at the center of the town and at the location of an historic hotel that had burned down. The <br />park included playgrounds, a gazebo, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, a horseshoe pit, a <br />climbing wall, walking trails, benches, picnic tables and barbecue pit and public restrooms. Sports <br />equipment was available for use at the park. The library and police station were adjacent to the <br />park. At the back of the park, trails were located around a lake, as well as to a swimming pool and <br />baseball fields. Mr. Kooharian noted that there was also a 2 ½ mile trail that led to a canyon, stream <br />and waterfalls. Ms. Cotton inquired about the maintenance of the trails and Mr. Kooharian <br />responded that the town maintained the trails along with business sponsorships. Mr. Kooharian <br />emphasized the value of having a park that offered a variety of activities located in the center of <br />town with accessibility to food and shopping. It was noted that schools were also located nearby. <br />Mr. Kooharian suggested that similar qualities were available in Mashpee, including Mashpee River <br />and South Cape Beach, the possibility of connecting the schools with walking trails and a green <br />space located across from the library, with shopping and food immediately accessible. Mr. <br />Kooharian emphasized the importance of bringing people to the center of town for more than just <br />shopping. Additionally, with the privately owned Mashpee Commons becoming the center of <br />Town, Mr. Kooharian suggested the importance of providing a public aspect to residents. Mr. <br />Kooharian noted that a public component, such as a park, would add to the quality of life available <br />at Mashpee Commons. <br /> <br /> 1 <br /> <br />