HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-92 Parks & Recreation Commtttu Ztport
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
to the Common Council of tbt City of ioutb Istnb:
The August 24, 1992 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee was called to order
by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman, at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal
Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Coleman, Puzzello,
Washington, Kelly, Zakrzewski, Duda, Ladewski; Carolyn Kunz, Mrs. Emerick, Jenny
Pitts Manier, Donna Harlan, John Martinez, Johnny Martinez, Jon Hunt, Don Porter, and
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Coleman noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review the master
plan for Potawatomi Zoo. Mr. Martinez noted that the original master plan was completed
in 1974. In 1991 the Zoological Society hired Jones and Jones from Wichita, Kansas for
$25,000 for a new master plan.
He indicated that a 1991 218,000 persons visited the zoo. Between May through June over
43,000 school children attended the zoo.
The master plan recommends improvements in parking, restrooms, handicap
improvements,improved educational outreach, an educational building, and several related
improvements. Drawings of the proposed bear grotto renovation, the African Diana
monkey exhibit and the proposed chimpanzee exhibit to be designed by Cole Associates
Inc. was also shown to the Committee.
The USDA will require an animal hospital on site. The master plan also calls for winter
viewing, enhanced propagation of animals, and improved outback holding areas.
Additionally renovation to food concession areas and a new signage system are
recommended.
The top priorities are the proposed bear grotto renovation, a giraffe facility, and continued
renovation of existing facilities. It was alos noted that there have been 34 special events
and becasue the zoo is accredited it is eligible to trade animals between other accredited
zoos. It was also noted that a zebra exhibit is a high interest activity.
In response to a question raised by Council Member Ladewski it was noted that the city
paid a fine as a result of various improvements which were not made to the bear exhibit
which have all been completed. It was also indicated that very little vandalism takes place
at the zoo.
Council Member Puzzello noted that each year she brings her first grade class to the zoo
and recommended that admission fees for special groups continue to be discounted.
Council Member Coleman suggested that a tour of the facility be taken by the Council in the
near future.
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Parks and Recreation Committee
August 24, 1992
page 2
Council Member Duda then introduced Mrs. Emerick to address Global Relief. Mrs.
Emerick stated that she and many others are interested in assisting the city in creating an
arboretum. She also suggested a street tree arboretum perhaps in the Studebaker corridor.
She noted that the City of South Bend is not a designated "tree city" and further suggested
that a tree board be created to oversee funding, educational activities, and arboretum
activities. Such a board would have a member of the Common Council, a forester, a
university representative, an individual from a nursery, a landscape architect, a member of
the Power Company, and concerned citizans. She also indicated that the local tree
ordinance should be reviewed and updated.
The Committe than viewed a video on the " Tree Please" program in existance in Pekin,
Illinois.
Mrs. Harlan and Mrs. Emerick than passed out brochures on historic and famous
forestries.
There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned
at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Sean Coleman,
Chairperson,Parks and Recreation Committee