2007/01/29
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
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A special meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on
Monday, January 29, 2007 in the Council Chambers, ~~~lfi~'~o~ I~1~,~ B~r}in, CT.
PRESENT: ~ , , `;
Chairman Leonard Zielinski, Commissioners Donna Bove, ~ l~rcle DeGroff, Don Dellaquilla,
Robert Sylvester, Chuck Warner and Steve Kelly, DTi~c'fo~f`of~Paxks & Recreation.
PUBLIC HEARING:
ADDITIONAL PARKING AREAS IN OPEN SPACE PARCELS. SOME OF THE
AREAS THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE PROPERTIES, PARKS SUCH AS
SCHEER, SIERRA RANCH, MGT PROPERTY, BRADLEY PROPERTY AND
BICENTENNIAL PARK.
Mr. James Mahoney, Director of Economic Development gave a summary presentation of the
different properties for potential parking lots and dog walking areas. Mr. Mahoney stated that he
had visited the different sites with Berlin Police Traffic Officer Richard Doski, James Horbal,
Director of Public Works, Art Simonian, Town Engineer and Director of Parks and Recreation
Steve Kelly.
Mr. Mahoney spoke about the newly acquired properties by the Town for open space.
Mr. Mahoney stated that the Town Council is reviewing creating a parking lot inside of
Bicentennial Park. Mr. Mahoney stated that Bicentennial Park has a conservation easement.
The easement is being review by Corporation Council to determine if a parking lot could be
created.
Mr. Mahoney went over each of the properties being considered for parking lots and dog walking
areas, taking into consideration the deed restrictions, physical suitability, traffic sight lines,
neighborhood factors and comments regarding parking lots and open space to walk dogs.
Bradley property is accessible from the Chamberlain Highway with the front portion not deed
restricted. Public Works department feels that this property is a good location if the soil issue is
resolved. Mr. Mahoney stated that the Town could work with the State on a variance of the
standards regarding the soil issues. The property is off a main road and away from houses.
The Scheer property has deed restrictions, but a parking lot is allowed. Open space to walk dogs
would require further research. The Town would file for an open space grant but would file for a
conservation easement. State funds would be a source of funding for parking lots. There are no
sight line issues. If the easement issue is resolved, this is a possible location to walk dogs.
Sierra Ranch has deed restrictions, but parking lots are allowed. Sight lines need further
evaluation. This is a possible location for walking dogs, but some of the homes are too close.
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MGT property consists of 452 acres. From Orchard Road, there are no deed restrictions and
there is a probable workable area at the top of the hill between barns. The sight line issues need
further evaluation and one of the homes is too close.
MGT property from Summitwood Road has no deed restrictions. There is good physical
suitability and good sight lines. This is not a likely location for open space to walk dogs because
there is no open field area.
MGT property via Sunnyborder Nursery on Chamberlain Highway has no deed restrictions with
good traffic sight lines. The access from the main road will be offset from neighbors. Again
there is no open field area to walk dogs.
Kensington Road to Bicentennial Park has no deed restrictions, poor physical suitability and too
close to the neighbors. This azea is not suitable for off street parking.
Mr. Mahoney reviewed other access sites with on-street parking giving the pros and cons.
RESIDENTS SPEAKING:
Tony Yablonski, 132 Cross Creek Drive suggested researching property at the Memorial Pool
azea and the Girl Scout camp. Mr. Yablonski stated that the Town is going in the right direction
to restrict on street parking.
Paul Dami, 1212 Worthington Ridge, stated that he has been using Bicentennial Pazk for 12
years and realizes that the park is a burden on the neighbors. Mr. Dami stated that other accesses
to Bicentennial Park should be reviewed, and the Scheer property would be a good spot for dog
walkers.
Deborah Spring, 186 Ellsworth Blvd. Stated that Bicentennial Park should remain accessible
David Piskorski, 279 Winesap Road, reminded the audience of the extreme volume of traffic on
Winesap Road. He stated that this road was not designed for this volume of traffic. Mr.
Piskorski stated that recommending a pazking lot inside of Bicentennial Park would be a
disservice to Winesap Road.
Chairman Zielinski stated that the Cooley property off the Chamberlain Highway had been
suggested as an access into Bicentennial but hasn't been pursued because of wetlands adjacent to
the Chamberlain Highway.
Pam Baclaski, 228Winesap Road suggested a leash law. Ms. Baclaski stated that the park is not
family oriented any more, it is exclusively for dogs. Ms. Baclaski suggested creating a separate
area for dogs.
Gary Grabowski, 201 Winesap Road stated that in the last five years, the traffic is increasing. A
parking lot in the park would only compound the problem.
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Dave Cyr, 245 Cole Lane, stated that he walked in Bicentennial Pazk with a neighbor and
counted 52 piles of dog droppings. He felt this was a deplorable condition and should not be
considered acceptable. Mr. Cyr also stated that a German Shepherd dog charged at him. He
further stated that the current conditions of Bicentennial Park are not conducive to children or
family friendliness.
Bill Wall, non-resident, 593 Andrews Street, Southington stated that the park is a jewel for
Berlin. The Town should look for ways to reduce traffic instead of trading quantity for quality.
Sarah Still, resident stated that she feels very safe at Bicentennial Park.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marie Ralph, Recording Secretary
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