Who is in on this?? Ideas on how to make it happen??? What can we learn from the Bark Park and how that came to be???
Ok guys, we started this in the "What would you like to see" thread, that one big thing we really need is a place for our kids to run and play on a public playground that is actually in SoWal. I've heard lots of you are interested in making this happen, so now what?
Who is in on this?? Ideas on how to make it happen??? What can we learn from the Bark Park and how that came to be???
Who is in on this?? Ideas on how to make it happen??? What can we learn from the Bark Park and how that came to be???
Replies
288
Meow
South Walton Community Funn Park!
.org:clap_1: :clap_1:
What a team!!! :clap_1:
Beach Fanatic
And we can be called the Funn Parkers!
Beach Fanatic
The meeting with Cindy Meadows went very well. Supermom26.2 did a great job in introducing the group?s mission to Cindy. She was definitely in support of getting a playground in our area and although there is a lot of other recreational needs, this is one of the top priorities.
The first thing Cindy told us about was a small fenced playground that is going in at Helen McCall, near the new concession stand. It is deemed a ?temporary? fix. It will be great to have this playground for the little ones while their siblings are playing ball. I don?t remember exactly when this equipment is slated to go in, but the equipment is here and is waiting to be installed. I think that it?s supposed to be installed sometime in March. Perhaps the target date was opening day, which is March 17th.
We discussed possible locations for the ?permanent? playground. Helen McCall park (Moll Drive), the government center near the library, any County owned parcels along 30A, and Cessna Landing were all discussed. It quickly became clear that the top contenders were Helen McCall park and the government center area. The county is about to close on a 10 acre parcel on the west side of the current Helen McCall. They are also trying to buy a parcel of land in the government center off JD Miller road, near the Boys and Girls club and the library. The negotiations for this parcel have been bogged down, but it is still hopeful that this land will be purchased by the county.
In order to get a park quickly, we focused on the Helen McCall land. This land is also slated to be used for more ball fields. As you can imagine, there?s lots of ways the county could use the land and it?s a matter of prioritizing what the county and its residents need first. There is already a group of local parents that have been working with Cindy and the county to create more ball fields and sports facilities. They?re a good group of people and it would probably be best for us to work with them to help design what we would all like Helen McCall to be.
The access to/from Helen McCall was discussed. We were trying to come up with additional accesses besides from Hwy 98. Perhaps a road from 393 or a path from Thompson road. With the increase in traffic, a light might be required at the intersection of Moll Drive and 98.
Besides a playground, we discussed the need for basketball and tennis courts, an area for skateboarders, and a running path for cross country and recreational runners. Cindy indicated that basketball and tennis courts were some of the recreation equipment that had been envisioned for the government center area parcel. The running path could be created around Helen McCall.
Cindy then gave us an idea of the sequence of events that would have to happen to create our park. She also told us what a possible shortest timeline would be. Note that this timeline is only valid if everything goes smoothly and usually these things don?t. The timeline is outlined below.
Hopeful sequence of events:
Now - Research options to improve access to the Moll Drive property
March 15th - Close on Moll Drive 10 acres
March 15th - Start planning.
March 15th - April 6th - Do survey (3 weeks)
April 9th - Create conceptual master plan ? hopefully by a local firm that donates their time so they don?t have to take the time to go out to bid.
April 9th - Work Session ? put everything down and then planners put it all together. Group Meeting ? meet with our group to get input
May 15th - Finalize design
June 1st - Submit to county planning and DEP permit (3 month process)
August 15th -Start construction
Apparently the county can get playground equipment rather quickly, so that shouldn?t dictate the schedule.
Cost:
Recreation plat fees are paid by developers to the county. These fees that have been collected will be used to pay for the park enhancements/equipment. This means that we don?t have to wait until the new budget in October. Yeah!
What our group can do:
? Get on the BCC agenda for the 2nd meeting in March. This BCC meeting is held in the county courthouse here in South Walton.
? Decide on a name for our group.
? Go before the BCC as a group, a very large group with children! Introduce ourselves and explain to the BCC what our mission is why it is so necessary. This in the place to get our desires known and garner the support of the BCC. We need to impress upon them how important the play park is to the residents and children of south Walton.
? Decide if we?d rather have the playground at Helen McCall or the government center property.
? Find a landscape architect that will donate their time. (If the architect donates their time, then the county doesn?t have to go out to bid, which shortens the timeline.)
? Look through some catalogs that Cindy lent us and make a list of all the equipment we?d like to have.
? Create a complete prioritized list of everything we?d like to have in the park. (rest rooms, picnic tables, bike racks, etc?)
That's everything I can remember! When should we all meet again? Unfortunately, this coming week is extremely busy for me. After the half marathon, I'll have lots of time!
The first thing Cindy told us about was a small fenced playground that is going in at Helen McCall, near the new concession stand. It is deemed a ?temporary? fix. It will be great to have this playground for the little ones while their siblings are playing ball. I don?t remember exactly when this equipment is slated to go in, but the equipment is here and is waiting to be installed. I think that it?s supposed to be installed sometime in March. Perhaps the target date was opening day, which is March 17th.
We discussed possible locations for the ?permanent? playground. Helen McCall park (Moll Drive), the government center near the library, any County owned parcels along 30A, and Cessna Landing were all discussed. It quickly became clear that the top contenders were Helen McCall park and the government center area. The county is about to close on a 10 acre parcel on the west side of the current Helen McCall. They are also trying to buy a parcel of land in the government center off JD Miller road, near the Boys and Girls club and the library. The negotiations for this parcel have been bogged down, but it is still hopeful that this land will be purchased by the county.
In order to get a park quickly, we focused on the Helen McCall land. This land is also slated to be used for more ball fields. As you can imagine, there?s lots of ways the county could use the land and it?s a matter of prioritizing what the county and its residents need first. There is already a group of local parents that have been working with Cindy and the county to create more ball fields and sports facilities. They?re a good group of people and it would probably be best for us to work with them to help design what we would all like Helen McCall to be.
The access to/from Helen McCall was discussed. We were trying to come up with additional accesses besides from Hwy 98. Perhaps a road from 393 or a path from Thompson road. With the increase in traffic, a light might be required at the intersection of Moll Drive and 98.
Besides a playground, we discussed the need for basketball and tennis courts, an area for skateboarders, and a running path for cross country and recreational runners. Cindy indicated that basketball and tennis courts were some of the recreation equipment that had been envisioned for the government center area parcel. The running path could be created around Helen McCall.
Cindy then gave us an idea of the sequence of events that would have to happen to create our park. She also told us what a possible shortest timeline would be. Note that this timeline is only valid if everything goes smoothly and usually these things don?t. The timeline is outlined below.
Hopeful sequence of events:
Now - Research options to improve access to the Moll Drive property
March 15th - Close on Moll Drive 10 acres
March 15th - Start planning.
March 15th - April 6th - Do survey (3 weeks)
April 9th - Create conceptual master plan ? hopefully by a local firm that donates their time so they don?t have to take the time to go out to bid.
April 9th - Work Session ? put everything down and then planners put it all together. Group Meeting ? meet with our group to get input
May 15th - Finalize design
June 1st - Submit to county planning and DEP permit (3 month process)
August 15th -Start construction
Apparently the county can get playground equipment rather quickly, so that shouldn?t dictate the schedule.
Cost:
Recreation plat fees are paid by developers to the county. These fees that have been collected will be used to pay for the park enhancements/equipment. This means that we don?t have to wait until the new budget in October. Yeah!
What our group can do:
? Get on the BCC agenda for the 2nd meeting in March. This BCC meeting is held in the county courthouse here in South Walton.
? Decide on a name for our group.
? Go before the BCC as a group, a very large group with children! Introduce ourselves and explain to the BCC what our mission is why it is so necessary. This in the place to get our desires known and garner the support of the BCC. We need to impress upon them how important the play park is to the residents and children of south Walton.
? Decide if we?d rather have the playground at Helen McCall or the government center property.
? Find a landscape architect that will donate their time. (If the architect donates their time, then the county doesn?t have to go out to bid, which shortens the timeline.)
? Look through some catalogs that Cindy lent us and make a list of all the equipment we?d like to have.
? Create a complete prioritized list of everything we?d like to have in the park. (rest rooms, picnic tables, bike racks, etc?)
That's everything I can remember! When should we all meet again? Unfortunately, this coming week is extremely busy for me. After the half marathon, I'll have lots of time!
SoWal Insider
Wow! Now that is some information. Great job gulls!!!!:clap_1:
Beach FanaticAuthor
Grayt Job SGB!:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: Thank you for doing that-I don't think you missed a thing (My notes- or lack of where a mess of scribbles from our wiggly little visual
) I thought Ms. Meadows was extremly supportive of the whole thing, we just need to be prepared to show them that there are LOTS of us who really want this.
) I thought Ms. Meadows was extremly supportive of the whole thing, we just need to be prepared to show them that there are LOTS of us who really want this.Beach Fanatic
I spoke to the BCC admin today and we can probably get on the March 13th meeting agenda, which will be held at the Courthouse Annex here. It starts at 4pm. However, for those of us with kids in school, that is during the 5 day weekend the kids have off from school.
Will people be able to attend this meeting or will you be out of town?
The next BCC meeting down here isn't until April 10th, which is after the county closes on the Helen McCall property.
Also, we need to decide on a name for our group to put on the agenda application. Any other suggestions?
Will people be able to attend this meeting or will you be out of town?
The next BCC meeting down here isn't until April 10th, which is after the county closes on the Helen McCall property.
Also, we need to decide on a name for our group to put on the agenda application. Any other suggestions?
Beach Fanatic
Organicmama, IBD, Beachmom, ckhagen, camp creek kid, jdarg, sunny456
and anyone elso who wants to be involved, will you be here for this meeting on March 13 @ 4 pm? We need to have as many people as possible there, friends, neighbors, relatives, to show support for this new park. A handful pf people just won't do it. We need to turn out in full force. If we can't get a good turn out for March 13 , then we go into April.
Please respond to this if you can. Unless anyone has ideas for the name of our group, I guess SGB and I will decide.
Also, we need someone to be a spokesperson at this meeting and read our notes. Anyone interested? I will do it if no one else wants to, but I prefer not to. Someone has to be a better public speaker than me!
and anyone elso who wants to be involved, will you be here for this meeting on March 13 @ 4 pm? We need to have as many people as possible there, friends, neighbors, relatives, to show support for this new park. A handful pf people just won't do it. We need to turn out in full force. If we can't get a good turn out for March 13 , then we go into April.
Please respond to this if you can. Unless anyone has ideas for the name of our group, I guess SGB and I will decide.
Also, we need someone to be a spokesperson at this meeting and read our notes. Anyone interested? I will do it if no one else wants to, but I prefer not to. Someone has to be a better public speaker than me!
Beach FanaticAuthor
I am really worried that there will be so many people out of town on that date. I was hoping that we could FLOOR
them with turnout when we came, however, I don't want to wait until everything is already spoken for. Personally, I don't have a plan that is set in stone, so I can be there...
As far as speaking....that is probably the thing I do the WORST...toastmasters is not me. I get so nervous my lips shake !
them with turnout when we came, however, I don't want to wait until everything is already spoken for. Personally, I don't have a plan that is set in stone, so I can be there... As far as speaking....that is probably the thing I do the WORST...toastmasters is not me. I get so nervous my lips shake
!Beach Fanatic
Did you see the small playground that is the process of being installed near the ballfields at Helen McCall? It will be great for baseball/softball players' siblings!
Beach FanaticAuthor
I saw it tonight!:clap_1: :clap_1: I'm so excited, it will be a WONDERFUL help at some long baseball games!
Beach Fanatic
Hey, Gulls! Wow! I had to quickly read everything, as I am FINALLY back up and running!
Yes, I will plan on being there the 13th. Is anyone else planning on going? I will have my munchkins with me, per usual.
Y'all have done a grayt job! I've missed being on SoWal!
Hugs!
Yes, I will plan on being there the 13th. Is anyone else planning on going? I will have my munchkins with me, per usual.
Y'all have done a grayt job! I've missed being on SoWal!
Hugs!
Beach Fanatic
Hi everyone - We didn't get on the BCC meeting agenda for the 13th because we didn't think we'd get enough people there. However, we are going to meet on Thursday (the 15th) at the Watercolor Market at 11:30. We've got lots to decide on and review. We need everyone's input so please try to make it!
Beach Fanatic
Hey, Gulls! Wow! I had to quickly read everything, as I am FINALLY back up and running!
Yes, I will plan on being there the 13th. Is anyone else planning on going? I will have my munchkins with me, per usual.
Y'all have done a grayt job! I've missed being on SoWal!
Hugs!
Glad you are back!!
(it's me jdarg- bdarg didn't log out)
Edited
Beach Lover
Wow!
I'll try my best to be there on the 15th.
I'll start spreading the news to all the other mom's that I know about the April BCC meeting.
I'm also going to put an article in the Seaside paper about this - so maybe that will attract some mom's too. (it will come out before the April BCC meeting)
I vote for Mission Playpark as a name. Simple.
Awesome! Let me know if there is anything I can do.
I'll try my best to be there on the 15th.
I'll start spreading the news to all the other mom's that I know about the April BCC meeting.
I'm also going to put an article in the Seaside paper about this - so maybe that will attract some mom's too. (it will come out before the April BCC meeting)
I vote for Mission Playpark as a name. Simple.
Awesome! Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Beach Fanatic
Glad you are back!!
(it's me jdarg- bdarg didn't log out)
Thanks!
I didn't think it was bdarg... the crazy kids probably scared him last time at Cerulean's :rofl: . It's good to have the computer back up and running without crashing on me every 2 hours!I will be there on Thursday at Watercolor Market.
SoWal Funn Park.
SoWal Expert
Wow!
I'll try my best to be there on the 15th.
I'll start spreading the news to all the other mom's that I know about the April BCC meeting.
I'm also going to put an article in the Seaside paper about this - so maybe that will attract some mom's too. (it will come out before the April BCC meeting)
I vote for Mission Playpark as a name. Simple.
Awesome! Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Perfect!!:clap_1:
Beach Fanatic
Hi everyone - We didn't get on the BCC meeting agenda for the 13th because we didn't think we'd get enough people there. However, we are going to meet on Thursday (the 15th) at the Watercolor Market at 11:30. We've got lots to decide on and review. We need everyone's input so please try to make it!
Reminder that we're meeting today at 11:30. See you there!
Christini Zambini
Reminder that we're meeting today at 11:30. See you there!
I can't get my act together--I will not make it (again). Have to take a child to get braces.
By-the-way, Supermom and I were suprised to see the changes to Helen McCall Park! BEAUTIFUL new ball fields and a small playground. The playground will be great for little ones who are waiting for siblings at games or practices, but it is not the destination playground that we have in mind.
Beach Fanatic
Beachmom & SGB,
Thanks for all your hard work. The two of you are incredible. Found a place for free petitions online if we want to go that way to show the amount of support for the play park, since the meeting will be on the 10th during spring break. If you can get me a copy of the proposal, I will get it done, so that you don't have to worry about it and I will post on meetup.com and take to Butler, etc.
Thanks for all your hard work. The two of you are incredible. Found a place for free petitions online if we want to go that way to show the amount of support for the play park, since the meeting will be on the 10th during spring break. If you can get me a copy of the proposal, I will get it done, so that you don't have to worry about it and I will post on meetup.com and take to Butler, etc.
Beach FanaticAuthor
You give me WaY too much credit Supermom and SGB are the ones making this happen- so organized- I'm doing good to take partial notes with scribble all over them
Publicity and marketing are not my strong suits, but I can make it look pretty 
!!
Supermom and SGB are the ones making this happen- so organized- I'm doing good to take partial notes with scribble all over them Publicity and marketing are not my strong suits, but I can make it look pretty !!Beach Fanatic
Beachmom & SGB,
Thanks for all your hard work. The two of you are incredible. Found a place for free petitions online if we want to go that way to show the amount of support for the play park, since the meeting will be on the 10th during spring break. If you can get me a copy of the proposal, I will get it done, so that you don't have to worry about it and I will post on meetup.com and take to Butler, etc.
Hi! Thanks to you and Beachmom for your input on what you think the children would like. I'm hoping to write up our wish list in the next week. I'm not really sure what the proposal needs to include for meetup.com, but think it's a great idea to get the signatures. Is there someway to post it to get signatures with just a paragraph that summarizes what our mission is? Thanks for taking this on!
Beach Lover
Hey,
Have y'all been out to the playpark at Frank Brown Park in PCB? It's only a mile from the Hwy 98 and 79 intersection. Anyway, I went out there last week and was floored by how nice the aquatic center (they even have a 1-4 foot gradual pool with a "floating" fort in the center for the kiddies) and playpark were.
If you haven't been, it might be worth it to drop by and check it out before turning the wishlist in.
And I vote for no tire chips to be used. They smell bad and I think my son would try to eat them (YUCK!).
Thanks!
Have y'all been out to the playpark at Frank Brown Park in PCB? It's only a mile from the Hwy 98 and 79 intersection. Anyway, I went out there last week and was floored by how nice the aquatic center (they even have a 1-4 foot gradual pool with a "floating" fort in the center for the kiddies) and playpark were.
If you haven't been, it might be worth it to drop by and check it out before turning the wishlist in.
And I vote for no tire chips to be used. They smell bad and I think my son would try to eat them (YUCK!).
Thanks!
Beach Fanatic
Hi! Thanks to you and Beachmom for your input on what you think the children would like. I'm hoping to write up our wish list in the next week. I'm not really sure what the proposal needs to include for meetup.com, but think it's a great idea to get the signatures. Is there someway to post it to get signatures with just a paragraph that summarizes what our mission is? Thanks for taking this on!
There is/are (a) separate website(s) to draw up petitions for free. We can do that, either with a simple paragraph, or something longer, and then post the link here and on meetup.com. We can also make up a flyer with the web address and get it to the schools, etc. so they can get it to students' folders.
Citymouse just joined SoWal and she is the organizer of the meetup.com SRB group. She was at the 2nd meeting we had (first at the Market), with her little boy. She posted under the knitting classes. I
her.Just like everyone else, I am just happy to help because it brings our community together and that's really what my family & I love about living here.
Beach Lover
Hello everyone,
These boards are great, I am so happy to be a part of them. I am founder/assistant organizer of Santa Rosa Beach Mommies' Group, and am also trying to get a knitting group up and off the ground...
http://parents.meetup.com/175/
http://knitting.meetup.com/1010/
Organic mama, what can we post on the meetup boards about the park to help ?
When and where will the next meeting be held in April??
These boards are great, I am so happy to be a part of them. I am founder/assistant organizer of Santa Rosa Beach Mommies' Group, and am also trying to get a knitting group up and off the ground...
http://parents.meetup.com/175/
http://knitting.meetup.com/1010/
Organic mama, what can we post on the meetup boards about the park to help ?
When and where will the next meeting be held in April??
Beach Lover
copy of a letter that I wrote
Dear Commissioner Meadows:
I have been reading and hearing several different versions for what is planned at the Moll Drive property which has/is being acquired from Mr. Max Matthews. I am sorry that we were unable to work something out regarding the sale of our own property just to the north of this however now I must take the position to protect the residential neighborhood which we have planned to develop on our own property.
I would like to participate and voice my concerns at any workshops or public hearings that will be held with regard to the use of the newly acquired property. Is the change of use out of residential similar to how it is done in the private sector? Will the county be holding a public forum with notice to the neighbors prior to changing the use of this property? Changing to this new use in the property next to ours is tantamount to converting your next door neighbor?s property to a commercial use with the equivalent traffic count of a Wal-Mart Superstore.
Be assured that I support increased recreational activity at this site. However, I must tell you that I have extremely strong concerns regarding mega-watt lighting that may illuminate my property as well as increases in traffic and noise etc. Keeping this in mind I feel that the best use for this acreage would be recreational area for non-organized team sporting events. i.e. children?s play areas, exercise/nature trails, dog parks, etc. Recreation should accommodate everyone - there are plenty of children that can't/don't play team sports - and a place for them and others is equally important. Lighting and parking that is necessary for such a use must be responsibly considered as it will seriously impact the value and quiet enjoyment of my property and the other neighboring properties which are all zoned for residential use only.
I strongly oppose expansion of a ballpark or field which would place intrusive lighting, traffic and noise in an east/west direction on the west side of Moll Drive. The effects of noise and mega-watt lighting would most surely bleed over to mine and other neighbor?s property. This can and should be done on the east side of the street where ball parks already exist. The 10 acres north of the existing ball park would be a good spot.
Please point me in the right direction of how I may be kept up to date and participate in what is being planned for this location. I want to be assured that there will be oversight and public participation to insure that all of the impact to the neighborhood and the environment is respectfully and responsibly considered.
Dear Commissioner Meadows:
I have been reading and hearing several different versions for what is planned at the Moll Drive property which has/is being acquired from Mr. Max Matthews. I am sorry that we were unable to work something out regarding the sale of our own property just to the north of this however now I must take the position to protect the residential neighborhood which we have planned to develop on our own property.
I would like to participate and voice my concerns at any workshops or public hearings that will be held with regard to the use of the newly acquired property. Is the change of use out of residential similar to how it is done in the private sector? Will the county be holding a public forum with notice to the neighbors prior to changing the use of this property? Changing to this new use in the property next to ours is tantamount to converting your next door neighbor?s property to a commercial use with the equivalent traffic count of a Wal-Mart Superstore.
Be assured that I support increased recreational activity at this site. However, I must tell you that I have extremely strong concerns regarding mega-watt lighting that may illuminate my property as well as increases in traffic and noise etc. Keeping this in mind I feel that the best use for this acreage would be recreational area for non-organized team sporting events. i.e. children?s play areas, exercise/nature trails, dog parks, etc. Recreation should accommodate everyone - there are plenty of children that can't/don't play team sports - and a place for them and others is equally important. Lighting and parking that is necessary for such a use must be responsibly considered as it will seriously impact the value and quiet enjoyment of my property and the other neighboring properties which are all zoned for residential use only.
I strongly oppose expansion of a ballpark or field which would place intrusive lighting, traffic and noise in an east/west direction on the west side of Moll Drive. The effects of noise and mega-watt lighting would most surely bleed over to mine and other neighbor?s property. This can and should be done on the east side of the street where ball parks already exist. The 10 acres north of the existing ball park would be a good spot.
Please point me in the right direction of how I may be kept up to date and participate in what is being planned for this location. I want to be assured that there will be oversight and public participation to insure that all of the impact to the neighborhood and the environment is respectfully and responsibly considered.
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