Type B board reviews Pockey Pocket Park survey, seeks quotes for sidewalk and features

The Type B Board reviewed public feedback and preliminary designs for Pockey Pocket Park and asked staff to return next month with pricing on top community choices, including sidewalks, picnic shelters, barbecue pits and a potential labyrinth.

Staff said the city ran a month-long social-media survey asking what residents wanted and provided a list of name suggestions that included “Keene Pocket Park,” “Legacy Grove,” “Danny Earl Roberts,” “Secret Gardens” and a number of others. A resident who said he had donated the land urged naming the site for the donor, stating, “I gave you the land. I'll name the park… I think it should be named Araujo Park.”

Staff explained that parts of the parcel are in a floodway area near a culvert; the most recent surveyor’s guidance was that “it was not in the hundred year floodplain,” but staff also noted that a small portion shows flood impacts and that stormwater has eroded around the bridge during heavy rains. Because of drainage constraints, staff recommended limiting heavy equipment or metal fixtures in the wettest area and suggested planting features such as fruit trees where water collects.

The board asked about pedestrian access and staff provided two concrete estimates from a local contractor: $7,000 to construct sidewalk from the driveway on Shady Oak to the corner, and $12,300 to extend sidewalk from that corner to the park bridge (the two costs are separate). Staff and board members noted sidewalk work was not in this year’s budget and a member cautioned that sidewalk installation would require council approval and two readings before purchase could proceed. One board member moved to proceed with the sidewalk planning and pricing; staff clarified the board could only direct staff to obtain quotes and return with a formal agenda item for approval.

On park features, staff said the top survey requests were barbecue pits and a playground; labyrinths and covered picnic tables also appeared in responses. Board members favored simple, low-maintenance shelters (metal covers over fixed picnic tables) rather than enclosed buildings and asked staff to obtain quotes for the most popular configurations and to return with layout options next month.

Next steps: staff will gather quotes for sidewalks and top-ranked park amenities and present those estimates and layout options at the next meeting. Because sidewalk construction was not budgeted this year, final approval will require the board to add the work to the budget or seek council approval.