Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Outdoor Classroom topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library board backs outdoor classroom between library and Betty E. Hart Senior Center
Summary
The Los Alamos Library Board voted to support a proposed ADA-accessible outdoor classroom with seating for about 50–60 people. The project is funded from the community services capital improvement budget for ADA improvements; final cost depends on a pending geotechnical report and utility locate.
The Los Alamos Library Board voted to support the library’s plan for a new outdoor classroom in the lawn area between the library and the Betty E. Hart Senior Center, a presenter said during the board’s meeting held via Zoom.
Gwen, a library staff member who led the presentation, described the proposal as “the project is intended to be a lightly developed, outdoor classroom space, that is ADA accessible with seating for up to 60 people,” and said the design includes a covered platform, built-in seating and additional space for portable seating.
Board members were shown preliminary designs and community feedback collected during earlier listening sessions and a May survey. The library reported 224 survey responses and said 71% of respondents indicated they would use the space. The project design emphasizes shade, natural landscaping and plantings intended to reduce sound from Oppenheimer Place to the north of the site.
The library estimates the project at about $400,000, but staff said a geotechnical (soils) study and a utility locate are needed to finalize the foundation design and cost estimate. Keith, a staff member who addressed technical questions, said prior projects in nearby White Rock encountered rock when crews excavated, and the library recommended a soils report to avoid costly redesigns of the canopy foundation.
During discussion, board members raised concerns about vandalism and how the space will be used outside of library- or senior-center-sponsored events. Gwen said electricity and outlets will be installed for library- or senior-center-sponsored events only and that lighting and outlets would be turned off when the space is not in use.
A motion reading “I move that the board support the library's plan for open outdoors space” was made and seconded; the board conducted a roll call and the motion passed. Michelle was noted as not present for the vote. Gwen said next steps are to finalize the design after the geotechnical report and to complete construction documents, including an irrigation plan for the new plantings.
The library will present the outdoor classroom plan to the Parks and Recreation Board later this week and will keep the Library Board updated as the soils report and final cost estimate are completed.
