Skagway committee reviews draft 7 Pastures management plan, debates signage, pavilion use and seasonal dog-park proposals

The Parks & Recreation work session reviewed a draft management plan for the 7 Pastures property and directed staff to refine signage rules, clarify camping and rental policies, and return a revised policy for Recreation Board and Planning & Zoning consideration. Chair opened the discussion and asked staff and the public for input on ambiguous language in the draft ordinance and policy.

Emily Deach, borough manager, said the ordinance and policy are “pretty rough drafts” and described the documents as a framework that staff and the committee could work into after public feedback. She told the committee that some sections were placeholders and that the ordinance had not yet been reviewed by the attorney.

Committee members and public speakers pressed for clarity on signs and banners after Adam Smith, representing the Skagway Softball Association, asked whether the code (section 16.1604) distinguishes “signs” from “banners” and whether banners bearing sponsorship logos would be allowed. Jason Verheg, recreation center director, and other members favored a generalized approach that would allow nonprofits to display sponsor logos during events so long as signage is removed after use and does not become a permanent billboard on municipal green space.

Members discussed whether to label fields as sport-specific (for example, “soccer field”) or keep classifications broader as “multiuse open area” to accommodate tournaments, festivals and other events. Several members emphasized that the two ball fields were built for league and tournament play and should be preserved for that purpose; others urged the committee to consider flexible, off-season uses.

The committee debated a proposal to convert one underused field into an enclosed dog park. Proponents argued that a fenced dog area would provide a designated space and reduce off-leash problems elsewhere in town; opponents said the fields are integral to tournament play and expressed concerns about maintenance damage from dog waste and nitrates. One compromise discussed was a narrower fenced area between the two ball fields or allowing seasonal dog-park use only outside the primary tournament season (suggested window: Oct. 1–Apr. 30).

On rentals and revenue, the committee agreed the concession building should remain available to nonprofits. Staff said a for-profit vendor could serve through a contract if revenues benefitted a nonprofit. Members asked staff to propose clearer deposit language; staff noted online reservation systems make holding refundable deposits more complex and said the municipality could continue to accept checks as security for nonprofit renters.

The community garden portion of the plan remains on hold pending a contamination report staff expects later in the year. Deach and staff recommended permit-only composting for rented plots, enclosed tumblers to reduce wildlife attraction and consideration of hoop houses and fencing to pursue grant opportunities and protect food crops. Jason Verheg also flagged the pavilion’s safety needs — handrails and broken glass — and recommended minimal maintenance to open the space for low-impact uses such as yoga and small nonprofit events.

Next steps: Manager Deach agreed to update the draft policy with the committee’s input and circulate it to the record. The ordinance and policy will go to the Recreation Board and Planning & Zoning and then to the Assembly for readings; staff said the policy portion could later be adopted by resolution and more easily amended.