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Friends of the Hoppers win MOA with parks board as group raises wetlands, property concerns
Summary
After public comment from Friends of the Hoppers, the board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with that 501(c)(3) group and agreed to refer interest in a nearby property (112 Ambler) to the real estate committee while staff monitors pending wetlands and earth-removal permits.
Eric Madsen, representing the volunteer group Friends of the Hoppers, told the Board of Park Commissioners that volunteers had hired a soil scientist who found substantial wetlands adjacent to park property and urged the city to be more proactive in mapping and protecting sensitive areas. "Part of the application is getting owners of the land signature," Madsen said, adding that private surveying could strengthen advocacy around future development near Hoppers Park.
Commissioners confirmed 112 Ambler is already on the board's list of properties of interest; they voted to refer consideration of that parcel to the real estate committee so the board can explore acquisition options. Chair (speaker 2) said staff will look at funding possibilities, including the city's open-space fund and controller's guidance.
Later in the meeting the board considered a memorandum of understanding intended to formalize the relationship between Parks staff and Friends of the Hoppers. The draft MOA codifies typical volunteers' responsibilities and allows the nonprofit, now a registered 501(c)(3), to raise money for agreed projects such as a boardwalk repair. Commissioners asked staff to add language requiring the friends group to maintain its 501(c)(3) status in good standing and to include fundraising-agreement procedures when the city accepts donated funds.
With that change incorporated, the board voted to approve the MOA and authorized the mayor to sign. Staff said the MOA will help the friends group apply for grants and clarify roles for maintenance, trail work and coordinated fundraising. "This relationship would allow us to promote that stuff a little bit better," staff said during the discussion.
Staff also warned that the pending Hoppers/Birch Pond development remains in regulatory review: the Wetlands Commission has closed its hearing but has not rendered a final decision, and the zoning hearing was continued. Commissioners said the timing of state and local permit decisions will determine whether the city pursues acquisition or other protective steps.
The board closed the discussion by directing staff to draft the revised MOA language and to refer the 112 Ambler parcel to the real estate committee for follow-up.
