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Advisory committee reviews Newtown Park master plan; committee asks staff to add shade structures and consider turf and parking alternatives
Summary
City staff reintroduced the Newtown Park master plan and committee members urged adding shade structures for playgrounds, noted playground refresh funding, discussed possible turf for a small soccer field, and asked staff to explore off‑park shared parking rather than new in‑park lots. Staff will bring refined master-plan items back to RPAC and then council.
Erica reintroduced the 2015 Newtown Park master plan and showed the committee how projects in the plan flowed into the city's five-year capital program. She asked whether the existing master plan still reflects what the committee wants at Newtown and whether additional facilities are needed.
Erica asked members to cross out an erroneously included line item: enhanced lighting at the main soccer field was included in error and should be removed from the chart. On playgrounds and amenities, several committee members said playground equipment is showing its age and recommended shading; Erica confirmed the city has refresh funding and added shade structures for playgrounds to the list of considerations. "I will add those for Newtown Park," Erica said.
Members also asked about possible turfing of a small soccer field behind the playground; Erica said it is not currently listed for turf but staff can add it to the master plan as a possibility. On parking, members emphasized reluctance to add new parking lots inside the park; Erica said staff will explore shared parking with neighboring parcels and noted the upcoming Fire Station 63 parcel near Old Alabama, which could affect future access and parking options.
Other noted items: bocce courts installed near Park Place are well used and the city intends to maintain the dog park, which has been ranked highly. Committee members asked about capital timing and funding; staff explained the difference between prior bond-funded projects (already expended) and future bond/capital requests that would need council action. "The past bond funds have been expended," Erica said when clarifying funding timelines.
Outcome: staff will return with each park's master plan as requested, incorporate committee feedback (shade for playgrounds, possible turf, no additional in-park parking but exploration of off-park/shared parking) and document items for the council's capital planning process.
