LTC 424-2013 Parks & Recreational Facilities Advisory Board Motions AAIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE_CiT_Y_MANAGER_
NO. LTC # 424-2013 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor-Philip Levine and Members of the City Co mission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager �y
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DATE: December 3, 2013 �' z
SUBJECT:PARKS & RECREATIONAL FACIL TIES ADVISORY BOARD MOTIONS:.
The Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board passed two (2) motions at tzeir meeting held
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on November 13, 2013. -� •° y'
1. South Pointe Park Off Leash Dog Area
MOTION: The Parks & Recreational Facilities Advisory Board unanimously requests that
1. The Commission not extend the off--leash dog pilot program.
2. In the event, the Commission decides to extend the pilot program; the Board would like
the Neighborhoods Community Affairs Committee to hear the matter to include Parks
and Recreation Department Personnel input regarding the feasibility of moving the area
from the waterfront/lighthouse triangle to an alternate location.
3. Finally, should the Commission not follow the recommendations above and continue
with the pilot program, that the City find an aesthetic hedge to differentiate the area for a
visual barrier for the dogs/dog owners.
Members Present: Meryl Wolfson, Harriet Halpryn, Leslie Graff, Kim Brown and Jonathan Groff
Motion Made By: Jonathan Groff
Motion Seconded By: Meryl Wolfson
Motion Passed: Votes 4-0
2. South Pointe Park Tot Lot Fence
MOTION: The Parks & Recreational Facilities Board unanimously recommends against
installing a fence around the South Pointe Park Tot Lot. The Board feels that the initial
concept/design of the tot lot was well designed and intentionally planned as a fenceless
playground. The design took into account the safety of the children, the surrounding
environment and certain natural barriers.
Members Present: Jonathan Groff, Meryl Wolfson, Leslie Graff and Harriet Halpryn
Motion Made By: Meryl Wolfson
Motion Seconded By: Leslie Graff
Motion Passed: Votes 4-0
After a thorough discussion by members of the Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board,
the Board does not see a conflict in its support for maintaining the professionally planned and
designed fenceless playground, vs. advocating for a barrier around the unplanned off-leash dog
park, which was not part of the initial park design.
According to the Board, the playground is in the heart of South Pointe Park and was intentionally
designed to fit the environment. The area has certain natural barriers, and safety can be assured
with parents supervising small children.
The Parks & Recreational Facilities Advisory Board by contrast, believes that the off-leash dog
park which was not part of the initial park design, was subsequently installed without thought to
how it might affect other park users. For reasons previously expressed to the Commission, the
Board long advocated against continuing the off-leash area at South Pointe Park.
JLM/ tb
c: J.tar is, Assistant City Manager
John Rebar, Parks & Recreation Director
Julio Magrisso, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director