7.e) Recap of Meeting with FriendsJune 25, 2013 PRC Meeting with the Friends
I learned some interesting points about Lilleskogen. Bob Elmstrom gave it to the Lions. He
planted different types of trees so kids would be able to see the variety. It is one of the reasons
he wanted to make it a park. We need to keep that in mind as we determine which trees to
eliminate.
Let's keep in mind our priorities for Lilly this year; Phase 1: Site survey, plan fundraising (capital
campaign), clear the grass, earthwork, dig out the lake, clear trees.
The site survey will be done soon, if it isn't already. Our next priority would to be clear trees and
canary grass. We will need to identify which trees to keep and which shall die. We will need to get
quotes to clear them. If we can't get money from capital improvements, we can go to the Friends and
Lions for help.
We talked about getting rid of canary grass by burning and poison. Could the city burn it twice a
year? The grass can be sprayed to kill it back before the burn if it's too green to burn. It should
take about three years to go away.
The Lions would be willing to help financially. One of their goals is park improvement. The
last park objective on their list is to link the Hay Lake Museum to the Monument. An Eagle
project is in the works now to do that. They may soon be able to help with the park.
Friends wanted to know how they could help us. They had an interest in the gardens. We need
to get the trees cleared first. I didn't have any specific dollar amounts to give them for tree
clearing.
Tom mentioned they did a fund match for Marine. They would match what Marine could come up
with up a certain dollar amount. They may be able to do one for Lilly.
One thought to raise money is to make it a Memorial Park, possibly a Vet's Memorial. Or
maybe even to Bob Elmstrom. (We obviously still need work on branding the park).
It was mentioned people didn't know they could go in the park. There was a sign there, which
has since deteriorated. We could put up a new sign. Hopefully have more cleared first so it
doesn't look like we don't value our parks.
They were willing to pull buckthorn. We can get that done when the trees are cleared.
It was brought up that poison ivy is growing into the trails in Wind in the Pines. Apparently,
Alex usually mows the trails. We will have to bring that up to Tim. Shouldn't the City be
responsible for trail maintenance?
Tom invited PRC to have a booth at Taco Daze next to the Friends and the Lions. Hopefully, we
can take turns staffing it. It would be a great opportunity to recreate interest in Lilly.