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City forges foundation for large-scale park in River District
12/4/2015 4:43:51 PM
By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor
A new municipal park with shade trees, a picnic shelter and multi-use fields is near the top of the holiday wish list for the city of Liberty Lake.
At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, the governing board heard an overview of plans for Orchard Park, a sprawling greenspace in the River District that would complement the city's existing inventory of large-scale recreational sites headlined by Pavillion Park and Rocky Hill Park.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to enjoy a park in our own area," John Harris, a resident of the River District, said at the Dec. 1 meeting. "It will be refreshing."
Like many citizens who call the north side of Liberty Lake home, Harris and his family face a trek when accessing larger parks in the more developed portion of the city. While the River District is known for its smaller "pocket" parks, the burgeoning area still lacks a site featuring amenities like tennis courts and multi-use fields.
Harris has been joined by fellow residents of the River District in providing feedback on how Orchard Park might take shape. The city held its first public meeting on Oct. 8 and followed it up with another workshop on Nov. 19. On Tuesday, Amanda Tainio, the city's planning and building services manager, said combined attendance for the meetings checked in at around 50 people.
"We want to make the park a fit for this part of the community," said Tainio as part of her "Envision Orchard Park" presentation. "It will be a walkable, bike-able park centrally located in the western part of the River District and on the same scale as Rocky Hill and Pavillion parks."
The city has earmarked $2.5 million for the first phase of the project. Tainio told council that the plan is to have an application to the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) ready by May 1 of next year. The city is eligible for up to $500,000 in RCO matching funds, a funding approach that behooved both Pavillion and Rocky Hill parks.
At the public meetings, residents have chimed in on various features they see as priorities for Orchard Park, including multi-use fields, a play structure, shade trees, a splash pad and picnic shelter. There has also been talk of an amphitheater, while the grounds will likely include pathways linked to the existing trail system.
Referring to landmarks like the old dance pavilion at the lake that was replicated at Pavillion Park and the rustic barn that sits on the perimeter of Rocky Hill, Tainio said the city is considering a combined theme at Orchard Park that would pay homage to the area's rich railroad history and the fruit orchards that once flourished in the rural surroundings.
Council Member Dan Dunne was one of several around the dais who applauded the city's efforts to gather feedback from those who would be utilizing the park.
"I think it's great to have the community involved in this process," he said. "We've done it before, and it's been successful."
Despite the recent activity surrounding Orchard Park, the wait will be considerable according to the timetable provided by Tainio on Tuesday. The city won't hear an answer on the RCO grant until 2017 and, if all goes as scheduled, the park would celebrate grand opening of the first phase in 2018.
Tainio will lead a presentation on the park at the Dec. 9 planning commission meeting. The city is in the process of selecting a consultant for the park design and will update council at the first meeting in January.
City honors DiCicco
Open chairs were scarce at the start of Tuesday's meeting as the city honored longtime grocery manager Dan DiCicco, now nearing the end of a long career. Employees, family and friends were in attendance to honor the man known by many as "Safeway Dan."
Hired by Safeway in 1970, DiCicco moved to Liberty Lake 15 years ago from Sandpoint when the company opened a store on Liberty Lake Road. Known for his friendly nature and commitment to a variety of civic causes, DiCicco was described by Mayor Steve Peterson as "someone who is always looking out for our community."
"I think I speak on behalf of the entire city when I say how much we appreciate Dan," Peterson said. "He's a person I consider a mentor."
DiCicco remained manager when the store changed hands from Safeway to Haggen earlier this year. As the result of a decision in bankruptcy court, Haggen announced closure of the site in September. DiCicco said on Tuesday that Yoke's would be taking over the location and opening within the next eight to 10 weeks.
"Hopefully, everyone will be back," DiCicco said, referring to his staff, many of whom have been employed at the store for a decade or more.
Peterson recalled DiCicco presenting the city with a gift basket as welcoming gesture in the first year of incorporation. From veterans' causes to service clubs to the Liberty Lake Community Theatre, Peterson said DiCicco has made an impact over the years.
"I know that Dan's leadership and efforts with those organizations have really helped them along," Peterson said.
DiCicco was characteristically humble when receiving the key to city and a certificate from the mayor.
"It's all about the community and our employees," DiCicco said.
In other city news:
• Peterson presented Phil Champlin, executive director of the HUB Sports Center, with a proclamation acknowledging Nov. 21, 2015, as "Hooray for the HUB Day." The Liberty Lake-based facility celebrated its one millionth visitor last month. From an afterschool program to tournaments and civic events, the HUB hosts a diverse agenda throughout the year. "What a great venue to have not only for Liberty Lake but for the entire community," the mayor said.
• Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Commissioner Kottayam V. Natarajan Jr. told council that the beach and leaf cleanup last month generated 12,433 pounds of refuse, including 560 pounds of phosphorous removed from the watershed.
• City Administrator Katy Allen noted that the city spent $42,000 on repair and cleanup efforts following the Nov. 17 windstorm. "Overall, Liberty Lake fared very well," she said.
• City officials will meet with the Town Square project steering committee on Dec. 8. This week, Allen and City Engineer Andrew Staples visited Seattle to pitch a progressive design-build approach to the project that is slated to include a community center and pool. The city is targeting a bond vote next August to generate funds for construction. Allen said the goal is to have the design available to residents by early June. "It's very difficult to take a project to the community until they can see what they're getting for their vote," she said.
• After a 3-3 tie, council took no action on a proposed purchase of a storage tank for de-icing fluid. The city has been utilizing a tank owned by Newman Lake-based Peplinski Excavation, longtime provider of snow and ice clearing in Liberty Lake. Peplinski's contract ran out on Dec. 1, after the city opted for a three-year contract with Stone Creek. Peterson said the new provider would now need to refill its own smaller de-icing tank and haul it back from a site in Hayden, Idaho, costing the city more money in the long run than the purchase of a tank. Those who voted against the expenditure argued the tank should have been included in the original cost estimates by Stone Creek.
• The city heard a presentation from Josh Kaiel of Skyhawks Sports Academy about a proposed summer day camp that would replace the long-standing CHILL program run by the city. Council did not vote on the change Tuesday.
• The city has hired a structural engineer to assess the stability of the deck at the Trailhead golf course pro shop and is also waiting a report from its insurance provider on the 45-year-old structure. Staples said an architectural design is being prepared on upgrades to the deck, with completion expected by spring. In responding to concerns raised by Council Member Shane Brickner on why the deck has not been addressed to this point, Allen said the city has monitored the situation closely and is proceeding with safety as the top priority.
• The city's annual food drive will run through Dec. 31, with drop-off sites at City Hall, the library and Trailhead. Canned food donations will benefit Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest.
• The city-sponsored Christmas Light Tour will again feature the Mayor's Choice winner for the most festively decorated home. Residents wanting to participate in the tour and contest must register their home at City Hall before Dec. 18. All registered homes will be added to the tour list, with the winner being announced in early January.
• Council approved an interlocal agreement that will reimburse the city for Allen's work in an advisory role on a project with the Port of Seattle.
• The annual holiday tree lighting ceremony will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at City Hall. Carols and refreshments will be part of the agenda. Following the ceremony, a multi-faith contingent will guide groups to Pavillion Park as part of a new program called "Walk to Bethlehem."
• The Liberty Lake Library will host "Saturday with Santa" from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19.
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