In attendance: Andrew Gaiennie, Kathy Gregorio, Cynthia Kieth, Maurice Loridans, Loren Demerath, Susan Keith, Feico Kempff, Carolyn Manning
LOW WATER BRIDGES DISCUSSED AS INEXPENSIVE MEANS OF INCREASING CITY WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY
Maurice said he'd been up sleepless nights thinking about the bridge, and what alternative we might have if they don't give it to us (and he noted they might not because of ship to shore utilities in the present bridge, which might make them say it's not worth the bother of moving them).
Andrew Gaiennie surveyed the area at issue at the base of Woodlawn St. Andrew displayed three dimensional representation of the space he had constructed. It was very impressive and we're glad to have a person of Andrew's skills working with us!
Maurice said all we really need is called a low water bridge. A low water bridge is one that's built to be flooded and only used when the water is low. It's likely much less costly than a regular bridge. When the water is low Maurice remarked that he can almost ride through it as is.
Taking advantage of the low water most of the time has also been the basis for Loren's idea of possibly making a trough down the middle of the current drainage ditches to catch the low water, then put a grate over it, and you've got a pedestrian-bicycle way. The idea is to do something very low cost.
We'd been told that the bridge needed to be above the flood plain, but Maurice pointed out the obstruction of a permanent pipe that runs across the ditch just next to the Alexander bridge, and others remember another by Querbes and Fern.
Maurice had been thinking about inexpensive bridge possibilities, and one is to use two telephone poles with decking across them and to secure it with with big iron stakes and loggers' chain.
It was asked if that should be “Plan B” if we don't get the donated bridge? Loren noted it might could be “Plan A” since this could be easily replicated in other places around the city.
It was noted that telephone poles aren't easily moved; we'd need someone with a backhoe or something like that. Another idea would be a bridge arched with all timber, but it'd probably more fragile and much more expensive.
On Hassett Ave. and Hardy St. is an existing pedestrian bridge over a ditch near Atkins Park a block south of Judson School, built by the city, apparently.
The group also discussed using box culverts as a means of rising over the water in places such as under the bridge going under Kings Highway.
NEWSLETTER CORRECTED
The group discussed the newsletter and it was noted that Robert's phrasing in it of “No one in the city administration was capable of fast-tracking the dog park” didn't communicate the group's sentiment. We're going by the rules and we're very happy with the way things are going.
It also looks like Steph wrote it, when it was actually Robert, so we need to send out another one without the phrase, and noting the correction. Steph also noted that we should never use the words bureaucrats, politicians, or activists; instead government staffers, elected officials, advocates are more polite terms.
DOG PARK FUNDRAISING TRAINING MEETING NEXT WEEK
Next week we'll have a dog park meeting and train some of our fundraisers through role play how to sit down with someone and solicit a donation. Loren will play the role of the donor and already preparing for his role--he's got a theater background and is excited.
FUNDRAISING MOVING AHEAD FOR COATES BLUFF
Steph, Loren, and Jon met with Mike Renfroe, who is a private wildlife management specialist for the Red River Wildlife Refuge. They discussed how the RRWR can help in improving the trail.
Feico sent a letter to one donor asking him/her to consider donating $5-10K for Coates Bluff.
BIKE RIDE SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY THE 13th
Carolyn and Steph said we'd do the bike ride on Satuday the 13th.
DRAGON BOAT?
Cynthia said she wanted to get a dragon boat for the group, and Carolyn was also enthusiastic. Maurice said the Ozark Society had one last year. It takes 21 paddlers plus a drummer. Steph said we could partner with TACA. It gives some mild publicity and would be fun and is a great way to use the Riverfront but Maurice, Robert, and Loren had their doubts (old codgers, not much fun, etc.). Maurice noted that it's a commitment and if your team doesn't materialize you're out the money.
NEXT WEEK: FUNDRAISING TRAINING
Don't miss next week's meeting if you're up for a little role playing training for how to solicit donations for good community projects like a dog park!
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