Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Commission’s April 5 workshop was spent mostly with updates to continued, long-term projects going on both in town and Lake Leatherwood City Park.
Stacy Mahurin of Stacy’s Stoneworks spoke to commissioners on work being done at Harding and Magnetic Springs. A culvert that runs beneath the spring had crumbled away due to tree roots and Public Works had to upend a portion of the pocket park to make repairs.
Mahurin said that his work as an historic stonemason involved investigative work to tackle problems. With the hollow section beneath the spring opened up he was able to recap a stone wall that was underneath. He told commissioners by the end of the week the Parks gardener would be able to begin repairing the gardens.
Speaking on Magnetic, Mahurin said that weather had caused the final work to be postponed. The work has included the repair and reinforcement of the water basins as well as repairs to the garden walls and walkway. Mahurn explained that due to the amount of water coming from the spring, and the need to pour new concrete, a pump truck is needed to keep water off the operation. He said that work should be completed by the end of April.
Executive Director Scott Miskiel asked Mahurin to explain the white stone being used in the construction. Mahurin told commissioners that the stone comes from the same quarry as the original stone used in Magnetic’s construction. Due to the quarry changing hands several times over the years the stone can only be bought in larger blocks and that due to it coming from further beneath the ground it has a pale color. He said the original stone had come from closer to the surface and was field stone that had already aged due to the elements.
Miskiel asked how long it would take for the stone to develop a patina and Mahurin said it varies from place to place but he suspected it wouldn’t take long at Magnetic before it gained color.
Dam progress
Updating on repairs to Lake Leatherwood Dam, Miskiel said progress had been made in the past month. Engineers with National Resources Conservation Services had gone through an assessment of the dam including to repairs for the façade. He said this could lead to proposals for grant money through NRCS that could include assistance in remedying excessive sediment in the lake and dealing with curly pond weed that grows prolifically.
Miskiel also said that two companies would have proposals for repair to the dam railing.
Two proposals, one for the architectural design of the bandshell and another for design of the park, had been sent for commissioners to review. He said that another architect would be sending another proposal soon. Miskiel also told commissioners he had received a proposal from McClelland Consulting Engineers to assess the needs at Basin Park. He said the contract is an addendum to a master contract the city has pre-negotiated with them and that Parks would only need to provide a scope of work.
And lastly, engineering assessment for the fallen wall at Crescent Spring is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks.
Other Items
Discussion of how to further communicate with the public on what Parks is doing went back and forth between commissioners. Commissioner Pat Costner suggested a Facebook page for general Parks use would help. There was some concern over how to monitor conversation on social media to make sure information provided was accurate.
Miskiel pointed out a need for an administrative position to handle website updates and communication with the public. Both he and Chair Ruth Hager mentioned that currently they have had to spend extra time in the last week correcting information that was spread through Facebook.
Last year, Parks had listed, twice, an open position for an administrative assistant. The work entailed would include receptionist work, maintaining website and social media accounts, periodic reports, and maintaining policy manuals and organization of the Parks’ office. The position was listed as full-time with pay to be determined.
The position is already included in the budget and Miskiel said he would begin seeking applicants again and would use job search websites to assist in finding someone.
Miskiel also introduced Parks’ new gardener Steph Gordon-Glassford who spoke at the opening of the workshop. Gordon-Glassford has a degree in Environmental Science and Geology and has worked all over the world and several places in the United States. She said she was ready to work hard and fast to get the gardens into shape.
Miskiel said that a garden committee or equivalent would be formed so the public could communicate directly with the gardener.
Magnetic Springs is not a “pocket park”.