 Endorsing the plan means only that the city approves of the
plan and wants to see it go forward. The city has made no commitment
to finance the construction, with one exception.The property that
was once the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital was given to the city
by the hospital. It included the hospital grounds on the south side
of Eighth Street and the hospital parking lot on the north side of
the street.
The city will be looking into selling the parking lot property,
and the funds gleaned from that sale may be used to help fund the
APEX.
Last week Lisa Kramer of Prairie Engineers and Kent Massie of
Massie Massie and Associates attended the workshop meeting of the
council along with APEX committee members Wayne Cox, Marcia
Greenslate and Bill Vinyard.
Massie presented the group with a color drawing of the APEX
proposal. He said there had been enough publicity on the topic that
he didn't feel he needed to explain every detail of the site to the
council.
What he did want to talk about is how the construction could be
done in phases, as funding becomes available.
He said the first phase could be site preparation. Massie
indicated that before the APEX is actually built, there will need to
be a good stand of turf on the now-vacant lot. He also talked about
some conservation efforts that could be incorporated into that first
phase, such as harvesting rainwater for irrigation.
The APEX is divided into sections with certain highlights in each
one. One portion of the grounds includes a mound or small hill for
climbing and play.
Massie said the mound had been the attraction that held the most
interest throughout the planning process. Therefore, that should be
the first portion of the APEX to be built and the second phase of
the plan. He said this would also include the walking paths for
exercise.
Other elements of the plan include a flat space for exercise such
as yoga, and a variety of locations where outdoor exercise equipment
can be used. Massie indicated developing those elements would be the
third phase of the plan.
Phase four will involve the development of the splash bowl.
Massie said that in looking at this element, the committee had
worked hard to make sure it would not take away from the water
activities at the Lincoln Park District.
The splash bowl will be a spot where children can run through
sprinklers. Water will not be deep and there will be no opportunity
for swimming activities.
Included in the splash bowl plans is a circular pathway around
the bowl for tricycles and skates.
Massie said the committee had again considered conservation in
this area. They want to create the bowl using potable water that can
then be collected and used in the irrigation system for the entire
grounds.
The fifth and final phase of construction for the APEX would be
the amphitheater area. Massie pointed out that the design of this
area would lend itself to outdoor events such as music or movies in
the park, but it would also be an ideal location for tot play.
He said the stage area of the amphitheater will include a canopy
for shade, and the graduated levels of the earth seating would be
great for climbing exercise.
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Massie concluded by saying the APEX at City Center is a unique
place. It is not a sports complex, not a park, but rather a
collection of fitness zones that can be used in many ways.
He said the APEX is a site that invites many activities without a
lot of structure, a place that offers freedom of choice and
imagination.
Massie also said he felt the funding to build the APEX could come
from a lot of sources. With the health benefits of the site, he
believes it will attract attention from the medical and insurance
industries, as well as local businesses and local government.
Mayor Keith Snyder said he agreed there was already great
interest in finding the money to build the APEX. He said he'd heard
from individuals who are ready to donate right now.
There are also grants available for these types of developments,
and research will be done to see what is out there and how to submit
applications for the funding.
As the discussions neared an end last week, Marcia Greenslate,
one of the committee members, spoke about the diversity of the
committee and the pleasure they all took in developing such a
terrific plan.
She noted: "We were told to dream big and we did."
She said as ideas were tossed out to the committee, there were
some that were not feasible, but she thought what they came up with
in the end was a really unique approach.
Wayne Cox, another committee member, also spoke last week, saying
there was a misunderstanding in the community at large that the city
was going to pay for this project. He said there has never been any
intention for the city to foot the bill. He noted the search for
grants and also other avenues for funding.
The mayor also spoke last week about the diversity of the
committee. He noted the youngest member, Tate Mourning, who is only
8, and on the other end of the spectrum, Bill and Jean Gossett, who
are quite a bit older than that. He said the wide variety of age
groups had added a great deal to the committee.
With the endorsement Monday night of the APEX plan, the current
committee will be more or less disbanded, and a new committee will
be established to work on raising money for the project.
Snyder appointed the planning committee and will also put
together the membership of the funding committee. There has been no
mention to date of who might be on that committee or when they might
begin their part of the work.
[By NILA SMITH]
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