Urban Wilderness Advisory Board s1

Urban Wilderness Advisory Board Minutes of Special Meeting: Public Hearing April 21, 2010

Members Present: Al Will Marcey Carabelli Frank Dickinson Jeffrey Greenfield Joan Kohl Pam Pavsner Lisa Baumbach-Reardon (late arrival)

Staff Present: Carol Morgenstern Linda Briggs Cathy Hagen Michael Owens Dan West

The Urban Wilderness Advisory Board (UWAB, or the Board) was called to order at 5:35 p.m.; roll was taken; a quorum was present.

Dan West, the new director of the Parks and Recreation Division was introduced to the members of the Board, and the Board welcomed him to the area and to the UWAB meeting. Mr. West provided a summary of his background leading Ohio’s state park system, his coming to Broward County to head the park system here, and how the two compare and contrast. He intends to continue promoting the county’s natural areas, which he sees as unique and not well known even in the local area. Mr. West summarized the county’s current fiscal situation as it relates to Parks: the budget is going to be tough; the numbers are bleak; Parks alone lost 16.5% of its budget and 130 positions in the last two fiscal years.

Old Business The public hearing was held to discuss the proposed addition of nine sites to the Urban Wilderness inventory.

Linda Briggs, Natural Resource Specialist for the Environmental Section, presented an overview of the sites being considered.

Each of the nine sites is owned and managed by Broward County, and has been recommended by the UWAB for addition to the inventory. The Broward County Commission will determine if the sites are suitable for designation as Urban Wilderness sites. The list of sites in consideration include the Herman and Dorothy Shooster Preserve, West Creek Pineland Natural Area, Crescent Trail Natural Area, Deerfield Highlands Nature Preserve, Saw Palmetto Natural Area Addition, Helene Klein Pineland Preserve Addition, Pine Island Addition, the School Board Site, and the Carpenter House Property.

The Herman and Dorothy Shooster Preserve is a 20 acre mix of conservation land and green space located in Margate between US Hwy 441 and Southwest 64th Terrace. It is surrounded by residential areas and office buildings. The site is a mix of upland and wetland vegetation, and it contains a mature cypress wetland with large pond apple trees. A nature trail, parking, and picnic tables are planned for this area.

West Creek Pineland Natural Area is located in Coconut Creek. The 7.5 acres of conservation land is located across Hillsboro Boulevard, just southeast of Saw Palmetto Natural Area and southwest of Helene Klein Pineland Preserve, creating a patchwork of natural areas in this part of the county. The site contains mesic flatwoods dominated by slash pine and saw palmetto. The C-5 canal bisects the site. Plans include building a footbridge across the C-5 canal to connect the two halves of the natural area and a trail to connect with the City of Coconut Creek greenway trail system. Once development is completed, we will have a network of pathways through this area.

Crescent Trail Natural Area, also situated in Coconut Creek, is a 7 acre conservation land site. It is located off of Hillsboro Boulevard and Northwest 39th Avenue. Crescent Trail contains a mix of pines, oaks, and a healthy cypress dome. Plans for this site include a nature trail, benches, interpretive signs, and parking.

Deerfield Highlands Nature Preserve in Deerfield Beach is 10 acres of conservation land containing a disturbed scrub community. The entire understory was cleared for predevelopment on two occasions in the last 30 years, prior to the county’s purchase of the site. In spite of that disturbance, the site still contains important scrub plant species that have become rare in Broward County, including pawpaw, Curtis’ milkweed, and October flower. Plans include picnic tables, a small playground, and a parking area in the most disturbed eastern side of the site.

Saw Palmetto Natural Area Addition, located in Coconut Creek, is a 2 acre area of green space located adjacent to and managed as a part of the Saw Palmetto Natural Area. Saw Palmetto is near a number of other natural areas, including the School Board Property, West Creek Pineland Natural Area, and Helene Klein Pineland Preserve. The Saw Palmetto Natural Area Addition site is a disturbed open field that will serve as a trail head for the five natural areas located nearby. Amenities in Saw Palmetto Natural Area include nature trails, an overlook, parking, interpretive signs, and picnic tables.

Helene Klein Pineland Preserve Addition, also in Coconut Creek, is one acre of conservation land containing mesic flatwoods and is located in the southeast corner of Helene Klein Pineland Preserve. Acquisition of this site was an important addition for the preservation of Helene Klein Pineland Preserve by completing this block of habitat. Prior to acquisition by the County, plans had been drawn up for construction of a gas station and banks on this site, which would have included entry access through Helene Klein Pineland Preserve. The vegetation of the Addition is primarily slash pines and saw palmetto. Helene Klein Pineland Preserve is open to the public and includes a nature trail, parking, a picnic table, and interpretive signage.

Pine Island Addition is located in Davie. The purchase of this one acre conservation land adds one of the few remaining privately held parcels of the oak covered ridge into public ownership. The entire Pine Island Ridge is an important archaeological and biological site. Vegetation consists of an oak canopy and an understory of ferns, wild coffee and other associated plants. Pine Island Ridge is open to the public with equestrian trails and foot trails. No new amenities are planned for this portion of Pine Island Ridge.

The School Board Property is the county’s newest addition. Located in Coconut Creek, this site is ten acres of conservation land recently received by the county. The School Board Property is southeast of Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area and just northwest of Saw Palmetto Natural Area, and is near West Creek Pineland and Helene Klein Pineland Preserve. Vegetation includes a willow head, cypress, and pine flatwoods. No amenities are planned for this site at this time.

The Carpenter House is located in the City of Hollywood. It is surrounded by Hollywood North Beach Park on all sides, and is managed by Broward County. This 0.5 acre property contains both conservation land and green space. The site contains a 1940s house, an artist studio, and a beach cottage. The conservation land contains a small area of dune ecosystem that transitions from coastal strand to impacted maritime hammock. The dune ecosystem will be restored with exotic removal and native plantings. The house is currently being renovated and will be used for meetings, environmental education, and small gatherings.

The Chair opened the floor for questions from the Board. There were no questions. The Chair opened the floor for public discussion. There was no public discussion or comment. A motion was made to accept the nine sites for inclusion on the Urban Wilderness Inventory. The motion was seconded. No further discussion. All approved –the motion carried unanimously.

New Business

There was no new business to discuss.

Adjournment

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded; all approved. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

The next regular quarterly meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2010 at Central Broward Regional Park, 5:30 p.m.