Press Release Posts
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PrairieLand RC&D Sponsoring Used Electronics Collection
Press Release Jul 24 2010Bi-annual used electronic collection at the Madison Coumty Fair Grounds, August 3rd & 4th, 7 AM to 6 PM. Also, other recycleable products will be received such as aluminum cans, cardboard, appliances, #1 & #2 plastics.
http://www.Visioning2026.com/NorthFork/2010usedcomputerflyer.pdf
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City of Norfolk's Park and Trails Master Plan Published
Press Release Jul 23 2010The comprehensive Park and Trails Master Plan (13.5MB) has been published with a significant amount of history, current conditions, trends, future options, and suggested recommendations for future implementation. The report uses the numerous survey responses to help formulate a series of recommendations that can be implemented over a 10-20 year time frame with some short term suggestions within 1-3 years.
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North Fork River Greenway Highlighted
Press Release Jul 22 2010City of Norfolk Park and Trail Master Plan presentation slide material highlights the value of the greenway along and near the North Fork river.
The Trail System was voted at 40% as the most valued part of the park and trail.
63% percent of the voters in the survey indicated extending the trail system into additonal neighborhoods as important.
Johnson Park was ranked 4th behind Skyview Park, TaHaZouka, and Cowboy Trail their favorite park.
43% of survey voters agree or strongly agree that the North Fork Riverwalk Development is important to the development of the community.
66% agree or strongly agree that trails increase the property values.
Trails Recommendation #1 is to create a better north/south pathway system between NECC in the north and TaHaZouka in the south.
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Longer Term North Fork Riverfront Improvements
Press Release Jun 25 2010Call me a heretic, but "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's new chief of staff.
We have the attention of the Corps of Engineers who are very active supporting the permit process to rebuild the railroad line southwest of Norfolk. While they are visiting our community should we not engage them on the Norfolk Sanitary District’s project to rebuild the bank pilings along the North Fork below the mill day spill way (box culvert). At the same time we should have them consider the reconnection of Johnson Park to the North Fork by removing the one block section of Nebraska Ave. and how this can support the City’s Park and Trail Master Plan. What can we do to improve the access to the natural resource water features and still satisfy the Corps of Engineers?
It is time to reconvene the “all parties” meeting at improving coordination and the future vision for historic center of the community to include Riverpoint, City’s Arts and Culture subcommittee, City’s Trail subcommittee (to be established), NorthFork Riverfront Development, Downtown Vehicle Parking District, Community Theater Association, Preservation Norfolk, Norfolk Economic Development Plan, as well as other connected activities. Joe Ferguson started the process recently and the recommendation was to reconvene with more participants from the community and established a structure to move forward to help everyone meet their needs as a collaborating team.
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Riverfest, Windom, MN Celebrates 125th Year of Volunteer Firemen
Press Release Jun 24 2010A board member happened to stop in Windom, MN recently, along Hwy 60 in south central MN, and read their local newspaper which was basically half filled with pictures and articles about their annual riverfest. http://www.winwacc.com/riverfest.htm
An interesting observation reflected on all the different activities that were scheduled which led board member to believe that everyone in the community could find something to enjoy during the 3-day of festivities. A lot of different organizations took part by sponsoring an particular event..
Norfolk has its share of festivals, yet they seem to be a single activity by a single organization. Boom Fest is increasing the number activities on the Saturday of their major July 4th event. The Comedy Festival is trying to incorporate more activities to support the event and comedians that visit. In both cases they need large group of volunteers to pull off the activities supporting the event. Carl Reeder has sponsored an “Old Cars” event downtown. We’ve had a Green Egg BBQ event in the past, a ethnic and watermelon festival have fallen by the wayside.
How can we rally the community, especially different organizations, to support a festival that incorporates many different activities, similar to the county fair type atmosphere? Do we need to “hitch our flotilla” to the Comedy Festival and help promote and the increase the number of activities?
Given that NorthFork Riverfront Development Project has been approved for the $25K Nebraska Tax Credit program (help raise $65K) how can we generate more interest in finding those that have a passion that want to improve Johnson Park, the trails and river access? For example, do we need to support installing public art (and amphitheater) in Johnson Park to get the art and theater community involved, creating a “walk of fame” paver stones to get the trails people engaged, installing historical markers to collaborate with Preservation Norfolk and the Elkhorn Valley Museum supporters, creating flower gardens or a linear botanical garden alone the riverfront to support the master gardener community members, exercise stations for all ages in Johnson Park and along the riverfront to support the YMCA, schools, and City Park & Rec., etc.?
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NorthFork Riverfront Development Project Board Meeting Notes
Press Release Jun 18 2010FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NorthFork Riverfront Development Project, June, 16th, 2010
The monthly June 16th, Wednesday, noon meeting covered the personnel support and safety for the upcoming Comedy Flotilla, June 19th 11AM and continued support even with recent flooding and loss conditions. *** Subsequent to the meeting the event has been cancelled for this year as due to the North Fork water levels remainingl high, flood water quality, and local events due to the 100 year flood.
The board agreed that we should be identified as the NorthFork Riverfront Development Project.
Co-chairman Darrel Novacek explained the grant application to allow for issuing state tax credit certificates to future financial donors for the project’s future expenses. Also several letters of support are expected from different organizations that will be partners in future efforts along the riverfront.
Additional grant applications efforts were discussed and the consideration of resubmitting an USDA economic feasibility study covering a more restrictive area of the overall project.
The results of the City’s Park and Trails Master Plan was discussed and how we can support those City Wards and neighborhoods. In addition the board wants to investigate how an economic development corridor can be established using a Planned Unit Development designation allowed through the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The board postponed discussion on hiring a engineering firm in support of the Norfolk Sanitary District desire to replace the river pilings and any changes to Johnson Park’s direct access the North Fork by the public for such activities as a walking/biking path and rafting/canoeing/kayaking activities.
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City’s Park and Recreation Master Plan Preliminary Recommendations
Press Release Jun 1 2010City of Norfolk, NE has released the Preliminary Park Recommendations, provided by Community Redesigned for the Norfolk Recreation and Park Master Plan. Park and Trail Map is a separate document.
Upgrading existing parks as well as new parks are presented. Presentat.ion to the City Council's Working Session May 24th, emphasized the connection of existing trail system to parks and the north south corridors that available.
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Walking the North Fork for Comedy Flotilla Preparations
Press Release May 30 2010
Safety preparation for the Comedy Flotilla, June 19th, 2010, 11 AM. Mark Hall, May 29th, 12:30 PM, walked and sometimes floated down the North Fork of the Elkhorn River. Investigations proved that approximately 70% of the water depth is 3 feet, about 15% at 4 feet, about 5% at 5 feet, 2.5% at 7 feet, 7.5% at 2.5 feet. The bottom of the river bed is mostly sand with muddy shore line. There was one section Southwest of YMCA where water depth went to 7 feet however there were subsurface obstructions that would be a safety hazard for the unprepared. The water was warm and even after about 1 hour felt very comfortable. Hall was able to talk to a property owner across the river behind Kings entertainment complex. More images and captions of the walking tour down the North Fork.The walking tour included to different parts of the river bed to check variability in depth and for obstructions. Hall enjoyed the 90 degree sunny weather and many birds along the route. Redwingd black birds were very interested as I must have been close to a nesting area. Heading South next to the movie theater complex he experience some really nice areas along this stretch as there is overhanging tree limbs that give you the sensation of going through a tunnel. Swallows have made the concrete bridge at Elm Street their home. A mother duck and her ducklings were spotted ahead along the East bank near the Mill Dam Spillway.
Natural grass vegetation in plentiful along most stretches of the river. There is a 2-3 foot drop from the bank edge to the water's edge in most places so using the grass to help pull yourself out of water came in handy. Hall checked out the bank along the North 4th Street Park where organizers plan to have observers during the June 19th Comedy Flotilla event. There are plans to get some of this grass cut to improve the visibility.
Some type of protective foot wear is highly encouraged with tanking and canoeing on the river. The breeze kept most bugs from bothering the adventurer. Insect repellent would be suggested for the June 19th Comedy Flotilla. Hall included inspections for the area to portage stock tanks and canoes near the Mill Dam Spillway.
It was a beautiful day enjoying the water, the quiet, getting wet, and warm sun on your face.
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Comedy Festival Flotilla on the North Fork
Press Release May 23 2010
Viaero Great American Comedy Festival comedians will join community participants in floating and paddling down the North Fork River, Saturday, June 19, 11 AM.Bring your canoe, inner tube, stock tank, home made floating device and a life jacket and join in "bringing fun back to the river." Some canoes and inner tubes will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Access to the river will be from just North of the Benjamin Ave bridge and from behind National Champion Liquor, 1100 Riverside Blvd. Exit off the water will be just beyond the railroad river bridge and prior to First Street mill dam adjacent to Miller Property (old trailer court). Temporary docks will be installed, volunteers to help portage the floating devices, and transportation between ending and starting points.
Viewing will be from the trail bridge Southwest of the YMCA and the Winter Park and 4th Street Park. We are looking for volunteers to help as well as participate in paddling on the river.
For additional information contact Mark Hall by email: northforkriverwalk@gmail.com.
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Norfolk Riverfront Cleanup--North Fork River Below Mill Dam
Press Release Apr 25 2010
Over 100 community volunteers come out for the Norfolk Riverfront Cleanup event, helping to remove trash an volunteer trees below the North Fork River Mill Dam area near Johnson Park. There were numerous donations made by area businesses, Fisher Tree Service, NPPD Wood Chipper Team, Waste Connections with their Rollon/Rolloff units, Hy-Vee, Lou's Thrifty Way, Affiliated Foods, Burger King, Hiland Roberts, Keep Norfolk Beautiful, Dinkel Implement, Green Fiber. Norfolk Tree board member came out, Garrett Fischer and Dick Wozniak, a large Coka-a-Cola team, CCDS the Zone kids, K-Kids from Sacred Heart School, Northeast Nebraska Community College students, NorthFork Riverfront Development Board, Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Green Council.http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/2010RiverFrontVolunteers#
Well over 400 volunteer hours spent to spruce up a natural resource that has great potential for Norfolk's future economic development and community's quality of life.
Images of the area before cleanup began.
http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/2010RiverFrontBeforeCleanup#
