|
Occoquan Watershed Coalition
|
Archives
|
||||||
December 3, 2001
Hemlock Overlook Task Force
|
| Attendees: Hot Force Jim Bonhivert David Smith Kathy Wisiackas Aileen Mitchell Laura Harrington Bill Cole GMU Susan Johnson Hassan Kamel Star Wilbraham Marty Coyne NVRPA Julia Claypool Subjects discussed included the following: 1. Distribution of Activity- Susan Johnson did an excellent job of preparing a detailed description of the various program activities at Hemlock during the year 2000. This included a headcount by type of visitor, totalling approximately 28 000 visitors. Hot Force members remarked that the mix of the group seemed to be healthy and generally appropriate in that the majority of visitors continue to be students and not Corporate and distant visitors. 2. Spring Community walk- it was agreed that GMU would pick a date and encourage a Clifton community walk through Hemlock Park in the spring of 2002. 3. Speeding on Yates Ford Road- all attendees at the meeting had passionate comments on this subject. The source of speeding continues from all users of the road. Calling police when speeding is observed was encouraged. Laura Harrington explained that the community might be able to post some signage on Yates Ford Road, if appropriate and not in conflict with VDOT regulatory signs. It was agreed that GMU would make arrangements to post two signs, one at the park and the other near the intersection of Kincheloe and Yates Ford Road. The signs will ask drivers to respect the community and drive slowly. 4. Tour Buses- GMU has listened to the urgings of the community by changing its advertising literature to prohibit the use of tour buses on Yates Ford Road. Hot Force wishes to express its appreciation for this effort. 5. Limits to activity/Caps- a vigorous discussion took place, focused on whether the NVRPA was ready to negotiate limits to the level of program activity at Hemlock. The Director of NVRPA has agreed to meet with Jim Bonhivert early in the new year to discuss this subject further. 6. The preliminary 2002 budget for GMU should be ready to discuss at the next general community meeting, scheduled for the first quarter of 2002 . 7. The level of support for Hemlock provided by NVRPA was discussed but specific numbers were not available. The subject came up in the context of why a given level of activity was required to satisfy the criteria of communities that contribute to NVRPA. A date for the next meeting was not set. -Jim Bonhivert |