Airway Heights to form Art Council City looks to develop more recreation

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – After being in the works for several months, a plan to establish the first city Art Commission was announced Oct. 20.

Planning technician Zachary Becker said the city will implement the commission and establish funding to install and display public art that reflects the culture, diversity and community.

City Planner Heather Trautman said the goal is to embed art communitywide.

She said the city also adopted an art ordinance to establish a foundation for funding the commission.

The city is looking for interested residents to fill commission positions, she said. The city also needs two people knowledgeable in architecture, landscaping or a similar field.

The commission will need to have to professional artists and one individual that has experience in public art education, too, she said.

The city would also like to appoint one real estate professional and one at large resident to the commission Trautman said.

Becker said he implemented some art projects into the downtown and sub-area plan and hopes to see a community art section installed into a future downtown area.

Lesley Bain with Framework said the city is fortunate to have an active art plan, as a lot of communities don’t have the opportunity.

She also said some options for displaying art that can be easily swapped are to install plinths that can temporarily hold art pieces that can be easily removed and replaced with different displays.

She said trails and pathways should be areas residents can enjoy— not just travel on.

City Parks and Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy said a survey was done in which the residents said trails and pathways are an important part of community needs.

He said the department is weighing options on implementing possible exercise loops, interpretive trails and more.

Kennedy also said there are various plans in the works for some of the current parks and installations around the city.

The recreation center, which sits on 70 acres of land, has become more useful to residents.

Of the 70 acres, 10 have been developed into the center and parking area itself, while another 10 have been developed into various playing fields for different sports, Kennedy said. As funding becomes available, more of the land will be developed to incorporate more recreation facilities.

Landreth Park, which has been gradually getting more suitable grass in place, will also be upgraded, Kennedy said.

The city has discussed placing exercise equipment along the hiking trail around the park.

In addition, Combs Park has needed some work and has fallen behind without adequate funding, Kennedy said, noting the parks master plan includes a remodel of the area with new playground equipment.

Kennedy said the plan includes an approach that includes seven phases and each of those can be addressed and completed as funding is made available.

Matthew O. Stephens can be reached at reporter2@cheneyfreepress.com

 

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