HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 03-10-1994MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
March 10, 1994
Page 8
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Willegalle, Wahl, Johnson, Watson, and Fiemann;
staff Blank, Bisek, Buck and Pederson; Councilman Edson
Absent: Commissioner Mikula
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the March meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers and
introduced the new commissioners, Ron Fiemann, representing the at -large community, and
Henry Willegalle, representing Ward 2.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to
approve the minutes of the February meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting.
b. Staff Paul Buck, the City Forester, was present at the meeting to explain the projects he's
been working on and things he's planning for spring. He invited commissioners to
accompany him to Anoka to attend a Time for Trees seminar. He's working with Carlson
Companies on a large project called Greening Plymouth's Entryways. Carlson has agreed
to supply 100 volunteers to help with the planting. The first area that will be planted is
along the Carlson Parkway exit off I-494. MNDot is donating $5,000 worth of planting
material for this project. Another planting project is with NSP near French Park. NSP has
agreed to donate $5,000 in plants if the City will match it. The trees will be planted
beneath the power lines. Arbor Day will be celebrated this year on April 21 by planting
14 trees at Wayzata East Junior High. The YES organization has declared an area behind
the school, a Peace Garden, and this is where the trees will be planted.
Mary Bisek indicated that with the increase in the senior program coordinator's hours to
20 per week, some new inter -generational programming is being planned. She also stated
that a volunteer working with the senior program has started a job exchange service in an
attempt to find work for seniors and match them up with Plymouth employers.
Mary indicated that the recreation department has begun accepting credit card registrations
on a trial basis. The program has not been formally advertised to the general public yet.
The recreation clerical staff needs to get acclimated to the process before going full scale
with it.
The summer program brochure is scheduled for delivery in early April. The department is
already getting many calls regarding summer program dates.
c. Others.
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 9
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Director Blank explained that although the CIP has not been formally approved by the City
Council, they did approve the $10,000 allocation for the constriction of the Gleason Lake
Elementary School playground project. Council also accepted the Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission 1993 Annual Report.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. West Medicine Lake Park master plan review - Barry Warner. Director Blank explained
the history of the West Medicine Lake Park project for the benefit of the new
commissioners and for members of the audience. The project dates back to 1982, when a
comprehensive master park plan was prepared for the entire City. A preliminary site plan
specifically for this park was prepared the same year. The boundaries of the park were
determined at that time. The City has been acquiring property for inclusion in this park
for the past 21 years. In 1993, the consulting firm Barton-Aschman was chosen to do a
new master site plan. Three public meetings were held to review the plans and to
determine the most appropriate road alignment for West Medicine Lake Drive. After a
road alignment was agreed upon by the general public and the Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission, Barton-Aschman was directed to proceed with preparation of a
final site plan for the park. At the suggestion of the general public, a focus group
consisting of eight residents, city staff and Barton-Aschman, was formed to review the
park plan design options. After two meetings, the focus group endorsed a plan, which was
later presented to the general public, where it met with approval. Concerns expressed by
the public included speed limits on 26th Avenue, which is outside the boundaries of the
park, safe access to the park for children, limiting the number of boats on the lake, and the
size of the proposed parking lot for the park. Barry Warner then made a formal
presentation of the site plan to the Commission and to the public in attendance. He
explained that the road alignment that was approved allows for approximately 20-25 acres
of active recreation, and that it divides the active area from the more passive area, which
consists of about 40 acres of woods and wetlands. A multi-purpose asphalt trail will wind
through the active area, and a wood chip type trail will meander through the passive area,
connecting with the parking lot. The road will be constricted like a "parkway" with a
boulevard down the center, which will be landscaped with smaller trees and shrubbery,
and flowers will be planted at both the north and south entrances to the park. On the north
end of the park, an ice fishing access and seasonal boat access will be maintained. The
main purposes will be to provide ice fishing enthusiasts and boats with deeper hulls a way
to get on and off the lake. The boat launch in French Park is too shallow for larger boats
to use. This access will be open only during the winter months and once in the spring and
fall to allow the bigger boats and deep hulled sailboats an opportunity to get their boats
launched. Mr. Warner pointed out the location of the hard court surfaces which will be for
tennis and basketball. He explained that the design theme being considered for the park is
based on the WPA projects of the 30's and 40's, using field stone and timbers. The
playground stricture could have a nautical look. Floating boardwalks may be built which
will get people across the wetlands to the active recreation area. A four way stop may be
put in at the intersection of the entrance to the parking lots located on either side of West
Medicine Lake Drive. Safety lighting will be installed at key locations.
David Gradick, 11730 27th Avenue, a member of the focus group, commented that he and
the rest of the focus group were very excited about the park. He visited several of his
neighbors during the planning process and reported that they were all very enthusiastic.
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 10
Director Blank then explained the budget for building this facility. The entire project will
cost approximately $3.3 million. This does not include the acquisition of the three homes
located within the park's boundaries. The project will be done in three phases, similar to
how Parkers Lake Park was built. Funding for a portion of the project may be sought
from the State's LAWCON program. Phase I could include grading, realigning the road,
curb and gutter, and paving the parking lots. Phase II could include picnic shelters, the
swimming beach, trails, tennis courts and trees. Phase III might include the constriction
of the multi-purpose, two story building, which could be constricted to look something
like a lodge. The swimming beach may be open the summer of '96. The yearly operating
cost, once the park is fiilly developed, would be approximately $75,000.
Commissioner Fiemann addressed the issue of lighting in terms of safety. Director Blank
stated that lighting would be provided along the trail that winds through the active area, in
the parking lots, and along the parkway. There would be no lighting in the passive,
wooded area. The trees and shrubbery planted in the boulevard along the parkway would
be of the type that would not obstruct a person's view from the parkway into the active
park area on the east side of the roadway.
Commissioner Willegalle wondered if the road alignment addresses the concerns about
speeding on 26th Avenue. Director Blank responded that 26th Avenue is four blocks
north of the actual park, and consequently, is not an issue that can be resolved by the Park
Commission. This is a matter that the residents must discuss with the Public Safety
Department.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FIEMANN TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CONCEPT PLAN, AS
PRESENTED BY BARTON-ASCHMAN, FOR WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK, BE
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
b. Amberwoods Park update. Director Blank stated that he contacted Pat McDonald, the
President of the Amberwoods Homeowner's Association, to learn the outcome of that
group's vote on donating their private park to the city. Mr. McDonald informed him that
they had decided against giving the park to the city and were now looking into other
things they might do with the land.
c. Study of unique open spaces update. Commissioner Johnson reported that the fill Open
Space Committee, consisting of four PRAC members, four citizens at large, a Planning
Commission member, a City Council member, and the City Forester and Park and
Recreation Director met for the first time on March 10. Director Blank presented a course
of action, which the committee endorsed. Representatives of Eden Prairie will be invited
to attend the next meeting, since they currently have an open space policy in effect. The
committee may meet twice a month for the next few months. When their work is
concluded, they will prepare an open space plan, which they will submit to PRAC for
endorsement. If PRAC endorses the plan, the Open Space Committee will then present it
to the City Council.
6. NEW BUSINESS
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 11
a. Request to rent Plymouth Creek Amphitheater for Christian music festival. Director
Blank stated that the City has received a request from Dawn Productions of St. Louis Park
to rent the amphitheater for a Christian music festival. The event would take place on
Saturday, June 25, in the afternoon hours. Youth groups from area churches would be
invited. Director Blank discussed this with the Public Safety Director who indicated that
he would be able to provide safety personnel for crowd control and to direct traffic. Dawn
Productions estimates attendance of approximately 3,000 to 4,000. The cost for police
would be about $2,000 and Director Blank is proposing a rental rate of $500 for the site.
Dawn Productions would be responsible for picking up any trash and depositing it in
waste receptacles, which City maintenance crews would later remove.
Commissioner Fiemann asked if PRAC is the group that decides who is able to use the
amphitheater. Director Blank responded that PRAC annually reviews the City's Park
Facility Rental Policies and Fee Schedule and that the amphitheater would be covered
under that policy. Commissioner Fiemann then wondered if the City has a decibel limit,
and Director Blank stated that there is a noise ordinance in effect between the hours of 11
p.m. and 7 a.m., but since this is in the afternoon, he feels it shouldn't be a problem.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FIEMANN TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE
THE RENTAL OF THE PLYMOUTH CREEK AMPHITHEATER, TO DAWN
PRODUCTIONS, FOR A FEE OF $2,500 FOR THE PURPOSE OF A CHRISTIAN
MUSIC FESTIVAL, ON SATURDAY, JUNE 25. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH
ALL AYES.
b. Select a date for annual park tour. Commissioners were given a choice of some dates for
the annual park tour, and it was determined that Wednesday, May 25, would work out the
best. The tour would begin at 4:30 p.m. Box suppers will be served on the bus. Members
of the City Council, the Planning Commission, and City staff would be invited to
accompany PRAC on the tour.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.