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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 01-06-1983Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Regular Meeting of January 6, 1983 7:30 p.m. Plymouth City Center Council Chambers AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a Wayzata Youth Soccer John Howie b. Mary and Rick "Parents, Coaches, Kids" c. Others 4. Report on Past Council Action a Approved CIP 5. Unfinished Business a. St. Mary's. Update b. LAWCONACMR Grant Update c. Plymouth Creek Estates Update d. Medicine Lake Task Force Update e. Annual Report 6. New Business a. Parkers Lake Planned Development 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9.Adjournment M Minutes of the Plymouth Park, and Recreation Advisory Commission `December Meeting December 2, 1982, 8:40 p.m. Page 33 Present; Commissioners Chesebrough, Edwards, Mullan, Dvorak and Berg; staff members Blank, Busch,, Nelgeson and Peterson; Planning Commissioner Magnus; Council member Moen Absent:: Chairman Rice, Commissioner Threinen 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Edwards called the meeting to order at 8;40 p.m. in the Plymouth City Center Council Conference Room. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the November meeting were approved as read with the following correction by Commissioner Chesebrough the word "affect" in Item 5. c. should have been "effect." 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Association Representatives. Immediately preceding this meeting two assofatfons were represented and were present to discuss the Mayor's Task Force on Park and Recreation Program Financing. Attending were Pepper Asche, 284 Girls Baseball/Softball; Tom Witchger, Wayzata Youth Hockey; and Gary Gibbons, Wayzata. Youth Hockey. b. Rick Busch. Rick handed out copies of, -a book titled, "Parents, Coaches, Kids. 5 -Youth Sports." He asked the commissioners to study it carefully because he would like their endorsement of it at the January meeting. c. Others. None. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION Director Blank had nothing to report on this item. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. St. Mary's Update. There were no new developments on tris issue. b. LAWCON Update. Director Blank indicated that our grant may be in trouble 5ecause of the state's financial situation at this time. c, Plymouth Creek Estates Update. Director Blank reported that several meetings have been heid between staff and Mr. Belgarde's representatives and that the two groups are coming closer to reaching an agreement on the size and shape of the area proposed for Plymouth Creek City Park. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Review 1982 Annual Re ort Format. It is staff's goal to have the 1982 Annual Report ready for presentation to the Council by March, 1983. Commissioners with comments should send them to Eric or Nancy as soon as possible. b. New Plats. There were no new plats. c. Amendment to Comprehensive Trail Plan. Director Blank explained several changes to the Comprehensive Trail Plan he is recommending be endorsed including changing tai nevi ew Lane from a Class I to a Class III trail, adding a Class I trail elong new County Road 61 from 45th Avenue to County Road 10 and eliminating a Class II trail along I-494 frontage road between 49th PRAC Minutes of December 2, 1982 Page ?4 Avenue and County Road 47. COMMISSIONER DVORAK MOVED AND COMMISSIONER BERG SECONDED A MOTION TO ENDORSE THE CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE TRAIL PLAN AS OUTLINED IN DIRECTOR BLANK`S MEMO DATED NOVEMBER 23, 1982. The motion carried with all ayes 1. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Commissioner Edwards stated that she had attendedthe MRPA state conference and highly recommended it to everyone. O. STAFF COMMUNICATION The next meeting is set for January 6 and the Wayzata Soccer Association will be invited to attend. The "sandwich meeting is still scheduled for January 20, and its purpose will be to discuss the future direction of PRAC. It was suggested that our commission should hold a joint meeting with the commissions of Minnetonka, Wayzata and New Hope in order to discuss the Task Force report and other areas of common concern. John Mullan asked about the progress of the Medicine Lake Task Force and Director Blank, indicated that further direction from the Council would be given at their meeting on December 6. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. 0 i CITY QF December 27, 1982 PUMC John Howie, President Wayzata Youth Soccer 2810 Jewel Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Howie: The Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission would like to extend an invitation to you and any of your board members who are interested to meet with our Commission on Thursday, January 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Plymouth City Center. We will set aside the first 15-30 minutes of our regular meeting in order to become better acquainted with your organization. We interested; in learning more about how your group operates, who you serve, how the City may be of help, and if there are any concerns which you forsee coming up in 1983 which we may ^fit be aware of, etc. Each woonth, we will be inviting a different youth -serving athletic association to attend a Commission meeting in an effort to facilitate better communication between the City and groups such as yours. If you are unable to be %,Dresented at this meeting, please let Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation, know prior to the meeting by calling 559-2800. Thank you for your time.. We look forward to seeing ;you on January 6. Sincerely, qWVt'&) James Rice, Chair Park and Recreation Advisory Commission JR/nh cc: James G. Willis, City Manager 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLY?00UTH. MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 559.2300 CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE (612) 559-28(10 MEMO DATE: January b, 1983 TO: PRAC FROM: Mary Patterson SUBJECT: Fall Program Enrollment and Comparison 1981-82 CLASS COMPARISON FOR FALL QUARTER 1981 Classes Enrollment 1982 Classes Youth 26 498 Youth 22 Adult 20 517 Adult 25 All Ages 8 NUMBER OF NON -PLYMOUTH RESIDENTS IN PROGRAMS Youth Classes 89 Adult Classes 151 All Ages 5 Enrollment 408 620 300 Cancelled Classes YOUTH -'Playtime Discovery (Plymouth Shelter),*Gymnastics Workout, *Afternoon Delight, Horse Care b Riding ADULT - Some of My Favorite Things, Holiday Decorations Workshop, *Protect Yourself, Racquetball (1 session) ALL AGES - beginning Juggling MOM p iw a la RATION RIOt tlIN=S1AlIAllr tar-,.----8'.^ F WIN lwl-- 11 r r-rar-r•, iii mm 1 I PIYNOUTti PARK i KCREATION 110iN 1M StmRY' P I M CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTHBLVD,, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 DATE; January 6 1983 MEMO TOt James G. Willisy City Manager FROM, Eric Blank, Oimctor, Park and Recreation SUBJECT: Neighborhood Park, St. fry's Church Property This past week,; I was contacted by Kathy LaBe.rge, the administrator for St. Mary's Church, with regard to the church's thoughts about the possiblQ sale of church property for a neighborhood park. The Parish Council has Held a parish meeting regarding this subject and has had a number of board meetings to discuss this issue. The Church Council has decided that they Mould like to sell some property at this time, with the one condition that they want to dispose of the entire northern 11 aures. They think, that it is in their, best interest to sell some of the low wetlands so they will not be faced with any future assessments due to storm water improvements,. road improvements,, etc., on marginal' property which they will receive little benefit from. On February 22, 1982, the '£ity Council adopted the Comprehensive Park System plan which was thoroughly reviewed at public hearings and by the Planning Commission and, of course, the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission. This plan calls for the acquisition and development of a neighborhood park approximately six acres in size in the vicinity of County Road 15 and Forest view Lane. I believe that the plan is right and that we should. proceed to negotiate with St. Mary's for the possible acquisition of their property. I don't think we have to be too alarmed with their request for us to purchase the entire 11 acres., They're well aware that the five or six acres which is marsh land will have a very 'low economic value. I do not anticipate that we would be in a position to begin development of this park during 1983. This is something that would be reviewed with the development of next year's Capital improvement Program, and the earliest I see any type of development taking place would be 1984. If we are unable to reach an agreement on an acceptable price with St. Mary's, we are then still holding the option of a land dedication from the Henning parcel. I will review this subject matter with tie Park and Recreation Advisory Commission on Thursday, January 6, and will be abbe to relay their comments and thoughts to the Council at their January 10 meeting. I would recommend at this time that we secure an appraisor to appraise this property so that we may be able to better carry out negotiations with St. Mary's Church to determine an acceptable price for the l dnd. 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P1ao Park Trailway Tabulation If -SUB-PARCEL I IDENTIFICAYI 1Ni PARK OR TRAXLWA'Y AREA (Acres.) Gross Net n n A pt re d A 0.50 0.50 i, B 1.23 EE 1.55 1,56 PARK (NORTHWEST) 14.80 WEST PARCEL SUBTOTALS: 19.30 c2. 30 F 0.81 0,81 G I 0.60 0.60 J K L 1.71.79 M 2,85 2.35 N P 0.60 0.50 R PARK (EAST CENTRAL) 26.50 26.50 EAST PARCEL. SUBTOTALS; 32.65 C3 PARK (LAKESHORE) 25.72 25.72 SOUTH PARCEL SUBTOTALS. 25.32 25.72 TOTALS4 77.67 65.17 1 17 Public Lands, Parks and Open Space 1. Public Parks and Open Space The Plymouth Park System Plan (2/'22/82) proposes four separate acquisitions: a Neighborhood Park in the northwest corner of the Wiest Parcel, a Neighborhood (school) Park and a. Community Play - field in the East Parcel, and a City Park in the South Parcel.. The park. at the northwest corner of the site would, consist of 14.8 acres of high, amenity woodlot and wetlands. In conjunction with the Maple Creek Park, which it abuts, it would pt ovide area residents with almost 26 acres of continuous public open space.: The second Neighborhood Park was introduced as a 9 acre. "school park" in the 1977 Minneapolis Concept Plan, The Wayzata School District (?.SD. 284) had indicated that the development of this property would eventually necessitate the construction of a new elementary school on the site. The revised Concept would place the school on, approximjtely 7.5 acres in virtually the same location. It would have direct vehicular access to a collector street and trail linkage to Vicksburg Lane, Niagara. Lane and Co. Rei. 6. furthermore, since it. would be directly adjacent to 19 acres of Community Playfield its playground activities could easily be extended to part of the municipal complex. Plymouth, on the other hand, could benefit from after hours use of the school's parking areas and other facilities. 18 r Both the school and the Community Mayfield are on land suit- able for the intended uses. The school site slopes gently to the east, where it would be separated from the adjacent multi- family attached units by -a permanent pond. The Cow -unity PlayfilI d'would occupy land which could be developed without extensiveradia and lying generally 'below surrounding housing, g 9 r would be 1css likely to be regarded as a noise nuisance.. Neighboring residents would overlook a large open greenspace which was immediately available for their recreational needs, The City Park is as shown on the 'ark System plan, except that i,t has been enlarged by approximately 3.1 acres: to include additional Minneapolis property south of the Chicago and ;North Western (Luce Line) right of way. This would appear to be a valuable adjunct to the City's proposed acquisition, as it could readily be used as a parking area by those who would enjoy either the south shore of Parkers Lake or the Luce. Line trail. 2. Trails The revised Concept is in conformity with the Trail System plan adopted on 2/22/82. The City has already constructed the Class I trails which parallel Vicksburg Lane and Niagara Lane Insofar as possible, remaining trail corridors are to contribute to transitions with existing off-site development by providing an intermediate public open space. 6 19 PARKERS LAKE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT Concept: Plan Summary SUB. -PARCEL. PROPOSED GROSS AREAL REQUIRED ST0$M WATER NET AREA, PROPOSED IDENTIFICATION DWELLING TYPE ACRES) PONDING AREA(ACRES') ACRES' UNIT COUNT A SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED 57.61 2.0 55.61 79 8; TOWNFiOME l 5.98 1.0 14.98 54 C SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED 29.64 2.5 27 19 68 D TOWNHOME 28.17 0 28.17 104 E MULTI --FAMILY ATTACHED 12.14 0 12.14 76 F MULTI -FAMILY ATTACHED 40:,84 0 40.84 475 G TOWNHOK 12.62 0 12.62 48 H TOWNHOME 5.57 0 5.57 39 I MULTI' -FAMILY ATTACHED 14,40 0 14.40 168 J TOtkNHOME 8.97 0 8.97 35 K TOWNHOF1E 22.75 0. 72.75 86 L TOWNHOME 19.70 0 19.70 106 P MULTI -FAMILY ATTACHED 6.00 0 6.00 45 Q MULTI -FAMILY ATTACHED 9..65 0 9.65 57 R MULTI FAMILY ATTACHED 13.68 0 13.68 94 PARK NORTHWEST) 14.80 12.5 2.30 PARKEAST CENTRAD 26.50, 0 26.502 PARK (LAKESHORE) SUBTOTALS: 25.72 364.9 -is. 0 1 25.72 6.79 Tom_ M (PLANNED INDUSTRIAL) 56.43 0 56.43 N (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL) 4.34 0 4.34 TOTALS; 425.56 18.0 TO.5 1"Gross Area" is inclusive of existing trails and road rights of way. Storm water ponding is as provided by City Ordinance. 2Lakeshore park area is the acreage above the high water 100 year) level, per Plymouth ordinance, plus3.07 acres of hand lying south of the Lucre Line Trail. The: actual area of the Lakeshore park fluctuates with the rise and fail of the lake and is normally greater k than the area shown. CITY OF PINIOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BLI-'D., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE. (612) 559-2800 DATE; February 7 1983 MEMO TO: PRAC X FROM. Eric Blank JJ SUBJECT: Parkers Lake. Planned Development Representat%les of Lundgren Bros. Construction who are doing the site planning for this project for the City of Minneapolis will be present at the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting to help the Commission rev;.; the park component of this 400+ acro development. This project is in Phase I or Concept Phase of review at this time. The project will be followed by preliminary plat and final plat stages on all areas of the development. PRAC's job is to review the park, open space and trails component of the plan. Staff has been working with Lundgren Bros. for some time on the development of these concept plans. There are five areas of concern which 1 have outlined below with regard to the concept plan as it is currency+ presented. I have met with representatives of Lundgren Bros.. to review my concerns so that they are well aware of what they are. The first issue which needs to be addressed is the size and shape of the neighborhood park site located in the northwest.quadrant of the develcpment along Dunkirk Lane just south of 25th Avenue. The current proposal shows a gross park area of approximately 14.8 acres. Of this, only 2.3 acres are above the 100 -year flood plain. The Comprehensive Park System Pian recently adopted by PRAC and the City Council indicates an area of approxi- mately six to seven acres of par=k above the 100 -year flood plain located in this area. The rationale for choosing this site, as you will recall, was that it is one of few remaining wooded areas in this general vicinity of Plymouth. This development plan would call for introducing one cul-de-sac road with approximately six houses located on the cul-de-sac,, fully developed within the wooded area, and then another series of homes that would be more or less built in the woods itself fronting onto the most northerly east -west residential street.. I suggest that FRAC recommend to the City Council that the developer be requested to work with City staff to re -analyze this area and develop a new concept plan which would preserve greater portions of the wooded area. Issue number two is the trail connection between Dunkirk Lane and Vicksburg Lane. Currently, the developer shows the trail running southward behind. the Cimarron Ponds townhouses and tying in with the existing trail on Vicksburg Lane at approximately 18th avenue. Unless the developer has some compelling reason for making this type of adjustment, I think it would be more reasonable to direct the trail to go straight across and tie into the Vicksburg Lane trail at a 90 -degree angle. Parkers Lake Planned Develooment Page 2 February 7, 1983: Issue number three is that I feel it is necessary to have a northerly trail access from the middle neighborhoodpark site located half -way between Vicksburg and Niagara Lane.. This, will allow the residential areas north of what is approximately 21st Avenue to have access to the park site and the trail system leading down to Parkers Lake City Park. Issue number four is the playfield site located adjacent to County Road 6., The current concept plan calls for a chunk of resider tial property to stick out into the playfield. From looking at the topographic map, this appears to be a small nob or high area. My reaction from our experience with. the other playfields is that it would be inappropriate: to have residential housing surrounded on three s°idls by high -use playfields. I would recommend that the boundary line be straightened on, the west side of the playfield. Issue number five is that the current concept plan shows a piece of property lying just south: of the railroad track and west of Shenandoah lane as being included in the park property. T think that the railroad track is the proper south boundary for the expansion of the park and that this parcel, because i't is surrounded on two or three sides by residential property, would more fittingly be developed as single-family homes or something such as that. I would, therefore, recommend that the concept plan not show it as part of the City park. other than these comments, Ifind that the concept plan is generally in accordance with the overall City Comprehensive. Park System Plan and would suggest the Park Commission recormrend' to the City Council concurrence, subject to correction of those matters outlined above. nh Attachment r, JOE r is CJ IMA bK W n 16 CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3440 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE (612) 559-2600 DATE: February 1, 1983 MEMO TO: PRAC FROM.: Eric Blank SUBJECT: Plymouth Creek Estates - Concept Plan Approval Charles Belgarde has made application for concept plan and guide plan amendment for Plymouth Creek Estates. This project is located just west of Fernbrook Lane and north of 34th Avenue. The current guiding on this property indicates that approximately 60 of the 78 acres would be used for public/semi-public use. As you are aware, for many years the City has coitemplated a major portion of this site to be included within Plymouth Creek City Park. As T have indicated to you in the past, City staff has been working with Mr. Belgarde's planners from Howard Dahlgren and Associates on reaching a compromise on exactly what park acreage is needed to complete the development of Plymouth Creek Park. I believe the concept.plan as shown on the attached graphic will meet the overall future needs for Plymouth Creek Park. This plan calls for approximately 34+ acres to be dedicated for the use of park. Kith the recently approved concept plan for Plymouth. Creek Park, the nature of the old Central Park has changed dramatically from a very active, pre- dominantly playfield-dominated park to a more open, natural, passive -type. parka Because we have'recently developed 106 acres of playfields scattered throughout six sites around Plymouth, I think it is fair to assume that the shrinking of the acreage of Plymouth Creek Park, by approximately 25 acres, will not, in any way, harm the overall concept plan or system plan for the total City of Plymouth. Other than two minor adjustments o?1 two northerly boundary property lines on Outlots 1, 2 and 3 which we would handle at the preliminary plat stage, I feel that this plan is an excellent one with respect to the City's park needs. I have had the property lines for Outlots 1, 2 and 3 and 34th Avenue staked and have personally walked those property lines for inspection. to insure that the views, vistas, grados and the general lay of the land and vegetation are in conformance with our existing, concept plans. The only change that will be necessary is that. the activities center will shift approximately 300 feet further west than, is shown on the approved concept plan at this time. This shift would still allow the activities center to make use of the large knoll or hill area so that if we choose to set. the building down into the ground, we can have either a south, west or north exposure. Mr. John Uban of Howard Dahlgren and Associates will be at the meeting to answer any of your questions. I would recommend the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission recommend to the. City Council that the concept plan for Plymouth Creek Estates is in conformance with the total Comprehensive Park System Plan and recommend its approval. rah Attachment 4 t f.t5linry GIIY (•1t4 a i rT i 1' f ! / •j' 'J p 4 ^•` Ir' lnwll..r r.9R. rr i r / t;a 111Pow. lNa: .f E /+ {' (t t ut., Il,ai.. n*y l Jt S• J" 1ul.... 1 t t • t r , T , ,., TE ., i „ c L FHS. / Y _w..+A...++Yr_. ..4•... } 1 14 A5' 1• a. ttl llN a [+ t( J/'/ Jy' a i7Q r ti ~ ;o i 17 t 41' V n t 1 [ t 1trf \\\ 4 w Vit rr:«, \ \ p.r4 e t 10Too0, V4 0 Clot Nowly Plymouth Creek Estates U Hk r>rht Plymaitht Minnesota a_ 1'C S ILLUSTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT EXAMPLE Figure 11 CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD.. PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 DATE: February 7, 1983 MEMO TO: PRAC FROM: Eric Blank SUBJECT: Capital IVrovements - Fencing Projects/Plymouth Creek and Zachary Playfields BACKGROUND: The cuv,rent CIP includes $24,500 for the construction of fencing along the boundary of the Plymouth Creek Playfield running from Fernbrook Lane we,cerly to the end of the residential housing on the north border of the playfield. It also includes money for the perimeter fencing for two of the five ballffelds at the Zachary Lane Playfield. In order to get these projects out for bid and installed in a timely manner, it is necessary that we begin writing the :specifications and going out for bids as soon as possible. We hope to have these projects completed by Saturday, June 4, which has now been scheduled for the grand opening event of the Zachary Lane Playfield. RECOWENDATION: I would recommend the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission endorse the projects of fencing the north boundary at Plymouth Creek Playfield and two ballfields at the Zachary Playfield site to the City Council and that the proper funds from the Park Dedication Account be transferred to the Construction Account for these projects. nh CITY CSP PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE 612) 559-2800 MEMODATE: January 13, 1983 TO: PRAC FROM: Rick Bused SUBJECT: Program Enrollments ATHLETIC PROGRAM ENROLLMENTS FROM 1919-1982 SPR I W9 1919 1980 1981 1W S R 1979 19M 1981 1982 Open Cyr Basket- Tennis Inst, 253 205 161 148 ball 12 15 12 30 Golf Inst. 57 164 67 71 Open ftiyer Volley- Volley- ball 30 21 24 30 Adult Softball 56 team 60 teams 72 teams 100 teams 947 partic. 912 partic. 1100 partic. 1500 partic. Adult Tam ie lost. 48 41 60 SU Open Softball Tourn. 52 teams 33 teams Youth Tomnis last.. 16 28 39 30 624 partic. 3% partic. Adult Golf lost. 40 63 60 70 Industrial Softball Youth Golf Inst. 20 28 26 20 Tournament 20 teams 23 teams 240 partic. 276 partic.. 3—Mm Basle1ba11 16 Camas 22 teams 19 teams 28 teams Weight Training 66 36 32lOSpartic. 120 partic. 105 partic.. 154 partic. Juniors Golf League 41 s7 98 Mason's loami4 Leaq, 16 28 Adult T"Is Leagues 52 87 64 Juniors Tennis Leag. 40 32 T -Ball 268 206 112 140 Youth Softball 75 68 53 60 Tennis Tournament 42 108 111 117 Twins Trip 116 Vikings Trip 31 TOTALS 271 325 3-42 440i—T—f$I 3081 FALL 1979 1980 1982 1979 19M Ival 1WM Open Gym Basket- Open Gym Basket- ball 20 26 15 34 ball 24 20 20 24 Open Gym Valley- Open Gym Volley- ball 30 0 45 30 ball 28 30 46 32 Adult Volleyball Meals Ilaskortball Inst. 36 22 18 League 6 teams 8 teams 8 tears 12 tens Youth Wrestling 50 32 28 60 partic. 80 partic. 82 partic. 126 partic. 3-90 BaskoIail 22 tears 16 teams 24 teams Co-Rec Power V8 League 13 teams 14 team 10 teams 14 tease115partic. 100 partic.132 partic. I30 partic. 140 partic, 109 partic. 155 partic. 4 -Man Football 11 teas 14 teams 24 teams. Ce -Roc Onoffic. 77 partic. 100 partic. 192 partic. VB League 7 teams 7 teams Adult Fail Soft- 22 teams. 32 teams 71 partic. 76 partic. ball 318 partic. 480 partic.. Youth Soccer 20 teams 29 teams 322 partic. 507 partic. YeLth Skating 250 165 Warming Houses 4 3 6 7 Co-Rec Broomball L9. 6 teams 12 teams 82 partic. 205 partic. Youth Root Hockey Tourn. 13 teams TOTALS 50 954i 18 oartic.. PEO`TWE Or atiw remit itittlM # COACHWO OONCLUO tf W011900 Wl't' ANYTHOO R Whet Zimmer called with the iravitstioo, I seined that it was a moasen' that woedd chaor my lik. Listen, then's a whole group of third-grade ban in your neighborhood that need you; lots d. kids, lois of interest., tU they need is yna." Ve?,For what?" To coach. BeakeW. Will you coach the third-grade team`!" Third grade? They're too small for basketball." Not these kids. Lots of interest, hots of kids," he repeated his hype. How many games'r" I asked, weaken ins already. Eisht, and eight practices." Hmm. I'll think about i:. But I don't think so. It tapes too much time." I hung up. Staring at the phone I envi sinned a scene 15 years hence. The NCAA final has just ended. Al McGuire interviews the leading scorer for UCLA, who is paying tribute to his very first coach, the Peewee Wizard Ray Lovett. Tears form as I watch on TV in try den, surrounded by ray present team; of third- gradets and the trophies that are testimo- ny to my genius. As the fantasy faded, I wondered why Zimmer called.. Someone must have told him about my basketball career: high school star, a scholarship to Fairfield. University. But who? My wife? Unlikely. One of those kids from the local recrea. tion league? "That guy with the gray hair knows his stuff," I ileac one say. When I called Zimmer to accept I in- quiivd why he hod asked mea I heard about you," You did?" I clamored in anticipation. From a couple of sotmees." That kid that hangs around the court, tall and skinny, was he one?" I asked. No, no kid. The neighbors toad me" t°Did they? The neighbors! Who?" Station wagon," said Zimnw. What?„ Station; wagon. The neishb:xs said you h&d a wagon. You do own a station wagon, don't you?" Yes, but "ghat has. ." Oh, good. You're the only father in the neighborhood with a station wallop." Ego deflated;, I considered res4ming, but I had already told my we I was doing to be his coach. Zlmmlr"f "1045 or kid., low Of interest" tivulatsd into two kids who had already signed up, and my own. When I called the first, bis mother said he had cbanhed his mood. The second' was interesied. Grail," I shouted, I only needed 10 more players. I pot on the phone to likely parents.. No, thank you. The soccer notch was too hard on him. We're takirg a break from coaches.„ Not this year, call us next year." And who are you to be coaching .my soft?" Undaunted, I kept calling, eventually dipping down to recruit six second -grad- ers for our third-grade team. Later on, those kids would provide the balm in an ocean of ache I sent out warm letters to my new team, stating the unalterable time of practice in the school gym. The: day be- fore we were to meet, the roof sprung a leak, necessitating a change of practice time— I I phone calls. The next week, it rained again. Eleven more calls. On the third week: the leak was fixed. It snow -d. Eleven more calls to inform the doubtful ywr wt .,,ould practice despite the snow. My call*.! ` db were sharp now. I had mastered the right combination of notedly tone and brevity. But I also re- ceived calls. One father asked why we didn't practice more; a mother asked why we practiced so often. Another mother, in a rage over having S to the wrong gym and waiting for an hour, demanded to know why I changed the place of prec- tine. "The roar," I said defensively. "The keit roc[" Fa route to the Mt practice, the bon excluded me by *tin& in the tear of the station wagon: Wkft excitedly, fooling around and laughing. IT ask him. Hey, are we Soman get Wiles?'• Iirophies. We haven't even had our Am practice and you want a trophy.: One has to work for a trophy;" Aw, c'mon,,get us trophies." Yeah, trophies are good." What color are our uniforms?" want red." Not red. Blue." Orange. Get orange." I want blact Shaken by tueir shameless desire for rewards without effort, i determined to instill discipline and order from the start, At the gym I realized that i had forgot- ten my diligently prepared practice out - fine and accompanying speech. Worse yet, I had k:flft, the whistle behind. Run- ning third-grade basketball practice without a whistle is akin to driving a brakeless tractor trailer downhill. The yelling made me hoarse. I began asking questions. How many players on a team?" Eleven." Seven." Two. We should start with two and they add wore." In basketball you don't do that," I said. Five." R o,ht,,, I said. "Five players. Anyone know the positions?" Hands fly ur. Fultwk." No." Center -guard." That's two. Center and guard and one more." Coach." No." Forward." Though I resolved to teach by action, the brief attention span of the youngsters made that difficult. My few words seemed to cause misunderstanding. "Get in the corner," sent one player literally there, off the court, behind the bleachers. Guards, bring the ball down," resulted continued is up an audience like a star from the and the Sports Illustrated Speakers oI them ready to sparkle at sales meet- ers conventions, store openings or e color and excitement of sports can help Ition contact Keith, Morris, Director, ce Program and Speakers Bureau, Time Yore, MY 10020. (212) 841-3338-9 A in two boys holding the ball on the floor. Wu drilled on the missing skills. There was the one -,peed forward problem. When l would ask the forwards to come A to meet the ball,. they would run full. speed ahead. as if they were stealing sec- ond, complete with slide and collision. I showed them how to pass and catch the ball. I taught them to dribble low, stay loose, be aiYrWv on ddense, shoot a layup. They ran too fast, fell over their feet, tan into Arte another, threw countless air balls. They also smiled, talked to one another, giggled at their er. rors. They enjoyed troth practice and the trips to and from. The return trigs were spent in telling ghost stories. Their mem- oriel and imaginations amazed me. oh, how I needed memory and imrgination from them on the court. After the second practice it occurred to me that I was the only person not en- joying himself. But the !goys' fun -loving attitude was getting to me. I began to take myself less seriously, l loosened up. I asked a friend to coach with me, to light- en the ighten_the burden. I began to smile, to yell less, to expect only the possible. An air ball was no longer a disaster. We laughed together and approached our first game ovcrwhrlmingly unprepared but tuned for adventure. We lost„ 18-0.1 adjusted my goal from trying to win every game to trying not to lose every game. During our second game, an 8-0 loss, my goals diminished progressively to tie, score., get, a shot off, bring the ball over half court, get through the first half. To be encouraging, I began to distort reality a little. When one player threw up his ninth air ball of the game, missing ev- erything and everybody, I sprang up and yelled affirmatively. "Nice shot, John. Nice shot, good arch." John looked straight at me. And he laughed. And so did I. Meanwhile, his man ran by him and scored. Ah, well; my old winning -is -everything philosophy would have meant a winter - long, acute depression. Onc night on the *ay home, after a ghost story ended, I spoke up. Did you guys hear the one about the boys on the pond? it was foggy and dam and... . A few days later, when the recreation director asked me holo it was going, I knew my conversion was complete. Sum- moning up my new skills, I asked, `"Hey, are we gonna get trophies?" I