HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 01-10-1991Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
January 10, 1991, 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Visitor Presentations
a. Athletic Associations
b. Staff
c. Others
4. Report on Past Council Action
a. Approved non-resident fees for youth athletic associations
b. Approved 1991 budgets
5. Unfinished Business
a. Special facilities - continue discussion
b.
C.
d.
6. New Business
a. Review plan for lighting Parkers Lake skating rinks
b. Review Pike Lake Regional Park plan
c. 1991 fee schedule
d. Annual report - review draft
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication (Fire & Ice, Feb. 2, "fire crew")
9. Adjournment
Next regular PRAC meeting - February 14
I
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
November 8, 1990
Page 48
Present: Chair Freels, Commissioners Anderson, Hanson, Beach and Waage; staff
Blank, Pederson, and Peterson
Absent: Commissioner Rosen
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Freels called the November meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner
Waage to approve the minutes of the October meeting as presented. The
motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mark Peterson, Superintendent of Parks, presented the
Commission with a map showing winter trails that will be maintained.
He explained that 29-30 miles of trails will be plowed this winter,
which is three miles more than last winter, and 10 miles more than the
winter of '88-89. He stated that the City purchased a special
sidewalk plow that is narrower than the blade on a pickup truck, which
makes plowing the trails a more efficient operation. He explained
that additional winter maintenance for the parks crew involves plowing
City owned parking lots, building maintenance at Parkers Lake
Pavilion, and the flooding and maintenance of City ice rinks. Two new
rinks will be operational this winter, one at Swan Lake Park and one
at Turtle Lake Park. Rinks at Olive Pond and Lions Park will be
removed from the maintenance schedule, because they are both close to
other rinks where warming houses are located. Rink flooding will
begin around the end of November, with rinks ready for skaters by mid-
December. Rinks on ponds and lakes usually take longer, because crews
will not take equipment on the ice until it is at least eight inches
thick for safety purposes. Mark stated that a winter maintenance
manual has been assembled for maintenance employees, which explains in
detail what's to be done in each park. Mark also explained the
projects that were completed this past summer by the Twin Cities Tree
Trust, a group comprised of low income teens and adults. Some of the
the projects done by them for the City of Plymouth included a keystone
retaining wall in Plymouth Creek Park and in the Parkers Lake
Cemetery, and replacing the old wooden timbers surrounding the play
equipment at the East Beach and Mission Hills Park with new recycled
plastic timbers.
C, Others. None.
I
November 1990 PRAC Minutes
Page 49
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. Council approved the list of ice rinks to be maintained during the 90-
91 winter season.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Proposed trail on County Road 6 from Fernbrook to Juneau Lane This
item was tabled at the October meeting in order to give each
commissioner a chance to visit the site. All commissioners present
agreed that the trail was necessary after observing the speed of
traffic on County Road 6 and witnessing pedestrians and bikers using
the road.
Henry Willegalle, 1525 Juneau Lane, stated that he did not agree with
staff on the location of this segment of trail. He thinks the people
north of County 6 will come down Niagara Lane to get to the park, and
those who choose to use Fernbrook should be routed down to the Luce
Line and then over to the park. He also explained that it is
difficult for him to envision the trail system completely in place by
just looking at it on a map, and it's hard to understand how all the
different segments will fit together in the end, when it's being
constructed in pieces. Director Blank tried to explain to Mr.
Willegalle that the trail along County 6, when it is all completed,
will start at Oakwood Elementary (on the north side of 6) and go east
to the Parkers Lake Park tunnel at Co. 6 & Niagara, where it will then
cross to the south side of 6, continue along the park boundary to
Juneau and then go on to Fernbrook. Mr. Willegalle stated that it did
not personally matter to him where the trail is placed, but he does
feel that the residents on 6 have given up a lot of their property for
the widening of the road, and regardless of where the trail goes,
someone will be unhappy.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER HANSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
WAAOE TO RECOMMEND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAIL ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF
COUNTY ROAD 6 BETWEEN FERNBROOK AND JUNEAU LANE AS PROPOSED IN THE
COMPREHENSIVE TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
b. Proposal to build ice rink. Robert Furst and Andy Benson, 462
Williams St., Excelsior, presented their proposal to the Commission to
build an indoor ice arena on the site proposed for the community
center arena. This item was tabled at the October meeting, because
these two gentlemen couldn't be present that evening. Director Blank
stated that this item has been forwarded to the Financial Task Force
for their review. Mr. Benson indicated that the proposed arena would
be Olympic size (there are no Olympic size arenas in the metropolitan
area at this time), and that he and Mr. Furst would come up with the
funds to build it, with the understanding that the City would buy the
building once it is constructed and be responsible for the costs of
maintenance. They would operate and manage it the first two years at
no cost to the City. If the operating costs exceeded the revenues,
Mr. Benson and Furst would cover those losses. If, on the other hand,
revenues exceeded expenses, they would get those profits.
November 1990 PRAC Minutes
Page 50
Chair Freels commented that as a business man, he believes the
construction of an ice arena of this magnitude would be a great risk
to these private individuals and he questioned why they were willing
to take such a risk? Mr. Furst responded that they are confident it
would be a successful venture for both the City and themselves and
that after conducting research with different skating clubs, they are
positive enough use would be generated to make a profit or at least
break even. He went on to say that at this point, they aren't
interested in making a profit, they just want to build an ice arena.
Mr. Furst also commented that if PRAC had been willing to include an
ice arena in their community center plans, these same risks had to be
considered and how was this proposal any different than that?
Commissioner Beach asked which skating clubs they had talked to, and
Mr. Benson said that he had spoken with the Edina Figure Skating Club,
and the Minnetonka Figure Skating Club. He also said that the Olympic
Skating Committee had contacted him about their proposal to build an
arena in Plymouth. Commissioner Beach said she believed the
Minneapolis Figure Skating Club was looking for a "home" arena, and
Mr. Benson might want to contact them, as well.
Several commissioners questioned how the arena would be managed in
terms of who would assign the ice time and how those decisions would
be made, such as what hours hockey clubs would get for practice and
when the general public would be allowed to skate and how much groups
would be charged. Director Blank responded that the management of the
ice arena and fees haven't been discussed at this point, because this
is only a proposal. Mr. Furst said that an example scenario would be
to assign ice time to hockey groups based on the percentage of
Plymouth children involved. He also indicated that about ten hours a
week would be set aside for "open" skating. He further stated that he
had talked with the Wayzata Hockey Association, and they would be
willing to contribute some of the funds needed to build the arena, if
they could be guaranteed 1/6 of the ice time.
Chair Freels asked each commissioner for his/her comments on the
proposal to build an indoor ice arena on the site set aside for the
community center's arena.
Commissioner Hanson commented that she believes there is a need for
indoor ice, but she isn't sure about the project being built by
private individuals who would later turn it over to the City to run.
She feels the City should have more control at the beginning of the
project and remain involved throughout, and she's also concerned about
the future of the community center if an ice arena is constructed
alone.
Commissioner Anderson feels the whole proposal is too vague, and he is
also concerned about the City's commitment to buy the building once it
is constructed. What happens if it fails? What would the City do
with the building?
Commissioner Waage questioned how Plymouth residents would view the
project? Would they see it as a private ice arena and have trouble
November 1990 PRAC Minutes
Page 51
connecting it to the City, and as a result of that., not use it? She
also feels it's somewhat a moot issue, since the Council is the body
who will decide if it will be built, not the Park Commission.
Commissioner Beach was concerned with how ice time would be assigned
what fees would be charged to groups and single individuals, and would
the construction of this building compromise the community center?
Chair Freels stated that he could not endorse this proposal or
recommend it to the City Council, because he feels it is such an
enormous risk on the part of Mr. Benson and Mr. Furst, and he doesn't
believe the City should get involved with a private venture like this.
Director Blank reminded the commissioners that their first task at
this point in the process is to decide if there is a real need in
Plymouth for indoor ice. It is up to the Financial Task Force and the
Council to decide how it will be funded.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BEACH AND SECONDED BY CHAIR FREELS
TO INFORM THE CITY COUNCIL THAT PRAC BELIEVES THERE IS A NEED FOR
INDOOR ICE IN PLYMOUTH, THAT AN INDOOR ARENA SHOULD BE INTEGRATED INTO
THE COMMUNITY CENTER CONCEPT, AND THAT PRAC DESIRES MORE DIRECTION
FROM THE CITY COUNCIL ON WHAT TO DO WITH THIS PROPOSAL. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
C. Special facilities - comprehensive plan - continue discussion.
Director Blank distributed some information on national golf and pool
standards. Discussion on this item will continue at the next meeting.
d. 1990 project report. Swan Lake Neighborhood park is finished except
for dormant seeding in some areas, trails on 46th Avenue and West
Medicine Lake Drive are also complete.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. New plats. There were no new plats.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Chair Freels stated that he will be out of town on December 13 and could
the PRAC meeting be changed to another night, or cancelled for December.
It was decided to meet on a "need to meet" basis.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Director Blank indicated that the 1990 Annual Report draft copy would be
available for PRAC's review at their January meeting, with the final copy
needing approval at the February meeting.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: January 7, 1991
TO: PRAC
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks & Recreation 9b
SUBJECT: LIGHTING OF PARKERS LAKE PLEASURE AND SPEED SKATING RINKS
The City Council has sent this item to the Park Commission for your review and
recommendation. Council specifically asked that homeowners around the lake be
identified and invited to participate in a public meeting on this item. The
attached letter was sent to all property owners living on the lake.
This request for lighting was brought forward by the Plymouth Speed Skating
Club. The Club is undergoing a tremendous amount of grwoth, and the
participation in the speed skating program is expanding rapidly. But of more
importance to me is the fact that the pleasure skating rink at Parkers Lake is
getting more daily use than all of our other rinks combined. Each of our
other athletic complexes at Zachary, Plymouth Middle School, Plymouth Creek,
LaCompte, Ridgemount and Oakwood currently have lit hockey and pleasure
skating rinks.
As you will recall, when we did the master plan for Parkers Lake Playfield, we
eliminated the hockey rink, pleasure rink and warming house from that master
plan. The obvious reason for this was that we intended for the long range
skating to take place at Parkers Lake. It is for this reason that I support
the idea of putting up permanent lighting on this rink.
We have a preliminary cost estimate prepared by an independent contractor for
lighting at approximately $15,000. This would be funded out of our park
dedication account. I don't think it will be possible for the lighting to be
installed for this year's skating season, but we would intend to do it during
the year, so it's ready to go for the 1991-92 season.
Greg Oly, President of the Plymouth Speed Skating Club, will be in attendance
at the Park Commission meeting to answer any questions you may have about his
particular program.
This past Sunday, January 6, we had a speed skating event taking place at
Parkers Lake. Between the general skaters and the speed skaters, it is
estimated we had a crowd of approximately 800 people. This is the largest
daily attendance we have had at Parkers, which previously had a record of 500
people on a Sunday afternoon last winter.
I do not believe the rink lights will be an annoyance to the local residents,
in that all of our rinks close at 9 and the lights are off at that time.
Also, our skating season at Parkers is projected to be only eight to ten weeks
long.
EB/np
attachment
December 28, 1990 gc),Tyof
PUMOUTR
Dear Resident:
The City Council has asked the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission for a
recommendation on the lighting of the pleasure skating and speed skating rinks
at Parkers Lake. The Commission will discuss this subject at their Thursday,
January 10 meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in the City Center Council Chambers.
I'm sure you are aware by now that Parkers Lake is used as a skating rink for
approximately eight weeks during the winter (from about Dec. 20 -Feb. 18 each
year). It's our only permanent skating facility that does not have a lighting
system at this time. Most days, our lighting system goes on at 5 p.m. Rinks
close and lights are off at 9 p.m.
The Plymouth Speed Skating Club has made this request in order that they can
get more practice time. They feel it is very dangerous for their club members
to skate in the dark with the possibility of hitting cracks in the ice,
causing severe injury.
If you wish to comment on this proposal, you may send written notice to the
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, c/o Plymouth City Center, or attend
the meeting in person. If you wish to discuss this with me further, I can be
reached at 550-5131.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Bla
4<
Director of Parks & Recreation
EB/np
3400 Plymouth Boulevard, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
Special Council Meeting
December 10, 1990
Page 479
certificate and thanked the Council and Finance
Division staff.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items 7-B, 7-E,
from the Consent
MOTION was made by
by Councilmember V
Agenda as amended.
Motion carried on a
MINUTES
7-N, and 17=W were removed
ilmeiiber Zitur, seconded
y, to approve the Consent
vote, five ayes.
MOTION was made by (7ouncilmemb r Zitur, seconded
by Councilmember V siliou, to prove the minutes
of the November regular, meetg and the
6November2budge hearing.
Motion carried on a roll call vote, five ayes.
PETITIONS REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Consent Agenda
Item 5
Minutes
Item *6
Park and Recreation Director Blank stated that Parkers Lake
pursuant to Council direction, he received an Skating Rink
estimate of just under $15,000 for lighting the Lighting
Parkers Lake skating rinks. This would include Item 7-A
purchase and installation costs.
Mayor Bergman asked if staff had met with
residents who live adjacent to the rink.
Director Blank responded that if the Council
wishes to pursue the lighting issue, staff will
meet with residents to present the proposal.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated it is appropriate
to get residents' feedback on the lighting now,
before the Council considers whether to go ahead.
Councilmember Ricker stated he would find it
difficult to spend $15,000 for lighting only
needed 4-5 weeks a year by a limited number of
Plymouth children in the speed skating club. He
stated that if the Council desires to move ahead,
the money for the project should come from the
D.A.R.E. account.
Special Council Meeting
December 10, 1990
Page 480
Councilmember Vasiliou stated the adjacent
residents' opinion of the lighting should first
be asked. Councilmember Zitur concurred that the
residents should be provided the opportunity for
input before the Council commits to the project.
Councilmember Helliwell asked what process could
be used to gain neighborhood input.
Manager Willis suggested that the Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) be directed
to conduct a public informational meeting to
discuss the issue.
Greg Oly stated the lighting would benefit the
general public, as well as the speed skaters. He
predicted that the Plymouth Speedskating Club
will be the largest skating group in the nation
within a year, due to its fast growth. He
introduced the Miller family, who spoke on the
benefits of skating for their entire family.
MOTION was made by Mayor Bergman, seconded by
Councilmember Vasiliou, to direct PRAC to conduct
a public informational meeting with residents
adjacent to the proposed Parkers Lake rink
lighting.
MOTION to amend was made by Councilmember Zitur,
seconded by Councilmember Ricker, that PRAC also
provide a recommendation to the Council on the
project.
Motion to amend carried, five ayes.
Main Motion carried on roll call vote, five ayes.
Director Blank stated that if the project is
ordered, installation will take about four weeks;
and use is not likelv until next vear.
Councilmember Ricke state he removed the U.S.
Homes Item 7-B from th c sent agenda to make
the petitioner aware the ater in the meeting he
will be making a motigfi tha ould delay
installation of sew into the ea they seek to
develop.
U.S. Homes
Mitchell -Pearson
property (90028)
Item 7-B
VNIM01
1411WAI MUMM7[111j1,
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: January 7, 1991
TO: FRAC
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT: EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK
V
The master plan for Eagle Lake Regional Park is provided for your review and
comment. No action is necessary by the Commission at this time. This is
basically an update of the original master plan which was completed in 1976.
There are no substantial changes in this updating of the master plan from the
original master plan.
It is imperative that when we proceed with the planning of our overall
Plymouth park system, we take into account the facilities and services offered
by both the French Regional Park and Eagle Lake Regional Park. If the
Commission has any specific comments or recommendations they wish to make, we
will forward them to the City Council.
EB/np
attachment
master plan
EAGLE
LAKE
REGIONAL
PARK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
BACKGROUND
1. BOUNDARIES AND ACQUISITION COSTS
A. LOCATION AND SIZE 1
B. EAGLE -PIKE LAKE DATA 1
C. GEOLOGY 3
D. VEGETATION 3
E. SLOPE 3
F. LAND USE 3
G. REGIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 3
H. BOUNDARY ADDITIONS/ACQUISITION 5
I. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS 5
2. STEWARDSHIP 5
3. NEEDS ANALYSIS 6
A. REGIONAL SERVICE AREA 6
B. POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION 7
C. RECREATION DEMAND 7
D. USE PROJECTIONS 8
E. LAKESHORE LANDOWNER SURVEY 10
4. DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT 11
A. RESOURCE INVENTORY 11
B. OVERALL SITE CONCEPT 12
C. RECREATION CONCEPT PLAN 12
D. IMPLEMENTATION (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM) 14
5. ISSUES 14
A. BOAT LAUNCH/LAKE USE REGULATIONS 15
B. CITY TRAIL CONNECTIONS 17
C. WATER QUALITY PROGRAM 17
6. PUBLIC SERVICES 17
7. OPERATIONS 18
A. RULES/REGULATIONS 18
B. OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE 18
8. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 19
9. PUBLIC AWARENESS 19
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK
BACKGROUND
IN 1974, THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ADOPTED A REGIONAL RECREATION OPEN SPACE
SYSTEM PLAN THAT INCLUDED A PROPOSED REGIONAL PARK ON THE SOUTHERN END OF
EAGLE LAKE IN THE CITIES OF MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH. IN MARCH OF 1976,
THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL APPROVED THE MASTER PLAN FOR EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL
PARK. THE SITE WAS CHOSEN BASED ON THE GENERAL CRITERIA OF BEING LOCATED
ON A SIGNIFICANT RECREATIONAL WATER BODY AND OF POSSESSING A NATURAL
RESOURCE BASE THAT WAS LARGELY UNDEVELOPED. EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK WAS
ALSO A SITE RECOGNIZED IN THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITIES
OF MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH AND THE SUBURBAN HENNEPIN REGIONAL PARK
DISTRICT. THIS AGREEMENT PLEDGED THE EFFORTS OF BOTH AGENCIES TO ACQUIRE,
DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN REGIONAL PARKS AND OTHER REGIONAL SITES IN THE CITIES
OF MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH FOR RECREATION PURPOSES.
BOUNDARIES
A. LOCATION AND SIZE
THE SITE IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF EAGLE LAKE IN THE SOUTHEAST
PORTION OF THE CITY OF MAPLE GROVE AND THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF THE
CITY OF PLYMOUTH, HENNEPIN COUNTY. THE SITE IS BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY
COUNTY ROAD 10 (BASS LAKE ROAD) AND IS WITHIN ONE MILE OF U.S. 169.
TWO MILES WEST OF THE SITE IS INTERSTATE 494. THE SITE IS VERY
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL NORTHERN SUBURBS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE INNER RING
NEW HOPE, CRYSTAL, BROOKLYN CENTER AND ROBBINSDALE) WHICH HAVE A
COMBINED POPULATION OF 88,385, 1989 METRO ESTIMATE.
THE SITE INCLUDES 4200 FEET OF SHORELINE ON EAGLE LAKE AND 5507 FEET ON
PIKE LAKE. ELEVATIONS RANGE FROM 872.7 AT LAKE LEVEL TO A HIGH OF
951.5 FEET, A DIFFERENCE OF 79 FEET. THE SITE ENCOMPASSES A -TOTAL LAND
AREA OF 230 ACRES, 145 OF WHICH LIE WITHIN THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH AND 85
WITHIN THE CITY OF MAPLE GROVE.
B. EAGLE -PIKE LAKE DATA
DNR NUMBER
SURFACE AREA
MEAN DEPTH
MAXIMUM DEPTH
VOLUME
WATERSHED AREA
A:Tti 1:1
27-0111-01
321 ACRES
12.5 FEET
35.1 FEET
12,569 ACRE FEET
1,716 ACRES
PIKE LAKE
27-0111-02
57 ACRES
6.56 FEET
15.0 FEET
374 ACRE FEET
885 ACRES
2 -
AS OF 1985, THE LAND USE IN THE EAGLE LAKE WATERSHED WAS AS FOLLOWS:
CROPLAND GRASSLAND QED WETLAND WOODLANDS COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIA-
ACRES 257 321 62 287 188 82 519
PERCENT 15% 19% 4% 17% 11% 5% 29%
AS THE DATA SHOWS, OVER 60 PERCENT OF THE EAGLE -PIKE LAKE WATERSHED
IS UNDEVELOPED. AS A RESULT, THE QUALITY OF EAGLE LAKE IS RELATIVELY
GOOD. ACCORDING TO METRO COUNCIL DATA, THE MEAN PHOSPHORUS
CONCENTRATION IN EAGLE LAKE WAS 33 IN 1986 AND 42 IN 1987.
THESE CONCENTRATIONS RANK EAGLE LAKE IN THE UPPER 40TH PERCENTILE OF
METRO AREAS LAKES RELATIVE TO WATER QUALITY. EAGLE LAKE HAS ADEQUATE
WATER QUALITY TO SUPPORT RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING MOST OF THE
SUMMER. HOWEVER, THE LAKE DOES EXPERIENCE PERIODIC ALGAE BLOOMS.
THE HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION OCCASIONALLY TREATS THE LAKE WITH COPPER
SULFATE TO CONTROL THESE BLOOMS.
THE MAJORITY OF THE NUTRIENT LOAD TO EAGLE AND PIKE LAKES COMES FROM
WATERSHED RUNOFF. AS DEVELOPMENT IN THE WATERSHED INCREASES, THE
NUTRIENT LOAD TO THE LAKES WILL ALSO INCREASE AND THE WATER QUALITY
WILL DECREASE. TREATMENT OF STORM WATER RUNOFF FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS
IS VITAL TO PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF EAGLE AND PIKE LAKES. THERE
ARE NO CLEARLY DEFINABLE POINT SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS IN THE
WATERSHED. NON -POINT SOURCES SUCH AS STREET AND PARKING LOT RUNOFF,
LAWN FERTILIZERS, GRASS CLIPPINGS, LEAVES, PET DROPPINGS, AND SOIL
EROSION ARE THE MAIN NUTRIENT SOURCES.
EAGLE LAKE STRATIFIES THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS DURING MOST YEARS.
IN 1990, THE THERMOCLINE BECAME ESTABLISHED AT THE 15 -FOOT DEPTH
CONTOUR IN THE LAKE. PERIODIC WIND STORMS WHICH DISRUPT THE
THERMOCLINE RESULT IN SOME INTERNAL LOADING OF PHOSPHORUS TO THE
LAKE. HOWEVER, THE INTERNAL LOADING APPEARS TO BE MINIMAL AS
COMPARED TO THE EXTERNAL LOADING IN MOST YEARS.
A MAJOR PROBLEM IN EAGLE AND PIKE LAKES (ACCORDING TO THE HOMEOWNERS)
IS THE AMOUNT OF PLANT GROWTH. BECAUSE MOST OF THE NEAR -SHORE
SEDIMENTS ARE HIGHLY ORGANIC, PLANT GROWTH IS VERY DENSE. THE MAIN
SPECIES IN THE LAKES ARE NORTHERN MILFOIL, COONTAIL, SAGO PONDWEED,
LILY PADS, BULLRUSHES, AND CURLY -LEAF PONDWEED. WEED GROWTH IN THE
SOUTHEAST AND NORTHWEST PARTS OF THE LAKE HINDERS BOAT TRAFFIC.
BECAUSE PIKE LAKE IS SMALLER AND MORE SHALLOW THAN EAGLE LAKE, ITS,
WATER QUALITY IS NOT AS GOOD. THE SHALLOW NATURE OF THE LAKE ALLOWS
INTERNAL LOADING TO OCCUR DURING MOST OF THE GROWING SEASON. AS A
RESULT, THE PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATION OF PIKE LAKE IS
APPROXIMATELY DOUBLE THAT OF EAGLE LAKE. CONSEQUENTLY, ALGAE GROWTH
IS MUCH HEAVIER AND BLOOMS OCCUR DURING MOST OF THE SUMMER. THE
POTENTIAL FOR BODY CONTACT RECREATION IN PIKE LAKE IS LOW.
3-
GEOLOGY
THE SITE IS LOCATED IN A GLACIAL DRIFT REGION CLASSIFIED AS THE
MINNETONKA LAKE HIGHLANDS. THIS IS A LANDSCAPE OF MIXED GRANTSBURG AND
SUPERIOR LOBE GLACIAL TILL OR DRIFT WHICH CONSISTS OF LOAMY, HILLY,
WELL-DRAINED SOILS. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY MIXED HILLS AND POTHOLES
AND SMALL CREEKS. VARIED ELEVATIONS, SCENIC VIEWS AND WELL-DRAINED
SITES ARE TYPICAL OF THIS TERRAIN. TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, NO MINERAL
RESOURCES OF ANY ECONOMIC VALUE OCCUR WITHIN THE PARK.
VEGETATION
THE EAGLE LAKE SITE HAS BEEN UTILIZED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES IN THE
PAST. THE PLYMOUTH AREA OF THE PARK WAS FARMED UNTIL THE EARLY
1980'S. FOREST COVER EXISTS IN FENCE ROW REMNANTS, ON STEEP SLOPES,
AND AS PIONEER "OLD FIELD" GROWTH. IN THE MAPLE GROVE PORTION OF THE
SITE, FARM HOMESITES CREATED DISTURBANCES IN FOREST COVER RANGING FROM
LOWLAND HARDWOODS TO MATURE UPLAND HARDWOODS.
SLOPE
SLOPES WITHIN THE SITE ARE MOSTLY LOW (0-5X) TO MODERATE (5-10X) WITH A
FEW KNOLLS OVER 10 PERCENT. THERE ARE FEW LIMITATIONS FOR PARK
DEVELOPMENT AND LARGE OPEN AREAS FOR PARKING LOTS AND FIELD GAMES CAN
BE ACCOMMODATED WITHOUT EXTENSIVE CUT/FILL OPERATIONS. WOODLAND COVER
ON THE HILLS SHOULD BE PRESERVED TO REDUCE POSSIBLE EROSION AND TO
PROVIDE A VISUALLY ATTRACTIVE SETTING.
LAND USE
THE MAP ON PAGE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE LOCATION AND EXTENT OF VARIOUS
PLANNED LAND USES BORDERING THE PARK. THE MAP IS A COMPOSITE FROM THE
MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH CITY MAPS. THE AREA EAST OF THE PARK IN
PLYMOUTH IS BEING DEVELOPED AS BASS RIDGE BUSINESS PARK, A 220-ACRE
OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. SOUTH OF THE PARK (ACROSS BASS LAKE
ROAD) IS A MIXTURE OF SINGLE FAMILY AND TOWNHOME RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT. THE AREA WEST OF THE PARK IN PLYMOUTH IS A MIX OF SINGLE
FAMILY HOMES AND A SMALL COMMERCIAL SHOPPING AREA. NORTHWEST OF THE
PARK, IN MAPLE GROVE, IS SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL. NORTHEAST OF THE
PARK IN MAPLE GROVE IS A MIX OF SINGLE FAMILY AND TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
REGIONAL RELATIONSHIP
EAGLE LAKE IS LOCATED WELL WITHIN THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF THE
METROPOLITAN URBAN SERVICE AREA (MUSA). THERE IS A HIGH CONCENTRATION
OF POTENTIAL POPULATION WHICH WILL USE EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK, SEWER
AVAILABILITY EXISTS WITHIN THE PARK, WHILE CITY RATER IS AVAILABLE AT
THE PARK BOUNDARIES. ALSO, A LARGE
SHOPPING AND SERVICE COMPLEX IS AVAILABLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF
INTERSTATE 494 AND CO. RD. 10, APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE FROM EAGLE LAKE
REGIONAL PARK.
TWO REGIONAL PARKS AND ONE PARK RESERVE ARE LOCATED WITHIN SIX MILES OF
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK. ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE PROVIDES FOR
PICNICKING, SWIMMING AND A TRAILHEAD FACILITY FOR BIKE, HIKE, SKI
TOURING, HORSE AND SNOWMOBILE USES, NATURE CENTER AND INTERPRETIVE
Multi -family residential
Commercial/Institutional
Industrial (Including gravel mining)
Grassland/vacant land
Woodland
OCropland
Wetland
Open water
N
0 500 1000
Meters
777 Area contributing only during spring
snowmelt
22 Non-contributing area
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5 -
TRAILS. FISH LAKE AND CLIFTON E. FRENCH REGIONAL PARKS WERE CONSIDERED
AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN DETERMINING NOT ONLY THE KINDS OF OUTDOOR
RECREATIONAL USES AT EAGLE LAKE, BUT THE MAGNITUDE OF FACILITY
DEVELOPMENT. IT IS NECESSARY TO LOOK AT THESE THREE REGIONAL PARKS
COLLECTIVELY IN ORDER TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE RECREATIONAL USES BASED
UPON THE PHYSICAL FEATURES AND WATER QUALITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PARK.
DUE TO THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF FLAT LAND, THE PROPOSED MASTER PLAN FOR
FISH LAKE REGIONAL PARK CONTAINS RESERVATION PICNIC AREAS AND LIMITED
FIELD GAME ACTIVITY SPACE IN ADDITION TO THE BEACH AND PENINSULA PICNIC
AREA. EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LARGE OPEN
PICNIC AREAS WITH SPACE IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE PARK FOR OPEN
FIELD GAMES. CLIFTON E. FRENCH REGIONAL PARK CONTAINS ENOUGH SPACE FOR
SOME INTERIOR TRAIL USE SUCH AS SKI -TOURING AND BIKE/HIKE TRAILS.
BOUNDARY ADDITIONS/ACQUISITION
THE 10 -ACRE OPUS PARCEL (AN OUTLOT TO THE BASS RIDGE BUSINESS PARK) HAS
BEEN ACQUIRED. THIS IS A CRITICAL ACQUISITION AS IT PROVIDES THE
PHYSICAL LINK BETWEEN THE NORTH (MAPLE GROVE) AND SOUTH (PLYMOUTH)
AREAS OF THE PARK. THERE REMAIN THREE PRIVATE PROPERTIES, ALL ON 63RD
AVENUE NORTH ON THE EAGLE LAKE PENINSULA. TWO ARE YEAR-ROUND
RESIDENCES, AND ONE IS A SEASONAL RESIDENCE. THE TWO YEAR-ROUND
RESIDENCES ARE BEING ACQUIRED AT THIS TIME. THE COST, IN 1990 DOLLARS,
OF THE ONE REMAINING SEASONAL ACQUISITION IS ESTIMATED TO BE $90,000.
I. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
UPON RECEIPT OF GRANT MONIES THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED, THE REMAINING
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AT EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK WILL BE PAID OFF. AT
THE TIME OF DEVELOPMENT, THERE MAY BE CONNECTION CHARGES, S.A.C.
CHARGES, AND LATERAL LINE CONSTRUCTION COSTS AS A PART OF THE PROJECT.
STEWARDSHIP
STEWARDSHIP IS THE MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY THAT IS IN TRANSITION FROM
ACQUIRED LAND TO DEVELOPED PARK FACILITIES. ONGOING STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS
HAVE INCLUDED BUILDING CLEARANCE AND SITE CLEANUP; WATER WELL ABANDONMENT;
ROADWAY RESTORATION; BOUNDARY FENCING; SIGNING; LITTER CONTROL; DISEASED
TREE REMOVAL; AND NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL. THESE
ACTIVITIES FACILITATE FUTURE PARK DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE PROTECTION AND
ENHANCEMENT TO EXISTING PARK DEVELOPMENT. ONGOING STEWARDSHIP WILL BE
INCORPORATED INTO THE OVERALL PARK MAINTENANCE OPERATION.
OPERATIONAL STEWARDSHIP COSTS AT EAGLE LAKE HAVE AVERAGED $4,000 ANNUALLY,
WITH LARGER CAPITAL COSTS FOR BUILDING REMOVAL AND WELL ABANDONMENTS.
Im
3. NEEDS ANALYSIS
A. REGIONAL SERVICE AREA
AS IDENTIFIED BY METROPOLITAN PARKS AND OPEN SPACE STAFF, THE
WATER-BASED RECREATION FACILITY WOULD SERVE AN AREA WHICH EXTENDS FROM
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ON THE EAST TO HIGHWAY 101 ON THE WEST, AND FROM -
109TH AVENUE ON THE NORTH TO COUNTY ROAD 5 ON THE SOUTH. THIS AREA
ENCOMPASSES PORTIONS OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, ST. LOUIS PARK, AND
MINNETONKA AND ALL OF ROBBINSDALE, BROOKLYN CENTER, BROOKLYN PARK, NEW
HOPE, CRYSTAL, MAPLE GROVE, OSSEO, PLYMOUTH, GOLDEN VALLEY, MEDICINE
LAKE AND WAYZATA (MAP 2).
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK
REGIONAL SERVICE AREA
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POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION
THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S APRIL 1, 1989
ESTIMATES FOR THE CITIES AND COUNTIES IN
AREA AND PROJECTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2000"
HENNEPIN COUNTY POPULATION RESIDE WITHIN
412,060 PEOPLE).
POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD
THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN
INDICATE THAT 41 PERCENT OF THE
THE DEFINED SERVICE AREA
WHILE EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK IS LOCATED IN THE NORTH CENTRAL PORTION
OF ITS SERVICE AREA, IT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO LARGE PROPORTIONS OF
THE SERVICE AREA POPULATION. INFORMATION FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION INDICATES THAT BY THE YEAR 2000 ALMOST HALF OF
HENNEPIN COUNTY'S POPULATION (47 PERCENT) WILL BE WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF
EAGLE LAKE.
CURRENTLY, THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN THE SERVICE AREA ARE
COMPRISED OF YOUNG FAMILIES AND COUPLES WHO TEND TO BE ACTIVE
PARTICIPANTS IN MANY OF THE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROPOSED.
C. RECREATION DEMAND
THE DEMAND FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES LIKE THOSE PROPOSED ARE
CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZED IN MINNESOTA'S "STATE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR
RECREATION PLAN" (SCORP), METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S "METRO AREA SURVEY"
AND HENNEPIN PARKS' "SURVEY OF SERVICE AREA HOUSEHOLDS".
THE 1990-1994 SCORP REPORT (MINNESOTA'S OUTDOOR LEGACY: STRATEGIES FOR
THE '90'S) PUTS FORTH SEVERAL RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AND STRATEGIES. MANY
OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS APPLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT AS PROPOSED AT EAGLE
LAKE REGIONAL PARK. WHILE SEVERAL APPLY GENERALLY, SOME OF THOSE THAT
ARE MORE SPECIFIC ARE: PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RELATED
RESOURCES; ACQUIRE LAND IN AREAS OF HEAVY RECREATIONAL USE AND DEMAND,
ESPECIALLY IN AREAS EXPERIENCING RAPID POPULATION GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT; EXPAND AND LINK EXISTING TRAIL SEGMENTS; DEVELOP YEAR
ROUND, MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITIES; REDIRECT INTENSIVE RECREATIONAL USES
TO LESS SENSITIVE AREAS; AND ENSURE ACCESS TO OUTDOOR RECREATION
FACILITIES BY REMOVING PHYSICAL BARRIERS.
THE MN D.N.R.'S 1988 "OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITY ADEQUACY SURVEY"
ASSESS FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION, THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTDOOR
RECREATION FACILITIES AND THE PUBLICS PERCEPTION OF NEEDED FACILITIES.
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK WILL PROVIDE FOR FIVE FACILITIES RANKED IN THE
TOP TEN BY THE PUBLIC AS IMPORTANT AND THAT MORE FACILITIES ARE NEEDED
WALKING PATHS, PICNIC GROUNDS, SWIMMING BEACHES, LAKE ACCESS, AND
BICYCLE PATH).
IN 1983, A SURVEY "LEISURE IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA" CONDUCTED BY THE
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IDENTIFIED STRONG INTEREST FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION
ACTIVITIES. THE SURVEY FOUND BETWEEN 37 AND 84 PERCENT OF THE METRO
AREA POPULATION WAS INTERESTED IN THE ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR AT EAGLE
LAKE REGIONAL PARK. IN THE SAME STUDY, BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION WERE
EVALUATED. THE MOST COMMON BARRIERS FOR THE ACTIVITIES PLANNED WERE
LACK OF TIME" AND "LACK OF FACILITIES", BOTH OF THESE REINFORCE THE
IMPORTANCE OF MULTI -USE FACILITIES WHICH ARE CLOSE TO LARGE SEGMENTS OF
THE POPULATION.
THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S REGIONAL NEEDS STATEMENT FOR EAGLE LAKE
REGIONAL PARK ANTICIPATES A PICNIC AREA OF 10 ACRES WITH 30 PEOPLE PER
ACRE, 500 FEET OF SWIMMING BEACH WITH 0.75 PERSONS PER FOOT, A BOAT
LAUNCH WITH 20 CAR/TRAILER PARKING SPACES, 2.0 MILES OF HIKING TRAIL
WITH 20 PERSONS PER MILE AND 2.0 MILES OF BIKING TRAIL WITH 40 PERSON
PER MILE. THE REGIONAL NEEDS STATEMENTS IDENTIFY FACILITIES THAT WHEN
DEVELOPED WILL PROVIDE "A VARIETY OF RECREATION FACILITIES NEEDED BY.
THE REGION'S POPULATION, NOW AND IN THE YEAR 2000" (PUB. NO. 11-81-0054)
IN 1981, HENNEPIN PARKS CONDUCTED ITS OWN SURVEY TO BETTER ASSESS
INTEREST FROM THE SERVICE AREA POPULATION, SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING
WATER-BASED RECREATION. IT WAS FOUND THAT NEARLY 29 PERCENT OF THE
SERVICE AREA'S POPULATION IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN BOATING, FISHING,
SWIMMING AND ICE FISHING. JUST OVER 15 PERCENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS
24,900 - 1989) OWN A TRAILERED BOAT, AN INDICATION OF THE PRESSURE PU1
ON THE REGION WHICH OFFERS 15 BOAT LAUNCHES AND 295 PARKING SPACES.,
THE LAKES MOST OFTEN VISITED WERE MINNETONKA (28X), MEDICINE (22X),
CALHOUN (14X), AND INDEPENDENCE (11X); THE PREDOMINANT ACTIVITIES WERE
FISHING, BOATING, AND SWIMMING. THE CONCLUSION FROM THIS SURVEY
INDICATED THERE IS A STRONG NEED FOR ADDITIONAL BOAT ACCESS FACILITIES.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF FRENCH AND FISH LAKE REGIONAL PARKS THERE ARE
INDICATORS OF THE NEED FOR YET MORE BOAT ACCESS. ON MOST SUMMER
WEEKENDS THERE ARE LINES OF BOATERS WAITING, SOME UP TO SEVERAL HOURS
TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THEIR BOATS AT THESE TWO FACILITIES, WHICH
COMBINED CAN ACCOMMODATE 72 CARS WITH TRAILERS AT ONE TIME.
mijkl0=6
TO ESTIMATE TOTAL ANNUAL VISITS AND OCCASIONS, THE ASSUMPTION WAS MADE
THAT TOTAL USE ON FIVE WEEKDAYS IS NEARLY EQUAL TO THE TOTAL OF TWO
WEEKEND DAYS. THIS HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE THE CASE AT OTHER MULTI -USE
FACILITIES.
TOTAL ANNUAL VISITS PROJECTED FOR THE PARK AT CAPACITY ARE 212,000.
THIS LEVEL OF USE IS NOT ANTICIPATED UNTIL THE THIRD FULL YEAR OF
OPERATION. TO CALCULATE OCCASIONS, CAPACITY FIGURES FROM THE "1988
FACILITY INVENTORY, CAPACITY ESTIMATE, AND SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE"
REPORT FROM METROPOLITAN COUNCIL WERE USED IF AVAILABLE.
1) PICNICKING:
AS NOTED MUCH OF THE AREA INCLUDED WITHIN EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARKS
IS CONDUCIVE TO PICNICKING WITH THE GENTLY ROLLING TERRAIN. NORTH
OF PIKE LAKE IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE WILL BE 15 ACRES OF GENERAL
PICNICKING, SOUTH OF PIKE LAKE ANOTHER 11 ACRES OF GENERAL
PICNICKING AND 24 ACRES OF RESERVATION PICNICKING. CALCULATING THE
NORTH ACRES WITH A RURAL DENSITY (30 PEOPLE PER ACRE) AND THE SOUTH
ACRES WITH A URBAN DENSITY (40 PEOPLE PER ACRE), TURNOVER RATE OF
r
ME
1.5, PROJECTS 2,286 PEOPLE PER WEEKEND DAY. ESTIMATED ANNUAL
OCCASIONS: 150,900.
2) SWIMMING:
IN ADDITION TO A 500 FOOT SWIMMING BEACH, A NON -LAKE WATER FACILITY
IS PROPOSED. THE SWIMMING BEACH IS PROPOSED FOR RURAL DENSITIES
75 PERSONS PER FOOT), 1.5 TURNOVER, 562 OCCASIONS PER WEEKEND
DAY. THE NON -LAKE WATER FACILITY WILL HAVE AN URBAN DENSITY, WITH
2.25 PEOPLE PER FOOT. WITH A 300 -FOOT FACILITY AND A TURNOVER OF
2.0, 1,350 VISITORS WOULD BE EXPECTED ON A WEEKEND DAY. ESTIMATED
ANNUAL OCCASIONS: 37,100 AT THE EAGLE LAKE BEACH AND 89,100 AT THE
NON -LAKE WATER FACILITY.
3) BOATING:
IT APPEARS (SCORP AND METRO AREA SURVEY) THAT REGIONAL BOATING
DEMAND WILL SURPASS THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF EAGLE LAKE'S 270
ACRES. THE PLAN PROPOSES 20 CAR/TRAILER SPACES FOR EAGLE LAKE AND 3
NON-TRAILERED SPACES FOR PIKE LAKE. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT NOT ALL
23 BOATS FROM THE PUBLIC ACCESS WOULD BE ACTIVE AT THE SAME TIME, AS
SOME WOULD BE GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH SHORE ACTIVITIES (BASED ON
OBSERVATIONS OF OTHER MULTI -USE FACILITIES). ASSUMING 1.5 TURNOVERS
PER DAY, 2.3 PEOPLE PER BOAT, 80 PEOPLE PER WEEKEND DAY. ESTIMATED
ANNUAL OCCASIONS: 7,400.
4) OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER:
A YEAR ROUND FACILITY OF APPROXIMATELY 3,000 SQUARE FEET, OF WHICH
60 PERCENT WOULD BE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SPACE, AND 15 SQUARE FEET PER
PERSON OR 180 PEOPLE PER DAY. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OCCASIONS: 38,900.
5) SUMMER TRAILS:
THE TRAIL SYSTEM PROVIDED WITHIN THE PARK WILL BE LIMITED IN LENGTH
APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES) BUT, WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIKING
AND HIKING. WHILE LIMITED IN LENGTH, THIS SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE AN
INTEGRAL LINK BETWEEN THE ADJACENT TRAIL CORRIDOR, PARK FACILITIES
AND NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREA. WITH AN ESTIMATED 60 PEOPLE PER MILE
OF TRAIL, ANTICIPATED 108 PEOPLE PER DAY. ESTIMATED ANNUAL
OCCASIONS: 13,600.
6) WINTER TRAILS:
AS WITH SUMMER TRAILS, WINTER TRAILS WILL BE LIMITED IN LENGTH, BUT
WILL SERVE AS AN ACCESS AND TRAILHEAD TO OTHER REGIONAL AND
MUNICIPAL TRAILS FOR SKI TOURING. WITH 30 PEOPLE PER MILE OF TRAIL,
85 PEOPLE PER WEEKEND DAY OR ESTIMATED ANNUAL OCCASIONS: 4,000.
7) WINTER PLAY:
WITH A FOUR SEASON RECREATION CENTER, AVAILABLE LAKESHORE, AND
ACCESSIBILITY TO NEARBY RESIDENTS; ICE SKATING AND SLEDDING WOULD BE
MODERATELY POPULAR ACTIVITIES. AN AVERAGE OF 50 PEOPLE PER WEEKEND
DAY WOULD BE EXPECTED, ESTIMATED ANNUAL OCCASIONS: 2,400.
10-
8) ICE FISHING:
LAKE ACCESS FOR ICE FISHING IN THE SERVICE AREA IS NOT AS LIMITED AS
FOR BOATING, AND THEREFORE, ONLY MODERATE USE IS EXPECTED. IT IS
ESTIMATED THAT UP TO 50 PEOPLE PER WEEKEND DAY WOULD PASS THROUGH
THE BOAT LAUNCH ACCESS TO GO ICE FISHING, FEW IF ANY WOULD UTILIZE
PARKING FACILITIES, ESTIMATED ANNUAL OCCASIONS: 1,500.
r
LAKESHORE LANDOWNER SURVEY
A SURVEY OF EACH LANDOWNER ADJACENT TO EAGLE LAKE WAS CONDUCTED IN 1981
TO DETERMINE THEIR USE OF WATER-BASED RECREATION, AND ALSO THEIR INPUT
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL PARK ON EAGLE LAKE. OVER HALF (55
PERCENT) OF THE LANDOWNERS RESPONDED. ALL WHO RESPONDED OWNED A
RESIDENCE ON EAGLE LAKE, HAD LIVED ON THE LAKE FOR AN AVERAGE OF 10
YEARS, AND MOST (69 PERCENT) LIVED IN A YOUNG -FAMILY HOUSEHOLD (2;
YOUNG TO MIDDLE -AGE ADULTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN). PRIME MOTIVATIONS FOR
LIVING ON EAGLE LAKE WERE LOCATION WITHIN THE TWIN CITIES, PEACE AND
QUIET OF AREA AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE AREA.
THEY PERCEIVED THE LAKE AS HAVING CONSIDERABLE USE ON THE WEEKENDS AND
MODERATE USE ON WEEKDAYS DURING THE SUMMER AND WINTER. ALMOST ALL FELT
THERE WAS LITTLE TO MODERATE USE OF THE LAKE DURING SPRING AND FALL.
OVER HALF OF THE RESIDENTS ANTICIPATE PARTICIPATING IN LAKE -RELATED
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS: SWIMMING (80X), FISHING (69X), ICE SKATING (65X),
AND MOTORIZED BOATING (50X). FEWER BUT STILL SIGNIFICANT, ANTICIPATED
PARTICIPATION IN OTHER ACTIVITIES, LIKE NON -MOTORIZED BOATING (49X),
WATERSKIING (48X), ICE FISHING (41X), SAILING (29X), AND SNOWMOBILING
ON THE LAKE (27X). LESS THAN 5 PERCENT PLANNED TO SCUBA DIVE, POWER
BOAT RACE, FLY A SEA PLANE, ICE BOAT, SAIL BOARD, OR WET BIKE. TO
ACCESS THE LAKE FOR THESE ACTIVITIES, ALMOST ALL UTILIZE THEIR OWN
PROPERTY, A FEW (5 PERCENT) USE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY OR A PUBLIC
FACILITY.
THE HOUSEHOLDS WERE FOUND TO OWN A MODERATE AMOUNT OF WATERCRAFT AND
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. ABOUT HALF HAD A RUNABOUT, CANOE AND/OR
MOTORIZED FISHING BOAT. A QUARTER HAD PONTOON BOATS AND/OR SAILBOATS.
WHEN ASKED IF ANY ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE RESTRICTED ON THE LAKE, ALMOST
ONE-THIRD FELT THAT THE DNR'S STATE-WIDE REGULATIONS WERE ACCEPTABLE IF
ENFORCED OR OFFERED NO SUGGESTIONS. OF THOSE THAT MADE COMMENTS, MANY
INVOLVED CONCERN WITH THE HORSEPOWER OF MOTORS (77X) AND LIMITED LAKE
SIZE (44X). OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN WERE PRIMARILY WINTER RELATED,
SNOWMOBILING (25X), ICE FISHING(10%) AND CARELESS OPERATION OF MOTOR
VEHICLES ON ICE (2X).
COMMENTS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EAGLE LAKE MOST OFTEN (94X) RELATED
TO CONCERNS WITH THE IMPACT ON THE LAKE AND SURROUNDING RESOURCE (E.G.
WATER QUALITY, FISHING QUALITY, NATURALNESS OF AREA, AND LITTER).
ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT (79X), CONCERNS
ABOUT OVERCROWDING (46X) AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FACILITIES AND
ACTIVITIES (35X).
DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT
A. RESOURCE INVENTORY
1) ADJACENT LAND USE:
REGIONAL CULTURAL FEATURES WHICH MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE USE AND
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK ARE IDENTIFIED. THE LAND USES SURROUNDING
EAGLE LAKE ARE SINGLE AND MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND
OFFICE PARK. EXISTING ROADS, NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND WETLANDS ARE
IDENTIFIED. THE PROPOSED PARK SHOULD NOT SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE
TO NOISE OR AIR POLLUTION NOR DOES THE SURROUNDING AREA IMPACT ON
THE PARK IN TERMS OF THE SAME POLLUTION.
2) EXISTING CULTURAL FEATURES:
IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING DEVELOPMENT FEATURES WITHIN THE PARK,
SUCH AS ROADS, BUILDINGS AND UTILITIES WILL BE IDENTIFIED AT TIME OF
DEVELOPMENT. CURRENT LAND ACQUISITION STATUS OF THE PARK PLUS ANY
BOUNDARY STUDIES UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE DESCRIBED IN SECTION lH.
BASED ON PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION, SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL FEATURES
HAVE NOT BEEN DETECTED AT THIS SITE. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE
INVESTIGATED IN MORE DETAIL AS SPECIFIC PROJECTS ARE UNDERTAKEN.
3) HYDROLOGY:
EXISTING WATER BODIES AND MARSHES ARE ILLUSTRATED, ALONG WITH
WATERSHED DIVIDES HAVE BEEN STUDIED, TO AID IN UNDERSTANDING THE
SURFACE DRAINAGE CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN THE PARK. NEARLY THE ENTIRE
SITE DRAINS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INTO PIKE LAKE. ALSO, A SETTLING
POND ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PARK PROVIDES FOR STORMWATER SETTLING
FOR THE OFFICE DEVELOPMENT BORDERING THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF EAGLE
LAKE. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY INSPECTED AND LAKE WATER
QUALITY MONITORED TO MAINTAIN THE LAKE'S QUALITY FOR THE FUTURE.
PRELIMINARY LAKE WATER STUDIES INDICATE AVERAGE CLARITY AND QUALITY,
ACCEPTABLE FOR SWIMMING AND OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES. THE TOTAL
WATERSHED FOR EAGLE LAKE IS 4.06 SQUARE MILES.
4) SLOPES:
THE SITE CONSISTS OF SHALLOW VALLEYS CONTAINING POTHOLES WHICH ARE
INTERCONNECTED BY SHALLOW DRAINAGE WAYS. HILL SUMMITS ARE TYPICALLY
BROAD. SLOPES OF 0%-5% ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE SLIGHT LIMITATIONS
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STRUCTURES AND OTHER PUBLIC USE FACILITIES;
5%-10% SLOPES HAVE MODERATE LIMITATIONS; AND SLOPES GREATER THAN 10
PERCENT ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE HIGH EROSION POTENTIAL AND MUST BE
STUDIED IN GREATER DETAIL PRIOR TO DEVELOPMENT. THE MOST PRONOUNCED
TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE PARK ARE THE HIGH HOODED KNOLLS WHICH
RISE 50 FEET ABOVE THE LAKE SURFACE AT THE PENINSULA AND OVER 75
FEET IN THE PLYMOUTH PORTION OF THE PARK.
5) EXISTING FOREST PATTED:
EXISTING INTERMEDIATE AND LOWLAND FORESTS ARE IDENTIFIED.
APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE SITE IS WOODED.
12-
6) SOILS:
THE VARIOUS SOILS EXISTING WITHIN THE SITE WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND
CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO RELATIVE SUITABILITY FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR
OUTDOOR RECREATION USE AND EVALUATED AS HAVING SLIGHT, MODERATE AND
SEVERE LIMITATIONS. IN LARGE AREAS OF MARSH SOILS, DEVELOPMENT IS
IMPRACTICAL FOR GENERAL RECREATION USE. DEVELOPMENT, IN GENERAL,
SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN THESE AREAS DUE TO THEIR PEATY NATURE AND HIGH
WATER TABLE. WITH MUCH OF THE AREA COVERED BY WATER ALL YEAR,
HEYDER SANDY LOAM SOIL COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE REMAINING SITE AND
IS SUITABLE FOR MOST TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT.
OVERALL SITE CONCEPT
REGIONAL PARKS ARE AREAS OF NATURAL OR ORNAMENTAL QUALITY DEVELOPED TO
PROVIDE OPPPORTUNITIES FOR A WIDE RANGE OF NATURE -ORIENTED OUTDOOR
RECREATION PURSUITS. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO DUPLICATE FACILITIES
INCLUDED IN PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS OF A MUNICIPAL TYPE, NOR DO THEY HAVE
ANY RESTRICTIONS TO THE AMOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH MAY OCCUR. OUTDOOR
RECREATION FACILITIES IN A REGIONAL PARK MIGHT INCLUDE: PICNIC
GROUNDS, SWIMMING BEACHES, GROUP CAMPS, BOAT LAUNCHES, WINTER SLIDING
HILLS, ICE SKATING, CREATIVE PLAY AREAS AND TRAILS FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES
AS NATURE INTERPRETATION, SKI TOURING, BIKING, HIKING, AND RUNNING.
C. RECREATION CONCEPT PLAN
PAGE 14 CONTAINS A MAP OF THE RECREATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR EAGLE
LAKE REGIONAL PARK. DUE TO THE PHYSICAL SEPARATION OF THE PARK BY PIKE
LAKE, AN OPPORTUNITY EXISTS TO DEVELOP DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACILITIES.
THE CONCEPT SHALL EXPAND UPON THIS IDEA AND PROVIDE FACILITIES WHICH
ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF EACH AREA.
THE NORTH HALF OF THE PARK WILL EMPHASIZE LAKE -RELATED ACTIVITIES SUCH
AS A SWIMMING BEACH, BOAT LAUNCH, CANOE LAUNCH AND LAKESIDE
PICNICKING. THE OPEN, ROLLING CHARACTER OF THE SOUTH HALF WILL PERMIT
LARGE AREAS FOR PICNICKING AND WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NON -LAKE
ASSOCIATED HATER ACTIVITIES.
1) PICNIC AREA/SWIMMING (PENINSULA)
THE AREA WITH THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR BEACH DEVELOPMENT AND LAKE
SWIMMING IS THE SOUTH SHORE OF EAGLE LAKE. THE
OPPORTUNITY EXISTS TO DEVELOP A BEACH APPROXIMATELY 500-600 FEET IN
LENGTH. DEVELOPMENT OF A PICNIC AREA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BEACH
WILL ENABLE THE ENTIRE EASTERN PORTION OF THE PENINSULA TO BE USED
FOR RECREATION PURPOSES. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PICNIC/SWIMMING
DEVELOPMENT, A THREE -SEASON CHANGING SHELTER/CONCESSION BUILDING
WILL BE LOCATED IN THIS AREA TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES.
A PAVED PARKING AREA WILL BE LOCATED WEST OF THE PICNIC/SWIM AREA AT
THE BASE OF THE HILL WHICH LEADS TO THE PENINSULA.
ADDITIONAL PICNICKING OF APPROXIMATELY 25-30 ACRES IS PROPOSED ON
AND AROUND THE HILL EAST OF 63RD AVENUE NORTH. SEVERAL SMALLER
13 -
PARKING AREAS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR AT THIS AREA. ACCESS WILL BE VIA
63RD AVENUE NORTH.
2) BOAT LAUNCH
A BOAT LAUNCH WILL BE LOCATED TO THE WEST OF THE PICNIC/SWIM AREA.
THIS LAUNCH WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO EAGLE LAKE. PARKING FOR
APPROXIMATELY 20 CAR/TRAILER UNITS WILL BE PROVIDED NEAR THE MAIN
PARKING AREA.
3) CANOE LAUNCH
A LAUNCH AREA WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF PIKE LAKE FOR
CARRY -IN NON -MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT. A SMALL PARKING AREA FOR THIS
USE WILL BE PROVIDED.
4) PICNIC AREAS
MUCH OF THE SOUTH HALF OF THE PARK WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PICNIC
AREAS. APPROXIMATELY 20 ACRES IN THE SOUTHWEST PORTION OF THE PARK
WILL BE DESIGNATED AS RESERVATION PICNIC AREAS. THE GENTLY ROLLING
TERRAIN WILL PERMIT INFORMAL GROUP FIELD ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SOFTBALL
AND VOLLEYBALL. PICNIC SHELTERS AND TOILET FACILITIES WILL BE
PROVIDED FOR AT EACH RESERVATION SITE.
THE SOUTHEAST PORTION OF THE PARK WILL SUPPORT FAMILY PICNIC
FACILITIES. IN ADDITION, THIS AREA PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDE NON -LAKE ASSOCIATED WATER ACTIVITIES. THE RELATIVELY LARGE
OPEN SITE IN THIS SOUTHEAST AREA WOULD BE CONDUCIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT
AS A WATER FEATURE AND RELATED PICNICKING. THIS WATER FEATURE COULD
BE A WAVE POOL AND/OR WATER SLIDES. THIS FACILITY WOULD COMPLEMENT
THE BEACH ON EAGLE LAKE IN THE NORTH PORTION OF THE PARK BY OFFERING
AN ALTERNATIVE WATER EXPERIENCE.
ACCESS TO THE RECREATION USE AREAS IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE
PARK WILL BE FROM BASS LAKE ROAD (COUNTY ROAD 10) AT ZACHARY LANE.
5) OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER
AN OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED IN THE
SOUTHEAST PORTION OF THE PARK. THIS FACILITY WOULD PROVIDE RENTALS,
CONCESSIONS, TOILETS, EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION DISPLAYS AND PARK
OFFICES. THIS FOUR -SEASON BUILDING WOULD SERVE AS A TRAILHEAD FOR
WINTER SKI TOURING TRAILS, AS WELL AS FOR OTHER WINTER RECREATION.
PARKING FOR THIS FACILITY WOULD OCCUR IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE
BUILDING.
6) TRAM
PAVED TRAILS WILL CONNECT THE NORTH AND SOUTH PORTIONS OF THE PARK.
THESE TRAILS WILL PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING AND PROPOSED
TRAILS WITHIN THE CITY OF MAPLE GROVE AND THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH.
EXISTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT MUCH OF THE
PROPOSED USE WITHIN EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK WILL OCCUR DUE TO THE
EXISTING AND PROPOSED BIKEWAY SYSTEM.
r_
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EAEIE IAIIE
A
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1-
AROPOSED EASEWNT
FOR TRAI PU1N5E5
M TMS AREA I
F
i B
BASS LAKE RD
riOM FEET
PLANNING AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
SUBURBAN HENNEPIN REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
MARSH
PROPOSED ROADS
PROPOSED PAVED TRAILS
PROPOSED PARK BOON .P
DEVELOPMENT PLP
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PAR-
1
WE LAKE /
7
1
D i LEGEND
II
J \/ RECREATION USE AREA:
1I A PROPOSED PICNIC AREA
1i I SWIMMING
I1 B PROPOSED PICNIC AREA
1I1 i C PROPOSED BOAT ACCESS
1I I D PROPOSED OUTDOOR
i I RECREATION CENTER
WATER
MARSH
PROPOSED ROADS
PROPOSED PAVED TRAILS
PROPOSED PARK BOON .P
DEVELOPMENT PLP
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PAR-
15-
D. IMPLEMENTATION (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM)
DEVELOPMENT IS NOT EXPECTED AT EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK FOR SOME TIME.
NEITHER HENNEPIN PARKS OR THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL HAVE PLACED THIS
PROJECT IN THEIR 5 -YEAR C.I.P.'S. WHEN THIS PROJECT IS IMMINENT, AN
AMENDED MASTER PLAN WILL DETAIL THE C.I.P.
ISSUES
A. ISSUE: NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES AT BOAT LAUNCH/LAKE USE AND REGULATION
PAST PUBLIC COMMENTARY RELATED TO TRAILERED BOAT ACCESSES HAS DEALT
WITH THE LOCAL CONCERN FOR SAFETY ON THE LAKE. RESIDENTS USUALLY FEEL
THAT AN INCREASE IN BOAT TRAFFIC RESULTING FROM THE PARK ACCESS WILL
CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM ON AN ALREADY BUSY LAKE.
A 1983 TASK FORCE COMPOSED OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND METROPOLITAN
COUNCIL PREPARED "A COOPERATIVE PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS
SITES ON METROPOLITAN AREA LAKES" FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON
MINNESOTA RESOURCES.
1) IN THIS PLAN THE FOLLOWING PARKING SPACE GUIDELINE WAS ESTABLISHED:
THE STANDARDS FOR PARKING SET BY THE TASK FORCE ASSUME THAT THE
PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE FREE ACCESS AND PARKING TO USE UP TO ONE-HALF OF
THE AVAILABLE WATER SPACE ON A BODY OF WATER."
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SPONSORED STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT
ON LAKES WITH NO SURFACE WATER REGULATION, MOTORBOAT USER SELF
REGULATION OCCURS WHEN IN -USE BOAT DENSITIES REACH ONE BOAT PER TEN
ACRES OF WATER. AERIAL SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT BOATERS WILL PULL
OVER AND WAIT FOR THE DENSITY TO DECREASE RATHER THAN GO OUT."
THEREFORE, A POLICY TO HAVE ONE BOAT TRAILER PARKING SPACE PER 20
ACRES OF NATER ASSUMES THE PUBLIC HAS THE ACCESS TO ONE-HALF THE
AVAILABLE WATER SPACE OF A LAKE IN AN UNREGULATED CONDITION."
IF A GOVERNMENT BODY ENACTS SURFACE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS SUCH AS
SLOW, NO WAKE ZONES OR DIRECTION OF TRAVEL RULES, ACTIVE BOAT USE
DENSITIES CAN EXCEED ONE BOAT PER TEN ACRES WITHOUT CREATING
CROWDED' CONDITIONS. THESE DENSITY FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE ANCHORED
OR STORED BOATS."
2) IN THIS SAME PLAN, THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS THAT, DUE TO THE
EXPECTATION OF HEAVY USE ON MOST METRO AREA LAKES, LOCAL UNITS OF
GOVERNMENT "ADOPT REASONABLE SURFACE REGULATIONS WHICH OPTIMIZE
CONDITIONS FOR PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY, PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY
RECREATION FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER OF USERS AND PROTECTING THE LAKE
RESOURCE."
I"
THE TASK FORCE URGES THE DNR COMMISSIONER TO FULFILL THIS DIRECTIVE
AND ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE LOCAL ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT
TECHNIQUES FOR METRO AREA LAKES. THE DNR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
SHOULD BASE THEIR APPROACH ON:
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAKE;
LEVELS OF CURRENT USE AND THE ADDITIONAL PRESSURE CREATED BY A
PUBLIC ACCESS SITE;
SURFACE USE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES PREFERRED BY BOTH RESIDENT AND
NON-RESIDENT USERS; AND
USER IMPACTS ON OTHER LAKES CREATED BY THE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES."
3) WITH EVERY MOTORIZED BOAT RAMP/PARKING SITE HENNEPIN PARKS HAS
DEVELOPED, A SIMILAR CONCERN HAS BEEN VOICED BY RESIDENTS LIVING ON
THE LAKE IN QUESTION.
IT WOULD APPEAR THAT RESOLUTION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN RESTS
WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF APPROPRIATE LAKE SURFACE USE REGULATION.
STATE GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT APPROACHES AVAILABLE TO LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING RANGE OF ALTERNATIVES:
ZONING PARTS OF THE LAKE SURFACE FOR DIFFERENT USES;
ZONING THE LAKE SURFACE FOR PARTICULAR USES AT PARTICULAR HOURS
OF THE DAY OR DAYS OF THE WEEK;
LIMITING MOTOR SIZE OR TYPE;
LIMITING SPEED;
LIMITING THE TYPE AND SIZE OF WATERCRAFT INCLUDING ELIMINATING
ALL BOATS WITH MOTORS; AND
ESTABLISHING MANDATORY TRAFFIC CIRCULATION PATTERNS.
4) IF PRIVATE, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS TO OCCUR ON
THE EAGLE LAKE PARKLAND, IT IS PROBABLE THAT 20-40 BOATS WOULD BE
INTRODUCED TO THE LAKE.
5) IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE ONLY PUBLIC ACCESS TO EAGLE LAKE WOULD BE
PROVIDED BY THE PARK. MAPLE GROVE AND THE DNR HAVE INDICATED THAT
THE ACCESS ON THE NORTHEAST END OF THE LAKE LIKELY WILL BE CLOSED
AFTER THE HENNEPIN PARKS' ACCESS WAS OPENED.
6) HENNEPIN PARKS' MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK AND BOAT ACCESS WILL INCLUDE
GATED PARK ACCESS, POSTED AND ENFORCED HOURS OF USE (CLOSED 10 P.M.
TO 5 A.M.) AND ON-SITE RANGER PATROL. THESE MEASURES EFFECTIVELY
REDUCE PROBLEMS AND ABUSE OF PARK FACILITIES, AND PROVIDE STRONG
CONTROL OF ACCESS SITES.
RECOMMENDED HENNEPIN PARKS POSITION: THE FINAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
OF THE BOAT ACCESS AND NUMBER OF TRAILER PARKING SPACES BE CONTINGENT
UPON AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO SURFACE USE SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH INPUT
FROM HENNEPIN PARKS, EAGLE LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE CITIES OF MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH.
17_
ISSUE: CITY TRAIL CONNECTIONS
1) THE CITIES OF MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH BOTH PLAN ON EAGLE LAKE
REGIONAL PARK'S BEING A MAJOR LINK FOR THEIR CITY TRAIL SYSTEMS. IN
MAPLE GROVE, THIS INCLUDES A MAJOR TRAIL WEST TO FISH LAKE REGIONAL
PARK AND THE NORTH HENNEPIN REGIONAL TRAIL AND A COLLECTOR TRAIL
NORTHEAST TO THE AREA OF MAPLE GROVE SOUTHWEST OF THE U.S. 169-I-94
INTERCHANGE. IN PLYMOUTH, THIS INCLUDES A MAJOR TRAIL LINK TO
FRENCH REGIONAL PARK THAT PARALLELS ZACHARY LANE. THESE LINKAGES
COMPLIMENT THE NECESSARY INTERNAL TRAILS THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO
CONNECT THE TWO "HALVES" OF THE PARK.
RECOMMENDED HENNEPIN PARKS POSITION: HENNEPIN PARKS SUPPORTS THE
TRAILS CONNECTIONS AS COMPLIMENTARY TO BOTH THE PEOPLE AND THE TWO
COMMUNITIES.
ISSUE: MAINTAINING WATER QUALITY OF EAGLE LAKE
1) RESIDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN HENNEPIN PARKS' PARTICIPATION IN WATER
QUALITY ISSUES SUCH AS THE RECENT BASS RIDGE BUSINESS PARK.
2) PARK DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR STORMWATER RUNOFF AS
REQUIRED BY THE SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION AND
CITIES OF MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH. SPECIFICALLY, THIS MAY REQUIRE
A SEDIMENTATION POND OR OTHER MITIGATING MEASURES.
RECOMMENDED HENNEPIN PARKS POSITION: HENNEPIN PARKS SUPPORTS
MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST WATER QUALITY POSSIBLE AT EAGLE LAKE.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ISSUES, THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS SHOULD BE
RECOGNIZED AS DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL INCREASES THESE AND OTHER ISSUES MAY
ARISE.
PUBLIC SERVICES
PUBLIC SERVICES ARE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARK
DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT. ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE
AND WATER AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS ARE PREREQUISITES FOR DEVELOPMENT.
EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK IS SERVICED BY MINOR AND INTERMEDIATE ARTERIALS.
TWO ACCESSES TO THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM ARE WITHIN TWO MILES FROM
THE PARK. THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM PROVIDES EASY ACCESS FROM THE OTHER
AREAS, WHILE THE COLLECTOR SYSTEM SERVICES THE COMMUNITY. SOME COLLECTOR
ADDITIONS WILL PROMOTE BETTER ACCESS TO THE PARK FOR RESIDENTS IN THE
IMMEDIATE AREA. AT THIS TIME, THERE IS LIMITED MASS TRANSIT SERVICE TO
THE PARK. BUS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE ON MAJOR ROADS AT SELECTED TIMES OF
THE DAY.
AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, THE PARK LIES WITHIN THE METROPOLITAN URBAN SERVICE
AREA (MUSA). THIS WILL INSURE ADEQUATE WATER AND SANITARY SEWER UTILITY
SERVICE. SANITARY SEWER LINES EXIST WITHIN THE PARK AT THIS TIME.
18 -
OPERATIONS
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT OF EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK IS PROVIDED HERE
WITH FOCUS ON RULES AND REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS, AND MAINTENANCE. A
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE WILL BE TO IMPLEMENT A MANAGEMENT APPROACH THAT WILL
PROVIDE FOR OPERATIONAL PRACTICES WHICH ARE CLEARLY UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE
PARK USERS. THIS WILL RESULT IN A RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE OPPORTUNITY
CONSISTENT WITH THE POLICIES OF THE RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE GUIDE OF THE
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
RULES/REGULATIONS
THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE OPERATION OF EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK
IS PROVIDED IN THE PARK ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY HENNEPIN PARKS ON
SEPTEMBER 2, 1976, AND MOST RECENTLY AMENDED IN APRIL OF 1990. THE
ORDINANCE IS BROAD AND ALL-ENCOMPASSING, APPICABLE TO THE VARIETY OF
PARK AND OPEN SPACE FACILITIES OPERATED BY HENNEPIN PARKS. THE RULES
AND REGULATIONS ARE CONTAINED HEREIN.
IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE TO SECURE THE QUIET, ORDERLY AND
SUITABLE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF HENNEPIN PARKS' PROPERTIES.
SPECIFICALLY, THE ORDINANCE INCLUDES SECTIONS ON THE FOLLOWING:
GENERAL CONDUCT, PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, CAMPING, BOATING,
PICNICKING, FISHING, HORSEBACK RIDING, MOTORIZED RECREATION VEHICLES,
SNOWMOBILING, OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS, SPEECHES,
DEMONSTRATIONS AND PARADES, VEHICLES, AND PARK OPERATIONS AND
ENFORCEMENT. PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY A STAFF OF PARK
RANGERS WHO ROUTINELY MONITOR PARK FACILITIES ON FOOT, HORSE AND OTHER
APPROPRIATE MODES OF PATROL.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE IS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF PARK AND
OPEN SPACE FACILITIES FOR MAXIMIZED PARK USER SATISFACTION. INCREASED
UTILIZATION OF PARK FACILITIES AND ESCALATING MAINTENANCE COSTS ARE
SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IN MAINTAINING A REASONABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
THE PRINCIPAL AREAS FOR PARK MAINTENANCE, BASED ON THE CONCEPTUAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN, WILL INCLUDE ROAD AND PARKING LOT MAINTENANCE,
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, AND PARK FACILITY MAINTENANCE INCLUDING RESTROOMS,
PLAY AREAS, AND TRAILS.
IN ADDITION TO PARK MAINTENANCE, THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND
CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN PARK USE WILL REQUIRE EXPANDED PARK RANGER
SERVICE. INITIALLY SEASONAL PARK RANGERS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE PARK
ON WEEKEND DAYS AND HOLIDAYS FROM MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY.
A COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PROGRAM, CONSISTENT WITH HENNEPIN PARKS SIGN
STANDARDS, WILL PROVIDE PARK ENTRY INFORMATION, RULES, REGULATIONS,
DIRECTIONAL AND PROGRAM INFORMATION. SIGNS WILL BE LOCATED AT ALL PARK
ROAD AND TRAIL ENTRY POINTS, BUILDINGS AND MAJOR RECREATION FACILITIES.
19-
A BOAT LAUNCH ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF EAGLE WILL PROVIDE PARKING FOR
TRAILERED AND CAR -TOP BOATS. REGULATIONS GOVERNING BOATING ACTIVITIES
WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH STATE AND LOCAL ORDINANCES. SHORELINE FISHING
WILL BE PROVIDED AND BOARDWALKS WILL BE PLACED AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS
WHERE ACCESS TO THE WATER IS RESTRICTED BY EMERGENT VEGETATION.
NON -MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED FROM CONNECTIONS WITH MAPLE
GROVE'S AND PLYMOUTH'S BIKE TRAILS. MAJOR TRAILS WILL ULTIMATELY
CONNECT EAGLE AND FISH LAKE REGIONAL PARKS.
INTERIOR PARK TRAILS WILL BE OPERATED AND MAINTAINED FOR BIKING AND
HIKING AND TO CONNECT THE NORTH AND SOUTH HALVES OF THE PARK.
IN ADDITION TO DEVELOPING THE SITE TO MAXIMIZE OUTDOOR RECREATION
OPPORTUNITIES, THE PLAN WILL MAINTAIN THE AREA IN A NATURAL STATE.
ENHANCEMENT OF THE SITE INCLUDES RESTORATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND
WILDLIFE HABITAT WHERE APPROPRIATE.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FORMATION OF A PARK
DEVELOPMENT PLAN. PUBLIC DISCUSSION, INPUT AND FEEDBACK ARE KEY IN
DEFINING OBJECTIVES AND FACILITATING THE PLAN.
WHEN DEVELOPMENT OF EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK IS IMMINENT, THE PROCESS OF
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (AS AT FISH LAKE REGIONAL PARK) WILL BE FULLY
IMPLEMENTED. AT THIS TIME, IT SEEMS INAPPLICABLE TO CONDUCT SUCH A
PROCESS AS THIS MASTER PLAN REVISION IS REALLY AN UPDATING OF THE
ACQUISITION PHASE,
PUBLIC AHARENESS
AT THE TIME WHEN PARK USE IS REASONABLY FORSEEABLE AND SUBSEQUENT TO
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, THERE WILL BE LARGE SCALE
PUBLICITY ABOUT EAGLE LAKE REGIONAL PARK.
3229C
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: January 7, 1991
TO: FRAC ^ ^
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks & Recreation C/`'yK l
SUBJECT: 1991 PARK FACILITY RENTAL POLICIES AND FEE SCHEDULES
Attached for your review are the proposed 1991 Park Facility Rental Policies
and Fee Schedule. Rick Busch will be in attendance at the Park Commission
meeting in order to explain and answer any questions you may have on this
subject. In summary, he is recommending that the facility fees be increased
as follows:
The new format is an effort to simplify the document for the public's use.
One other note of special interest is we will be eliminating rentals to all
non-resident groups. Because our facilities are used to such a high level at
this time, we see no reason to continue offering rental of facilities to non -
Plymouth groups of any kind.
EB/np
attachment
1990 1991
Softball per day 55 60
Football/soccer per day 85 90
Field attendant per hour 8 8
Field lights per hour 20 20
Rink lights per hour 10 10
Scoreboards per day each 25 25
Zachary complex per day 280 300
The new format is an effort to simplify the document for the public's use.
One other note of special interest is we will be eliminating rentals to all
non-resident groups. Because our facilities are used to such a high level at
this time, we see no reason to continue offering rental of facilities to non -
Plymouth groups of any kind.
EB/np
attachment
Plymouth Park and Recreation Department Ph. 550-5130
1991 PARK FACILITY RENTAL POLICIES AND FEE SCHEDULE
The City of Plymouth's Park and Recreation facilities are provided for the
wholesome leisure -time activities of all City residents. Use of these facilities
is governed by policies established by the Plymouth City Council as recommended
by the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission. The following procedures and
policies have been developed for park facility usage. It is the responsibility
of the Park and Recreation Department to administer these policies fairly and
equitably.
Any group wishing to use Plymouth's park facilities should make a request
providing as much lead time as possible. Seven days is the minimum request time
for any (special event) facility usage. Requests will be filled based on
availability and facility condition. In order to ensure maximum availability to
residents, we are not allowing usage to any non -Plymouth groups. It is the
City's policy that the long-range care and maintenance of all park facilities
takes precedence over any single event. Requests will be denied and/or revoked
when and if the City believes damage may occur to park facilities. The decision
to grant or revoke a request is solely up to the discretion of the Director of
Park and Recreation and/or his appointee. By adopting this policy, the City
reinforces its commitment to provide clean, safe and fun parks for every
resident's enjoyment.
5100-1-6119-51••a• • ••
1. Plymouth Park and Recreation sponsored programs.
2. Youth athletic associations serving Plymouth residents.
3. Plymouth resident groups (500 of the group must be Plymouth residents).
4. Plymouth non-profit civic organizations, i.e., Civic League, Lions,
Jaycees, etc.
5. Registered teams participating in City programs.
6. Private Plymouth companies.
7. Churches located within Plymouth.
Plymouth athletic associations and adult tean,r programs made up of at
least 50a Plymouth residents will be given free use of baseball,
softball, football, soccer and hockey facilities to conduct their normal
day to day programs. Free lighting will be provided only for youth
groups only after they have made maximum use of daylight hours. Lights
for practice are provided only for hockey during normal warming house
hours.
a. Facilities will be provided to youth athletic associations based on
the percent of Plymouth children in their program. Participants in
b. Plymouth adult groups will be responsible for special field
preparation (infield dragging and lining, putting out bases, grooming
mounds and batter's boxes, putting up soccer nets and corner flags,
etc.) on any days when park attendants are not in the park for other
programs. Plymouth will provide these groups access to non -motorized
maintenance equipment. Adult groups will also be required to pay for
any light usage.
c. All groups will be charged a fee for special tournaments.
ml WHIM",
his=iiv=viii=i-.=n si 3w=a=i f
1990 Park Facility Rental
B. SPECIAL EVENT FACILITY RESERVATICNS
Page 3
Facilities that are available, after scheduling seasonal field reservations, are
on a first come, first served basis. Any group wanting exclusive reserved use of
a facility is required to pay a rental fee. whenever lights, restrooms or
special facility preparation is required, you must have a park attendant on duty
a minimum of 30 minutes prior to and following your event. T__L_,_ are _ an an
event rentals must be paid a
the event.
1991 FEE SCHEDULE
1. Softball/baseball, hockey/broomball
2. Football/soccer
3. Park attendant
4. Field lights
5. Rink lights
6. Electronic scoreboards (where available)
7. Public address system
8. Zachary softball complex (four fields)
of seven days prior to
10/hour or $60/day
15/hour or $90/day
8/hour*
20/hour
10/hour
25/day/scoreboard
50/day
300/day (includes attendant)
A refundable $100 damage deposit must accompany all applications for rentals of
200-500. A $200 damage deposit is required for rentals over $500.
Plymouth Athletic Associations can make arrangements to assume park attendant
duties for special event rentals.
NOTE: All groups are responsible for repaying, in full, any and all damages
resulting from theft or vandalism to any equipment or facilities used
during their rental period.
F. FEE SefEBbEH (ft)r special events & tournamftnrts only). Fee5 are per field or
i. Softball Ba5eba]:1741eekey Breerbal-I
Full Bay (m5re then 4 hr5), $55
b. Otttside group
M1nn
1990 Park Facility Rental
4. Se:ereboa-r
C. PARK RULES
4
1. No game may start before 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday or before 10
a.m. Sunday.
2. No inning or period may start after 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday or
after 9 p.m. Sunday.
3. No motorized vehicles or machines are permitted on park property without
the written consent of the Park and Recreation Department.
4. Applications for food vending permits must be made through the Plymouth
City Clerk.
5. In the event of total cancellation of an event due to severe weather, all
fees will be refunded. The Plymouth Park and Recreation Department will
determine the amount of refund on any partially completed events.
6. There will be no consumption of intoxicating beverages on park property.
7. Park telephones are for City business and emergency use only.
11
PLAYFIEI,DS AND THEIR FACILITIES
LaCompte Playfield 2 softball/youth baseball fields
10805 Old County Road 15 1 hockey rink (lighted)
Plymouth, MN 55441 1 shelter building
Oakwood Playfield 2 softball/youth baseball fields (1 lighted)
1700 Highway 101 1 90' baseball field (lighted)
Plymouth, MN 55447 3 soccer/football fields (2 lighted)
1 hockey rink (lighted)
5 tennis courts (2 lighted)
1 shelter building
Plymouth Playfield 3 softball/youth baseball fields (lighted)
9805 36th Avenue N 3 soccer/football fields (lighted) (fall only)
Plymouth, MN 55441 2 hockey rinks (lighted)
4 tennis courts (lighted)
1 shelter building
1990 Park Facility Rental
Plymouth Creek Plavf ield
3625 Fernbrook Lane
Plymouth, M 55441
Ridgemount Playfield
12000 Ridgemount Avenue
Plymouth, M 55441
2 softball/youth baseball fields (lighted)
1 90' baseball field (lighted)
2 soccer/football fields (1 lighted)
2 hockey rinks (lighted)
1 shelter building
2 softball/youth baseball field
2 soccer/football fields
2 hockey rinks (lighted)
3 tennis courts (lighted)
1 shelter building (temporary)
Zachary Pla ield 4 softball/youth baseball fields (lighted)
4355 Zachary Lane 1 90' baseball field (lighted)
Plymouth, M 55442 2 soccer/football fields (lighted)
2 hockey rinks (lighted)
4 tennis courts (lighted)
1 shelter building
Page 5
Reflections of Leisure
h6wjj
L
FOCUS ON QUALITY
1990
PLYMOUTH PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
January 1991
Honorable Mayor
City Council
City of Plymouth Residents
Contained in the following pages is the Plymouth Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission Annual Report for 1989, in accordance with
Subsection Five of the City Ordinance No. 305.05.
Reflections of Leisure" gives us all a chance to look back at a year of
development, participation and services. Several projects were
completed to upgrade or enlarge existing facilities. PRAC worked hard
on reviewing and updating the Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan, which
will result in needed trail and park development in the next two years.
Participation in our park and recreation programs is constantly growing,
peaking in 1989 in areas such as seniors, beach participation and park
usage. We thank our maintenance department for the care they give to
our parks and city.
PRAC will again look to new "reflections" as 1990 begins, by continuing
to research new ideas and needs as age groups and populations change,
and leisure time becomes more prevalent than ever before.
PRAC looks forward to your continued support and input.
Respectfully submitted,
1.
7 • • • •' •• • ' 71••'
Letter of Transmittal.......................................................1
Membersof the Commission...................................................4
CommissionAttendance Chart.................................................5
1990 Goals and Objectives of the Commission.................................7
1989 Highlights.............................................................9
Administration..........................................................11-14
Recreation/Athletic Section.............................................15-22
Environmental/Forestry Section..........................................23-28
1990 -2-
PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY COMMISSION
of
f'
K
n
1990 PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY CCD4v4ISSICN
There are seven members on the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, each
appointed for a two-year term by the City Council. The chair is appointed by the
Mayor from among the members of the Commission and serves for a term of one year.
The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council.
1-:•:y
Name Telephone No. Term Expires
Frank Freels, Chair 559-9239 1/31/91
15115 38th Avenue N
Plymouth, MN 55446
Barbara Edwards 545-1912 1/31/92
3935 Orleans Lane resigned October 1990)
Plymouth 55441
Donald Anderson 545-3608 1/31/92
417 Union Terrace Lane
Plymouth 55441
Carol Beach 473-8245 1/31/91
325 Merrimac Lane
Plymouth 55447
Phyllis Hanson 559-0561 1/31/91
5310 Larch Lane
Plymouth 55442
Richard Rosen 475-0508 1/31/91
18715 27th Avenue N
Plymouth 55447
Marlene Waage 559-8222 1/31/92
13925 61st Avenue N appointed February 1990)
Plymouth 55446
1990 -4-
PARK AND RECREATION
COWISSION
ATTENDANCE CHART
Period: Jan - Dec 1990
X = Absent
NOTE: The August meeting was changed from the 9th to the 1st, and was a special meeting to
discuss the schematic plans for the Bass Lake and Parkers Lake Playfields.
v
CCMMISSIONER MEETING DATES
rnY cd wL
E N
d
ik Q X
00 00 N O d N Q\ (+1 00 f+l
W
4
7 N NOTES7OWOJOUlWNP. 0 7 U
h W z 6 z h h d m O z AF
Frank Freels X I I I I I L. I I I I I I I 1 10 1 1/91
Donald Anderson z I I 1 1 6 1 1 1 1010 1/92
h a
Carol Beach z X X 1 10 2 1/91
resigned
Barbara Edwards z X z 8 1 1/92 Oct. 1990
Phyllis Hanson FW
X FW 10 1 1/91
Rick Rosen z X X z 10 2 1/91
appointed
Marlene Waage X X 9 2 1/92 Feb. 90
X = Absent
NOTE: The August meeting was changed from the 9th to the 1st, and was a special meeting to
discuss the schematic plans for the Bass Lake and Parkers Lake Playfields.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
a
FOCUS ON QUALITY
6f
1. REBID PLYMOUTH'S LEISURE OBJECTIVES
To evaluate development trends and population characteristics within the
community, and recommend both short and long-range objectives for leisure
time facilities and programs, including acquisition of land in anticipation
of future development. This effort shall involve collaboration with school
districts, service clubs and other community recreational components to
reduce unnecessary program duplication, provide appropriate facilities and
insure consistency of City recreation policies and programs. To hold one
in-house training session focusing on future trends, ideas, etc.
2. REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE PARK, TRAIL AND FACILITY NEEDS
To review and update as needed the Comprehensive Park and Trail System
Plans, based on actual land development as approved since the System Plan
was adopted in February, 1982. This assessment shall include a review of
the City's development patterns, trends and citizen input including athletic
associations, homeowner associations, schools, etc. The continued research
and study of the need for a community center will be an on-going project.
3. PLAN THE RECREATION PROGRAMS
To carefully plan the City's recreation programs to insure that they are
responsive to the citizens' desires and needs. Only those programs meeting
continued public acceptance should be offered. Use past program
participants to help evaluate and develop new program ideas.
4. HELP PROM TE PLYMOUTH'S ATHLETIC GROUPS
To develop a program of communication and coordination between the City's
park and recreation department and all athletic groups in an effort to
better serve all portions of the community, and to work toward developing
one, unified Plymouth athletic association.
5. RECOMV]ENID PARK USAGE POLICIES
To formulate and recommend to Council policies for appropriate use and
maintenance of park facilities and recreation programs.
6. GET PLYMOUTH'S CITIZENS INVOLVED
To encourage community service organizations and citizens' groups to assist
in the development and/or maintenance of parks and recreation facilities.
Maximum use of local resources and talents will not only improve the total
park system and recreation programming, but will foster increased community
pride. To promote citizen involvement in the study of a possible community
center.
7. PREPARE THE PARKS CIP
To develop annually the park and recreation component to the City's five
year capital improvements program (CIP). The parks component should
consider all capital improvements needed, as evaluated by PRAC, and the
sources of funding. Submission of this component of the CIP should be to
the Department of Community Development, so that it may be incorporated into
the five-year CIP review of the Planning Commission.
1990 -7-
8. UPDATE TO COUNCIL
To meet annually with the Plymouth City Council and Planning Commission if
warranted. The meeting will be joint with full membership of all members
invited. To deliver to the Council presentations of current work and
problems encountered. To solicit the Council's reactions and advice.
9. REVIEW DEVELOPER PLANS
To coordinate throughout the year and meet with the Planning Commission when
necessary to review plans that are inconsistent to ensure that they comply
with Plymouth's overall plans for both parks and trails.
10. LEGISLATION
To review and recommend to the City Council suggestions with regard to any
federal or state legislation which may impact the City's ability to develop
and maintain park and recreation facilities and programs.
11. PARKS TOUR
To conduct a parks tour for PRAC, City Council, Planning Commission, City
staff and other interested citizens prior to the development and approval of
the CIP.
12. COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PARK AND RF]=TION AGENCIES
The Commission will strive to communicate and exchange information with
commissioners from other adjoining or overlapping park and recreation
agencies such as New Hope, Maple Grove and suburban Hennepin County parks.
1990 -8-
1990 HIGHLIGHTS
Commissioner Barbara Edwards Resigns
On October 25, 1990, Commissioner Barb Edwards resigned from the Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission. This brought to a close 22 years and 10 months
of continuous service on the Commission. Barb's initial appointment took place
in January, 1968. During her 22 plus years of service, Barbara was in attendance
at greater than 99% of all meetings held. She also served three years as Chair
of the Commission during her tenure. Barbara will be greatly missed by all who
knew her. She will be remembered as a lady who cherished her community and loved
parks.
Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan Update
The City Council, based on a recommendation by the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission, approved the updating of the Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan on
April 16. With the assistance of the consulting firm, Brauer and Associates, the
Commission was able to update the current plan for the decade of the 90's. Some
old park sites were dropped from the plan, some new ones were incorporated. The
major change was the relocation of a major playfield site to the corner of
Dunkirk Lane and Old County Road 9. The trail plan was expanded with the
extension of future trails along County Road 101, Dunkirk Lane, Vicksburg Lane,
County Road 47, and County Road 9. The new plan has been forwarded to the
Metropolitan Council for review and approval.
Swan Lake Neighborhood Park
The most significant development project to take place during 1990 was the
addition of Swan Lake neighborhood park. This park lies just northeast of County
Road 61 and County Road 9. The park is approximately 16 acres in size,
incorporating a seven acre pond in the middle. The planning firm of Barton-
Aschman was hired by the City to work with the Commission and residents on the
development of a master plan. After numerous well attended public meetings, a
master plan was approved by the Commission and forwarded to the City Council.
The City Council adopted the master plan with the addition of permanent parking
being installed with access from Quinwood Lane. The project went out for bid and
was constructed by Ideal Paving, Inc. The project was completed on time with
dormant seeding taking place in late October. The park consists of a parking
lot, looping trail system around the pond, playground area with a wooden deck
overlooking the pond, hard court area and open games area with a backstop. The
park has been very well received by this neighborhood.
Playfield Plans
The City Council authorized the firm of Brauer and Associates to develop the
plans and specifications for both the Bass Lake and Parkers Lake Playfields. The
Commission held numerous public meetings to solicit input from all the various
user groups and residents living near these sites. The final plan for the Bass
Lake site includes one soccer field, one softball field, one baseball field,
shelter building, hockey rink, general skating rink, tennis courts, children's
play area and a network of trails. The Parkers Lake site includes a picnic
pavilion, shelter building, two soccer fields, two baseball fields, one softball
field, tennis courts, basketball court, an extensive network of trails and
parking. It is anticipated that these projects will be bid and constructed
during 1991. It is hopeful that they will be ready for use between 1992 and
1993.
1990 -9-
West Medicine Lake Drive Trail
The construction of West Medicine Lake Drive Trail from 26th Avenue to West
Medicine Lake Park and from 18th Avenue to the railroad tracks was completed
during 1990. The engineering firm of Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch was responsible for
this project. The project consists of an eight foot wide bituminous path, in
some locations held up by a concrete retaining wall with a split rail fence at
the top of the wall. B16 curb and gutter separates the trail from the street.
This project was completed in September and has already received extensive use
and compliments from the community.
46th Avenue Trail
The addition of a trail along 46th Avenue between Zachary Lane and Nathan Lane
was completed this past summer. The trail was designed and engineered by the
City's engineering department. The project consists of an off road eight foot
wide bituminous trail on the south boulevard of 46th Avenue. This was a great
improvement to 46th Avenue, which has a high volume of traffic and speed going to
and from the Holiday Plus store.
Acquisition of Norma Lewis Property
At the request of the owner, the City acquired two acres of property and its
structures at 2047 Forestview Lane. This property is located geographically in
the heart of what will be the future West Medicine Lake Park. Mrs. Lewis had
lived at this location for approximately 40 years. Mrs. Lewis is an elderly
widow who has moved out of the community to be closer to her children. The home
was razed by the fire department in December as a training exercise. With the
acquisition of this property, we are now in a position to be able to proceed with
the development of West Medicine Lake Park.
Annual Park Tour
The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission conducted their annual tour of parks
on May 17. This tour is a prelude to the necessary work of developing the annual
capital improvements program for parks and trails.
New Commissioner
Marlene Waage was appointed to the Commission in February to complete the term of
Judy LaTour. She represents the northwest section of the community.
1990 -10-
ADMINISTRATION
U
FOCUS ON QUALITY
W_1 •
Eric
Cindy Anderson ----------------------------------------------Recreation Specialist
Mary intendent of Recreation
Rick Busch --------------------------------------------------Recreation Specialist
Karol Greupner------------------------------------ Part -Time Recreation Specialist
Paula Miller ----------------------------------------------Senior Program Advisor
Nancy Pederson----------------------------------------------------------Secretary
Donna Sankev-------------------------------------------------- Senior Clerk Typist
Mark Peterson ---------------------------------------------Superintendent of Parks
Daniel Heitke----------------------------------------------------- Park Supervisor
Don Kissinger------------------------------------------------------------Forester
1990 -12-
FINANCIAL
If you are a Plymouth resident, for each $100 in property tax you paid in 1990,
on the average:
15.97 went to the City of Plymouth.
Of this $15.97,
11.42 went for General Fund purposes and park and recreation activities.
From the $11.42 for General Fund and park and recreation purposes,
2.92 went to Plymouth's Park and Recreation Department.
Of that:
0.27 was for Administration
1.75 was for Park Maintenance
26 was for Recreation Programs
0.64 was for Park Bond Debt Service
2.92
For 1990, the budgeted revenues and expenses of the Park and Recreation Department
were summarized as follows: (see Appendix 1 for a detailed breakdown).
Sources of Revenue
Property State
Emenditure Tax Fees Grant Surplus Misc
Administration $158,500 $158,500
Maintenance $1,021,000 1,021,000
Recreation Programs $552.000 150,100 399,700 0 0 2.200
TOTALS $1,731,500 1,329,600 399,700 0 0 2,200
1990 -13-
1989 GENERAL FUND
BUDGETED EXPENDITURES
75.1
Finance
Public Safety
Pubic Works
24.9%
Park & Recreation
1989 PARK & RECREATION
BUDGETED EXPENDITURES
Pork
Maintenance 60.1%
Park Bar
Debt Service 22.2%
ation
ams 8.5%
1990 GENERAL FUND
BUDGETED EXPENDITURES
79.6%General Gov't
Legal
Community Denevelopmt
Finance
Public Safety
Public Works
IN
20.4%
Park & Recreation
1990 PARK & RECREATION
BUDGETED EXPENDITURES
Park
Maintenance 59.9%
Dtion 9.3% Park Bo
Debt Servi
1990 -14-
creation
grams 8.9%
strotion 9.2%
600D00
550D00
500D00
450000
400000
350000
300000
250009
200000
150000
100000
50000
RECREATION FEES & EXPENSES
Recreation Fees
Dollars
Expenses
N 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
EXPENSES COVERED BY RECREATION FEES
RECREATION FEES 72.49
These are budgeted, not actual figures.
1990
EXPENSES EXCEEDING REVENUES 27.69
1990 -16-
RECREATION PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
YOUTH
0
1
PARTICIPANTS
soo0
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
ADULT ALL AGES SENIORS
1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
YEAR
Program adaptations in response to community input and evaluation
continue.
New programs for 1990 included: Volleyball Camp, Fire & Ice Softball
Tournament, Plymouth Middle School Ski Club, Music for Everyone, String
Band, New Puppets on the Block, Youth Tennis Camp, 281 Sumner School
Program, Olympic Festival Torch Run, 5 -Man Unofficiated Basketball, Fall
Women's Volleyball League, expanded art workshops and pre-school
programs.
1990 -17-
BEACH & WARMING HOUSE VISITORS
Visitors
80000
70000 . .
60000 ......
s0000
40000
30000
20000
10000
BEACH WARMING HOUSE
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
All beaches were very successful this sunnier. East Medicine Lake beach
hours were reduced in 1990 due to cost of operation; as a result the
attendance figure is lower than in 1989. Parkers Lake attendance
continues to rise each year, but is still affected by construction on
County Road 6. .
Water levels rose dramatically. The positive effects of this included
improved water quality, more adult beach visitors, and an increase in
beach patrons actually swimming in the lakes. Parkers Lake popularity
as a summer area continues to rise.
The warming house seasons for 1989 and 1990 were unusual, and the
figures reflect the fact that the rinks were closed several days due to
the weather being either too warm or too cold. The highest one -day
attendance ever experienced at any Plymouth skating rink occurred in
1990 at Parkers Lake - 500 people.
1990 -18-
ADULT SPORTS TEAMS
1985 1987 1988 1989 1990
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
YOUTH SPORTS TEAMS
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
The data for adult team sports includes all leagues and softball
tournaments run by the City. The softball tournaments average about 50
teams per year. In 1987, we hosted the largest one -class softball
tournament ever in Minnesota - 127 teams. This accounts for the big
increase in sports teams in 1987, and the apparent decline in 1988.
The youth leagues that are run by us are fall soccer and summer t -ball,
softball, and instructional baseball. All other youth sports leagues
are run by volunteer athletic associations.
1990 -19-
PLYMOUTH PLAYFIELD USAGE 1981-90
NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED
SOFTBALL 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Oakwood 160 28 0 0 25 44 42 35 48 45
LaCompte 70 20 20 20 10 0 0 0 0 0
Ridgemount 0 25 10 0 8 0 0 4 8 8
Plymouth Creek 165 737 275 265 270 181 330 205 188 232
Ply Middle Sch 550 340 80 45 85 117 172 147 130 16
Zachary 0 0 1,060 1,184 1,385 1,250 1,360 1,301 1,701 1,725
TOTALS 945 1,150 1,445 1,514 1,783 1,592 1,904 1,692 2,075 2,026
60-75'. BASEBALL
Oakwood 0 0 40 47 25 19 20 38 0 0
LaCompte 50 40 60 50 30 40 90 111 81 120
Ridgemount 0 0 25 13 2 0 0 0 26 40
Plymouth Creek 0 0 0 0 0 28 27 30 59 52
Ply Middle Sch 35 37 55 56 74 72 73 121 141 210
Zachary 0 0 20 12 8 6 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 85 77 200 178 139 165 210 300 307 422
90' BASEBALL
Oakwood 130 98 65 58 72 64 50 36 67 80
Ridgemount 0 25 20 4 14 0 0 0 0 0
Plymouth Creek 10 40 35 43 60 75 74 93 71 76
Zachary 0 0 30 69 65 60 68 102 110 96
TOTALS 140 163 150 174 211 199 192 231 248 252
SOCCER
Oakwood 300 250 250 275 292 240 268 263 448 220
Ridgemount 0 176 150 112 106 133 164 233 253 162
Plymouth Creek 0 72 50 65 67 61 65 48 38 39
Ply Middle Sch 300 150 140 115 100 85 61 64 57 114
Zachary 0 0 85 165 116 142 180 177 219 180
TOTALS 600 648 675 732 681 661 738 785 1,015 715
TACKLE FOOTBALL
Oakwood 30 33 35 35 24 38 54 60 45 45
Ridgemount 0 10 10 10 5 8 8 3 4 5
Plymouth Creek 0 0 0 0 21 0 0 0 0 0
Ply Middle Sch 25 20 10 10 10 6 6 20 27 41
TOTALS 55 63 55 55 60 52 68 83 76 91
BROOMBALL
Plymouth Creek 0 36 36 36 45 48 40 56 21 29
Ridgemount 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 21 28
TOTALS 0 36 36 36 45 48 40 77 42 57
4 -MAN HOCKEY
Zachary 0 0 50 50 63 57 30 24 30 29
Plymouth Creek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 30 29
TOTALS 0 0 50 50 63 57 30 49 60 58
TOUCH FOOTBALL
Plymouth Creek 65 60 100 106 0 118 118 118 118 112
Zachary 0 0 0 0 102 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 65 60 100 106 102 118 118 118 118 112
1990 -20-
PARK TOTALS 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Oakwood 620 409 390 415 438 405 432 432 608 390
LaCompte 120 60 80 70 40 40 90 111 81 120
Ridgemount 0 236 215 139 135 141 172 261 312 243
Plymouth Creek 240 945 496 515 463 511 654 575 525 569
Ply Middle Sch 910 547 285 226 269 280 312 352 355 381
Zachary 0 0 1,245 1.480 1_,_739 1,515 1.638 1,604 2,06 2,030
TOTALS 1,890 2,197 2,711 2,845 3,084 2,892 3,298 3,335 3,941 3,733
FACILITIES
LaComote Park
2 softball/baseball fields
1 hockey rink
Plymouth Park
3 soccer/football fields
2 hockey rinks
3 softball/baseball fields
Ridgemount Park
3 soccer/football fields
2 hockey rinks
2 softball/baseball fields
1990 -21-
Oakwood Park
3 soccer/football fields
1 hockey rink
2 softball/baseball fields
1 90' baseball field
Plymouth Creek Park
2 soccer/football fields
2 hockey rinks
2 softball/baseball fields
1 90' baseball field
Zachary Park
2 soccer/football fields
2 hockey rinks
4 softball/baseball fields
1 90, baseball field
ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS ON QUALITY
S
0
a
1990 PARK MAINTENANCE DIVISION
STAFF
1. (1) Superintendent of Parks
2. (1) Park Maintenance Supervisor
3. (1) Park Maintenance Leadman
4. (9) Full time Park Maintenance Workers
5. (24) Seasonal Employees
6. (1) Weed Inspector
ACREAGES
1. Maintained 297
2. Un -maintained or natural 571
3. Total 868
PARK BREAKDOWN
1. (1) Community Parks - Parkers Lake
2. (6) Playfields
3. (24) Neighborhood Parks
4. (47 Mi) Trails
FREQUENCY OF DUTIES
DAILY WEEKLY BIWEEKLY MONTHLY
Building Maintenance Mowing Safety Inspections Trail Inspection
Refuse Service Trimming
Beach Maintenance Line Painting
Rink Maintenance
Irrig. Systems Maintenance
Machinery and Equipment - 85 Pieces
Acres Under Irrigation, 112 - 1,550 Heads Within the System
PARK FACILITY BREAKDOWN
1. (7) Buildings
2. (20) Softball Fields
3. (3) Baseball Fields
4. (4) Football/Soccer Fields
5. (8) Soccer Fields
6. (10) Hockey Rinks
7. (21) General Rinks
8. (25) Playstructures
9. (3) Swimming Beaches
1990 -23-
1990 PARK PROJECTS
1. Parkers Lake
a. Build Roll -A -Dock
b. Implemented Volunteer Gardener Program
1. Volunteers planted and cared for various garden plots.
2. Implementation of Rose Garden.
2. Upgrading and construction of five softball fields.
3. Trail overlay program.
a. Greentree West
b. Plymouth Creek Playfield
c. Mission Hills Park
d. Zachary & 36th Avenue
e. Timer Shores Park
f. Nathan Lane
4. Reconstruction of Plymouth Creek Archery Range.
5. Utility Building at Zachary Playfield.
1990 TREE TRUST PROJECTS
1. Pilot Project for recycled plastic timbers as playstructure edger for
Mission Hills Park and East Medicine Lake Beach.
2. Keystone retaining wall and flower planters within Plymouth Creek Park.
3. Plymouth Playfield stairway and retaining wall.
4. Clean and brush Bass Lake Playfield Wooded Area.
WEED STATISTICS
1. 536 Complaints
2. 606 Inspections
3. 606 Orders Issued
4. 606 Orders Abated
1990 -24-
PLYMOUTH FORESTRY STATISTICS - 1990
TREE REMOVAL
D.E.D OAK WILT HAZARD
TREE INSPECTOR 526 0 6
FORESTRY AIDE 886 1 3
CITY FORESTER 3 4 122
TOTAL 1415 5 131
PERCENT 91.2% N/A
OWNERSHIP OF MARKED TREES
8.8%
TOTAL
532
890
129
1551
100%
PERCENT
35
57
8
100%
PRIVATE CITY COUNTY/STATE TOTAL
D.E.D. 1,085 317 13 1,415
OAK WILT 5 0 0 5
HAZARD 1 130 0 131
TOTAL 1,091 447 13 1,551
PERCENT 70% 29% 1% 100%
AVERAGE DIAMETER OF MARKED TREES
D.E.D. 8.4"
OAK WILT 24.1"
HAZARD 13.3"
AVERAGE 12.4"
STUMP GRINDING
80 STUMPS
2840 INCHES
35.5" AVERAGE STUMP SIZE
TREE PICKUP AND HAULING
TOTAL # OF PICKUPS 118
TOTAL # OF TREES HAULED 272
AVERAGE # OF TREES/PICK UP 2.3
D.E.D. FORCED CUTS
8 PROPERITES
35 TREES
TOTAL COST $3,481.25
1990 -25-
STREET TREE TRIMMING
TOTAL # OF TREES TRIMMED 138
TOTAL # OF DAYS TRIMMING 40
TOTAL # OF INCHES TRIMMED 2,450
AVERAGE # OF TREES TRIMMED/DAY 3.5
AVERAGE # OF INCHES TRIMMED/DAY 61.3
COST/INCH OF TREES TRIMMED $5.17
APPROXIMATELY 1 SECTION OF STREETS TRIMMED
REFORESTATION
SPRING PLANTING BY CONTRACTOR
ST. MARY'S PARK 53 TREES
PARKER'S LAKE PARK 41 TREES
MISSION HILLS PARK 24 TREES
ROLLING HILLS PARK 13 TREES
ZACHARY PARK 6 TREES
MISCELLANEOUS TRAILS 8 TREES
145 TREES
FALL PLANTING BY CONTRACTORS
NORTHWEST BLVD. 9 TREES
PARKERS LAKE PARK 4 TREES
RIDGEMOUNT PARK 2 TREES
PLYMOUTH BLVD. 1 TREE
SWAN LAKE PARK 18 TREES
GREEN OAKS PARK 7 TREES
41 TREES
PLANTING BY TWIN CITIES TREE TRUST
HERITAGE PARK 8 TREES
ZACHARY PARK 17 TREES
ZACHARY & 48TH AVE. OUTLET 17 TREES
EAST BEACH 6 TREES
48 TREES
PLANTING BY CITY CREWS
PLYMOUTH BLVD. & 36TH AVE. 14 TREES
VICKSBURG LANE TRAIL 15 TREES
GREEN TREE WEST 6 TREES
NORTHWEST BLVD. TRAIL 26 TREES
61 TREES
1990 -26-
KIDS TO SAVE THE EARTH PLANTING
APPROXIMATELY 80 BARE ROOT TREES
375 TOTAL TREES PLANTED IN CITY PARKS OR TRAILS
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
841 Telephone calls taken by City Forester where some type of action was
taken.
88 Service calls performed by Forestry Aide or Tree Inspector.
PINE BARK BEETLE TRAPPING
Traps erected April 15th and monitored weekly til August 4
PARKERS LAKE PARK
OAKWOOD PLAYFIELD
26 TRAPS = 773 BEETLES CAUGHT
46 TRAPS = 283 BEETLES CAUGHT
FERTILIZING/AERATING BY CONTRACTOR
APPROXIMATELY 300 TREES AT BELOW LOCATIONS:
PLYMOUTH BLVD. & 36TH AVE. MEDIANS
CITY HALL
VICKSBURG LANE TRAIL
GREEN OAKS PARK
APPROXIMATELY 10 INTERSECTION SIGHT OBSTRUCTIONS INSPECTED BY CITY FORESTER
58 BURN PERMITS ISSUED, 3 REJECTED
326 LOTS INSPECTED BY CITY FORESTER PER TREE PRESERVATION POLICY
15 DEVELOPMENTS INSPECTED PER TREE PRESERVATION POLICY
1990 -27-
Craig Scherber
Scherber & Associates
11415 Valley Drive
Rogers, MN 55374
Dear Mr. Scherber:
On Monday, November 5, the City Council received the recommendation from the
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission with regard to your property at County
Road 101 & 24. The City Council accepted the recommendation of the Park
Commission to not pursue the purchase of your property for a community
playfield at this time. However, the City is still interested in the
acquisition of property for a neighborhood park, which we have previously
discussed during your attempts to plat this property. If you would like to
discuss this matter with me further, please give me a call.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Blank
Director of Parks and Recreation
EJB/np
cc: City Manager
Park Commission
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
HIM
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: November 14, 1990
TO:Eric Blank, Director Park and Recreation
FROM: - Daniel L. Faulkner, City Engineer
SUBJECT: CITIZEN REQUESTS FOR A DESIGNATED TRAIL ALONG
SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD EAST OF ZACHARY LANE
We have recently opened that section of Schmidt Lake Road between Zachary
Lane and Saratoga Lane, and have striped the section from Zachary east to
Highway 169 as a four lane roadway. In the past few days, I have talked
with four or five residents in this area who are requesting some type of
trail or pedestrian -way along this section of Schmidt Lake Road. I have
indicated to them that this section of Schmidt Lake Road is not included
in the City's adopted trail plan. It is my understanding that an
amendment to the City's trail plan would be required for the City to
construct a trail along Schmidt Lake Road in this area.
I feel that this would
Department and PRAC and
would be happy to discuss
to me.
DLF:kh
cc: Fred G. Moore
Daniel K. Campbell
be more appropriately addressed by the Parks
will refer future calls to your department. I
the resident's concerns that have been expressed
H
ij` j.5 .fk,
Y•
sai ' ;.u CX-f 'i xy int c
Distinction in Design, Inc.':
1426423rd AvenueNorth,Plymouth, -Minnesota 55447 812/550-1138 FAX 612/550-1349 -
November 16, 1990
Mayor Kim Bergman and City Council
City .Hall
13400 Plymouth Boulevard"
Plymouth, MN. 55446
Dear Mayor and City Council,
1 ambringing to your attention a safety problem on Plymouth
Boulevard from Highway 55 to New Highway 9.
I travel this boulevard two to three times daily and see people
walking, jogging, bicycling, and roller. blade skating both at
night and in the daytime. Thursday night, November 8th, at
approximately 8:40 P.M. I almost hit two joggers dressed in
black, going north on Plymouth Boulevard past the City Center
parking lot.
Since Cub Food is now being built and we will probably have more
traffic and walking people in this area, I feel the city should
look at making a trail or sidewalk -along Plymouth Boulevard. I
know everything has its priorities, but I request serious con-
sideration for improved safety on Plymouth Boulevard.
Sincerely, /
rank H. Freels
A Concerned Citizen
r 1`a
Y7
Iri,p I
Lzata
PUBL/C SCHOOLS
pendent School District 284
WAYZATA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • 305 VICKSBURG LANE • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-3999 • TELEPHONE 612/476-3000
December 19, 1990
Mr. Eric Blank, Director
Recreation Department
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Eric:
I am working on getting a substantial, safe, and inviting playground facility ready for
Kimberly Lane Elementary School in time for their opening in August 1991.
There is $25,000 set aside for this purpose, which sounds like a lot but it isn't,
considering Installation, additional material costs, surface area, landing mats, etc. We
could use additional funds for this project. We hope we can qualify for a Plymouth
Park designation and the extra funds which accompany it.
What do t need to do for you and the City In order to make one of these dreams a
reality?
Thanks for your help, Eric)
Sincerely,
Doug O'Brien
Principal on Special Assignment
Wayzata High School, Room C-115
476.5048
REFF.RRALTa
CITY MANAGER y
C)iY Ilii;'?i:IL .amwny
PU6UC V+1iri "I"GTOR .,._..o.l
FINANCE DIRLOTt)K .--.-
PLANNING OIRCL --
Pt)SLiC : AFf.TY 01PECTOR
AMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
lane COMtM!SSION
40 ATTORNEY
IMK'R U
January :?, 1991
146:12 County Road 6 .
P1 ymou th, i°lN 5 447
TO. The Mayor •S: City Councilmembers
ATTENTION Bob titur
Regarding.- The Proposed Bike Fath on County Road 6 from Juneau
Lane to Fernbrook: Lane
Dear Cir. <i tur,
My husband and 1 and several of our County Road 6 neighbors
attended the Planning Commission Meeting on October 30 to discus= the
poSsibi1ity of a path in front of our houses to go to Fernbrook Lane
and to a. tunnel':'? under the Freevday to nowhere" We have had
construction in front of our houses for the past E years now and have
at least one year to completion of the widening of County Road 6 to
four lane=.. We all had very strong objections. to the Fath ---not the
least of which was the danger of the curve. Tvic. of the neighbors have
drivevdays at an angle to the road and have a. hard time getting out of
their driveways novel--1et alone when bikers or walkers are going by the
house. We have a. large cottonwood tree in front of our house that the
city saved from destruction but will it vaithstand paving so close to
it or is the city planning on coming into „chat's left of our, yard' toe
all had objection-., which we voiced, loud and clear.
The Planning Commission listened and was very sympathetic, but
they had already made up their minds before vie even got there, which
seems to be the way things are done in our fair city. We knew that
they would decide that the walking -bike traffic should have what the
city thinks they want. We have lived here for 21 year (some of our,
neighbors have been here even longer) and we know what happens around
our area. We are aware of the fact that very little traffic goes by
our homes on foot or on bikes, but so what? We have had many:
deal ings wi th THE CITY and we all know that they do what the-v!,,ant,
where they want and when they want. The reason that was giver, to us
in favor of the bike path was that the CITY will be building a.
tunnel under the freeway t494) to connect the paths. The cost wi l l
probably exceed $1,000,000.00. Is this. necessary?
After the last two council meetings, I'm afraid that our wishes.
will be fal t ing on deaf ears. THE HOMEOWNERS ON COUNTY ROAD 6 FROM
JUNEAU LANE 'TO FERNBROOK LANE DO NOT WANT PLYMOUTH TO SPEND MONEY ON A
BIKE OATH THAT WILL NOT BE USED DUE TO HEAVY TOAFFIC.
Sincerely yours,
Harz E1 Yen Kochcvar
C.C. Mayor k.irn Bergman
Councilmember Maria Vasi lou
Councilmember Lloyd Ricker
C-ounci Imember Carole Helliwell
Parks mak: Rec--Eric Blank
Fred Moore
page 4
City of Winona's New Aquatic Center
The newest municipal aquatic center in
Minnesota is located in Winona, a com-
munity of 25,000 people located in the
southeastern corner of Minnesota.
The main construction of the Winona
Aquatic Center, was done in 1989 but
completed and opened on June 6, 1990. It
typifies state of the art in municipal pool
design. The design concept is so new in
the State of Minnesota that it required
special variances from the Minnesota State
Health Department in order to build it The
architectural firm which designed the
complex was Gremmer-Bablitch of
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and the general
contractor was Madsen -Johnson of
Hudson, Wisconsin.
The facility is located in a residential
area. The site was a former softball
complex, so the neighbors are accustomed
to activity in the area. The fencing around
the 4.8 acres has concrete mow strips,
which eliminates the need for trimming
along the fence line. All of the grass areas
are irrigated and zoned for systematic
watering.
The on-site parking lot will hold 132
carr There is additional parking in front of
the adjacent Recreation Center, as well as
on -street parking in the area. The parking
lof% lighted to illuminate the area for ice
skating in the winter months.
The view of the front of the bathhouse
shows the international symbol of a
swimmer. The valance at the top of the
building covers a lighting system which
lights the display on the front of the building
in the evening hours. We also have four
decorative light fixtures in front of the
building.
At each of the entrances to the bath-
house we have benches for the conveni-
ence of patrons who are waiting for rides.
The benches were made in Winona by
Fusion Coatings, Inc. The bathhouse
building, which is 4,800 square feet, has a
cueing structure in the lobby, also made
by Fusion Coatings, which provides a
system to approach the cashier and then
proceed to the Iockerrooms. In the lobby
area there are also benches for people to
use while waiting.
The Iockerrooms for the lifeguards are
handicapped accessible and will double
as public restrooms when the facility is
used as a warming house for skating in the
winter months.
The two maintenance rooms, which
house the plumbing fixtures, wash sink
and hot water heaters, are easily access-
ible with two large double doors for each
room.
The electrical room has wall panels
which control the electrical needs for the
facility. The room also can be used for
storage of equipment. A room identical in
size located across the hall is where the
pool equipment, such as lane lines and
Keeping up
4
t irX :
l
An overall view of the pool showing part of the waterslide and the pool service building.
starting blocks, are stored.
The head guard observation room gives
a complete view of the deck and swimming
area. The room is the control centerforthe
guards and the P.A. system, and is also the
first aid station.
The public Iockerrooms have individual
as well as general changing areas. Each
lockerroom has two different sized lockers,
a loud speaker system, sun arbor banners
and a diaper changing station. The shower
rooms have individual shower stalls, as
well as community shower stations. The
showers are on timers and are activated
by pressing a control button. The water
temperature is pre-set for the comfort of
the bathers. The restroom facilities have
been designed for complete handicap
accessibility, as is the total facility. Each
lockerroom has a full time attendant in the
room.
The concession area has a concrete
pad that has a landscaped entrance. At the
present time we have a portable conces-
sion stand. In the future we plan to double
the size of the concession area and build a
permanent concession building with a sun
deck around the building.
We have two playground areas; one a
wet sand area for younger children and
the other for older children. The wet sand
area has a water device to wet the sand to
build sand structures. There are two
manually operated shovels, a turtle and a
modular play structure. The large play
structure was donated by Ted Maier, a
retired local businessman, to show his
appreciation for the patronage of the local
citizens when he was in business. The
cost of the equipment was $15,000. Both
pieces of playground equipment are pro-
ducts of Miracle Recreation Equipment
Company.
A sand volleyball court is available for
the people who want to take a break from
swimming and take part in a game of
volleyball. A water device is available to
wet the sand area for coolness. As patrons
leave this area, there is a shower to wash
off the sand before entering the deck area.
The biggest attraction of the Aquatic
Center is the two hundred and eight foot
long waterslide. The slide was manufac-
tured by Miracle Recreation Equipment
Company. The structure is 25' from the
deck to the top platform. Trees and flowers
were planted under the waterslide to help
break up the space under the large struc-
ture and to add color to the area. We had a
total of 211,722 rides this year, with an
average of 2,160 per day. Our highest daily
total for rides was 3,137.
The 607,100 gallon steel -reinforced
concrete pool covers 18,400 square feet.
The depth of the pool is zero to 3Yz' in the
115'x75'x75' zero depth apron. The
dimensions of the competitive pool are
75'x50 meters, which is 164'. The depth of
the competitive pool is from 3'/z in the
shallow end to 13' in the diving area.
The pool equipment consists of six guard
chairs, two one -meter diving boards, lane
lines and two unique water attractions.
One of the attractions is a raindrop water-
fall, which has water coming up the center
post, over a mushroom canopy and cas-
cading into the pool like a waterfall. The
other water device works in the opposite
way, with a spray fountain shooting water
into the air.
The zero depth area has a series of 12'
wide ballards around the outside edges.
These ballards, with rope extending be-
tween them, prevent swimmers from enter-
Water fountain, shallow wading area and 208 foot long waterslide.
Ing the shallow water from the sides, and
the red caps on top of the ballards add
color to the area.
The pool has a rim flow gutter system
which empties into a 6'x6'x87'surge tank
located at the beginning of the zero depth
area and the deck. The pool water then
flows into the filter building, where it is
filtered, heated and treated chemically.
The rim flow gutter system provides one of
the fastest competitive pools in the state.
Twelve lifeguards staff the pool during
public swimming hours, which are from
12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. Six guards are in
the chairs, one at the top of the waterslide,
one in the water at the exit of the slide, two
in the zero depth area, one at the play-
ground exit, and one on the main deck
area.
The sun deck area is a popular area
from which to watch the swimmers. [these
ramp for handicapped people, and seating
around the perimeter. Around the outside
of the large pool deck is a grassy area for
picnics or for just lying on a towel to soak
up the sun.
The filter building, which is 760 square
feet, houses the filtration system, the elec-
trical controls for the waterfall, spray
fountain and the waterslide, as well as the
main pump for running the pool. A chlorine
room stores the chlorine, which is fed
automatically along with caustic soda. We
have three gauge panels. One has gauges
which indicate our flow rate, pressure,
vacuum and temperature. Another panel
of gauges monitors the chlorine and Ph.
The main electrical panel controls the
main pump, the waterslide and the spray
fountain.
The pool water enters the building from
the surge tank and empties into a large
tank in the building, where the water is
filtered through pads which are coated
with diatomaceous earth. The water then
passes through a heating unit, located
outside the building, where the water is
heated and then returns to the main pipe.
The pool water is kept at about 800. The
water is then treated chemically and re-
turned to the pool through a series of inlets
spaced every 14'throughoutthe bottom of
the pool.
Our attendance level was extremely high.
The pool attracted many tourists from the
area, which is evident by the busloads of
people from communities that are within a
fifty -mile radius. Our total attendance for
the year was 90,038.
The Winona Aquatic Center is the result
of a $1.5 million dollar bond issue which
was passed, overwhelmingly, by the citi-
zens of Winona in the fall of 1987.
If you have any questions concerning
the facility, or if you would like a personal
tour, contact Bob Welch, the Park Recrea-
tion Director of Winona, at 457-8258. T'
address of the Park Recreation Office is
Box 378, City Hall, Winona, Minnesota
55987.
Play area outside of pool deck area. Note showeriust outside fence opening.
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Fire & Ice Festival
PARKERS LAKE PARK, CO. RD. 6 & NIAGARA LN.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
SCHEDULED EVENTS: ON-GOING EVENTS:
9:00 a.m. Men's Softball Tournament Ice Carving Demo
11:00 Registration for Novice Skating Hayrides
Races Bonfire
12:00 Novice Skating Races Begin Concessions
2:15 Minnetonka Figure Skating Club Ice Miniature Golf
Demonstrations Hockey Goal Shooting
2:30 Ice Fishing Contest (until 4:30) Viking Sled Demo
2:30 Wayzata East Jr. High Madrigal Dog Sled Demo
Singers
3:00 Perfect Chaos Kite Show
3:30 String Band
3:30 Zuhrah Funsters (until 6:30)
4:30 Wayzata West Jr. High Madrigal
Singers
5:45 Wayzata High School String Quartet
6:45 ** Fireworks **
This event is co-sponsored by: The Plymouth Civic League, Bill Schmitt -Counselor Realty, Everything
for the Office, First Bank Plymouth, Forster's Farm Meat Market, Foursome Clothing Stores, Minnetonka
Figure Skating Club, Minnetonka/Plymouth Rotary Club, Norwest Bank Plymouth, Plymouth Lions, Plymouth
Optimists, Plymouth Place Hotel, Plymouth Police, Plymouth Women of Today, PYA Monarch, Rainbow
Foods, Scanticon Executive Conference Center and Hotel, Switch -It Interchangeable Skate System,
Wayzata Senior High YES (Youth Extending Service) and Plymouth Parks and Recreation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL PLYMOUTH PARKS AND RECREATION, 550-5130•