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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 07-09-1992Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission July 9, 1992, 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. S. Unfinished Business a. Volunteer program - continue discussion b. Park development projects - update C. 1993-97 C.I.P. d. Review sidewalk and trail plan e. Focus groups and surveys - continue discussion (Steve Burk) f. Amendment to park plan - playfield site 6. New Business a. Request for City to purchase land at 494 & Co. 9 b. Name the 10th Avenue Park C. West Medicine Lake Drive trail report - cost estimate d. Report on water quality issues, Parkers Lake and Plymouth Creek Park e. Ice rink locations - assign to sub -committee 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjournment Next regular PRAC meeting - August 13 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: July 1, 1992 PRAC Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation JULY 9 AGENDA Following are a few comments with regard to items on the agenda in order to clarify a few issues. Volunteer Program I have invited Jeanette Sobania, the City's personnel coordinator, to attend the meeting to discuss this subject further with you. I am also attempting to get the volunteer coordinator from either the City of Brooklyn Park or Hennepin Parks to stop by to meet with you to review what they do in their positions. 1993-97 CIP Attached for your review is a draft CIP for the next five years. This is just a draft at this time and you should feel free to add, delete, or modify in any way that you feel would be in the best interest of the community. Based on the current time table for adopting the CIP, you do not need to take action on this at the July meeting, however, it will be necessary to adopt the CIP no later,than the August 13 meeting. Sidewalk/Trail Plan The sidewalk/trail plan, as proposed by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, is still open for discussion, review, amendment, etc. The key document in the plan is figure no. 8, titled "Revised Sidewalk/ Trail System Plan." If you are comfortable with this, or wish to modify it, this is the main document that the Planning Commission will need to hold a public hearing on for the amendment to our Comprehensive Trail System Plan. The Planning Commission will schedule that public hearing after PRAC takes action on this document. I would note one conflict on this system plan, and that is that the draft CIP indicates the funding of an off-road trail on Ridgemount Avenue. The proposed systemP lan and the current system plan call for a Class II trail on Ridgemount Avenue. It is not necessary that you adopt this plan at this meeting, however, if there are no problems with it, I recommend that you proceed with an approval and recommendation. Reauest to Purchase Land from Mrs. Ess I believe that the 24 acres that is for sale at 494 and Co. 9 is a key component in the preservation of the woods within the City of Plymouth. I recommend PRAC suggest to the City Council that staff be authorized to negotiate for the purchase of this property. The current price of $10,000 per acre strikes me as being a little too high. However, the -terms of spreading out the purchase over four to five years would be good for the City in that it would not greatly impact our cash flow through the park dedication fund. I see no disadvantage in simply attempting to negotiate a fair purchase price that PRAC and the Council would find acceptable. Names for 10th Avenue Park Based on the article that appeared in the newspaper, I have received two names for 10th Avenue Park. It is my understanding that the Willow Woods Estate people will be submitting at least three names for your consideration, also. I have placed phone calls to Willow Woods asking them to have those names to us in time for the meeting. This item does not require action at the meeting on the 9th, but I wanted to get you thinking about a name, so that we'll have one fairly soon. West Medicine Lake Drive Trail Fred Moore submitted a cost estimate for the City doing a quick trail construction project this summer in an effort to improve the safety along West Medicine Lake Drive. I believe this would be a good expenditure, and recommend that FRAC suggest to the City Council authorizing taking funds from park dedication for the City maintenance crews to construct this trail. Ice Rink Locations I would like to request that two commissioners volunteer to work as a subcommittee with Mark Peterson and me to formulate a recommendation to bring back to PRAC with regard to siting ice rinks for the 92-93 skating season. We need to get this done this summer, so the information can be published in the fall and winter City newsletter. np Attachment Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 11, 1992 Page 22 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Burk, Gutzke, Johnson, Waage, Wahl, Watson, staff Bisek, Blank, Greupner, and Pederson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the June meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Gutzke and seconded by Commissioner Burk to approve the minutes of the May meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Recreation Supervisor Karol Greupner presented the June Employee of the Month certificate to Beth Myers, who has been a part-time employee for five years. Beth's positions have included teaching ballet and tap, day camp counselor, playground leader, concessions manager and currently supervising the Playground in the Streets staff. Beth attends college and is majoring in elementary education. Karol announced the summer Concerts in the Park schedule, with the first concert scheduled for June 18, at Parkers Lake Park, featuring the Robbinsdale Community Band. She indicated that all of the summer concerts this year will be held at Parkers Lake, and are sponsored by Cub Foods and Burnet Realty, both of Plymouth. Mary Bisek made several announcements including part-time summer staff training scheduled for June 13 and 14; the HIPP program, which managed to attract 12 teenagers from the Plymouth area, who will be trained by our staff and then will go on to volunteer at least 40 hours of their time this summer at one of our programs, such as Day Camp or Playground in the Streets. She also stated that articles for the fall brochure are due in mid-July, and asked the commissioners if they had any suggestions or recommendations for programs. C. Others. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION No report. June 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 23 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Volunteer program discussion. Director Blank reviewed the list of volunteers used by the Park and Recreation Department during 1991. The list had been compiled by staff and was distributed to Commissioners at the meeting. The total number of volunteers exceeded 800, with 333 involved in the Adopt -A -Park program. This same list had previously been made available to the City Council. Commissioner Burk suggested that staff research the possibility of securing the services of a volunteer coordinator and stated that this individual would coordinate all City volunteers, not just the ones used by the Parks Department. Other commissioners concurred that a volunteer coordinator will be necessary if the volunteer program continues to expand. Commissioner Gutzke believes that if no one is hired, this responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Director Blank, and he doesn't feel that that's appropriate. Staff will research if other cities have hired volunteer coordinators, whether they are full or part-time, and what kind of salary they are paid. A few agencies, such as the school districts and Senior Community Services, have paid volunteer coordinators on their staff. Commissioner Waage thought that perhaps the City of Brooklyn Center or Brooklyn Park might also have a paid volunteer coordinator. b. Park development project update. Contractors are holding off with seeding at Shiloh, Gleanloch and 10th Avenue Parks due to the dry conditions. Work continues on the two new playfields and construction crews will now begin working Saturdays until the playfields are finished. C. 1993-97 CIP. Director Blank reviewed the draft list of projects proposed in the 1993-97 CIP. All of these sites were identified on a map and were pointed out to the Commissioners during the review process. Cost estimates were provided for each project as well. Several of these sites had been visited the night before during the parks tour. Director Blank indicated that acquiring land for playfield #9 is important and that Council wants staff to find an alternative site to the one originally proposed for Dunkirk Lane and Old 9. This also means amending the Comprehensive Park Plan, which requires holding a public hearing. Another important land acquisition to consider is the wooded park site between Fernbrook and 494. The fishing docks for East and West Medicine Lake were discussed. It was suggested that perhaps Ryerson Steel might consider a contribution toward the installation of such docks. Staff will look into this. June 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 24 Trail segments that need to be connected were also pointed out by staff. One of the trails identified for completion starts in Plymouth Creek Park and will eventually lead to West Medicine Lake. Director Blank indicated that this is a key trail in the trail system plan. Other trail projects were discussed including the completion of a trail along West Medicine Lake Drive. Several commissioners feel that lack of trail here is very dangerous from a safety standpoint. People are using the street for walking, biking and rollerblading, and there are several areas where blind spots occur. Commissioners are aware that West Medicine Lake Drive is going to be upgraded and that any trail installed here would later be torn up, but they feel something should be done, even if it's only on a temporary basis. Director Blank said that he would consult with Fred Moore, Director of Public Works, about the feasibility of putting in some kind of temporary trail. Director Blank reviewed the process of adopting the five year CIP. He explained that following PRAC's recommendations for park and trail improvements, the list goes to the Planning Commission, where it is combined with other capital items from other departments. The Planning Commission then holds a public hearing. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission forwards it to the City Council. If the City Council adopts the plan, Director Blank then brings back to the Park Commission, the following January, the items proposed for that year. The Park Commission could, at that time, decide for, or against, going ahead with any given project. Commissioner Johnson asked about the possibility of getting outside funding to complete West Medicine Lake City Park. He feels that if the City doesn't get started on this project, this park will never be built. Director Blank stated that he believes the plan for this park needs to be redone, and that a consultant should be hired for that purpose, because the original plan is now ten years old. Commissioners were asked for their input regarding which capital items they would like to see completed in 1993, 1994, and so on. In past years, Director Blank has prioritized the projects by year, but he stated he wanted some ideas from the commissioners, since many of them were new members. For 1993, Commissioners were in concurrence that playfield site #9 needs to be acquired, wherever it may be, that the Zachary Playfield parking lot needs to be expanded, the building of the handicapped accessible playground at Plymouth Creek Park and some sort of trail along West Medicine Lake Drive. Commissioner Waage suggested that Mud Lake Neighborhood June 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 25 Park be developed, also. It was Commissioner Watson's feeling that the issue of safety should be the main influence in prioritizing capital projects. Commissioner Burk agreed with this, and suggested that old and new could be mixed, when deciding what to do each year. Commissioner Johnson requested that steps be taken to begin the process of developing West Medicine Lake City Park and that the total development could maybe be phased over a few years. Commissioner Burk asked if it was appropriate for tennis courts to be constructed in neighborhood parks? Director Blank stated that our City's Comprehensive Park System Plan calls for tennis courts in the larger playfields. The commissioners agreed that tennis courts should not be considered for inclusion in neighborhood parks. Director Blank indicated that he would have a draft list of projects prioritized by year available for the July meeting, and that it would be necessary for PRAC to make a recommendation either in July or August. d. Review sidewalk and trail plan. Commissioners asked if they needed to make a decision soon on the sidewalk and trail plan. Director Blank said there is no definite time table for adopting the plan, but that commissioners should review it to determine if they agree with the recommendations made by the consultant. Eventually, items will be taken from the plan and placed in the CIP. NEW BUSINESS Discuss focus groups and surveys. Commissioners discussed how a survey could be accomplished and how it might be funded. Commissioner Burk asked if park dedication funds could be used. Director Blank said that that was a possibility, however he was certain that the Council did not wish to hire any outside surveyors, and that it should be done internally with a questionnaire in the City newsletter. Director Blank also stated that the Council had indicated that focus groups should be formed prior to a survey being done. Commissioners stated that they strongly believe a survey needs to be done and that it should be tailored to park and recreation. They also all concurred that it should be done by a professional, because they know what kinds of questions to ask and how to get a broad, overall response. It was the opinion of every commissioner that a questionnaire in the City newsletter was not an appropriate way to seek input from the residents, and that it would not be very scientific. Commissioner Burk stated that he would discuss this issue with the Mayor and report back to Chair Anderson, prior to the July meeting, since he would not be able to attend that meeting. June 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 26 b. Request for park at Xenium Lane and 38th Avenue. Director Blank reminded commissioners that the residents from Neighborhood #23 had visited their May meeting requesting that a park be constructed in their neighborhood. According to the Comprehensive Park System Plan, this neighborhood is served by Heritage Park, and based on this area's projected population, which is down 500 from the 1980 estimate, they do not need additional park land. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSER GUTZKE THAT AN ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PARK IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT 38TH AND XENIUM, BECAUSE THERE ARE ADEQUATE FACILITIES LOCATED NEARBY THAT SERVE THIS AREA. The motion carried with all ayes. C. Amendment to Comprehensive Park Plan - siting of Playfield #9. The City Council recently amended the land use guide plan which reguided the play£ield site at Dunkirk and Old 9 from public/semi-public to LAl/LA2. This reguiding is contingent on the park and trail element of the plan being amended. In order to do that, a public hearing must be held. It will be necessary, as part of this process, to find an alternative site for Playfield #9. PRAC concurred that we should be working toward this end. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Commissioner Burk will miss the July meeting, and Commissioner Watson will miss August. STAFF COMMUNICATION The next meeting is scheduled for July 9. Director Blank asked if commissioners wanted to take the month of August off, but they all agreed that it was necessary to meet. Director Blank also indicated that during the joint meeting, Councilmember Vasiliou suggested that PRAC review the validity of the Park System Plan. In order to do that, he indicated that PRAC should have a study session with the consultant who did the original plan, Brauer and Associates. PRAC concurred with this, and Commissioner Watson suggested that maybe this could be accomplished in a one day retreat - type setting in September or October. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. DRAFT 6-30-92 PARKS CIP 1993-97 1993 Land acquisition - playfield 750,000 Plymouth Creek Park handicapped playground 110,000 Zachary parking lot 65,000 West Medicine Lake Drive trail Ridgemount trail Plymouth Creek Park - frisbee golf course 15,000 Neighborhood Park (?) 150,000 1994 New playgrounds - Hemlock, Schmidt Lake, Mission and Timber Shores 150,000 West Medicine Lake City Park Phase I 750,000 Plymouth Creek Park tennis courts 350,000 Trails 75,000 Fishing dock East Beach 14,000 1995 Neighborhood park (?) 175,000 West Medicine Lake City Park Phase II 500,000 Trails 75,000 1996 Neighborhood park (?) 175,000 Trails 100,000 1997 Neighborhood park (?) 175,000 Trails 100,000 June 18, 1992 Mr. Eric Blank Director of Parks Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 RE: 24+/- acres NW corner of Interstate 494 and Co. Rd. 9 Dear Mr. Blank, This letter is our offer to sell, to the City of Plymouth, the above described property. The property's character, topography and natural resources demand preservation as is for its best use, City Wildlife Park. This land is presently guided LA -2 and as you are aware, development may well destroy the integrity of one of the last remaining stands of trees in the City of Plymouth. As I understand, the Parks Department has been instructed by the City Council to pursue land outside the development communities for park acquisition. The cost of land in undeveloped areas should be less than the cost of land in areas under development. I propose to sell to the City our 24+/- acres for the amount of 10,000.00 per acre. This land cost is well within the cost of land in undeveloped areas and our land certainly contains better natural features and resources for preservation and public enjoyment. Our land would connect with the City's previously acquired park land to the west and provide the City the necessary corridor for snowmobile trails north and south along Interstate 494. The City's acquisition would prevent the necessity of future sewer extension to our land, provide needed park land for.closeby development communities and provide a buffer from the light industrial area to the south. In order to help with the acquisition, we will not require immediate cash payment. We will sell over time, 4 to 5 years, with 2096-25% down and annual payments of 20%-25% of the sale price plus accrued interest at the rate of 8% per annum. I believe this is a fair and equitable offer to the City and I believe the City will be appreciated for the preservation of this resource. Please review this offer with the necessary City Officials and respond to me as quickly as may be possible. Sincerely, liic dV le -i Marion Ess EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS 14610 13th Avenue North Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 612 476 ® 1077 June 18, 1992 Parks and Recreation Commission City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Mr. Chairman and Commissioners, The need to attend a meeting of an Executive Board I sit on forced me to leave your June 11th meeting early, so I would like to comment on a matter of personal interest and excitement. For years I have enjoyed the incredible natural beauty of the large "wild" area at Cty. 9 and I-494. A recent conversation with Eric revealed that opportunities are developing to acquire that property and preserve it. I strongly support actions to protect that area for future generations to enjoy, As a resident of East Parkers Lake Neighborhood, I'm thankful that earlier commitments were made to provide the Luce Line Trail and Parkers Lake complex as a major recreational center for Plymouth. The green component of our city is critical to its future, a tangible component of Plymouth's quality of life that holds an intangible value. I feel the area at Cty. 9 & 1-494, plus the Big Woods at Vicksburg & Hwy. 55 would be invaluable additions to preserved natural areas in our region, on a footing with Wolsfeld Woods or the Eloise Butler Wildfower Garden. Commissioner Burk's comments on corporate involvement are key ideas to success in land acquisition, preservation or development. Besides corporations, there are organizations and individuals interested in cooperating with cities on these issues. I have offered Eric my personal and professional commitment to help establish and develop those connections if and when necessary. The tall trees, sweeping ravines, hillsides of ferns and wildflowers, variety of birds and wildlife we can pass on to future generations is a remarkable opportunity and challenge. Thank you very much for your interest and the excellent work you are doing to make Plymouth's park system a source of great pride. Please contact me if I can be of assistance. Sincerely yours, c -u David Shea Business Communications * Environmental Awareness ® Management Enhancement Bea Goucher Music in Plymouth--WLd., June 24, 1992—Page 7 Help! This park needs a name. Put on your thinking cap and help us think of a name for the park on 10th Avenue that is currently under construction. (Can't someone come up with a better name than "10th Avenue Park"?) This new three -acre park is located at the intersection of 10th Avenue and South Shore Dr. A small informal game area is appropriate for baseball and soccer. There will o be a picnic shelter and children's playground. A winding trail will be available for biking, walking, and jogging. Ideas? Send them to Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation, 3400 Plymouth Blvd.,, Plymouth, MN 55447. Or, just call 550-5131. 1 ( C/ h a hI.e NP m Is ., y/— O rlaL S a- o-r lin c..5 ale</, bU- fx #Y /lR e-)A ds, r, Sem , + S, cJ o MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: July 1, 1992 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: WEST MEDICINE LAKE DRIVE TRAIL The cost estimate from Fred Moore will be distributed at the meeting. np PARKERS PAVILION CALENDAR/JULY 1992 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY JR LG=JR LIFEGUARD TRAINING 2 3 4 PP/COAD=PLAY PALS/COME OUT AND PLAY 8:00-11:00 JR LG I 1 PSS=PRESCHOOL SPECIAL 1 WC=WATER CARNIVAL 9:30-11:00 EARTH FRIENDLYART CAMP 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 9 10 11 8:00-11:00 JR LGI I 1 8:00-11:00 JR LG 8:00-11:00 JR LG1 8:00-12:45 PP & COAP________________________________________________> 9:00-12:30 PSS I TRAFFIC JAM 1 1:00- 2:30 6:30- 9:00 DRAWING CLASS PUPPET SHOW & 110:00- 3:00 BIKE CONCERT I BBQ & BEACH CONCESS. OPEN 1 CHECK IN HERE 12 1 13 1 14 15 16 17 1 18 8:00-11:00 JR LG1 1 8:00-11:00 JR LG1 8:00-11:00 JR LG 8:00-12:45 PP/COAP___________________________________________________>1 9:00-12:30 PSS I 1 1 I FOREST FRIENDS 1 I 5:00- 9:00 WC & I 7:00- 8:00 T'AI 1 1 1 CONCERT CHI EXERCISE 19 20 I 21 22 23 24 25 8:00-11:00 JR LGi i 8:00-11:00 JR LG 8:00-11:00 JR LGi1 8:00-12:45 PP/COAD=====================-====---------------------====>1 9:00-12:30 PSS 1 DINOSAUR SEARCH 6:30- 9:00 1 1 1:00- 2:30 PUPPET SHOW & 1 DRAWING CLASS CONCERT 7:00- 8:00 T'AI 1 1 1 CONCESS. OPEN CHI EXERCISE 1 1 26 1 27 1 28 1 29 1 30 1 31 1 8:00-12:45 PP/COAP===================___________________________====>I 9:00-12:30 PSS I 1 I PEANUTS, POPCRN 1 1 6:30- 9:00 1 PICKLES 1:00- 2:30 1 PUPPET SHOW & 1 DRAWING CLASS 1 CONC 1 7:00- 8:00 T'AI 1 1 1 1 1 CONCESS. OPEN 1 CHI EXERCISE 1 1 1 YNA . CLIPPING SERVICE S'r. LOUIS PARK SUNSAILORIlennepinC'._ PUN 17 1992 Artists invited to submit entries for sculpture at Oak Park Village By Mickey 75bbils Sl. Louis Park has everything except a piece of sculpture in a politic place. That is scheduled to change by next year when a major art piece is tentatively set to be dedicated in July of 1993. The community art project is being spearheaded by the St. Louis Park Rotary Foundation. Rotary is donating approx- imately one-half of the money, including seed money to fund a sculpture competition. From the entries, a commit- tee will select four finalists, who will each be paid a $150 commis- sion to construct a model of the proposed sculpture. Residents will have an opportunity to criti- que the four models while they are on display. The commit- tee, chaired by Brimeyer, will collect opinions before selecting the winning design. An eight - member committee composed of representatives from the Rotary Club, the Rotary Foun- dation, the city and the com- munity has been created to coor- dinate and direct the project. Artists are invited to submit entries on paper by July 10, 1992. There are no restrictions on the material, size qr type of sculpture other than it is to em- body the ideals and principles of Rotary. The Rotary motto is Service AbM Self.•, The sculpture should also reflect the Sl Louis Park coin- muulty," said Brimeyer. The committee has establish- ed a $50,000 budget for the design, creation and installation of the sculpture at Oak Park Village (near the new mtersec- tion of Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue). Although Rotary will donate approximately one-half of the cast of the art project, the other half, Brimeyer said, needs to be raised from donations and sponsors. Brimeyer has been working on the art project for almost a year, organizing the effort with the City Ca ncil, Rotary and other groups. Far several years Rotary had been looking for another big pro - jest, in addition to the contribu- tions it makes to various com- munity service projects, Brimeyer said. Rotary's last major project was the showmobile for Sl. Louis Park's C:entemial in 1986. The timetable calls for foal selection of an artist in mid- October. Construction is set to begin in the spring of 1990, Brimeyer said. For more information about the community alt project, call Brimeyer at 915 -OM JUN 2 :9c IGH council approves large-scale park plan by Petrick Mulmoney problem," Anderson said referring to maps MMA NIPPING SERVICE that show walking paths through yards, n iOUrH•WE5T xEV1EW-5T. PAUL place" . aamrer Lo. JUN 2 :9c IGH council approves large-scale park plan by Petrick Mulmoney problem," Anderson said referring to maps that show walking paths through yards, Inver Grove Heights City Council ap. But in the big picture, this is a workable Proved a comprehensive 30 -park develop. place" . ment plan May 26 that should serve the es- SBvy urged the city to buy virgin land arena will rise in the future, though currently the de Iimated 60,000 people who will live in the around the area south of Highway 55. maod is about 47 percent of the households. dry by the year 2030. Dubbed "Region 2" by the parks commis- Klein said that attitudes towards an indoor ice art In a 4-0 vote (Council Member Warren Sion, the land is undeveloped and bas an nor be" already changed since the survey was cordae Srech was absent), the council approved a abundance of wildlife and natural re- ed three Years ago, and added the amendment to it plan to purchase 400 acres of land spread Sources, including woodlands, wetlands dude the ice meas. hroughout 15 sites:.The city cerrentty-'ndfraidw;- TIM Other two amendments brought changes in th owns over 300 aces of land,' on which It of two of the land parcels proposed ft no developed 14 parks. The price of the veloped land" reported the parks cif- development un-acquized land is estimated a over $13 Sion, "them is a great opportunity at this The 48 -ace plot of land between County Road 7 million — not including development time to establish the structure of the park and 93rd Street was originally designated a "neigbhor costs. The council is considering a forme system prior to further development" bond Preserve' (NP -1) by the commission. With a 2C bond referendum to finance the plan. ace lake, deme wooded areas, and another 5.5 = This is a very visionary plan that will ACCORDING TO Parks and Recre- Pood, the land is described by we homeowner as "th carry m to the 21st century; said Bruce cion Commissioner Shelia Tatone, not all, most pristine and prestigious parcel of land yet m Anderson parks and recreation director. He of the money for acquisition or develop- lunched in Inver Grove Heights." said acquisition and development of the mem would come from a special bond ref- A neighborhood preserve would develop a pnrdo park system could take 40 years. emndum of the site for recreation activities reed would also per Four years in the making, the plan seek We expect to acquire a lot of dee lends net the land from privare developeain the fume. In "improve the quality of life fa commu- City residents by providing adequate park through (tesidenu') Park dedication dopa- tions,' Thione said -' However, the homeowners around the 48 -ace PIC and open spaces...:' the park and recre- There is no value estimate of the pro- comend that Inver Grove Heights has ret developed o anon commission wrote in its Compreben- posed referendum. Tamne added mamtaiced the Park it already has and -does not nes. sive Park Plan and DevelopmentGulde. While the park and rectratim commis. to make another park. Others said that the Uaffi• Envisioned throughout the park system sion is working on a new bond issue, they awn by a new park on the land is umwelmme. Th. we saner fields, outdoor hockey facilities, have proposed over a dozen ways to fl- last atgiment said developing the land would not pre baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, once the parks. Several ahemative funding serve the land as it is intended but would only discop hose -shoe pits, family picnic grounds. bas- ketball toms. walking and bike tails and sources include taxes such as special to in- cement financing and extra tipping fees at the wild lira If people don't want this park right now, we're or horse riding nails in the rural Parkways. the Pine Bend Landfill Another funding going to shove it down anyone's dmz&L" said Com, source could be service fees from city. Member George Tourville. URBAN SPRAWL is the greatest erre- sponsored activities like gall words, swim- Consequently. the Council changed the status of th my to the visionary pian, Commission ruing and team sports. The state of Min- land to "special me' land which mum the city wi Member Marty Silly said, nesom also offers grams for fides like Inver not try to acquire the land but will rezone it to msur H we don't make a plan that look to Grove Heights with land management Pm- the City's fut m acquisition should s®eore propose t tbefuove w the boundary line continues to iVans. develop the Ind someday. close in on Inver Grove Heights, we won't Klein's last smeodment to the plan was a mggv have any green space in the city;' SBvy THE PLAN was passed with three tlon that the city of Inver Greve Heights ask the Dakc said "West St Paul was the same way 50 ameodmeem Council Member Bill Klein to County Board of Commissioner to establish years ago." said that a park system plan mot propose maty park on one of the designated parcels of lam Park planners want m connect the park 1 development of an indoor hockey arer t. Ile advantages would be the County would fund it network with an elaborate series of paved I The 1989 Interest survey Conducted by the park from its budgeL the park would be bigger than nails, which can only be realized before ev- Parks and recreation commission found that city perk and would serve more People. ery parcel of land is developed in Inver 53 percent of the 759 households that re. Grove Heights. spouted would not use an ice arena, so it Already, some homeowners expressed was left off the priority IisL opposition to plans that show walking paths According to Anderson an ice arena designed adjacent to their property. The M* -force projects the demand for an ice commission said it wants to designate some of the land before the vision vo isbes Conceptually there is going to be a EDINA LL7 RJNLURRENT Ilranrpin Co. JVH 3 1992 Golf course expansion plan may,?, be on again By Mary Durben The proposed .expansion of Braemar Golf Course may be on track again. The city of Edina received notice last week that the Army Corps of Engineers would ap- prove its plans to expand the golf course on certain conditions. The Edina City Council was to review the conditions at its June I meeting, after this issue of the Sun -Current went to press. City Manager Ken Rosland said last week he would recom- mend that the council agree to the conditions, which include preserving two wooded hills and a marsh area on the property and providing additional wetland mitigation. We havealways been willing to do that. We have always wanted to save those hills," R,.cland-mid_ The city has sought to add an additional nine holes to the popular public course. A permit was required because the 20 -acre expansion involved disturbing 4-5 acres of wetland. A permit application was filed in 1989 and funds were set aside for the project. While the Caps of Engineers was in charge of the application process, the process called for review by various agencies, in- cluding the U.S. Interior Depart- ment's Division of Fish and Wildlife (USDFW) and the En- vwo nnontat Protection Agency EPA), which have opposed the plan. Recently, the city informed the Corps of Engineers that if it did not decide one way or another on ft plan, the city would lake the matter to court. Rosland speculated that the Corps didn't want to go to court, and that there may have been pressure in Washington to get a backlog of applications cleared. The fact Is, we pretty much mel the guidelines and followed an the rules," he said. '"Ifiey ran out of things they d make us do.' Mick Weburg, was beads the Corps' Permit Analysis Divi- sion, said it simply took a long time for the Caps to review all the facts and investigate all the alternatives, including building a course elsewhere, outside the city. Weburg said the Corps had asked the city for additional in- formation, and information sup- plied recenUy helped finally resolve the matter. That infon- malion involved the feasibility of the city folancirng the con- struction of a new course elsewhere. The EPA and USDFW had authority under the federal Clean Wale' Act to Insist that the decision-makingbe to the federal hard Id agencyspokespersonsted they would do an. Weburg saidtheCorpsnotifiedthemofItsin- tent to issue the permit but they decided not to elevate weremat- I,The Spokespersons available last week. Rosland said the Corps' recommendations do not involve any major alteration of the ply's plans, although there may be "field adjustments-" R the council approves the conditions, construction could begin sometime in the early fail air_' ttie exparnsron could open as early as spring 1994, Rasland said. Work on exhbog holes that are to be moved will be done in the off-season an the existing Cour-.,¢ can remain open, he said. MN.1 CIIPPIMa fERVICE aRWC1.YN PARR SUN -,(IST xea„rpis cv. JUIJ 3 1992 New play structures for five city parks I P tl IJya gman Handicapped children in Brooklyn Park will soon be able to join their able-bodied playmates on some of the city's Playground equipment. The City Council unanimously approved a bid from Miracle Recreation Equipment Com- pany, Hastings, to replace or supplement existing playground equipment in five city parks. The bid, which was the onlyone received, totalled $86,614. Parks that will have new equipment installed are Central Park, 8440 Regent Ave. N., Zanewood Park, 7200 Zane Ave. N., and Sunkist Park I= - 82nd Ave. N. Parks that will receive supplements to existing struc- tures are Jewell Park, 1400 -88th Ave. N. and Greenhaven Park, 79th & Boone Avenue N. Plans are to install the new equipment later this year Linda St. John, assistant director of Parks and Recres- hoNBusinem Operations, said the money came from the Park Improvement Budget. The bid was within the amount budgeted I or the project. The new equipment will be handicapped accessible, as re- quired by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act ADA) effecliveJan. 76, 19%, St. John said. Handicapped transfer points will be built directly into the new equipment. These area series of platforms making it easier for a person in a wheelchair to access the equipment, Sl. John said. The supplemental structures will also have transfer points. The ADA also states that pathways from parking areas to the equipment must be ban- dicaPPed accessible. St. John said these will be installed at the same time as the new equipment. we know we have residents out there that are handicapped. We know this will give them ac- cess to that equipment,,, St. John said. St. John said the equipment is being replaced because of its deteriorating condition. Some Pieces date back to 1970, while other unsafe mles have been removed and not replaced. Changes in creativity levels and experiences have also changed, SL John said. '"Hie old merry-go-rounds... have been upgraded considerably.'• CENTRAL PARK BROOKLYN PARK, MN CD05033 APRIL 16, 1992 CVC42-aAAK This Is a drawing of what the New playground equipment at Central Park will look like. Mioor maditkadons may allll be made.) GROUND SPACE _ PROTECTIVE AREA = rashMe golog •-°. 1s. E. 9 a I_ cog,Da.<. 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IUN J 1992 Residents balk at i'w park plan Homeowners afraid parks and trails may infringe on property By Heather Gay New parks aren't needed and property values will drop. That was the gist of the com- ments from Inver Grove Heights residents May 26 when the City Council passed the Comprehensive Park Plan and Development Guide 40. (Cotm- cilmember Warren Krech was absent) The Parks and Recreation Commission has been develop- ing the plan foraboul four years. The plan looks at the following issues: Developing a city-wide trail system that connects existing and proposed parks with access to major points of interest. Divides the city into two regions. Region I would be a values and privacy higher density development area and Region 2 a predominantly rural area. Provide city-wide athletic complexes. Identity four special use areas including the golf course, the Macalester nature preserve, a community center and swim- ming complex. Increase the acreage of park land. Many residents turned out at the meeting to speak against the plan, because they don't want parks and trails to infringe on their properties and Privacy. Putting in trails would disrupt his neighborhood, said Kelly Lundstrom. CouncilmeniAer Bill Klein recommended one ofBey vedparksbedesignateda park to get county funding. Resident Mike White question- ed why the council is looking at a plan for new parks, when the in- stalled parks aren't complete. We should develop the ones we have," White said. "why don't we expand on those instead of making a new maintenance arra." The plan should be re- evaluated because many residents are concerned, said Vance Grannis Jr.. Councilmember George Tau•- ville said passing the Com- prehensive Plan does not mean any of the Projects will be done - This does not give us the authority to spend a nickel on any of these plan,. we'd f see - dura is the only Y nickel spent. H we adopt the plan it doesn't mean we can Put money into it-" The plan is unrealistic, said resident Wilfred Keech. He said Inver Grove Heights doesn't need more parks, rather the city needs a community center and youth programs. A community center would support 50 percent of the people in this town and that ought to be a priority," Krech said. But this isn't a plan for today, Ws for tomorrow, said resident Marlin SRvi. "R we don't make a plan that looks into the future and designates areas for green. space for our community then we will never be able to get any.,, Colncilmember Bob Pollock said he is in favor of the plan because trails that connect parka are needed for bicyclists and pedestrians for safety pur- poses. He said the trails can be put N so they don't impose on private property. To say that the trail is only conceptual sounds good, but people are womed because the map shows trails running Ruough their properties, said Grannie. The plan points out that the trails are not set in stone. Actual frau locations have not been , said Bruce Anderson, directoror of Parks -and Recreation -It y take 40 years to get all the trails in, he said. it's the principle we're look- Andersa- ing at right now; said. The take Calhoun and lake Harriet areae are examples of good planning, Anderson said. Nobody was permitted to develop withm 300 feet of the lakes, and look what a legacy that has been for Minneapolis/ he said. MNA CIIIFIMO lER ICE f SOUTIi Sr. PAUL/ I. GROVE NFIGr[S SUN -CURRENT Ihkol. Ce. ' Ice JUN 3 1992 arena task force work just By (feather .Cayj TheIce Arena I ask Force is trying to figure out the best kind of ice arena to build and the hest way to finance it. To help in the task, two feasibility studies are planned. A technical study will deter- mine the content of an arena and approximate costs. A second "Financial Feasibili- ty Study" — to be dole after the technical study — will look at the arena's design and deter- mine revenue cash flow. Projected revenue will help determine to what extent a revenue bond ran be issued to support the facility debt and to generate money to support an- nual arena employment and ex- pense, according to a statement released by the Inver Grove Heights Ice Arena Task Force. Money for the technical feasibility study is Coming from the city. The Inver Grove Heights City Council passed a resolution for 59,900 for the study May 11. It will be done by Hammel, Green and Abraham- son Inc., a Minneapolis architect firm. The architect's proposal was 50 percent of the bid from com- petitive firms, according to the statement. Hammel Green did the design for the Minneapolis Parade Iadium Arena, and the new Minnetonka arena. The technical feasibility study is expected to be complete the beginning of August with the financial study to follow in September. No contract has not been awarded for the financial study, but the Inver Grove Heights Hockey Association has agreed to pay for it. So tar plans for the arena in- clude seating for 1,200 and will beginning be big enough to hold many dtf- ferent events. Such activities could include suburban conference hockey games, physical education classes, figure skating clubs, and non -ice events including soccer and tennis. The task force is looking for technical design by a profes- sional architect, said Bruce Anderson, city director of parks and recreation. The architect will make preliminary designs and/ estimated costs, he said. L Cm 'CLo SEUc $o' am• v u'E} Z'U.9 yuumL yYy{ > c 9 c eY@ 2 mel Y c E` a W c0a $ 3 .D o .0^_ a •G' 3 5 .,e= •1 9000GGG 5 e oma 3 m e c W a^ 'nCW a C . D7m W. 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