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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 09-10-1992Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission September 10, 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. Ice rink locations b. 10th Avenue park name C. Ridgemount sidewalk/trail feasibility study 5. Unfinished Business a. Volunteer program b. Review sidewalk and trail plan C. Park development projects update d. Focus grdups and surveys - continue discussion (no action) e. Amendment to park plan - playfield site selection E. Proposed 1993-97 CIP (no action necessary) 6. New Business a. b. C. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjournment Next regular PRAC meeting - October 8 Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting August 13, 1992 Page 33 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Waage, Wahl, Burk, Watson, Gutzke, staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson Absent: Commissioner Johnson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the August meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made Commissioner Gutzke meeting as presented VISITOR PRESENTATIONS by Commissioner Burk and seconded by to approve the minutes of the July The motion carried with all ayes. a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting. b. Staff. Mary Bisek stated that summer programs had ended and that during the final week of the puppet wagon, puppeteers collected food for area food shelves. She stated that participant evaluations were being collected from those that had been involved in the HIPP (Helping in Plymouth Parks) program. Commissioner Waage said that her daughter had been a participant in HIPP and had a very positive experience. She feels that her daughter gained both self-confidence and self-esteem and that her participation in the program will be very beneficial to her daughter in the future. Mary indicated that fall soccer registration was continuing with kids from waiting lists now being added to teams where possible. Fall soccer begins September 8. Mary stated that she had recently attended a meeting regarding the use of gym space in the 1992-93 school year. It appears that our use will be decreasing in the coming year, due to additional demands on space made by youth athletics. This year, more gym space is going to youth basketball and indoor soccer. This will have an impact on our revenue projections for 193, because the vast majority of our gym use has been for adult basketball and volleyball leagues and open gym basketball, as well as a number of adult fitness classes. Mary stated that in planning program budgets for 1993, additional funds had to be added to program expenses to allow for additional staff training as prescribed by OSHA and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also, the City is currently evaluating its handicapped accessibility to different programs and facilities. To expand our program offerings, we have been cooperating with School District August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 34 284 in an "After School Program," which is now going to be expanded to include District 281 as well. This is a program whereby the school advertises the class, recruits and registers the students, and the City finds the instructors. The classes are offered right after school, so the students can stay after to participate in them. Some of the classes offered in the past include karate, floor hockey, and art. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Land acquisition at 494 and County Road 9. The City has hired a firm to conduct an appraisal of the property, which is scheduled to be completed near the end of August. b. Approved trail on West Medicine Lake Drive. Based on PRAC's recommendation, this trail will be constructed using City crews. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Hennepin Parks Volunteer Coordinator Deb Vossler. Ms. Vossler attended the PRAC meeting to discuss Hennepin Parks' volunteer program. She distributed copies of the Volunteer," a newsletter which Hennepin Parks sends out to all its current, past and any interested volunteers. The newsletter explains how the volunteer program works and the different categories or types of volunteers needed. Hennepin Parks uses volunteers in their recreation programs, outdoor education, natural resources, group projects, office work, at workshops and other special events. Ms. Vossler explained that they recruit through the newsletter, media releases, statements on flyers and bulletins, and letters to groups, organizations and corporations. They also provide the training once the volunteers have been selected. Ms. Vossler explained the various awards Hennepin. Parks uses in showing its appreciation to volunteers, which included free annual parking permits, patches, lapel pins, plagues, t -shirts, hats, social events, field trips, special dinners, etc. She indicated that it is very important to make the volunteer feel respected and that his/her contribution is important and appreciated. She further explained that it is also important to stress the attitude that volunteers do not replace paid staff, rather, they are there to support the paid staff. Volunteers also help to advertise the programs, which is another benefit in addition to the dollars saved, which is estimated at about $85,000 for Hennepin Parks. Hennepin Parks has had a formal volunteer program in place since 1981. Ms. Vossler indicated that her background was in environmental studies, biology, park and recreation and her own August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 35 personal volunteer experiences. She recommended a number of organizations to contact to receive more information on volunteerism, which included the Minnesota Office of Volunteer Services, the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Directors, and the National Volunteer Center. Ms. Vossler suggested that if the City decides to hire a volunteer coordinator, the structure of the volunteer program should already be in place. The Commission and staff thanked Ms. Vossler for attending and stated that this item will continue to be placed on future agendas. b. Review sidewalk and trail clan - Strcar-Roscoe-Fausch. A resident of Minnetonka, Rick Jenson, was present to discuss the petition which had been sent to the City requesting that the cities of Plymouth and Minnetonka cooperatively upgrade Ridgemount Avenue and add an off- road trail. They would like this trail to run along Ridgemount Avenue from Pineview to Zachary. Eighty percent of the homeowners living along Ridgemount signed the petition, with most of these residents living in Minnetonka. Mr. Jenson stated that Ridgemount is the only street in Plymouth running in front of schools that does not have an off road trail. Director Blank stated that the Engineering Department's proposed road reconstruction projects for 1993 do not include Ridgemount Avenue. The reason for this is there are higher priority streets that need work. Also, the sidewalk -trail report does not indicate a need for an off-road trail here. According to Mr. Gardener, the representative from S.R.F., Ridgemount does not meet the criteria for separate trail, because it does not have enough daily traffic to warrant it. Councilmember Edson stated that the City has a 20 year road reconstruction plan, which means that at the end of 20 years, every street in Plymouth will have been upgraded. He also stated that Ridgemount is a State Aid - road, and qualifies for State Aid funds. State Aid funds can be used for sidewalks, but not trails. Director Blank explained that sidewalks differ from trails in that they are three feet narrower and are made of concrete instead of asphalt. Director Blank explained that Minnetonka's plans call for upgrading Ridgemount in 1997, but they are willing to negotiate if Plymouth decides it should be done sooner. Minnetonka city officials told Eric that they. may not be able to help fund a trail if done in 1993. If the City of Plymouth funded the entire trail project, it would cost approximately $175,000. The Plymouth side of Ridgemount Avenue has steep grades and several trees, whereas the Minnetonka side is much flatter. Director Blank thinks the Minnetonka side may be better suited for trail than the Plymouth side. August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 36 Mr. Jenson stated that the number of students walking to Wayzata East and Sunset Hill in 1993 will increase because of bus funding cuts, so from a safety standpoint the trail is needed. Mr. Gardener again stated that Ridgemount does not meet the criteria for off-road trail, but it does meet the criteria for sidewalk. He further explained how their report has prioritized Plymouth's trail system needs, with the first need being to close the gaps in existing trail corridors, followed by filling in the gaps between trail ends and existing development, and then filling in the gaps between trail facilities. Other needs are one sided trails, unmarked or unprotected crossings, bike lanes on major roads and bike lanes at intersections. Mr. Gardener also explained the criteria for deciding when you need sidewalk, asphalt trail on one side of the road, on two sides of the road, off road trails, bike lanes and bike routes. Some of the factors to consider when making this decision include where the sidewalk or trail will be located such as in _commercial/retail districts, near schools, along two or four -lane major Collectors, minor arterials and streets, railroad right of way, within parks, etc; and the annual daily traffic counts and the speed of that traffic. Director Blank indicated that some of the trail/sidewalk projects would have to be done in conjunction with county or state road improvement projects. Commissioner Burk stated his interest in having the trail projects put in some kind of priority order. Mr. Gardener indicated this has already been done by Strgar and is outlined in their report. Director Blank stated that approval of this trail/sidewalk plan or approval of - figures 7 & 8 in the plan would be necessary this month or next. Commissioners chose to wait until the September meeting to make their recommendation, but they unanimously agreed that they would like some sort of feasibility study done regarding the construction of an off-road trail on Ridgemount Avenue. C. Park development projects update. The two playfields are basically done, but the seeding of the soccer field at Bass Lake didn't take, so contractor is totally ripping it out and will be reseeding over the weekend. Only minor details remain. The three neighborhood parks are basically all finished, too. The residents of Willow Woods called Director Blank and are considering adopting" 10th Avenue Park. d. 1993-97 CIP - adoption program. Residents living near Ryerson Steel on South Shore Drive attended the August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 37 Commission meeting to request some landscaping to visually block the industrial area from their view and to help cut down on noise pollution. These same residents submitted a petition to the Council in 1990, asking for this landscaping at that time. Their request was denied, and now they would like the City to reconsider it in planning the next CIP. Bridget Jodell has lived on South Shore Drive since 1951 and remembers that Ryerson Steel planted trees as part of their agreement with the City. Those trees died many years ago, and Ms. Jodell, along with her other neighbors, would like new trees planted as well as a berm constructed. She feels this will improve the area not only for the residents, but for those walking along South Shore Drive on their way to East Medicine Lake Beach and the park. There are a few trees there now that were planted by the City, but they are deciduous and lose their leaves in the fall, thus exposing Ryerson Steel and other industrial buildings in the area. In addition to this, a refuse hauler comes to one of the businesses in the middle of the night to empty dumpsters. Residents are awakened at two and three in the morning by this noise. Councilman Edson stated that refuse haulers must be licensed by the City, and if they are violating the City's noise ordinance, their license can be revoked. He suggested that one of the residents try to identify the offending hauler, so they can be contacted and informed of the ordinance. Another resident stated that Ryerson Steel operates all night long, sometimes with its doors open, and any announcements made on their loud speaker system are heard throughout the neighborhood. She is wondering if they can be asked to close their doors or stop using this loud speaker. Commissioners asked what it would cost to have City crews do some landscaping in this area. Director Blank indicated that our City forester had drawn a plan which was estimated at between $5,200 and $11,300 depending on who did_ the work. It was suggested that the City consider negotiating with Ryerson Steel to see if they would help fund the planting of some new trees. Director Blank responded that Ryerson had met the terms of the original agreement, which was to plant trees at that time, but that he would follow up on this suggestion. Commissioners stated that they would like a little more time to consider this request, and they will try to get over to South Shore Drive prior to the September meeting to view the situation firsthand. Discussion continued on the 93-97 CIP, with Director Blank explaining some of the recent changes he had made as requested by PRAC. The Ridgemount trail was added to 1993, and the West Medicine Lake Drive trail was removed. August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 38 Playfield #10 was added to 1996. Commissioners then asked for some changes in the proposed 1993 capital improvements. Commissioner Gutzke wanted to know if Plymouth could construct the Ridgemount trail on the Minnetonka side of the street. Director Blank didn't think so, but he thought that perhaps the City could fund some of it if Minnetonka built it. Commissioner Gutzke then recommended that a feasibility study be done with Minnetonka paying half the cost. He also recommended that the $175,000 allocated for Ridgemount trail in the 193 CIP be left in, but that the item title be changed to read just "trails." Commissioner Waage stated that she feels Bass Lake Playfield needs more swings. Others agreed, as did Director Blank. Commissioner Burk asked about adding sand volleyball at Plymouth Creek Park. Director Blank said the recreation programmers need to study if that location would be good for sand volleyball. Usually people want to play sand volleyball near a lake. A few commissioners felt that frisbee golf was not a high priority item and asked that it be removed from the 193 CIP. They asked for clarification on the handicapped playground at Plymouth Creek. Director Blank indicated it would be totally new play equipment and it would be relocated to a different, more accessible site in the park. Commissioners also requested that the South Shore Drive landscaping request be placed in the 193 CIP. Commissioner Gutzke stated that if the City needs dirt for the berm that these residents want, NuAire on Fernbrook Lane is getting rid of loads of fill. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WATSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL TO ACCEPT THE 1993-97 CIP WITH THE CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WATSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE RECOMMENDING THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE A FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING THE RIDGEMOUNT TRAIL ISSUE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Burk asked if PRAC must now follow this to the letter. Director Blank said no. Items could be changed later, amounts could also be changed. He also stated that the Commission would get more specific about their 193 recommendations in the month of January. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL TO ADD MORE SWINGS TO BASS LAKE PLAYFIELD. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Director Blank said that he would speak to the Council about this matter and try to get it added to the current contract, so that it could be done yet this fall. He indicated that it's not a simple matter of adding another August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 39 swing, because the Consumer Product Safety Board has come up with new guidelines stating that three swings together are unsafe. Swings can now be sold only in groupings of two, so an entire new "area" must be added to the play equipment site at Bass Lake in order to get more swings. e. Focus groups and surveys. Copies of Plymouth's last citizen survey and the City of Hastings citizen survey were included in PRAC packets for commissioners to review. It was suggested that a sub -committee be formed to research this subject: Director Blank indicated he would ask Commissioner Johnson to chair the committee, because he has experience in this area. In addition, Commissioners Anderson and Burk, Councilman Edson and Director Blank will serve on the committee. Amendment to park plan - playfield site selection. No action. g. Name 10th Avenue Park. Commissioners reviewed the names that had been submitted by residents. Director Blank indicated that in the past the City Council has refrained from naming parks after people. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WATSON TO RECOMMEND THE NAME SOUTH SHORE PARK. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH FIVE AYES. COMMISSIONER GUTZKE VOTED NAY. HE PREFERRED THE NAME TENTH AVENUE PARK. h. Ice rink locations. A committee comprised of Director Blank, Superintendent of Parks Mark Peterson, and Commissioners Anderson and Wahl reviewed the list of rinks maintained in 1991-92. Based on location and past attendance, it was recommended that rinks at 12th Avenue Pond and Maplecreek Park be deleted. New rinks that were added to the list included Bass Lake Playfield, 10th Avenue Park and Greenwood Elementary. All totaled, 33 rinks will be maintained in 1992-93. This includes hockey rinks, general rinks and ponds. Commissioners also reviewed the three modes of maintenance performed on the City's rinks to get a better understanding of what that entails. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE TO ACCEPT THE LIST OF RINKS PROPOSED TO BE MAINTAINED IN THE 1992-93 SKATING SEASON. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. 6. NEW BUSINESS Fall park tour. Commissioners agreed that it was not necessary to conduct a fall park tour. They will visit facilities with handicapped playgrounds on their own when their schedules permit. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Chair Anderson questioned how Commissioners felt about the August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 40 need for a volunteer coordinator and did they want any more information to make a recommendation? They agreed that the services of a volunteer coordinator could be useful, but they weren't sure if they could justify the expenditure, which is estimated at between $20,000 and $50,000. They wondered if a coordinator would be able to recruit more volunteers and where would these volunteers be used? It was suggested that the volunteer coordinator from Brooklyn Park be asked to attend the next meeting. STAFF COMMUNICATION None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. PROPOSED 9-02-92 PARKS CIP 1993-97 1993 Land acquisition - playfield 750,000 Plymouth Creek Park handicapped playground 110,000 Zachary parking lot 65,000 Trails 175,000 Neighborhood Park (?) 150,000 South Shore landscaping 7,500 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 Playfield #10 350,000 1997 Neighborhood park (?) 175,000 Trails 100,000 B( FI ML PI SI S( PARKERS PAVILION CALENDAR/SEPTEMBER 1992 SUNDAY MONDAY TTTR3nAy WPnMygnAy T TMCMAV VDT"Av CAITro, AI 1 2 3 4 5 WO=Body Conditi ning Workout 9:00-1:00 T= Fun Fitness Tumbling C. BARGHINI V0= Mom's Workout 476-3200 (LEAH) Playtime Dis overy 3= String Band Small Change 7:00-8:00 T'AI CHI CHUAN EXER. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 LABOR DAY 11:30-2:00 HOLIDAY WHS SOCCER 6:15- 9:00 LEAH) CHELSEA MEWS HOA 667-9019 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-12:00 MWO/ 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:30 PD FFT 12:00-5:00 POST OFFICE 4:00-10:00 HOME FREE DINNER RON FOREMAN 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-12:00 MWO/ 9:30-10:30 MWo 9:15-12:30 PD 9-12:30 PSS FFT 10-2:30 KIDS ART Fall Fantasy 1:00-5:00 JIM MCCULLOUGH 476-6118 (LEAH) 6:30-8:45 BCWO 7:30-9 SB 6:30-8:45 BCWO YOGA YOGA 27 28 29 30 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-12:00 MWO/ FFT 6:30-8:45 BCWO 6:30-8:45 BCWO YOGA 7:30-9 SB YOGA I. A...-'---- 1 MNPf CUPPING SERVICE) 1 lilt 11111.1.11 SON -1l iRIMN I llrnnrl,in l N. lilt,! R4 1997. Local architect wants to build `art park' ev Lisa Harden A Richfield architectural, designer wants to build a stu- dent art gallery in a city park. Brian McMahan calls his pro- ject "Richfield Art Park." He has designed a combination art gallery and playground that he progxes be built In Veterans Memorial Park. Students' work would be ex- hibited on two floors of the building and in an outdoor sculpture garden. A glass - enclosed gallery on the first floor would house fragile or valuable work. A partially enclosed gallery on the second floor would have pictures mounted in secure frames. According to McMahon, all of the rxNNIS would be visible from the outside of the building or by walking through the gallery. To ensure that the art center a not only a place for creative expression but fun as well, McMahon has included a playground. His design calls for a 40400l -long playslide and an observation perch atop the two- story structure, accessible by climbing a tubular ladder to line roof. McMahon, who has his own architectural firm in Richfield, ABC Design, thinks the city needs an art park. Richfield is one of the few suburban com- munities that doesn't have its own art center or public gallery, he said. He discovered Richfield's lack of public exhibit space when he looked for a place to display his daughter's class art project. Two first -grade classes at Sheridan Hills Elementary School made models of a play ci- ty for a project on shelter. They had a chance to show them to renowned architect Frank Gehry when he was visiting the University of Minnesota this spring. The students' artistic ability amazed McMahon. "The students did beautifd models," he said. McMahon, who started his ar- chitectural career later in life, wants to encourage students' ar- tistic endeavors through an art park. Kids have innate artistic skills. It's such a natural thing for young kids. I feel strongly that the earlier on in the educational pro- cess you can introduce them to art. the better." The art park's collection would include works from students of all grade levels. McMahon views it as an exten- sion of the schools. My hope is that it becomes a design center; he said. Although McMahon has presented a written proposal to City Co U and school board members, the project is a long way from reality. It would have to go through the traditional pro- cess —staff analysis, Continual- ly Services Commission ap- proval, and final City Council approval, said Don Fondrick, Community Services director. JWs is the fust I've heard of it,' he said. Fondrick said the city would , have to take a realistic look at the project to make sure it is needed and funding is available. Many park projects have been put on hold because of budget cuts, he said. H everything works out as McMahon has planned, the city wait terve to foot the hill for capital expanses or shell outi much for operating expenses. McMahon plans to solicit 1 funds to build the project from f charitable organizations. The: Walker Art Center Sculpture . Garden was funded by grants. , He plans to ask the Walker can- tributors if they will help fund Richfield's outdoor gallery. McMahon said he designed the building to require few operating funds. No site person- nel would be necessary to pro- vide supervision or security, he said. In addition, the building does not have a healing or cooling system, which reduces operating costs. Where possible, McMahon used solar energy design features. He believes the building can be used at least 10 months of the year. v SHOREVIEW ARDEANUNN 1111,1-S NULI.l:I R. -Ii) r".n. JUL.8 1992 Roseville I1 bylluM Rudd hopes 'oval's' well that ends well, If you build it, they will come." That catch phrase from the baseball movie "Field of Dreams" sums up the hopes of the Roseville City Council for another sports facility. At a public hearing July 1, the council voted unanimously to formally receive the state of Minnesota grant of $1.9 million for the John Rose Memorial Oval, a spccd skating and multipurpose sports facility, and authorize the expenditure of $1 million by the city to construct support facilities and site improvements. In front of the overflow crowd of more than 150 people — mostly enthusiastic supporters — the council also approved the city - owned property at One Civic Center complex, adjacent to the existing Roseville Ice Arena at Firewood and County Road C, as the location for the Oval. Independent Consulting Engineers, Inc. (I.C.E., Inc.), a form which has designed approximately 60 ice arenas around the country, evaluated the Civic Center site and a county -owned site on Larpenteur Avenue east of Dale Street. -Them are two different costs associated with each site," said Orad Lcmbeng, 2.9 million speedskating/multipurpose sports facility gets OK from city council president of ICE.. Inc. ACCORDING TO the eonsWtant's report, the Civic Center site is far superior to the Laryenlew site in the areas of access, site visibility, proximity to hotels and restaurants, and availability of utilities. It was deemed on par with the alterative site on the issue of property size and parking, and was rated less desirable than the Lwpenteur site on the issues of surrounding land use, lopography and soil conditions. Lemberg commented [bat the construction and operating costs would be significantly higher at the Larpentew site. At the Civic Center site, administration/management facilities can be incorporated into the existing ice arena as opposed to building completely new facilities. Maintenance costs should be considerably less at the selected site because of less navel time for stow plows and other equipment. Also, them are maintenance personnel in place at the existing ice amna that would have been duplicated if the other site had been chosen. According to the report, the coordination and management of the new facility can best be handled as pan of the total Civic Center rather than as a totally separate or independent facility since much of the needed management staff is already in place. And the ability to coordinate various group skating limes by one scheduling office would better serve the public and provide for better facilities coordination. MANAGEMENT WILL be the key to the success of the Oval, according Dr. Jack Vivian, director of the Sport Facilities Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; assistant professor in the department of sports management and communication in the University of Michigan; president of 1RV Management, Inc., a consulting and sports facility Imn- around company; and part-time seem for the New York Islanders of the National I lackey League. Vivian said that the day-to-day management of mesa sports facilities is under the direction of a full-time manager supported by two full-time assistant managers. The manager attends to the business, personnel, promotional and booking aspects while the assistant managers assume responsibility for the .daily operations aml program supervision. Programming and marketing will Ee very imporumt," Vivian said. A dynamic management learn must be put in play " Aside from weekend supervisors, Vivian recommended that the Oval have a full-time assistant manager who will be primarily responsible for program development. The maintenance; operational and booking responsibilities could be shared with the manager at the Roseville Ice ArenaVivian also strongly recommended that a mission statement and marmgerial goals and objectives be developed to guide the management team as they market and promote the facility. Since many. gmups will be competing for limp; it's important that the missi6A statement specify and prioritim how the facility will be scheduled. Otherwise, hockey rentals could easily eat up all of the bandy surface time. THE POTENTIAL revenue senores for the speed skating oval, the outer ring of the facility, will include: international, national, regional and area roars and training sessions; competitive and novice speed skating clubs; high schools; youth and adult hockey; youth and adult figure skating clubs; and [earn - so -skate classes. The proposed fee for ice rental at the speed skating oval is $100 per how. Revenue sources for the bandy surface, the infield area of the facility, will include: bandy practices and competitions for the American and Minnesota bandy associations; leam-to-play-bandy sessions; hockey practices on the complete bandy surface or sectioned areas (the bandy surface can be divided by a moveable dasberboard system to create several practice and game configurations); boot hockey; broomball; public skating; skating parties; and school system rental. Rental of the bandy surface will be 135 a how complete or Shy a how perxaion. The proposed public skating fee structure for Roseville residents is 250 per session for adults, $2 per session for youth and seniors. For tan -residents, it's $3 per session for adults and $2.50 per session for youth and seniors. Speed skating training and figure skating sessions are proposed to be $3 per 45 -minute session. When the 19 -week season of the refrigamed surface is over, the dry floc of the speed skating oval will be used for in-line skating and a walking and running track. The bandy surface can be wW for rolhr and boot hockey, and activities such as sower and volleyball. Dry flour fees will be based on the activity or event, the time of day and week, and FAC shared income potential. Supplementary revenue sources include: the concession/snack bar; the pro shop; advertising; sponsorships; community room rentals and catering; skate rental; skate sharpening and repair; and ticket income. The Oval's expenses will include: salaries and wages; insurance; maintenance; supplies; administrative expenses such as general printing, postage and telephone costs; marketing and promotion; pro shop operation; concessions; utilities; and other expenditures such as management training, travel and dues and subscriptions. See the graph on page I for a three-year financial esthrmle of revenue and expenses. Phis is a tremendous facility duo will have a tremendous amount of community interest when it opens," Vivian said. "it has tremendous potential to make money." In MINA M INA 'I RREN1 JUL 15 1372 Fore! I 1 11 Reopening of Normandale will mean more holes for golfers By Mary Durben Gotten will have more holes to choose from when the city of Edina reopens the nine -hole Normandale Golf Course as a municipal course. The reopen- ing is targeted for the spring The Edina City Council last week approved an agreement for the purchase of the closed golf course from the Rauenhorsl family for 38W,W0. The city will blend the present acreage of lake Edina Park and the water pump site with the present 22 -acre golf course. The existing clubhouse fronting on West 77th Street will be demolished and a new one built close to lake Edina. Playground will be relocated to the northeasterly side of the park, the tennis courts will be removed, and a small parking lot will be added to serve nlavground users. KeBugg Avenue will ce made into a cul-de-sac and the entire area between Kellogg and Parklawn Avenue will be fenced. The redesigned course will be unique in the metropolitan area because each green will be ex- ceptionally large and have two pin placements, one with a sim- ple approach and one with a more challenging approach. All holes will be designed s0 that the backyards of neighbors on West Shore Drive and Sedum Lane will not be threatened by wildly hit golf balls. A contingency of the agree- ment is that the sellers will have the option to reacquire acreage for a period of 15 years for $1 for purposes of building an office building on West 77th Street. The budding would be restricted to 39 feet in height and have a cir- culir ar setback averaging 217 feet from the back (north) pro- perty line. The plan to acquire the golf course had come before the council earlier, but neighboring residents objected to that pro- posal because of the building height and setback. The council directed the city staff to con- tinue to explore the acquisition. City Manager Ken Rolland said the new proposal includes the changes desired by the residents. "We got what they wanted," he said. The Rauenhorsl family has no plan to build on the site im- mediately. Under the agree- ment, B the sellers don't exer- cise the option within the 15 -year period, the option will expire and the city will acquire the title as a gift from the sellers. In order to gain access to the new clubhouse, the city reached agreements with the Shidler Group, owners of the property east of the Lake Edina pumping station just south of the Fidelity State Bank building, the most logical location for an access drive. The city will move trees within the easement to other locations, build and maintain the public driveway and prepare plans for reconstruction of a store water drainage system. The city will sell $2.45 million in bonds for the acquisition so that construction can begin late this fail. Costs for the project in- clude $800,000 for purchase of land; $200,000 for construction of the parking lot and sanitary sewer connection; $300,000 for construction of the clubhouse; 100,000 for maintenance equip- ment $825,000 for redevelopment of the golf course and M0,000 capitalized interest. The bonds will have a 30 -year retirement schedule. Rosland said because the city is already in the golf cause I business, owning and operating Braemar Golf Came, it will be - able to take advantage of economies of scale in the opera- , tion. Overall management will be provided by the current Braemar staff and no additional full -lime employees are ex - peeled to be hired. Equipment will be maintained at the Braemar maintenance facility but stored at Normandale for , day -today use. A few neighbors to the proper- ty still object to the plan but most felt comfortable with the new proposal, Rosland said, Nornandale Golf Cause was created as a private memal- Bonal facility for office workers in the office park developed by Dunn & Curry during the late 19505 and '00s. The city also recently receiv- ed approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a plan to add nine additional holes of golf at the Braemar facility. Braemar officials have been unable to meet the demand for lee -Braes at the present cause and have had to restrict league activity and turn away golfers. In other matters, the council: Gave the green light to McDonalds to tear down its restaurant at 3220 Southdale Cir- cle and build a new structure at the site. The council had con. tinned the matter at a previous meeting, asking city staff to gather additional comment from neighbors in adjacent residential property. Council members were concerned that residents might object to the plan because of the position of the building and drive-through. According to the city staff, residents preferred McDonalds' plan to alternatives suggested by the council. Authorized the hiring of a part-time parking monitor to en- force parking regulations in the Stith & France business district The monitor will work 20 hours a week. The cost will be split bet. ween the city and 50th & France property owners. The city's share will come from the sale of annual parking permits; tao- perty owners will be assessed for their share. MNA CLIPPING SERVICE SHORE%IEW/ARUEN HILLSSUN-FOCUS Ramsey Co. JUL 211992 Swinging into action Mounds View forms golf course task force SHELBY NICOLAUs-DUNSKI Plans to build a golf course in Mounds View are moving forward with the formation of a task force to study the proposal. The Mounds View City Council agreed last week to form a Golf Course Task Force to study and make recommendations to the city on the proposal. The group would be made up of one Planning Commission mem- ber, one Parks and Recreation Commission member, one Mounds View Business Association member, two City Council members and one resident. Mayor Jerry Linke appointed council members Gary Quick and Phyllis Blanchard to the task force hast week. The city is proposing to build a par -three, nine -hole course on a 109 -acre site in the northeast corner of the city. A land -use study commissioned by the city concluded the site is conducive to a golf course. t:hEN PRAIRIE SIIN.SAII.IOR 11 1. ('n. JUL 22 III, i ing woods Panel seeps public views on presery onIivDavidPhrictens11in Mit- City Council renis`' Aug. 4, butthecam" A housing dcvelapmentchelllakeuloidsmak he the commission askedtothinkitsBeckton Monday. delayed while the Eden Prairie Recreation Commis- ctrl 1 think we owe it to air them andParksandSiontestspublicsupportforcitizenstoeducategivethemachancetospeakon preserving the properly. 11ie voted 5-2 to it," said Commissioner Dianecommission call for public comment on the Lynch, Lynch said the commission meetin ala tics p.m. Aug. l7meeling. Participants are ex- doss not have enough informa- lion on the value of the weak or pecl(d to meet at city olfices, 766 Executive Drive, go to a rehowmuchpubicinterestit. Biers might be in preservingmiwalkinglonrofthesitesouthofCam- t asAone-month delay mightbecausetlMitchelllakeandwestof 4, then return to city of- well be a year, `oulldPerm ty Road ices for discussion. West housing delaY governmentproenoughtomove the Pro- the next construction1TaFairfieldprojectwouldplaceTwitsand40tintosaidDickPutnamof single-family lots and roads inofthe25 -acre Proowner Tandem Corp. the developerssloetosevenacresaremoonlofthe "Big Putnam said to relay that informationtiwoods, Woods!, hardwood forest nativeFairfield wgild BtnetheCityCouncilalongwithcommission L• Minnesota. own most of the resdta of Avelopers alsoofthe woods and Plan review. B will also seeTheCityCaucaremainder develop it for bowing in the a request from planning to investigate buy - future.Commission Fairfield Well was slated for ung all or part of the woodlandinFairfieldthatisnotincluded West. The Planning Commission recommended approval of Fair- field West and construction on same wooded acreage as a test of the tree preservation Policy Of Tandem Corp. er Centel Homes. According to the developers' tree survey, the Property con- tains about 1.1100 larger trees. dominated by sugar maple and basswood, with some oak and ash. The woods is considered a mature forest in which many trees have reached Bair bill growth. forming a dense canopy overhead which blocks the sun and inhibits undergrowth. The woods provides Poor habitat for wildlife because of the lack of Mush and small plants. Tfie site is very not and would not require much grading or other disruption for construc- tion, said Dan Blake of Centex Hones. Blake described w cut tion aplandesigned able forasfewtreesasboss rads Rod home sites, limiting tree loss to an estimated 29 Per - cell. Centex would also iostrucl builders to use conslruc' t techniques that would not 1damagetrees, he said. Culling dead trees and i building roads would create open spaces in the woods, and the whole character of that ecosystem in there is going to change,' said Bob lambert, parks and recreation director. City officials ooneconSI of thethewoodsapotentialpaPlannedWtrhenlakePark, but when a route was chosen for. U.S. Highway 212, it separated the park site front the WRUda, Lambert said. Park rnnothewoods in thehavepastedbuying Past, but "we can't afford to buy every neat Piece of Properly in Eden Praivie;' lambert said. Past decisions have set higher ioriprties on buying lord t southwest neighborhood parka and public access for Smetana Lake , he said. The lard may be Priced to the 1.5 minion range, and help from grants m. governmentnt id k unlikely, He suggested a referendum vole al the Nov. 4 ballot on bd issueforesttobuyandPreseryethebutwarnedThalbuyingland dliofor Preservation, not use, may not be Papular. ugh of Biose dings where in it for me?' a tough sell; nmol(.. saying Bier'eLYnchdisagreedsayingtl s an bareased in preservation as well as recrea- tion. I think perceptions and people's values have changed quite a bit this decade.' she said. Bruce Commissioner Bowman said he k not sure whether voters would approve, but "maybe it's worth asking the question.••Commissi members sug- tpsled larger and fewer lots topreservemomoftheforest. But larger ruts would not be prac- tical ratticalforBredeveloperorbetter for conservation, said Putnam. The market Is soft for wooded lot,. and the smaller Centex horses on large wooded lots may not sell. said Putnam. R larger louses ate Mill, their awns tend to expand their homes and as such as SWMM- meg spools a lends courts, destroying more trees, he said. Put am said lot and home size on the remaining acres depends surrounding development of housing and routes for Dell Road, Scenic freights Road, Highway 212 and light -rad tran- sit on former railroad line. Developers have the burden of road and sewer assessments due on the property, Putnam said. fanr problem is, things are beginning to happen and they're going to happen. We're sand- wiched in by roads and railroad right -Of -way and freeway, and it's not a place to build $500,000 home in a pristine wilderness anymore. We don't know what's going W happen ... We're kind of up in the air;' Putnam said. r--- l MNA CLIPPING SERVICfiJ t BLOOMINr, ,ON J SUN -CURRENT I1eoneP1. Co. AUG 121992 Local pools suffering0 fromsummer' s chill By Lisa Harden Attendance at several area pools has taken a nosedive this summer because of cold weather. Attendance is down 50 percent from last year at this time at St. Louis Park's municipal pool. Through July 31, 1991, the pool had 29,015 swimmers splashing in the water. Through July 31, 19M, 12,378 decided to take a dip. It's definitely attributed to the weather," said Craig Pann- ing, who manages the city's pool. This is the coldest summer he can remember in his 12 years as recreation center manager. Normally on days where we'd be getting 70o-900 people, we're having 100-20D," he said. The situation is similiar in neighboring communities. Bloomington's municipal pod has an average of four or five swimmers a day, said Dave Kl- ingerman, recreation super- visor. The pool usually has 100 people a day. The best swimming weather is a humid 90 degrees. But this summer, the mercury has bare- ly topped so degrees. Ironically, the water temperature at SL Louis Park's pool has been warmer than the air temperature. The pool is heated to W degrees, Panning said. "So on cold days, it's OK once you get in the water but then you eventually have to come out," he said. Cold, miry weather shut down Lichfield's municipal pool seven days and closed St. Lads Park's pool for two days this summer. Both have also closed early on numerous days. As a result, lifeguards are racking up fewer haus. Many St. looms Park lifeguards are looking far a second job to sup- plement their shrinking pool paychecks, Panning said. Most lifeguards are college students on summer beak. The cool weather does have one benefit. Because of the sav- togs on lifeguard salaries, the pool season will be extended in St. Lapis Park from Aug. 16 to Aug. 23, Panning said. But even if August hes record- breaking heat, the city won't make up for the lost revenue. Revenue is down 30 percent from lastifiniFi t this time, Pan- ning said. Swimming isn't popular in August," Panning said. "People lake endof-thesummer vaca- tions. Whatever the weather, we won't get back what we've lost." Attendance at one local pool is up despite the cold weather. A new water slide and water feature Is luring mom people to Edina's municipal pool, said Bob Kojetin, director of parks and recreation. He stopped by the pool last Wednesday and saw more ileo - pie there Wen on a typical day last summer. The city added a waterslide and children's play structure this year. H we did not have thea it would be a disaster," Kojetiii said of attendance. if new attractions don't draw ospmton %. pool, perhaps I think people are fed up with waiting for the warm weather and will cane anyway," Kojetin said. Panning, from St. Louis Park, thinks It all depends on the weather. "If we have nice weather, people will come out, if we don't, they won't," he said. SMA CLI naa fERVICE t APPLE YALLFy/LAEF: y ll.l.h: 5UN1:U RRh:N'1' 1)•4eif Ca. A% I v Pulltabs delay Lakeville By Mikkel Kelly Because fakeville's proposed ice arena would depend on pulltab revenues, the sale of revenue bonds to finance C011- slruclion has become more difficult than expected. Lakeville planned to award hands at the Aug. 3 City Council meeting but was informed that almost none of the bonds had been sold. At a work session, the coned extended the deadline to Aug. 17 for bond company Juan and Moody Inc. to sell the bonds. Dick Asleson, vice president of Juran and Moody Inc., said the hand company had commitments for about a $.5 million in bond sales for the $1.37 bond sale to build the arena. The unusual financing plan for the proposed ice arena would re- ly an $70,000 per year worth of Lakeville Hockey Association pulltab revenues, which me sold at the Ole Piper Inn and the Red Fox Inn in Lakeville. Asleson concurred with a memo from Lakeville Finance Director Dennis FeRar that stated "investors are ex- tremely skeptical about purchasing in - ice arena vestments which are backed, at Mast in part, with pull -tab revenues." Asleson said puiltabs "don't have a bad name but' they certainly don't have the glamoue they had before." Since pulltebs were introduced in Min- nesota in 1981 and put under the auspices of the Gambling Control Board in 1984, there have been some changes including a 2 percent tax based on the ideal gross receipts of each batch of pulltabs. Also there is a combined receipts tax in which a 2 percent tax is assessed an combined receipts of more than $580,008, and a 4 plans 1 percent and 6 percent tax for amounts more than $700,000 and $900,000 respectively. Besides unpredictable changes in pu9fab rules, Aslesun said, "With a significant amount of new casinos and in- terest in gambling, people have concerns whetter pulltabs will continue to be a viable source of revenue." He said his company is considering what other incentives to recommend K IL can't sell the remainder of the bonds. He said an overall low interest rate of about 62 percent isn't a con- / tributing factor. "Even offered at a higher yield, it would not change the attitude," he said. Councilmember Lynette Mulvihill, who spent more than a year on the' Ice Arena Task Force that developed the plan, said she thought it was a "done deal," but said the committee had discussed potential pro- blem with pulilabs. 1 think the whole group realized Unat legslation could change and pulllabs would no Ilonger be viable, t it there weren't pulltabo available, there would be something else," she said. Meanwhile the LHA and LCC Lakeville Community Corpora- tion) have begin the prom of raising $500,000 for the ice arena, which they muust do by October of next year according toWe plan approved July 8. Mike Walters, chair of the LCC fundraising committee, said a consuitant was recently hired to help with that effort. Watters said he is confident the ice arena plan will succeed even if the pulltab plan stalls the sale of the bonds. It will be mare difficult if (the bonds) aren't saleable. We will have to back up with how we go about the fundraiser; • he said. He said arena revenue projec- tions were conservative and predicts the arena will generate more than expected in rental revenue. The school and the city have expressed interest in using the arena, which c0uld provide additional help, he said. Tfie LRA has already donated 118.72D far the 40,000 square foot $1.8 million proposed arena. In addition to $70,000 of LHA putltab revenue and 90 percent of any additional profits, the arena would be maintained with an expected x.5,000 par year in sublease payments according to the plan. Land for the arena, donated by Lakeville School District 196, is an the north side of Highway 50 about half a mile northwest of Dodd Road and Highway 50. / MN/. C11111Na SEPVIGE t RlINN5V11.Ll,tiON t:VKRl.N1' Ibtab Co. AUG 121992 City referendum won't make November Itv Martha Irvine 1 Y'\ A phone survey has shown that less than 25 percent of Burnsville's 51,000 residents have heard of the city's propos- ed referendum for parks improvements and a communi- ty center. Those resuhs arc despite what some have called "massive" ef- forts to get the word out. The question was. 'I lave you heard of it?' 1'd hale to think whal the result would Ir if the Survey shows question was 'Do you under- stand it?"' Mayor Dan McElroy said at a Burnsville Ci- ty Council worksssion on Mon- day night. "It's disappointing." Because of the survey results, the conned has decided not to pursue a referendum vote in the November election. Instead, they are considering reschedul- ing a vote for spring 1993. The next few weeks will be spent pin- pointing a more specific plan, or lack of resident awareness as resident Larry Schluter put it, "Something we can sell." In June, the package dropped from a 216.4 million wish list to a more realistic" 211.5 million. That's the sum total of 23.2 million for parts and playing Field improvements and addi- tions (for which land must still be found), and about 28.3 million for a community center, which would contain a leisure pool with four lanes for swimming. The community center would also in- clude teen and senior citizen space and some arts facilities. Still left to nail down are deci- sions about increasing the pool from four larges to six and mak- ing the pool diving friendly- Both are additions lauded by the Burnsville Swim Club, especial- ly since the Burnsville High School diving program was cul due to lack of facilities. Estimated cost of adding such amenities would be 2165,10 to 219D,006 for the added lanes and about 2103,000 to add diving in the pool. Also left to consider are re- quests from local arts groups to add dressing and performance rooms and art rooms for their use. Those using the facilities would be such organizations as the Dakota Valley Civic Or- chestra, Community Theatre of Burnsville and Burnsville Area Society for the Arts (BASH). The arts additions pricetag ranges Iron 2293,56a to 2630,600. Steve Patrick of St. Paul - based BWBR Architects advised the council to plan for "a building that is multi,use in nature" rather than designing specific uses for special interest groups, including arts groups which have been particularly vocal of late. The resident survey results are based upon calls made by Minneapolis-based Decision Resources, which also con- ducted an earlier survey to test residents reaction to a possible referendum. The most recent survey showed that, of the t -s percent who knew about the referendum, the majority were in favor of it — hence the coun- cil's decision to forge ahead with a six-month education blitz. The hope is to increase awareness to at least 40 to 50 percent of Bunss- ville residents. lune bottom line is that we want it to pass ...but we need more time to educate residents)," said Parke and Recreation Director Randy Op - pelt, who — admittedly disap- pointed — believed any last- minute efforts to get the wad out would be "lost In the presidential election." MIxA CLIpp1a0 tEKVICE t MINNFTt/NKA SUN-SAIIAaIlennepinCu. AUG 1219S? Task force prepares recommendations for aquatic, fly Itlehard Crawford rec center A Recreation/Aquatic Center task force is currently preparing a recommendation on what kind of municipal recreation building and aquatics facility should be built at the Minnetonka Civic Center. The group hes met several Wises this summer and will be forwarding a recommendation to the Minnetonka City Council perhaps as early as September. The 12 -member task force, ap- pointed by Bre City Council, is comprised of two lour- cilmembers, two park board members, two swim club representatives, and six at -large representatives of the commrmity. BWBR Architectural fan has been hired by the city to help the task force develop recommen- dations. 7fie contract with BWBR calls for paying the firm a maximum of $52,590 to draft Um recommendation and develop a plan for ailing the pro- spective rospectivefacilities. The task force is currenBy deciding on whether to build a recreation ceder, an outdoor aquatic facility, an indoor swim- ming facility, or sane canbina- t au of the three. Cost estimates for the facilities: n $3.9 million for a recreation center that would primarily save adult and youth recreation leagues. The facility would have annual expenses of $363,000. 3.9 minion for an outdoor aquatic center with a 1,500 pe - shin capacity. The facility would have annual expenses Of $250,¢90 with annual revenues of 325,090. 4.1 million for an indoor leisure pool with a 500 person rapacity. 7Le facility would have annual expanses of WIN with annual revenues of W5,000. Based on discussion at an Aug. 6 Task Force meeting, the outdoor aquatic center and the recreation ceder appear to be the two top priorities of the 1M 7hsk Face is consideing building the outdoor aquatic renter where an equestrian ring errantly costs to the norm of Die Ifinnetooka Ice Arem, If that site is used, the city might persue relocating the equestrian ring at lune Lake Park, in We souWmstero part of the city. If any of the facilities are built, money from the city's Cammuaity investment Fund may be used. The Community Investment Fund is money set aside far projects But have community -wide benefit. However, City Manager Jim Miller said the city may also consider selling bonds — which would require property -fax in- creases — to pay far the facilities. The fest face plans to meet at least two more times before selling its recornnendatian to the Minnetonka City Council. The Minnetonka City Council would have to approve any plans before instruction could begin. f.AGAN arN{uaae:NI DAM. l'". SVG I7 Eagan's trails offer array of activities for young, By Terrance Memel Chuck and Irene Lovejoy always enjoyed walks around lake Harriet near their Min- neapolis home of 30 years. Not any more. After mov- Ing to Eagan two years ago, the retired couple has walked around the ever popular lake only once. We thought we could never Wave -Lake Harriet," Irene said. Now the L0vejoys spend their time on the High Line Trad in Eagan walking three miles in the morning and three miles in the evening. It's better than Harriet because it's not as busy," Irene said. "The wildflowers are beautiful and the tress — there am so many kinds." While most area cities have trails, it's the maze of trails that separates Eagan from the pack. Not many cities can boast of a trail network that leads to as many schools and parks, said Fen Vraa, parks and recreation director for Eagan. The idea of using trails to tie neighborhoods with parks, businesses and places such as the library surfaced in 1978, Vrm said. City officials had been drafting a Comprehen- sive Guide Plan for Eagan and wanted to create a sere of accessibility." By 1981, the city had adopted a Trails Designation ppl1aan that began to look into a pan system. Questions had to be answered on the type of trails and where they would Walker$flmne9 and hikers appear to be the main laser of Fallen trace. However, krBta skaters (Rofferbladers) and skateboarders are noting the C an countrypathsmore. r skiers have used the trait In the Ifrla winter. LL. Trails aro sot plowed In the winter for fa¢ mesons, Vraa go.' ear :cast. fairness ofwhereIn1993, a Park Systems', woWd be opt removing plan went into effect that",, the snow and Itol lty. Once s coordinated a transportation al trail has been rlesred, the city' plan, designating where4i would be responsible forkeephg trails would link together..',. it clesr. Most of the trails have fin: A 1990 troll use survey built along with the major' ;'.t demonstrates how well Eagan's stood' ! trails are used. Parks and Today, them more than Recreation intern Jennifer 7o miles offtrails and r Peterson ehodncl[A the survey sidewalks open three season used far informllOW PMVNN. a year. They are generally' eight -foot bituminous surfer It was not mead to be a adew gr trails, with a few areas i trams alsotifiC ll Not Knob gavel. About 85 percent of the roads. city's of Iberia nom Same 85 the aline study's plate, aloin, many aj them built usersg a agaralongwithmajorroadnLramostpeoplewethe trail fair ea- . Trail The papula High Trail now traverses rolling excise, followed SY Mian; ,. hills and native prabie from 17 percent travel Fall s's fralls Nicole Road to Dodd Road. for transportationpurpose I just leve thio path,' said when asked it any lad rnm_ Joy Swanson, Eagan. "This plaints, at percent of thosewholearraisjustthewaytogosurveyedbadnose. Nearly 70 percent could offerforwalking' traria offer no suggestions for im- Baskinmemine, remens. Regarding Possible chance to meet migbbom and trall expeaslo0. nearly half ofsay "hi" topmpl sah` Swan" ad appmVed a spoechci. bpeople e son' of such axpam o s (25 pacedThomasLakeElementarydan _ School. Thomas fake snrdeuta But as bad use Increase, Vraaalsowethetrailfarhairyearlysaidandoesthecity's cancan onrmile run, she Said. for safety. The trolls see destgn- ed for casual walkers, Joggers and bikers. Infine skatersfindthetratedeep, such Be along Lexington Avenue ap- proaching wnlkmes Rum Rand In southeastern Fallen. A lotolspo ft when new, the Mkryetfe and proper use of the equipped doesn't develop as fast as the spat," he said. The reliance on helmets, gloves aad 1paadosm,(follows after sportsepopular. Most of the time, trail uses need only abide by caurnon sense to enjoy a safe stroll along Eagan* pats, Vma said. He stresses bran etiquetteforhkes approaching walkers, and of walkers not hogging trails. I don't care where the trail is, we are going to lave sane abuses," slid Vraa, adding he isn't aware ol any aims directly related to a trail. RecenHy, a group of residents living along Flsh Lake cam - about shoes an the trail leading to a fishing pier. Residents have reported such apses as people having sepal intercourse, urinating and defecating on private property, trespassing, and property Vras said the city has taken action to prevent these abuses each as placing a portable toilet statim in the park and inc e I, log patrol. Trails lave not been without injury to persons, either. lawsuits have been brought against the city for accidents that occurred m the bails, Vras said. overall, Vraa olid the city pea received mostly complimmfsm its Iran system. More trail improvements are in the works as the city looks to connect remaining aelghbodaods. Masks are one way to help point people in the right di edim. Better co mec- tom with surrounding cities is another future consideration, he said. Meanwhile, trail uses can ex- pect an updated trail map next/ spring. ifMMA CLIppum SERVICE t MIN-SAIIAntSUN-SA11.11N Ilsnvspin Ca. AUG 121992 City officials discuss future of trail system survey says most like it, but not some close to it By Richard Crawford A proposed 30 -mile Loop Trail Corridor system in Minnetonka is about one-third complete and several years behind schedule. To get to that point, city of- ficials have spent hundreds of horns dealing with concerns of residents living close to the trail routes that have been built. Con- cerns have ranged from loss of privacy to impact on property values. But now, city officials agree, the easiest trail segments are built. H more trails are con- structed, as much or more time likely will be needed to satisfy neighborhood concerns. The Minnetonka City Camra met in a joint session with the city's Park Board Aug. 5 to assess the current status of the trail system and discuss priorities for route construction. The joint -meeting was set up after residents near Oakland and McGinty roads had raised concerns about a prospective trail route through their neighborhood. According to city surveys, the majority of Minnetonka residents like the trails and sup- port trail construction. At the Mkmetadm Summer Festival June 2T, an informal survey was conducted with 252 people; it in- dicated that: 91 percent of families use the trails. 66 percent of the respondents said it was of "high importance" to complete the 30 -mile system; 21, percent said it was of medium importance,' end 8 percent said it was of "low importance." 11e vast majority of people are overwhelmingly In support of the Rail system," said Mayor Tim Bergstedt. He said the cnmed has a difficult decision bemuse it has to weigh the overall community sentiment and the concerns of the im- mediatelymediately neighborhoods.. Although 6mtding trails In Minnetonka has been discussed since the 1970x, the Loop Trail Corridor System was first pro- posed in 1987. The goal of the system was to connect the city's five community parks (Civic Center, Big Willow, Meadow, une fake and Purgatory) and serve both recreational and transportation needs. i Trail plans were stepped up after two fatal pedestrian ac- cidents occurred while people were using the paved shoulders of the road, according to a city report. some city officials believe the transportation element of the trails will be compromised if as 30 miles aren't built. In some areas where we fond insurmountable roadblocks, we may need to look at alter- natives," said Councilmember Karen Anderson, "But we need to accomplish the system." The more gaps thereare in the overall system, said City Manager Jim Miller, the wase the transportation component of the system will be. Council members Terry Schneider and Dick Aaendorf in- dicated that they weren't con- vinced a 30 -mile trail is necessary to have a successful system. Councdmember Dorris Burke, who represents the Me- Gintyoatland Road neighbor- hood, said the Issues of privacy and cast were important can- muerationd for him. The McGintyOakland Road residents spoke against the Pro- posed route Aug. 5. Residents questioned the need for the Rail and said their privacy and pro - Perry &Augbvaluesproposed trail would be built on city right-of-way, It would be Incited in front Of hones. Fred Brirtseth, who lives neat to the trail in the westernesse neighborhood, called the Rail a massive invasion of privacy." Unforhmately I have a trail right next to my house; Brimselh said. "I daily clean up dog feces ... and have trucks boded with gravel that drive five or six feet from my kitchen It's a good idea gone sour." Park Board Char Larry Blackstad said the concerns that have surfaced in the past year aren't new, and said the city has demonstrated a willingness to respond to concerns in a sen- sitive manner. H the City Council decides not to build a trail segment because residents don't want it in their neighborhood, Blparcekesetdaad said, that uldjeopardizerddi et aze building futurthaej sep ao- A meeting between city of- ficials and residents of the Mc- GintyOakland Road neighbor- hood will Rely be planned to discuss the proposed route in ince detail. Iuxw CLIPPING SERVICE J4 SHAKOPEE VALLEY NEw\ M+xl Lb. 406 1 3 A lesson in bureaucracy vt-Lk There seemed to be plemy of confusion following lase week's 3.1 vote by Shakopee's City Council directing city staff to begin working on the proposal for a hard shell over the existing bubble at Valley Ice Arena. On the one hand, council members weren't sum why the plan's proponents weren't happier with the outcome of the vote. After all, the council could've easily turned a deaf ear to the group at the Aug. 4 council meeting. But — Go the other hand — the people who favored the hard shell over the worn-out nylon and canvas heap didn't seem to understand why council members didn't leap at the opportunity to support their 450,000 request. After all. the city has the money needed to approve this request. The need is obvious. The request for the 5450.000 permanent shell over the existing facility was brought by the mem- John Mueller ben of the makopee-Priot Lake Youth Hockey Association. The bubble they have poured thi mend; Of volunteer boon into Cora mg along over the yeah may finallyy have gone down for The count. 'a m privately-owtred bubble and the arena it covers sirs on city -owned land. The bubble ha collapsed several limes recently, mostly the result of bad weather and advanced age. The hockey group had been working, unofficially, to convince Council members to allocate funds to erect a permanent hand shell over tea ice amna -- the only one in Scott County — in lime for the coming winter season. Because of the time needed to order materials and erect the stldcium, the SPLYHA felt their window of opportunity to save youth hockey in Shakopee wale closing. So, the group weld fol broke, requesting and receiving time on the council's.Aug. 4 agenda to make a do-or-die plea for help. The council listened carefully to the material presented by Dave Kaufenberg, vice-president of the SPLYHA. Instead of voting immediately To constmn such a facility, the council instead opted lo.bavo.Oty staff take:a look-afthe bockey,twip aProw.,. popal. City councils rarely move Sea., quickly as the situalioe might warrantCouncil members voting in favor of having city staff lake a in- depth look at the plan included Mayor Gary Laurent, council members Mike Beard and Joan Lynch. Gloria V ieding opposed the idea, Bob Sweeney was missing from the meeting. Some council members didn't understand the immediacy of the hockey group's situation. Wilhoul- at least some progress, youth hockey in Shakopee will beshelvedforayear, maybe more. I. Kaufenberg said he already knows, of four families which will be taking their kids elsewhere for youth hockey this winter. Some council members have also learned bat area rinks have plenty of boon to sell to groups like the SPLYHA. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of those hours are avail- able after IB p.m. and before 6 a.m. Hmkuva deal. Although pleased they weren't rejected once and for all, the SPLYHA folks hoped the city would start work immediately me the project following the Aug.4 vote. Because of the Condition of Ile bubble -- the latest damage may not be repairable -- the SPLYHA members Intending the meeting left fearing the project wouldn't be done in time to save the corning season and ultimately, their organization. After that meeting, however, members of the SPLYHA now undenamad that the wheels of govcnemem mrri slowly. Mayor laureoi conceded Iha1'Ihe'cky should Got totally may ou Private chimes to pmvide recreational opportunities for an entire commu- mey. But at least elle wheels of government are turning. Since the bubble makes an important contribution to the community — juu ask any hotel owner or waitress at a local restaurant about in- creased business ou loumamem weekends — the klea that the city will even consider the proposal is good news. Since The presentation before aIle City Council, Kaufelberg has met with city staff to begin discussing what reeds to be done to transform Ihelr proposal Crone the drawing board to reality. One of the products of that recent meeting was a time line of dales when various steps of the project can be GomQleted. 1 was just Ihdlled to death aper our meeting Friday (Aug. 7); Kaufenbeig said. As he prepared for an Aug. 1 I meeting where the City Council was scheduled to consider the architect for The plan. Kaufenberg realimd the city could still pull the PIGS on the project. But for now, the Fell of The supporters and Kauffenberg of local hockey have Seen the wheels begin to tum, albeit slower Than they'd likke. 1 understand that they have a Id of red tape to go through.— he said "But we're finally moving in the right direction." THE FUNDAMENTALS 18 FOCUS GROUPS The Fundamentals" is a concise overview of the important aspects of progra7hming classes for the community. It is produced and copyrighted exclusively by the Learning Resources Network (LERN) for its subscribers and members. Programs should use "The Fundamentals" as a checklist for successful operations. The Focus Group Technique is perhaps the most flexible and cost-efficient way of getting market research information. A focus group is led by a moderator using a structured discussion format. It involves individuals of particular importance to your market. 1. The selection and recruitment of individuals to participate in focus groups is of critical importance. After listing the questions you want to answer, you must define the population that can give you the best answers to those questions. This may be current students, previous students who have not repeated with you, representatives from major institutional clients, or individuals in a new market that you wish to penetrate. 2. Focus groups generally work best when the members of each focus group have some things in common. You will need to recruit 8 to 12 individuals for each focus group. It is probably best to conduct several focus groups following the same discussion format with each group while varying the characteristics of the individual group members. 3. Recruitment is usually done over the telephone with a written follow-up confirming time, date, and place. You should also plan a telephone reminder the day of the focus group. It is usually necessary to offer some inducement for participation. For focus groups that last an how to an hour and a half, it may be necessary to offer an incentive to each participant. Usually $25 is a good minimum. Even with the telephone recruitment, written follow-up, and an inducement, your participation rate is unlikely to be any higher than 50 percent. Thus to get twelve participants for a focus group, you will need to recruit at least 24. 4. The focus group meeting itself requires considerable planning and preparation. The structured discussion must force involvement on the part of all participants. You may ask them to respond to questions that require complete answers, request that they create lists of words, things, feelings, or require them to complete a sentence. Responses should be recorded by the individuals on paper before discussion of a question begins. The best way to ensure complete participation is to go from individual to individual and list their responses on a flip chart. After the list is complete, engage the group in discussion and priority setting. This approach has the advantage of enabling you to use the flip charts as a record of the discussion if you do not choose to tape record the session. 5. One of the most important aspects of the focus group meeting will be the role of the moderator. You must select the moderator very carefully. He or she should be someone who does not have a vested interest in the results of the focus group. This person should be comfortable in front of a group of persons. Remind the moderator that you are interested in the responses of focus group members and do not care what the moderator thinks. Your focus group conversation should not be dominated by the moderator. Characteristics that are desirable in a moderator are the ability to project a "kind but firm" attitude, flexibility, sensitivity, curiosity, and an encouraging demeanor. 6. Analysis of focus groups is done by summarizing the content of the group discussions. It is important to have a debriefing session with your moderator or moderators immediately after the focus group session. This makes certain that subtle nuances which they pick up on are not lost through the passage of time. The analysis itself should be somewhat formal. Whether you are doing the analysis from transcripts, from tape, or from flip chart notes, you should first go through the source of material three or four times without trying to summarize or form opinions. Then identify key words and major discussion items that seem very important to you. Separate discussions surrounding these key words from the other source material and summarize this abstracted material for your research results. A final step is to go back through the original source material to make certain that you have not left out important findings. 7. Focus groups are an extremely valuable market research tool. They can be used to analyze products and process, to establish validity of visual cues, to generate ideas and to receive emotional and effective responses. They require considerable organizational ability, but do not require technical research skills. The analysis of focus group materials is time consuming, but not complicated. Perhaps no other research market tool has the ability to produce findings as rich and detailed as focus group research. Learning Resources Network (LERN), 1550 Hayes Drive, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. (913) 539-5376 Marketing Recreation Classes September 1992 11 Cities Tie For Award Ithough completely different pro- jects got them there — both Ger- mantown, Tenn., and San Francisco, stand as recipients of this category's award of merit. Germantown's park and recreation department won for its "Germantown Centre," a community facility, which in its initial phase has 133,000 square feet of recreation, leisure, educational and artistic space. Additionally, this phase saw construction begin on a 60,000 - plus -square -foot theater completed to a shell. While this first phase cost ap- proximately $9.5 million, completion of the theater will cost an additional $4 million. The Germantown Centre includes three junior basketball courts, one adult court; a four -lane, 1/12 mile indoor track; three volleyball courts; two gym divider curtains; a natatorium that in- cludes an eight -lane, 40 -meter pool with a movable bulkhead; three diving boards; a whirlpool; two saunas; locker dressing areas for boys, girls, men and women; a bleacher balcony area that will seat more than 250 people; a fitness center that includes exercise rooms, testing offices, a director's office and full Eagle Cybex equipment; six meet- ing rooms of 600 square feet each; a nursery area; an arts and crafts room for ceramics and pottery; a holding kitchen; a game room that includes pool and ping pong tables, video games, and television; a concession vending area; multiple offices that include space for the parks and recreation department; a r, n K V a - C. ty a I- d and adults in all aspects of aquatics, fit- ness, education and arts. Design is one of its most unique points. With an exterior of brick and dryvit, there are no exposed concrete blocks. Its pool area is completely tile and features a sound system that plays music above and below the water. Ad- ditionally, the center has two control points — one upstairs, one downstairs: From these points, one person can su- pervise many areas of the building, which makes staffing cost effective. The center is operated as an Enter- prise Fund, where all staff, supplies, utilities and depreciation are met through membership and program fees. In the first full year of operation, the Germantown Centre had expenditures of $1,050,000 and revenues of 1,120,000. The fees are so affordable a family membership being $250) that there are more than 3,700 member- ships, representing more than 14,500 people, or one of every three German- town residents. San Francisco's "Playground For All Children," located in Golden Gate Park, is unique in its approach to play for paraplegic and quadriplegic children and its method for raising wheelchairs six feet above the ground in a non -ob- trusive manner. In this playground, paraplegic and able-bodied children alike reach slides maneuvering through several levels of cells," grabbing and pulling through with upper -body strength. Because both sets of children must get to the tops of slides in the same manner, the "differ- ences" between them are lessened. The bottom of each slide is adjacent to a space frame cell that leads to the top of another slide, thus forming a continu- ous play loop; there are nine such con- tinuous loops within the structure. This alleviates the need for long, expensive ramps for wheelchair access to slide tops, as well as the need for constant assistance from attendants supporting paraplegic kids. Additionally, the de- sign eliminates the danger of children colliding with wheelchairs that have been integrated into the play area. And for quadriplegic children ... As in the paraplegic section, where the focus was not on the child's inabil- ity to use his/her legs — but instead his/her arms — the quadriplegic section emphasizes the children' eyes, ears and mind. The "Rainbow Room," a cubic octagon, is designed for this group in particular. This space is built of 48 -inch struts that form a shape of two pyra- mids, joined at their square bases and then rotated 90 degrees. Triangular lexan windows, inserted into the panels and covered with diffraction film splits sunlight into spectral bursts of color. Custom metal percussion music instru- ments are welded to the walls: one in the form of a dog and the second a more abstract shape resembling a bird's head. Although quadriplegic chilcren can not physically participate in the play in the other cells, part of the playground called "The Balcony," allows them to move their wheelchairs close enough to watch. The Balcony is six feet above the ground surrounding the rhombic cells, allowing the wheelchair-bound the rare opportunity to "look down on the world." The final task, getting the wheel- chairs up to the Rainbow and Balcony in an aesthetically and environmentally sensitive manner, involved grading and a single retaining wall that gradually in- creases in height from two feet at the ends to six feet in the center. Two gen- tly curving "ramps" emerge from the perimeter path surrounding the para- plegic section to meet and continue up into the Rainbow and Balcony. 32 American City & County/December 1991