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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 10-14-1993Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission October 14, 1993, 7 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. b. C. 5. Unfinished Business a. Accessible playground update b. 1994-98 CIP discussion (bring your copy of the CIP previously distributed) 1) request to purchase 24 acres adjacent to French Park c. West Medicine Lake Park master plan update d. 6. New Business a. Study of unique open spaces - update b. C. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting - November 4 Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 9, 1993 Page 36 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Burk, Gutzke, Johnson, Mikula, Wahl, Watson; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson, City Manager Johnson, Councilmembers Edson and Tierney 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the September 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 Mikula to approve the minutes of the July meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting. b. Staff. Mary stated that the Plymouth Rockers, our senior singing group, performed at the Minnesota State Fair this year. They currently have 50 members. Summer programs ended in early August, with no serious injuries incurred by anyone and no drownings at pools or beaches. Our first Safety Camp was a big success with 50 kids participating. This was also our first year to offer an evening T -ball program, which was the result of parent requests. The Autumn Arts Fair is set for Sunday, September 26. Approximately 50 artists will be featured, along with food vendors and entertainment being provided on the hour. A special children's activity area will also be set up. Target Greatland has offered the services of 30 volunteers to help with this event. The employee of the month for September is Heather Buchanan, who was our summer Day Camp coordinator. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION None. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Accessible playground update. Concept plans have been submitted by a number of designers. Staff has been reviewing the plans and will get together again with the Accessible Playground Task Force to choose from the plans. It's possible that features from different designs could be incorporated into one final plan, from which a cost estimate could then be prepared. A formal bidding procedure would follow if Council approved a design plan. PRAC Minutes/September 1993 Page 37 b. Community survey - continue discussion and review. A brief discussion was held regarding the results of the community survey. Director Blank stated that the Minnesota Center for Survey Research will be doing a final summary of the survey results, which will be available at next month's meeting. Commissioners reviewed the chart showing which facilities ranked high and low based on the question "within the next five years, do you feel the City should build and operate the following new facilities?" Responses were "yes, even if it raises my taxes;" "yes, only if it doesn't raise my taxes;" "no, this facility should not be built;" or don't know." Trails was the number one choice for facilities that should be built. Based on that result, Commissioner Burk wanted to know about the progress of the trails that were included in the 1993 CIP. Director Blank stated that a contract may be awarded sometime the week of September 13 for the construction of those trails recommended for 1993, with the exception of the trail between Vicksburg and Niagara Lane and the one around Turtle Lake. Some complications arose, which have since been resolved, but construction will be delayed on these two segments until 1994. Commissioner Burk also inquired about the park land north of County Road 9 and west of 494. Director Blank stated that a clean up effort had taken place there in late spring and that woodchip trails were in the process of being built now. Commissioner Gutzke asked for an explanation of how the various park accounts are funded. Director Blank stated that for every dollar received in park dedication, 70¢ goes to the community playfields/trails account and 30¢ goes to the neighborhood parks account. Each account carries a balance from year to year. Director Blank also explained the park replacement fund, MSA funds, and TIF and CIF funds. C. 1994-98 CIP/request to purchase 26 acres adjacent to French Park. Members of the Save French Wetlands Association were present to request that PRAC consider budgeting funds in the Parks 194 CIP to purchase 26 acres of property which has been proposed for development by the Baton Corporation. The property is owned by Mission Partnership, and a PUD was approved for the site in 1976, which covered approximately 257 acres. The only portion of that PUD that has not been developed is this remaining 26 acres. Bob Donley, 11740 38th Avenue, stated that the Save French Wetlands Association is interested in the possibility of joint ownership of the property. They are proposing that the City, Hennepin Parks, and the Wetlands Association jointly purchase the property and then turn it over to Hennepin Parks, who has indicated PRAC Minutes/September 1993 Page 38 that they would then make it part of French Regional Park. The French Wetlands Association has been in touch with a national non-profit organization, the Trust for Public Land, which would assist in appraising the property and negotiating a purchase price. Mr. Donley went on to explain some of the highlights of this property, with the use of overheads and photographs. As described by Mr. Donley, the 26 acres consists of nine acres of wetlands, 12 acres of hardwood forest and five acres of sloped, grassy areas. Mr. Donley stated that the recent survey done for the Park and Recreation department indicated that 240 of the respondents were willing to pay for a nature preserve, while 20% did not feel the City should purchase such a facility. Chair Anderson asked Director Blank the status of the proposed development at this time and was informed that the Environmental Assessment Worksheet had been presented to the City Council at their last meeting and following their review of that report, the Council sent the project back to the Planning Commission for further analysis. Commissioner Watson asked what the current purchase price of the property is, and was told the owner is asking 800,000. The French Wetlands Association feels this price is way out of line and that half that amount is more likely the fair price. Commissioner Burk asked Mr. Donley how much money the Save French Wetlands Assoc. had raised to help with the purchase of the 26 acres and if the joint purchase would be equally shared by all parties. Mr. Donley did not wish to reveal the amount raised by their association, nor did he wish to comment on how the purchase price should be divided. Commissioner Burk added that as far as he knew, Hennepin Parks was not interested in purchasing the property. He wondered if they had changed their minds. Mr. Donley stated that Hennepin Parks was willing to consider a joint purchase if the City also went in on the deal. He also indicated that the Wetlands Association was not interested in a dollar amount at this time, but only in the City's interest and support. Commissioner Johnson asked how the Save French Wetlands Assoc. had formed. Mr. Donley stated that when the proposal to develop the property surfaced, over 2,000 individuals signed a petition asking that the project be denied. They are a very committed group, with as many as 70-90 members in attendance at the Council meetings, and many of those members have written numerous letters to the local newspaper in opposition to the development. Rita O'Donnell, 12105 41st Avenue, gave a slide presentation to the Commission, showing some of the PRAC Minutes/September 1993 Page 39 unique aspects of the property. She stated that the Save French Wetlands Assoc. has the support of a number of other groups who have lost wetlands issues in the past. Ms. O'Donnell stated that the property is not worth 800,000 in her opinion, but that it is a unique piece of property, and she asked that the Park Commission be open minded about their request. Ms. O'Donnell indicated that this parcel contains 10 acres of wetlands considered to be the best breeding habitat for waterfowl in the country, that there are four different kinds of ponds that attract 160 species of birds, and that there is a flourishing group of muskrats living here, as well as numerous other species of wildlife. The parcel is next to a public park and serves as a buffer zone. Ms. O'Donnell is a volunteer at French Park, and according to her figures, over 3,000 people visit this park each summer day, and up to 100% of the park may be developed for recreation, driving out much of the wildlife living there now. George Daniels, 1865 Black Oaks Lane, stated that he was at the meeting to remind the Park Commission that they serve all of Plymouth's residents. He reminded those present that this parcel is not a park, it's a PUD, and has been since 1976. At that time, getting the PUD approved was a long drawn out process, dealing with different agencies, such as the Watershed District, the County, etc. He also reminded the members of the Wetlands Association that the homes they live in now occupy land that was once undeveloped and provided the habitat for birds, deer, muskrats, etc. Mr. Daniels further stated that he believed the Save French Wetlands Association was a self-serving group. He said that developers do not chop down needless trees, because trees are what make land valuable. He also stated that developers must abide by shoreland ordinances. He questioned the assumption by the Wetlands Association that the owner would be willing to sell the property after paying taxes on it for so many years in addition to other expenses he's incurred up to this point. He said he found it interesting that the Park and Recreation survey revealed that 24% of the respondents were willing to pay for a nature preserve. He interpreted that to mean that 75% of the respondents were not willing to pay. He also questioned why Hennepin Parks did not make this 26 acres part of their master plan when they had the opportunity to do so several years ago. Following Mr. Daniels' presentation, Ms. O'Donnell questioned him as to his interest in this subject, who he represented and was he running for public office. He responded that he was a developer, that he represented no one, and he was not running for office. PRAC Minutes/September 1993 Page 40 Ginny Black, 11410 49th Place, stated that she did not live near this piece of property, but is a member of the Audobon Society, and as such, is interested in the preservation of wetlands. She stated she didn't think the developer would lose anything if he sold the property, because a fair price would be negotiated, with all parties concerned being represented at the negotiations. Ms. Black informed the Park Commission that the city's Wetlands Task Force had comeup with a set of guidelines to help the Park Commission when they consider the acquisition and development of property. She urged PRAC to request a copy of these guidelines. Ms. Black also stated that she would much rather go for a walk with her dog through a wooded nature preserve than along an asphalt trail around a ballfield or next to a busy roadway. Commissioner Johnson asked Ms. Black if, in her opinion, the City could afford to purchase only one piece of property, was this the absolute best parcel to buy? She said she wasn't sure, but thought it was at least one of the best and deserved serious consideration. Commissioner Burk pointed out to Ms. Black that not all of the trails being built by the City end up going around ballfields or beside busy streets. New trails are constructed yearly and many go around lakes or ponds or through wooded areas, such as the woodchip trails through the wooded parcel west of 494 and north of County Road 9. Joe Domagala, 17705 County Road 24, agrees that saving wetlands is important, but he also believes that a developer has the right to develop his property. He would like to see the 26 acre parcel acquired, but wonders who is the appropriate party to buy it. He stated that if the 2,000 people signing the petition each contributed $300, they could buy the land themselves. Mr. Domagala doesn't believe that Hennepin Parks will contribute any funds, therefore, leaving the purchase up to the City and Save French Wetlands Association. Paul Fusco, Brooklyn Center, stated he is concerned about what will happen in our future if all the wetlands disappear. He feels it would impact a lot of people, and wonders if development will ever go in reverse. Ms. O'Donnell spoke again on behalf of the Save French Wetlands Association, and denied Mr. Daniels' claim that they are a self serving group. She stated that their members come from all over the City. In reference to the statement that there are shoreland ordinances that protect wetlands, it is Ms. O'Donnell's opinion that even with such ordinances, any kind of development negatively impacts wetlands and flood plains. PRAC Minutes/September 1993 Page 41 Commissioners asked staff when this issue will next go before the Planning Commission. City Manager Johnson responded that the soonest it could be on the agenda is September 22. Chair Anderson thanked the members of the Save French Wetlands Association and other interested parties for their presentations. He stated that PRAC needed to review other wetlands in Plymouth, as directed by the City Council, before making a decision on this parcel. He suggested that PRAC members might be able to walk the site as a group, so a tour was arranged for September 13, with Rita O'Donnell and Bob Donley offering to be the guides. Director Blank informed everyone at the meeting that the City currently owns 900 acres of park land, and of that total, only 300 acres are developed. The remaining 600 acres are in a natural state. A few of those natural park areas have trails. d. West Medicine Lake Park master plan update. Preliminary research is being done on the road alignments. Two public information meetings have been scheduled, one for October 6, at 7 p.m. and one November 9, at 7 p.m. Area residents will be invited to attend and voice their concerns and opinions about the proposed park. e. Lions Park/Birchview School update. A realignment of ballfields has occurred, which will alleviate some of the activity at Lions Park. Games at Lions should be reduced to just one per evening and none on Saturdays. f. Equipment storage space update. Athletic associations were notified by staff that limited space was available for storage at Fire Station II, but there has been no response. Staff has also inquired about space availability through the Wayzata School District, but there has been no reply from them. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Study of unique open spaces - referred from City Council. Because of the controversy over the Baton Corporation's proposal to develop the area near French Park, the City Council has asked PRAC to conduct a study of all the open spaces in Plymouth to determine if any of them should be acquired. Eden Prairie recently conducted a similar type study of their wetlands. They hired Barton-Aschman at a cost of about $10,000 to conduct their study. It was suggested that a task force be formed to get started on this process. Those who will meet initially from the Park Commission are Mark Wahl, Mary Kay Watson, Tom Johnson; from staff, Eric Blank and Paul Buck, City PRAC Minutes/September 1993 Page 42 Forester; and from the Council, John Edson. It was also recommended that some citizens join the task force as well. Rita O'Donnell suggested that properties inside the MUSA line be considered before those outside the boundary, and to give priority to parcels that might be developed first. Bob Donley requested that staff contact other communities to see if they have done similar surveys. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Staff reminded PRAC that due to holidays falling on regular meeting dates in November and December, those meetings will be moved up. November's meeting will be on the 4th and December's will be on the 2nd. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. 10710 C CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: October 11, 1993 TO: Eric Blank, Park and Recreation Director FROM: Dwight Johnson, City Manager SUBJECT: Financing for Natural Preservation Areas You have recently invited me to comment about City financing in relation to the recent Council direction to the Park and Recreation Commission to consider the need for a City policy for preserving natural areas within the City. I understand that the Park and Recreation Commission will be considering this matter again this week. The Commission is well acquainted with the Park Dedication Funds that are reviewed each year as a part of the Capital Improvements Plan for the City. Beyond this, the new City Charter approved last November created the Community Improvement Fund. This fund will receive money from surpluses in various special assessment projects after projects have been completed and bonds paid. Investment earnings will also accrue to the fund. As a part of the review for the possible City Center expansion project, staff created a preliminary forecast for this fund through the year 2002. The City also has other funds that are eligible for capital expenditures, including the Project Administration fund and the Permanent Improvement Revolving fund. Additional funds may be made available beyond the projections made earlier this year due to the proposed refinancing of several existing bond issues to lower interest rates. The projections made earlier this year indicated that up to $5 million might be available for new capital expenditure purposes with this amount increasing in the years to come. It may be unwise for the City to spend all of this amount on new capital expenditures, especially since we may not yet have adequately provided for the replacement of existing capital investments throughout the City in coming years. There will also be many proposals for use of these funds, including Park and Recreation proposals. However, you should realize that other funding possibilities may exist as you deliberate on the relative priority of the natural preservation area proposal. Creating a Nature Preserve in Plymouth Why in Plymouth: Plymouth has areas that should be preserved and residents want to keep the city's "country look" Passive park areas are important to residents and they are willing to pay for such areas - recent survey Such planning will demonstrate Plymouth's commitment to responsible growth Why French Park Nature Preserve: There is strong citizen support for not developing this parcel over 2,000 signatures have been received and many have attended Council meetings It is next to French Park being next to French Park is a tremendous asset, this land will have expert staff that will maintain and improve the property's potential excellent availability to a large number of visitors the ecosystem, when including French Park, is large and stable there are many Plymouth schools that take nature field trips to French Park - this land is currently being used for field trips. French Park lacks this type of area close to the Recreation Center for field trips. Purchase will be through a cooperative effort funds will be leveraged, this will probably not occur with other parcels in Plymouth This land has tremendous natural beauty and has an abundance of wildlife this was shown in the EAW the drastic topography changes offers a wide range of habitat and therefore it attracts a wide variety of animals in a small area The issue: To determine if this 26 acre parcel has some environmental significance and that the most responsible use of the property is to preserve it for public education and enjoyment. 1994-98 CIP DRAFT, 10-13-93 Project/Year Balance 6/1/93 MSA Community Playflelds/ Trails 218 Neighborhood Parks Grants T.I.F. C.I.F. Park Replace. Fund TOTAL 1994 10th playfield acquisition 450,000 450,000 Replace 4 nb park plygmds 1 200,000 200,000 W Med Park road and ac . 1,500,000 1,500,000 Ply Creek tennis/basketball 350,000 350,000 Gleason Elem playground 10,000 10,000 Medicine Lake fishing dock 28,000 28,000 Trails 100,000 100,000 200,000 Seven Ponds n hhd park dev 120,000 120,000 Cardinal Ridge nei hbad park 185,000 185,000 Contract payment SE ark 36,000 36,000 Transfer to park replace fund 0 25.000 11.000 0 0 36,000 Total 1994100 000539 000526 0001 500 000450 000 3,115,000 1) Timber Shores, Mission Hills, Schmidt Lake, Hemlock Project/Year Balance 6/1/93 MSA Community Playfields/ Trails 218 Neighborhood Parks Grants T.I.F. C.I.F. Park Replace. Fund TOTAL 1995 West Med Park Phase 11 500,000 500,000 Trails 100,0001 100,000 200,000 Phase I develop la field 1,500,000 1,500,000 Last contract payment (KSE ark 38,000 38,000 Trnsfer to park replace fund 26,000 12,000 38,000 Playground equip. replace. 1 0 0100 000 0 100.000 Total 1995100 000 626 000150 000 1 500 000 2 376 000 1996 Trails 100,000 200,000 300,000 Transfer to park replace fund 28,000 12,000 40,000 Park replacement work 0 0 0 99.000 99.000 Total 1996 JIQQ 000 S228 AM 112 000 129 000 439 000 1997 Trails 100,000 200,000 300,000 Neighborhood Park 175,000 175,000 Phase II develop la field 700,000 700,000 Transfer to park replace fund 29,000 13,000 42,000 Park replacement work 0 0 0 0 207.000 207,000 Total 1997$100,0001 229,0001 188000 700 000 1,424,000 1) East Beach, Maplecreek, Sunrise Project/Year Balance 6/1/93 Community Playfields/ MSA Trails 218 Neighborhood Parks Grants T.I.F. Park Replace. C.I.F. Fund TOTAL 1998 Trails 100,000 200,000 300,000 Transfer to park replace fund 30,000 14,000 44,000 Park replacement work 0 0 0 383.000 383.000 Total 1998 100,000 1230,000 14 000 383 000 727,000 PCITYF PUMOUT14 Mr. John Sawina 14520 14th Avenue North Plymouth, MN. 55447 Dear Mr. Sawina: September 28, 1993 Please excuse my delay in answering your letter of September 11, 1993. I was out of town much of last week. However, your letter was promptly relayed to the City Council for their information. I understand your position that you would like to have no organized baseball in Lions Park in 1994. The Council and the staff agreed with your original complaints about congestion between games, lack of parking, and the inability to access the park on many evenings. We then spent thousands of dollars and many hours of City time to improve Birchview school fields to help address this problem. We also implemented some parking regulations in the area. I have visited the park several times and so have most of the City Council and Park and Recreation Commission members. We believe that we have made a significant response to the issues you raised earlier this year. Certainly, other fields could be found and upgraded as we did with Birchview. But there would be additional thousands of dollars of cost. Your letter makes several references to what "the residents" want. We have heard from a number of residents that do want games at this park as well as residents who do not. We also believe that we have significantly improved the problems you originally brought forth. Therefore, the staff sees no need and has no plans to ask for still more money from the Council. You have approached this issue with unusual diligence and effort as you Said. We appreciate this and have responded. We have not evaded the issue as you asserted; we and some of your fellow residents simply see it somewhat differently. Again, we must listen to all residents who have a concern about the use of this park. 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 Lfl C This letter responds from a staff point of view and relates the actions of the City Council to date. We would be happy to ask the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Council to schedule this matter for further consideration in the future before any scheduling for next year takes place. Your elected officials have been and willbe the final decision -makers on the expenditure of funds, not the staff. If you continue to disagree with the staff's opinion, please avail yourself of the opportunity to appeal to them. Sincerely, Dwig D. Johnson City Manager cc: City Council. September 11, 1993 S -P 19933 Mr. Dwight Johnson Il is::;I Plymouth City Manager - 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 \•'/;%rTi'G Dear Dwight: The actions taken by the City so far to resolve the problems inflicted upon my neighborhood due to the scheduling of organized athletics at Lions Park, are incomplete. Granted, the City has made positive progress towards the problems by equipping Birchview Elementary to better handle the needs of the Baseball Association and by the City presently negotiating control over the scheduling of elementary school ball fields rather than the school district. However, the action taken to date (reduction to only 1 game/night) has only corrected the blunder (scheduling 2 games/night) made several years ago by the City. This corrective action should have occurred several years ago without any intervention from the residents. At this time, Eric's staff plans on scheduling one game six evenings per week. The residents will still be dealing with the same old problems in 194 as in 193: Compromised safety Unattainable use of the park Inconsideration to residents These unnecessary problems will now be less intense but will still be plaguing the residents as history has shown. What is scheduled to occur at Lion's Park in 194 is what the residents expected to occur for the '93 season. Since the staff was initially informed of problem in July of '92 and re -informed on May 3rd of '93, there was ample time to make corrections. Now that the residents know the real facts, they expect NO games to be scheduled at Lions in 194. The main points and issues made and discussed during our July 6th meeting have not been addressed. Since I have gone through the effort to determine the actual use of fields in my area which has revealed the true facts, I now know that Lions field is not needed to satisfy the Baseball Association's needs. The two week activity schedule of actual field usage I generated from 6/14/93 to 6/27/93 clearly proves my initial suspicions back in May of '93 that other fields (Birchview and Sunset Elem) are available to accommodate all games previously held at Lions. It is also clear and undisputed that both Birchview and Sunset Elem school's location is greatly superior to Lion's regarding parking conditions, safety, openness, and non-interference with the surrounding neighbors. It appears cleartome that the staff is choosing to hold games at Lions field rather than Sunset Elem because Lions field is presently in better playing condition and it is simply more convenient to continue scheduling Lions field rather than investigate a more sensible solution. Both of these reasons for selecting Lions as the field to host these games constitute poor decision making. As is human nature, the staff has been taking the path of least resistance to solve the scheduling problem/issue rather than biting the bullet and take the necessary steps/action to resolve it correctly. Why is it necessary to schedule games at Lions Park when no attempts are being made to improve playing conditions at Sunset Elementary so both fields can be fully utilized? If there is truly a shortage of fields, then why doesn't the city improve the conditions at Sunset so more fields can be fully utilized? Why is staff planning on scheduling more games at Lions than at Sunset? Lions has only one field with poor parking conditions for 13 vehicles that must travel past residential homes to reach it while Sunset Elem has two fields and off-road parking for 65 vehicles that is accessible from a minor collector! Frankly, it would be better for all parties involved to not schedule games at Lions field and instead fully utilize all fields at Birchview and Sunset Elementary schools rather than put effort into re -designing Lion's Park to better handle organized games unnecessarily forced upon the neighborhood. I believe it would be in best interests to immediately begin improving the field conditions at Sunset Elementary (drag the infield to remove weed growth and fill several minor irregularities in the outfield) so both diamonds can be used for T -ball and softball in May of 194. The scheduling solution is quite easy. Simply relocate all games previously played at Lions to one field at Birchview Elem. The few games/practices previously played on this one field at Birchview could be relocated to the field at Sunset that is presently not being used. Since Lions field is not needed by the Baseball Association, I request that the electric pitching machine and storage shed at Lions be relocated to Birchview to save the expense of purchasing another machine. It is definitely not necessary to hold playoff games or Baseball Association sponsored picnic/ball games at Lions Park. Practice sessions, playoff games, and picnic/ball games demanded almost as much field time (6 weeks) as the regularly scheduled baseball season (8 weeks). These activities should be scheduled at the locations more suitable to handle this load (community playfields, city parks, or elementary schools). Because I sense a reluctance of the Baseball Association and the staff to release possession of Lion's field, I believe it is time to evaluate whether it is advantageous or disadvantageous to Plymouth residents to issue field permits to a joint Plymouth/Wayzata baseball league. My analysis of the baseball league occupying Lions field positively concludes that Plymouth residents would benefit if this league were divided into two separate leagues --Plymouth league and Wayzata league. I would prefer not to enter the philosophical debate on how much baseball should be played in Plymouth and what persons can play. However, if staff is reluctant to deal with suggested corrective action that could satisfy the Association's needs and/or if the Plymouth/Wayzata Baseball Association's needs are not being met, then staff must begin placing limits on the level of permits issued to the Association for use of Plymouth parks (e.g. limit number of games each team plays each week or restrict the use of Plymouth parks for organized athletics to only Plymouth residents). Lets get firm and stand up to the Association and tell them Plymouth only has so many usable fields. This may force them to seek out alternative locations within Wayzata, Medina, etc.. A large percentage of the kids playing at Lions Park do not live within Plymouth city limits. A newspaper column was written this summer in the Mpls. Star & Tribune regarding the Plymouth/Wayzata baseball league. The column stated how players from Medina, Hamel, etc... choose not to play on their own local baseball leagues but instead choose to play on the prestigious Plymouth/Wayzata league because it is more challenging and demanding. Since staff and the baseball association claim there is not enough fields for all the teams, then should these non-resident players even have the choice to play on Plymouth fields? Apparently there are enough teams within Plymouth that they could hold games among each other. Regarding the age group presently playing at Lions Park, how many of the total # of games played by this group are played at Wayzata fields or fields in other cities these kids are from (Wayzata, Mtka, Medina, etc...)? ANSWER: None; all games are played at three Plymouth parks: Lions, Parkers, and LaCompt. How are Plymouth residents benefitting from this arrangement? Is there any reciprocation from the City of Wayzata? Are Plymouth taxpayers responsible for enabling residents from other cities to play ball? Would the $8200.00 expense incurred by Plymouth taxpayers for field modifications at Birchview Elem and the use of Lions Park for organized athletics be necessary if non-resident teams did not play on Plymouth fields? What are the fees that the player's parents pay to the Association used for? Does the Association pay for maintenance or renovation to ball fields? Is this cost paid for by Plymouth taxpayers? I can not believe the staff has the audacity to still schedule games at Lions Park after all these points have previously been made. I have contributed an over abundance of effort to drive the facts and points of this matter home. How much more persistence is required from me before the staff takes the complete and necessary action required to resolve this issue? It is amazing that so much effort, devotion, and diligence is required by residents to get a matter resolved. I am sure that most residents would have surrendered long ago. Is this what the staff is banking on in this case? I am becoming annoyed and disgusted from continuously spoon-feeding the staff details of the problem and solutions to these problems while staff evades and resists the real issues. However, at this stage of the game, I will continue to pursue this matter until it is properly resolved. If games are scheduled at Lion's in '94, then I plan to address the following issues within the council chambers: the under -utilization of other field locations more suitable for these activities, the necessity for additional "No Parking" Areas around Lions Park, the necessity for modifications to existing parking lots, and if there are benefits of a joint Plymouth/Wayzata baseball league to Plymouth residents. It is time we get this matter in perspective. When the authorization of these activities causes many undesirable ramifications, then complete solutions need to be made. I am requesting written answers to all my questions within this letter. As always, your effort to effectively resolve this matter is appreciated. Sincerely, Q John M. Sawina CC: Maria Vasiliou enclosure: Activity schedule of actual field usage for organized athletics. G®c::;C®l\l 544/%i9sol, NeFsati 1-4%re 0 oils h pliant a-ft s (iinJjchow.n LS)thkc finocru icd 30, (, TgMc )/lr 7 l, 7;30- 7f00 fold NlOwTVE I kfb 11-8vl?l SA -r 6jN ars' VS / t dA 6 l+` 41 G OIC, GGGCT a- G G 7 - SVN I MON w410 1 -flIVA l l ISAsVN G 7--7 1 C G G FP)" P P P GIG GOG G y — 0 arnes/3 pYr,El'ce5 II / c SIJhSG'T N1"j gah1 S 7VNLT CJ i aMfS a- ovac'r<i e,S G G G G GIG GIP P IG oo) 70//9 aCcpf 3 PAVILION CALENDAR OCTOBER 1993 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 9:15-12:15 PTD 9:30=11 PSS FALL FANTASY 1-4 PM SR BRIDGE 1-3 PM BD PARTY C. STREETER 557-9443 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PTD 10-12 BD PARTY JULIE MACHT 449-0810 n 12-5 PM 1-4 PM SR BRIDGE J' CLAY YONCE 540-3631 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PTD 12-1:30 ROTARY CLUB 1-3 BD PARTY 12. -5 PM ERIC) 1-4 PM SR BRIDGE REINKE CIANCE 476-2734 54 363 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PTD 10:45-11:45 FFT 6-10 PM 1-4 PM SR BRIDGE KAY SCHWARZ-WHS 476-3035 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PTD 9:30-12:45 10:45-11:45 EFT HALLOWEEN HOBG 1:30-3 PM ART 31 1-4 PM SR BRIDGE For cities and counties across the country green" has become the operative word as they struggle to preserve natural space. But in a time of constant penny-pinching, they're finding that It's Not Easy Being Green By Carla Smallwood, Associate Editor 0 n a 135 -acre tract of land on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in met- ropolitan Atlanta, 83 -year-old J.C. Hyde still cultivates his vegetable gar- dens with the help of his mule, Nell. His house — a log cabin built in 1840 sits on the land his father once farmed and is surrounded by million -dollar de- velopment. Years ago, Hyde promised his father he would keep the land undeveloped, nev- er realizing how difficult that promise might be to keep. In 1992, Hyde, faced with a huge bill for estate taxes, was considering selling his land to pay his debt. De- velopers offered to pay handsomely for it since it was one of the last available tracts of land in an area becoming more and more popular for new residential and commercial development. The National Park Service also wanted to acquire the land to add to its string of riverside parks, but lacked the funds for the purchase. So in stepped The Trust for Public Land (TPL) — a non-profit organization that acts as an independent third party in public land negotiations. The organization purchased enough of Hyde's land to pay off his $563,000 tax bill and negotiated an agreement to buy the balance of his property in the future. Once federal funding is available, TPL will transfer the purchased 40 acres to the National Park Service with a stipula- tion that Hyde can live on the farm for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, the decline in natural open space is not selective: it is happen- ing in cities and counties of every size. Throughout the country, cities and coun- ties are trying to figure out where open spaces fit into their already too -busy agen- das. Parks and recreation departments are trying to set priorities within their needs and responsibilities at a time when there is a demand for increased ser- vices with decreased funding. But while citizens complain about the need for ur- ban recreation, a growing population and urban sprawl have left little land for cities and counties to preserve as open space. According to a survey conducted by TPL, urban communities have a strong de- sire for more neighborhood parks and natural areas. The creation of urban green spaces and greenways (corridors of open space connecting communities) is high on citizens' list of demands. TPL's study also found that: community leaders believe that open space and public park and recreation services constitute a classic "public good" that can best be provided by govern- ment; improved maintenance, better programs and rehabilitation of facilities would increase the level of use and enjoyment of existing city park and recreation areas; popular support for increased spending on parks and recreation is not re- flected in agency budget priorities; community participation in the planning, design and rehabilitation of inner- A For cities and counties across the country green" has become the operative word as they struggle to preserve natural space. But in a time of constant penny-pinching, they're finding that It's Not Easy Being Green By Carla Smallwood, Associate Editor 0 n a 135 -acre tract of land on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in met- ropolitan Atlanta, 83 -year-old J.C. Hyde still cultivates his vegetable gar- dens with the help of his mule, Nell. His house — a log cabin built in 1840 sits on the land his father once farmed and is surrounded by million -dollar de- velopment. Years ago, Hyde promised his father he would keep the land undeveloped, nev- er realizing how difficult that promise might be to keep. In 1992, Hyde, faced with a huge bill for estate taxes, was considering selling his land to pay his debt. De- velopers offered to pay handsomely for it since it was one of the last available tracts of land in an area becoming more and more popular for new residential and commercial development. The National Park Service also wanted to acquire the land to add to its string of riverside parks, but lacked the funds for the purchase. So in stepped The Trust for Public Land (TPL) — a non-profit organization that acts as an independent third party in public land negotiations. The organization purchased enough of Hyde's land to pay off his $563,000 tax bill and negotiated an agreement to buy the balance of his property in the future. Once federal funding is available, TPL will transfer the purchased 40 acres to the National Park Service with a stipula- tion that Hyde can live on the farm for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, the decline in natural open space is not selective: it is happen- ing in cities and counties of every size. Throughout the country, cities and coun- ties are trying to figure out where open spaces fit into their already too -busy agen- das. Parks and recreation departments are trying to set priorities within their needs and responsibilities at a time when there is a demand for increased ser- vices with decreased funding. But while citizens complain about the need for ur- ban recreation, a growing population and urban sprawl have left little land for cities and counties to preserve as open space. According to a survey conducted by TPL, urban communities have a strong de- sire for more neighborhood parks and natural areas. The creation of urban green spaces and greenways (corridors of open space connecting communities) is high on citizens' list of demands. TPL's study also found that: community leaders believe that open space and public park and recreation services constitute a classic "public good" that can best be provided by govern- ment; improved maintenance, better programs and rehabilitation of facilities would increase the level of use and enjoyment of existing city park and recreation areas; popular support for increased spending on parks and recreation is not re- flected in agency budget priorities; community participation in the planning, design and rehabilitation of inner- ational needs of.the middle classes, with their increased leisure time. For a while, suburbanization and the flight of people away from the cities and to their own private spaces seemed to diminish the need for urban public spaces. actuality, however, that need has n-... r been greater. In 1987, the Pres- ident's Commission on Americans Out- doors, which was appointed by Presi- dent Reagan in 1985, reported that the greatest need for new open space ex- isted in the nation's metropolitan ar- eas, where most Americans live. It rec- ommended that "communities estab- lish greenways, corridors of private and public recreation lands and wa- s,to provide people with access to open spaces close to where they live, and to link together the rural and ur- ban spaces in the American land- scape." But despite this seeming inter- est in community land acquisition, the 1980s showed a significant drop in both federal land acquisitions and fed- eral matching funds for state and local projects. Wave of Enthusiasm This lack of commitment compelled those truly interested in the cause to take their battle to another level. Many cities — where increasing devel- opment and fluctuating land values create a need for land acquisition — have met the challenge. Portland, Ore., a city known for its rivers and greenery, sits on the north end of the Willamette Valley. It is bor- dered by the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Pacific coastal region to the west. The city, which attracts thou- sands of visitors each year, is also teeming with new residents. In the next 20 years, the population of met- ropolitan Portland is expected to in- crease by half to more than 1.5 million people. But this growing popularity is cause for concern. "When you're in Portland you look around and (green space)is all you see," says Charles Jordan, su- perintendent of Portland's Bureau of Parks and Recreation. "You're under the illusion that this is yours, and it's always going to be there. In reality, only 8 percent of what we see is in pub- lic ownership." Jordan believes this seeming abun- dance of green open land makes it dif- ficult to get people excited about the is- sue of preserving more land. Under Jordan's leadership, and with the help of private conservation groups, Portland has acted to protect green spaces and reclaim open spaces in the inner city. It has created Forest Park,a 5000 -acre urban park that is one of the largest in the world. Addi- tionally, the city is working to acquire tracts of land to complete a 150 -mile AMERICAN CITY & COUNTY October 1993 7'm sorry, Mr. Mayor. We had to put the new mowing equipment into next year's budget!" There's an easier way to get the equipment you need, when you need it. All it takes is a municipal lease/purchase plan from The Associates. It eliminates large, up -front cash outlays and general obligation bond issues. And because it works like an installment plan, payments are applied toward purchase. For vehirlec construction, turf maintenance or con cations equipment, call The Associ We'll help you get it when you need 1-800-421-4779 We listen. We respond., Circle No. 33 on Reader Service Card PR/5 and prepare for the 21st century, says Leon Epland, commissioner of plan- ning and development for the city of Atlanta. To do this, the city is focusing on spaces that are not being used and turning them into small parks. "The multipurpose parks give people an op- portunity to associate with one anoth- er, help resurrect and revitalize neigh- borhoods, as well as help the environ- ment," he says. The city also has a plan for a coordi- nated network of linked greenways to be built in conjunction with the Olympics. It is estimated that the 30 - mile system, which would cost about 75 million to build, would encourage 5 percent of downtown commuters to use their bicycles as their form of transportation. Currently, 5 percent of downtown commuters use the public transportation system, MARTA, which was built for $1.8 billion. Chicago's historic boulevard system, sometimes called "Phe Emerald Neck- lace,' is known for its green swaths that connect the city's major parks and encircle the city's center. Although the circle has been envisioned as the con- nection to the city's regional and neighborhood parks, the parkway is showing signs of wear; roads have been widened, slicing into the green space. In response, Openlands Project, cSPIRAL COURT WE' RE MpT AiRA1D WDESTRUCTIBLV Td NAND 3900 L4,. TRYG% FROM OYR MOOV .. . GUARAIf m MO VER" ' WE'RE 511R NO AFRp1P os 255 L6 utouro BASKfTBq JYMNIE LUETI GUARANTE NL BREAIIgGE VAMCALB / MTENTWNpL ACCWEMTAL Call 800-422-3700 • 1718 Franklin Ave. • Erie, PA Circle No. 35 on Reader Service Card TF This free reference tool will save you 4 a lot of digging. w+a i ItY the new Insituform Design Guide. In it, you'll find V valuable material that will speed up your design 3 and spec writing for trenchless, underground pipe - line reconstruction. So if you don't want to wane a lot of time digging around for information, t' oil 800-234-2992. ginsiu n Design Ade an organization that helps communi. ties in northeastern Illinois with land conservation, along with the city of Chicago's Bureau of Forestry and oth- er community groups, is working to improve the aesthetics of the green - way. Inner city open spaces are also re- ceiving attention. In 1990, the Chica- go Park District published its Land Policies Plan, reporting that 55 of the 77 community areas in Chicago need- ed open spaces. Although the city is known for its beautiful lakefront and historic parks, it ranks among the low- est of all American cities in public open space per capita, says Gerald Adel - mann, director of the Openlands Pro- ject. In response, the organization launched some of the most ambitious inner city open space projects any- where. Based on the belief that many of the city's neighborhoods already possess the resources they need to cre- ate community open spaces and en- hance their surroundings — people and vacant land — Openlands Project, in January 1992, launched a program initiative to turn vacant lots in the in- ner city into green space. Because of funding constraints, work was limited to only two areas. Through collabora- tion with the Chicago Park District, the city's departments of Environment and Planning and Development, the Chicago Housing Authority and other citywide groups, two models were se- lected. Designed to serve as citywide mod- els, the demonstration programs in the Austin and Grand Boulevard neigh- borhoods will help create and refine open space policies for the city and the Chicago Park District. Openlands Pro- ject assisted each community in form- ing steering committees composed of local residents and organizations to oversee the planning process. But cities are not the only govern- ment entities involved in green space preservation; counties are getting in on the act too. In DuPage County, Ill., a suburban community of about 800,000, 30 miles west of Chicago, a forest preserve district protects land from being developed. These districts, which are prevalent in most of the counties surrounding Chicago, have been in use since 1915, when the Illi- nois legislature voted to allow counties to form them. People were visionary enough to see that someday it would be necessary," says Brook McDonald, public affairs manager for the Forest Preserve Dis- trict of DuPage County. Although some of the acquired land has been donated by citizens, most of the land in the preserve is bought; it is financed mainly through bond refer- enda passed by county voters. Gircle No. 36 on Reader Service Card PR/8 October 1993 AMERICAN CITY 8 COUNTY The Forest Preserve District of DuPoge County, III., has succeeded because of widespread citizen support. around," says McMahon. But the difficult part is convincing local government of the importance of urban open spaces. At at time of high crime, too few jobs and a declining tax base, many government officials don't see the importance of a green space; some may see urban green spaces only as decorative pieces of very expensive urban land that later may be used for commercial or residential use. And in- ner city residents are not the citizens with the political clout to push for such an expenditure. If we have one thing to do in 1994, it is to mobilize citizens and politicians to put more money into the land and wa- ter conservation fund," says Port- land's Jordan. That allows us the opportunity to buy these pieces of property. We have local govern- ments that are willing to help, but they need the funds to do it." However,keep- ing open spaces may be less of an expense than some local officials think. According to McMahon, purchasing open space is usually much cheaper than developing the land. He says maintaining the infrastructure on de- veloped land is a big cost in itself. This idea that cities don't have money often is not accurate," McMa- hon says. "Often times the preserva- tion of open space is more cost effec- tive." For example, McMahon says keep- ing farmland is a much better econom- ic choice than developing land. "On av- erage, farmland requires about 20 cents in services for every dollar it gen- erates in taxation. A residential subdi- vision requires on average $1.23 in ser- vices for every dollar it generates in taxation," he says. "It's often in a coun- ty and city's economic best interest to preserve farmland because they will make more money in net taxation than to have it developed as a residential subdivision." The ability to look at the overall ben- efits of open spaces and greenways is an important reminder for cities and counties that want to implement a plan. Cities and counties need to envision what they want to look like in 50 years. If in that process they identify green space, they need to develop a long-range plan to develop it, says McMahon. Educating citizens and government leaders on the importance of open space is also critical. Social and envi- ronmental ills are not independent of each other, says Jordan. "Environ- mental education is a critical part of this. It doesn't do us any good to work hard and raise money if future gener- ations don't understand the value of the land," he says. "What people don't understand they will not value. And what they don't value they won't pro- tect. And what they don't protect, they are going to lose." Circle No. 39 on Reader Service Card oonn October 1993 AMERICAN CITY h COUNTY MnA CLIPPINn SERVICE I; BLAINESPRINC LAKE PARK LIFE Aooko Co. AUG z o 1993 Two ballfields may get. lightingbyCorwinIlradfordAttheAug. 0 Spring Lake Park bring in more money to the citLifeeditor ,- City Council meeting, park director Y build the court innerofthepark the northid moveeast cor- L 1 31lay McCluskey said the growth of In other park developments, the Ie playground equipment toetheNightgamesatLakesideandTer- the youth and adult softball pro- Spring Lake Park Jaycees plan to west. race West sofm:m fields could he grams have created the need for undertake improvements al Ablelwssibleintheforum. more fields. However, the city does Park. not have the space to develop more In addition, the Jaycees will install A preliminary cost estimate to light softball fields, he said In December 1991, the Jaycees "he park as a comm unityCervicebothfieldswillbestudiedforIIIcdonated $8,00010 the city for an project. Spring Lake Park fields. The cost If the Lakeside and Terrace West all-purpose court at the park. The and if it can be financed will deter- fields were lighted, McCluskey project, however, has not been posh proposals were accepted b mine if Ille lights will be installed. said, the softball program could complete) by the city yet. The the council. actually be expanded, which would Jaycees are recommending die city MNA CLI IINO lEIIVICE SIIOREVIEW/ARUEN HILLS FOCI!S R..M> Co. AUG 1 71993 Decision on family center may tiEf.BY NICOLALl4-DUMVJ New Brighton leaders are moving forward with plans for a proposed family center while wailing for a Pohal decision on whether it will be built The New Brighton City Council agreed last week to spend $10,000 for additional soil les6ng and struc- tural engineering on the site, at the northeast comer of Old Highway 8 and 10th Street The work will give the city "real basic information you need before YOU start pulling a building togeth- er," parks and Recreation Director Maurice Anderson said, The city is proposing to join with The district to build the 70,760 - square -foot center on the city - owned site to house, among other things, the district's community education program, an indoor play- ground, Northwest Youth and Fami- ly Services offices and a gymnasi- um. If approved, the majority of the estimated 54.5 million project is expected to be funded through the be Sept. I& city's reserve Ponds and possibly a lax -supported note or mortgage. The district would be expected to pay 780.000—money approved by vot- ers in last fall's bond refetahthmt I, expand the Ralph Reeder Comoro- pity Center — for its share of the amity cemerproject. School board members got their I'm glimpse of the proposal in 1Wy. They agreed then the district's Facilities Task Force should studytheplan. City leaders are hoping to get a decision on the project from the council and board Sept, 14. The recent soil testing and ebgi- ncenng expenditure approved by the council is "mom to ensure that, if The council decides to go ahead with the project, that construction can begin this fall," Anderson said. City officials favor fall cotstmo- lion to take advantage of the low bond prices and construction lull. One element of the strategy that bas been moving as along bas been the opportunity to finance a building now that (bond) rates are downMayorBobBenkesaid. SJJyupes- Staff writer of Anoka pool lea,dsYto idea of new aquatic center' toSI5,0 it:gar spot sanding and Cost could be;.$1.5 millionpaintingtheliner, but these stopgap measuresgojust so far. Reasoning it would be more cost effective to build a new one than fix the old, the Anoka Park Board Tuesday night unanimously called for the demolition of Charles Hom Pool, replacing i['with a new out- door aquatic center. According to Butch Brandenburg, park and recreation superintendent, the metal pool liner, which was installed at Charles Hom when the pool was built back in 1957, has simply worn out. . Curtp tly, the city spends $ 10,000 Besides the liner, Charles Hom also needs modification for dis- abled users, and its diving boards . may no longer meet codes should certain pool regulations change, which they we expected to do. A, Everything considered, it would cost about $700,000 to refurbish Charles Hom. It's estimated a new outdoor aquatic center would cost between $I million and S 1.5 mil- lion In build., The best way of thinking about it I is that we'd be replacing the pool komplex for ease of use. we have," Brandenburg said. q ' Money was a central issue during. discussions at the park board meet - in- Tuesday night. Asked by Park Board member Jerry Tardy whether Charles Hom was making or losing money, Brandenburg replied that theatheNotwaseamingbetween 75,000 to $80,000 a year, and last year, when operational costs were extracted, Charles Hom lost about 5.000, Also, under such an arrangement, a Besides correcting the problems modest fee could be charged wad - which now exist at the pool, a new ing pool users, who are not current - aquatic center would have other ly charged anything at Charlesbenefits. Hom. Parents, for 8example, watching But we don't intend to gouge my - childrenchildlcil in the wading pool at one," Brandenburg said. - Charles Hom are more or less cut Another plus the new aquatic cen- off from the main pool and bath- ter would have over Hom is that house. But in keeping with the recreational swimming and swim. notion of a "family entertainment ming lessons Could take place center," the wade pool would be simultaneously. This is not rhe case incorporated into the aquatic center.' at the present pool. MNx CLIPPING SERVICE Po o I/continued from page 1 t ANOEA COUNTY UNIONAagkaCo. AUG Z G 1993 special meeting to discuss what to do with [be swimming pool. One item to be examined is possible • souses of revenue for pool con- struction. Hreferendum is a possibil- ity, but the school district and neighboring cities, as well as clubs and private donors, are other poten- tial sources of funds should the city cle uild. Money was a central issue during. discussions at the park board meet - in- Tuesday night. Asked by Park Board member Jerry Tardy whether Charles Hom was making or losing money, Brandenburg replied that theatheNotwaseamingbetween 75,000 to $80,000 a year, and last year, when operational costs were extracted, Charles Hom lost about 5.000, From the time it was built until the early 1980s, Charles Horn was a beautiful pool, said Brandenburg. But within a year, the diving boards may have to be removed. Within two to five years, the metal liner—perhaps the sole meml liner remaining in the state — will have deteriorated to such an extent that it would force the pool to close. It's a matter of choosing options;' said Brandenburg of what to do with Charles Hom. . Even if the City Council is recep- tive to the idea of building a new aquatic Center, it's doubtful whether construction Could begin next year, said Brandenburg. It would probably,.take two to five years to marshal the dollars and muscle to get the project under way, so the 1994 swimming season will take place at Charles Hom. Anoka city manager Mark Nagel does.nw dismiss the idea of the city building a new swimming pool. No, l think it's possible. The pool is important to the city;' he said. Because the next city council agen- da is so full, the city is planning a Pool/pag6 Park Board member Bryan Lind- "There would be a big hole — lit - berg said, having grown up in : erdlly — in the summers of a lot ofAnoka, he couldn't envision the ! kids if the city didn't have a swim - city not having a swimming pool. . ; ming pool;, mid Park Board mem- Since having a pool adds so much 1 ben Mary Blankenship, to the city, officials should not look;; To get a better sense of exactlyatthepoolasabusinessventure. 'I i who is using die pool, it was agreed die Charles Hom staff will start It's not a business, it's an amens- i determining the home towns of itry,"said Lindberg. .. .. Nt owns. fLr NNA CLIPPING SERVICE THIS WEEKEAGANIhkowCo. Ai!6 8 I o9al park moves closer to reality. c . Cr By BRENDA HAUGEN with the Dakota County Housing ..We don't have a lot of space, ' and Redevelopment Authority Vraa said. Folks In the Wescott Square (HRA), is acquiring the five Hence, the area won't have anyareaofFaganaregettingeverparcelsoflandthatmakeuptheballfields. But it will, haveclosertohavingaparkintheirapproximatelyane -acre site. The playground equipment forneighborhood. land has been owned basically by Preschool and early elementaryEffortstoestablishaparkinoneperson, but there were school-age children. Picnic spacetheareanearYankeeDoodledifferentpartnersonThevariousalsowillbefoundhereaswellasRoadandLexingtonAvenueParcels. a trail connecting thestartedlastyearwhentheCityIt's been a long, difficult pro- neighborhood. Council agreed to set aside fed- ms"Vraasaid. We'regoing to bythgreentheeralcommunitydevelopmentInthemeantime, the park Pam UP," WasblockgrantfundsWpurchaseadesignProcesshasbeenunder. Other plans Include halfcourt, am211 piece of land adjacent W way. In the last three weeks, city bard surface with a low net fortheneighborhoud's apartments, officials have met with young children to play basket - As of Aug. 5, a purchase neighborhood residents and the hall. A basketball court fm olderagreementhadbeensignedwithownerrepresentativeofthema, children already can be foundtheproperty, owner, and the city fol units in the area. nearby, Was said. is expected to take ownership of "We've moved a long way in A Bat surface also will beTheLand "any day now," said Ken termsofideas,"Vraasaid, available for those who wishWas, Fagan fucks and recces. The size of the parcel, to a cer- setup volle ball nets. Uoodirector. tain degree. -has dictated what According to Was, the city, canbeplacedthere, A NEW neighborhood park in this area wW give children a safe area to play. Photo by Braila Haugen Park............... ConNauedhomhontpage) buize the space — space that now results of But meeting were not Efforts from the neighborhood doem1servemuchofaPurpose. available before this issuewentto and the property owners have ccmadetheprojectsuccessful thus It's been fallow land, and it's gonetoweed;' Vraasaid press. Eventually the plan will go far. According to Was, the The Parks and Recreation before the City council for final neighborhood is allowing grading Commission was expected to approval. into their back yard areas to max- review the Plans Aug. S. The CLI/INO saftVICaMMA i EDEN PRAIRIENEWS H".O. Co. AUG 12 1993 Construction wi By sw®ma a ppicoiclo;n et grey lake Park and Bryant Lake Regionsl Park Wis roma= unit to enjoy those setting+ while they ears Next rammer the parks will host bulldozers, not people. The two F.dem Prairie parks as expected to ba ekNed mm4 Brad cog, of s®m=1994 m accommodate ambitious plans to improve the busy fumtles, facing park users to go ill close two parks next summer\ will be mote than minor into Me - 1 serves the construction d Hc'WFM rarLL lac mcw-e.c+ trict peri summer will conswa lekid to act a lot of awes, according to Hennepin Parks Superin- tendent Doug Bryant. Inst yyanht attendance at the regional park, dipped about 26 percent to 15,SDOvifitors, in put berme of cod weathe and Rowlaad goad construction. Bryant said. He expects'! With 11 develojed acres and the only Panama turned away ri Bryant next summer public aco:.ss to a 380 -acre lake, Riley lab will head to pub such ns French Regional: Park "per acre bfar the busiest park in Park or tbo,$yland Iakn Park Reserve —' mwnm" lamben sod, adding that the park which aro among Hamepim Pub' 19 faem- do" will likely send mom people to al- tks and hAW—acus — or to dry of.Edea ready parks Mm those m Road acid Sunmg =R"a"y, Riley lata Partbmin'L have been expanded to 36 area and a proposed agremwt with Bearpalh developers and two adjacent homeowners would make it ppro . ely 40 acres. Attwdanoe "Cara" are not kept, bun city officials estimate that about 50: Of . Riley Iab Park'susersamEdw feres4 dwU and the rest me attracted form other communities. The park's chief activity b boating, followed by swimming and picmick lea addition of new famlitia,approved by voters lag year m part of a $43 a01im referendum is expected to change the park's flavor. g'libe alotwid=variety of "said lambert. -`1bc age groups expand, in- stead of jml being yyoung adults." Bryant's work H the fat of thug pha" Haling about ouagmart=of the park'& 167 to pDensppl1lethecimwBtymt-10keLam- bad —k eathmed We moult of those construction projcob: more and beRer park Once R develops," sail Bayard, "Ithink peoolewmfimdmomurvkm they'm looking Mr.„'m hoping do when the park is ppm plea the city will be very pleased.” A lit CA o p & a $ D- - i $ `S E» $ b au x a Ssy? 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