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.
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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,
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Circle No. 35 on Reader Service Card
TF This free reference
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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
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t' oil 800-234-2992. ginsiu n
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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.”
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