HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 12-02-1993Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
December 2, 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.
5. Unfinished Business
a. Request for City to take over Amberwoods Park
b. West Medicine Lake Park master plan --presentation by Barton-Aschman staff
c. Study of unique open spaces update
d. Accessible playground update
6. New Business
a.
b.
C.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting - January 13, 1994
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
November 4, 1993
Page 47
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Burk, Johnson, Wahl and
Watson; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson; Councilman
Edson
Absent: Commissioners Gutzke and Mikula
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the November meeting to order at 7:05
p.m. in the Council Conference Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by
Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the October
meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary stated that the volunteer coordinator, Nancy
Anderson, has now been with the City for six months and
during that time, has placed numerous volunteers.
Mary indicated that the Autumn Arts Festival was a
success, with approximately 1,200 people visiting the
various booths, in spite of the very cold and windy
weather the day of the festival.
Some new programs being offered this winter will be in
cooperation with a private business, Triple Play Family
Entertainment Center. Evening adult sports leagues and
sports instruction, such as golf lessons and batting
lessons, as well as daytime fitness and children's
classes will be offered.
Special events coming up include the Old Fashioned
Christmas on December 5 and the Fire and Ice Festival on
February 5.
Mary stated that she and Karol Greupner, one of our
recreation supervisors, are working on a state grant
proposal for a cooperative planning project with several
community based agencies, including School District 284.
The purpose is to coordinate programs for teens in
Plymouth.
C. Others. Representatives of the Save French Woodlands and
Wetlands and residents of the Amberwoods neighborhood
were present. Their presentations appear later in the
minutes.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
No report.
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 48
S. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Accessible playground update. Director Blank stated that
Mark had attended a workshop on accessible playground
guidelines and safety measures, which will be
incorporated into our final design. Plans are to go out
for bid on this project sometime next March and to start
construction in April. The playground should be
operational by June 1, 1994.
b. 1994-98 CIP discussion - reguest to purchase 24 acres
adlacent to French Park. Commissioner Wahl asked about
the proposed tennis courts for Plymouth Creek Park in
1994 and the fishing dock for Medicine Lake. Director
Blank responded that the intent is for 10 courts
altogether, but that they would be constructed in phases,
starting with maybe four or six. Funding also includes
parking, road, sewer and water. The fishing dock would
be similar to the one at Parkers Lake, and could be
placed on the west side of the lake or somewhere on the
east side. Commissioner Wahl also wondered about the 9th
playfield special assessments that appear in the 195 CIP.
Director Blank explained that the special assessments are
for sewer and water area charges and the upgrade of Peony
Lane. Commissioner Burk questioned the status of the
trails that were proposed in the 193 CIP that are not
going to be completed this year. Will the funds be there
to finish them in 1994? Director Blank responded that
the funds have been carried over, so that these trails
can be completed next year. Discussion then turned to
the issue of preserving wetlands. Marlin Sjarda, 11720
38th Avenue, urged the Commission to consider the
acquisition of the 24 acres adjacent to French Park. He
reminded them that the park and recreation survey results
indicated that the second highest priority for recreation
facilities, among Plymouth residents, is the preservation
of natural areas. He also pointed out that the results
of the recent election show support for a more
conservative approach to development. Commissioners
questioned how they could make an informed decision on
acquiring this property when they don't have any idea
what its value is. Mr. Sjarda then stated that the Trust
for Public Lands would charge $2,000 to do an appraisal
of the property, and that the Trust would like the City
of Plymouth to pay half that amount. He indicated that
the Save French Woodlands Association would like the Park
Commission to set aside $1,000 in their CIP for such an
appraisal and requested that representatives of the City
meet with representatives of Hennepin Parks and the Trust
for Public Land. Councilman Edson voiced some concern
over involving the Trust for Public Land by pointing out
that they make their money by negotiating a good deal and _
then keeping the difference for themselves. He stated
that the City already has qualified real estate
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 49
appraisers and doesn't necessarily need the services of
the Trust for Public Land for appraisal purposes. Chair
Anderson then asked the commissioners if they wanted to
set aside funds in the CIP for the purchase of natural
areas, and if so, what amount? Commissioner Burk
responded that the decision to set aside monies for
natural areas wasn't any different than setting money
aside to acquire a playfield. It's just called something
else. Councilman Edson was asked what would happen if
the Commission did not propose any funds in the CIP and
then later wanted to acquire some property. Councilman
Edson responded that the Council has a policy that if an
acquisition is proposed over a certain dollar amount and
there are no funds defined in the CIP for that
acquisition, at least two public hearings would have to
be held. Commissioner Wahl then questioned if PRAC
needed to act on this issue after all. Director Blank
stated that he thought it would be wise for PRAC to let
the Council know how they felt about acquiring natural
areas by assigning some funds in the CIP. Commissioner
Johnson stated that he was against using park dedication
money to acquire wetlands and was more comfortable
proposing community improvement funds for this purpose.
Other commissioners agreed that park dedication funds
would not be appropriate. Commissioner Burk asked how
much money had been spent to acquire the Kids for Saving
Earth property. Two parcels were acquired there for
198,000 and $60,000 according to Director Blank.
Commissioners then agreed that it was appropriate to set
aside some funds for purchasing natural areas, but they
wondered what amount. Commissioner Wahl suggested
250,000. Other commissioners concurred that this was
probably a reasonable amount.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WATSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WAHL TO ASSIGN $250,000 IN THE 1994 CIP FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING NATURAL AREAS. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
Chair Anderson then asked for any other presentations
before PRAC moved forward with approving the Parks CIP.
Pat McDonald, 18625 33rd Place, announced that he
represented the Amberwoods neighborhood, which is north
of County Road 24 and west of 101. They are proposing
that the City accept the donation of their private park
as public park and take over the maintenance and
improvements. They have the oldest private park in the
City, and it is in need of upgrading. He explained that
they have some funds in their treasury, but not enough to
fix up the playground, or to bring it up to code. He
went on to explain that four new developments have been
built around Amberwoods, and that there are over 300
children living in the area now. He also stated that
although they realize Greenwood Elementary School has
PRAC Minutes/November 1993.
Page 50
been designated as their park in the Park System Plan,
the school officials will not allow use of their
playground when school is in session for reasons of
liability. Another drawback to the playground at
Greenwood is it's designed for older kids, not toddlers.
He stated that the homeowners association has been trying
to solicit the needed funds from the residents to upgrade
the park, and that they need about $28,000 based on
estimates they have gotten. Part of the problem in
getting more money is that this park is accessible to.
more than just Amberwoods residents. They aren't feeling
too generous about putting money into their private park,
when so many others from outside their neighborhood can
use it. This is why they want the City to take it over
and make it a public park.
Director Blank stated that this could be the first of
many requests like this, because there are numerous
developments throughout Plymouth that have private parks.
Commissioner Burk commented that this was an interesting
situation, and he personally felt it should be looked
into. He also stated that he would go tour the site. It
was agreed by the rest of PRAC that the park should be
visited and the proposal considered. Director Blank
stated that he would have a cost estimate prepared on
upgrading the park and what on-going maintenance would
cost if the City were to accept the park.
Commissioner Wahl asked Mr. McDonald if the homeowners
association would be willing to bear the cost of
resurfacing the tennis courts, if the City did go ahead
and take over the rest of the park. Mr. McDonald stated
that he would have to ask the rest of the membership, but
he felt fairly confident that they would accept those
terms.
Chair Anderson then asked for a motion regarding the CIP.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BURK AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WAHL TO APPROVE THE 1994-98 CIP AS PRESENTED
BY STAFF WITH THE AMENDMENT IN 1994 FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF NATURAL AREAS. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
C. West Medicine Lake Park master plan update. Director
Blank announced that a second meeting to study park
designs is set for November 9. There will probably be
six or more concepts to consider, with three different
road alignments. The most pressing issue at this point
is the alignment of the road. Based on the opinions
expressed at the first design meeting, it was decided to
eliminate from all concepts a proposed marina. There has
been some concern expressed regarding ways to slow down
traffic through the park. One suggestion commissioners
had was to design a somewhat winding road, similar to
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 51
Theodore Wirth Parkway, and looking into posting a speed
limit of 25 mph. Director Blank indicated that the state
establishes speed limits on most roads, but it may be
possible for the City to establish a speed limit when a
road goes through a City park. He said he would look
into this. Commissioner Johnson commented that he had
been told that residents want several stop signs along
the road as a way to slow traffic. Director Blank
responded that this doesn't always work the way people
think it will. Often drivers get angry about having to
stop so often that in between stop signs, they exceed the
speed limit to make up for time they feel they've lost.
Commissioner Wahl said he thought the first design
meeting had gone fairly well, but that some of those
attending gave the impression the park should be designed
their way. Director Blank responded that he would make a
statement at the beginning of the public meeting
stressing that this park is for all the citizens of
Plymouth to enjoy and use.
d. Study of unique open spaces update. This item will be
reviewed in the months ahead. Any site survey work will
be done next April and May.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Request for City to take over Amberwoods Park. See item
5b.
b. Letter reaardina trail along East Medicine Lake Blvd.
Director Blank distributed copies of a letter/petition he
had received that had been signed by 14 families urging
the City to coordinate with Hennepin Parks to get the
trail completed along East Medicine Lake Boulevard from
36th Avenue south to Harty's Boat Rental. Director Blank
responded that Hennepin Parks needs to acquire four
private properties along the road there before the trail
can go through. He stated that Hennepin Parks is
communicating with the effected property owners and is
trying to work out the details for purchasing their
homes.
COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Wahl commented that he wants to know where
Hennepin Parks stands on the issue of jointly acquiring the
property that is adjacent to French Park and could a meeting
with them be arranged. Director Blank responded that
Hennepin Parks has assigned two members from their Board of
Directors to attend such a meeting if one is scheduled.
Commissioner Burk agreed that a meeting with the interested
groups was a good idea, although he personally does. not
favor purchasing this particular 24 acre parcel. He also
stated that he doesn't think the City should get involved
with the Trust for Public Land in appraising the site.
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 52
Commissioners asked Director Blank about arranging a meeting
with Hennepin Parks, and Director Blank stated that the
procedure to follow would be to request that the City
Council ask the City Manager to set up such a meeting.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WATSON TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ASK THE
CITY MANAGER TO ARRANGE A MEETING WITH HENNEPIN PARKS
REGARDING THE FRENCH WETLANDS ISSUE. THE MOTION CARRIED
WITH ALL AYES.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
The next meeting is scheduled for December 2, because the
9th is a holiday. Issues on the agenda could include the
French wetlands, the Amberwoods park request, and the design
for West Medicine Lake city park.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: November 29, 1993
TO: PRAC
FROM: Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: AMBERWOODS PARK
Please find attached a memo from Mark Peterson outlining the estimated costs to repair and
upgrade this mini park site to City standards. He has also estimated the annual maintenance cost
at this site to be approximately $3,000 per year. If a skating facility is included, it would be
approximately $6,000.
The Amberwoods Park does not provide any additional park amenities to the new developments
lying west and north of them. Churchill Farms is a Lundgren Bros. development lying west of
Amberwoods and it contains its own private parks with tennis courts, playground equipment,
skating rinks, etc. The U.S. Homes Development, north of Amberwoods, has no
interconnecting trails that would lead people into the Amberwoods park area. In fact, there is a
large wetland separating the two housing developments which makes the linkage between the
two neighborhoods very difficult. Many of the people from this northerly site in fact would go
through the Greenwood Elementary school site in order to go down to the Amberwoods park
area (see attached map).
The staff recommendation is that we not take over the repair and maintenance of the
Amberwoods park site. The two reasons for this are:
L There is no significant increase in benefit to the total walking neighborhood over the
Greenwood Elementary school site.
2. We would be setting a precedent for literally dozens of other neighborhoods to request that
we begin operating and maintaining two acre mini -parks throughout the community.
If the Commission wishes to recommend to the City Council that this item be funded by the
City, then you should pass a motion amending the five year CIP that you adopted at last
month's meeting to include approximately $50,000 of park dedication funds for the upgrade of
this park. This will also require a public hearing by the Park Commission and by the Planning
Commission to amend the Comprehensive Park Plan. After the public hearing, the City Council
would have to also approve the amendment to the park plan.
np
Attachment
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: November 17, 1993
TO: Eric Blank, Parks & Recreation Director
FROM: Mark S. Peterson, Superintendent of Parks
SUBJECT: AMBERWOODS PROPOSED MAINTENANCE COSTS
The Amberwoods Homeowners Association has approached the City to take over
their local play area as a City Park. You have asked for estimated costs for
improvements and maintenance associated with the proposed park area. These
estimated costs are as follows:
1. Tennis Court Fence upgrade and repair. (Includes
gates, line posts, rails and fabric. $8,000.
2. Tennis Court resurfacing and repair. $5,500.
3. Trail Upgrade (400') $3,500.
4. Misc. Nets, Garbage cans, tables, etc. $2,000.
5. New play apparatus $17,500.
6. Removal, excavation, concrete, rock, etc. for
new play area $8,400.
7. New six person swing complete $5,800.
8. Annual maintenance costs, excluding ice rink $3,000.
Estimated total start-up costs including annual maintenance $53,700.
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CONTRAST WITH FRENCH PARK
MARITIME/LAKEFRONT
DULUTH WATERFRONT
COMO PARK PAVILION
LANDSCAPING
o showy flowers
VIEWS FROM BOATS TO THE PARK
BUILDING CHARACTER (lots of glass)
WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK
POTENTIAL PASSIVE USES
CREATE OPEN HATER BASINS
NATURE WALKS THROUGH WETLANDS
e self interpretive
signage
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flooding bog walks
u animal habitat management
FISHING PIERS
COMMUNITY GARDENS
ARCHERY
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
ICE FISHING ACCESS TO MEDICINE LAKE
OUTDOOR FIRE PIT (winter and summer)
LAKEFRONT DECKS (multi—level)
WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK
POTENTIAL ACTIVE USES
MULTI—USE TRAIL
o extends west fromCity Hall area to the lakefront
o encircling the wetland
lakefront trail (looping around the lake)
MARINA CONCEPT
o moorings for sailboats (lakefront)
o slips (inland basin and/or lakefront)
o gasoline
o no boat launch except seasonal deep water
o boat rental (wind surfing, ice boats)
CONCESSIONS (packaged food, soft drinks)
TENNIS
HARDCOURT (basketball, four square, etc.)
PICNIC SHELTERS (large and small group)
SWIMMING
PLAY STRUCTURES
INFORMAL GAMES AREA
SAND VOLLEYBALL
HORSESHOES
BUILDINGS
o toilets (vault or sewer)
o maintenance storage
o gazebo
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OPEN AIR CONCERTS
ICE SKATING (on land)
BENCHES
DRINKING FOUNTAIN
SWINGING BENCHES
PARKING
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WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK ROAD ALTERNATIVE C
PLWOO . YMNR M
Glen & Dorothy Hansen
1805 North Forestview
Plymouth, MN 55441-4105
553-1111
November 9th, 1993
Eric Blank
Director, Parks and Recreation
The City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
RE: WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK
Dear Mr. Blank:
We own the property on the NW corner of Forestview and 18th
Avenue. We are not opposed to progress nor development. We
realize that the good for the many sometimes outweigh the good of
the individual.
While we are not totally opposed to the proposed park we are very
concerned about the potentially negative impact the park may have
on our property as well as our neighbors'.
You seem to genuinely want feedback from the area residents and
it appears you take their concerns into account in your planning.
We appreciate that. This letter is to ask you to consider and
respond to the issues raised below.
Pertaining to our situation and that of our immediate neighbors
we would like to first state our preference on the proposed
roadway alignment. Above all else the roadway alignment directly
affects us more than other considerations.
A. Alignment A. -YES Of the road alignments suggested in
your November 9th meeting, road alignment A has the least
negative impact and we are therefore most in favor of it (all
traffic stays entirely off Forestview). Our personal opinion
would be for concept 3, which creates a beautiful roadway as
well as easy parking.
B. Alignment B. -NO Road alignment B is the least desirable
very heavy traffic is totally on Forestview). We are not in
favor of this under any circumstances, for ourselves
personally, for our neighbors, and for the city residents and
good traffic pattern issues.
C. Alignment C -NO Road alignment C is not desirable (please
refer to item 6 below) but is not as bad as alignment B
parking and access traffic would still be on Forestview).
W. Medicine Lake Park, page two
There are several reasons for our concerns. We bought the
property on Forestview without knowledge of future development.
We were led to believe that the woods surrounding our property
was government owned and would not be developed.
This is perhaps true in the sense that no private houses will be
built there.) Had we known what is proposed we would likely have
bought elsewhere. The proposed development causes great anxiety.
Several concerns apply.
1. Safety While 18th Avenue is busy, Forestview is a quiet
street with very large trees in a beautiful wooded area.
This is a good place to raise children. The city's plans
threaten this.
Investigation will verify that we have no back yard and our
young children must therefore play in the front yard (see map
attached). Heavy traffic not only brings noise but safety
concerns. Would you want your six year old to play in a
small yard directly adjacent to W. Medicine Lake's traffic?
2. Property Values Like most families, what we have of any
financial consequence is the equity in our home. The
proposed road alignments of proposals B and C will negatively
affect our property value. It has been my experience that
considerable financial discounts are necessary to sell a
property with heavy traffic nearby.
3. Pass through cost of improvements Our property is
triangle shaped. We own perhaps as much as 300 feet
bordering on Forestview (see map). If there are future
assessments for curb and gutter, etc. this will be a
financial problem.
4. Reduced yard size Our triangle shaped lot is odd. The
main yard use is limited in a practical sense to the front
yard on Forestview. The wooded areas on Forestview made up
for this but now this may change. Increased traffic and
heavy park usage makes the yard area we do have undesirable
for small children.
It has been my experience with new roads come reduced
property size. We are concerned that more of our already
limited yard will be taken for roadway and improvements if
further developed.
5. Large trees destroyed Destroying trees may seem like a
small point in Minnesota where things grow fast, but it's not
to us. We love trees probably more than many people. The
trees on our property and across the street on Forestview
were a major consideration when we bought our home. With
development normally comes the destruction of many trees.
W. Medicine Lake Park, page three
Specifically we have 6 large trees on the very edge of
Forestview near our lot line and the street. They provide
beauty and shade as well as improving the value of our
property. Further developing Forestview might involve
destroying these trees. We don't want the trees destroyed.
Developing Forestview will mean destroying trees on the East
side of the road as well. We would be disappointed to see
the wooded area eliminated or reduced.
6. Potential for misuse Alignment C (which provides for
parking at the end of Forestview) allows a potential for a
secluded area which might attract alcohol or drug related
use. Adding another access point to W. Medicine Lake Drive
from the parking lot would increase traffic on Forestview
while not curing the problem. This solution misses the
point.
Even now, although limited, there have been incidents
reported to the police of suspected drug and alcohol related
activities at the far north end of Forestview. In this
sense, alignment C, while the cheapest alternative, creates
other problems, which will cost the city ongoing money.
If alignment C is a possibility, perhaps you will consider
adding parking instead where the tennis courts are proposed
on the north side, and eliminating parking off Forestview
entirely. We would, of course, like to see all traffic other
than residents kept off Forestview.
Thank you for your interest in easing the impact of the proposed
development on adjacent property owners. We assume the city is
dealing honorably with folks living North of 18th and East of
Forestview. We ask the same consideration for those of us living
South of 18th and West of Forestview.
If we can be of any assistance (for example, serving on an on-
going residents' advisory committee), we'd be glad to help. We
look forward to hearing from you and Barry Warner of Barton-
Aschman.
Sincerely,
Glen E. Hansen
encl Hansen property map
cc: Barry Warner/Barton-Aschman
Dorothy L.K. Hansen City Council
Park Commission
Sheryl McRoberts
2345 West Medicine Lake Drive
Plymouth, MN 55441
November 18, 1993
Eric .Blank
Plymouth Park and Recreation
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Blank:
I was unable to attend the Tuesday evening meetings concerning the park
on West Medicine Lake due to an evening conflict, but I would like to
recommend that when the decision is made concerning the road, that traffic
is reduced and slowed down. Presently there are too many cars going an
average speed of more like 40 m.p.h. rather than the stated 30 m.p.h. When
the park is established, we will have the added leisure traffic along
with the present express traffic.
Many of my neighbors have lost cats and a large dog was seriously injured this
pasi'summer. I would hate to have a human casualty added to the numerous
animals hit on this road. Please design a road that will encourage the leisure
traffic and be slow enough to encourage to express traffic to take Northwest Blvd.
Sincerely,
Sheryl McRoberts
November 16, 1993
Terry Donovan
1735 Evergreen Lane
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Mr. Donovan:
a
CITY OF
PUMOUTR
Thank you for your note regarding West Medicine Lake Park. Enclosed in this packet is the
City's comprehensive park system plan information and the currently drafted 1994-98 Capital
Improvement Program. The other information you have requested is either not collected or not
available at this time. Because there are no current facilities, programs or activities scheduled at
West Medicine Lake Park, we do not keep any records on the number of people using the park.
Once we know the kinds of facilities that will be in the park, we will be able to make estimates
on park users and park operating budgets.
I will be sharing your idea with the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission at their
December 2nd meeting about using a focus group to further analyze the park project. I would
not be opposed to using this type of advisory group as long as they are a broad based, cross
representation of the City of Plymouth.
Thank you for taking the time to write. I hope that you will continue to work with us on the
development of this park.
Sincerely,
S- 6 &,z
Eric Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
Enclosure
cc: Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Barry Warner
We Listen • We Salve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
November 13, 1993
Mr. Eric Blank
Parks and Recreation
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Blank,
Just a reminder to send me copies of the current Plymouth city plan for parks and
recreation and the 1994 Capital Improvements Plan. In addition could you include the
operating assumptions and end point visions which Barton Aschman used in the different
scenarios developed to date. If collected for this project, I would also like to see the
baseline information on current park use, traffic use along West Medicine Lake Drive and
any survey or focus group data which the consultant collected prior to designing the
scenarios.
While I understand that Medicine Lake is planned as one of three hub parks for the
entire city of Plymouth, the entrance to this park, the long term nature and tone of the
neighborhood and the historic use patterns of Medicine Lake dictate a different planning
process than Parker's Lake and Bass Lake. I would assume (unless the City has data to
the contrary), that the regular users of the other parks all live within a 2-3 mile radius of
the park and that the heaviest users live within 1 mile of the park. Under that assumption
and the history of the park, a neighborhood advisory group/focus group makes eminent
sense. Rather than meetings where neighbors and citizens can only react to scenarios
developed by the consultant and cannot develop their own scenarios by moving around
elements of draft scenarios, the advisory group, the consultant and the Park Department
can collaboratively design the best park for this location which meets the needs of the
customers. Absent proactive and ongoing participation by the neighbors, it is not
collaborative and hardly participatory democracy.
The nature of government is to blend the multiple interests of citizens for the long
term benefit of the aggregate. It is often not pretty and often not the "best" outcome, but
it works more often than it doesn't. Given these times of increasing polarity, divisiveness
and mistrust, government should be even more participatory and collaborative than in the
past. I hope you can share this with the Park Board.
Sincerely,
T
ly,
eArryDonovan -
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: December 1, 1993
TO: PRAC
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE
The PRAC Open Space Subcommittee had its first meeting on Tuesday, November 30.
The committee came to the conclusion that they would like to recommend to the City
Council that a new format for the committee be approved with the following members
assigned to the committee:
4 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission members
1 City Council member
1 Planning Commission member
4 citizens at large
The Park and Recreation Director and the City Forester would be non-voting liaisons to
the committee.
The sub -committee suggested that the Park Commission pass a motion requesting that
the City Council adopt the proposed committee format and interview and appoint four
citizens, one from each of the wards.
np
DEC 02 '93 11:10011 EETHEL COLLEGE 'ST FHIJL HH
Tom Johnson
Park Commissioner
December 2, 1993
A -I 1 sl Eric Blank
Director, Parks and Recreation
Plymouth
RE. Opinions on. issues for Dec. 2 Meeting
I regret not being able to attend tonight's meeting, but felt that a
short .memo might help bring our discussion forward in two areas:
1. W. Medicine fake Park
I attended the. first meeting had a report on the second and have
spnVnn to nnmernn.4 c'itiznus wholive in the area just to the, n9l b Pf
the proposed park. What I have noticed is that a consensus is
emerging that Road Alignment A is the best one for the
interests of the whole community even though Alignment B is
favored by people of the area with children and pets for one reason:
it slows down traffic.
I will support option A but will demand that the layout of parking
lots and other features work to slow clown and maybe even reroute
express traffic while ensuring safe use of the road for leisure
pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
With regards to the actual park concept, I believe that the Donovan
proposal for neighborhood focus groups is not bad. Once alignment .is
decided, then more input is needed to make sure a good plan is
developed for the park EVEN IF the consultants need to be extended.
But park concept is actually more a concern for phase II, isn't it?
2. Amberwoods Park
I agree with your recommendations regarding Amberwoods Park,
mostly for reason two --the precedent -setting that it involves.
550 -'>V
F.2
f
e. f
r
4
CITY OF
November 9, 1993 PLYNOUTR
Harvey & Diane Keller
3030 E Medicine Lake Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Keller:
I am in receipt of your letter dated October 28 with regard to the future trail on East
Medicine Lake Blvd. Copies of your letter and the petition have been forwarded to the
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission members for their review and comment as
well. I have also sent a faxed copy of your letter to Hennepin Parks.
At this time, the City and Hennepin Parks are cooperating in an effort to expedite the
implementation of the trail on the east side of Medicine Lake as quickly as possible. It
is my understanding that this past week, Hennepin Parks has contacted property owners
located between the road and the lake, in an effort to ascertain their willingness to sell
property to Hennepin Parks. The acquisition of these properties is the fust step in
beginning the implementation of the regional trail. Your continued support and
involvement will greatly aid us in pursuing this most worthwhile project.
Thank you for taking the time to write. I will keep you informed as further
information becomes available.
Sincerely,
Eric Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EBlnp
cc: City Manager
PRAC
Bob Wicklund, Hennepin Parks
We Listen - We Solve - We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 - TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
1994-98 CIP DRAFT, 11-5-93
Project/Year
MSA
Community
Playfields/
Trails 218
Neighborhood
Parks Grants T.I.F. C.I.F.
Park
Replace.
Fund TOTAL
1994
Acquisition of open space 250,000 250,000
Accessible playground 60,000 65,000 125,000
9th playfield acquisition 750,000 150,000 900,000
10th playfield acquisition 450,000 450,000
Replace 4 nb park plygrnds
1
200,000 200,000
W Med Park road and acq. 1,500,000 1,500,000
Ely 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 Ride 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 1994 100 000 1 349 000 591,0001 500 000 850,000 4 390 000
1) Timber Shores, Mission Hills, Schmidt Lake, Hemlock
Project/Year
MSA
Community
Playfields/
Trails 218
Neighborhood
Parks Grants T.I.F. C.I.F.
Park
Replace.
Fund TOTAL
1995
9th playfield special assess. 235,000 235,000
West Med Park Phase II 500,000 500,000
Trails 100,000 100,000 200,000
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. re lace. 1 0 0100 000 0 100.000
Total 1995100 000 626 000150 000 JLI55 000 2,611,000
1996
Trails 100,000 200,000 300,000
Transfer to park replace ftmd 28,000 12,000 40,000
Park replacement work 0 0 0 99.000 99.000
Total 1996 1100 000 S228 000 12 000 99,000 S4&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 01 0 1 0 0 207.000 1 207.000
Total 1997 100,000 229,000 188 000 JMQ,000 207,0001 1,424,000
1) East Beach, Maplecreek, Sunrise
Project/Year Community
Playfields/
MSA Trails 218
Neighborhood
Parks Grants T.I.F. C.I.F.
Park
Replace.
Fund TOTAL
1998
Trails 100,000 200,000 300,000
Transfer to park re lace fund 30,000 14,000 44,000
Park replacement work 0 0 0 383.000 383.000
Total 1998 JIOQ 000 230 000 14 000 JR,3000 727 000
1993 ATHLETIC FACILITY RENTALS
Zachary Softball Tournaments
4/24 & 25 Trygs (Edina Realty)
5/15 & 16 Honeywell I
6/12 & 13 Honeywell Employees
7/17 & 18 Honeywell II
8/14 Target
Other Softball Rentals
4/1-5/30 Armstrong High School (Zachary)
7/10 & 11 W Medicine Lake Comm. Club (Plymouth Creek)
8/28 Mike Ricci (Plymouth Middle School)
9/18 Prudential (Bass Lake)
Baseball Tournament
6/11-13 Plymouth/Wayzata Assoc. (Parkers Lake)
Soccer Tournament
6/25-27
Ice Rentals
1/16
1/24
TOTAL RENTALS
Wayzata Soccer Club (13 fields)
Wayne McNeil (Plymouth Creek)
Pat Reuter (Oakwood)
704.00
281.00
200.00
298.00
364.00
1.847.00
750.00
132.00
22.00
44.00
248.00
260.00
3.654.00
16.00
28.00
44.00
6.753.00
NOTE: Zachary softball tournament rental down partially due to expanded
Saturday usage by NHPAA Baseball.
15 YEAR ENROLLMENT IN PLYMOUTH ADULT TEAM SPORTS 1979-93
x:r
OFFICIATED
Winter 5 -Man BKB 6 8 8 12 12 12 16 18 18 22 22 20 21 18 18
TOTAL TEAMS 91 137 174 253 332 343 450 497 534 580 591 603 598 590 567
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Teams Enrolled in Plymouth Adult Team Sports
1 M
m m
47
m mM Wm m
Mm m mm m
Mmm mm m
MMO:
m m c
Total Officiated -------- Total Unofficiated
SEP 1 0 1993
P rk board, study favors replacing
C-0tiarles Horn Pool in Anoka
by Joe Perrin
Staff writer
A third phase study for final reo
onrmendations of the Charles Ham
swimming pool Aquatics Center
was approved by the Anoka C y
Council Tuesday.
The Anoka Park Board and Pool
Advisory Committee recommended
proceeding to phase three of the
study to further define costs and
funding sources for replacing the
36 -year-old pool in George Green
Park.
The park board has recommended
that the study should concentrate
on the replacement of the existing
Pool.
The first scheme described mini-
mum recommended upgrades for
the existing pool. The second and more detailed cost estimates
scheme described replacement with can be determined.
a new facility.
RCSOnrI'ea spent on improving the
existing pool displace funds
required for a future replacement,
according to Steve Patrick of
BWBR Architects. The report said
that improvement to the existing
pool will not significantly improve
attendance or revenue as would a
new facility.
Seasonal attendance in the first
year of operation for the Winona
Aquatics Center jumped to 90,(100
from an average of 45,000 per year,
it was brought out.
The committee recommended that
phase three of the study concen-
trate ren the replacement of the
existing pool, where the finances
The bathhouse has also detcriuml-
ed. Tom Fisher of the pool commit-
tee said pans of the pool and bath-
house are "slimy;' and That turns
away people.
11 would be ridiculous to have a
building that might not meet code,"
Council member John Mann said.
Il may be money well spent to
look at a new facility."
The report suggests a full -feature
pool that could be scaled back to
men Anoka budget parameters.
Preliminary estimates to upgrade
the existing pool are $662.2110 to
742,500, while preliminary esti-
mated costs for the new pool run
from 51.3 million m $1.5 million.
Goals and objectives of the facility
are to provide for youth, adult and
family participation, maximize
attendance and be financially self-
supporting. elfsupporting. to be attractive, safe'.
and a quality leisure experience.
The pool should satisfy a broad
range of aquatic interests, while
providing insimctional swimming,
shallow water and water play fca-
tures, a pool deck with chaise
lounges, water slides, diving, lap
swimming, bleachers, competitive:
swimming and a bathhouse that-
meets current code and Americans!
with Disabilities Act requirements.
Patrick said a new pool could he
designed for a life of more than 40
years and take about 10 months to
construct, along with demolishing
Ore present pool.
M
MMA,. C..YRINO IiERVICE
f
AN'l1AA(1)PN 11
tlNl(1N
Anoka 0,
SEP 1 0 1993
P rk board, study favors replacing
C-0tiarles Horn Pool in Anoka
by Joe Perrin
Staff writer
A third phase study for final reo
onrmendations of the Charles Ham
swimming pool Aquatics Center
was approved by the Anoka C y
Council Tuesday.
The Anoka Park Board and Pool
Advisory Committee recommended
proceeding to phase three of the
study to further define costs and
funding sources for replacing the
36 -year-old pool in George Green
Park.
The park board has recommended
that the study should concentrate
on the replacement of the existing
Pool.
The first scheme described mini-
mum recommended upgrades for
the existing pool. The second and more detailed cost estimates
scheme described replacement with can be determined.
a new facility.
RCSOnrI'ea spent on improving the
existing pool displace funds
required for a future replacement,
according to Steve Patrick of
BWBR Architects. The report said
that improvement to the existing
pool will not significantly improve
attendance or revenue as would a
new facility.
Seasonal attendance in the first
year of operation for the Winona
Aquatics Center jumped to 90,(100
from an average of 45,000 per year,
it was brought out.
The committee recommended that
phase three of the study concen-
trate ren the replacement of the
existing pool, where the finances
The bathhouse has also detcriuml-
ed. Tom Fisher of the pool commit-
tee said pans of the pool and bath-
house are "slimy;' and That turns
away people.
11 would be ridiculous to have a
building that might not meet code,"
Council member John Mann said.
Il may be money well spent to
look at a new facility."
The report suggests a full -feature
pool that could be scaled back to
men Anoka budget parameters.
Preliminary estimates to upgrade
the existing pool are $662.2110 to
742,500, while preliminary esti-
mated costs for the new pool run
from 51.3 million m $1.5 million.
Goals and objectives of the facility
are to provide for youth, adult and
family participation, maximize
attendance and be financially self-
supporting. elfsupporting. to be attractive, safe'.
and a quality leisure experience.
The pool should satisfy a broad
range of aquatic interests, while
providing insimctional swimming,
shallow water and water play fca-
tures, a pool deck with chaise
lounges, water slides, diving, lap
swimming, bleachers, competitive:
swimming and a bathhouse that-
meets current code and Americans!
with Disabilities Act requirements.
Patrick said a new pool could he
designed for a life of more than 40
years and take about 10 months to
construct, along with demolishing
Ore present pool.
M
wna• ci.ippmo SERVICE I
WV
I
EDEN PRAIRIENEWSHeaarnie[n. 'B
Preserve
A pool
By Claire Hilgemm
How does an individual person
alert the public at large about a
really huge problem that will affect
them all? Hopefully this article will
be a stun. The government of Eden Prairie
will be asking its citimn for more
money soon — as early as this
year. Eden Prairie taxpayers are a
discerning lot; with skyrocketing
taxes, they have to be. Two of the
Wing taxpayers may be asked to
give money for arc a new swim-
ming pool and precious pieces of
natural areas identified by an
exhaustive study as being the most
rare and worthy of preservation in
our community.
You would have to go a long
way to find another person who
believes Eden Ptairic needs another
pool as much as I do. Eden Prairie
has a very active swim club, no
school aquatics program and a
zillion children. We need=Other
pool and taking this a step further,
we need a fun pool. Edina has its
EP's natural areas first
supporter asks: What's most important?
1 W beauty that is
users than my or max W ---
ties, bas me ails, but ordinary End
overused indoor Inc POOL It's
obvious, at least to me, that we
A Another Cool —and the mom
Guest opinion
To say that I am heartsick wouldbeaounderstatement. Greed has
permeated every fiber of our cry
government until even the ordi-
nances enacted Io protect our
dwindling natural resources are a
sham, Agam and again I read that
Edeo Prairie is supposedly devel- oper-unftiendly. How can this be? 1
it is
hat they do afterwards m the
Ire, removal and landscape
And to those of set who make it our
business to So to these sites and
look, there is no need to guess. The
devastation is complete and, most
has
i are being oma mu
all over Filen Prairie. The
T our recnotbeen
can never rep ace c
being reduced to hunkering pia of
wood chips all over our commmltY
every day. Please, be ready for a ref nen-
dom to preserve natural areas in
Filen Prairie and vote an unquall-
fted "yes." No one thing you could
do would benefit yourselves, your
Children and your community as
much.
Claire Hilgeman, a Ruatic Hub
Drive resident, is an the board Of
direction of the Eden Prairie
Lad Trust.)
mcrestional the better. But list you think this article is w o feel every priority for the timetheouldeinaplugforputtingallouregginthetionofnaturalareas
Edenserva-
pool basket, read on.
Not a day goes by lately that I Prairie. Wealready tat the lop Ofthechoice, peopledon't mom the loss of the Eden on city government Will 90 fuPrairielaudscapethatdrewmeto
this Community only eight years guns to support a Poo atm
ir feet in so
ago. In my own back yard, many of
my summer morning have beg= and rddum m preserve ouurr mutual
with the omnipresent whine of arSo it is time for We people ofchainsawsandnee -killing heavyequipment. It's happeulng all over Eden Prairie to speak. Speakloudly. Speak clearly. Speak NOW. our town: from the utter destruction
of the Mitchell Like Big Woods to should m
supporta referen-
for any recrthedevastationof100-year-old oak
trees once lining Homeward Hills
ductd
untialux—
not
race fora pool yt until er havethemoneytopreservetheRoadtotheelcar-culting of 100-
plus-year-0Id Cottonwoods and raisedlastremaining natural occas in Eden
Oaks in the new development On Prairie. We can always build a purl. We
my own block.
MMA. JRRINn SERVICE
n i -DEN IT41nlE
l N-IMLORJvnneom n.
SEP 2 2 1993
Land preservationists unhappy
over timing of referendum vote
A referendum on buying land for nature preservation may not
be ready to go to voters until 1994. But preservation advocates in the Eden Prairie land Trust, a
citizens group, say the later referendum — envisioned earlier as
a November 1993 vote — could be less popular with voters, and
pressure to build on open land is mounting.
Three sites, all in southwestern Eden Prairie, are being con-
sidered for city government purchase and preservation: prairie
and oak savanna remnants on the Charlson property; a "Big
Woods" remnant on three properties in the Riley Creek valley;
and the Darril Peterson farm as a back-up site.
In a memo to the land Trust, Bob Lambert, director of parks,
recreation and natural resources, said if options to buy the pro-
perties could be obtained by Oct. 5, the referendum could he held
no earlier than Nov. 30 — shortly after potential voters get pro-
perty tan notices.
It may take six months or more for We city to negotiate accep- table options, according to Lambert. Meanwhile, Eden Prairie
School District 272 is considering a referendum to build a swimm-
ing pool. if we are unable to make a November referendum, staff
would recommend waiting until at least February of 1994, depen-
ding on what the schools' timing will be for their next referen-
dum," Lambert said.
land Trust members are "deeply Concerned" that the referen.
dum will not be held in 1993, said land Trust president Betty
McMahon in a letter to the City Council this week.
McMahon suggeged that public interest in preservation,
sparked by the issue of housing development in the Mitchell Lake
Big Woods, may decline if a referendum is held later. Support shown in a recent city survey may erode if the next
school district referendum raises taxes, McMahon said.
We encourage you to Consider measures that will expedite the
natural resources referendum before we have nothing left to
save;" McMahon said.
The question came up briefly before the City Council Tuesday,
and Lambert was asked to submit a report for later discussion.
More groups sign manifesto
An "Eden Prairie Manifesto" supporting rights of minorities in
the city has gained the support of several government and
citizens' groups.
The document, developed and promoted by the Eden Prairie
Haman Rights Committee, is designed as a signal that the city is
open to diversity and a cautionary notice against discrimination. It was endorsed in July by the Eden Prairie City Council, but
Mayor Doug Tenpas and Councilmember Marty Jessen had ob-
jections to a list of protected groups in the manifesto. Tenpas said
he Could not sign on because the list includes sexual orientation —
gays and lesbians — while Jessen warned that any list may not
be inclusive enough.
The "sexual orientation" language also deterred some
ministers of Eden Prairie churches from approving the
manifesto, said Julie Savoie Wingert in a joint counciltrommiltee
meeting Tuesday. But the list of supporters so far includes the Eden Prairie
Board of Education, the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce.
and Eden Prairie Methodist. Eden Prairie Presbvterian, St. An-
drews Lutheran and Shepherd of the Prairie churches.
Committee members explain that sexual orientation is includ-
ed because it is protected from discrimination under state law,
Wingert said.
Lakeville.ice arena is a go
L66 exceeds its fund-raising goal
By SARA PETERSON facility operable. The LCC plans Aug. 31, In addition to pull -tab
Fund -raising efforts to build an to continue fund-raising efforts proceeds, the LHA initially pro - HA ro
with a new target of 5130.000,
ice arena in Lakeville are pro- videtl 5116.700 in of 1992 to-
which would furnish locker fset the bond issuancereedingbetterthanexpected. and
there's an outside chance that
and ar-
rooms. install bleachers, a sound bitragecosts.
preliminary construction could system and concessions. The LCC and LHA fonds, com-
The memorandum also re- bined with $1.375beginyetthisfall.
The Lakeville Citv Councij
million in net
quires the LHA to provide bond proceeds issued by the city'sgn
Mon ay approv aresolution 140,000 from pull -tab operations Housing and Redevelopment Au. before February 1994. It also
accepting $527.000 in cash Iron- thority, provide enough money tostatesthattheLHAmustbeginconstruction. Thetributions, materials and sweat
equity for construction of the ice
arena
demonstrate that it can net a will be located on the northeast
arena from the Lakeville Cam- minimum of $70,000 from pull -tab corner of Ipeva Avenue andoperationsfora12 -month period Highway 50, on land donated bmollifyCorporation (LCC). Mike Walters, chair of the LCC ending Sept. 30. the school district.
y
fund-raising committee, Richard Dale, president of the 'This will go down as one of the
LHA, told the council that his
presented the council a check for
410,000 along with a letter from
10 most significant ac -
organization has already netted complishments in the '90s in the
Kraus -Anderson estimating the 74,600 from pull tab operations in . city of Lakeville," Erickson mid.la12-mn,nh period which ended
total value of donated materials
and services from several con.
fributors at 5117,000. The 5527,000
total exceeds LCC's original
obligation by Shout $30.000.
As an amateur fund-raiser,"
Watters said, "I was pleasantly
surprised several times with the
willingness of people to con-
tribute to the project." Included
in the LCC's total was a
significant" contribution by the
Ames family, owners of Ames
Construction. Inc. in Burnsville.
According to City Ad-
ministrator Bob Erickson, the
primary objective was to identify
and solicit contributions from
corporations. Lakeville Hockey
Association (LHA) families and
the community at large.
This (contribution) is
something our neighboring cities
can look at and learn from,"
Council Member Betty Sindt said.
This clearly shows community
support." CLIPPING SERVICE'
Construction of the areas is
scheduled to begin on time, next
April, IIt„t THIS WEER
with completion scheduled W BURNSVILLE
for August and opening in Oc- DSkota Co.
ober. However. Wailers said
builders would like to lay footings
for the facility this fall. before the
first heavy frost. That might not
be possible. but Walters said they SEP 26aregoingtotry. 19.93TheLCCisonememberofthe
Ice Arena Task Force created
several years ago for the purpose
of evaluating the feasibility of
constructing an ice arena. Other
members include the LHA, the
Lakeville School District (199),
and the city.
A memorandum of understan-
ding prepared in January 1992 set
forth the framework for construc-
tion, financing and operation of
an ice arena. According to that
document, the LCC had until Oct.
15 to raise 5496.300 for the con.
struction of the arena and will be
responsible for operating the
facility once it is completed.
The LCC contribution fulfills
the first phase of the ice arena
project. According to Walters,
the 5496.000 was a benchmark to
get in the door with the bare
necessities" and to make the
L
Le—CLIPPIae SENVICE
l
111.00MINCION
9UN-CURRENr
I leonepin Co
City to study future park needs
and proposed development fee
By Mark Johnston
The Bloomington City Council
is considering establishing a
task force to analyze the city's
park needs for the next 10 years
and how future park develop-
ment will be funded.
Expected to be included in the
discussion is a proposed or-
dinance that would require com.
mercial and industrial properly
developers to dedicate land for
park development. The dedica-
Beu would be equal to 5 percent
of the land being developed or
redeveloped or an equivalent
cash payment.
The city has historically re-
quired such a dedication from
subdividers of residential pro-
perly, equal to 10 percent of the
property or equivalent cash
payment.
However, until recently —
specifically im negotiations over
the Wal-Mart, Homart and Can-
tina Del Rio developments — the
city has generally not required
park dedication as a condition of
nonresidential subdivisions.
Wal -Marl, for example, agreed
to donate $116,600 to the city's
park fond. The proposal is being opposed
by some sources, including the
Bloomington Chamber of Com-
merce. The chamber stated In a
letter to the city that while it
supports a task force to consider
the issue — and a good park
system — the financial burden
of park improvements should
FEE: To page 1
fpl+c
PARK DEDICATION FEE SURVEY
MUNICIPALITYPERCENT
OFRES. VALUE PERCENTOFCIIVALUE PERCENT
OF RES, AREA PERCENTOFCAAREA
10 4 10 5
8 8 N/A N/A
10-13 5 10-13 5
10 7.5 N/A N/A
10 10 10 10
Shakopee 10 10 10 10
SOURCE: CITY OF BLOOMINGTON
RES. -RESIDENTIAL
Cd - COMMERCIALANDUSTRIAL
Fee: May be extended to commercial and industrial property
rl• 1ll I i / Front page IA
fall an the entire community.
To single out a limited
amount of future development is
not an equitable way to ap-
proach possible future park
needs," the letter staled. "This
approach could also affect our
competitiveness with other
communities."
But Bloomington Planning
Director Rick Geshwiler said in
a memo to the City Council that
because Bloomington is nearly
fully developed residenliafly, a
primary source of park revenue
hits dwindled. Geshwiler
estimated there is only a 4 per-
cent supply of vacant land left in
Bloomington. Geshwiler said the city's
1093-97 Capital Improvement
Program identifies more flan
11 million needed for park ac-
quisition and development. Pro -
its -Ions ,chow that nnmher cold
increase to about $35 million by
2010.
By comparison, if Bloom.
ington continues to rely solely on
residential park dedication,
staff estimates that about $2.2
million in revenue is the max-
imum amount that could occur
over the next 17 years to 2010;"
Geshwiler said.
If a policy is established ex-
tending the requirement for
park dedication to commercial
and industrial projects, an addi-
tional $11.3 coition of revenue is
possible before 2010."
GeshwBer said measuring by
acreage, Bloomington has an
abundance of park land, due
primarily to Hyland Park
Reserve, the Minnesota Valley
Wildlife Refuge and numerous
wetlands.
But when park land is viewed
as "active use" land, Geshwiler
said Bloomington needs more of
it
The city's comprehensive
plan identifies the need for 15 ad-
ditional acres of playlots and
neighborhood playgrounds, and
5 acres of urban parkland bet.
ween 1990 and 2009 to maintain
the park system at standard
ratios. Even with these additions to
the park system, Bloomington
will experience a decrease in
park land acreage per resident
to the year 2000," Geshwiler
said.
Park usage is an equally im.
portant part of the issue. For ex-
ample, Geshwiler said between
19M and 1989, when Bloom-
ington's population rose only
slightly, non-resident participa-
tion in adult softball programs
increased from 24 percent to 39
percent of all participants.
Geshwiler said 68 percent of
the adult softball teams in the
current year's program are
businesses. Of the 600 teams in
the program, 37 are sponsored
by businesses outside of
Bloomington.
In addition, parks near large
business developments — such
as Normandale sake Park —
are frequently used by
employees of those businesses.
Park dedication fees are com-
mon. Brooklyn Park, Edina,
Hopkins, Maple Grove,
Plymouth and Shakopee all
have fees for both residential
and commercial -industrial
developments.
The difference is that many
communities assessing such
fees are still developing, said
local real estate broker Dale
Simonson. Simonson said to im-
plement a fee in Bloomington at
this late stage in the city's
development discriminates
against the few remaining
parcels that are left.
because most of (be remaining.
development will actually be'
redevelopment projects — most
of which use a public subsidy to
begin with - the associated
park fees will lir. paid by tax-
payers in the form of an addi-
tional subsidy.
If parks are determined to be
a high priority, the money
should be raised through a
broader-based tax or colts need
to be made elsewhere," he said.
The City Council is expected
to determine the charge and the
makeup of the (ask force at a
future meeting. City Manager
Mark Bernhardson said he an-
licipa(es the group will be made
up of representatives front the
community, the business- sector
and appropriate city advisory
commissions.
Bull] the city flatting and
Parks and Recreation Advisory
committee; have endorsed the -
Parks and rec turns attention
toward social needs in community
Ity Tcrranre Mruvei
Eagan Parks and Recreation
is about to embark on a new
path, pending approval of its $2
million proposed budget in 19'X.
Social services would be the
department's newest arena.
Community needs have grown
beyond the traditional services
such as sports and "fm" pro-
grams, said Ken Vraa, director
of Eagan Parks and Recreation.
Pockets have emerged in
neighborhoods, void of open
recreation areas where youth
can gather. We have identified areas in
the community where we have a
number of youth left to their own
devices for loo long," Vraa said.
The result has been a mixed
bag of apathy, frustration and
crime.
To offset that trend, the
department has proposed hiring
a threequarter-lime recreation
V! :-Z-R,
supervisor. That person would
develop social programs far al -
risk youth in select
neighborhoods.
The concept isn't new for
parks departments. Minneapolis
and St. Paul have targeted at -
risk youth through several pro-
grams and activities offered
through community centers.
Shoreview hired a full -lime
supervisor this year to develop
youth programs. Maple Grove
expects to have a full-time posi-
tion for at -risk youth next year.
Parks and recreation depart-
ments are being brought into the
social problem solving areas,"
Vraa said. "The concept here is
to be part of a multifaceted solu.
tion" that involves other social
agencies in the community.
Police often deal with troubled
and mischievous youth after the
fact, he said. Much of the pro-
perty damage that occurs is
youth -related.
The $3,010 vandalism damage
at Northview Park wasn't caus-
ed by older kids. "1'm not talk-
ing teenagers here. I'm talking
11-, 12 year-old kids," he said.
A part-time recreation super.
visor is only one factor behind a
200,000 increase in the depart-
ment's proposed $2 million
budget. A full -lime park
maintenance position also is re.
quested. Salary increases, sup-
plies and other services make
up the proposed increase.
Forestry services are included /
1"FK.S: To neat page 1
Parks: Budget calls for $200,000 increase
Flom previous page
in the budget.
Full -lime maintenance
workers are out of balance with
the number of seasonal workers.
Vraa said. A full-time crew en-
sures the proper handling of ex-
pensive equipment, such as the
city's $50,000 mower/sweeper.
We brave pushed the
seasonels as far as we could;'
he said.
The city loses seasonal
workers in mass when school
starts in the fall. The new pwi-
tion would cover park
maintenance when seasonal
help trails off. That person
would concentrate on forestry
qM"ACLIIIONa xe"VICE
Ll
EACAN
SUN.CURRENT
Drkoi. Co.
th:l G 199.1
activities during the summer
months.
Increasing park space hasn't
been the problem that has stret-
ched park maintenance crews.
Vraa said. The city has more
boulevards and public budding
areas to tend. About 1,100 acres
are devoted to parks.
Using private contractors for
grouadskeeping services has
been explored. City crews main-
tain the grounds at the Eagan
Municipal Center and library at
about $12,000 a year. Vraa said
private bids for such work have
ranged from $15,000 a year to
72,500 a year.
Compared to other parks
departments, Eagan has one of
the lowest stuff -lo population
ratios. Eagan parks has one full -
lime position per 6,500 residents,
while Bloomington has one staff
position per 3,600 residents and
Apple Valley has one staff posi-
tion it, 2,900 residents.
As of August, recreation pro-
grams have cost $262,000 while
user fees have brought in
I;M,OW. Adult recreation pro-
grams cover more than their
costs, which help offset non -
revenue producing activities
Youth programs generally
bark even. But programs such
as the summer playground and
outdoor skating cost the city
money. The demand for athletic fields
continues to increase. More than
10,000 people used the Northview
Athletic fields near Eagan Itigh
Schoul on one weekend this spr-
ing. Reservations for park
shelter buildings have neared
capacity Thursday through Sun-
day, he said. Aside from adult
programs, about 10,000 people
have signed up for parks pro-
grams this year.
Eagan Parks and Recreation
makes up nearly 15 percent of
the city's overall $13.6 million
budget proposed in 1994. This
reflects a 954 percent increase
over 190. A public hearing on
the proposed budget has been
scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
Under truth in taxation stale
law, cities are required to adopt
a preliminary budget and cer-
tify a proposed tax levy by Sept.
15. Once certified, cities cannot
exceed the levy, although they
are free to tax less.)