HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 04-14-1994Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
April 14, 1994, 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. Approved Acquisition of Property on 18th Avenue
5. Unfinished Business
a. West Medicine lake Park Update
b. Study of Unique Open Spaces Update
c. Review Plans for Accessible Playground
d. Review 1994 Trail Construction Projects
6. New Business
a. Review of City Trail Plan (referred by Planning Commission)
b.
C.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next Regular Meeting - May 12
Park Tour - May 25
MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
March 10, 1994
Page 8
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Willegalle, Wahl, Johnson, Watson, and Fiemann;
staff Blank, Bisek, Buck and Pederson; Councilman Edson
Absent: Commissioner Mikula
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the March meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers
and introduced the new commissioners, Ron Fiemann, representing the at -large
community, and Henry Willegalle, representing Ward 2.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to
approve the minutes of the February meeting as presented. The motion carried with all
ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting.
b. Staff. Paul Buck, the City Forester, was present at the meeting to explain the projects
he's been working on and things he's planning for spring. He invited commissioners to
accompany him to Anoka to attend a Time for Trees seminar. He's working with
Carlson Companies on a large project called Greening Plymouth's Entryways. Carlson
has agreed to supply 100 volunteers to help with the planting. The first area that will be
planted is along the Carlson Parkway exit off I-494. MNDot is donating $5,000 worth
of planting material for this project. Another planting project is with NSP near French
Park. NSP has agreed to donate $5,000 in plants if the City will match it. The trees
will be planted beneath the power lines. Arbor Day will be celebrated this year on April
21 by planting 14 trees at Wayzata East Junior High. The YES organization has
declared an area behind the school, a Peace Garden, and this is where the trees will be
planted.
Mary Bisek indicated that with the increase in the senior program coordinator's hours to
20 per week, some new inter -generational programming is being planned. She also
stated that a volunteer working with the senior program has started a job exchange
service in an attempt to find work for seniors and match them up with Plymouth
employers.
Mary indicated that the recreation department has begun accepting credit card
registrations on a trial basis. The program has not been formally advertised to the
general public yet. The recreation clerical staff needs to get acclimated to the process
before going full scale with it.
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 9
The summer program brochure is scheduled for delivery in early April. The department
is already getting many calls regarding summer program dates.
c. Others.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Director Blank explained that although the CIP has not been formally approved by the City
Council, they did approve the $10,000 allocation for the construction of the Gleason Lake
Elementary School playground project. Council also accepted the Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission 1993 Annual Report.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. West Medicine Lake Park master plan review - Barry Warner. Director Blank explained
the history of the West Medicine Lake Park project for the benefit of the new
commissioners and for members of the audience. The project dates back to 1982, when
a comprehensive master park plan was prepared for the entire City. A preliminary site
plan specifically for this park was prepared the same year. The boundaries of the park
were determined at that time. The City has been acquiring property for inclusion in this
park for the past 21 years. In 1993, the consulting firm Barton-Aschman was chosen to
do a new master site plan. Three public meetings were held to review the plans and to
determine the most appropriate road alignment for West Medicine Lake Drive. After a
road alignment was agreed upon by the general public and the Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission, Barton-Aschman was directed to proceed with preparation of a
final site plan for the park. At the suggestion of the general public, a focus group
consisting of eight residents, city staff and Barton-Aschman, was formed to review the
park plan design options. After two meetings, the focus group endorsed a plan, which
was later presented to the general public, where it met with approval. Concerns
expressed by the public included speed limits on 26th Avenue, which is outside the
boundaries of the park, safe access to the park for children, limiting the number of boats
on the lake, and the size of the proposed parking lot for the park. Barry Warner then
made a formal presentation of the site plan to the Commission and to the public in
attendance. He explained that the road alignment that was approved allows for
approximately 20-25 acres of active recreation, and that it divides the active area from
the more passive area, which consists of about 40 acres of woods and wetlands. A
multi-purpose asphalt trail will wind through the active area, and a wood chip type trail
will meander through the passive area, connecting with the parking lot. The road will
be constructed like a "parkway" with a boulevard down the center, which will be
landscaped with smaller trees and shrubbery, and flowers will be planted at both the
north and south entrances to the park. On the north end of the park, an ice fishing
access and seasonal boat access will be maintained. The main purposes will be to
provide ice fishing enthusiasts and boats with deeper hulls a way to get on and off the
lake. The boat launch in French Park is too shallow for larger boats to use. This access
will be open only during the winter months and once in the spring and fall to allow the
bigger boats and deep hulled sailboats an opportunity to get their boats launched. Mr.
Warner pointed out the location of the hard court surfaces which will be for tennis and
basketball. He explained that the design theme being considered for the park is based
on the WPA projects of the 30's and 40's, using field stone and timbers. The
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 10
playground structure could have a nautical look. Floating boardwalks may be built
which will get people across the wetlands to the active recreation area. A four way stop
may be put in at the intersection of the entrance to the parking lots located on either side
of West Medicine Lake Drive. Safety lighting will be installed at key locations.
David Gradick, 11730 27th Avenue, a member of the focus group, commented that he
and the rest of the focus group were very excited about the park. He visited several of
his neighbors during the planning process and reported that they were all very
enthusiastic.
Director Blank then explained the budget for building this facility. The entire project
will cost approximately $3.3 million. This does not include the acquisition of the three
homes located within the park's boundaries. The project will be done in three phases,
similar to how Parkers Lake Park was built. Funding for a portion of the project may
be sought from the State's LAWCON program. Phase I could include grading,
realigning the road, curb and gutter, and paving the parking lots. Phase II could include
picnic shelters, the swimming beach, trails, tennis courts and trees. Phase III might
include the construction of the multi-purpose, two story building, which could be
constructed to look something like a lodge. The swimming beach may be open the
summer of '96. The yearly operating cost, once the park is fully developed, would be
approximately $75,000.
Commissioner Fiemann addressed the issue of lighting in terms of safety. Director
Blank stated that lighting would be provided along the trail that winds through the active
area, in the parking lots, and along the parkway. There would be no lighting in the
passive, wooded area. The trees and shrubbery planted in the boulevard along the
parkway would be of the type that would not obstruct a person's view from the parkway
into the active park area on the east side of the roadway.
Commissioner Willegalle wondered if the road alignment addresses the concerns about
speeding on 26th Avenue. Director Blank responded that 26th Avenue is four blocks
north of the actual park, and consequently, is not an issue that can be resolved by the
Park Commission. This is a matter that the residents must discuss with the Public
Safety Department.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FIEMANN TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CONCEPT PLAN, AS
PRESENTED BY BARTON-ASCHMAN, FOR WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK, BE
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
b. Amberwoods Park update. Director Blank stated that he contacted Pat McDonald, the
President of the Amberwoods Homeowner's Association, to learn the outcome of that
group's vote on donating their private park to the city. Mr. McDonald informed him
that they had decided against giving the park to the city and were now looking into other
things they might do with the land.
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 11
c. Study of unique open spaces update. Commissioner Johnson reported that the full Open
Space Committee, consisting of four PRAC members, four citizens at large, a Planning
Commission member, a City Council member, and the City Forester and Park and
Recreation Director met for the first time on March 10. Director Blank presented a
course of action, which the committee endorsed. Representatives of Eden Prairie will
be invited to attend the next meeting, since they currently have an open space policy in
effect. The committee may meet twice a month for the next few months. When their
work is concluded, they will prepare an open space plan, which they will submit to
PRAC for endorsement. If PRAC endorses the plan, the Open Space Committee will
then present it to the City Council.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request to rent Plymouth Creek Amphitheater for Christian music festival. Director
Blank stated that the City has received a request from Dawn Productions of St. Louis
Park to rent the amphitheater for a Christian music festival. The event would take place,
on Saturday, June 25, in the afternoon hours. Youth groups from area churches would
be invited. Director Blank discussed this with the Public Safety Director who indicated
that he would be able to provide safety personnel for crowd control and to direct traffic.
Dawn Productions estimates attendance of approximately 3,000 to 4,000. The cost for
police would be about $2,000 and Director Blank is proposing a rental rate of $500 for
the site. Dawn Productions would be responsible for picking up any trash and
depositing it in waste receptacles, which City maintenance crews would later remove.
Commissioner Fiemann asked if PRAC is the group that decides who is able to use the
amphitheater. Director Blank responded that PRAC annually reviews the City's Park
Facility Rental Policies and Fee Schedule and that the amphitheater would be covered
under that policy. Commissioner Fiemann then wondered if the City has a decibel limit,
and Director Blank stated that there is a noise ordinance in effect between the hours of
11 p.m. and 7 a.m., but since this is in the afternoon, he feels it shouldn't be a
problem.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FIEMANN TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE
THE RENTAL OF THE PLYMOUTH CREEK AMPHITHEATER, TO DAWN
PRODUCTIONS, FOR A FEE OF $2,500 FOR THE PURPOSE OF A CHRISTIAN
MUSIC FESTIVAL, ON SATURDAY, JUNE 25. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH
ALL AYES.
b. Select a date for annual park tour. Commissioners were given a choice of some dates
for the annual park tour, and it was determined that Wednesday, May 25, would work
out the best. The tour would begin at 4:30 p.m. Box suppers will be served on the bus.
Members of the City Council, the Planning Commission, and City staff would be
invited to accompany PRAC on the tour.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
PRAC Minutes/March 1994
Page 12
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
i•1D•
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: March 30, 1994
TO: Eric Blank
FROM: Barbara Senness
SUBJECT: PRAC Review of City Trail Plan
At its March 9, 1994 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended that PRAC consider
continuation of the trail along County Road 6 east to the industrial area. This recommendation
came out of a discussion of a potential new Super America and fast food restaurant at County
Road 6, just east of I-494. Although the Commission did not specify an end point for the trail
continuation, PRAC may want to consider a connection to the trail segment that terminates at
Xenium Lane and the railroad tracks.
Please let me know what action PRAC takes on this recommendation so I can report back to
the Planning Commission.
Feac,
Eric,
I wanted to demonstrate the commitment to the Hennepin County
Park trail system the residents have on east Medicine Lake
neighborhood. So I took the effort to get a petition together to close
Medicine Lake Blvd from 26th Ave north to Medicine Ridge.
This would make the trail much more safer and peaceful.
I would have collected more signatures, but I'm going out of the
country for 12 days. When I return I'd be more than happy to
continue this effort is some way.
If you have any questions, please give me a call 5 46-3 800 wk or
545-6463 home.
Th yo ,
Rick Barkley
cc: Doug Bryant
Hennepin County Parks
To:
Hennepin County Parks
12615 Cty Road 9
Plymouth, MN. 55441
City Of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN. 55447
The following citizens of East Medicine Lake neighborhood residing in
the city of Plymouth have prepared the following petition and agree
to the following:
Subject: The safety of pedestrians and control of automobile traffic
on East Medicine Lake Boulevard.
We propose the closure to automobile traffic, on East Medicine Lake
Boulevard from 26th Ave north to the juncture of Medicine Ridge
Road. This would insure the safety of pedestrians and bikers when
Hennepin Country trail system goes through. This portion of East
Medicine Lake Boulevard is very narrow and dangerous. Traffic can
easily be re-routed onto Medicine Ridge Road, which is much larger
and can handle the added traffic.
This four block closure would affect the access to one home which
now uses East Medicine Lake Boulevard for their access. Perhaps
other solutions are available for this resident.
With this closure one could hike or bike to French Park in total safety
on the new proposed trail system. Giving this area of Plymouth a
park atmosphere.
If you were to drive the entire east side of Medicine Lake Blvd, you
would discover only 3 or 4 houses that now use this road. Maybe
access is available from the back other than Medicine Lake Blvd.
Names, Addresses and phone numbers to all who agree to this
petition are attached.
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MILE
April •1993
Date: April 1, 1994
From: Mary Kay Watson
1500 Terraceview Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
612) 449-0447
To: Mayor and Council of Plymouth, Minnesota
Re: Membership on Plymouth PRAC
I regret that I must resign from the Plymouth Park and Recreation Commission, to be
effective immediately. Beginning next month, my business will keep me in northern
Minnesota from May through October of every year.
Thank you for affording me the opportunity of serving on a Plymouth city commission. I
have enjoyed working with the staff and commission.
if any of you are in the Park Rapids area during the summer, please stop by and visit us at
Sister Wolf Books in Dorset. And bring your bike; we're on the Heartland Trail.
1 will continue to live in Plymouth during the other seven months and hope to see each of
you on one of Plymouth's many fine trails.
Sincerely,
Mary Kay Watson
cc: Eric Blank, director
Don Anderson, chair
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