HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 06-13-1996Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
June 13, 1996, 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. Awarded contracts on ice arena
b.
5. Unfinished Business
a. Review ice arena/pool complex
b. West Medicine Lake Park update
c. Open spaces update
d. Playfield/highschool update
e. Senior citizen needs analysis update
f. Continue golf course discussion - Rich Deziel, owner of Hollydale, will attend
meeting
g. Request to place log home in Parkers Lake Park update
6. New Business
a. Sunset Hill Elementary School playground - request for funding
b. Review list of names for ice arena
C.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting - July 11
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
May 9, 1996
Page 20
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Priebe, Thompson and Willegalle;
staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson; Councilmember Wold
Absent: Commissioners Johnson and Wahl
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the May meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the City Center
Lunchroom.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Fiemann and seconded by Commissioner
Willegalle to approve the minutes of the April meeting as presented. The motion
carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary announced that recreation division revenues were down the first
quarter of `96. She thinks this may have been due in part to the bad weather we
had. She stated that staff was working on the City's first ever mail -in registration
for swimming. Several hundred registrations were received, and most people
did get either their first, second or third choice. Phone inter -active registration is
still being studied, and Mary indicated that if all goes according to plan, this
process would begin in the fall of `96. An Over 55 Softball league began this
past week, and the participants involved are quite excited that this league finally
materialized, after having been offered and cancelled in past years due to lack
of registrations. Mary announced that the City's volunteer coordinator has now
been with the City three years, and in that time, the volunteer work force has
tripled.
c. Others.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council approved the feasibility study for the East Medicine Lake Regional trail.
Another public meeting will likely be scheduled in August or September.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Review ice arena/pool complex. Director Blank announced that trees have been
removed and dirt is being pushed around on the site. Bid packages are out.
The project continues to move on the fast track, with a projected opening
PRAC Minutes/May 1996
Page 21
sometime between December 15 and March 15. At next month's PRAC meeting,
a name for the facility will be discussed.
b. West Medicine Lake Park update. The bridge is back on the Council agenda for
May 15. Director Blank stated that the road is scheduled for paving in October
or early November.
c. Open spaces update. The purchase of the Johnson Bros. parcel is on the next
Council agenda for final approval. The Seitzer property has numerous spruce
trees that are being removed and planted in other parks.
d. Playfield/high school update. The bid package for the playfield complex will be
out next week. The City's portion of the project should be completed by the end
of this year.
e. Senior citizen needs analysis update. The report on the needs of seniors in
Plymouth will be available by next month's meeting.
f. Golf course discussion. Ken and John Hampton, the owners of Hampton Hills
golf course, were present to discuss the future of their course. Director Blank
explained to them that the City is interested in golf courses continuing to exist in
Plymouth, and is concerned that the possibility of future development may cause
some golf course owners to. sell their property. The Hamptons asked if sanitary
sewer would bypass their course or pass through it? Director Blank responded
that according to the map, it appears that the sanitary sewer will pass through
the course. The Hamptons indicated they don't need sewer, because they have
their own septic system and their own wells, which adequately serve the golf
course and the family homes that are located there. Mr. Hampton stated that it
is his wish to keep the golf course as long as possible and to pass it on to his
children, with the hope that they would then pass it on to their children. He feels
that a lot of the course wouldn't even be developable because the land is quite
wet. He indicated that the course is about 145 acres in size. He said that he
didn't know how many rounds the course does per year, because they don't
keep records that way. They keep track of the revenue, instead. Mr. Hampton
indicated that he wasn't particularly interested in selling to developers, even
though he's had offers, and if he ever did decide to sell, he would rather sell to
the City. Director Blank asked him what the City could do to help out and
encourage him to stay in the business. Mr. Hampton responded that the course
suffers a lot from storm water runoff and that they've had problems specifically
with the railroad's culverts being directed toward the golf course. He requested
that the City look into the water runoff problems and talk to the railroad.
Councilmember Wold directed staff to refer this problem to Dan Faulkner in
Engineering, because he is -in charge of the City's new storm water management
program. The Hamptons asked Director Blank what the City's thoughts are
regarding the golf courses in Plymouth. He stated that the City would like the
PRAC Minutes/May 1996
Page 22
golf courses to remain, rather than sell to developers, but that the City also
understands how desirable the land is to developers. Mary Bisek asked Mr.
Hampton if he could rank the difficulty of his course. He explained that average
courses usually have a ranking of 100, and that Hampton Hills' ranking is 106.
g. Review northeast neighborhood park plan. Director Blank explained that if
PRAC is comfortable with the master plan for this park it needs to be approved
this evening and forwarded to the City Council. George Watson, the design
consultant, then made a brief presentation to PRAC, explaining that the parcel is
43 acres in size, with 12.7 acres above the 100 year flood plain. After
subtracting the areas that are wooded and sloped, about two acres remain that
can be developed. He described the various amenities in the park and using a
few colored displays, he showed PRAC how the park would look, describing
where the children's playground, trails, benches, boardwalk, fishing docks, etc.
would be located. He indicated that the majority of the park will be left in its
natural state, and the trail will be paved in some areas and crushed rock or wood
chips in other areas. He explained that the C.P. Railroad wants to formalize the
crossing that people have been using over the years to gain access to that park.
He stated that a non -signalized crossing would be the least expensive and that
the train would blow its whistle at.a non -signalized crossing, while it would not
do the same at a signalized crossing. He explained that the most expensive
access at this site would be abridge crossing, however, most people would
continue to cross the railroad, tracks where they always have. Another access
point to the park could be through the Cardinal Ridge development, but this is a
private development, so the access would have to be worked out with them.
Another issue of concern to the residents is the color of theplay equipment.
They want it to be as neutral as possible, so it blends in with the surroundings.
They prefer earth tone colors such as green and beige or wood -type structures.
Commissioner Priebe voiced a concern regarding the attraction children have for
water and what was being done to keep them away from the water's edge. Mary
Bisek responded that there are no steep slopes leading to the water and that the
ponds' edges are not manicured but rather have tall grasses and cattails
bordering them. She explained that toddlers usually will not wade through this,
because they don't like to have things brushing against their faces. As for the
bridges and docks, these all have railings, which should help prevent kids from
falling off. Commissioner Fiemann commented that he didn't see any plans for a
hard court area anywhere in this park, so he was concerned about the basketball
players in the neighborhood. George responded that this was not a facility that
would really fit well in this park, because of the park's nature. He also felt it
would not be a popular activity with the residents around this park.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON, AND SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER PRIEBE TO ACCEPT THE MASTER. PLAN AS
PRESENTED FOR THE NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD PARK. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
PRAC Minutes/May 1996
Page 23
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Birchview Elementary School playground request for funding. Marie Egger,
representing the playground committee, made a presentation to PRAC and
requested funding for their new playground. She explained that this park is the
neighborhood park for this area, as well as the school park. She displayed
several drawings showing the equipment they've purchased thus far, and the
equipment they would like to still acquire. The park is being built in three
phases, she said. She indicated that the project is being installed completely by
volunteers and that theyve saved thousands of dollars doing it this way. Other
sources of funding for Phase I have included about $15,000 from the Birchview
PTA's fundraising efforts and cash donations and $2,900 from the school district
in various areas, such as securing ADA suitable equipment, site amendment fee,
etc. Fundraising efforts will continue as well as soliciting donations from
businesses and civic groups, so that the project can proceed with Phases II and
III. Ms. Egger requested that the City consider a contribution of at least $15,000
toward this project. Director Blank then explained to PRAC that the first school
playground improvement the City helped finance was in 1985, and it was Pilgrim
Lane Elementary. After that first request came in, the City decided to develop
some guidelines that all school groups had to follow when requesting funding
from the City. The guidelines stated that the City would contribute up to $10,000
in matching funds. Director Blank explained that the policy is now over ten years
old and should perhaps be updated. A contribution of $10,000 may not be
realistic anymore, when you consider that a playground can cost from $50,000 to
100,000 to build. A good time to redo the policy would be at the time of
planning the 1997-2001 parks' CiP, according to Director Blank.
b. Sunset Hill Elementary School "playground request for funding. Director Blank
stated that the City has also received a request for funding from Sunset Hill for
upgrading their school's playground, and a request has now come in from
Pilgrim Lane, which was the first school to get funding, back in 1985.
c. Letter from Carol Creelman. Director Blank explained that Mrs. Creelman is
interested in replicating the log cabin on County Road 6 for personal and
historical reasons. She has offered to fund the project herself. The log cabin
would serve as an educational tool and could be used by the Plymouth Historical
Society when discussing the history of Plymouth. Director Blank explained that
the cabin is in such poor condition that it would probably fall apart if any
attempts to move it were made. Mrs. Creelman is proposing to have an exact
replica of the log cabin built somewhere in Parkers Lake Park. It's possible that
a log or two from the original cabin, or a block of stone from the chimney, could
be salvaged and incorporated into the new cabin.
d. Pick date for annual park tour. A couple of dates were discussed, with
Thursday, May 30, being the-pi-eferred choice. The bus will leave City Center at
PRAC Minutes/May 1996
Page 24
4 p.m. and get back around 9. Box lunches will be served. Invitations will be
sent to the Council, the Planning Commission, the Water Quality Committee,
and other staff.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Willegalle . announced that the Parkers Lake Improvement
Association submitted an application for and subsequently received a full $10,000
matching grant from the DNR for theconstruction of NURP ponds at the new high
school site.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
DATE: June 10, 1996
TO: PRAC >
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Offer from Carol Creelman to Donate Historic Log Cabin
At last month's Commission meeting, we talked briefly about Carol Creelman's desire to
donate a log cabin to the City. She is prepared to contract for a reproduction of the log
cabin at County Road 6 and Vicksburg Lane for display in Parkers Lake Park. I had
Mark Peterson look at the situation, and we feel that the preparation of the site, the
subgrade foundation work and electrical work will run around $20,000. Mrs. Creelman
has agreed to pay up to $10,000 for this work, above and beyond the total cost of
paying for the log cabin. I believe this is a very worthwhile project and will help people
understand the history of Plymouth at the time of its early settlement. Therefore, I am
recommending that we go forward with accepting the donation to place the log cabin in
Parkers Lake Park, with the City contributing up to $10,000 for site work to match Mrs.
Creelman's contribution.
As I mentioned last month, we are exploring two locations in the park. One is very near
the open air picnic shelter, and the other one is further down the west shore of the lake.
If the Commission is comfortable, we probably will need another month to evaluate the
two sites and come back to you at your July meeting with a specific recommendation on
which site. However, Mrs. Creelman is anxious to get the log cabin underway, and is
interested in having the recommendation of the Park Commission and City Council as,
soon as possible.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Commission accept the donation from
Carol Creelman for the reproduction of the log cabin at no cost to the City, and further
that the City will match her contribution up to $10,000 for site work and electrical work
for the log cabin project. Mrs. Creelman will donate up to $10,000 for site preparation
for the log cabin. I have also requested a letter from the Plymouth Historical Society
endorsing the project, which indicates that they are willing to provide the educational
material necessary to bring to life the early settlement of the Plymouth area.
EB/np
Attachment
1 !IMOM0, IORICAL Wlfa
MUSEUM: 3605 Fernbrook Lane
MAILING: 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447
6/10/96
Eric Blank
Park & Recreation Dept.
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Eric;
The Plymouth Historical Society wants to express our support of Carol
Creelman's project to replicate the Log Cabin located on County Road 6. She is
donating the cost of the Log Cabin and it appears that it would be very appropriate
to locate the Log Cabin in the Parker's Lake Park. We support this effort and her
generosity in this gift to the City of Plymouth.
The Plymouth Historical Society will provide historical information and pictures to
be used in the structure.
SinAry
cerely,
Vidde .`$
President
Plymouth Historical Society
cc: Carol Creelman
Plymouth Historical Society
Our Past /s Present... Help Us Keep !t" `1Rao
4 lordjki A June 5, 1996
City of Plymouth
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Advisory Commission Members:
Thank you for considering our request for assistance with funding the playground project at Sunset Hill
Elementary School/City Park. Our Sunset Hill community of parents, children, and staff is excited about
our plan for a new and safe play experience for the children of our school and the surrounding
neighborhood.
Last summer we received funding through Independent School District 284 for the following:
i) playground drainage correction; (ii) replacement of surface; (iii) blacktop resurfacing;
iv) purchase and installation of accessible playground equipment which meets the guidelines of the 1991
Federal Americans with Disabilities Act. As part of these renovations, our tire swings were to be
relocated. After they were removed, they were deemed unsafe and could not be reinstalled. Therefore,
our PTA decided to purchase some additional playground equipment as well as replace the Tire swings.
The following items were purchased and installed in September 1995: (i) one tire swing; (ii) two
additional belt swings; (iii) a "Drop Shot'; (iv) a "Toss 'N Score"; and (v) two tether ball units. The
Toss'N Score" was purchased through Minnesota(Wisconsin Playground, Inc. All other equipment was
purchased through Earl Andersen, Inc. (Landscape Structures). The total cost for the equipment, freight,
and installation was $4,426.46.
Now we are faced with the challenge of funding the replacement of the remaining wooden play structures
see attached photographs), which were originally purchased and installed in 1986. Due to the
insufficient water drainage on the playground in the past, the wooden structures are deteriorating and
need to be replaced in the near future (see attached letter). Therefore, we are asking for consideration for
funding assistance in 1997. We have been working with a representative (Dave Owen) from Earl
Andersen, Inc. over the past school year to establish a playground plan. We believe our plan will provide
a high-quality, safe, and fun play experience for the Sunset Hill community children.
Our goal is to secure all funding for Phase I and Phase H by June 1997. This will be feasible with existing
PTA funds, 1996-1997 school fund-raising events, and assistance from the City of Plymouth. Enclosed
are the items you have requested for review. These include site plans, outline of phases, cost estimates,
and anticipated funding.
We appreciate your consideration of our request and look forward to reviewing our proposal with you on
June 13. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ar", ,ter.,c Q
Dr. Karla Thompson LuAnn Culhane Laurie Epstein
Principal, Sunset Hill PTA Playground Committee Chair PTA Playground Committee Member
476-3081 544-0334 593-5329
SUNSET HILL SCHOOL 13005 SUNSET TRAIL PLYMOUTH, MN 55441-5699 (612) 476-3080 FAX (612) 476-5035
Sunset Hill Elementary PTA
Playground Plan
PHASE ONE Estimated Completion: June 1, 1997
Main Play Structure
See Attached)
PHASE TWO Estimated Completion: September 1. 1997
Spring Ring
Humpty Climber (double)
Fire Engine
Belt Swing Unit
Tire Swings (2)
PHASE THREE Estimated Completion: June 1. 1998
Metal Benches (3)
Metal Trash Cans (3)
Total:
Estimated Costs
533,000
Volunteer Labor
2,025
S1,400
S5.100
1,500
2.740
12,765
Volunteer Labor
1,800
800
Total: $ 2,600
GRAND TOTAL for three phases $ 48.365
Review of Funding
Sunset Hill Playground Equipment
Current Funds: $15,000
1996-1997 School Year Fund Raisers:
Family Fun Nights
Goal: $2,000
Pennies for Playground
Goal: $1,000 - $1,500
Cash Donations from local businesses and Civic Groups
5,000 - $8,000
Poinsettia Sale:
Goal: $2,000
Other Sources:
Future fund raisers
Direct donations from families
City of Plymouth
Tuesday, November 28, 1995
Sunset Hill Elementary PTA
c/o Ms. LuAnn Culhane
Playground Committee Chairperson
2412 Indian Road West
Minnetonka. MN 55305
Dear Sunset Hill Elementary PTA:
RODGER SCHAEFBAUER
Health/safety specialist
17305 19th Avenue North
Plymouth, Mn 56447 • 012/476-5059
Fax: 61214763278
To clarify various topics previously discussed at PTA meetings, I would like to provide a written
response regarding existing conditions of the play areas located at Sunset Hill Elementary.
First, improvements began in 1993. A large area of pea rock was incorporated into the blacktop
area currently serving as a basketball court. The area to the east of the blacktop had black dirt
and sod added to improve the quality of playing games outdoors on a flat, grassy area.
In 1994, the school board approved the first Playground Safety Management Plan. This initiated
several policies which includes equipment inspections and maintaining impact attenuating
surfaces in close proximity of climbing and swinging structures. As part of the inspections, it has
been determined that the main wood structure does not pass the 1991 Consumer Product Safety
Commission guidelines.
In 1995, funds were approved for the surface at the Sunset Hill Elementary playground to be
upgraded to a wood fiber system which will greatly reduce the potential for injuries resulting from
falls. This project also improved drainage of the play area, provided handicapped accessible
play structures for the first time, researched the traffic patterns of students and local users, and
designed some new activities to further reduce the potential for collisions or impact injuries.
The future of the wood structure is impossible to forecast. No known repairs are available except
replacement. I am trying to inform your organization of this predicament so plans can be
initiated. If the structure does become unsafe or a rise in injuries occur, I will not hesitate to
remove the hazard. Remember, funding for new equipment is not available through the school
district unless the items will assist handicapped students.
I hope you find this information helpful in summarizing the district's past and future activities. I
have attached my business card for quick reference. Please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
izllow
Rodger Schaefbauer
Health & Safety Specialist
copy: Joe Matson, Supervisor of.Buildings & Grounds
Karla Thompson, Principal, Sunset Hill Elem.
Natalie Malphrus, Executive Director of Finance & Business
Central Services Facility 17305 19th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447-2703 FAX 476-3278
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Club Plymouth
Plymouth Ice Center Plymouth Skate Center
Plymouth Ice Arena Plymouth Skate Arena
Plymouth Ice Palace Plymouth Skate Palace
Plymouth Ice Forum Plymouth Skate Forum
Plymouth Ice Garden Plymouth Skate Garden
Plymouth Ice Park Plymouth Skate Park
Plymouth Ice Palace Plymouth Skate Palace
Plymouth Ice Stadium Plymouth Skate Stadium
Plymouth Ice Coliseum Plymouth Skate Coliseum
Plymouth Icedrome Plymouth Skatedrome
Plymouth Ice Theater Plymouth Skate Theater
Plymouth Ice Bowl Plymouth Skate Bowl
Plymouth Ice Castle Plymouth Skate Castle
Mr. Eric Blank May 13, 1996
Park and Recreation Director
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Blank,
Shortly after my presentation to the Park and Rec Committee last
Thursday evening, I became aware that my request for $15,000 of
funding assistance was in fact "off the top of my head" and based on
some outdated information. As a result of the following new
information and sensible reasoning, I would like to increase our
request for funding to $25,000, ($15,000 of that as matchable).
There have been some important changes in Wayzata School District
284's budget plan for the site work and wood chip surfacing of our
phase II and III areas. Because the funds to complete that work are
realistically only available during the 1997 budget year, we at
Birchview need to be ready to install BOTH phase II and III during
1997, rather than delaying some or all of phase III until 1998. It is
also very possible that District #284 will not be able to budget for
the paving of the 90' handicapped access pathway during the '97
budget year as we had hoped, thereby leaving all "wheeled" access to
the handicapped accessible play areas from the parking / sidewalked
areas on hold for an indefinite period of time.
The ever increasing need for youth soccer facilities (demonstrated
by my daughter's team practice to be held at Birchview tonight with
no goals), emphasizes the fact that funding to install one (or more)
soccer goal sets could benefit MANY more kids beyond just those
who attend Birchview or live nearby if it were to become a site for
youth soccer practices and games, as it is already for baseball.
Lastly, your committee brought up the need for benches or a table
more within the play area. Frankly we would love to do just that,
but the large price tag attached to high quality playground equipment
itself makes ammenities such as these difficult to budget for.
Perhaps the city of Plymouth could help us by outright purchasing
some of these pieces which will make the park more user friendly.
Sincerely,
ems_
Marie Egger, Birchview Playground Committee Chairperson