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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 09-15-1997Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission September 15, 1997, 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. Selection of activity center architect 5. Unfinished Business a. 1998-2002 CIP - continue discussion of projects (see attached) b. West Medicine Lake Park update c. Ice arena update d. Elm Creek playfield update e. East Medicine Lake regional trail update f. Armstrong High School gym update g. Activity center update h. 6. New Business a. b. C. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting - October 13 (at the Ice Center) parks\staft\eric\prac\agendas\sept97.doc Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting August 14, 1997 Page 21 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Thompson, Willegalle, Fiemann, Johnson; Planning Commissioner Berkowitz; Councilmember Wold; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson Absent: Commissioners Wahl and Priebe 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the August meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Willegalle and seconded by Commis- sioner Thompson to approve the minutes of the May meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary Bisek made some comments about the impact the weather has had on us this summer. Several Tuesday evening concerts had to be canceled. Summer programs are winding down, and fall program regis- tration has begun. The City is taking over the Wayzata Community Edu- cation school year swimming program beginning this fall. Soccer is in full swing. Touch tone interactive phone registration will be demonstrated next month. We have made arrangements with our software vendor to be a test site. The recreation division will be meeting sometime in September to decide what programs we can schedule this year in the new gyms at the Wayzata High School and Armstrong High School. The History Fest was held August 9, as well as a large softball tournament at Zachary Playfield. Mary stated that two wooden boats that were built entirely by teens, as part of the Boat Project, were launched at Parkers Lake the night of the last summer concert. The kids were very excited about it. Honeywell donated money for that project. They are interested in doing it again. The boats were built in a double car garage, but we're not sure if that space will be available again next year. Chair Anderson stated that he had stopped in at the tournament at Zachary over the weekend and was very impressed with how smoothly things were going and that Rick should be commended for his hard work. c. Others. Karol Greupner, Recreation Supervisor, was present at the meeting to introduce members of the Fine Arts Council. Karol supervises PRAC Minutes/August 1997 Page 22 youth activities, pre-school programs, music programs, the arts, etc. She stated that almost 60% of the concerts were canceled this summer due to rain. Next Tuesday is the last concert of the summer at Parkers. There has been good attendance at the concerts that we were able to hold. The University of Minnesota water ski team show was last Tuesday and the rain held off until after the show. The concert afterwards had to be can- celed. Two groups have been rescheduled to perform at the Arts Fair, Tri- cia and the Toons, and Beasley's Big Band. Concerts were sponsored by Cub Foods, Burnet Realty, Franklin National Bank and the City of Ply- mouth. The newly formed Plymouth Fine Arts Council attended the meeting to make a presentation to the commissioners. Karol introduced Georgeann Bessler Wenisch, president of the Fine Arts Council, Michele Combs, Vice President, Connie Fernholtz, and Lisa Molitor. Ms. Bessler Wenisch stated that they came together as a group of citizens interested in visual arts. They helped create new art classes, this year's concert schedule, an arts phone line that is maintained by their group that gives out recorded messages regarding various special arts events, etc., and sponsored the first juried art exhibit last spring. There were over 130 works of art dis- played, which was way beyond what they expected. They will be doing the juried art exhibit again in the fall. The theme will be "focus on autumn." An event coming up in September that they are very excited about is an "Evening with Joe Dowling," at the Radisson Conference Center, September 23. He's the artistic director of the Guthrie Theatre. On October 23, they will be working with the seniors doing a Minnesota landscape art display at Fire Station III. They have developed a newslet- ter/brochure, which will be mailed out next week. The Fine Arts Council is a small organization hoping to make their mark on the community. They would like to start a community band/orchestra, theatre group, etc. They need a regular place to meet, so they asked the Commission to be on the lookout for a location. Director Blank explained how pleased he was with this branch of parks and recreation. Councilmember Tim Wold said that the Fine Arts Council should contact the Council and Mayor and say they support the building of an activity center. The group is hoping that they can use some space at the Wayzata Central Middle School until they can find something more permanent. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION There was nothing to report on this item. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. West Medicine Lake Park update. Phase 3 started Monday and should be done in three weeks. Picnic shelter bids came in very high last time, and if they come in high again, we may look in a catalog to find some stan- PRAC Minutes/August 1997 Page 23 dard picnic shelter structures. The park will be seeded and sodded this fall. b. Ice Arena/Life Time Fitness. Reports indicate that the parking lot is very crowded most of the time. Striping of the parking lot should help that, because right now people park anywhere they can. Director Blank will have a counting project coming up next week, where staff will be in the parking lot counting the cars that arrive every hour all day long. Com- missioner Johnson asked about the City's leverage with Life Time. He is disgusted with their policy of having a parent sign a notarized waiver for their child to attend with a friend. Director Blank explained that the city presented Life Time with several policy changes and they complied with six or seven of them. Planning Commissioner Berkowitz asked what ad- vice Director Blank would give Life Time members if they are not happy with certain things. Director Blank said to have them call Life Time di- rectly. Councilmember Wold said our relationship with them is that we bought pool time, ice arenas, access to pools by school district, and re- duced initiation for Plymouth residents. Our contract with them says that we meet quarterly to discuss issues. Calls coming into Director Blank have diminished greatly. Membership at Life Time is at 5,000 now. c. Elm Creek Playfield update. All the grass was killed when we had a late freeze last May. The softball fields will be have to be sodded now, so that they will be ready by next spring. Fencing will be taking place soon, too. d. Golf course discussion. A three par golf course will be going in east of Vicksburg Lane, south of the workhouse. Ron Fiemann asked what Di- rector Blank's feelings were on the issue of preserving one of the larger courses in Plymouth. Director Blank thinks the City should hire a con- sultant to do a feasibility study. e. East Medicine Lake Regional Trail. The Hennepin Park District is going to do a $5 million bond to install the trail. If all goes well, this will take about two years to complete. The trail will go down the east side of the lake and connect to Theodore Wirth trail. f. Armstrong High School 1 . The footings are in now, and they have started to work above ground. The project is being administered by Rob- binsdale School District. The gym should be ready by the first of the year. g. Skateboard park. See item 6a. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. 1998-2002 CIP. Director Blank handed out a copy of the 1997-2001 CIP. The neighborhood park in 1998 should be the one at Schmidt Lake Road PRAC Minutes/August 1997 Page 24 and Vicksburg Lane (the park requested by Mona Domaas). There should also be money available to do the site at 22nd and Vicksburg, bleachers at the ice arena practice rink, a sculpture in front of the ice arena, flow- ers at the amphitheater, and a skateboard park/inline skate facility. Di- rector Blank attended a meeting in Golden Valley along with representa- tives from other cities and organizations about skateboard parks. Cheap- skate in Minnetonka has offered to run a skateboard park on their site. The downtown Minneapolis skateboard facility is probably going to lose their space, and they are possibly interested in coming out here. Roller- blade may be interested in something in the western suburbs, also. Di- rector Blank says we need to put something in the `98 CIP, but there are several questions that need to be researched first. Do we want to have inline skating in Plymouth on a smaller scale at two or three locations, or would we be better off partnering with other communities on a larger scale? Do we want an indoor or just an outdoor facility? Do we want only in-line skaters or skateboarders, too? Do we want a fenced facility, pay as you go, or open, non -fenced, and free? Jim McWethy from Sports Hut stated that Roseville put an outdoor in-line skating area on their bandee rink. He said in-line skating, skateboarding, and BMX biking are all events that could work in a skateboard park. He believes it makes sense to build something that would accommodate all of these activities. Com- missioner Willegalle said he read that Minnesota is the largest user of in- line skates. Councilmember Wold stated that he would like to see a skateboard park in every ward in Plymouth and then one large one in the center of town. He suggested that Jim encourage the skateboarders to contact the Council regarding their desire to have a skateboard facility in Plymouth. Commissioner Willegalle thinks this issue probably should go to a subcommittee. Councilmember Wold agreed with this. The City Council is meeting with the school board next week, and one of the items they will be discussing is a skateboard park. Councilmember Wold said the meeting between the school board and city council is an open meet- ing that anyone can attend. He suggested that skateboard enthusiasts should come to that meeting. Commissioner Thompson said she thinks the trails that were put in along Vicksburg Lane have satisfied the neigh- borhood residents who wanted a park at Schmidt Lake Road and Vicks- burg, and perhaps the money set aside for that park should now go to a skateboard park. Director Blank suggested $80,000 for seed money to start the skateboard park. Commissioner Fiemann feels we should try to build one on both the east and west side of the city and get support from school districts and churches, etc. Commissioner Johnson said if we do it like Roseville did, we can start making money after four or five years. Director Blank stated the Commission needs to decide if they want the facility to be free or to charge admission to attend. Commissioner John- son believes it will be a safer facility if we control it, and that means charging a fee to use it. Councilmember Wold said he doesn't have a problem asking people to pay to use a skateboard park, but he wants it PRAC Minutes/August 1997 Page 25 to be affordable. He feels that $80,000 is too low an amount to start with, Chair Anderson said the Commission needs some direction. Commis- sioner Johnson feels that several people need to be involved in this. Jim McWethy believes we need to have at least $60,000 to $70,000 to get started. Director Blank's thought was that if the City contributed 80,000, maybe the school district would kick in something, too. Other sponsors like Coke or Pepsi might come forward, too. Director Blank said he would come up with some numbers by next month's meeting. All were in agreement with $80,000 as a starting point. Commissioner Johnson, Willegalle and Councilmember Wold volunteered to be on subcommittee on skateboard park issue. Commissioner Johnson knows a teen in his neighborhood who would like to be on committee, too. A new draft ver- sion of the CIP will be handed out at the nest meeting. Director Blank asked for other items to include. Commissioner Thompson said we need more baseball fields. Director Blank asked if the Commission could meet on Wednesday nights next month and in October. Commissioner Johnson brought up the issue of the peninsula on Medi- cine Lake. There is a developer who wants to build a hotel at the inter- section of Hwys. 55 and 169. He wants to buy the peninsula and give it to the City. Three scenarios for mitigation have been presented. The only acceptable scenario had minimal impact on the peninsula, according to Director Blank. Like every other issue, there will be trade offs and com- promises. This issue will eventually come before PRAC and will likely be very controversial. A request for an extension of the trail on Northwest Boulevard was dis- cussed. Director Blank said the Commission should consider it like any other request and decide if they want to put money in the CIP for it. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Commissioner Thompson wants the soccer fields at Parkers Lake clearly marked. She also requested that we combine the Under 13 and Under 14 age groups in the future, instead of eliminating the program for that age be- cause of low numbers. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION The next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 10. (Note: This was later changed to Sept. 15). N _. 41 G il 0VPR Ll" The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Park City/Trails Neighborhood Other Replacement 409 Parks 410 (CIF) (Bonds) 1998 Portable Stage (lease for purchase) 18,725 Activity Center X Field House X Trail 75,000 Neighborhood Park Vicksburg & Schmidt Lk Rd $100,000 Upgrade Zachary Park Phase 1 50,000 160,000 Ice Rink Bleachers and Painting of Graphics 20,000 Art in the Parks 20,000 Amphitheater Garden 15,000 Aggressive Skate Park 80,000 Playgrnd Replacement East Beach and 1 Neighborhd Site 160,000 Pilg Ln School Park Playgrnd (carry over from this year) 15,000 50,0001 388,725 1 275,000 1999 Trails 494 & Co. Rd. 9 Bridge 185,000 Portable Stage (lease for purchase) 18,725 Upgrade Youth Sports Fields (Greenwood/Central Middle) 100,000 Upgrade Zachary Park Phase II 115,000 Neighborhood Park 175,000 Art in the Park 10,000 Oakwood School Park Playground 15,000 428,725 190,000 2000 Trail Development 100,000 Neighborhood Park 175,000 Portable Stage (lease for purchase) 18,725 Upgrade Youth Sports Fields (Greenwood/Central Middle) 100,000 Playground Replacement 90,000 Land Acquisition - 10th Playfield 200,000 418,725 1265,000 98pkrvpd City of Plymouth 1998 - 2002 Capital Improvements Program Park Dedication Fund—Community Playftelds and Trails (Fit nil 409) I Beginning Estimated Projected Transfer to Projected End Interest Earnings Projected Year Balance Revenues Expenditures Park Repl. Fund Balance 5% on avg balance I Final Balance 1997 970,033 525,000 1,197,000) 26,533) 271,500 39,088 310,588 1998 310,588 400,000 388,725) 28,000) 293,863 15,111 1 308,974I 1999' 308,974 I 400,000 428,725) 29,000) 251,249 14,006 265,255 2000 265,255 I 400,000 418,725) 30,000) 216,530 12,045 22 8,5 74 i 2001 228,574 350,000 318,725) 31,000) 228,849 11,436 240,285 20021 240,285 350,000 315,725); 32,000) 239,560 11,996 251,556 97pkrvpd 98pkrvnp City ofPlymouth 1998-2002 Capital Improvements Program Park Dedication Fund --Neighborhood Parks (Fund 410) i Beginning Estimated Projected Transfer to Projected End Interest Earnings Projected Year Balance Revenues Expenditures Park Rept Fund Balance 5% on avg balance Final Balance 19971 335,901 200,000 410,000) 11,371) 114,530: 11,261 125,791 19981, 125,791 200,000 0275,00) 14,000) 36,791 4,065 40,855 19991 40,855 150,000 190,000) 14,000) 13,145) 693 (12,452) 2000 12,452) 150,000 265,000) 15,000) 142,452)1 (3,873) (146,325) 20011 146,325) 150,000 175,000) 16,000) 187,325) (8,341) 11( 195,666) 2002 195,666) 150,000 175,000) 16,000) 236,666), (10,808)1 (247,474) 97pkrvnp Pilgrim Lane Elementary School Randy Moberg principal September 9, 1997 Eric Blank, Director City of Plymouth Department of Parks and Recreation and The Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Blank, ROD D I KISDn LE area schools Thank you very much for meeting with us on August 18. The meeting was informative and very helpful. Per your suggestion, we are submitting the attached proposal for a pre-school playground structure to the Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC). You will notice that we have also included a few park benches in our request. It is our understanding that this proposal will be discussed at the September 15th PRAC meeting. Before we present our proposal, however, we must begin by expressing our appreciation to the City of Plymouth, for two things. First, thank you very much for the $15,000 which has already been allocated to our project. You have our deepest gratitude. And second, thank you for allowing us to consult with Mark Peterson as a resource for our project. He has been extremely helpful, and it is reassuring to know that we can seek his advice in the future. Please call us if there are any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the September 15th PRAC meeting. And thanks again for all of your help. Sincerely, The Pilgrim Lane PTO Playground Committee JM'V" Ruth Solom, Co -Chair 546-7862 Barb Deede, Co -Chair 545-4464 Pilgrim Lane Elementary School • 3725 Pilgrim Lane N. • Plymouth MN 55441 • (612) 545-1649 • Fax: (612) 545-1823 PROPOSAL for a PRE-SCHOOL STRUCTURE for THE NEW PILGRIM LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND 1. The Project The existing Pilgrim Lane Elementary School playground is at the end of its life span, and it does not meet current safety and ADA standards. Therefore, Pilgrim Lane is committed to replacing its playground. The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has financial responsibility for the purchase of the new playground, and overall responsibility for coordination of the project. Fundraising began in the fall of 1996, and will continue through the 1997-98 school year. Playground design and vendor selection will begin in the fall of 1997, and will conclude in the spring of 1998. We expect to order the new playground on approximately June 1, 1998. We plan to install the new playground in August or September 1998. We are planning to utilize a volunteer labor force (parents and other members of the community) for installation of the new playground. This will significantly reduce the total cost of the project, and will also enhance our neighborhood's sense of community. We will hire an installation supervisor from the playground manufacturer. 2. Fundraising School District #281 has indicated that they intend to help with certain aspects of the playground project, such as removal and disposal of the old playground. We are currently projecting that in addition to the assistance provided by #281, we will need approximately 65,000 for the playground project. Our projected sources of revenue are as follows: 1- We therefore respectfully request, that the City Park and Recreation Advisory Commission look favorably upon our situation, and allocate an additional $20,000 - 23,000, to be used for a pre-school play structure and park benches for adults, as described below. The 15,000 previously allocated to Pilgrim Lane will still be used for the playground equipment for children in grades K-5. The cost estimate detailed below was prepared with the assistance of Mark Peterson. 12,000 - 15,000 5,500 1,500 1,000 20,000 - 23,000 Pre -School Play Structure Underlayment and Borders ADA Accessibility Benches Total Funds Requested We are proposing that the pre-school component would follow the same design/purchase/installation time line as our K-5 component, because it will be significantly more cost-effective than adding a pre-school component at a later date. Our volunteer labor force would be willing to install the pre-school structure, unless the City prefers otherwise. School District #281 would provide ongoing maintenance for the pre-school equipment, in the same manner as it will provide for the K-5 structure. School District #281 would include the pre-school structure in its liability insurance coverage, in the same manner as it will for the K-5 structure. Thank you very much for considering our proposal 3- 30,000 School fundraisers during the 1997-98 school year This includes money raised from the parents (from fundraisers such as a raffle); as well as projects which involve the students (e.g. a bike-a-thon). 10,000 Funds already raised during the 1996-97 school year 10,000 Corporate donations Contributions from neighborhood businesses Grants Civic organizations Donations from neighborhood residents who do not have children at Pilgrim Lane Elementary School 15,000 Allocation from the City of Plymouth 65,000 Total Projected Revenue 3. Proposal To The Cit The Plymouth Park and Trail Guide lists Pilgrim Lane Elementary as a "Neighborhood Park". This is a very accurate designation. The school yard is indeed used throughout the year by neighborhood residents who play on the playground equipment, as well as for baseball games, soccer games, and Plymouth Park and Recreation programs. We are thrilled that our new playground will be used not only by our students during the school year, but also by the neighborhood on evenings, weekends, and all summer long. And we greatly appreciate the way the City has chosen to view this space as a combination school yard and city park; it is a wonderful way to maximize community resources and to make Plymouth a great city in which to live, work and play. However, the playground structure that we will be Installing is designed for grade school aged children, and is clearly not appropriate for younger kids. In order to truly be a neighborhood park, we believe our new playground should include a pre-school structure designed for ages 2-5. In fact, it is often the younger children who come to a park with their parents and grandparents to play on playground equipment, and there is nothing comparable in this immediate area. It Is also important to have a few park benches for adults to sit on while they supervise their children. These additions would be a tremendous asset to the neighborhood, attracting new residents and increasing the value of our homes. Many of the homes in our area are turning over, and it is important to make this neighborhood appealing to new families. Unfortunately, while the need clearly exists for a pre-school structure, it is not within the ability of the Pilgrim Lane PTO to fund it. There are a number of factors affecting our fundraising capabilities. Our families represent an economically diverse population. A portion of our students receive reduced -fee lunches, which Is based on low family income. Our school serves an at -risk student population, including some students from a domestic abuse shelter; these parents, of course, have no ability to contribute to our fundraising efforts. Furthermore, this neighborhood does not include a lot of major corporations; our commercial neighbors are almost exclusively retail establishments and restaurants. 2- Oakwood Elementary School 17340 Cty Rd. 6 Plymouth, MN 55447 August 29, 1997 Mr. Eric Blank Parks & Recreation Director City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55441 Eric, As the Co -Chair of the Oakwood Playground Committee, I spoke with you earlier this year regarding our interest in appealing to the City of Plymouth to help with our playground improvement project. Oakwood is the oldest school in our district and with the surge in the number of students in our district neccessitating the new high school, it is apparent there will continue to be a need to provide safe and contemporary play equipment well into the next generation of students. Our playground, although somewhat updated in 1992, is in poor condition. Several of the components have existing safety hazards and are broken, not to mention the recent ADA legislation leaves our playground completely inadequate. Additionally, the choice of equipment vendor appears to have proven the addage that" you get what you pay for". If we are to attract new families to our neighborhood and offer the same or better opportunities as other schools in our district, Oakwood needs your help. By working closely with Mr. Roger Schaefbauer, Director of Safety and Health for the school dirstrict, we have determined our project will fit the district financial budget for installation in July 1999. It will need to accomodate approximately 85-100 children, (both a 2-5 year olds structure and 5-12+ structure) by factoring in expenses for ground work, safety surfacing and overall equipment capacities, we concluded the project will cost approximately 80,000. Mr. Schaefbauer indicated that the school district will pay for all the ground work, safety surfacing, perimeter timbers and other expenses up to as much as 30% + /-. We plan to use a professional installer to supervise our parent volunteers for installation. As you mentioned during our conversation, since Oakwood's playground is considered a "rework" project, we would like to be able to tenatively plan on the $15,000 currently allowed by the council for "rework" playgrounds. This leaves our committee the task of raising approximately $40,000 by July 1999. We have received the first major contribution from the PTO of $8000 and have plans for several fundraisers to reach our goal of $16,000 per year. I am convinced we will succeed and ask that you "pencil in" our request for fiscal budget year 1999 and help us as much as possible. Sincerely, John Wellman Oakwood Playground Committee 432 Pond Ridge Circle Wayzata, MN 55391 476-4246 E -Mail: wellgrid@aol.com September 2, 1997 Eric Blank Park and Recreation Director City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 Re: Lighting - Zachary Lane Park Softball Fields. Dear Eric, Craig Gallop Sports Technology, Inc. P.O. Box 27231 Golden Valley, MN 55427 612/533-2030 Enclosed is the cost estimate for relighting the softball fields at Zachary Lane Park. I recommend eliminating all of the existing lighting and all of the infield poles. The new lighting would be to 50footcandlesinfieldand30footcandlesoutfieldandwouldbecompletedintwostagesaswe discussed. The new infield poles would be common poles between fields while the existing outfield poles would be reused. In addition, because of the homes bordering on the park, I recommend going to a Total Light -Control system to eliminate unwanted spill and glare light. The first stage would be to remove the existing lighting on two fields and replace all infield lighting and poles, and all outfield lighting. In addition, a new electrical distribution system would be brought in to the central location between all four fields. From there, new underground electrical wiring would nun to each of the two new fields. The old system would stay functionable until the second phase when the remaining two fields would receive new lighting. The cost of upgrading the lighting, poles, and underground electrical system for two fields, and installing a new central electrical distribution system for all four fields is estimated at $174,000. The cost assumes that soils are standard and that free -boring techniques are used. In addition, it assumes that the City will cover any concrete removal or replacement of walkways. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or if more detailed information is needed. incerNaHlo n. Craig I n dep\e n den\t Repr\e ee nta\tfive Ibr: Musca LIGHTING, INC. Craig Gallop Sports Technology, Inc. P.O. Box 27231 September 11, 1997 Golden Valley, MN 55427 612/533-2030 Enc Blank Park and Recreation Director City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 Re: Phase 2 - Zachary Lane Park Softball Field Relight. Dear Eric, The second phase of the ball field lighting would be for fields #1 and #2. The six existing poles lighting the infield area would be removed. The two common poles between field #1 and field #2 would be replaced with the Light -Structure system and pole locations would be moved to provide correct field lighting. The remaining four infield poles are common Light -Structure poles installed in phase 1. These poles would have fixtures, crossamis and pole wiring added for lighting fields 1 and #2. The four existing outfield poles would be reused. The outfield poles would have the fixtures, crossarms and luminaire wiring removed and then new lighting and equipment installed. All fixtures on both fields would have the Total Light -Control system which will eliminate 95% of unwanted spill and glare light. A new underground electrical system will be installed from the central switching location installed in phase 1. The old electrical system would be abandoned to fields #1 and #2. As in phase 1, the City will cover any concrete removal or replacement of walkways. The cost of lighting the two fields to 50 footcandles infield and 30 footcandles outfield is estimated at $112,168 installed. The cost assumes that soils are standard and that free -boring techniques are used. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the City of Plymouth. Please keep me advised as to how I may further assist. Gcerel Crall p Independent aupresem;,tive fnr: 0300 musco LIGHTING, INC. MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: September 15, 1997 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Skateboard Parks Councilmember Saundra Spigner has been informed of some children skateboarding in the streets in the vicinity of Kilmer Lane and 28th Avenue. She is concerned about the safety of the children and drivers running into children playing in the streets. She has requested that the Commission look at the installation of skateboard type facilities at Sunrise neighborhood park as part of your discussion of skateboarding facilities. I told her that I would pass on her concern for your review and discussion at this meeting. I think this is quite typical of what's going on around the community and that children are just ad-libbing, and skating either on homemade equipment in streets, or on sidewalks in front of buildings, etc., throughout the community. I think the most important thing is an organized review of the overall community needs in developing a strategy City-wide for addressing the needs of aggressive skaters and skateboarders. Certainly, the idea of having smaller, hard surfaced facilities in neighborhood parks is one that should be reviewed and considered in this review process. I would anticipate that adjoining neighbors to small neighborhood parks would be very interested in the location and the type of activities that may be introduced in a park setting close to their homes. I would not wish to proceed on any plan of action without having full public involvement and review of our proposals. EB/np cc: City Manager Saundra Spigner DATE: September 10, 1997 TO: PRAC 95 FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Five Year Capital Improvement Budget Included with your packet are three letters from citizen groups requesting items to be included in the capital improvement budget. The first letter is from the Curtis Lake Homeowners Association. They are requesting that the trail on Northwest Boulevard be extended north from 44th Avenue to Schmidt Lake Road on the west side of Northwest Boulevard. The draft capital improvement budget includes $75,000 for trail improvements in 1998. The City has the option of choosing which trail sections will be upgraded with those dollars. Within the last two years, based on citizen requests, the city has extended the trail between 42nd Place and 44th Avenue on the west side of Northwest Boulevard. At the time we did that work, we anticipated that the Curtis Lake neighbors could use the internal residential streets in their neighborhood to get down to the trail at 44th and Northwest Boulevard. This does not, however, allow for them to go northbound to the east/west trail on Schmidt Lake Road (see map). If the Commission looks favorably on this request, we should take further action at another meeting to amend the trail plan to include this section of trail in the city's comprehensive plan. The next two letters have to do with park/school playground requests. The first request is from the Pilgrim Lane PTO. The Pilgrim Lane project was approved for funding in the 1997 capital improvement budget in the amount of $15,000. They have not been able to proceed with their project and are delaying it for one year. Thus, in the capital improvement budget, I have reallocated that $15,000 for their project. The PTO, however, is requesting that we contribute an additional $20,000-$23,000 to be used for the addition of a pre-school playground piece at this site. They will be at Monday night's meeting to make this request in person. I have attached a copy of the policy for funding of elementary school sites, which the park commission and city council adopted last year. Based on this policy, the maximum amount allocated for any one park school site is $25,000 at the discretion of the park commission and city council. Last year, the commission used the philosophy that you would go up to $15,000 on playgrounds that had been funded in the past, and the full $25,000 on sites that had not received funding before. Based on this decision, the Sunset Elementary School was limited to 15,000 this year and the same cap was put on the Pilgrim Lane request. This same cap was also indicated to the Oakwood people when they approached us about a project for 1999. The Commission has the discretion to look at each case individually as per the policy and make the determination in the best interests of the city and the school. Regardless of how the Commission decides to deal with this situation, I think it is important that you be somewhat consistent in how you treat the various schools throughout the community. EB/np Agenda Number: 6. - /? CITY OF PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager FROM: Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation — SUBJECT: Revision to Guidelines for Requesting City Contributions to Playground Improvements DATE: December 11, 1996, for Council Meeting of December 18 1. ACTION REQUESTED: Council should move a resolution approving the revised guidelines for requesting city contributions to playground improvements. This will raise the maximum contribution from $10,000 to $25,000 per park/school site. 2. BACKGROUND: In 1986, the City Council approved a set of guidelines establishing procedures whereby parent/teacher organizations on behalf of school districts could request City funding for playgrounds at schools which are officially a portion of the City's comprehensive park plan. At the time the guidelines were approved, the cost to develop a new playground was approximately $30,000. The guidelines called for contributions up to 10,000 or approximately 1/3 the cost. Ten years later, the cost to develop a playground to be in conformance with the Consumer Products Safety guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, is between $75,000 and $80,000. Much of this cost is associated with providing surfacing that makes the playgrounds accessible and safer due to improved surfaces which prevent injuries from falling. The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed this policy as they were developing their 1996-2001 capital improvements program. The draft CIP contains funding for playgrounds at Pilgrim Lane, Sunset Hill and Birchview Elementary schools. At their November meeting, the Commission reviewed and approved the attached revised guidelines for requesting funding for school playgrounds. The minutes are attached for Council review. 3. BUDGET IMPACT: There are no operating costs associated with this program. The school districts, in all cases, assume full responsibility for the construction, repair and maintenance and liability of playgrounds located on their property. In the big picture, there is actually a savings to the City because the elementary schools provide much the same features as a neighborhood park. If the schools did not exist the City would be paying 100% of the cost to develop a park, including 100% of the cost to develop each of the playgrounds. This is another example of cooperation between the city and each of the Wayzata and Robbinsdale school districts for a win-win situation for the City, the school district and the community. 4. RECOMMENDATION: Staff concurs with the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission to adopt the revised 1996 Guidelines For Requesting City Contributions to Playground Improvements as submitted in a memo dated December 11. 1996. EB/np CITY OF PLYMOUTH RESOLUTION 96 - Adopting Revised Guidelines for Requesting City Contributions to Playground Improvements WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth, in May of 1986, adopted guidelines for requesting City contributions to playground improvements, and WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed said guidelines and recommended minor changes in November, 1996, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL that the revised guidelines for requesting City contributions to playground improvements is hereby approved. Adopted by the City Council on 125.53 GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING CITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS est. May 1986) Revised November 1996) 1. Location of proposed improvements must be on school district property that is designated as a neighborhood park in the City's Comprehensive Park System Plan. 2. A well organized site plan must be presented. This shall include the proposed budget, showing itemized costs and any volunteer labor, etc., for the project. 3. The school district shall agree in writing to own and maintain said play equipment and accept all liability. 4. PTO's must make requests for funding by May 1 to allow the City time to budget funds for the project for the following City fiscal year (January 1 to December 31). 5. The City will only match funds and/or volunteer labor. The City will review each request on a case-by-case basis to determine the amount of contribution. In no case, will it exceed 50% of the total capital costs, to a maximum of $25,000. 6. City funds will not be considered unless the walking neighborhood in which the park is located is at least 50% developed. 7. The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) shall prioritize all park funding requests in relationship to all other park projects. 8. The City will give low priority to sites that have received other City funding within the last 10 years. G:\PARKS\STAFF\ERICWSC\PLAYMVR. DOC PRAC Minutes/October 1996 Page 47 that he liked the idea that the center could be heavily used by seniors, but also be used by the entire community. Director Blank added that New Brighton has a building called a "Family Center" which works much like this, although the name gives it a little more limited focus. Commissioner Willegalle added that there had been a suggestion that a second story be added to the building, and that perhaps Lifetime Fitness would move their corporate offices there. They would pay rent, which could help fund the operational costs. Commissioner Priebe asked if the facility in Minnetonka was similar. Chair Anderson said that the Minnetonka facility would be a good one to look at to aid in planning the building. Commissioner Willegalle added that we should get the costs tied down, and that doing two floors at once would be less expensive than adding one later. Chair Anderson asked what type of activities would happen in the building. Director Blank said they would consist of non -athletic activities such as art classes, choirs, bands, etc. COMMISSIONER PRIEBE MOVED TO FORWARD THE SENIOR CITIZENS FUTURE NEEDS STUDY TO THE COUNCIL WITH A RECOMMENDATION THAT A STUDY BE DONE TO LOOK AT USE NEEDS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. COMMISSIONER WILLEGALLE SECONDED. AYES ALL. Commissioner Willegalle noted that this study made use of data from State and County agencies in its preparation. Planning Commissioner Bildsoe pointed out that there is a proposal before the Planning Commission for an Elam Care Community Living project with over 100 units for seniors. City Manager Johnson added that a proposal just came for a senior housing project on Highway 55. f. Continuing Golf Course discussion. Director Blank said that there was nothing new to report on the golf courses, although we could possibly hire a consultant in the future. Tim Flugauer asked about the issue. Eric said that the Commission is trying to anticipate possible development of the three golf course properties and would like to prevent the City from losing them all. g. East Medicine Lake Regional Trail update. Director Blank has been working with the Hennepin County Park District on this project. The real issues at this point are focused on the south end of the lake. Commissioner Thompson asked if any consensus had been reached at the meetings. Eric replied that in general, they have agreed that a trail is needed, but the exact layout has not been decided. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. 1997-2001 CIP. Director Blank stated that the only real change was on Elm Creek Playfield which was changed from $100,000 to $265,000. Trail money in 1999 is earmarked for County Road 9 at the 494 Bridge. Birchview Elementary has asked for $25,000, and Pilgrim Lane has asked for $15,000. Staff has a recommendation to revise the school playground policy. The change says that C) in no case would over 50% of the total capital cost, with a maximum of $25,000, PRAC Minutes/October 1996 Page 48 be donated by the City. These schools are substituting for a neighborhood park in the area. We would be spending 100% of the cost, or approximately $75,000 if the school wasn't there. The $25,000 amount is about 1/3 of the total cost of a playground, which is equivalent to the old policy. A gym facility at Wayzata High School is shown. A possible gym project at Armstrong High School has also been discussed. Funding for the Activity Center is still fluid; several possibilities exist. Director Blank said that the Commission needs to prioritize the projects at this level of planning. The Council and financial planners would need to determine funding later. Also, we must remember that once we build a capital improvement, it becomes part of the operating budget the next year. Commissioner Fiemann asked what our involvement is at West Lutheran High School. Director Blank explained that we have added a baseball field upon which we would have first priority during the summer and second priority during the school year. Because of the work already completed by the school, we were able to add the ball field for only $30,000. Commissioner Fiemann asked if it was important to put updating of school playgrounds on the CIP. Eric stated that he would prefer to wait until a project is requested. Commissioner Wahl asked if any other parks needed updating. Eric said there were two shown right now which needed updating due to safety issues or because they were worn out. Commissioner Willegalle asked how we would shelter the land for the 10th playfield if we don't show all the money for it, and when would we be addressing it? Director Blank explained that the property would probably cost between 10,000 and $12,000 per acre for the 80 acres. The owner, Sherber, may be willing to hold a contract for deed. A down payment could be paid in 1999. Commissioner Wahl noticed that there was a discrepancy of $200,000 between the total at the end of 1999 and the start of 2000. Director Blank agreed that there seemed to be an error, and it would need to be checked out. Commissioner Thompson expressed concern for the Baseball and Softball Association on field development, especially the Ess land. She said they were counting on this project. Director Blank responded that right now, working on the old Wayzata High School and the Greenwood sites seemed to be the most economical. An analysis of the number of teams anticipated could be done to determine what types of fields are needed. The CIP could be adjusted a year from now, adjusted now, or approved and passed on to the Council with a note about this perceived weakness. Commissioner Fiemann stated that all of these projects have such a high priority. He wants the Council to understand this. Commissioner Thompson again expressed concern for the playfields. CHAIR ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CIP AS SHOWN BUT THE COUNCIL IS TO BE AWARE OF ITEMS A -F TO BE ATTACHED TO THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER FIEMANN SECONDED. AYES ALL. COMMISSIONER WILLEGALLE MOVED TO ACCEPT THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT POLICY AS REVISED FOR NOVEMBER 1996. COMMISSIONER WAHL SECONDED. AYES ALL. r July 14, 1997 To: Eric Plank Fr: Rick Bloom Re: Sidewalk - Northwest Blvd., West Side of Street, Between 44th & 48th Dear Eric, As per our conversation of today and mine with Dan Faulkner as well, at a recent Curtis Lake Homeowners Association Board Meeting, the topic of safety to our 122 children under the age of 15 became a hot topic. Many homeowners are upset that a sidewalk does not exist on the West side of Northwest Blvd., between 44th & 48th. Children not only from our development, but other pedestrians from surrounding areas have to cross the street because of a lack of proper sidewalks. They then cross back over putting themselves in harms way twice. Might I suggest you try and cross this busy street during rush hour. It is incredibly difficult under normal circumstances but add the heavy traffic and the very aggressive speeds that these motorists are moving at and you are asking for a fatality. Surely, you can easily evaluate the tremendous vulnerability of children in this safety issue. Let's not get caught up with a bunch of red tape on a very straightforward problem with an easy fur. Besides, the amount of traffic on the one sidewalk with bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, dog walking, jogging, etc ... is simply too much. I know frompersonal experience. We kindly request a response to this urgent matter prior to our next association meeting of Thursday, August 14, 1997. Thank You, August 15, 1997 Plymouth City Hall - Park Board 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 To: Erik Plank Thank you for your consideration of Curtis Lake Homeowner's request for a sidewalk to be installed in fi-out of our development. Please find enclosed the signed petition by most of our homeowners. Unfortunately, we were not able to contact all of the homeowners; however, there is an overwhelming majority who support this request. The Curtis Lake development has over 120 children who currently do not have convenient, safe access to the existing trail system. The proposed sidewalk would greatly enhance the safety for all residents. Thank you again for your consideration on this matter and we will look forward to your favorable response after your December proposal to the city council. Sincerely, qTi ZA'i nOVv— Richard Bloom, Treasurer Curtis Lake Homeowners Association encL There are over 120 Children in the Curtis Lake Development that have no safe access to the Park and Trail System. We, the 64 residents of Curtis Lake, are requesting that the City of Plymouth install a sidewalk along Northwest Blvd. (consistent with the existing sidewalk south of 44th Ave) from 44th Ave. North to Schmidt Lake Road. Name ISInature Address 1. t/ Lv-i l I C L C P l ro GC d ilGrrrr L h . 2. 3. Jecc e '%arc 2v 11 `16a' 1 iu v u/ 4. io lbt"MA U,dt'luooyd /"V- n. 6. 7. 8.1 9. 1 1 1 1. 1 1 16, 17. 18, 19, 20, 21. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. 27. C -V, 28, 29, M1 137 3 5- - 4it 'oye.. D IA*Jt1'(IIIO )'hi /7! N 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 9 00 y ray cJ Z M -' At (AJ 23 YS Vii w c Lk t 5 a 5 a Jlmo" s- d- 4Lik aw 4. N a l hI S1 HnWGS tsAvESsjM COl 14Fff*E[!t D6SE GCLP fS SOOMINCL BVDoUg PedrM DISCGOIFER cnNo, 11 at KaposiaPsik in Satth Saint Paul wouldn't sound much dif- ferent from one on No. 16 at Hazeltine. There is no mistaking the similarities, aside from some slight aiterations, such as changing yards to feet and `nice slum' to"nice duvw." Theonly tiring that mi& spoil this good walk is watch- ingyourdriverget study ina tree—ailing born notofftus- ttation but rather the hazard of plaYhig a typical taunt. Amaringly, disc golf courses are roughly one-third the length ofs, typical golf course because of the limited dis- tance a -golf disc can Ay compared with a golf ball driven from a tee. 1f you change the yax0s on a golf course to feet, yotid come close to the durance of a disc golf hole," says Chuck Kennedy, the director of oazse development for the Misr nesora Frisbee Association (MFA). "A 350 -yard hole in regular golf would be equal to a 350 foot hole in disc golf, lc has to do with human capabilities ofhow far a disc can be thrown mmpaced to how far golf balls canbe We And since Kennedy is now responSlUt for many of the new course designs in the Midwest, his biggest source of pride comes from the fact that Minnesota is one of the narion's big PlOYerson dsedisc golfs ene . . ... .... .... . just togive a forinstance indxlaacoupleofyeat".up until last year, we were adding two courses a year in the state," Kennedy says. "We've jumped to eight new courses lastyear" There are currently 12 disc golf caurses in parks in the metro area and more courses outside the Twin Cities, extending south to Fairmont and Austin, and north to Bemidji. R7 FOa tourer Not NkWMY . One of the courses in the metro area is at Lone Lake Park in Minnetonka, the home course fotTunmy Gill, 20, of Edina, who won the disc golf world amateur champi- onships las[ year in Cincinnati. Gill began playing casually a little more than two yeas ago with some highschool friends. When he noticed his skill levet advancing much more rapidly then that of his friend& he began to take the span more seriously. Now he cant sleep welt at night if he hasn't played a round ofiiac golf that day. I played in an amateur tournament two weeks after 1 started playing, and a couple of weeks after that I got my firsthole incne," Gillsays. "After than, I washooked. Every toursua tt after that I was always in the top three or four and I started to move through the divisiore Last summer he took a job at Ione Lake Park and really Z R m on Nti W, began to work on his game before the championships ` F 4" -0 Cincimrati. in "Because it's becoming so PC) ar,'there is a ne l,tp.NbuildmorediscgoIfwurses"2yfackeysays. iatereare kids. l = tar) prior to Place t the top l5,"Gill says. mit top hanging out with nothing to do, Parks and recreationMinnesotanpriortothatfinished16th, so l was at least departments are saying,'We, need one,' where in the oldhopingtobeattfrac.lendedupwituangtheroumamentlry daystheyweresaying,7Trat's10sttoku." so turg foryou.' If you pur Gill beat a field of 175 a in, people will come out of to play.' .., fist full svmtrter as P p fmm 42 states. Now in his Kennedyes that if people just :. dr a xo4ss oral, h kstta a of54th' t of some established courses, more would take advan ge of lenacA 4%t4 _., heapxthedevotes somuchofhis time ft, 1 [e admtCs.d at ehe pre m°may ,profess oral ouur And most people have all the equipment they need ^` ' tieGl (fieisnudad2ehawon $2,000 since turningpro(ess } '} hgewbutitliardlyrnatcers`withaspottthathe l' 'riedsomeW4rereintheirclosetorgarage. 8r 7tthm'fi2);; Ythjopssomucli; ..<'The sporcisdesi ed so that you can playwicha lar A`' 4 q+ s{18ifyougocutandbuyadiscfor$7,that will basicall last ' 1h F2d{18Youfortver,"Gill says. "The wholefamil cart y picnic Frisbee," says."Ifyoudecideyou like the = 'Ja1 y,P-ar{ knisg Gtpyg ,. Y go out and <;. p1ay.You'rewalki sP,therearespecialrydscsyouranbuy." F#tic(1BTng xe and down bilk and over ouadoor Arai just like regular golf—or "ball golf" as disc golferster'an,andthsgrrateKezc"ue, refer toit—.differentdisahavenames,suchasadriveroraOneofthemanchn r "^ r • x „ gs is that it's free to play each putter. A driver is slightly heavier andround, and people play is mainly forthatfact alone: that iis tanoe throws off the req while a putter s usedfdose to rhe . . M fun and it's free. About 48 percent of courses ace in city basketr,.6 Baskets ate des' ed 'rh ha' gn Wt c urs hanging horn above And if they had their way, there Would be hundreds ofDomingSoonioapg Nesmw You them to catch the disc and drop it srraightdown. And it different courses on which roameraptthose throws. While some play [story come out for the la d bark side t necessarily take ro expert to excel at disc golf. "For a park department, a cause is great," Gill says. "Ittothespomitcanbecompetitiveandintense. regular Fr sbee,,, Gill says. costa about $10,000 to pit in a course, where a tennis courtItcanbea'Butwhenituomestoagolf disc, Ilanthrow itptetcywei4 can cost $15XOto$20,000.Aterm iscourt win get use, relaxing thing but 1 mfmding that more and A golf disc is lower in rofile and hea+.ier, and thatMompimpleareOaYurgwithiontointensityandP shape but not as much 8 a disc golf course. Plus, because discimprovetheirgame: says Tim Mack mrd w and weight threes a htge difference." golfers cover such a wide areacourseMackey, he indepetsdatt Markey takes much into coruidetariott when tout the park, it candesignerandformerPresidentoftheMFA. "With a course, including how a disc flies and the throwing help co weed out the bad elementjust by their constant bdaisuc ; yaa httd people improve their game faster than in options a player has m make it fly differently, everybody. And besides, Gill begolf. that it ra a sort for Mackey is the dingMinnesot:astate champion 'Me Challwge is to make the playa be creative ur their "Basically, if you can walk, you can tirrosv a Frisbee,,' heathree-tirm Winter of the sate title He has tried all by 8 them rite the may of shots available," he' says.'So all types can play it." ofgamesdut be types •'Mmamhtmdredsofo5ffetentthm ftPYcQwidraFttsbee,butnowdevotes Letsfaceitdisc lfis ws oranyplayer. M= of his time todiscgolf go only one oflodiscsports,Thereare—DougPa isaTwnrCitiesfreelmxeturiermdahundredsofdiffetentvarietieaofthrows." formersportstvrirerfortheSmr& ardhwSum_ t rar.