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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 01-14-1999Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission January 14,1999, 7 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order a. Election of Chair b. Election of Vice Chair 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a. Athletic Associations b. Staff c. Others 4. Report on Past Council Action S. Unfinished Business a. Activity center/fieldhouse update b. 1999-2003 CIP - request from Zachary Lane PTO to fund playground 6. New Business a. Review draft annual report and 1999 work plan b. Select name for park at Vicksburg Ln & Schmidt Lake Rd C. 7. Commission Presentation a. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting - February 11 n\parks\staff\eric\prac\agendas\jan99.doc Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting November 12, 1998 Page 37 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Thompson, Willegalle, Wahl, Fiemann, Priebe, Musliner; staff Bisek, Blank, Busch; Pederson; Planning Commissioner Koehnen 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the November meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Musliner and seconded by Commissioner Wahl to approve the minutes of the October meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary talked about the success of the Plymouth on Parade event. The next big event is Old Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 6, at Plymouth Creek Park. Santa will be in the Historical Society building, along with Mrs. Claus. Mary stated that she just returned from the state parks and recreation conference. A number of the sessions Mary attended dealt with promotion and public relations. We are currently working on a program called E -Connect, which involves putting our brochure on the Internet. We are trying to attract potential employees for the summer by putting up portable signs around town during the winter holiday break, announcing job opportunities. Commissioner Thompson suggested contacting the athletic associations and making announcements in their newsletters. Commissioner Fiemann wanted to know if athletic associations' newsletters could be attached to the city's web site. Commissioner Musliner suggested tapping into the youth advisory council for possible employees. Director Blank said he attended their first meeting to talk about the activity center. Commissioner Musliner asked about the Santa Mailbox and who responds to the letters. Mary stated that volunteers answer them. Mary discussed the recent upgrade to the TTR software and a couple of minor problems that developed. Mail -in registration is lower since TTR was implemented. Of the classes that are available through touch tone registration, about 35% are being registered for by using that method. c. Others. None. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION Director Blank said that on a 4-3 vote, the Council approved partial development of northwest Plymouth, rather than full development as recommended by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Priebe asked what partial development means. Planning Commissioner Koehnen said the MUSA will be extended primarily to the area east of Vicksburg Lane, and to some areas west of Vicksburg generally lying along the Soo Line Railroad and Schmidt Lake Road. PRAC Minutes/November 1998 Page 38 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Open space — review and discuss recommendation of Open Space Committee. Bruce Hesse, 1105 Peony Lane, presented a petition representing 10 families/properties. As a group, they firmly oppose building a picnic shelter on the Hardenburg site, they reject parking on 12th Avenue as well as Peony Lane, they oppose widening 12th Avenue, they want property kept in its current natural state, but support removal of dead trees, underbrush, etc. They support widening the trails and covering them with wood chips or gravel. They request that the city forester identify some of the plants and trees with signs, as a learning tool for school children. They also would like the city to set up a subcommittee comprised of people living by the park to review future plans for this property. Commissioner Fiemann asked about the road expansion and where this idea came from. Blank said he knows of no plans to expand the road. Mr. Hesse said trails are about two feet wide with lots of overhanging branches and are all very muddy. He said the hole where the house sat is being filled with dirt. He talked about an access from 8th Avenue. Director Blank said that was private property and the land owner doesn't want it used as an access. The only access is via 12th Avenue or 11th Avenue. Cal Baldry, 1115 Peony Lane, was present to reinforce what Mr. Hesse said. He wants site kept natural, as originally proposed. There is some sentiment for a play apparatus for children if non -natural uses are considered he said. Then the issue of preservation was discussed. Director Blank supports the charter amendment method. It could be as restrictive as the City chooses. The City Council would then vote on the amendment, which would have to be passed unanimously. The amendment could require any changes to each site be voted on by the citizens at large in an election. This charter could be rescinded by another charter amendment. Another method is to convey the development rights to a third party, such as the Land Trust. The only way this method could be rescinded would be by an agreement between the City and the third party with whom the agreement was made, or by the City condemning the other party's interest in the property. A third method of preserving open space would be to leave it up to the discretion of the City. Commissioner Priebe favors conveying the rights to a third parry or the charter amendment. Commissioner Thompson is comfortable with the charter amendment. Commissioner Fiemann prefers the charter amendment. The general consensus of the park commission was the charter amendment option. COMMISSIONER FIEMANN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL PURSUE THE CHARTER AMENDMENT OPTION FOR PROTECTION OF ALL OPEN SPACE SITES AS OUTLINED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY IN HIS LETTER TO DIRECTOR BLANK. CHAIR ANDERSON SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED; SIX AYES, ONE NAY. Commissioner Musliner voted nay, because she feels comfortable allowing the City Council to establish the length of time the open space properties should be protected. The commissioners then discussed the petition that had been presented by Mr. Hesse. They were in agreement that the picnic shelter should not be built and wanted reference to it stricken from the open space committee report. Director Blank said it probably wouldn't be following protocol to make any changes to the actual report, but rather PRAC could suggest to the Council that they make the change. COMMISSIONER PRAC Minutes/November 1998 Page 39 MUSLINER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT PRAC RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY OMIT THE OPTION OF A PICNIC SHELTER FROM THE HARDENBURG OPEN SPACE SITE. COMMISSIONER PRIEBE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Wahl stated that he is not comfortable with the idea of posting 12th Avenue as no parking. Other commissioners agreed. Director Blank said there are no plans to install a parking lot or to widen 12th Avenue. b. Activity center/fieldhouse update — Del Erickson, architect. Mr. Erickson shared the following information with PRAC regarding the activity center/fieldhouse plans: there will be a 300 car parking lot with options for expansion. The main door is a plaza area centered between the fieldhouse and activity center. There is a two stage pond with a waterfall between them. There is space allotted for future tennis courts or expanded parking. The drop off area accommodates buses, includes a covered walkway, and the main entrance into central lobby area has automatic opening doors for the handicapped. In the central lobby area there is an open stairway, reception area, and toilet facilities adjacent to the entrance area. Access to the fieldhouse is via stairs or elevator. The elevator is in a position to be shared by both the fieldhouse and activity center. The banquet room accommodates 350, and can be divided into two or three smaller rooms. There is a raised platform in one corner. The north and west face of the main room has a bay window that takes in the view of the park. On one side of the main room is a catering kitchen which can also function as a teaching kitchen. The Fireside room, which is also the senior area, will have a fireplace and a kitchen. An open deck surrounds this room. There is a snack lounge on the lower level, with future spaces planned for conference rooms, music room, and a tiered meeting space for workshops, etc. There is a second set of bathrooms on this level to serve the fieldhouse and future expansion of the lower level. There is 2,250 square feet of finished space and 10,000 square feet of unfinished space on the lower level. Commissioner Willegalle asked if Mr. Erickson had the opportunity to meet with the arts council. Mary said the arts group has a concern about storage of art projects. Mr. Erickson explained that there is 1,000 square feet of general storage for them. There will be a game room in the fieldhouse, because it has proven to be such a popular attraction at the ice arena. One end of the fieldhouse will accommodate batting cages when the bubble is up. 100 yds. x 60 yds. is the size of the large soccer field, which can be divided into two smaller fields. Director Blank and Mr. Erickson visited the Stillwater fieldhouse and will incorporate some of those ideas into our plan. Shortening the dome by 20 yards made it fit better on the site and kept us from encroaching on the wetlands. The dome is bolted into a concrete curb which will be level with the field. When the bubble is down in the summer the curb will be at grade level, so that no one will trip on it when they are out on the field. As far as the timing of the project, the design development stage has been approved. Next is the design schematic stage, which we hope to have completed by the end of the month. Then we would begin working on the construction documents. Director Blank said he hopes we can go out for bid by the end of February and get the contractor started in April. The plan now is to open in March of 2000. Commissioner Anderson asked how administration will be handled. Director Blank said he has discussed this with the finance and administration departments and his plan is to have a personnel package ready by March, 1999. PRAC Minutes/November 1998 Page 40 c. 1999-2003 CIP. After receiving a report from engineering, Director Blank took out the reference to replacing the parking lot at Parkers Lake in 1999. It just needs routine crack filling and minor repairs. Commissioner Willegalle asked about playground improvements for Birchview. Director Blank responded that Birchview was upgraded in 1997. There was some discussion about which schools' playgrounds had been upgraded recently. They were Oakwood, Pilgrim Lane and Greenwood. Further engineering studies need to be done on the lighting at Zachary Playfield. Director Blank said that population projections show that the number of school age children is holding steady making it somewhat difficult to plan for future parks and even puts the size of the 10th playfield into question. CHAIR ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 1999-2003 CIP AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Wahl asked about the youth sports fields upgrade. Director Blank said it would either be Greenwood or Central Middle. Director Blank also reviewed the list of items not included in the CIP. Commissioner Willegalle asked if the skateboard park would be reconsidered in the future. Director Blank said the issue is dead as far as this Council is concerned. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Report on athletic field use. Rick Busch explained the data on the charts. Three years ago a task force studied the trends in the uses of athletic facilities. On soccer field usage, Busch explained that they are not all full size fields. For the U6 and U8 teams, four teams can go on a full size field. For U10, two teams go on a full size field. The total number of teams playing soccer in 1998 have already exceeded the year 2005 projections. Six new full size soccer/football fields were added at Elm Creek Playfield this fall and one full size field was created at West Lutheran High School. U6 soccer no longer uses hockey rinks. The soccer field the high school owns and maintains is in poor shape because of the high school marching band using it. The other five fields are maintained by the city and are in much better shape. Commissioner Willegalle asked if more soccer fields will be available next summer. Busch said the six at the high school will be available next year but they weren't this past summer. For baseball/softball field use, numbers are holding steady and are not meeting projections. Four new baseball/softball fields were added at Elm Creek Playfield, and adult softball was transferred there from Zachary. A 90' baseball field was added at West Lutheran. In 1999, two 90' fields will be added at Wayzata High School and one 60'-75' field will be added at Armstrong. Commissioner Thompson said Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball is averaging more kids per team than in previous years. They are completely revamping the 9-12 year old group. She said they need some fields with fences, so the kids can know what it's like to hit a home run. Commissioner Wahl asked why they increased team size. Commissioner Thompson said field pressure dictated that. Director Blank asked if portable fences would be acceptable. Commissioner Thompson said yes. Director Blank explained that there's been a decline in adult softball but an increase in adult soccer. Commissioner Thompson asked if there's growth in other sports. Busch said there appears to be an interest in rugby. PRAC Minutes/November 1998 Page 41 b. Dog park referred from City Council. Distributed at the meeting was a large packet of reading material on dog exercise parks in other communities. Mark Peterson attended the session at the state conference on dog parks and brought these materials back. Our City Council has received a number of requests for such a park in Plymouth. Commissioner Priebe wondered about the significance of the three Hennepin County parks where dogs are allowed to run. Crow -Hassan, Elm Creek and Lake Sarah are all somewhat rural and they require a special permit, which costs $25 per year. Director Blank said park staff will do a search on the Internet about this issue in other parts of the country and report back at a future PRAC meeting. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION The next meeting is December 10. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: January 6, 1999 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Request for Funding of Playground at Zachary Lane Elementary School At your November meeting, you approved the 1999-2003 CIP (see attached). hi December, I received a request from the Zachary Lane PTO to help fund the replacement equipment at Zachary Lane Elementary School. The attached information has been supplied by the PTO to justify their request. Members of the PTO will be at the PRAC meeting to further elaborate on their request and to answer any questions you may have. The City has received requests in the past from Zachary Lane on at least one or two occasions. These previous requests have been denied, because Zachary Lane Elementary School is not the neighborhood park for walking neighborhood #12. On the attached graphic, I have shown walking neighborhoods #12 and #13. Walking neighborhood #12 lies east of Zachary Lane, west of 169, north of County Road 9 and south of Schmidt Lake Road. Walking neighborhood #13 lies east of Larch Lane, west of Zachary Lane, north of County Road 9, and south of Schmidt Lake Road. Zachary Lane Elementary School lies in the very southwest corner of walking neighborhood #12. For this reason, when the comprehensive plan was developed, it was deemed necessary to have a neighborhood park built in a central location in this walking neighborhood. This park, known as Rolling Hills, is 21.6 acres in size. The playground equipment was installed in Rolling Hills Park in 1987. It is due for replacement within the next two to three years. The estimated cost for replacement of the playground at Rolling Hills is approximately $95,000. In walking neighborhood #13, we have Schmidt Lake Park in the northern half of the neighborhood and Zachary Playfield located in the southeast section, immediately across the street from Zachary Lane Elementary School. Both of these parks have children's playgrounds. The playground at Zachary Playfield was installed in 1984 and is also scheduled for replacement in two or three years. The estimated cost for the replacement of this larger playground is approximately $125,000. The City of Plymouth has been very good to the Robbinsdale School District. In the last 24 months, the City has contributed funding for the following projects: 1,300,000 for the Armstrong Gymnasium 27,000 upgrade of Armstrong baseball and softball fields 3,000 resurfacing Armstrong tennis courts 25,000 new playground at Pilgrim Lane Elementary School Pilgrim Lane was funded because it is the neighborhood park for walking neighborhood #25. That neighborhood is bounded by Zachary Lane on the west, 36th Avenue on the south, County Road 9 on the north and 169 on the east. There are no other parks or children's playgrounds in this walking neighborhood other than Pilgrim Lane Elementary School. Another issue to keep in mind is where does the funding for these park upgrades come from. If all the taxpayers, through property taxes, were paying an equal amount for the replacement of playgrounds, I think we would look at this in a different light. However, all of this funding comes through the park dedication fund, which is generated solely by new development throughout the community. These are non -tax revenues which are collected by ordinance solely for the single purpose to build and maintain the city's park infrastructure system. Recommendation: In reviewing all the facts regarding this request, staff cannot find significant justification for the city to provide park dedication dollars for the upgrade of the Zachary Elementary School playground. If the Commission feels this is a project that should be approved, I would recommend that funding be set aside for the year 2000. We just did Pilgrim Lane school in 1998, and have a commitment to Oakwood School/Park for the year 1999. I am sure the school district could fund this project with reimbursement from the city scheduled for the year 2000. EB/np JAN -07-99 04:36 PN EILLiNANCY.ZATS 612 551 4848 F'.0 -- Jan 07 99 02:56P SHPPCO PRINTING, INC 612-334-3212 ZACEL•%R1 LANE ELEMEN I'ARI, sC'HooI. PARK AND PLAY GROUND REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM TILE CITY OF PLYi•IOCTH PARK & RECREATION Beloxw is it list of reasons why we at Zachary Lane Llementar feel that our school park and playground should recei\ e funding front the 61v o1 Plymouth. file Cite of Plymouth uses our park and playground in roam "ays — soccer. football, T -Ball and baseball, all are held at Zachary Lane Residents of Plymouth use the playground all year round. Zachary Lanc Elementan, Park is listed in the City of Plymouth literature for residents where it talks about all parks within the city of Plymouth. Mone\ has been given to other school parks within the City of Plymouth. file pla}ground is used all year round, not just during the school year. The Zachary Lane families are mostly families of residents of Plymouth. PIS mouth Voters and Plymouth taxpayers. The limldics and staff hawe worked hard in raising funds for the playground. There is still more that needs to be done, blacktopping the basketball court area. getting more equipment to expand the growing needs of the playground, add a fence to stake it a more secure area, and to make it ADA American Disability Association) accessible. After conulting with an attorney, .we have learned that because this is a park and playground that is located in Plymouth, and the City of Plymouth uses this area in so many ways, the city can be held liable on safely and ADA related issues. We are asking for support in getting a fence for the area. for bringing the playground up to ADA standards and for funding for more equipment. P.1 City of Plymouth 1999 - 1003 Capita/ Ice Mvements PiMram I1 City of Plymouth 1999 - 1003 Capita/ Ice Mvements PiMram Park Projects -1999 I Park Park Park ProJect Park CIP Plannl Park Dedication Dedies cm Re acement Common Other Number) Project Year and Conatructlan Playflelds Neighborhood MSA Ice wmeat Funding Total __Other Funding Sourc I Dedan Traltr Parka Funding Fund W • Sources Trall I-494 Co.Rd.98d a 99 98 99 199 Znd Payment -fie_ I 079 Aativity Center/Fleldhouse 99 99 99/00 70,000 ac WestMedldne take Park 99 99 99 10,000 29000 60 Elm Creek Playfleld Building 99 96 99 140, 1 35,000- _ -Left In current pre]ectfund bale Replace 3 playgrounds. - - IW- 99 99 290,000 to Oakwood School Pla round 99 99 99 15,000Donation Youth Sports Field Upgrade 99 99 99 90,000 Artinthe Park 99 99 99 10IM ISwingsat Shiloh 99 99 99 1 6000 Zachary Park Lighting -- - I 99 99 99 90 000 Replace bench, trash, bleadrlrs thein etc 25000 122nd Ave &vldtsbur_Mlni-park Phase) 99 99 99 33,000 Transfer to Park Replacement Fund 29,000 556,079 100000 429 000 11112198 1998 PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents Members of the Commission..............................................................................................................2 CommissionAttendance Chart ...........................................................................................................3 1999 Work Plan ........................................................... 4 1998 Highlights...................................................................................................................................5 Administration 8 Recreation/Athletic Section..............................................................................................................11 PlymouthIce Center..........................................................................................................................17 VolunteerProgram............................................................................................................................20 Environmental/Forestry Section.......................................................................................................22 1 1998 PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION There are seven members on the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, each appointed for a three-year term by the City Council. The chair is appointed by the members of the Commission and serves for a term of one year. The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council. Commission Members Name Phone Number Term Expires Donald Anderson, Chair 545-3608 1/31/01 417 Union Terrace Lane Plymouth, MN 55441 Ron Fiemann 476-4152 1/31/00 1741532 "d Avenue Plymouth, MN 55447 Melissa Musliner 449-9373 1/31/01 2645 Fountain Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 David Priebe 559-0706 1/31/00 3825 Forestview Lane Plymouth, MN 55441 Kathleen Thompson 553-1174 1/31/02 16010 46" Avenue Plymouth, MN 55446 Mark Wahl 553-9563 1/31/02 1164052 nd Avenue Plymouth, MN 55442 Henry Willegalle 473-1069 1/31/00 1525 Juneau Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 2 Park Commission Attendance Chart Commissioner, an' Feb 4, 3nI S ep Oct Nov Dec Notes No No No Anderson x x x x x meeting x meeting x x x meeting No No No Fiemann x x x A I meeting x meeting x x x meeting I;yjljdflj U; I)R 11111"'JIQ 111 No No No Appointed Musliner x x x 1, $ edt gI meeting X meeting x x x meeting late Jan. '98 No No No Priebe x x I 1' x meeting X meeting x Ah§641111!V11'1! x meeting No NO No Thompson x A N11 x x meeting x meeting x x x meeting No No No Wahl x x x x meeting X meeting x x x meeting No No No Willegalle x x I x x x meeting X meeting X X X meeting X = Present 1. Activity Center The Commission is committed with regard to the additio budget indices 1998 WORK PLAN or1 It isla fiWated that hea P e this project a use pd s ns to the City Council provements six months oid fine arts During 1998_ ll tinue comprehensive planning for the parks system, especially inMe -L mouth. The Commission is committed to working with the Planning Planning Commission in moving forward with planning for the next century. It is anticipated that outside consultants will help the Commission in reviewing the entire park and trail system plan, developed in 1980, and more specifically, the northwest area of Plymouth. The Commission has noted a special interest in identifying open space property above and beyond our normal park needs in this quadrant of the community. They have a strong interest in studying the Elm Creek Corridor. 3. Youth Sports The Commission is committed to studying the further development of Greenwood Elementary School and the old Wayzata High School for youth sports. They also want to develop a plan for a field house in 1998. Staff and Commission will work closely with both school districts in determining the best options for maintaining quality facilities for youth athletics. The new field at West Lutheran High School will open for community use. 4. Skateboard Park The Commission is committed to enhancing recreational opportunities for non-traditional user groups such as in-line skaters, skateboarders and non -motorized dirt bikes. It is anticipated that the study, planning, and review in 1998 may lead to a proposed in-line skating facility. 5. Park Development Negotiations will continue for the final parcels of open space during 1998. The Commission will work closely with the open space task force to develop and implement operational guidelines for the open space property that was acquired in 1996. 6. Golf Courses The Commission will pay special attention to developing strategies in 1997 that will ensure the continued operation of the three private golf courses in Plymouth for as long as possible. The Commission will further review and discuss the concept of securing rights of first refusal from one or more of the golf courses to further protect the City's long term goal of maintaining golf within the community. The Commission has some interest in studying the feasibility of a Par Three Executive Golf Course in northwest Plymouth. 7. Art The Commission wants to work with and support the newly formed Plymouth Fine Arts Council. They have budgeted in 1998 for a piece of sculpture in front of the Ice Center. 0 or1 It isla fiWated that hea P e this project a use pd s ns to the City Council provements six months oid fine arts During 1998_ ll tinue comprehensive planning for the parks system, especially inMe -L mouth. The Commission is committed to working with the Planning Planning Commission in moving forward with planning for the next century. It is anticipated that outside consultants will help the Commission in reviewing the entire park and trail system plan, developed in 1980, and more specifically, the northwest area of Plymouth. The Commission has noted a special interest in identifying open space property above and beyond our normal park needs in this quadrant of the community. They have a strong interest in studying the Elm Creek Corridor. 3. Youth Sports The Commission is committed to studying the further development of Greenwood Elementary School and the old Wayzata High School for youth sports. They also want to develop a plan for a field house in 1998. Staff and Commission will work closely with both school districts in determining the best options for maintaining quality facilities for youth athletics. The new field at West Lutheran High School will open for community use. 4. Skateboard Park The Commission is committed to enhancing recreational opportunities for non-traditional user groups such as in-line skaters, skateboarders and non -motorized dirt bikes. It is anticipated that the study, planning, and review in 1998 may lead to a proposed in-line skating facility. 5. Park Development Negotiations will continue for the final parcels of open space during 1998. The Commission will work closely with the open space task force to develop and implement operational guidelines for the open space property that was acquired in 1996. 6. Golf Courses The Commission will pay special attention to developing strategies in 1997 that will ensure the continued operation of the three private golf courses in Plymouth for as long as possible. The Commission will further review and discuss the concept of securing rights of first refusal from one or more of the golf courses to further protect the City's long term goal of maintaining golf within the community. The Commission has some interest in studying the feasibility of a Par Three Executive Golf Course in northwest Plymouth. 7. Art The Commission wants to work with and support the newly formed Plymouth Fine Arts Council. They have budgeted in 1998 for a piece of sculpture in front of the Ice Center. 0 1998 HIGHLIGHTS 1. Grand Opening— West Medicine Lake City Park/Three Ponds Neighborhood Park On June 13, the City Council and Park Commission officially opened two parks for public use. At 9 a.m., the Mayor cut the ribbon at Three Ponds Neighborhood Park in northeast Plymouth. Approximately 75 residents participated in the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. The morning's highlight was a group picture taken of the residents, staff, mayor, council and park commissioners hanging on or standing around the children's playground. Area residents expressed their gratitude to the City for developing such a wonderful park. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the reopening of West Medicine Lake City Park took place at 11 a.m. Approximately 150 residents gathered to participate. The city's new portable stage was used for the first time during this event. Musical performances were conducted on the stage before and after the ribbon cutting. The ribbon cutting culminated four years of redevel- opment effort on West Medicine Lake Park and signified the reopening of the swimming beach. 2. Election for Activity Center/Fieldhouse On May 19 citizens approved by referendum the sale of $4.5 million of general obligation bonds to help fund the $7.6 million activity center and freldhouse complex. Del Erickson, a Plymouth resident, was selected as the lead architect on the project. Throughout the rest of the year, planning on the project proceeded with strong involvement from the senior citizen coun- cil, fine arts council and area athletic associations. Construction is to commence in May of 1999 on this project and be completed by March of 2000. 3. East Medicine Lake Regional Trail The City, working in conjunction with Hennepin Parks, was able to complete the East Medi- cine Lake Regional Trail during 1998. The 12 foot wide off-road trail connecting French Regional Park on the north with East Medicine Lake Park on the south culminates over 20 years of planning for the regional trail. Community response and use of the trail has been extremely positive. The completion of this north -south trail will lead to the finther development of the East-West Corridor following the Luce Line Railroad. A grand opening of the trail is scheduled for the spring of 1999. 4. Elm Creek Playtield In September the Elm Creek Playfield opened in its entirety for community use. Although the adult softball fields were put into play in May, use of the soccer fields was delayed to allow the grass to better establish itself during the summer months. With the opening of school, full usage occurred by the physical education classes, varsity and junior varsity soccer clubs and community soccer. It is anticipated that the Elm Creek Playfield will be one of the major workhorses of the community playfield system for many years. 5 5. Plymouth on Parade The first ever Plymouth on Parade was successfully conducted on Saturday, October 10. Approximately 5,000 people participated in and attended this parade. Following the parade, a sock hop and a water carnival were held inside LifeTime's gym and pool areas. The ice center was open for free skating; and outdoors, musical events were taking place, including the senior citizen choir and other community groups. 6. Hardenburg Open Space Nancy Hardenburg moved out of her house in June, which she had occupied for 51 years on this southwest open space property. A few weeks prior, the Hardenburg's held a major family party to celebrate a lifetime of experiences they had enjoyed on this wonderful land. After the property had been vacated, the home and paddleball court were demolished and the founda- tions removed. The open space task force reconvened to develop operational guidelines for each of the three open space sites. By year's end they had completed their work and presented a recommendation to PRAC for review and comment, prior to it being submitted to the City Council in early 1999. 7. Touch Tone Registration In February, Parks and Recreation went live with the first touch tone registration system in the country. The response by the public has been outstanding, exceeding our expectations, and, by the end of the year, we were experiencing registration rates of approximately 30% via the touch tone system. Because of our success, we have been chosen by ESCOM, the software vendor, to be a Beta site, and also perhaps the first live site for Internet registration in 1999. 8. Park Department Receives Awards The city and parks department received awards from the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association. The first award was for innovative pub- lic/private partnership on the development of the LifeTime Fitness/Plymouth Ice Center com- plex. The second award was for our boat project, which teamed volunteers with low income children on the construction of three sailboats. The skills learned and experiences shared by the youth and adults proved to be an outstanding recreational program. The third award was presented to the city's forestry department for an outstanding combined project at the new Wayzata High School/Elm Creek Playfield. This program combined the talents of city staff, students and community leaders for the development of the Elm Creek Nature Center. 9. Performance Stage and Amphitheater 1998 marked a watershed year for the promotion of performing arts within Plymouth. In the spring, the City acquired a portable performance stage for Music in Plymouth and other out- door concerts throughout the community. The stage was used in its first year by the city, the Plymouth Civic League, the Wayzata School District, and private groups. The amphitheater also began to host events other than Music in Plymouth for the first time in 1998. All of the Wayzata School District elementary bands got together for a two night music festival in the park in June. Local church groups sponsored a music festival late in August, and in Septem- ber, the city's rapidly expanding art festival was held at the amphitheater site. The develop- ment of the amphitheater, the acquisition of the stage, and the organization of the Plymouth Fine Arts Council should lead to many wonderful visual and performing arts activities for many years. 0 Eric Blank Bill Abel ADMINISTRATION 1998 Park and Recreation Staff Director Ice Arena Manager Cindy Anderson..................................................................................... Recreation Supervisor Nancy Anderson....................................................................Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator Mary Bisek.................................................................................. Superintendent of Recreation Rick Busch............................................................................................. Recreation Supervisor Karol Greupner...................................................................................... Recreation Supervisor Sara Mittelstaedt................................................................ Part -Time Senior Program Advisor SheriMoonen......................................................................................................... Clerk Typist Nancy Pederson........................................................................................................... Secretary Donna Sankey............................................................................................. Data Control Clerk Mark Peterson...................................................................................... Superintendent of Parks PaulBuck...................................................................................................................... Forester Daniel Heitke..................................................................................................Parks Supervisor ri FINANCIAL If you are a Plymouth resident, for each $100 in property tax you paid in 1998, on the average: 11.89 went to the City of Plymouth. Of this: $11.89, Of that: 2.28 went to Plymouth's Park and Recreation Department. 0.33 was for Administration 1.48 was for Park Maintenance 0.29 was for Recreation Programs 0.18 was for Park Bond Debt Service 2.28 For 1998, the budgeted revenues and expenses of the Park and Recreation Department were summarized as follows: Sources of Revenue I State Expenditures Property Tax Fees Grant Surplus Misc. Administration 373,672 373,672 Maintenance 1,693,087 1,693,087 Recreation Programs 933,198 336,520 596,678 0 0 0 TOTALS 2,999,957 2,403,279 $596,678 0 $0 $0 I 1997 PARK & RECREATION BUDGETED EXPENDITURES Park Bond Debt Service 13% Recreatic Program 8% Administration 1 C; 0/. Park Maintenance 64% 1998 PARK & RECREATION BUDGETED EXPENDITURES Recreation Progr< 13° Park Bond Debt Service Administration 8% Ido/ 10 Park Maintenance 65% RECREATION FEES & EXPENSES 1000000- 900000 800000 ...... ------ .....--------- - 700000--------------... -' 600000 ------- - -- ------ --- --- 500000 1 --------- -------------- ------------ ; --- ------ ----- ---- 400000 --------- - - -- -- 300000 — -- - > - ------------------------ -- ------ ----------- 200000 -... ----------- -- - ----------- 100000 — i 0 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Recreation Fees —2 Expenses EXPENSES COVERED BY RECREATION FEES Expenses xceeding Revenues 36% Based on budgetedfigures. 11 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 RECREATION PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Youth Adult All Ages El Seniors The above graph includes numbers for summer T -Ball, K -Ball, Softball, Instructional Baseball, Flag Football and Fall Soccer. Volunteer athletic associations run other youth sports leagues. Existing programs are evaluated and adapted in response to community input. New programs for 1998 included: Seniors - Painting, Stamping, Arm Chair Travel, Writing Club, History of Lake Minnetonka, Reminiscing, Leadership Training, The Ukraine, Women and Their Quilts, Popcorn and Movie Days, Entertainment and Lunch, Golf at the Bunker, Hosting the Ice Cream Social at History Fest; Trips — Hopkins Art Center, Lake Minnetonka Co. Park Visit and provided treats to the English as a Second Language classes. Westside Players Adult and Youth Theater Workshop, Painted Glass and China, Cake Decorating, Advanced Stain Glass, First Steps in Musicland, Group Piano Lessons, Adapted Basketball, Winter Water Safety Aide Course, School Year Private Swim Lessons, Fun Fitness & Tumbling Summer Camp, Creatively Cool, Painted Birdhouses, Supersport/Start Smart Clinic, Cheerleading Camp, Summer Kicks — Danceline, Beginning Sign Language, Chess Instruction, Qigong, Introduction to Square Dancing, Holiday Ornaments, Women's Self Defense, Basketball Instruction for 1st and 2nd Graders, Volleyball Camp, Adult Softball Double Header Leagues and Beginner Golf Instruction at "The Bunker." We started using the following new facilities: Hennepin County's Parkers Lake Golf Center (replacing B & V Driving Range), Elm Creek Playfield, City of Plymouth Gyms at both Wayzata and Armstrong High Schools. 12 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 BEACH & WARMING HOUSE VISITORS 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 t Beach —w-- Warming House City of Plymouth beaches: East and West Medicine Lake and Parkers Lake. Highlights this year: West Medicine Lake Beach re -opened after being closed from 1991-1997. West Medicine Lake Beach was open June 13 -August 9. Scheduled hours — 464. Actual hours — 448. Parkers Lake beach was open from May 30 - August 16. Scheduled hours were 632. Actual hours were 549. Medicine Lake East Beach was open from June 13 - August 9. Schedule hours were 434. Actual hours were 444. June's average temperature was 73°. Weather was cool the first week. The weather steadily improved and populations increased as the month progressed. July weather was generally nice with an average temperature of 78 degrees. There were no rain days this month! August was cooler with rain and an average temperature of 75 degrees. A nationally recognized formula, J.O.H.P.E.R.D., for determining beach attendance was used. Waterfowl in the beach area, glass, boats and floatation devices are concerns. Plymouth runs warming houses at Zachary, Plymouth Middle School, Plymouth Creek, LaCompte, Oakwood, Ridgemount, Bass Lake and Parkers Lake. There were many closed days due to poor weather conditions. Warming houses did not open in December, 1998, due to warm weather. 13 10 YEAR ENROLLMENT IN PLYMOUTH ADULT TEAM SPORTS 1989-98 UNOFFICIATED Fall 3 -Man BKB Winter 3 -Man BKB Spring 3 -Man BKB Summer 5 -Man BKB Winter 5 -Man BKB Fall 5 -Man BKB Fall Volleyball Winter Volleyball Beach Volleyball 4 -Man Football Co-Rec Broomhall Softball Warmup 4 -Man Hockey Spring 5 -Man UnoffBKB Total Unofficiated OFFICIATED 4 -Man Football Winter 5 -Man BKB Fall Power Volleyball Winter Power Volleyball Summer Softball Fall Softball Total Officiated TOTALTEAMS 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1989 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 40 28 28 32 33 32 24 24 24 18 43 48 36 32 32 32 30 24 28 24 26 32 24 20 30 24 32 30 28 20 0 0 4 5 6 8 11 6 8 14 0 0 6 8 8 11 10 12 15 16 0 16 16 16 16 17 16 16 16 16 44 50 44 42 39 34 32 25 26 19 46 42 46 42 38 36 38 35 26 26 12 22 24 24 22 21 16 8 S 8 32 32 28 23 16 it 16 8 7 8 14 15 14 8 9 8 10 14 8 x 22 24 25 16 16 8 0 x x 12 13 16 15 12 12 14 12 12 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 291 322 311 283 261 262 257 221 203 189 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 8 22 20 21 18 18 18 18 12 11 14 0 0 0 6 6 6 5 0 0 0 12 12 9 9 11 9 8 6 0 0 210 185 193 195 191 185 167 145 136 116 56 64 64 79 8o 73 71 48 56 44 300 281 287 307 306 291 269 217 209 182 591 603 598 590 567 553 526 438 412 371 30 played double headers. TEAMS ENROLLED IN PLYMOUTH ADULT TEAM SPORTS 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Total Officiated —N Total Unofficiated 14 PLYMOUTH PLAYFIELD USAGE 1989-98 N[JM 3ER OF GAMES PLAYED 0 0 Softball 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Bass Lake 0 0 0 0 14 14 22 30 20 54 Oakwood 48 45 53 73 42 67 81 68 69 50 Parkers Lake 0 0 0 0 0 58 56 30 41 35 Plymouth Creek 188 232 210 266 276 228 173 20 8 4 Plymouth Middle School 130 16 12 8 12 10 15 12 10 10 Ridgemount 8 8 16 0 17 16 8 10 10 12 Zachary 1,701 1,725 1,634 1,900 1,846 1,608 1,648 1,48 1,430 56 Elm Creek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1025 Totals 2,075 2,026 1,925 2,340 2,207 2,001 2,003 1,656 1,588 1,246 60-75' Baseball 34 46 46 41 72 100 Plymouth Middle School 27 41 32 Bass Lake 0 0 0 0 16 28 24 44 14 0 LaCompte 81 120 114 129 136 152 137 164 107 103 Oakwood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Parkers Lake 0 0 0 0 70 0 0 0 0 0 Plymouth Creek 59 52 55 86 69 80 80 100 106 66 Plymouth Middle School 141 210 175 180 175 135 180 178 176 0 Ridgemount 26 40 65 66 56 75 82 66 68 64 Zachary 0 0 14 21 65 52 77 129 151 234 Elm Creek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 307 422 413 482 487 522 580 681 622 467 90' Baseball Bass Lake 0 0 0 0 40 45 43 63 72 55 Oakwood 67 80 73 50 59 73 81 67 71 65 Parkers Lake 0 0 0 0 94 96 148 213 200 133 Plymouth Creek 71 76 65 77 59 67 87 90 92 50 Zachary 110 96 91 95 81 73 82 68 80 63 Totals 248 252 229 222 333 354 441 501 515 366 Soccer Bass Lake 0 0 0 0 0 54 102 95 80 83 Oakwood 448 220 141 202 243 200 466 320 430 411 Parkers Lake 0 0 0 0 92 260 300 304 320 364 Plymouth Creek 38 39 126 100 115 432 445 219 280 252 Plymouth Middle School 57 114 186 168 189 260 205 211 90 175 Ridgemount 253 162 190 168 52 139 185 165 244 266 Zachary 219 180 184 157 193 185 204 183 250 241 Elm Creek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 Totals 1,015 715 817 795 884 1,530 1,907 1,497 1,694 1,862 Tackle Football Oakwood 45 45 0 18 34 46 46 41 72 100 Plymouth Middle School 27 41 32 30 40 40 50 55 85 75 Ridgemount 4 5 3 3 4 4 4 10 18 4 Totals 76 91 35 51 74 90 100 106 175 179 Broomball Plymouth Creek 21 29 25 28 35 28 66 49 28 0 Ridgemount 21 28 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 42 57 49 28 35 28 66 49 28 0 4 -Man Hockey Plymouth Creek 30 29 36 17 20 20 18 16 0 0 Plymouth Middle School 0 0 0 17 20 20 20 16 18 16 Zachary 30 29 36 26 20 20 18 16 18 16 Totals 60 58 72 60 60 60 56 48 36 32 Touch Football Plymouth Creek 118 112 98 0 66 55 80 49 0 0 Zachary 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bass Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 56 Totals 118 112 98 80 66 55 80 49 52 56 15 PLYMOUTH PLAYFIELD USAGE 1989-98 (continued) Totals PerPlaytield 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 Bass Lake 0 0 0 0 70 141 191 232 238 248 LaCompte 81 120 114 129 136 152 137 164 107 103 Oakwood 608 390 267 343 378 386 674 496 642 626 Parkers Lake 0 0 0 0 256 414 504 547 561 532 Plymouth Creek 525 569 615 574 640 910 949 494 514 372 Plymouth Middle School 355 381 405 403 436 565 470 472 379 276 Ridgemount 312 243 298 250 129 234 279 251 340 338 Zachary 2,060 2,030 1,959 2,279 2,205 1,938 2,029 1,882 1,929 610 Elm Creek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1095 Totals 3,941 3,733 3,660 3,978 4,250 4,740 5,233 4,538 4,710 4,200 These totals do not include team practices, school physical education classes, drop-in usage, or any activities scheduled on school district facilities in Plymouth.) Bass Lake Plavfield 1 soccer/football field 1 hockey rink 1 softball field 190' baseball field Oakwood Plavfield 3 soccer/football fields 1 hockey rink 2 softball/baseball fields 190' baseball field Plymouth Plavfield 3 soccer/football fields 2 hockey rinks 3 softball/baseball fields Rideemount Plavfield 3 soccer/football fields 2 hockey rinks 2 softball/baseball fields 16 LaCompte Park 2 softball/baseball fields 1 hockey rink Parkers Lake Plavfield 2 soccer/football fields 1 softballibaseball field 2 90'baseball fields Plvmouth Creek Park 2 soccer/football fields 2 hockey rinks 2 softball/baseball fields 1 90'baseball field Zachary Plavfield 2 soccer/football fields 2 hockey rinks 4 softball/baseball fields 1 90'baseball field Elm Creek Plavfield 5 soccer/football fields 4 softball/baseball fields PLYMOUTH ICE CENTER BILL ABEL - FACILITY MANAGER Plymouth Ice Center pages go here. 17 Plymouth Ice Center pages go here. Plymouth Ice Center pages go here. 19 Volunteer Program The Volunteer Program for the City of Plymouth is an excellent way for citizens who live or work in Plymouth to be actively engaged with their local government. The Volunteer Program facilitates working partnerships between staff and citizens. Statistics give a very graphic picture of the large part that volunteers played in the City of Plymouth in 1998. 844 volunteers 66 individuals volunteered for two or more different positions 78 different volunteer positions 844 individuals contributed 12,031 hours These hours translate into value added to the City in the amount of $165,186 ($13.73 is the per hour dollar value of volunteering, per the MN Office on Citizenship and Volunteer Services). The Volunteer Program is comprised of two parts. One component is the City staff who choose to partner with volunteers. Part of the program's success is that staff in every department have worked with volunteers. The second component is that the Volunteer Program must offer a variety of ways for people to be involved as volunteers. There are three general areas: ongoing volunteers, time limited volunteers, or special event volunteers. A brief description of each is listed below: Ongoing Volunteers: These individuals commit to volunteering on a regular basis, often weekly. They usually develop a strong relationship with the staff with whom they work. Time limited volunteers: These volunteers work on projects which can range from a few weeks to a couple of years. Both teens and adults have been involved in time limited projects. Special event volunteers: These volunteers make a brief time commitment on one specific day. Their shifts usually range from two to four hours. Special event volunteers encompass the widest range of ages with young and old working side by side. Some of the special events are conducive for families who want to volunteer together. The City hosted eleven different special events in 1998, and all of them were dependent on volunteers for their success. Special events for 1998 included: Fire & Ice, Primavera, spring clean-up, spring recycling, spring flower planting, History Fest, Autumn Art Fair, fall recycling, Plymouth on Parade, a special fall planting, and Old Fashioned Christmas. During 1998, the Volunteer Program was fortunate to develop several partnerships. The Plymouth Honeywell plant participated in adopting a park, and they provided labor for the Plymouth Housing Alliance. Prudential Insurance partnered with the City for a special fall planting. This project was designed so the planting day coincided with Prudential's Global Volunteering Day. A third partnership was established with the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Several families from different congregations worked together to clean the portable voter booths and the voter ballot boxes on a designated volunteer day. 20 A new happening during 1998 involved NW Community Cable 12 periodically featuring City of Plymouth volunteers during their Helping Hands segments. Some of the volunteers featured were summer teens, a gardener, a marketing specialist, and an appraiser's aide. The summer teen program continued to be a viable part of the Volunteer Program, giving teens an opportunity to mature, work with adults, and begin developing leadership skills. Teens were matched with almost every summer recreation program. Another highlight of the year was the initiation of the first staff workshop on the supervision of volunteers. This two hour session, available for all staff, was facilitated by two outside consultants knowledgeable in the field of volunteer management. The fifth annual recognition event was held in October at the Carlson Towers Rotunda. Volunteers, guests, and staff who supervised volunteers enjoyed conversation and desserts during the social hour, then were treated to a captivating talk on attitudes presented by nationally known speaker, Bruce Christopher. The evening concluded with door prizes for volunteers. In conclusion, the Volunteer Program is vital in aiding staff members, offering venues for citizens to grow and learn, and creating linkages between the community and the City. 21 PARK MAINTENANCE DIVISION 1) LEAD PERSON Acreages Maintained ............................................... 370 Unmaintained.......................................... 586 OpenSpace .............................................. 067 Total.....................................................1,023 Refuse Service Types of Duties Building Maintenance Mowing Trimming Refuse Service Rink Maintenance Horticulture Upkeep Un- Maintair Or Natural 57% PARK ACREAGE'S Open Space 7% Aerate Top Dress Overseed Beach Maintenance Irrigation Systems Trail Inspection Machinery & Equipment - 90 Pieces Acres Under Irrigation - 180 22 Aaintained 37% Trail & Parking Lot Plowing Evening Field Setup Safety Inspection Line Painting Park Breakdown Plymouth has three types of parks: City parks, community playfields and neighborhood parks. City parks have an extensive trail system, children's playground, nature areas, and special features such as a beach or pavilions. Playfields have softball/baseball fields, soccer, hockey rinks, tennis courts, walking paths, and shelter buildings. Neighborhood parks generally have a children's playground, benches, open areas and small picnic shelters. Plymouth's trail system consists of asphalt paths separate from the roadway, striped lanes along the roadways, or specially marked trails which share a roadway. 1. (1) Community Parks - Parkers Lake 2. (9) Playfields 3. (21) Neighborhood Parks 4. (75) Trail Miles Park Facility Breakdown 1. (11) Buildings 2. (24) Softball Fields 3. (6) Baseball Fields 4. (4) Football/Soccer Fields S. (20) Soccer Fields 6. (11) Hockey Rinks 7. (22) General Rinks 8. (33) Play structures 9. (3) Swimming Beaches 10. (15) Picnic Shelters Ballfield Improvements Zachary Playfield Plymouth Middle School Nanterre Wayzata HS Hard Court Improvements Zachary Gleanloch Mission Hills Schmidt Lake Turtle Lake West Medicine Circle Imperial Hills Maple Creek Basketball & Tennis Basketball & Tennis Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball Basketball Fields #3 & 44, Fence Improvements Fence Improvements Installation Of A New Fence Softball Field, Installation Of A New Fence 23 1998 Park Projects Elm Creek Build Storage Building Fence Soccer Goal Install New Site Amenities Start Up Of Ballfields Sodding/Seeding Parkers Lake Improve Volleyball Court Overlay Trail System Log Cabin Site Improvements Sunrise Park New Playground Site Improvements Trail Overlay Sodding/Seeding East Beach New Playground Trail Construction & Overlays Sodding/Seeding Volunteer Activities Flower Planting Amphitheater Work Eagle Scout Projects Special Events Grand Opening Of Ice Center Music In Plymouth Old Fashioned Christmas City Softball Tournament Fire & Ice History Fest Art Fair Plymouth Fall Parade 24 Three Ponds Picnic Shelter Fishing Pier Wodden Walkways Amphitheater Stage Terraced Flower Bed Log Carvings Trail Extension To Ice Center Nanterre Park New Playground Site Grading Fence Work Trail Construction Sodding/Seeding West Medicine Lake Trail Construction Fishing Dock Installtion New Trail Construction/Trail Overlay Program Amphitheater Site West Medicine Lake East Medicine Lake Park Ice Center Parker's Lake Amphitheater East Beach Nanterre Sunrise West Branch Trail Winter Maintenance Added responsibility for snow removal of Ice Center Lifetime Fitness parking. Added five miles of winter trail plowing Tree Trust Projects Zachary retaining wall for future picnic shelter Parker's Lake boulder edge around pond Plymouth Creek picnic area Community Gardens 80 rental sites Increase by 20 sites as well as the installation of a watering system for gardeners 25 Institutional Work Crew The cost savings as a result of the work done by the ICWC crews at the sites listed below were very significant this year. We were able to use these savings to put additional playground equipment into the parks. West Medicine Lake Benches & Pads Clean Up Stain Shelters Buchthorn Removal Wood Chips Plant Trees Lay Sod Plymouth Iee Center/Lifetime Fitness Replace Plastic Panels Around Iee Tree Removal Plymouth Amphitheater Set Up Stage Stain Chainsaw Statues Nanterre Installation Of A New Play Structure Pilgrim Lane Buckthorn Removal 26 Three Ponds Rail On Floating Walkway Stain Shelter Sod Retaining Wall Cut Trees Fence Removal Sunrise Installation Of A New Play Structure Pilgrim Lane Buckthorn Removal Hardenburg Clean Out House For Demolition Brush Removal Birchview Buckthorn Removal PLYMOUTH FORESTRY PROGRAM Dutch Elm Disease, Oak Wilt, & Hazard Trees This year, we added one Minnesota certified tree inspector, to bring our staff to four marking trees for removal in this category. Of the total 897 trees marked, 71% were for DED. The average diameter of these diseased Elms was 10.3". We marked 6% more trees this year, which may be attributed to the early, warm spring and extended fall which was conducive to large beetle populations. It appears that trees infected with Oak Wilt subsided this past year after a record number three years ago. We marked five oaks with an average diameter of 18", compared to the 19 trees that were marked last year. We re -inspected the three disease centers that were detected in 1995 and found a significant decrease in numbers due to in part to timely removal of the disease material by the surrounding landowners. We will continue to monitor these areas of concern and continue to work closely with the surrounding residents. With the City's funding of the sample charge for Oak Wilt testing, an increased public awareness, and an intensive field inspection program, the City should be able to effectively manage Oak wilt incidences. Marking of hazardous trees increased by 40% as we had more storms that produced damaged trees that had to be removed and more inspections based on private resident complaints. The average diameter of these trees was 14.1 ". Parks & trails are continually inspected for dead or structurally weak trees, as are boulevards and right of ways. Removal of potentially hazardous tree situations decreases the potential liability to the public. Tree Removals DED Oak Wilt Hazard Subtotals Forester 1 53 54 Forestry Tech 24 4 64 92 Tree Inspectors 609 1 141 751 TOTAL 634 5 258 897 PERCElYTA GE" 7 % - Ol%' ' 29% t ON AVG. DIAMETER 10.3 18.2 14.1 TREE OWNERSHIP City 41% Private 59% 27 Buckthorn Removal Highlights The City has started to make a serious effort to control Buckthorn, an aggressive, non-native plant in our park system. They are invasive and tend to grow in large colonies displacing native plant communities in a relatively short time. Effective control requires initial labor-intensive action followed by monitoring. A combination of control measures (physical & chemical) plus monitoring and replanting is essential in the buckthorn battle. The City has started the process of physical removal of the large plants in the following areas; Queensland park West Medicine Lake park Hardenberg property Assisted at Birchview School nature area The next step is to remove and/or chemically treat the smaller plants that remain. This will be followed by close monitoring to eradicate seedlings that will sprout up from dormant seed. Replanting the sites with native species is critical to the final success of restoration efforts. of trees (<6") removed of trees (>6") removed Total # of forced removals of properties w/ removals Forced Removals 8 30 38 (Avg. diameter = 10") 10 Many of the force cuts this year were for homeowners associations, or from properties that we have force cut in the past. Tree Preservation 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Stump Grinding of stumps 48 Total inches 2470 Avg. stump size 51.5" Tree Preservation Inspections Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec E D Development M Building Reforestation Between contractors and volunteers, the City assisted in planting 861 trees, 565 shrubs, and 27,165 flowers throughout the City. The largest plantings were accomplished in the partnership/volunteer category, which speaks volumes for the public's commitment to enhancing their environment through personal involvement and positive action. The Forestry division accepted the flower planting program with additional public involvement from the Stewards for Greening Plymouth. A stronger effort on beautification projects and continued maintenance will be the focus for next year. The Arbor Day ceremony was again a celebration this year. The Forestry Division and School District #284 sponsored an educational planting at Greenwood Elementary which focused on an outdoor learning center. The children improved their local environment with their own hands. A strong sense of community pride was experienced that day. 29 TREES SHRUBS FLOWERS CONTRACTED Ice arena/Fitness center 320 West Medicine Lake Park 23 Three Ponds Park 13 Elm Creek Playfreld 40 156 Heather Ponds Park 11 Parkers Lake Playfield 16 Assorted parks 44 SUBTOTAL 147 476 PARTNERSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS 98 Arbor Day @ Gleason Lk. Elem. 12 24 3,000 99 Arbor Day P Birchview Elem. 3,000 W. Medicine Lake Dr. medians 12 6,000 Beat the Heat 2 700 Memorial trees 3 SUBTOTAL 727 24 12,000 GARDENS Amphitheater - Boy Scouts 300 Amphitheater — Entrance 200 Elmhurst Gateway (18` & W. Med.) 23 65 1,400 Log cabin P, Parkers Lake 500 Public Works 65 Park annuals 12,700 SUBTOTAL 23 65 15,165 TOTALS 861 565 27,165 29 Trimming Our contractors trimmed 1,854 trees, an increase of 244% over last year. A significant amount of this increase can be attributed to an increase in the quantity of trees inventoried in the 0-3 inch size class. The area that was trimmed was just over one full section, similar to the area that was trimmed in 1996. The cost of trimming remained about the same as 1997. Many of the calculated outcomes are comparable to 1996 trimming. We are hoping to be able to look at our inventory data broken down in size classes to get a more accurate comparison of the progress made each year. Street Tree Trimming Highlights Trimmed trees 1854 Removed trees 140 Total maintained trees 1994 Avg. # of trees maintained/day (8 hours) 56 Cost per inch to maintain $1.50/in. Park Tree Trimming Highlights With a increase in removals due in part to storm damage, we were not able to accomplish some much needed park tree trimming in the parks. Park Maintenance crews did go through most of the parks lifting trees during the late fall. These trees are in maintained areas of parks which get the most contact from citizens and our mowing crews. Pine Bark Beetle Traps A partnership between the Kingsview Homeowners Association, Gleason Lake Elementary, and the City of Plymouth resulted in 35 traps established in the Red pine stand between the homes and school playfields. The stand was evaluated by Forestry staff, thinning was completed by the school district, and traps were monitored by the City & 5d' grade students. Midsummer, residents at 53`d & Larch contacted the Forestry division regarding the sudden decline in several Red pines in their neighborhood. An infestation of Pine Bark beetle was detected & trapping started immediately. A similar partnership resulted in five traps established in the stands adjacent to their homes. The following results were found: 30 Unfortunately for the residents at 53'd & Larch, the infestation appears greater in their neighborhood as the beetle count per trap was 10-15 times greater than the Gleason Lake area. We expect to work closely with these groups again in 1999 to further combat the Pine Bark beetle problem and insure the health of the remaining Red pine stands. Miscellaneous Items FERTILIZING/AERATING Fertilizing occurred at the following sites due to the immediate impact of the recently constructed site: 1. Amphitheater 2. Sunrise park Proper maintenance helps insure that our initial investment will come to fiuition in a viable and healthy urban forest. SITE OBSTRUCTIONS 3 site obstruction complaints were received, processed and abated. BURN PERMITS 30 burn sites were inspected, resulting in 28 permits being issued. The Minnesota DNR has notified the City that the permanent diseased tree burning site permit will not be renewed in 2000, so the City has begun looking at salvaging some of the wood that is currently burned in our burn site. This would be a logical, as well as a more environmentally sensitive, approach to the wood waste disposal. 31 DATE: January 7, 1999 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Name for Park at Schmidt Lake Road & Vicksburg Lane In order to get the proper signs up for the above mentioned park, we need to have a recommended name from PRAC to forward to the City Council. Listed below are some of the names staff has generated for this site: 1. Aspen Park 2. Gateway Park 3. Plum Tree Park 4. Wild Plum Park 5. West Park 6. Corner Park 7. Blue Spruce Park 8, Sunset Park 9. Wild Rose Park 10. Acorn Park EB/np November 18, 1998 CITY OF Jim Touve PLYMOUTR 17216 Petersburg Road Eden Prairie, MN 55346-3452 Dear Mr. Touve: It has come to our attention that you recently acquired the Little Peninsula on Medicine Lake from Homestead Village. Based on a recent discussion I had with Paul Crabtree, it appears that there may be some misunderstanding about potential development options for the Little Peninsula. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with some general information concerning this property. The property consists of a single lot of record, Lot 1, Block 1, Sunrise Bay Estates. The property is zoned RSF-4, which allows single family homes. Townhomes, condominiums, and apartment buildings are prohibited in this zoning district. It is my understanding from talking with Mr. Crabtree that the property was transferred to you with a deed restriction stating that there shall be no more than three homes on the property. The City's Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations would not permit the subdivision of this lot because the property does not front on a public street. Therefore, you could not construct more than one home or subdivide the property to create additional lots. Additionally, before you could construct a home on the property you would need to demonstrate that the property is buildable based on City requirements and other applicable state and federal regulations. As you are aware from our previous discussions, the Little Peninsula has severe limitations for development. Of primary concern is the large amount of protected wetland and floodplain. This property is better described as an island because part of the property is below the high water elevation of the lake and is therefore considered part of the lake, or the lake bottom. The upland portion of the property cannot be reached without crossing what is considered part of the lake. The placement of any fill or material in the lake, wetlands, or floodplain is prohibited, unless you apply for and receive approvals from the appropriate governmental agencies. Finally, the Zoning Ordinance prohibits outside storage on the property, including equipment, materials, vehicles, etc. The Zoning Ordinance also prohibits sheds, storage buildings and similar structures unless there is a home on the property. PLYMOUTH ABeautiJu(TfaceToLive 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 0...x11"., www.ci.plymouth.mn.us Mr. Jim Touve November 18, 1998 Page 2 Because you participated in many of the discussions between the City and Homestead Village, you are obviously aware of these restrictions. However, the City wants to make sure that you have the necessary background information, and that there is no misunderstanding of what the City requirements are concerning the development of this property. Given the severe limitations to development on the Little Peninsula, Homestead Village had offered to donate the property to the City for parkland/open space. The City agreed to accept the property under certain conditions. These conditions required the property owner to 1) submit a Phase I environmental report, 2) remove any debris from the property, and 3) provide the City with an access easement to the property. The City is still interested in accepting the property under these conditions. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss this opportunity and to further discuss the conditions under which the City would accept the property. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 509-5457. Sincerely, John Rask, Planner Community Development c: Dwight Johnson, City Manager Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director Eric Blank, Parks and Recreation Director