HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 10-19-2000Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
October 19, 2000, 7 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Visitor Presentations
a. Athletic Associations
b. Staff
c. Others
4. Report on Past Council Action
a.
b.
C.
S. Unfinished Business
a. Plymouth Creek Center update
b. Millennium Garden update
c. Comprehensive plan update
d. Hilde Performance Center update
e. 2001-2005 CIP
6. New Business
a. Consider request to reduce park dedication fee for development at 36th &
Vicksburg
b. Review proposal from Rick Busch for free walking in the dome for everyone
C.
d.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting — November 9, 2000
n\parks\staff\eric\prac\agendas\ocLdoc
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
September 14, 2000
Page 33
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Wahl, Fiemanu, Singer, Musliner, Thompson,
Meyer; Councilmember Slavik; staff Bisek, Blank, Greupner, Pederson and Peterson
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the September meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Singer and seconded by Commissioner Fiemann to
approve the minutes of the July meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary explained the packet of information that was distributed on the Chocolate
Sampler. She said help is needed from the commissioners to promote the event by selling
tickets. Each commissioner was given five tickets to sell. Several staff have been working
on securing silent auction items. A list of people already contacted is available. Mary
asked if commissioners had ideas on others to contact. Mary updated PRAC on the E—
Connect project, the process of putting our brochure on the Internet. We hope to have it
live on the Internet by October 6 for certain individuals to test the system. Mary asked
commissioners if they would be willing to be some of the testers.
Karol Greupner spoke on some special events coming up. The 8th annual Autumn Arts
Festival on Saturday, September 16, will be at Parkers Lake Park. The senior clubs will
be there, also, selling their crafts in the lower level of the Pavilion. There's ongoing
musical entertainment on the stage and a children's art area in the picnic shelter. The Fine
Arts Committee chooses a theme each year and judges the entrants. Concessions will be
available. Good weather is anticipated. The Chocolate Sampler is Thursday, October 5.
This is a first year event. If all goes well, it will become an annual event. The event has
several components — a silent auction, which Ellie Singer has been heavily involved in;
chocolate tasting — local restaurants will be serving their specialty desserts; celebrity
judges will be there judging the entries — Jim Wuollet from Wuollet's Bakery, Amy
Klobuchar, Hennepin County Attorney; and Rusty Gatenby, a local media celebrity from
Channel 5. Candis Faucher, contributing author of the book Chocolate for a Woman's
Heart, will be the featured speaker. There will also be a chocolate boutique with items for
sale.
The third annual Plymouth on Parade is Saturday, October 7. Seniors will be having a
pancake breakfast at the Ice Center Community Room that morning prior to the parade.
Proceeds will go to senior programs. There are more units in this year's parade than in
the previous two. Some activities will go on at LifeTime Fitness following the parade
PRAC Minutes/September 2000
Page 34
until 5:30. Participants may swim, dance in the gym, etc. There will be a hayride and
pony rides. The community band will perform, the Plymouth Rockers will sing, etc.
People can also skate for free at the Ice Center. There will be a musical presentation on
Sunday — a tribute to Patsy Cline — at the Plymouth Creek Center. We'll be having a
grand Marshall at the parade this year, Harvey Schiebe and his wife, who are long time
residents of Plymouth. They will lead the parade in their antique car.
c. Others. See item 6-b.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council approved the comprehensive plan, the grant application for Greenwood
School youth sports facilities, and a grant application for funding a skate park.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Plymouth Creek Center update. The Center has been very busy, with several weddings,
luncheons, and business meetings. The dome will go up on October 21. We will be
buying a golf net for the dome. This will allow us to offer golf lessons over the winter
months.
b. Millennium Garden project. Director Blank and the Mayor will be soliciting contributions
from Plymouth businesses to help fund the Millennium Garden.
c. Comprehensive Plan update. See item 4.
d. Hilde Performance Center. We now have a more formal agreement which will go before
the Council soon. Sound consultants were here all day long from Chicago doing a sound
study. We're on a timeline to break ground around July 10, 2001, and will have the
performance center completed by June of 2002.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Ferndale North open space — review proposed management plan. Director Blank
explained that a list of the recommendations as proposed by the open space management
committee was sent to all residents in the Ferndale North area. He stated that he did not
receive any verbal feedback, but he did receive one letter, which was included in the
PRAC packet. Commissioner Singer thinks the proposed management plan is very good.
Director Blank explained that the City ordinance does state that both dogs and cats must
be on leashes, but he just overlooked including cats when the recommendations were
typed up. We will remind people that they cannot spray herbicides on public property.
Extensive vandalism was done to the open space when a very potent weed killer was
applied by a resident earlier this summer. It not only killed all the weeds and grass, but
also destroyed some of the shrubbery, as well. This notice will go in the Ferndale
Homeowner Association's next newsletter. The estimate for 200 feet of woodchips at the
4th Avenue entrance was just a guess, so we will limit this distance, if possible. The open
space committee was unanimous in their recommendations. COMMISSIONER SINGER
MOVED TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
PRAC Minutes/September 2000
Page 35
WITH ALL AYES. Councilmember Slavik thanked all the commissioners and the open
space management committee for their work on this project. She's glad that it has come
to a satisfactory conclusion.
b. 2001-2005 Parks CIP — begin review of requests. A long list of projects was distributed
to the Park Commission in their packet. Director Blank said we keep a list of items that is
requested by the citizens. By the October meeting, staff will have a cost estimate on these
projects and will begin to prioritize the list with PRAC's input. At the conclusion of the
November PRAC meeting, there hopefully will be a draft plan, which is then forwarded
to the Planning Commission. Our part is combined with all other City departments' five
year plans. The Planning Commission then holds a public hearing on the plan. After that,
the plan goes to the City Council for adoption. Work begins then after the Council has
adopted the plan. Director Blank stated that every new housing unit pays $1,750 and
commercial developers pay $4,700 per acre to cover projects. These fees are for park
dedication. For every dollar collected, 70% is set aside for city parks, trails, etc., and 30%
goes for neighborhood parks. Another capital source is the park replacement fund, which
is for replacing worn out tennis courts, worn out parking lots, etc. About 95% of all park
construction is contingent on park dedication dollars. This fund is presently at an all time
low due to a moratorium on development. We've taken in $250,000 so far this year, but
in the past this fund has usually maintained a balance of anywhere between $1,000,000
and $2,000,000. The moratorium is off now, so we should be able to build up this account
again.
Director Blank said that staff has identified a number of trail segments that are in the
comprehensive plan. One is Old Rockford Road west of Vicksburg Lane, 36th Avenue
between Vicksburg and County Road 9, Revere Lane south of 10th Avenue, and
Lancaster Lane from 36th Avenue to Pilgrim Lane.
Ron Fiemann asked about the time frame for the upgrade of Old Rockford Road. Director
Blank said there is no time frame for this. He explained that developers build only the
roads within their development.
Greg Anderson, 4385 Lawndale Lane, supports the installation of bike trail on Old
Rockford Road west of Vicksburg Lane. He's spoken to Dan Faulkner in Engineering
and was told that Old Rockford Road might not be upgraded for another 10 years. This
road gets heavy use by bikers, joggers, walkers, and people pushing strollers. Greg is a
bike commuter and has to ride on Rockford Road to get to work. He stated that there is a
MN state law that says you must stay away from bicyclists by at least 3 feet when using
the same roadway. Mr. Anderson explained that Rockford Road is a ditch style road, and
he understands it will be difficult to build a trail here. He advocates building up the
shoulder of the road for the bikers. He also wants the City to consider three other things:
forming a Plymouth Bicycle Advisory Committee, becoming a bike friendly community
by joining the League of American Bicyclists), and adding more on—road bike lanes in
the City. Mr. Anderson bikes 10 miles each way to and from work. He said he would be
willing to serve on the bicycle advisory committee.
PRAC Minutes/September 2000
Page 36
Dana Cossette, 4340 Fountain Lane, lives in the Holly Creek Development off Old
Rockford Road. She said she has spoken many times to Director Blank. Dana has been on
the phone a lot talking to people about the improvement of Old Rockford Road. This is
the only exit from this neighborhood. There are hundreds of walkers, bikers, etc., on this
road. She stated that a resident who was walking on the road with her children was
stopped by a police officer and told the road was not safe for walking along.
David Klis, 16710 45th Avenue, is the president of the Golf View Homeowners
Association. He said there are 52 homes in the development. He has talked to his
neighbors about this trail, and they all are in favor of adding one along Rockford Road.
Commissioner Fiemann asked where the biggest problem is on Rockford Road? Mr.
Anderson said a couple hundred yards after Vicksburg Lane as you go west. The greatest
need is all along Rockford from Vicksburg to Peony. Director Blank said the engineers
have looked at the situation and after some study, and if we can acquire some easements
and right of way, we can probably build an off road trail here. It may have to be broken
up into segments and worked on over a couple of years. The path would probably be on
the south side of the road, because both schools are on the south side. There are a lot of
things that need to be worked out.
Commissioner Singer asked about the speed limit on Old Rockford Road. Director Blank
said it's posted at 50 mph. He then explained that speed limits are set by the state of
Minnesota. The state could be asked by the Council to do a study of the speed limit, but
that doesn't always work out the way residents want. Speed limits are set by 85% of the
drivers using that road. What ever speed 85% of the drivers is driving determines the
speed of that road, and in some cases when residents have wanted speed limits lowered,
they've actually been raised.
Commissioner Fiemann asked Councilmember Slavik if she was aware of any plans to
improve Rockford Road sooner than in 10 years. She said she didn't think so.
Director Blank said that money for roads comes from MN State Aid. County Road 101 is
using up a lot of that money and the next road scheduled is Schmidt Lake Road.
Improvements to Rockford Road would be addressed by the Public Works Department in
their CIP. Old Rockford Road is no longer a county road, Director Blank explained to
Commissioner Wahl. It is now under complete City control. Engineers think we can build
an off road trail on portions of that road, but at this point they don't know the cost, or
how soon it would occur.
Director Blank reviewed the rest of the 2001-05 CIP list. The list contained a number of
items. They included: open space, Greenwood School youth sports fields, the Millennium
Garden, Art in the Park, West Medicine Lake bathrooms/pavilion, the second half of
bleacher replacement, trail on Rockford Road (west of Vicksburg), trail on 36th Avenue
from County Road 9 to Vicksburg, sewer and water and a building permit for the Hilde
Performance Center, trail repair and overlay, the 4th of five payments on the
Showmobile, playground replacement, transfer to park replacement fund, the
environmental park playground and trail, a skate park, new lights at Parkers Lake Park,
PRAC Minutes/September 2000
Page 37
additional parking at the Ice Center, and playground improvements at Kimberly Lane
Elementary School.
Director Blank announced that we did win a grant for the upgrade of the Greenwood
youth sports fields. He also said the Council held a work study session on the Millennium
Garden. They moved $100,000 in interest earnings from the Plymouth Creek Center
construction fund, plus an additional $100,000 will come from Park Deducation Funds to
help fund the Millennium Garden. Art in the Park is still a high priority. The West
Medicine Lake bathrooms have became an issue now, because we can't build vault
toilets. The City Manager thinks we should look into constructing a shelter building in
this park that includes bathrooms. Half of our bleachers were replaced when the
Legislature banned all open sided bleachers. They later reconsidered that decision, and
decided existing bleachers could be modified to meet the new safety guidelines.
However, because all of our bleachers were destroyed, we now need to replace the rest of
them.
Items to consider beyond 2001 include the acquisition of land west of Vicksburg before
sewer becomes available, a spray playground, replacement of lights at Zachary Playfield,
tennis courts at Plymouth Creek Center, because there are no tennis courts in the central
part of Plymouth, a dock at East Beach, scoreboards at Elm Creek, lighting at West
Medicine Lake Park along the trail and in the parking lot, a boat dock upgrade at Parkers
Lake, a third sheet of ice for the Ice Center, picnic shelters at Plymouth Creek Park, at
Shenandoah Park, and at Elm Creek Playfield, and a wooden walkway at East Beach.
Director Blank invited commissioners to add to the list if they think of things.
Commissioner Singer said the deck at East Beach definitely needs replacing. The
building could also be upgraded. Director Blank agrees and will put it on the list. The
boat dock would go on the south end of the parking lot.
The 10th playfield acquisition doesn't have to be done this year, but within the next two
to four years. The property in the plan is owned by the Begin family and Director Blank
has been talking with them.
At the next meeting, we will have cost estimates prepared for these projects.
Commissioner Musliner asked how the lower level of the Plymouth Creek Center will be
used. Director Blank thinks the senior programs may use this space in about three years.
c. Review August park tour. Commissioner Musliner asked for a brief overview of the park
tour, because she was unable to attend. Director Blank said the tour went very well. The
Eagan Water Park can handle 2,000 at any given time. It costs $7.50 per day per user.
The St. Louis Park Water Park is much smaller. The Brooklyn Park Historical farm is an
interesting operation. The Brooklyn Park Skate Park was being used by about 30
participants when PRAC was there. This facility is free of charge and does not have any
supervision on site. Director Blank suggested the possiblity of visiting other such
operations on future park tours, and the commissioners agreed this was a good idea.
PRAC Minutes/September 2000
Page 38
COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Thompson wants us to get in writing that we have the right of first refusal on
the Hollydale golf course. Director Blank said he spoke with the owner, and he feels
comfortable with the owner's claim that if his children are not interested in it, he wants the
City to have it. Director Blank said he will talk to the owner about some sort of written
document. It was mentioned that dogs have been seen on the fieldhouse artificial turf and
people have been seen smoking on the turf. Director Blank said he would look into putting
up some kind of signage that says dogs are prohibited and discouraging people from smoking
when they're on the turf. Since this is an outdoor facility, enforcing these practices may be
somewhat difficult.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Next month's meeting needs to be changed to the 19th if possible, because of staff conflicts
on the 12th.
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The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: October 16, 2000
TO: PRAC
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Possible Donation of Statue
Please refer to the attached letter from Karol Greupner of our staff to the Plymouth Fine Arts
Council. This letter explains that we have received an invitation to be the host site for a
Christmas Box Angel Statue in the Millennium Garden. The City Manager has asked that we
have a number of people throughout the City review this possible donation and comment on
the appropriateness of the angel being located in the Millennium Garden. To this end, we have
sent the information to the Plymouth Fine Arts Council because of their interest in all of the
art work in the community. We have also sent it to the Human Rights Commission, which is
also meeting Thursday, October 19th. And, of course, we want PRAC to also review and
comment on this proposal before it is brought forward to the City Council.
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center in Wayzata has already raised enough money,
approximately $25,000, for the purchase of the cast bronze statue. They are continuing to raise
money for the pedestal and base that the statue would rest upon. They are very excited about
the garden and feel confident that the angel would be a great addition to our location.
EB/np
r0PCY OF
PUMOUTR
October 2, 2000
Dear PFAC Board Member:
Several weeks ago the City of Plymouth was contacted by the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center
in Wayzata with a proposal to install a statue titled "The Christmas Box Angel" in the city's
developing Millenium Garden. This statue is a replica of other bronze angel statues that have
been placed in more than nine other sites in the United States as well as some overseas.
I have included a packet of literature describing this project. The angel statue project is not
meant to show any type of religious affiliation, but is a universal symbol of positive spiritualism.
Four of the existing angel sites are government sites as would be the Millenium Garden.
Our City Manager, Dwight Johnson, and Park & Recreation Director, Eric Blank, have asked me
to inquire of your individual opinions on this proposed project. In meeting with Donna Roehl,
Executive Director of the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center, it was determined that we would do
preliminary research on public perception of this project before it would be presented to the City
Council. This project is financed through donations to the Center and personal memorial paving
bricks will be sold by them to complete the needed financial support.
The Millenium Garden was chosen by the Loss Center because of its accessible metro location
and also because the garden site lends itself to meditative visits by the public. It is a well done
piece of sculpture and is especially meaningful to those whose lives have been affected by the
loss of an infant or child.
Please check out the enclosed information. If you have any questions, I will be in my office
509-5223) through this Friday, October 6th. I will be on vacation from October 8-18. After you
have had a chance to read through this information, please call Eric Blank at 509-5201, with your
perception of this project in relationship to an angel statue placement in Plymouth.
Thanks for your time in following through on this request and I look forward to seeing you at our
next PFAC meeting on Wed., Oct. 25th at 7:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Creek Center.
Sincerely,
41
Karol Klint Greupner
PFAC Liaison from the City of Plymouth
Cc: Eric Blank and Dwight Johnson
PLYMOUTH A Beautifu(P(ace To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
rte www.ci.plymouth.mn.us
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READER'S DIGEST C+i JANVARY ZDOG
the devoted husband and father they
deserve.
When the author, Richard Paul
Evans, wrote the last sentence, he as-
sumed he was bringing to a close an
intimate story that he hoped would ex-
press his love for his daughters. Nothing
prepared him for the events that would
unfold in the years ahead.
Message.nf Love
ICHARD PAUL EVANS was phys-
ically and emotionally spent.
It was November 1992, and
the Salt Lake City advertising exe-
cutive had come off a breakneck
few months of 18 -hour days. His
home life had suffered. The devoted
husband and father ached for time
lost with his daughters, six-year-old
Jenna and four-year-old Allyson.
With Christmas near, he wanted to
convey how precious his girls were
to him. They loved it when he read
to them, so a book written by him
from the heart seemed the perfect
gift.
Evans began to sketch out the story
of a father who pours all his ener-
gies into his job, selfishly sacrificing
his family along the way. But trou-
bling scenes of a mother mourning
the death of a child kept intruding
on Evans's thoughts. What did this
have to do with his story? he won-
dered. One night the answer came
from a childhood memory.
When Rick Evans was four, he'd
found his mother, June, quietly weep-
ing one afternoon in her bedroom.
He asked her why. "This would have
68
been Sue's birthday," she said softly.
Two years before, the boy knew, his
mother had delivered a stillborn
daughter. With a child's bewildered
empathy, Rick reached out and gave
her a hug.
The topic of Sue rarely came up
in family conversation after that.
Rick's father, with a large family to
support, stoically threw himself into
running his construction business. If
the loss of his daughter weighed on
his mind, he never gave the merest
hint. But there were times when
Rick could tell his mother still
mourned.
Now, more than 25 years later,
the sister he'd never known seemed
mystically real. And he understood
how this puzzle piece would fit into
his book. The story would deal with
the twin tragedies of parenthood: the
abrupt loss of a child through death
and the slower loss of a child through
neglect.
The subject seemed dark, de-
pressing. But Evans, inspired, worked
to shape a message of love to his
girls and one of healing to his mother.
As the book neared completion,
he struggled for an image stark
enough to portray a parent's despair
at losing a child. He recalled an el-
derly neighbor's reminiscence about
playing in the city cemetery as a
child, and seeing a woman come
each day to weep beneath a statue
of an angel marking a child's grave.
The poignant devotion of the
mother and the tender symbolism
of the angel struck Evans. After
changing some of the elements, he
added similar imagery to his book.
The slim volume exceeded Evans's
hopes at the family's traditional
Christmas Eve celebration. He opened
a copy and showed it to his mother,
pointing to the dedication: "To Sue."
Mom, I think she gave me the
story for you," he said. June Evans
took her son into her arms and
thanked him in an
emotion -choked whis-
per, as Evans's father,
David, stood quietly
nearby.
Later, with Jenna WOrhedt
and Allyson sitting
spellbound1neSSa
Evans read g
them the story. Then, tohisgir
d at its reception,
he put the book on a
shelf where it would be
handy the next time his
daughters wanted to
hear it.
The Christmas Box, though, seemed
bent on pursuing a different destiny.
Bound photocopies Evans gave fam-
ily members were passed along from
friend to friend. Strangers called to
tell him how much the book meant
to them. Soon local bookstores were
calling Evans and asking him for
copies.
Urged by readers, Evans sent The
Christmas Box to local publishers, who
quickly rejected it. Evans and his
wife, Keri, then risked their own
savings to self -publish B000 copies in
August 1993. They had no idea th
book's word-of-mouth reputation
uJ:'J2i".ItiLY21Y:rYPA1.fIYbl.rytiO:Ylli w.:.. ...
would rocket it to best-seller lists and
draw offers from major New York
publishers.
Catharsis
Y NOVEMBER local book salesBwereaccelerating, and Evans
was regularly attending book
signings. At one event, a sad -eyed
woman approached him. "Would you
like me to autograph a
book?" he asked.
She shook her head.
I've read it, but you're
not old enough to be
oshapea the man in the book,"
she said. "The story isii t
message
them
true."
l
please"
No" he replied. "It's
sandone fiction."
I wanted to lay a
flower at the angel," she
murmured. Then she
drifted away.
Evans was dumb-
struck. He recognized the suffering
in her face; at virtually every book
signing he'd seen the same look on
people who talked to him about chil-
dren they'd lost. They always men-
tioned how healing The Christmas
Box was for them. Most found the
scene involving the stone angel es-
pecially cathartic and comforting.
Never had Evans imagined that the
absence of a real statue might cause
pain.
Troubled, Evans then described
his encounter to the book's distrib-
utor. "We get lots of calls wanting
to know where the angel is," one of
69
Inspired, he
ofhealingtohis
mother
READER'S DIGEST PT JANUARY 2000
the distributor's salesmen said to him.
Now Evans himself wanted to
know. He asked his elderly neigh-
bor to show him, but they found
only low-lying headstones in the
part of the cemetery she remembered.
Any statue that might have been
there 70 years before was long gone.
To Evans, the angel had been a
compelling literary device. Perhaps
too compelling. As the book's fol-
lowing grew, people from across the
country traveled to Salt Lake City,
searching for comfort they'd never
find. Evans came to think there was
only one thing for him to do: erect
a new stone angel for those mourn-
ers to visit, and find healing.
Upon hearing his plan, June Evans
was deeply moved. "I've never had
a place to go to mourn. Sue was
never buried; that's the way things
were done. I think other people
thought it would be easier for your
father and me if we just tried to
forget."
Evans couldn't fathom how he'd
deal with such a loss himself. But
he understood that, 30 years before,
David Evans would have been more
a spectator than a participant in the
birthing process. And he'd had to be
strong in the face of his daughter's
death.
In debt to his parents, David, the
father of seven, had been working
on a degree in social work, hoping
it would lead to steadier income than
he'd found in construction. He prob-
ably was so concerned about his wife's
health and the needs of the family
70
that he willed away any grief about
the child.
Yet June was still hurting. Clearly,
silence and isolation could preserve,
even heighten, the feeling of loss.
Larger Than Life
RRTAIN THAT his mother and
countless others needed this
healing place, Evans focused
on finding a suitable angel. In Sep-
tember 1994 he met with Ortho Fair-
banks, a well-known sculptor, and
his wife, Myrna. It turned out the
Fairbanks family had a special rea-
son to want to get involved; they,
too, had lost a child.
The author described his vision
of a statue of a child with angel's
wings and the dedication he planned
to hold in early December. Fairbanks
told Evans that a stone statue could
take years. A bronze statue with a
stonelike patina was the best bet,
but even that would usually take six
months to a year. However, deeply
moved by Evans's mission, Fairbanks
promised he'd somehow finish the
angel on schedule.
The sculptor kept his word. He
enlisted the aid of his son, also a
sculptor, and the two worked around
the clock. Meanwhile Evans and the
cemetery sexton identified land where
the statue might be erected. Two
days before the deadline, the Christ-
mas Box Angel was ready to be low-
ered into place overlooking Salt Lake
City.
On the evening of December 6,
1994, more than 400 people trudged
The Angel for Lost Children
Finding Peace- People now filed past the angel until
white flowers cascaded over the statue base.
through rain -slicked snow to the
upper slope of the cemetery. Tiny
candles, protected by umbrellas and
cupped by palms, flickered in the
darkness. Local dignitaries spoke,
but few in the audience took their
eyes from the angel.
She stood slightly larger than life-
size atop a granite base, Two spot-
lights illuminated her outstretched
arms from below, casting a glow on
her upturned face. Those who looked
closely could see the word Hope
blended into the feathered texture of
her right wing.
Bright angels around my darling
shall stand," sang a choir of chil-
dren, their sweet, unschooled voices
carrying over the hillside. "They
will guard thee from harms, thou
shalt wake in my arms."
Then came the moment Evans
had anticipated for months. His petite
mother, holding a rose whiter than
71
READER'S DIGEST D.l JANUARY 2000
her own hair, approached the angel, his eyes once more went to his mother.
She knelt and gently laid the flower He'd completed his gift to her and
at the angel's base. Looking on, Evans felt as if nothing could surpass thisfoundhimselfblinkingawaytears. moment. But then he glanced be -
He watched as she stood and turned, side her and- noticed. his father.
her eyes shining in a face smoothed Tears were streaming down Davidbyrelief. Evans took his mother in
his arms. "Finally," she said, "we have
Evans's cheeks. In the look of as -
tonished anguish on the older man'saplaceforSue. face, the son read a tale of suffer -
People now filed past the angel ing long held at bay. Surrounded byuntilwhiteflowerscascadedover
the base of the statue like a long- strangers drawn close by their com-
mon tragedy, Evans's parents turned
trained skirt. Someone placed a rose to each other and embraced. Above
across the angel's outstretched palms, them hovered the angel, glisteningandsoonthestatue's arms were filled. in the night rain.
Parents left tiny toys, pictures and
other mementos of their children. More than seven million copies ofEvansstoodinthedrizzleand
watched the angel at work. He had
The Christmas Box" have been sold in
17 different languages. Richard Paul
asked Ortho Fairbanks to sculpt an Evans is the best-selling author offour
angel with arms raised as if askingtobelifted. But judging by the peace- other novels, including "The LoopingGlass."June Evans now shares her experi-
ful expressions on the candlelit faces ence of loss freely to comfort other par - around him, this angel was reach- ents. David Evans is the director of aingoutmoretocomfortthantobe
Come
foundation to benefit abused and ne-
comforted. and lay your bur- glected children that Richard Evans set
dens here," she seemed to be saying. up with revenues from his writing. AndAndonebyone, her visitors did. the bronze angel is visited by more thanEvanssurveyedthecrowd, and 1200 people a year.
2
Angel of Hope
The miraculous story of the Christmas Box Angel
by Richard Paul Evans
In the shadow of the snow -clad Wasatch range in Salt Lake City, a statue of a dove -winged
angel stands watch over a cemetery. Though it rises above tombstones, it marks no burial.
Though it claims no body, it itself is claimed by thousands. The angel's face is that of a child's, its
arms raised as a child to be lifted. In its wings are HOPE.
It was only twelve days before Christmas. The Christmas Box, had risen to number one
on the national bestseller lists and my book signings had become frenzied affairs—sometimes
extending upwards of six hours. It was a harried Saturday afternoon close to the holiday and the
crowds were enormous. Suddenly a woman outside the roped stanchions of the line approached
my table. As I glanced up I noticed there was something peculiar about her eyes. They were full of
pain.
I don't have time to wait in your line, Mr. Evans," she said loudly. There was a strange,
desperate quality to her voice. The line quieted and those near the table turned to see this peculiar
woman. I apprehensively returned her gaze.
I just want you to know that my little girl was killed by a car last Thursday. I have read
your book every day since then and it is the only thing that is keeping me going"
I walked around the table and embraced the woman as she buried her head into my
shoulder and wept. A few minutes later I returned to the table. Those in line stood silent, stunned
by the incident. After a moment a woman said somberly, "I read that this happens at your book
signings."
Almost every one," I replied.
I had never intended to publish The Christmas Box, it was simply a story I wrote for my
daughters to express my love to them in a way that would be timeless. I could not have imagined
that this tale for two little girls, would spread to millions throughout the world. While the media
measures the success of The Christmas Box by weeks on bestsellers lists and bookseller profits,
the most remarkable stories of the phenomenon have largely gone unnoticed—the incredible stories,
shared by readers, of the book's mystical power to heal—a book about a stone angel that has come
to represent a parent's deepest grief and greatest love.
In loving memory of our babies. We love and miss you.
Please, angel, guard over our two loved ones.
NOTE LEFT AT THE ANGEL MONUMENT
The first of many unusual experiences I was to encounter occurred in December of 1993. I
was at a book signing at a mall in Salt Lake City. The Christmas Box had been published only two
weeks previous and I was hoping to sell ten copies in the course of two hours. Suddenly a woman
walked up to me.
What is your book about?" she asked.
Excited at the prospect of selling a book, I eagerly recited my sales pitch. "It is about a
young family who move in with an elderly widow and the Christmas they spend with her." She
looked disappointed in my reply. Then, to my surprise, said, "I guess I need six copies. One for
each child." Suddenly tears began to well up in her eyes as she corrected herself. "No, I'm sorry. I only need five... I've just lost a child."
Then, in the cacophony of the crowded mall corridor, the woman began to cry. She was
very embarrassed. When she had gained her composure she apologized, "I'm sorry. I don't
know why I told you that. I don't even know why I'm standing here"
I do," I replied. "I have been told that this book is healing for those who have lost
children."
Her expression revealed her surprise. "Just a moment," she said. She went into the store
and purchased her copies. As I signed them she suddenly interrupted me. "Can you tell me
what's happening to me?"
I looked up quizzically. "What is happening to you?"
I had finished shopping and as I was backing my car out of the mall's parking terrace I
suddenly heard a voice. It said `go back inside, there is a man there who has something for you.' When I came back inside I saw you sitting here and the voice said, `that's him. What he has you
need.'
She blushed. "You probably think I'm crazy, standing here crying and telling you that I'mhearingvoices."
No. Everything about this book is mystical."
Three weeks later I was in Scottsdale Arizona having one of the worst book signings of myyoungcareer. I had been in the bookstore for nearly forty-five minutes and the only attention I had
received from a customer was when someone asked me to move so they could get to some books
behind me. Suddenly a woman walked up to my table and said, "I'll take one of these."
Mercy buy, I thought.
Her husband, who had walked up behind her, glanced at the book then said disparagingly, Man, you'll buy anything."
I wanted to go home. She bought the book and they left the store. About twenty minuteslatertheyreturned. The man approached me, holding my book above his head.
I need ten more copies," he announced.
You've changed your mind?" I asked facetiously, still reeling from his earlier insult.
He leaned forward, his eyebrows bent intensely. "There is something really weird about
your book," he said in a hushed tone. "There is something mystical about it."
His wife came around the table. "Do you believe in spiritual things?" she asked. "Like
voices?"
Yes."
We both heard a voice this evening that told us to come here and find you. It wasn't until
my husband opened the book that he knew you were the one. I don't know what this little
Christmas book of yours is about but we are supposed to share it."
I have had these types of peculiar experiences from coast to coast. Sometimes it's as subtle
as the woman in Oregon who, mistaking my signing table for an information desk, stopped to ask
directions to a store because she needed to find something for an acquaintance who had just lost a
child. Or it might be more overt, like the woman who, after hearing me speak, came up and, wiping tears from her eyes, said, "I had never heard of you or your book, but when I saw in the
paper that you would be here I suddenly had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to hear you.
And that I should wear this ..." She displayed a silver broach framing the picture of her infant
daughter. "My baby died last June."
The very genesis of The Christmas Box was shrouded in like spirituality. As I began to
write, the story began to write itself—pouring into my mind in torrents of inspiration. It would
come to me in the middle of the night or early in the morning. Just as peculiar, the story came to
me like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces here and there—chapters out of sequence. For four weeks I
wasn't sure what the story was about.
Until one extraordinary morning.
At four a.m., the story woke me. Having already grown accustom to my inspiration's
poor sense of timing, I went out to the kitchen table and began to write. Just a few sentences in, I
was suddenly overcome with emotion. I understood, for the first time, what this story was
about—the pain my mother felt over losing a child. At this moment something beautiful happened.
Something I had never before, or since, experienced. I could feel the spiritual presence of
someone with me in the room. I believe it was my little sister, Sue, who had died when I was only
two years old. Though I had never met her, there was something familiar about her presence. I
said out loud, "Sue, you gave me this story for mom." Instantly it came to my mind, in the same
way the story had come to my mind, "dedicate this book to me."
I still had no intention of publishing The Christmas Box but I knew that I needed to share it
with my mother and family. I went to a local copy shop and had twenty copies made. Two days
later, on Christmas eve, I presented the books to my family. My mother wept as I shared my
experience—that I now knew of her pain.
I learned that in the four weeks since Christmas Eve, the twenty copies were passed on
again and again, read more than one hundred and sixty times. A few weeks later bookstores began
calling with orders for the unpublished book. I sent the book out to local publishers, who wasted
little time in returning it, claiming "it would never sell" We were still receiving steady orders for
the book when my wife, Keri, and I decided to self -publish. Distributing locally, we sold out of
all 19,000 copies. It was only the beginning. By Christmas of 1995 The Christmas Box had
spread throughout the world, selling nearly three million copies in more than thirty countries and
fourteen different languages. By Christmas day, The Christmas Box had made publishing history
on two accounts: as only the second self -published book to make it to number one on the New
York Times bestseller list, and as the first book to simultaneously hit number one on the hardcover
and paperback fiction bestseller lists.
Just as surprising, was the number of calls we were receiving from grateful readers,
sharing remarkable stories of grief and healing. In some instances, booksignings were dominated
by people who had lost a loved one and had heard of the book's power to heal—something just as
surprising to me as the books amazing success. Keri and I felt very grateful to be a part of
something that was bringing peace so many.
I miss you so much. I think of you every day. I know you are happy and free and it won't be long until we
meet again. Until then, stay with me. I need the strength of your beautiful spirit. I love you more than I
could ever express in words. I'm doing my best at life but it's hard sometimes. I know you will be waiting
for me. I love you — forever, Mom
NOTE LEFT AT THE ANGEL MONUMENT
There are several parts of The Christmas Box that are not fiction. The angel monument at
the heart of the tale actually did exist. I learned of the angel from a neighbor who I often visited,
an elderly widow named Leah Perry. As a child, Leah lived next to the Salt Lake City cemetery
and would often play behind its walls. One wintry day, while walking through the cemetery, sheheardahorriblewailing. She looked up to see a woman kneeling at the base of a sandstone angel
statue, clawing at the frozen ground as if it held her from something she wanted desperately—more
than anything. After the woman left, Leah approached the statue. Etched in its stone base were
three words: Our little angel.
It would be another two years before I thought of recreated the angel. The idea came to me
while at a book signing. As I sat alone, hoping for a sale, I noticed a woman across the hallway
staring at me. Her eyes expressed her silent melancholy. After a few moments she approached. I
asked if she would like a book signed. She shook her head. "I have already read your book." She
took a deep breath and sighed. "You're not old enough."
To be a writer?" I asked.
No. To have experienced this. The story isn't true."
No, ma'am. It's mostly fiction."
She turned away sorrowfully. "I wanted it to be true. I wanted a place to go. I wanted to
lay a flower at the angel."
I called Leah and asked if she would take me to see the angel. We drove up to the west end
of the cemetery and began combing the area she had walked nearly eighty years before. The search
was not easy for the widow, as she walked with a cane. We couldn't find the angel. After
searching for nearly an hour Leah raised her hands in frustration then, hitting a granite headstone
with her wooden cane, exclaimed, "It was right here by Mr. Bean!"
Leah called me the next day. "I phoned the Sexton," she said triumphantly. "He said there
was flooding in that part of the cemetery and many of the headstones were spoiled. Especially the
older ones."
The angel was gone. As I thought of the grieving parents wandering the cemetery I had the
sudden wish to rebuild the angel—to provide a place for them to grieve their little ones. When I told
my mother of my desire, she began to cry.
Sue was never buried," she said.
I was ashamed that I didn't know this, but not surprised. My mother rarely spoke of Sue.
One of the few instances I remember involving my sister was when, as a boy, I found my mother
alone in a room, crying. When I asked her why she was crying, she told me it was Sue's
birthday.
My sister Sue was stillborn. In the social mind set of the day (one I still have difficulty
understanding) the doctors, caretakers and clergy simply patted my mother on the back
figuratively and literally) and told her that it didn't count—that it wasn't really a baby. To go home
and just forget. I wish that this was an isolated instance, but I have learned that it's not. As I
travel across the country giving radio station interviews I am amazed at the number of women who
call to share their stories of quiet loss.
My mother carried the pain alone for thirty years. Now, after three decades, she had a
place to go to confront her grief and to finally heal. The giving of The Christmas Box had trulycomefullcircle.
I love and miss you very much! Happy Easter. I hope you got a new dress
where you are. I think of you often; especially lately. I will always love you.
No more tears until we meet again. — Love, mom.
FROM A NOTE LEFT AT THE ANGEL MONUMENT
I asked a neighbor of mine, a funeral director, if he knew where I could find an angel
sculpture. He told me of a renowned local sculptor named Ortho Fairbanks.
You could never afford him," my neighbor said, `But his son, Jared, is also a sculptor.
He might be willing to help."
said.
I phoned Jared and was surprised buy his response. "You need to talk to my father," he
I don't think we can afford your father."
Jared was insistent. "You need to talk to him," he repeated.
The next day I met with Ortho Fairbanks and his wife, Myrna, in their living room. As I
explained the purpose of the angel, the sculptor pushed back tears. He went into another room,
returning a few moments later with the casting of a headstone he had made for their own child.
Myma spoke for both of them. "Don't worry about the cost. Whatever it takes to build this, will
be done."
I felt strongly that the new statue, like the original, was to be placed in the Salt Lake City
Cemetery. I called the cemetery and explained my intentions to the sexton's secretary. She asked
that I send a written request. I sent the letter, including with it a copy of The Christmas Box. The
next time we spoke she was excited about the prospect of the angel statue. She understood. She
too had lost a child.
You'll have to meet with the sexton," she said. "He's out of town for the week. If you
can call back next Thursday, I'll arrange a meeting."
The following Thursday I called. The woman greeted me despondently.
There's a problem, Richard," she said sadly.
What's wrong?"
You'll just have to talk to the sexton. He's available to meet with you tomorrow."
From the tone of her voice I knew that our request had been denied. The next day I drove
UP to the cemetery, contemplating the doomed meeting and wondering if an appeal was possible.
For the fust time I began to wonder if the angel would ever stand in the cemetery. Suddenly there
came a strong impression: The place has been chosen. Doubt replaced the thought. They're notevengoingtoletmebuildit, I thought.
The impression came again: The place has been chosen.
he had. The sexton had never heard of The Christmas Box and probably would not have cared if
I've heard your request, Mr. Evans, and I'm going to have to deny it."
Despite the secretary's warning, his response still came as a surprise. "May I ask why?" He sat back in his chair, his.fingers knit behind his head. "I get a lot of requests like yours
and I just can't do it. In the first place this would have to be approved by the City Arts Council, the
director of parks, the city attorneys and architects, the city council, probably even the mayor. The
red tape is considerable. It couldn't possibly be done by this fall, even if I had the desire to go to
that much trouble, which, frankly, I don't have time for. Besides, there is no place to put a
monument. This cemetery is one hundred and fifty years old. The plots are all privately -owned. I'm sorry, but we just don't have the space."
The sexton returned to his paperwork. I just sat, my mind reeling in confusion. I thought I
had received inspiration. Not knowing what to do, I did nothing. I just sat there. After a few
minutes he looked back up, no doubt wondering why I was still in his office. "What is it that you
are trying to accomplish, Mr. Evans?" he asked.
I looked down for a moment then back into his eyes. "I just want to build a place where
people can come to grieve and be healed."
I may never fully understand what happened next. I consider it nothing short of
miraculous. The sexton's countenance suddenly changed. He stood up, walked over to a map onthewall, then, with a pen, made an `X' in the center of the cemetery. "Here," he said. "It could gorighthere."
May I see the site," I asked.
If you can drive."
We drove up a hill to a beautiful knoll. A small road ran in front of the site, ideal for the
crowds that would someday come.
Here," the sexton announced, standing at the crest of the small hill and extending his arms
like angel wings. "It will go right here." He looked around. "You'll need more than one plot,
though. And I could write an ordinance that would restrict other grave markers on this hill." He
looked at me thoughtfully. "It's the strangest thing. There has been a utility shed on this property
for the last forty years. Only two weeks ago it was torn down. I was supposed to sell the land, I
even had buyers, but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to do it."
He suddenly seemed to be caught up in a vision of the quest. "People will come from all
over the world to see this angel." He suddenly turned to me, seemingly as surprised at what he
was saying as I was. "And the city should give you this land."
As we drove back to the office he said, "I get a lot of requests for this sort of thing and,
until now, I have always turned them down. I don't know why, but this angel of yours is
supposed to be here."
After we returned, the secretary hesitantly asked about our meeting.
He's going to allow it. In fact, he is going to request that the city donate the land."
She looked at me incredulously. "It's a miracle."
I know," I replied.
I have no white flower here today. In place I leave a kiss
for a daughter I wish 1 had known better.
NOTE LEFT AT THE ANGEL MONUMENT
The Fairbanks worked long days, often late into the night, to meet a nearly impossible
deadline. They delivered the complex and beautiful sculpture to the foundry only a few weeks
before the dedication ceremony. Peculiar occurrences continued to follow the angel. When Ortho
Fairbanks went to the foundry to check on the sculpture's progress he was asked by a foundry
worker if there was something spiritual about the sculpture.
Why do you ask?"
There are strange circumstances surrounding it. It has come together in a fraction of the
time it should have taken and several have expressed having unusual feelings while working on it.
We've begun to call it "The miracle angel."
The finished sculpture stood four feet high, cast in bronze and colored like stone with a
subtle green tint. It was set on a four foot granite base. It hands raised upwards like a child
wishing to be lifted, its eyes cast heavenwards. Its seraphic face is the face of my daughter
Allyson. In the left wing, written subtly in bronze, is the word 'hope.'
With hope in its wings, The Christmas Box Angel was dedicated
December 6, 1994 as a place of love and healing for all those who
have lost children. I invite all to leave a white flower at its base.
ST'3
INSCRIPTION ON THE CHRISTMAS BOX ANGEL MONUMENT IN THE SALT LAKE CITY CEMETERY
The statue was set in place only two days before its dedication. By noon of December
sixth, flowers, sent from around the country, had already piled at the monument's base until much
of the four foot granite base was concealed. Nearly four hundred gathered that winter night in the
bitter cold of the cemetery–illuminated only by the candles they held which somehow defied the
waves of freezing rain that had already drenched the crowd.
It was an eclectic gathering. Educated and unlearned. Christian and Jew. The prominent
and the unsung. But that night there was no division. No race. No class. Just one heart huddled
together for shelter from life's storms–to find peace at the base of an angel monument.
A dedicatory prayer was given, preceded by the unveiling of the statue. Then, a moment of
silence was observed, followed by the innocent, pure strains of a childrens' choir singing BrahmsLullaby. My mother, June Evans, lay the first flower, a single white rose, for Sue. She was
followed by Myrna Fairbanks, who lay a white flower for her son, Hyrum. As the crowd
proceeded towards the angel to lay their own flowers, reporters and television camera crews were
observed pushing back tears from usually stoic faces. "In twenty years of newscasting," said onehardenednewscaster, "Nothing has gotten to me before. Not like this."
A woman, mourning her own stillborn child, poignantly summed up the event: "Finallysomeonehassaiditisokaytocry."
Since its dedication, the statue has attracted a steady flow of visitors. Its base is adorned,
year-round, with flowers and notes to loved ones. Even tourist buses wind their way through the
cemetery. We announced at the statue's dedication that the ceremony would be held every year onDecember6th. Last December, as word of the angel continued to spread, the crowds at the
ceremony grew considerably, with many attendees flying in from other states. Others, unable to
attend the event, held their own angel ceremonies, lighting candles and laying flowers at the base
of an angel.
That first night, as I witnessed the procession of those laying flowers, I understood finallythatIhadbeenacoginsomegreatcosmicmachination—a process where the end, perhaps, was
known from the beginning. That, someday, people would come from all over the world to find
solace in the statue's presence—to lay their grief in the outspread arms of an angel. A stone angel.
An angel with hope in its wings.
Utah Governor Michael Leavitt has proclaimed December 6th as The Christmas Box Angel Day–adayofhealingandremembrance. Every December 6th a candlelight ceremony is held at the angel
statue in memory of those who have lost children. The public is welcome. Flowers may be sent to: Christmas Box Angel. City Cemetery. 200 "N" Street. Salt Lake City, Utah 84103.
Correspondence regarding the angel should be sent to: Richard Paul Evans, PO Box 1416, Salt
Lake City, Utah 84110.
Whe'Cludmag A an5cl
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33
Playground Name Playground Age
Queensland, 1986 14
Pkrs. Lk Beach, 1987 13
Heritage, 1987 13
Rolling Hills, 1987 13
Lions, 1988 12
Kilmer, 1989 11
Swan Lake, 1990 10
Shiloh, 1992 8
Gleanloch,1992 8
Pkrs Lk Plyfld., 1992 8
Bass Lake, 1992 8
South Shore, 1992 8
Hemlock, 1994 6
Plymouth Creek, 1994 6
Timber Shores, 1995 5
Schmidt Lake, 1995 5
Heather Pond, 1995 5
Mission Hills, 1995 5
Maple Creek, 1996 4
Circle, 1997 3
Imperial Hills, 1997 3
West Med. Lake, 1997 3
Sunrise, 1997 3
3 Ponds, 1997 3
Gateway, 1998 2
East Med. Lake, 1998 2
Green Oaks, 1999 1
Turtle Lake, 1999 1
Lacompte, 1999 1
Zachary, 2000 New
St. Mary's, 2000 New
Shenandoah,2000 New
Elm Creek/H.S., 2000 New
2001-2005 CIP
City of Plymouth
2001-2005 Capital Improvements Program
Park Projects
Draft 2001
Park Park Park
Project Park CIT Planning Capital Dedication Dedication Replacement Community Other
Number Project Year and Improvement Playfields Neighborhood MSA Improvement Funding Total Other Funding Sources Notes
Desi Fund Trails Parks Funding Fund (CII Sources
Trails
Old Rockford/Dunkirk to Holly Ln 65,000
36th Ave 15,000 Half paved by developer.
Revere Lane south of 10th Ave. 12,000 92,000
Portable Stage Payment 43 20,000 20,000
Millennium Garden 500,000 500,000 100,000 Activity Center Interest) ($300,000 Donations)
100,000 Park Dedication)
Youth Sports Greenwood 140,000 320,000 460,000 100,000 Grant) ($10,000 P.S.A) ($20,000 Baseball) ($190,000 Park Dedication)
Replace Playground - Swan Lake 90,000 90,000
Open Space/Land Acquisition 475,000 475,000
NB Park Land Acquisition 75,000 75,000
Art In The Park 15,000 5,000 20,000
Transfer to Park Replacement 40,000 18,000 58,000
West Medicine Park Building 200,000 7 200,000
Replace Playground - Parkers Lk 140,000 140,000
Environmental Park
New Playground and Trail 185,000 185,000
Basketball and Sand Volleyball
RidgemountPlaytield 12,000 12,000
3 Scoreboard at Elm Creek PF 35,000 35,000
TraiVParkutg Lot Repa rlOverlay 70,000 70,000
Hilde Perfomaarrce Center 150,000 150,000 Transfer from Activity Center interest)
Skate Park 50,000 50,000 20,000 grant applied for)
Donation to Kimberly Lane Elem
School Playground 15,000 15,000
Large Picnic Shelter/Zachary Playfreld 30,000 30,000
Total 625,000 634,000 298,000 300,000 0 0 820,000 2,677,000
City of Plymouth Page 1 3/27/2001
2001-2005 CIP
City of Plymouth
2001-2005 Capital Improvements Program
Park Projects
Draft 2002
Park Park Park
Project Park CIP Planning Capital Dedication Dedication Replacement Community Other
Number Project Year and Improvement Playfields Neighborhood MSA bnprovement Funding Total Other landing Sources Notes
Design Fund Trails Parks Funding Nand (C * Sources
Trails
Old Rockford/ Holly Lnto Peony 75,000
Lancaster Ln/ 36th Av to Pilgrim 75,000 150,000
Trail/Parking Lot Repair 70,000 70,000
Portable Stage Final Payment 19,000 19,000
Art in Park 15,000 5,000 20,000
Playground Replacement 100,000 100,000
Tennis Court Replacement
OakwoodPlayfreld 140,000 140,000
Transferto Park Replacement 46,000 19,000 65,000
Mud Lake NB Park Development 300,000 300,000
Zachary Playfreld Building 75,000 75,000 150,000 ($75,000 from Youth Baseball)
Picnic Shelters - Plymouth Creek 30,000 30,000
Trail & Parking Lot Lights - West Med - 100,000 100,000
Total 435,000 324,000 310,000 0 0 75,000 1,144,000
City of Plymouth Page 1 3/27/2001
2001-2005 CIP
City of Plymouth
2001-2005 Capital Improvements Program
Park Projects
Draft 2003
Park Park Park
Project Park CIP Planning Capital Dedication Dedication Replacement Community Other
Number Project Year and Improvement Playfields Neighborhood MSA Improvement Funding Total Other Funding Sources Notes
Design Fund Trails Parks Funding Fund (CIF) * Sources
New Trails 75,000 75,000
Art In Park 15,000 5,000 20,000
Transfer to Park Replacement 50,000 22,000 72,000
Playground Replacement 100,000 100,000
Land Acquisition
10th Playfield 400,000 200,000 600,000 Loan from CIF to be repaid from Park Dedication
36th Ave Bridge 45,000 45,000
open Space Acquisition 275,000 275,000
Parking L.otRepair 75,000 75,000
Trail Repair/ Overlay 25,000 25,000
Total 275,000 585,000 27,000 200,000 0 200,000 0 1,287,000
City of Plymouth Page 1 3/27/2001
2001-2005 CIP
City of Plymouth
2001-2005 Capital Improvements Program
Park Projects
Draft 2004
Park Park Park
Project Park CIP Planning Capital Dedication Dedication Replacement Community Other
Number Project Year and Improvement Playfields Neighborhood MSA Improvement Funding Total Other Funding Sources Notes
Design Fund Trails Parks Funding Fund (CIF) * Sources
New Trails 75,000 75,000
Art In Park 15,000 5,000 20,000
Transfer to Park Replacement 57,000 24,000 81,000
Land Acquisition
10th Playfield 250,000 250,000 500,000 Loan from CIP to be repaid from Park Dedication
Repayment of Loan to CIF 40,000 40,000
Trail Repair/ Overlay 50,000 50,000
Playground Replacement 110,000 110,000
Total 437,000 29,000 160,000 0 250,000 0 876,000
City of Plymouth Page 1 3/27/2001
2001-2005 CIP
City of Plymouth
2001-2005 Capital Improvements Program
Park Projects
Draft 2005
Park Park Park
Project Park CIP Planning Capital Dedication Dedication Replacement Community Other
Number Project Year and bnprovemcut Playfields Neighborhood MSA Improvement Funding Total Other Funding Sources Notes
Design Fund Trails Parks Funding Fund (CM * Sources
New Trails 75,000 75,000
Art in Park 15,000 5,000 20,000
Transfer to Park Replacement 64,000 27,000 91,000
Repayment of Loan to CIF 50,000 50,000
Playground Replacement 110,000 110,000
New Tennis Courts at Plymouth
Creek Center 150,000 150,000
Spray Playground - Plymouth
Creek Park 100,000 100,000
Parking Lot Repair 100,000 100,000
Total 454,000 32,000 210,000 0 0 0 696,000
City of Plymouth Page 1 3/27/2001
ARMSTRONG BASEBALL
10635 36th Ave. N.
Plymouth, MN. 55441
Phone(612)504-8843
Fax(612)504-8831
tony_pelson@rdale.kl2.mn.us
September 13, 2000
Dear Erick Blank,
Last spring Bruce Johnson and I visited with you about the possibility of the City of Plymouth participating
in the lighting of Armstrong High School baseball field. At the time you mentioned that the 2000 budget
had already been submitted but if we got a bid we could possibly be part of the 2001 budget. I have
included a letter from Musco Lighting that includes the specs and price of lighting our baseball field.
If there is anything else we can do to enhance our chances of lighting our field please contact myself or
Bruce Johnson.
Sincerely,
Anthony S. Nelson
September 7, 2000
Tony Nelson
Baseball Coach
Armstrong High School
10635 36th Ave. N.
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
Re: Baseball Field - Lighting.
Dear Tony,
Craig Gallop
Sports Technology, Inc.
Phone: 612/533-2030
Fax: 612/525-0070
E-mail: Sportstec@aol.com
P.O. Box 27231
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Web site: help://www.musco.com
It was nice meeting with you to discuss the proposed lighting for the Armstrong Baseball field. I
am certain that the product, technology and service provided by Musco Sports -Lighting will be of
value to the school. I recommend lighting the field to 50 footcandles infield and 30 footcandles
outfield using the Musco Light -Structure system. In addition, because of the close proximity of
residential areas, I also recommend using the Musco Total Light Control system. This will
eliminate 909b of unwanted spill and glare light from effecting the homes adjacent to the field.
The Musco Light -Structure consists of a pre -stressed concrete base, galvanized steel pole, remote
electrical components located at a 10' height on the pole, pole wire harness, and pole top luminaire
assembly with 1500 watt metal halide lighting. There will be a total of 8 poles with heights
ranging from 70' to 80'.
The cost of the lighting system installed is estimated at $129,500. This includes the lighting,
poles, bases, installation, and underground electrical system. Cost is based on standard soil
conditions of 2,000 psi strength with free -boring techniques used. I have included the 10 Club
warranty which covers parts, labor and lamps for 10 years. In addition, we will relamp the
complete facility in the 10th year of operation.
The sound system for the baseball field would range between $5,000 and $10,000 depending how
elaborate a system you would like. We can discuss this in more detail and I can get you a more
accurate cost.
Please feel free to call me if there are any questions or if more detailed information is needed.
Innddeppeenndenntt Re preess eental ivfe for:
C/ / / /
f'T1US C®
v
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: October 16, 2000
TO: PRAC
vFROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Plymouth Marketplace - Request for Reduced Park Dedication Fees
Background: North American Properties is developing Plymouth Marketplace, which is
located at the corner of Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55 on 25 acres of property. The City
Council has already given approval to the development, which will include such things as a
grocery store, bank, a couple of restaurants, and other strip shopping areas. See attached
memo from the Planning Department dated September 15, 2000, for additional details.
North American Properties has requested that the City reduce the park dedication fee in
recognition that they have set aside a conservation easement over 2.73 acres of woods located
immediately west of Vicksburg Lane and just south of 36th Avenue. A letter from Jay Scott,
representing North American Properties, is attached explaining the reason for the request. I
have also attached for your review the latest revision to the park dedication policy that was
approved on February 7, 2000. I would call your attention to paragraphs C and D of the park
dedication policy. The policy specifically allows that the developer can get up to a 17 %
reduction, if they provide certain amenities within their plat. This paragraph was written
mainly with the thought that high density developments, such as apartments, would provide
onsite amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, volleyball courts, etc., which could be
used by their residents, thereby reducing the need on the public park system. It is based on the
idea that they would actually spend capital dollars, which would come out of their pocket.
Therefore, a request for a reduction in fees would be a way to offset those out of pocket
expenses. During my 20 years with the City, I do not recall any such requests being made.
Under Provision D, the City Council may request that the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission review unusual circumstances, which they have done in this case.
In order to help you understand and review the situation, I would ask you to look at the newly
adopted comprehensive plan, specifically, the natural areas and open space section, which
begins on pg. 8.61. Upon reviewing these pages of the document, I find that there is no
mention of open space on this property at Highway 55 and Vicksburg Lane for possible future
acquisition by the City of Plymouth. In fairness to the developer, they did propose this. The
City did not require that they set aside the trees. However, we do have a tree preservation
ordinance, and every developer is required to preserve as many trees as possible on their
property. If they had cut the trees down for development, they probably would have owed a
fee to the City for that.
Budget: North American Properties has already paid a dedication fee in the amount of
96,252. If the Commission decides that a reduction would be appropriate, and the City
Council agrees, the City would rebate that portion of their park fee estimated to be
approximately $14,196.
Recommendation: Although staff sees some merit for the request, in fairness to all the
other developers that have come before the City in the last 20 years, and have also preserved
some level of amenities on their sites, and also because this was a voluntary effort on the part
of the developer, and not required by the City as a condition of approval, I find it difficult to
recommend that the park dedication fee be reduced.
EB/np
3DO 1l0 F
NORTH AMERICAN PROPERTIES III)
August 1, 2000
Ms. Kendra Lindahl
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard AUG 3 l ;lPlymouth, MN 55447-1482
RE: Plymouth Marketplace J
Dear Ms. Lindahl:
Please accept this letter as our formal request to the City Council for consideration of
having the property under the Conservation Easement area exempted from the park
dedication fees for the Plymouth Marketplace project.
The total area within the Conservation Easement is 3.41 acres. Subtracting out the
existing wetland areas of 0.68 acres leaves a net upland area within the Conservation
Easement area of 2.73 acres. Therefore, we respectfully request that this area not be
subject to the park dedication requirement.
Our rationale for this request is simple. Since we have voluntarily dedicated this area as a
permanent natural area within the City of Plymouth for the benefit of the City and its
residents, and since this area can never be developed under any circumstances in
accordance with the Conservation Easement which has been recorded against the
property, we believe that this area should not be subject to the payment of park dedication
fees. In essence, we have provided a "park" or natural area with this property already by
establishing the Conservation Easement in lieu of the payment of any park dedication fees.
I respectfully request that this issue be addressed by the Plymouth City Council at their
earliest possible meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call.
Sincerely,
NAP Plymouth Marketplace, LLC
Jay M. Scott
Member
18566 Bearpath Trail
Minneapolis, MN 55347
ph: 952-974-9200
fax: 952-974-9300
meb: www.naproperties.com Atlanta I Cincinnati I Dallas I Ft. Myers I Minneapolis
Agenda Number: rp, 1-11-J
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Kendra Lindahl, Senior Planner (509-5453) through Anne" Hurlburt,
Community Development Director
SUBJECT: North American Properties, Inc. Approve Final Plat and Development
Contract for "Plymouth Marketplace" located at the northwest quadrant to
Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55 (20040F)
REVIEW DEADLINE: September 15, 2000
DATE: August 10, 2000 for the City Council Meeting of August 22, 2000
PROPOSED MOTION:
Move the three attached resolutions:
a. Approving a final plat and development contract for Plymouth Marketplace,
b. Adopting traffic control signal system assessments for Plymouth Marketplace, and
c. Adopting sanitary sewer and watermain assessments for Plymouth Marketplace.
The applicant has executed and returned the development contract that staff prepared.
Approval of a final plat, development contract, and resolutions adopting assessments requires a
4/7 vote of the City Council.
2. POLICY ISSUES:
The applicant has requested that the 3.41 acres (2.73 upland acres) of property proposed for the
tree conservation easement be exempted from the park dedication requirements. The applicant
has indicated that this property will be dedicated to the City as a natural area that can never be
developed. This land will function as a City park, therefore, they should not be required to pay
park dedication on this property.
The park dedication policy states that the City shall accept land dedication subject to four criteria.
Staff finds that the developer is not eligible to receive credit for dedication of park land (in lieu
of cash fees) because the tree conservation area does not comply with the criteria identified in the
park dedication policy. Specifically:
File 20040F
Page 2
A. The Comprehensive Plan does not identify any park area needs on this property, therefore,
dedication of the land for park area is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Furthermore, the land would not function as park land. The developer proposed the tree
conservation easement to provide a buffer between the commercial development and the
single family homes north of 36`h Avenue, not to provide recreation space.
B. The developer is not providing a significant amenity (swimming pools, tennis courts,
handball courts, ballfields, etc.) within the development for the benefit of those residing or
working therein. Tle tree conservation easement is not an active park space that could be
used by those working in this development --it is provided as a buffer between this
development and the homes to the north.
Therefore, staff recommends that the developer be required to pay park dedication fees as
required by the park dedication policy. The attached resolution approving the final plat and
development contract requires that the developer pay the full park dedication fees. No separate
action is required to deny the applicant's request for an exemption.
However, if the City Council finds that the applicant's request has merit, they should direct the
request to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC), as required by the park
dedication policy. PRAC would review the requested exemption and make a recommendation to
the City Council. After reviewing the PRAC recommendation, the City Council could amend the
final plat resolution to exempt the tree conservation easement area from park dedication
requirements.
3. ANALYSIS:
On June 27, 2000, the City Council approved a rezoning from rezoning from O -R
Office/Residential) to CC -RE (City Center, Retail/Entertainment), preliminary plat, PUD
general plan, site plans, conditional use permits and variances for the creation of six lots on this
25.80 -acre parcel. The property is currently vacant.
The applicant made a small change to the common lot line between lot 3 (two -restaurant
building) and lot 4 (Marquette Bank). This change would make the parking north of the bank
part of lot 3 because the parking in this location would primarily serve the customers of the
restaurants on lot 3. However, the developer would require cross easements for shared parking
and access for all commercial properties within the development.
The Development Review Committee has found this final plat application to be in conformance
with the approved preliminary plat, and the provisions of City Council Resolution 83-125
regarding the review of final plats.
File 20040F
Page 3
4. RECOMMENDATION:
Community Development Department staff recommends adoption of the three attached
resolutions:
a. Approving a final plat and development contract for Plymouth Marketplace,
b. Adopting traffic control signal system assessments for Plymouth Marketplace, and
c. Adopting sanitary sewer and watermain assessments for Plymouth Marketplace.
The approving resolution for the final plat and development contract requires that the developer
pay park dedication fees in accordance with the park dedication policy, however, if the City
Council finds that the developer's request has merit, they should direct this item to PRAC for
review.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Approving Final Plat and Development Contract
2. Resolution Adopting Traffic Control Signal System Assessments
3. Resolution Adopting Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Assessments
4. Development Contract & Engineer's Memo
5. Letter from Applicant Requesting Reduction of Park Dedication
6. Park Dedication Policy (Resolution 98-151)
7. Location Map
8. Approved Preliminary Plat
9. Final Plat
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION 2000 -
APPROVING FINAL PLAT AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT FOR NORTH AMERICAN
PROPERTIES, INC. FOR "PLYMOUTH MARKETPLACE" LOCATED AT THE
NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF VICKSBURG LANE AND HIGHWAY 55 (20040)
WHEREAS, North American Properties, Inc. has requested approval of a final plat to create six
lots on roughly 25.8 acres located at the northwest quadrant of Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55;
and
WHEREAS, the property is legally described as follows;
Outlot I, Sugar Hills Addition, according to the recorded plat thereof, Hennepin County,
Minnesota.
WHEREAS, the City staff has prepared a development contract covering the improvements
related to said plat.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve the final plat for
Plymouth Marketplace; and,
FURTHER, that the development contract for said plat be approved, and that the Mayor and City
Manager be authorized to execute the development contract on behalf of the City; and,
FURTHER, that the following conditions be met prior to recording of, and related to said plat:
1. This final plat approves six lots in accordance with the plans received by the City on August
1, 2000, except as amended by this Resolution.
2. Prior to recording the final plat, the developer shall pay the park dedication fees in lieu of
land dedication, pursuant to the Dedication Policy in effect at the time of building permit
issuance. No park dedication credit shall be given for land in the tree conservation easement.
Resolution 2000-
20040F)
Page 2
3. Development standards shall be as required by the Plymouth Marketplace PUD.
4. Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant must submit a PUD final plan application
for review and approval by staff.
5. Appropriate legal documents regarding the tree conservation easement, cross easement
agreements, association documents, covenants and restrictions, as approved by the City
Attorney, shall be filed with the final plat.
6. No building permits shall be issued until the final plat is filed and recorded with Hennepin
County.
7. The applicant shall comply with the conditions in the City Engineer's Memorandum.
8. The applicant shall submit a Site Improvement Performance Agreement (SIPA) and financial
guarantee prior to issuance of building permits.
9. The applicant is required to remove all hazardous trees from the property at the owner's
expense.
10. The applicant shall comply with Policy Resolution 79-80 regarding minimum floor
elevations for new structures on sites adjacent to, or containing any open storm water
drainage facility.
11. The Fire Division shall approve location and number of fire hydrants.
12. The applicant shall submit fire flow data prior to issuance of building permits.
13. The Developer shall hold the City and its officers, employees, and agents harmless from
claims made by itself and third parties for damages sustained or costs incurred resulting from
plat approval and development. The Developer shall indemnify the City and its officers,
employees, and agents for all costs, damages, or expenses which the City may pay or incur in
consequence of such claims, including attorneys' fees.
ADOPTED by the City Council on August 22, 2000.
r5
Resolution 2000-
20040F)
Page 3
STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS.
The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Plymouth,
Minnesota, certifies that I compared the foregoing resolution adopted at a meeting of the
Plymouth City Council on August 22, 2000, with the original thereof on file in my office, and the
same is a correct transcription thereof.
WITNESS my hand officially as such City Clerk and the Corporate seal of the City this
day of
City Clerk
u
Agenda Number: 6., IT
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: REVISION OF CASH IN LIEU OF PARK DEDICATION FEES
DATE: February 7, 2000, for Council Meeting of February 15
1. ACTION REQUESTED: In accordance with Council policy, residential and
commercial/industrial cash -in -lieu of park dedication fees are reviewed annually for any
necessary revisions. The per unit fees for residential property were last increased in 1999.
At this time, I am recommending the residential fee be increased from $1,600 per unit to
1,700. I am also recommending the per acre fees for commercial/industrial land be raised
from $4,700 per acre to $5,200 per acre. A resolution is attached for Council consideration.
2. BACKGROUND: The City Council's park dedication policy (Exhibit A) provides that cash
contributions may be made by residential and commercial/industrial developers in lieu of
park land dedication. The policy provides that the City Council shall annually establish the
cash contribution for residential and commercial/industrial property based on the City
Assessor's periodic estimate of the average value of undeveloped land. For the purposes of
this review; the City Assessor normally concentrates on properties which recently have been
developed. Only properties which can be served by sewer and water are included in her
estimate. The City appraiser has estimated that the average value of undeveloped residential
land in Plymouth is $56,000 per acre (Exhibit B), compared with $53,000 per acre last year.
Cash in lieu fees for residential properties are figured on a dwelling unit basis, assuming two
units per acre, with a dedication of 10% of the land, or land value, or some combination
thereof. Therefore, the residential cash in lieu rate per unit is found by multiplying $56,000
by 10% which equals $5,600. Dividing this figure by two, for the number of dwelling units
per acre, yields a maximum cash in lieu of $2,800 per dwelling unit the City may collect.
3. DISCUSSION: Based on a survey of park dedication fees from other suburban,
metropolitan communities and the financial analysis, I believe that an increase to $1,700 per
unit would be appropriate at this time.
The cash in lieu contribution for commercial/industrial property is figured similarly. This
year, the assessor estimates the average land value to be $110,000 per acre, compared with
100,000 per acre last year. Since the park dedication maximum is 10%, the per acre charge
for commercial/industrial property could be as high as $11,000 per acre. I am recommending
that the City Council increase the park dedication fees for 2000 on commercial/industrial
property from $4,700 to $5,200 per acre. This will allow the park dedication fees to keep
pace with land costs. Attached Exhibit C shows the history of the park dedication fund.
Once the Comprehensive Plan is approved, we will be drafting a new park dedication
ordinance that will be linked to the projects outlined in the plan. This should be completed by
the end of this year, and fees may need to be fiuther reviewed at that time.
4. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the City Council revise the cash -in -lieu of park
dedication fees as outlined in this memorandum. In making my recommendation for these
increases, the Council needs to bear in mind the work remaining on the completion of the
total park system. Projecting the future development of the total community over the next 15
years, we still have within the MUSA seven neighborhood parks to be acquired and/or
developed. Outside the new MUSA, we will have one additional playfield to be acquired and
four neighborhood parks. Other projects include a building for West Medicine Lake, the
addition of approximately 25 miles of trails and other miscellaneous expenses for land,
facilities, payments to the park dedication replacement fund, etc. The ballpark range for
completing this work is between $10 and $12 million. Our goal has been to build and
construct the entire park system without using ad valorem tax for that purpose. To date, we
have been quite successful in accomplishing that goal, and in order to continue in this
manner, it is necessary that the fee be raised annually, so as to bring in adequate revenue to
pay the acquisition and construction of the rest of the park and trail system.
A resolution is attached for Council consideration. Following approval, staff will make the
necessary revisions in the policy for distribution. The new policy would become effective
March 1, 2000.
EB/np
Attachments
RESOLUTION NO. 2000 -
APPROVING SETTING PARK DEDICATION FEES FOR 2000
WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth has a policy setting forth park dedication fees for residential
and commercial/industrial property, and
WHEREAS, the City Assessor has concluded that undeveloped residential property is selling for
approximately $56,000 per acre, and undeveloped commercial/industrial property is
approximately $110,000 per acre, and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed said recommendation and finds this recommendation
to be appropriate, based on the assessor's undeveloped land value estimates,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PLYMOUTH, that the 2000 park fees shall be $1,700 per residential dwelling unit and
5,200 per acre for commercial/industrial property effective March 1, 2000.
Adopted by the City Council on
POLICY ADOPTING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THAT
PORTION OF LAND BEING PLATTED, SUBDIVIDED OR DEVELOPED WHICH IS
TO BE CONVEYED OR DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC FOR PARK OR
PLAYGROUND PURPOSES OR WITH RESPECT TO WHICH CASE IS TO BE
CONTRIBUTED TO THE CITY IN LIEU OF SUCH CONVEYANCE OR
DEDICATION, ALL AS PROVIDED BY SECTION 500.25 OF CHAPTER V OF THE
CITY CODE
Resolution No. 98-151
February 26, 1998 (Supersedes Res. 96-693, Dec. 18, 1996; Res. 96-111, Feb. 21; 1996, Res.
72-42, Jan. 17, 1972; Res. 73-145, April 6, 1973; Res. 73-243, July 2,
1973; Res. 74-51, Jan. 21, 1974; Res. 78-292, May 15, 1978; Res. No. 78-
308, May 22, 1978; Res. No. 79-419, July 23, 1979; Res. No. 79-738, Nov.
5, 1979; Res. No. 80-344, May 19, 1980; Res. 81-198, March 16, 1981;
Res. 82-44, January 15, 1982; Res. 83-84, Feb. 7, 1983; Res. 84-85, Feb. 6,
1984; Res. 85-148, Feb. 25, 1985; Res. 86-89, Feb. 3, 1986; Res. 86-275,
May 5, 1986; Res. 87-92, Feb. 2, 1987; Res. 88-69, Jan. 25, 1988; Res. 89-
65, Jan. 23, 1989; Res. 89-129, Feb. 27, 1989; Res. 90-115, Feb. 8, 1990;
Res. 91-83, Jan. 28, 1991; Res. 93-64, Jan. 25, 1993; Res. 94-104, Feb. 7,
1994)
1. Purpose:
The City Council recognizes it is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents
of Plymouth that the character and quality of the environment be considered to be of major
importance in the planning and development of the City. In this regard, the manner in
which land is developed and used is of high priority. The presentation of land for park,
playground, and public open space purposes as it relates to the use and development of land
for residential, commercial and industrial purposes is essential to the maintaining of a
healthful and desirable environment for all citizens of the City. We must not only provide
these amenities for our citizens today, we must also be mindful of our future citizens.
It is recognized by the City Council that the demand for park, playground and public open
space within a municipality is directly related to the density and intensity of development
permitted and allowed within any given area. Urban type developments mean greater
numbers of people and higher demands for park, playground and public open space. To
disregard this principle is to inevitably over -tax existing facilities and thus diminish the
quality of the environment for all.
It is the policy of Plymouth that the following standards and guidelines for the dedication
of land for park, playground. and public open space purposes (or cash contributions in lieu
of such dedication) in the subdividing and developing of land within the City shall be
directly related to the density and intensity of each subdivision and development.
2. Standards for Accepting Dedication of Landfor Public Purposes:
In the consideration of accepting the dedication of land for public purposes the following
special provisions shall apply:
A. Land proposed to be dedicated for public purposes shall meet identified needs
contained in the City's Comprehensive Park and trail Corridor Plans.
B. To be eligible for park dedication credit, land dedicated to be located outside of
drainways, flood plains or ponding areas after the site has been developed.
In those cases where subdividers and developers of land provide significant amenities,
such as, but not limited to, swimming pools, tennis courts, handball courts, ballfield,
etc., within the development for the benefit of those residing or working therein, and
where, in the judgment of the City Manager, such amenities significantly reduce the
demands for public recreational facilities to serve the development, he may recommend
to the City Council that the amount of land to be dedicated for park, playground, or
public open space (or cash contribution in lieu of such dedication) be reduced by an
amount not to exceed seventeen percent (17%) of the amount calculated above.
D. Exceptions to those provisions shall be reviewed and recommended by the Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission.
3. Residential Dedication Requirements:
To satisfy park dedication requirements, subdividers and developers of residential land
shall be required to dedicate land to the City for park, playground, and public open space,
in accordance with one of the following three criteria, at the option of the City.
The required land dedication and/or payment of fees -in -lieu of land dedication shall be
made at the time of final subdivision approval, except in the case of multiple residential
developments where required site plan approval occurs other than at the time of final
subdivision approval; in that case the required land dedication and/or payment of fees -in -
lieu of land dedication shall be made at the time the site plan is approved and building
permits are issued.
A vacant or developed parcel shall be subject to this requirement when it is verified that
park dedication requirements have not been applied to the parcel.
A. The dedication of that amount of land required by the City for park, playground, and
public open space based upon the approved density of the development in accordance
with the graph on attached Exhibit A. The percentage derived from Exhibit A shall be
applied to the area of the site for which density is calculated.
B. A cash contribution in lieu of land dedication based upon the sum of $1,500 per
dwelling unit and not less than two dwelling units per acre. This sum represents the
City Assessors periodic estimate of the average value of undeveloped residential land in
the City of Plymouth based on the assumption that (1) such land develops at two
dwelling units per acre and (2) the developer is required to dedicate ten percent of the
land for park, playground, and public open space. The City Manager shall provide the
Council, at its first meeting in February each year, or such other times as the Council
may direct, with a report from the City Assessor indicating an estimate of the average
value of undeveloped residential land in the community and a survey of residential fees
in effective in other comparable communities.
C. When determined by the City, the developer shall be required to dedicate a portion of
the area in land with the balance to be made in fees in lieu of such dedication. In such
cases the following procedures will be used:
1) The City shall calculate the total amount of land for park area which could be
required in accordance with this policy. (Item 3.A)
2) From the total amount of land calculated in (1) above, the City shall subtract the
actual amount of land the City needs for park, playground or public open space in
the proposed development.
3) The balance of the park area otherwise required shall be calculated as a percentage
of the total park dedication obligation. This percentage shall be multiplied by the
approved project density, net area for which density is calculated and current per
dwelling unit park dedication fee to yield the total cash park dedication
requirement.
4. IndustriaUCommercial Dedication Requirements:
Subdividers and developers of commercial and industrial land, including commercial and
industrial portions of Mixed Planned Unit Developments (MPUD's), shall be required at the
time the Site Plan is approved and Building Permits are issued, to dedicate to the City for
park, playground, and public open space purposes that amount of land equal to ten percent
of the land area within the development upon which the maximum building coverage was
calculated in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance.
A vacant or developed parcel shall be subject to this requirement when it is verified that
park dedication requirements have not been applied to the parcel.
In those cases where the City shall require payment of fees in lieu of such land dedication,
the fees shall be in an amount equal to ten percent of the Assessor's estimated undeveloped
land value for such property zoned in the classification requested by the developer; the land
used for this calculation shall be that upon which the maximum building coverage was
calculated in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance. These values shall be determined
based upon the City Assessor's estimate of the average value of undeveloped commercial
and industrial land in the City. The City Manager shall provide the Council, at its first
meeting in February each year, or such other times as the Council may direct, with a report
from the City Assessor indicating his estimate of the average value of undeveloped
commercial and industrial land in the community and a survey of industrial/commercial
fees in effect in comparable communities.
In any event, the park dedication fees required shall not exceed $4,500 per acre. If the City
determines that a developer shall be required to dedicate a portion of the land proposed for
development for park or public open space purposes and such dedication does not satisfy
the requirements of this policy, the balance due the City in cash shall be based upon the
Assessor's estimated value of the undeveloped land proposed for development.
The City may permit easements to be dedicated by developers for trail corridors identified
in the City's trail Corridor Plan thereby allowing the developer to include the land area in
the determination of setbacks and building density on the site. In such cases, park
dedication credit will not be given.
5. Required Improvements:
Developers shall be responsible for making certain improvements to their developments for
park, playground, and public open space purposes:
A. To provide finished grading and ground cover for all park, playground, trail and public
open spaces within their developments as part of their development contract or site plan
approval responsibilities. No park dedication credit will be given for this work.
B. To complete construct and pave all trails not identified in the City's trail Corridor Plan
concurrently with the roads in their developments (i.e., grading with site grading and
paving with street or parking lot paving). No park dedication credit will be given for
connecting these trails to existing or proposed trails identified in the City's Trail
Corridor Plan.
C. To construct and pave all trails through and abutting their developments identified the
City's trail Corridor Plan. Such trail improvements shall be undertaken at the same time
as other public improvements are installed within the development, (i.e., grading with
site grading and paving with street or parking lot paving). The City staff may
recommend deviation from this policy in the case of individual hardship in terms of the
timing of installation of such trail facilities. The City will credit the cost of paving trails
identified in the City's Trail Corridor Plan against the development's total park
dedication requirements. The amount to be credited will be established at the time the
final plat or site plan is approved based upon prevailing engineering cost estimates for
such work as determined by the City. This work will be built according to engineering
standards a provided by the City's engineering department.
D. If sidewalks are constructed in the street right-of-way in lieu of trails within the
development, no park dedication credit will be given. A sidewalk is defined as a public
walkway constructed within the street right-of-way.
6. This policy is to be construed as part of and administered in conjunction with Section
500.25 of the City Code.
Period 10 ending October 31, 2000 Transaction status 1
Fnd 409 City & Community Parks
2000 Budget Expended Expend & YTD & Bud Last YrAccountYTDEncumbrancesEncumbYTDRemainingCurrYrExp&Encumb
Contributions
Acc 4502 Park Dedication Fees 261,766.40- 261,766.40- 261,766.40 608,351.10
Interest Income
Acc 4802 Interest on Investments 13,975.84- 13,975.84- 13,975.84 24,255.72-
Total Revenues 275,742.24- 75,742.24- 275,742.24 632,606.82
Personal Services
Acc 6001 Regular Salaries & Wages 169.37 169.37 169.37- Acc 6003 Overtime Pay 1.45 1.45 1.45- Acc 6021 Medicare 2.52 2.52 2.52-
Acc 6022 PERA 9.59 9.59 9.59- Acc 6023 Social Security (FICA) 10.79 10.79 10.79-
Acc 6031 Group Life Insurance 54 54
Acc 6032 Group Hospital/Dental Ins 21.90 21.90
54-
21.90-
Cat 600 Personal Services 216.16 216.16 216.16 -
Materials & Supplies
Acc 6213 Park & Recreation Supplie 582.00 582.00 582.00- 25,837.27
Contractual Services
Acc 7013 Other Professional Servic 1,606.00 1,779.50 3,385.50 3,385.50- 6,000.00Acc7715RealEstateTaxes
Acc 7716 Special Assessments 19,001.49 19,001.49 19,001.49-
2,564.28
Cat 700 Contractual Services 20,607.49 1,779.50 22,386.99 22,386.99- 8,564.28
Capital Improvements
Acc 8002 Improvements To Land 4,250.00 41250.00 4,250.00- 39,308.00
Allocations
Acc 8302 Data Processing Allocatio 18.92 18.92 18.92 -
Transfer
Acc 9401 Transfer to Gen Capital P 428,500.00 428,500.00 428,500.00-
Acc 9406 Transfer to Park Replacem 22,500.00 22,500.00 22,500.00- 24,166.70
ACC 9422 Transfer to Unfinanced Cc 27,000.00 27,000.00 27,000.00- 225,000.00Acc9428TransfertoActivityCent100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000,00- 106,819.90-
Acc 9602 Transfer to Central Equip 15,750.00 15,750.00 15,750.00- 15,604.20
Cat 900 Transfer 593,750.00 593,750.00 593,750.00- 157,951.00
Total Expenses 619,424.57 1,779.50 621,204.07 621,204.07- 231,660.55
00/10/18-10:07 City of Plymouth October 18 2000 Page: 3
GL787 EB -Park Dedication Funds Report Format 532
Period 10 ending October 31, 2000 Transaction status 1
Fnd 410 Neighborhood Parks
2000 Budget Expended Expend & YTD % Bud Last YrAccountYTDEncumbrancesEncumbYTDRemainingCurrYrExpaEncumb
Contributions
Acc 4502 Park Dedication Fees 112,185.60- 112,185.60- 112,185.60 260,721.90 -
Interest Income
ACC 4802 Interest on Investments 6,088.52- 6,088.52- 6,088.52 8,207.03 -
General Transfer
Acc 5401 Transfer From Gen Capital 35,000.00
Total Revenues 118,274.12- 118,274.12- 118,274.12 233,928.93 -
Contractual Services
Acc 7013 Other Professional Servic
Acc 7717 Contributions To Other Or 400.00
15,000.00
Cat 700 Contractual Services
fir~
15,400.00
Capital Improvements i
Acc 8002 Improvements To Land 5."c<<. 3,021.73
Transfer
Acc 9401 Transfer to Gen Capital P 140,000.00 140,000.00 140,000.00-
Acc 9406 Transfer to Park Replacem 11,250.00 11,250.00 11,250.00- 11,666.70Acc9422TransfertoUnfinancedCoJ25,000.00P------- ------------------
Cat 900 Transfer 151,250.00 151,250.00 151,250.00- 36,666.70
Total Expenses 151,250.00 151,250.00 151,250.00- 55,088.43
Fnd 410 Neighborhood Parks 32,975.88 32,975.86 32,975.88- 178,840.50-
Report Final Totals 376,658.21 1,779.50 378,437.71 378,437.71- 579,786.77-
H 281 456
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CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: 10/4/00
TO: Eric Blank & Plymouth P.R.A.C. members
FROM: Rick Busch, Plymouth Creek Center Manager
SUBJECT: Fee for fieldhouse walkers
As we approach our second fieldhouse season we are having second thoughts about our fee
system for the walkers. Earlier we proposed, and P.R.A.C. approved, that we charge adults age
18-55, $1 to walk the track in the fieldhouse and allow all others to walk free. Additionally,
Wednesdays were designated as free walking days for all ages.
We plan to have walking available thoughout the day and evenings, seven days a week. Most
walkers will enter though the fieldhouse entrance next to the main Plymouth Creek Center
entrance. We prefer they use that door because of the easy to clean cement staircase. In the
evening and on the weekends we will have a supervisor in the dome, who could collect fees. On
weekdays they would have to come to our main desk to pay. This would require additional wear
on our carpeted lobby and main staircase. To minimize this concern I propose we not charge any
walkers anytime. Last year we took in $3500 in walking fees. I think we would recoup more than
that in goodwill and reduced upkeep by letting the 18-55 yr. olds also walk free.
Please let me know what you think as soon as possible so that we may get the proper information
in the winter edition of the Plymouth on Parade.
hip
Eric Blank
From: Web Contact
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2000 8:17 AM
To: Eric Blank
Subject: FW: Message for Eric Blank
Eric -
This e-mail arrived via our Web site
Jean
Original Message ----
From: Mary H. Meyer[mailto:meyer023@marcon.tc.umn.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 7:45 PM
To: contact@ci.plymouth.mn.us
Subject: Message for Eric Blank
Hi Eric,
am sending this via email so you have it in writing, for what that
is worth. I am unable to attend the Park and Rec Board meeting on Thurs,
Oct 19, due to teaching at the U of M in Morris.
I have read the agenda and attachments and have the following
comments:
New Business:
1. Reduction of the park dedication fee for development at 36th and
Vicksburg. My comments: " Are you kidding? No way, too many trees are
already gone and any remnant of an oak savannah is only a memory.
Absolutely not."
2. Free walking at the dome. "Yes, I support this. We can then
advertise this as a free service for the community and help to build
community spirit and a gathering place for exercise in the long winter.
Many residents do not know about the dome."
3. The statue donation. I could not get a clear picture of exactly
what this looks like from the xerox copies. It has been very meaningful
for many people and IN THE PROPER PLACE it may be a wonderful addition
to the garden. Where would it be placed? It seems it may attract
memorials in the form of notes, flowers, etc, (similar to the war
memorials in Washington) and thus it should be placed in a reflective
location. We need to get a professional's opinion (our garden
designers/landscape architects)for the proper placement. I see this
statue as one of several focal points in the garden.
Sorry I will miss the meeting Eric, I will call to alert you of this
email. I enjoyed the Chocolate Sampler. It was a fun evening and looked
like a success to me. Great job to all the staff on a fun fundraiser.
Best Wishes,
Mary
Mary H. Meyer
Associate Professor &
Extension Horticulturist
University of Minnesota
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
voice: 952-443-1447
fax: 952-443-2521
email: meyer023@umn.edu
hftp://www.hort.agri.umn.edu/MG/mastgard.htm
http://www.hort.agri.umn.edu/faculty/meyer.htm