HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 03-08-2001Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreafion Advisory Commission
March 8, 2001, 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. Accepted annual report
b. Adopted Plymouth Creek Center fees
c. Approved scoreboards at Elm Creek Playfield, picnic shelter at Zachary Playfield, and
electronic sign in front of the Ice Center
5. Unfinished Business
a. Millennium Garden update
b. Hilde Performance Center update
c. Greenwood School — review plans
6. New Business
a. Review environmental park playground location
b. Review City Council goals
C.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting — April 12, 2001
n\parks\staff\eric\prac\agendas\march.doc
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
February 8, 2001
Page 6
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Musliner, Singer, Thompson; staff Bisek,
Blank, Busch, Pederson; Councilmember Hewitt, Planning Commissioner Neset
Absent: Commissioner Meyer
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the February meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Singer nominated Anderson for Chair and
Fiemann for Vice Chair. Commissioner Musliner seconded. All ayes.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Musliner corrected the January minutes to read that she thanked Sara
Mittelstaedt along with Karol Greupner and Mark Wahl for helping judge art work at the
elementary schools. A motion was made by Commissioner Singer and seconded by
Commissioner Fiemann to approve the minutes of the January meeting as corrected. The
motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None.
b. Staff. Mary thanked those who volunteered at Fire and Ice. She thinks attendance was
down slightly, maybe due to gray and damp weather. She said that she and Karol
Greupner would be working on the Millennium Garden mission and goals statements for
presentation next month. One new project, if the City Council approves it, is an electronic
billboard on the corner to the west of the Ice Center along Plymouth Boulevard. It will be
used to promote city special events, activities going on at the Ice Center, etc.
Commissioner Fiemann thinks the electronic billboard is a good idea. Mary stated that we
are currently working on the April issue of Plymouth Leisure Times. Commissioner
Singer asked about new programs for the summer. Mary said we may offer cooking
classes at the Plymouth Creek Center. We are waiting for confirmation from the caterer.
There will be a Mother's Day Tea, an art series for school age kids that will feature Star
Wars, Harry Potter, nature books, etc. The art instructor is also going to do some
activities for adults. Regina Callies is putting together at least five teen activities. The
kick—off is going to be roller-skating at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Also coming up
soon is the Yard and Garden Expo, which is being done in conjunction with the
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the State Horticulture Society. There will be an
exhibit hall to promote sustainable gardening.
c. Others. There were no other visitors.
PRAC Minutes/February 2001
Page 7
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council approved an increase in the park dedication fees to $2,000 per unit.
Commercial fees went from $6,100 to $7,000 per acre. Director Blank said the long term
goal is to have the park system finished by the time the City runs out of available housing.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Review comprehensive plan — Barry Warner, SRF. This has been postponed until the
April meeting.
b. Millennium Garden update. Planning moves forward and we continue to fund raise. The
Wings Soccer Association is donating $500. The Plymouth Soccer Association also
responded to an invitation from the Mayor to donate to the Garden. The deadline to buy
bricks will likely be sometime in May. A lot of the fundraising is in the form of in—kind
services. Hedberg Aggregate is interested in the project in terms of helping construct
waterfalls. Possible groundbreaking dates are May 5 or May 21. Commissioners
preferred May 21.
c. Comprehensive plan update. Director Blank stated that we submitted a grant for the
Northwest Greenway, and we are waiting to hear on that. A biological study of all the
prairies, wetlands, trees, etc., will be done. The grant will not be final until June 1st. We
are hoping to get $21,000.
d. Hilde Performance Center. Director Blank distributed a design drawing and said the
performance center may have a semi --orchestra pit and a full basement. He also had two
pictures, one showing a soft roof and the other a hard roof. The construction manager has
done detailed budgets on the construction. If you build an on—slab without a basement,
it's $1,000,000; with basement, the cost is $1.2 million. Commissioner Singer wanted to
verify that PRAC would be notified when the neighborhood meetings are scheduled for
discussing this project. Director Blank said they would be open—house style. The actual
building design will be reviewed and approved by PRAC. Director Blank said he told the
Civic League that he would be hard pressed to go ahead on this project without building a
basement. Director Blank has asked the Council for a work session on this project, which
might take place before the next PRAC meeting.
e. Approval 2000 annual report. Director Blank reviewed the 2001 work plan. Last
Tuesday, the City Council reviewed their goals and objectives for the coming year. They
want PRAC to look at adding a third sheet of ice, improving the parking at LifeTime
Fitness, the acquisition of the 10th playfield, the Northwest Greenway, Hilde
Performance Center, and the Millennium Garden. Karol and Mary are working on the art
in public spaces policy. Director Blank stated that the Elm Creek sewer is coming down
from Maple Grove and will go right through the Elm Creek golf course. There will be a
feasibility study on a third sheet of ice and the parking at LifeTime. COMMISSIONER
SINGER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 2000 ANNUAL REPORT AND FORWARD IT
TO THE CITY COUNCIL. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED. MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
PRAC Minutes/February 2001
Page 8
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review Plymouth Creek Center fees and policies for 2001. Rick explained that some of
the figures had changed since the staff report was sent out in the PRAC packet. He said
when fees initially were set, he did an extensive study of other community centers, hotels,
meeting rooms, banquet hall facilities, etc., and came up with rates at that time. Over the
past nine months however, he discovered that some of these rates are not working well
for the Plymouth Creek Center. He explained that any new rates approved tonight would
begin as soon as the Council approves them. The full Plymouth room rates for residents
will not change, although Rick feels they are too low. He is proposing raising the non-
resident weekend rate by $50. Non—profit Plymouth groups get one free meeting per
month. The majority of the rentals have been by corporate groups. Rick said our main
competitors are the Medina Ballroom, the Radisson, etc. They are charging more than we
are, and Rick believes we have a much nicer facility. In the main ballroom, there is a
large movie screen and a projection TV called Dreamvision, an $8,000 unit. It is state of
the art equipment that is very sensitive and would cost a lot to replace. Rick is proposing
that people using the full Plymouth room would get all the electronic equipment for
100/day. Rick stated that if someone is having a small meeting, they can bring in their
own food, like cookies, snacks, donuts, etc., but if they are serving a full meal, they are to
use our on-site caterer. Commissioner Thompson asked how people use the half
ballroom, quarter ballroom, Fireside room, etc., and she asked for some clarification on
the rates for rooms other than the full ballroom. Rick said the Fireside room is mainly for
seniors during the day. The quarter Plymouth room is used for meetings, and the seniors
use it for dances, etc. He explained that we do not rent the quarter or half Plymouth room
very often. Commissioner Singer said she thinks the price on the Fireside Room is very
reasonable. Staff clarified for Commissioner Thompson that seniors have free use of the
Plymouth Creek Center at all times. Rick said if you exclude the full Plymouth room, at
least three quarters of the other rentals are by corporations. Commissioner Singer asked
about charges for the LCD projector when only half of the room is rented. Rick said it
would be $100 whether you rented half or the full ballroom. Chair Anderson asked about
the capacity of the ballroom and Rick stated that it seats 350. CHAIR ANDERSON
MOVED TO ACCEPT THE FEES AND POLICES AS PRESENTED BY STAFF.
COMMISSIONER SINGER SECONDED. Commissioner Singer than had some
suggestions for general rules. Under No. 4, she suggested adding the words "after that
time" to the sentence about charges being assessed in hourly amounts, so that people
know they are being charged beginning at 12:15 a.m. She also thought those words
needed to be added to weeknight rentals that go past 10:15 p.m. Rick said the problem
stems from the free groups staying past the closing time. Commissioners discussed
sending someone around to tell them they have to leave, or to turn off the lights to get the
message across. They also discussed the possibility that if you tell rental groups they are
going to be charged extra if they stay past the curfew that this might encourage them to
stay late, rather than get them to leave at the established closing time. Chair Anderson
withdrew his motion. COMMISSIONER SINGER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT
THE SENTENCE UNDER NUMBER 4 OF GENERAL RULES ABOUT ASSESSING
AN HOURLY AMOUNT BE DROPPED ALTOGETHER. COMMISSIONER
MUSLINER ADDED THAT THE WORDS "WALK THRU" UNDER THE
DECORATION SECTION, PAGE 4, ITEM 4, BE CHANGED TO "WALK
PRAC Minutes/February 2001
Page 9
THROUGH." FIEMANN SECONDED AMENDED MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
WITH ALL AYES.
Director Blank asked Rick to give an update on dome rentals. Rick said they are up
8,000 this year from last year. The dome is booked constantly. There's a North Central
soccer group that was renting in Stillwater that came in a couple of months ago and took
all the late night times and early morning times on Sundays. We still have a lot of use
from the three main Plymouth soccer associations, plus a big club from Hopkins. Rugby
is also a big user. They come right after school two or three days a week. Walking
continues to be very popular. It is now free at all times. Dropping the fee has created a lot
of good will. The heating bill for the fieldhouse last month was $15,000. Last year the
revenue for the six-month period that the dome is in place was $200,000. This year Rick
is estimating it at between $230,000 and $240,000. The golf netting went up in
November. Golf is offered on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Half a dozen
to a dozen people are golfing during those times. The hours are limited this year. We may
try to offer some evening hours next year. Rick stated that we are getting more and more
requests from people who come in during the day to walk, and they want their children to
be able to play in the dome at the same time. We now offer two afternoons a week from
1-2:30 of open play, where kids can throw Frisbees, kick soccer balls, etc., while the
parents walk the track. Rick said prior to offering the open playtime, parents would come
to walk and instead of keeping an eye on their kids, they would allow them to roam the
rest of the Plymouth Creek Center without supervision. Maybe next year some hours
could be set aside when half of the dome would become an indoor playground with some
inflatable objects, like slides, Director Blank stated.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
The Iee Center is going to host one of the women's world hockey championship games —
Germany vs. China on Thursday, April 5. These teams will be in Salt Lake City next year for
the Olympics. The teams will be here to practice the day before the game. This is a chance to
attract young female hockey players to the arena.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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Plymouth Millennium Garden
Design notes by area
1. Stream with falls on slope west of Prairie Creek Center
This design creates the appearance of a natural spring bubbling out of slope,
flowing over a series of falls to a pool at the level of the service drive. Native
plants were selected to appear meadow like around the stream. Lowest
plants are planted near rock and water to allow best views from within Prairie
Creek Center and from exterior stairs. A large diversity of species was
selected to give maximum amount of bloom, in all areas of this planting, from
early spring through fall. Many grasses and other flower stalks would be
visible above winter snow accumulations. There are a number of native plants
added to pools and stream to enhance their natural appearance. Many of
these also produce showy flowers.
2. Demonstration Shrubs Plantings
Selections were made for this design from hardiest of native species including
some less commonly used in the nursery trade. While the slope grades from
the central area of the Millennium Garden down about 5 feet to the south end,
species are selected that reverse this slope. Standing on the path at the north
end of this shrub planting, visitors would see lowest shrubs in foreground
approximately knee high) rising to 20 feet high on the far south end. This
gives the illusion of much greater distance and some enclosure and privacy
from the world beyond this garden. Shrub blossoms are predominately white
from early spring to mid summer, followed by fruits, which are all preferred
bird forage. Colors of fruit include white, brown, blue, black and cranberry red
that persist through winter months.
Edge of shrubs on east is to be planted with showy native perennials and
smaller grasses to provide mid to late summer flower color after shrubs
blooms have faded. The edge of flowers also provides continuity with prairie
meadow planted on the opposite side of service drive.
Plymouth Millennium Garden
Design notes by area
3. Central Core Gardens
Formal perennial beds closest to Plymouth Creek Center would feature
horticultural varieties bred from native Minnesota species. The west side of
service drive, on slope to water garden, will feature spring blooming bulbs,
replaced by displays of annuals as bulbs fade in late spring. Suggested
planting plan is 5 to 8 feet wide bands of similar color, including white, blue,
purple and a small amount of yellow. Moving west across water garden and
patio gathering area, you will find native plants growing in stream and main
pool.
On the fence, dividing this patio from the open central lawn beyond, is
planned a demonstration of Minnesota hardy roses featuring the Canadian
explorer series that require little winter care. Edging the rose plantings along
the walk would be more favorite or unusual, perhaps newly released
perennial varieties.
The far west end of the lawn is the raised stage for formal gatherings
featuring sculpture on the upper level. An herb garden will be planted in the
soil at the north side of the handicapped ramp access off the backside.
4. Demonstration Woodland Restoration
West of the stage is an area devoted to showing visitors some less commonly
planted canopy trees, shade tolerant, under story trees (up to 30 feet), and a
range of shrubs. Once the canopy of trees provides more shade, the ground
layer will be planted with a large diversity of woodland wildflowers. These
bloom predominantly in the spring.
The size of the trees transplanted will be varied to create the most natural
appearance when they are initially planted. Suggested sizes range from 1-6"
caliper for trees and shrubs from #5 pots to 6' B&B.
An important feature of this demonstration area is to incorporate four alcoves
for sculpture to be displayed. Three alcoves would be on the inside slope of
the perimeter path, and the fourth on a mound at the south side. Each alcove
and knoll is surrounded by area of native shrubs to create the effect of a
smaller viewing room within the larger woodland demonstration area.
Plymouth Millennium Garden
Design notes by area
5. Labyrinth
East of the woodland and north of raised stage area will be a path of
flagstone set in mowed turf. It is a labyrinth that follows the pattern of an
ancient form found in our and southwest United States, sometimes referred to
as the Hopi, Emergence pattern, with seven tiers. Unlike a maze that offers
choices, the labyrinth is designed for slow meditative walks, where you can
focus on just the stone immediately in front of you but be confident the path
will always take you to the center. This can be a healing or centering activity.
Another option is to use the labyrinth in pairs. The first person walks to center
and starts to come back out. As that first person reaches the fourth level the
next person enters from the beginning. Walking just a few steps in they are at
the third level. The two people can reach across the 2 -foot space between
their paths, and even though one is leaving and the other entering, they are
able to hold hands until they are reversed. The first person exits and the
second person continues on to the center. As the second person leaves the
center and reaches the fourth level the next person begins and they hold
hands across the third and fourth levels, as with the first person. This can
continue with as many people as you have in a gathering.
The labyrinth room is open to the sky with walls of shrubs roughly 10 feet
high. The exception is the view out to the north down to the first overflow
basin and beyond.
Plants in this opening on the slope between the labyrinth and the perimeter
path would be densely planted in five tiers, but appear no higher than three
feet above the floor of the labyrinth. The five tiers include these plants as you
move from south to north: Bloom peak
Showy Penstemom May & June
Pearly Everlasting August to October
Little Bluestem July and fall color
Grayheaded Coneflower July to September
Golden Alexander April to June
The space between the outer labyrinth path and shrub wall be filled with two
bands of native plants designed to provide color and form throughout the
growing season while attracting few bees. The entry has a combination of
low plants along the path edge getting taller further back from the path.
Plymouth Millennium Garden
Design notes by area
6. Smaller gathering room north of center lawn
Designed as an intimate room for smaller gatherings it will be open to the sky.
Walls will be four feet tall, using round -leaved serviceberry, with two alcoves
on east and west for sculpture (about eight feet across) backed by an arc of
American highbush cranberry (on west, about twelve feet tall), and Saskatoon
serviceberry (on east, about ten feet tall).
A special feature of this room is the arcing patio overlooking the pond to the
west. The outer retaining wall will be topped with a bench high seat. Between
this seat and the perimeter path below are bands of native grasses and
perennials arranged to provide interest in all seasons, demonstrate formal
use of native plants, and further frame the view from the patio looking north.
7. Demonstration Meadows east and west of final stream segment
connecting to pond to north.
Area closest to Plymouth Creek Center (west of service road) would be
planted with mix of native prairie flowers and grasses selected for their low
stature (less than 18 inches). Rather than a single plant here and there, they
would be arranged in masses of the same species, to give the appearance of
a naturally reproducing meadow; yet allow visitors to relate to it as the English
style of cottage garden.
Moving west beyond the stream visitors would encounter a similar effect with
larger species. They would be selected from mid -height range, generally two
to three feet tall, including both perennials and grasses. This meadow will
grade into taller shrubs bordering the next room to west and taller plants
edging the window of that room looking north.
8. Settling Pond and slopes
Native emergent plants will be planted in water retention basins below band of
riprap. Appropriate native prairie species will be seeded on slopes above
riprap. Over time, Plants from both above and below the riprap will colonize
with their seedlings in soil trapped between riprap boulders. As this area
matures, it will have a much more natural appeal due to this native
vegetation.
DATE: March 5, 2001
TO: PRAC
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Playground Proposed for Environmental Park
Attached is a letter from George and Shirley Galvin expressing their concerns about the
proposed playground installation behind their home in the environmental park. By way of the
attached response letter and a voice mail, I have asked the Galvin to attend the Commission
meeting on March 8, so they can express their concerns to you in person. Let me give you a
brief rundown on the history of this property and project. The area bounded by County Road 9
on the south, Fernbrook Lane on the west, Schmidt Lake Road on the north and 494 on the
east, has, since 1980, been identified as neighborhood park. In about 1983, local residents
came to us and expressed a desire to have the City consider saving more of the property than a
five to eight acre neighborhhood park. The Park Commission toured the site and agreed that
this was a natural resource that should be preserved and ultimately amended the
comprehensive plan to show a much larger acquisition and preservation of the trees and
natural open area. To date, we have made four acquisition totaling approximately 80 acres.
The comp plan shows one more acquisition at the north end. Fernbrook Lane, with its ultimate
traffic volume, will be a barrier for small children to cross, and it has always been anticipated
that the neighborhood park component would be incorporated into the overall environmental
park plan. Now, 15 years later, we have both single family and townhouse development
running from County Road 9 all the way to Schmidt Lake Road. There are a couple of parcels
immediately adjacent to the park property and Fernbrook Manor that are still open for
residential development. We have chosen the area highlighted in yellow on the attached map
for the location of the playground, because it is an open area without trees. Based on our past
experience, we do not feel comfortable locating playgrounds in heavily wooded areas that are
secluded from day to day activities. I am not going to respond to each of the points addressed
in the Galvin's letter. However, I would note that these anticipated fears are not uncommon
from people living next to parks before they are developed, and history has proven that they
have no real basis in fact. So what choices do the Commission and City have at this time?
A. Postpone the project indefinitely. The property to the immediate north will develop at some
time and it is possible that further park dedication could be acquired from that
development. There is an open parcel immediately north of the proposed playground site.
By waiting, we may be able to move the playground to a new site.
B. We could relocate the playground by either putting all of it further to the north or further
to the south, or splitting the playground with half to the north and half to the south, which
is closer to the single family homes. The problem with going further north toward the
Fluidyne property is that the playground would then become an isolated, secluded play
area, hidden from any residential property by heavy woods. Moving the playground to the
south would require the removal of trees for about a 150 foot -square area. We own a very
small treeless area at 42nd Avenue and Berkshire Court. This land was acquired for the
future parking of 8-10 cars. I don't know how the adjoining residential property would
feel about a playground located on this property. To build two playgrounds, of course,
would double our cost and to split the playground, would put half the activities at each
location.
C. We can continue with the planned installation of the playground in the area immediately
east of the Fernbrook Manor townhomes. We believe that although there may be a great
fear of the unknown at this time, our experience has shown that eventually residents will
come to see the playground as an added benefit. Even though they may not have children
at home now, visiting grandchildren will certainly enjoy the amenity.
This entire neighborhood has been notified by letter that we are proposing to put in a
playground on the property behind the Fernbrook townhomes. If the Commission wishes to
seriously consider some other options, we should notify every one of that strategy, so that they
can be made aware and comment if they so choose.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that we either go with the current strategy of
placing the playground as proposed, or that we delay indefinitely the location of the
playground until some date in the future. We are very uncomfortable with a strategy that
would place the playground either in a secluded area, or in an area where a significant amount
of trees would have to be removed.
EB/np
Attachment
1 0
February 28, 2001 CITY OF
PLYMOUTIf
Mr. and Mrs. Galvin
14000 44th Place N, Unit 2
Plymouth, MN 55446
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Galvin:
I am responding to your letter dated February 20 regarding the proposed playground
installation in the park property lying immediately east of your property. I tried to call you
last Friday when I received your letter, but you had already left on your vacation. I hope that
you received the voice mail that I left on your recorder and that this written message will be
immediately available upon your return. In your letter, you raised many issues regarding this
proposed project. I wish to assure you that these are issues we are familiar with in that we
currently have 25 playgrounds in place throughout the community, all of which are adjacent
to residential property. The City staff, Park Commission and Council have to weigh all of
these issues when making decisions about our park system.
Mr. Peterson, of my staff, has been doing his very best to respond to inquiries regarding this
playground and answer as many detailed questions as he can at this time. The one issue that I
would like to respond to directly has to do with the timing of the dissemination of
information. The City has comprehensive plans, which in some cases, go out as far as 20 years
into the future. If people contact us directly about what is going to happen to a piece of
property, we have the ability to tell them what we believe, in our best judgement, is going to
take place on that site at some time in the future, although we may not know exactly when.
Specifically concerning playgrounds, it has been our practice in the past to send a letter to
everyone who could potentially be interested in the subject, once the funding for the project
has been established. In this case, the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission adopted the
capital improvement budget in December, which recommends the funding for the project to
the City Council. The City Council, on January 23, approved that staff was to proceed with
the further planning of the installation of the playground. If the City Council had decided
not to proceed with the project planning, it would not be necessary then for us to notify the
public. The incentive for this playground has come through communication from your
neighbors in the area living to the north and south of you. They, as well as you, have paid
park dedication fees with the construction of your property. Many of these people have been
PLYMOUTH ABeautifu[P(aceToLive
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
www.d.plymouth.mn.us
waiting for the development of this park property, and, more specifically, a playground for
their children's enjoyment.
As I mentioned in my voice mail to you, I would like to invite you to come to the Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission meeting on Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m., at City Hall.
The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission is a seven member citizen panel whose
responsibility is to make recommendations to the City Council on all matters pertaining to
the park and recreation programs throughout the community. A copy of your letter will be
forwarded to the Commission with their monthly agenda packets. The bottom line is your
input is welcome and encouraged by the City at any time. This project will not have final
approval until the City Council actually awards a contract for the construction and
installation of the playground.
After reviewing my letter, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call at
763-509-5201.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter. I hope you had a warm vacation, and I
look forward to seeing you on March 8.
Sincerely,
9-e,6, 6,44e
Eric Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
Cc: City Council
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Mark Peterson
February 20, 2001
Mark S. Peterson
Park Maintenance Superintendent
Plymouth Public Works Department
14900 23`d Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
RE: Proposed Neighborhood Playground
Fernbrook Manor - 44`h Place North
Dear Mr. Peterson:
We are writing on behalf of the homeowners in the Estates of Fernbrook Manor to express our
strong objection to the play area planned to be built at the east end of our property. I have served
on our Board of Directors for five and a half years—longer than anyone here—so people tend to
contact me with their questions and concerns. Therefore, I have spoken to a large number of our
homeowners, including those with children and grandchildren, and they are not in favor of this
playground.
I apologize for the length of this letter. I'm sure you are all busy and your time is valuable,
however, I feel obligated to share all of the concerns and opinions that were expressed to me by
our homeowners, the people who elected me to represent them. My husband and I have lived
here for eight and a half years and are the original owners of our home. We too share these
concerns.
Our homeowners are totally opposed to this project for a number of reasons, which are listed
here:
Decreased Property Values: Fernbrook Manor is quiet, peaceful, private, safe, and
clean. We have beautiful, natural, open spaces and very few children. We want to keep
it that way. Those very things are the big selling points for our units. Changing any of
that would definitely have a negative effect on our property values. Adding a children's
playground to a neighborhood with children probably does increase their property value,
however, encouraging strange children into our basically all -adult community would not.
Will our real estate taxes be decreased if this play area is built to reflect our decreased
property values?
Loss of Wildlife: Our homeowners have always been able to enjoy watching the wildlife
in its natural setting from their patios, decks, and windows. We have observed deer,
pheasants, fox, wild turkeys, badger, and many types of birds. The deer are scared away
by the slightest noise such as opening a door or window. We find it hard to believe they
will still come to graze on a concrete area full of noisy children. The wildlife is the
reason most homeowners on that edge of the property purchased where they did. The
original homeowners all paid $1,000 more for their units because of this, and their units
continue to have a higher resale value. We were all told that area would never be
developed --that the City intended to keep it in its natural state. We realize this was the
developer telling us this who wanted to sell the units, but you need to realize that this has
been our belief all along until now.
Loss of Privacy: The homeowners on that end of the property are used to being able to
sit on their patios and decks without seeing another person or having anyone see them.
There is never a thought that someone could be looking into your home through your
windows/patio door. This playground would change that. People would be walking right
past our buildings --directly by our windows/patios/decks. We enjoy sitting on the patio
and watching the wildlife—and the animals don't look back. The same would not be true
for all the children.
S• Potential for Personal Property Damage: Children do not understand and thus do not
respect property lines and the meaning of other people's property. Our homeowners have
patio furniture, bird baths, bird feeders, lawn ornaments, flowerpots, etc. on their patios --
all of which would be a temptation for children. Not to mention balls, Frisbees, etc. that
may be thrown hitting these items or windows. What is going to keep the children off
our property?
4 Safety: If this is to be a walk -to park, the intent must be for people to be walking in on
the street. Is it safe for children to be walking or riding their bicycles in on the street—
particularly since our residents are not used to having to watch for children at all? If they
are not in the street; they would have to be walking on our grass since there is no other
access.
Dogs: Our homeowners are only allowed to have a dog up to a maximum weight of 30
pounds. They cannot allow their dog to urinate/defecate anywhere on our property
except the outer perimeter, and even there they have to pick up after their dog. They must
sign a pet agreement stating they agree to those rules. Failure to do any of this results in
a fine. We have an escalating fine system with the third offense resulting in having to
permanently remove the pet from Fernbrook Manor. Further, if there is any pet damage
to the grass, the association has it repaired and that homeowner must pay for it. So it
seems very unfair that now we are expected to allow other people to bring their dogs
through our property with no restrictions. If people ate going to be walking to this
playground on 44h Place North, they will very likely be bringing their dogs. What is
going to prevent the dogs from defecating/urinating in the grass along the way?
Trespassing: When the Fernbrook Townhomes development (rental units) was going to
be built to the south of our property, representatives of our association attended the City
public meeting and were promised that a section of trees would be left as a buffer
between the two properties. However, every single tree was cut down. (Unfortunately,
this experience also makes some of our homeowners a little less "trusting" of the City.)
We have had numerous problems with children from that area coming onto our property.
It is a pretty safe bet that they would not go all the way around to access the
playground—they would most likely cut through our property.
Grass: We are very protective of our grass, and we strive to keep it well manicured and
maintained. Even our own homeowners are not allowed to play any type of lawn games
on the grass. Is it fair that we would now have to allow non-residents to walk/ride
bicycles on our grass?
Liability: We also feel it is unfair that we would now have to take on additional liability
in case any of these children would fall off their bicycle or be hurt in some other way on
our property.
Parking: We understand your intent is for people to walk to this playground. However,
since there are not very many children within easy walking distance other than those from
Fernbrook Townhomes who will likely cut across our property, if anyone is going to use
the playground they would very likely want to drive. We have very limited parking
space, which is strictly for our homeowners and their guests. People would have to park
on the street. We have many driveways coming off the street to the various sections of
buildings. There is a good possibility people could block those driveways—or our
mailboxes --if they park along the street.
Noise: Our neighborhood is currently very peaceful and quiet. Certainly having a lot of
children on the property would change that.
Litter: We try very hard to encourage all of our homeowners to be responsible and pick
up any litter they happen to see. Our property is very clean and neat. We would not
appreciate having water bottles, pop cans, candy wrappers, etc. blowing around our
property.
Our homeowners also were very disappointed in the manner in which this matter was handled.
We understand that the City Council has already voted on and approved this play area.
However, none of our homeowners were informed of this plan at any time prior to their voting.
There was no correspondence from the City, and no public hearing was held. After the council
voted, some of our homeowners received a letter telling them this play area was going to be
built. None of the twelve homeowners in the two buildings most affected by this play area
received that letter. We are giving you the benefit of the doubt that all of these homeowners
were really not in the City's database. However, you must also understand that it does appear
rather suspicious to those residents. They have lived there nine years, receive all other types of
City mailings, they would be the people who would object the most to the playground being
built, and they were singled out not to be notified.
Quoting from a City of Plymouth publication, "The following criteria are used in coniunction
with more detailed nlannina efforts.
Encourage citizen involvement in all phases ofpark system planning.
Protect natural resources. "
It appears that your own guidelines were not followed. Not only were the homeowners of
Fernbrook Manor not involved whatsoever, but how much "detailed planning effort" went into
this decision if you intend to build a children's playground in an area where there are no children
living in the 102 closest homes. Our association was organized in April 1989, and since that
time there has never been more than a handful of children living here at any given time, and
some of those are teenagers or infants who would not be using a play area. This statistic will not
change—our units are not designed for families. We only have two bedroom units—and the
second bedroom is used most often as a den, office, sewing room, or exercise roorn—and we
only have single car garages. Our homeowners tend to be young single professionals,
divorced/widowed people, or older couples. Therefore, it seems a waste of taxpayer money to
build a walk -to play area where the closest neighborhood has no children --especially since there
are a number of other playgrounds in the area.
If the City feels the need to do something with this piece of property, instead of destroying this
beautiful, pristine field, why not enhance it. Take advantage of this unique natural area within
the city and develop the surrounding woods as a nature center --maintain trails through the
woods, identity the variety of trees and wildflowers, etc. Perhaps benches could be placed at the
edge of the woods to give people the opportunity to observe the wildlife from a safe distance as
to not disturb them. Or possibly the field could be seeded into something to encourage the
wildlife—wildflowers, prairie grass, clover, etc. Again quoting from a City of Plymouth
publication, "Parks and open space are key to a good quality of life." Filling this open space
with concrete and swing sets and destroying the natural wildlife area is certainly not enhancing
our quality of life at Fernbrook Manor.
Our Homeowner's Association Annual meeting is being held on Thursday, March 15 at 7:00pm
at the Plymouth Creek Center. This playground will be the first topic of discussion on the
agenda at that meeting, and we would like to invite all of you to attend.
We are sincerely requesting that you reconsider building this playground. We see this as having
no benefit—only problems—for our homeowners.
We will be out of town February 23 -March 2, but please feel free to contact us when we return
Sincerely,
George and Shirley Galvin
14000 44" Place North – Unit 2
Plymouth, MN 55446
Phone: 763-551-0383
E-mail: gsgalvin@aol.com
cc: Eric Blank, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mayor Joy Tierney
Council Member Kelli Slavik
Council Member Bob Stein
Council Member Ginny Black
Council Member Scott Harstad
Council Member Sandy Hewitt
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CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION 2001 -
AFFIRMING 2001-2002 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES
BE IT RESOLVED by the Plymouth City Council that the following goals and priorities
established at the January 31 special meeting are hereby affirmed:
Implement Water Resources Plan - Parkers Lake/Medicine Lake improvements.
Resolve parking situation at LifeTime Fitness/Ice Center, including possible future
third ice sheet.
Implement Traffic Safety Program.
Acquire 10' playfield site.
Proceed with water system improvements (water tower, well, treatment plant
expansion). Consider drinking water taste/quality improvements.
Pursue affordable and life cycle housing opportunities.
Expand transit opportunities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following projects which are in progress are
established as priorities for continued emphasis:
Complete review of Study Area C.
Update Subdivision Regulations.
Develop policies for housing and industrial development bonds.
Approve plan and begin acquisition of Northwest Greenway.
Implement City Center Streetscape Plan.
Implement Surface Water Utility Fee.
Implement Millennium Garden, Phase I.
Amend Tobacco Compliance Procedures.
Implement recommendations for Fire Department relating to staffing, duty crew,
response, creative recruitment, structure.
Continue with E -government improvements and web site redesign and expansion.
Upgrade intersection at County Road 9 and Nathan Lane.
Continue evaluation of Hilde Performance Center.
Build a 3' skatepark; consider higher facility after initial years.
Implement program to replace transit "Job Fair."
Continue efforts with citizen education.
Adopted by the Plymouth City Council on February 13, 2001.