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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 05-10-2001Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission May 10, 2001, 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a. Athletic Associations b. Staff c. Others 4. Report on Past Council Action 5. Unfinished Business a. Millennium Garden update b. Hilde Performance Center update c. Greenwood youth sports update d. Environmental park playground 6. New Business a. 38th Avenue planting request b. Skate park proposal 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn AGENDA Next regular meeting — June 14, 2001 n\p arks\staft\eric\prac\agendas\may0l.doc Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 12, 2001 Page 18 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann; Meyer, Musliner, Singer; staff Anderson, Bisek, Mittelstaedt, Pederson; SRF consultant Warner Absent: Commissioner Thompson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the April 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 March meeting as presented. Commissioner Singer noted an error on page 14, third paragraph from the bottom. The sentence should have read "She explained that she makes her recommendations based on whether or not she would want this in her neighborhood." Amended motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. See item 6. c. Others. See item 5 c. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION Mary had nothing to report. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Millennium Garden update. Mary talked to George Watson. He said that plans are about 95% finalized. We are working with contractors and have a lot of in—kind donations committed to the garden. There is still some specialty work being done by consultants. Some work may be done prior to the May 21 grormdbreaking, dependent on the weather. The planting probably will not take place until fall. The Franklin Bank just made a 2,500 pledge to the garden. A family donated $12,500 to sponsor the labyrinth. Fingerhut has committed $12,500. Over 500 bricks have been sold. The deadline for brick sales is May 21. In May we'll go over goals and objectives for the garden again. b. Hilde Performance Center update. Mary displayed an architectural model. It will have an unfinished basement. The architects are back at work. Al Hilde gave his approval to the plans. They are now doing schematics. When those are finished, they will be presented to PRAC. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the end of July. An open house will be held on April 25, from 5-7 p.m., on the performance center. PRAC is not required to attend, but Eric would like to have some members attend if possible. The EAW is being published PRAC Minutes/April 2001 Page 19 shortly. Letters about the open house are going out to a large section of the community adjacent to City Hall. The EAW goes to the Planning Commission on May 2. Mary explained that EAW stands for Environmental Assessment Worksheet. c. Comprehensive Plan presentation - Barry Warner. Barry gave a presentation on the comprehensive plan. He stated that the Metropolitan Council mandated that all metropolitan communities update their comprehensive plans. The City Council, staff, and various commissions thought it was an opportune time to update the policies that guide the community. There are many other reasons for undertaking a comprehensive plan: new growth as well as redevelopment, it's a good time to reaffirm or develop new policies, it provides a good opportunity for fiscal management, it is a framework for decision making, it provides a resource for the residents, and it provides staff with supporting materials for grant applications. Barry began his presentation with figure 8-1. We have more than one kind of park category - city parks, neighborhood parks, trails and sidewalks, natural areas that are both public and private, city owned open space, and a subcategory of regional facilities. There is also a recreation chapter dealing with programming, facilities, etc. Commissioner Fiemann asked for clarification of what facilities are under the recreation section. Mary stated the fieldhouse, the Plymouth Creek Center, the Ice Center, etc. Graphic 8-1 describes the park types, which provides a much greater definition by classification for each park category within the system. Barry said this is important because there are often times misunderstandings on the part of the residents regarding the differences between neighborhood and community parks and playfrelds. He displayed a graphic of the park system plan, which provides vision for the long term development of the community. An important discussion point that most communities get into is neighborhood park service areas. Figure 8-4 defined this. He said it is difficult to fulfill everyone's understanding of what a neighborhood park is. Typically, neighborhood parks are within 1/2 mile walking distance of the residents living there, are free from barriers such as major roadways whenever possible, and are reasonably accessible by the neighborhood using non -motorized transportation. Barry explained that early on, prior to the development of the park system plan, we had small parcels that had come into the city's ownership by way of dedication from developers. They were not up to par with other neighborhood parks, but the residents expected them to have the same amenities. Commissioner Singer asked for an example of one. Commissioner Musliner suggested neighborhood 17, Gateway Park. Mary stated that this park was actually requested by a resident. A better example is of this is Queensland Park. Barry then discussed Table 8-6 and said the City has enjoyed a good working relationship with the schools. Many of our facilities are co -developed with the schools. This table is a good indicator of the joint use of facilities for both indoor and outdoor facilities. Table 8-9 shows possible future special facilities - indoor playground, bark park, miniature golf, outdoor pool/waterpark, etc. Figure 8-5 indicates public and private golf courses within Plymouth and within close proximity to Plymouth and to what extent public and private courses are available to the residents. Map 8-6 is the City trail and sidewalk plan. We have a very healthy trail system, plus good regional facilities. Barry pointed out that the segment on the south side of Medicine Lake is currently under construction and is scheduled to open July 1. There are some small pieces that have to be completed to connect Medicine Regional Trail to the Luce Line. Hennepin Parks is also PRAC Minutes/April 2001 Page 20 completing a segment through Golden Valley. This will enable Plymouth residents to ride all the way into Minneapolis. Figure 8-11 shows the ultimate trail and sidewalk system plan for the city. Yellow depicts trails that may be considered on both sides of the roadway. Circles in red designate intersections where improving the pedestrian crossings might be considered. The Northwest Greenway is an integral element of the trail plan. It is also a natural resource element. Discussion then turned to the roadway crossings and intersections depicted in Table 8-14. Accomplishing these recommended improvements will take the combined cooperation of Plymouth, Hennepin County, MNDot, and some expenditure of money. The dividend is pedestrian safety. Figure 8-12 is the Northwest Greenway concept. The Greenway would stretch roughly from Wayzata High School and the Elm Creek Playfield eastward to Mud Lake Park and the fature North Hennepin Regional Trail. This project would accomplish several goals — preservation of upland ecological resources, establishment of wildlife corridors and connections, creation of a framework for acquisition of high quality open space, linkage among city—owned parks, trails, and open space, and long distance recreational opportunities. Map 8-13 shows City—owned open space, including that which was purchased with the 1995 bond referendum. Map 8-14 gives some hierarchy to existing open spaces that are not currently owned by the city or any other agency. Barry then discussed the implementation chapter of the comprehensive plan. This chapter provides guidance to policy makers and staff for the timing and priority of a wide range of strategies recommended to carry out the plan. Some implementation strategies are on—going City activities that will be continued and others are new initiatives. Lastly, Barry discussed the Appendix. Part A consists of an inventory of park facilities. For each park there was an inventory sheet that was put together. This provided an understanding of what each park is about, acreage, adjacent land uses, existing facilities within each park, and the identification of proposed facilities. The appendix also includes a sport by sport analysis of every organized activity within the city, trail design standards, natural resources evaluation, park prototypes, and a summary of all the recreation programming currently offered in the city. Chair Anderson said the Northwest Greenway and the golf courses will be PRAC's next big challenges. Barry said he thinks the Northwest Greenway will be a fun project for PRAC. Mary said we currently have a development proposal being reviewed where we are asking for our first dedication for the Northwest Greenway. The Greenway features a looping system, which will give residents access to many neighborhoods. Commissioner Fiemann pointed out the flexibility of this looping system. Mary then discussed the recreation chapter of the comprehensive plan. She explained the mission statement and distributed copies of it. Our primary focus is on quality of life. Current trends that were noted in the recreation chapter include: aging population, diversity, environmental emphasis, wellness, prevention, world economy, meaningful leisure activity, flexibility, and volunteerism. Mary stated that people have a need to feel connected. They are looking for things that are convenient and flexible. The arts are becoming very popular. An example of this is the growing interest in the Primavera Fine Arts Celebration. Special events are important to the community — we now have them almost every month. Sports are the City's largest programming area. There are a wide variety of opportunities available across all age ranges. Teens are becoming more of a challenge for us. When we hire our new recreation coordinator, teen programming will be one of their main focuses. Mary explained that collaboration is a big item for us as it is for a lot of different agencies. We can't do it all, PRAC Minutes/April 2001 Page 21 so we collaborate with other agencies. Visiting historic sites is becoming a rapidly growing outdoor recreation activity. Working with the Historical Society to develop a list of the top 10 sites in Plymouth has been discussed. Commissioner Musliner asked about the possibility of some type of teen facility occupying the lower level of the Plymouth Creek Center. Mary said a discussion is taking place on that. There currently is no floor there, no lights, no heating, or cooling. Anytime you finish a public building there are a lot of requests for use of the space. It would be very costly at this point to make this space available for occupancy. Chair Anderson thanked Barry for his presentation. Barry said he would be happy to return anytime to discuss the plan further. d. Skate park. Mary stated that Director Blank had a meeting with interested kids. Twenty nine volunteered to be on the Advisory Board. The board will meet on April 23. Topics for discussion will include types of equipment to install and a code of conduct. e. Greenwood sports upgrade. Bids were opened but nothing has been decided yet. 6.. NEW BUSINESS a. Senior program presentation — Sara Mittelstaedt. Sara distributed some information about the senior program and copies of the Senior Grapevine newsletter. A volunteer does all the typing, puts in all the graphics, etc. On page 10-11, to save space, he included the special interest groups in a grid. Many of these kinds of groups have been added since moving to the Plymouth Creek Center. Sara pointed out the special event in April — May Baskets and Magic, an event for kids and their parents/grandparents. Sara stated that the Plymouth senior program has grown in every aspect since 1999. Total clients served went from 1,178 to 1,495. Those numbers depict unduplicated participation. The number of meals served went from 26 to 70, individuals being served those meals went from 1,340 to 2,850. This includes Lunch Express and senior luncheons. Participants involved in health services such as flu shots, screenings, walking, exercise, yoga, nutrition classes, etc., increased from 4,850 to 9,315. Sara said the senior club began 30 years ago. Of the 176 members in the Plymouth Senior Club, seven are 90 or older. The youngest member is 63. Sara also had a list of "dreams" she'd like to see for the Plymouth Seniors. Her list included offering more services to the oldest clients, such as vision and hearing loss support groups, home visiting volunteers who would visit homeboundseniors and bring them candy and flowers on Valentine's Day, pies at Thanksgiving, and poinsettias at Christmas, helping them get computers in their homes, so they could communicate with the outside world. For the youngest seniors, she would like to have more evening programs available. Her intergenerational goals include working toward bridging the generation gap. Commissioner Musliner suggested contacting some of the schools to get involved. Sara said the Youth Extending Services (YES) from Wayzata East will be serving ice cream and cake at the volunteer recognition event. Commissioner Singer asked how the Lunch Express was doing. Sara said it's been cancelled several times. Tuesday is not a good day, but Thursday is doing quite well. PRAC Minutes/April 2001 Page 22 b. Volunteer program presentation — Nancy Anderson. Nancy thanked PRAC for their support of the volunteer program. She then gave an informative power point presentation. The program consists of 835 volunteers, with a value added of $192,182. Staff who work with volunteers — 39. The gender breakdown showed that those volunteers are 51% women, 49% men. There's a broad age range of volunteers — youngest are 14, up to those in their 80's. The youth account for 20% of volunteers, retirees 18%. Six volunteers are from other countries — China, Australia, Germany, and Russia. Volunteers live in 33 different communities besides Plymouth. Nearby communities include Maple Grove, Hamel, Medina, and Golden Valley. Some also work here but live elsewhere. They come from Clearwater, Buffalo, and Monticello. Community participation comes from the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Women of Today, businesses like Prudential, Target, US Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Franklin Bank; and school districts of Wayzata, Robbinsdale, and Osseo. Nancy attends the Youth Involvement Fair at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, where she presents volunteer opportunities to juniors and seniors who need to earn credits for their social studies. The benefits to the community include: building connections between participants and the city, strengthening community pride, enhancing quality of life, increasing community knowledge and support, and the volunteers become ambassadors of good will. Benefits to staff include: productivity is enhanced, diversity, partnerships are formed, staff have opportunity to develop supervisory skills, city services achieve a higher level of quality, repetitious tasks can be delegated, and new insights can occur. Benefits to volunteers include: new skills, career exploration, socializing, feeling involved and appreciated, meeting new people, learning about the community. Nancy stated that 93% of the volunteers are placed in the park and recreation department. This number is so high because 78% of the positions are in park and recreation, and everyone in the department makes use of the volunteers. Of the 24 new positions, 66% were in park and recreation. Examples are the front desk greeters at the Plymouth Creek Center, the fundraiser for the Millennium Garden, wedding coordinators at the Plymouth Creek Center (however, this is being phased out), the Chocolate Sampler, History Fest guides, Lunch Express, and the photo brigade. Other park and recreation volunteers include: Stewards for Greening Plymouth, Plymouth Fine Arts Council, data entry, public relations for the senior program, editor for seniors' newsletter, art displays, coaches clinics' assistant, McGruff, preschool aides, event planners, special mailings, Adopt—A—Park program, special plantings, ski chaperones, soccer coaches, summer teen volunteer program, water safety aide program, Fire & Ice Festival, Primavera, Autumn Art Fair, Plymouth on Parade, etc. Nancy then showed a graph displaying the number of volrmteers by year, which was followed by a graph showing volunteer hours by year. The last chart showed the value added, which is $14.83 x the total volunteer hours. What sets our program off from other communities is that every department in the city of Plymouth uses volunteers. Nancy stated that she is amazed by the talented people that come forward. This program works only because the City Council, staff, advisory boards and commissions, etc., are supportive. Commissioner Musliner said that the city is fortunate to have both Nancy and Sara on staff. She thanked them for all the hard work they do. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. PRAC Minutes/April 2001 Page 23 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Commissioner Meyer asked if letters had been sent again to the residents surrounding the Environmental Park. Mary said yes and that another development is being proposed just to the north of the playground. We are hoping to get two acres of dedication from that development, which may mean that we may be able to shift the playground a little to the north. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Plymouth Millennium Garden Vision Statement The Plymouth Millennium Garden — creating a living legacy The goals of the garden are to create a living legacy by: Promoting social cohesiveness and community awareness Providing an atmosphere for inspiration, reflection and renewal Facilitating a spirit of creativity through the arts Offering opportunities for environmental education and stewardship The garden's goals will be fulfilled by the following objectives: Promoting social cohesiveness and community identity Physically recognizable and accessible Inviting to every age and ability Adaptable for a variety of uses: events and activities that are public and private Providing an atmosphere for inspiration, self -reflection and renewal Appreciating the surrounding natural beauty Interactive features Appealing to all of the senses Facilitating a spirit of creativity through artistic features Permanent and traveling art sculpture Children's art features Art events Presenting opportunities for environmental education and stewardship Natural plantings — sustainability Water quality Volunteer support Plymouth Parks and Recreation "Adding Quality to Life" 5/3/01 At the beginning of a new century and millennium, the citizens of Plymouth dedicate this Millennium Garden as a living legacy, confident that future generations will sustain it. May this garden be a beautiful symbol of community, stewardship and hope that will inspire generations to come. DATE: May 4, 2001 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Environmental Park Playground This item was tabled at your March commission meeting at your request to allow you time to walk the site and get more familiar with the lay of the land. Mark Peterson and I have also been walking the property and trying to determine various options. Very briefly, our conclusions are pretty much the same as we mentioned at the last meeting. The area to the north closest to Schmidt Lake Road immediately behind the Fluidyne Industrial usage is too isolated. The playground would not be observable from any residential property. The area to the far south has the same problem. We would have to take down an area of the woods to create an opening to get the construction in, and it would still be heavily isolated from any residential property. The clearing behind Fernbrook Manor Townhomes still appears to us to be the best location for the property we own at this time. We do, however, feel that we can move the playground further to the east and further to the north down the hill. This would get it clearly out of the vision of most people and hundreds of feet away from the closest property. The undeveloped property just north of the proposed playground site at Fernbrook Manor may soon be in for development. We believe that some of this property, if we could acquire it, would still be a viable option for the playground site. At this point, we are recommending that we either move ahead as proposed on the existing property, or that we postpone the project to allow us the opportunity to perhaps acquire additional property for siting the playground. If you have any particular questions, please call me prior to the meeting. I am expecting a large contingent from the Fernbrook Manor Townhome Association to be present to voice opposition to the playground being located near their property. 1 would encourage you to go out and visit the site and make yourself as familiar as you can with all of the options. I will be available to walk with you on the site if you would care to do that. EB/np J OL S-J i, °Z CITY OF PLYMOUTH PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL PLYMOUTH CITY CENTER 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD PLYMOUTH, MN. 55447 WE", AS HOMEOWNERS IN THE "FERNBROOK MANOR" ADDITION ARE "OPPOSED" TO AN ADDITIONAL "PLAYGROUND" AREA. THE LOCATION SUGGESTED, TO THE EAST" SIDES OF OUR TOWNHOMES. THERE IS MINAMAL (LIMITED) ACCESS TO THIS AREA, NO PARKING, NOT HANDICAPED ACCESSIBI4, AND T00 ISOLATED FOR SMALL CHILDREN TO PLAY, ATTENDED OR UNATTENDED. IN OUR FINE CITY WE HAVE JOGGING PATHS, WHICH MANY YOUNGSTERS SKATEBOARD AND BIKE ON THE GREAT BLACKTOP SURFACE, ON "FERNBROOK" OUR MAIN STREET IN THIS AREA, WE COUNTED TEN SWING SETS, SLIDES, JUNGLE GYMS AND MONKEYBARS IN A FOUR BLOCK AREA, TEMPERTURE WAS ABOUT 700 and sunny,WE SAW ON ONE SWING, AND SANDBOX 2 CHILDREN, IN FERNBROOK MANOR WE HAVE ONLY A MINIMUM OF 2 CHILDREN, OUT OF 102 UNITS, THAT WE ARE AWARE OF AND POSSIBLY WOULD USE THIS PLAYGROUND AREA. OUR CONCERNS AS TAXPAYERS ARE THAT THIS IS NOT A GREAT VENTURE FOR TAX DOLLARS AND WOULD NOT ENHANCE OUR PROPERTY VALUE. WILLIAM L. HUNT ZIRG INT HOMEOWNERS FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS IN PLYMOUTH 14220 44th PL. #5 / CCa CITY OF PLYMOUTH PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSON. MAYOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Eric Blank From: Dwight Johnson Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 8:19 AM To: Eric Blank Subject: FW: Environmental Park Playground Original Message ----- From: Joyce Arens [mailto:arens@us.ibm.com] Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 3:00 PM To: council@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: Environmental Park Playground I am writing with my concerns regarding the planned playground that may be built at the east end of my property. I am a homeowner in the Fernbrook Manor townhome development and the building I live in is at the very east end of the development. I enjoy the privacy I have and all the wildlife that resides in the wooded area behind my home. Aren't there better locations for the proposed playground? I am sure that the playground would greatly affect the wildlife in the area. Also, the majority of our development consists of retired people or people without children. It doesn't seem to be a feasible location for a playground at least not for the residents in my development. I am strongly opposed to a playground in this area and just wanted to let you know how I feel about the proposed plan. Joyce Arens IBM Global Services - State Farm Additional Capacity 2800 Northwest Blvd. Plymouth,Mn. 55441 Phone: 763-519-1735 TieLine:8-574-1735 Fax: 763-519-1930 arens@us.ibm.com Eric Blank From: Brad & Linette [bnlnply@isd.net] Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 7:46 PM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: Environmental Park playground Eric Blank, My wife and I have lived at Fernbrook Manor for going on nine years now. We have thoroughly enjoyed living here over the years with very few exceptions. What has been of special joy to us has been observing the wildlife and beauty of the unspoiled surrounding environment. When we learned of the intentions of the City of Plymouth to construct a playground on the very area that is unspoiled and provides habitat for our deer and other wildlife, we were shocked and greatly distressed. This is just too disturbing for us to accept. In addition to the obvious lowering of esthetics and quality of life, the erecting of this playground raises many other questions for us. For example: how will the children get to this relatively isolated area? where will the children come from? will they be walking through Fernbrook Manor resident's properties? who will watch these kids and who is liable for them? how much noise pollution will this project produce? We know that even just a few kids can generate an incredible amount of disturbing noise. As you can see we are very much against the building of this playground in this area. It is not that we don't like children and don't want them to have fun. It's just that we feel that it makes no sense to build in this area and consequently ruin a natural environment. We are pleading with you to please not do this. Sincerely, Linette and Brad Nelson Eric Blank From: Cindy_Webster@allianzlife.com Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 9:33 AM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: Proposed playground - East of Fernbrook Manor townhomes Hello - I own a Fernbrook Manor townhome and I am concerned about the proposal to build a playground in the Environmental Park area to the immediate east of the townhomes. My concerns are: Remoteness of the location: The playground would not be visible from any road. Paths would need to be widened to allow maintenance equipment access to the playground, which could be damaging to the wildlife in the area. Security could be a problem because of the inability of police and others to easily check on the site. Security issues: I am concerned that, as an owner of a condo that would overlook the playground, I would become a "default" security force who would be responsible for watching the playground. This is not a responsibility I an comfortable with. I am worried about the potential for such a remote site to become a haven for young adults to hang out in after hours. CosUBenefit: There are very few children who live in Fernbrook Manor. I am not convinced the location is appropriate as the majority of users will live too far away for young children to walk. If the playground is needed for the children who live in the residential area to the north of Fernbrook Manor, I feel it would be more appropriate to move the playground closer to those developments. I am not opposed to making the Environmental Park more accessible to the neighborhood. The wooded area, open fields and the wildlife that lives to the east of Fernbrook Manor are beautiful and were a major factor in my decision to purchase a home in the complex. Improving the paths is certainly appropriate, however, for the reasons listed above I am concerned about building a playground in this location and ask that the council consider an alternative location. Thank you, Cindy Webster 14005 44th Place North Unit 6 Plymouth, MN 55446 763) 551-0188 cindy.webster@usgo.net A _._ _ _._.._ _.. _.. SII A- RO irk. 6n /ifV)tA (lr,000S9d Q 19V `Dit3 ih 1nC71[lA i.li`.—' 'C) bt lJi2PC J h Vrt-h A CITY OF PLYMOUTH PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION, MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. The purpose of this letter is regarding the proposed location of a enviromental playground in the open area behind the Townhomes of Fernbrook Manor, 44 P1. N., in Plymouth. I am emphatically opposed to the location of this project. I live in a lower unit directly north of the walking path to that area. I can understand and accept the walkers using this path to the wooded area. I can not understand the building of this playground so close to an area that has so few (3 to be exact) children to use,it. I truly belive that the families in the private homes to the north or south would appreciate and support a location closer to them for better supervision of their children. I would appreciate your further consideration of an alternative site for this environmehtal playground. Respectfully, Arlette Parnell 14000 44th Pl. N. #5 Plymouth, MN 55446 Eric Blank From: Roxanne D Peterson [Roxanne.D.Peterson@aexp.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 20014:34 PM To: council; eblank Subject: Proposed Playground Behind Fernbrook Manor I would like to state my objection to the placement of the park behind Fernbrook Manor. Once again we will be losing precious trees and privacy. We lost many trees and privacy to the south of us when the Fernbrook Townhomes went in even though we were assured by the council that no trees would be cut down. I know this park will affect others more directly than myself because my house isn't one of those right next to the woods, but never the less I and others will be negatively affected. In the 11 years I have lived here I've noticed maybe two family's with kids. I think it would be more appropriate to place the park nearer one of the other developments that have more kids that would make more use of it. I ask that you reconsider the proposed playground placement to some place other than right behind Fernbrook Manor. Thank you. Roxanne D. Peterson 14225 44th Place No. #5 Plymouth, MN 55446 612)671-2043 work 763)557-9867 home ate© i v// C Eric Blank From: Lalbre@aol.com Sent: Monday, May 07, 20015:16 PM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: May 10 meeting Thanks for your informative memo of May 4 re. the may 10 meeting. I'd like to give my inputs to the various topics to be discussed at the subject meeting. My primary interest is to preserve the beauty, peace, and residential aspects of the areas in question with a minimum interference. Skate Park: No, if it is absolutely necessary, keep it quiet, and at the Elm Creek playfield On street parking on Plymouth Blvd :Seems like a good workable idea. New additional ice rink:No, we have enough now in this location. Wildfire Planting Project:Yes, another good idea. Please, please, don't ruin the area with a parking lot. Thank you for the opportunity to give my input. Sincerely, Lawrence and Bernice Albrecht Eric Blank From: CookieRRut@aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2001 2:47 PM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: skate park Hello, Eric Thanks for asking my opinion of the skate park..) would be very sorrry to see that happen on the ice rink location. I live at 39th and Minnesota Lane and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the park path and park behind city hall and walk there often. It's the only quiet we have left in this vicinity. Please don't ruin it for us. Not all recreation areas have to be for kids. Regards, Carole Rutherford Andy Cooper Kimberly Lane Elementary 17405 Old Rockford Road Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Andy: Thank you for your letter about use of the dome for baseball. Currently the dome is used by many different groups throughout the community. Some of the uses are soccer, softball, rugby, lacrosse, football, track, and of course baseball. The Plymouth—Wayzata Youth Baseball program is given priority in scheduling time at the dome. You might want to remind your coach that he can call earlier in the year and probably book time a little later in the day. The other benefit to booking earlier in the year would be to book the entire dome, so that you could have the space that you would like to have. Thank you for taking the time to write. I will forward your letter to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission for their information. Sincerely, Eric Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np cc: PRAC PLYMOUTH ABeaueifu(PlaceTnLive 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 www.d.plymouth.mn.us CITY OF PLYMOUTH PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION, MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. The purpose of this letter is.regarding the proposed location of a enviromental playground in the open area behind the Townhomes of Fernbrook Manor, 44 P1. N., in Plymouth. I am emphatically opposed to the location of this project. I live in a lower unit directly north of the walking path to that area, I can understand and accept the walkers using this path to the wooded area. I can not understand the building of this playground so close to an area that has so few (3 to be exact) children to use it. I truly belive that the families in the private homes to the north or south would appreciate and support a location closer to them for better supervision of.their children. I would appreciate your further consideration of an alternative site for this environmental playground. Respectfully, Arlette Parnell 14000 44th P1. N. #5 Plymouth, MN 55446 DATE: May 4, 2001 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Homeowner Association's Proposal to Plant on Park Property on the North Side of Plymouth Creek Park Along 38th Avenue Attached for your review is a letter from the Parkview Ridge Homeowner's Association regarding a proposal to plant on park property at Plymouth Creek Park. The homeowner's association representatives will be present at the meeting to present the plan to you in full detail. On the attached graphic I have highlighted the area they will be requesting permission to plant with some type of flowers. This property was acquired through park dedication for future possible use as a parking lot and north entrance to Plymouth Creek Park. The property was acquired approximately 10 years ago. At this time and for the foreseeable future, there are no plans to make any improvements for parking lot or other facilities on this site. Depending exactly on what their proposal is for this property, I am inclined to think that this would be a favorable interim use for this property, which may last 20 years. EB/np b ®a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®apleaseprintclearly) Date _ Name of Speaker G / Address / y 0 yy7 C asr Agenda Item (List number and letter) b—)) — Z) PGI 7/9o' a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) Date Name of Speaker /( Address /) i000 n14?6e 7VOY* /)/ f ylhoxAs /Ws 7KV0 Agenda Item (List number and letter) PGI ib®a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD please print clearly) Date 5, p. 0 M Name of Speaker W.. IIS qT') k - Agenda Item (List number and letter) PGI 7/92; a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®apleaseprintclearly) 0- 0 ) Name of Speaker A.lrtrone l LIC i Agenda Item (List number and letter) L/ PGI 7/92 PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®aPb (please print clearly) Date/d b/ Name of Speaker p1 Address Agenda Item (List number and letter) D, ( o-iwf 2&7 In f FQlR P-9 PGI 7/92 PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) Date p 1( Name of Speaker Address Z%h'd '12' *d- N, Agenda Item (List number and letter) '-f C) ribPLYMOUTHAGENDA CARD please print clearly) PGI 7/92 Date J Name of Speaker, L` «` Lo Agenda Item (List number and letter) SID PGI 7/92 b ®a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) Date 2% Name of Speaker v/ 1 p Address 8/X7 iiKSYtIKr, Z11 4) Agenda Item (List number and letter) r<NVIYb/+'tP•vi4Y i i '?' u--c PGI 7/92 a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) n.,.,. /d /al Name of Speaker Agenda Item (List number and letter) lQ T/ 5'rtQ,QK VIEIf/ P/Wn y"/J1cln/fiDM' PGI 7/92 rib PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD ®a please print clearly) Name of Speaker i i NA i ode- Agen^da Item (List number and letter) G r -/R PGI 7/92 r;b PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD ®a please print clearly) Date S — / D/ 7— O/ Name of Speaker nAddressI -C / yS 3 /AaE vb Agenda Item (List number and letter) Agenda Item (List number and letter) Sk-t% b 6 aV-, n 4-^ /c PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®aPb (please print clearly) Date 511010.44 Name of Speaker TZ., / Address Agenda Item (List number and letter) 7/92 ib®a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) 1 Date -5-10 — o Name of Speaker Ck `A,/ b0ra'P, Address'(`j(O5 ply M Agenda Item (List number and letter) 67, Q- 59 Cw— PGI 7/92 a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD®a please print clearly) n GLDate/-/ Name of Speaker Q n/ [TWj'`,,,r '" Address-%' Agenda Item (List number and letter) PGI 7/92 a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) Date ) Si c/CNameofSpeakerJ Address /S -/&o Agenda Item (List number and I ter) S)( PGI 7/92 PGI 7/92 PGI 7/92 r;b PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD a please print clearly) Date 0/0( Name of Speaker 5 S(] 3 P-7 e-, Address 1U, Agenda Item (List number and letter) Sk-t% b 6 aV-, n 4-^ /c PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®aPb (please print clearly) Date 511010.44 Name of Speaker TZ., / Address Agenda Item (List number and letter) 7/92 ib®a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) 1 Date -5-10 — o Name of Speaker Ck `A,/ b0ra'P, Address'(`j(O5 ply M Agenda Item (List number and letter) 67, Q- 59 Cw— PGI 7/92 a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD®a please print clearly) n GLDate/-/ Name of Speaker Q n/ [TWj'`,,,r '" Address-%' Agenda Item (List number and letter) PGI 7/92 a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) Date ) Si c/CNameofSpeakerJ Address /S -/&o Agenda Item (List number and I ter) S)( PGI 7/92 PGI 7/92 ib®a ribPLYMOUTHAGENDACARD ®a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD rppleaseprintclearly) ; (please print clearly) Date " 0"'/ Date 5 -10 -CA Name of Speaker I 2=1 I IU / t S Name of Speaker R —WbWrc Address 1411/0 —y /V- Address `tSiCIS 3A-"4 QZ N Agenda Item (List number and letter) Agenda Item (List number and letter) dam• PGI 7/92 36,—,Aw, Rune. COA PGI 7/92 PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r1b please print clearly) 1/(please print clearly) Date 5 —!O —0/ Date— Name ate Name of Speaker C9 ,Ce t4 Name of Speaker_] %/S Address kyl%LS . A/ Address Agenda Item (List number and letter) Agenda Item (List number and letter) PGI 7/92 _ PGI 7/92 a PLYMOUTH AGENDA CARD r®a please print clearly) Date ID- a() l QNameofSpeakerJriLo6 S^-1- (age u) P' Agenda Item (List number and letter) ig, C. i6c rink gveSi PGI 7/92 PARKVIEW RIDGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PARKVIEW RIDGE TOWNHOME HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PARKBROOKE TOWNHOMES May 1, 2001 Mr. Eric Blank, Director Plymouth Park & Recreation Department 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 RE: Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting on May 10, 2001 Dear Eric: On behalf of the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, the Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes, I would like to extend our thanks to you for allowing us time on the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission agenda at the upcoming May 10, 2001 meeting. We are truly excited to be presenting to you and PRAC what we consider to be a very exciting and mutually rewarding project. Our three associations have joined together to develop a Minnesota native wildflower showcase garden planting project for the currently undeveloped portion of Plymouth Creek Park which is connected to 38a' Avenue North. As you know this site is surrounded by our three associations which comprise 78 single family homes and 50 townhomes Our wildflower planting project involves developing the site with a combination of open space, showcased native plantings and native grasses. During our presentation we will provide greater detail on our project. We strongly feel that once completed this native garden will be a wonderful accent to the more formalized plantings of the Plymouth Millennium Garden directly across the wetland. We presented our project idea to the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee at their April 11, 2001 meeting and received their unanimous support. Again, thank you for the opportunity to present our project to PRAC. Should you have any questions or need any additional information before the meeting, please feel free to contact me at 612-336-4389 (days) or 763-557-1077 (evenings). We look forward to seeing you on May 10th Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Assocation Parkbrooke Townhomes cc: Tom Keller, Nancy Palmquist Ray Knoss, Kathy Osborne i30L)L)0L)L)uob000lii1 SY2SEG16TH8R22 400 800 Feet 17/ 16/+ IS/ 71 1617is1s/ zo/ 21/ 221 PROPOSED PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK MINNESOTA NATIVE WILDFLOWER PLANTING PROJECT PRESENTED TO PLYMOUTH PARK AND RECREATION ADVISIORY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MAY 109 2001 PARKVIEW RIDGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PARKVIEW RIDGE TOWNHOME HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PARKBROOKE TOWNHOMES PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK NATIVE PLANT PROJECT PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and the Parkbrooke Townhomes desire to work the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee, Plymouth Park & Recreation Department and the City of Plymouth for the development of a Minnesota native wildflower showcase garden on the approximate 2 acre portion of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`h Avenue North. This project was presented on April 11, 2001 to the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee and received their unanimous support. CURRENT DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE Our three homeowner associations include 78 single family homes and 50 townhomes (42 in one development and 8 in the other) all of which adjoin or overlook the park property site. The site is connected on the east by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association with one 1) single family home adjoining the site and two (2) single family homes which are directly adjacent to the site. The site is connected on the west by a single townhome of the Parkbrooke Townhomes. Directly north from the site are seven (7) townhomes of the Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association. Additionally, there are several units of the Creekside Townhome Association which also are adjacent to the project site along 38th Avenue. There are a number of vary large oak trees at the south edge on the crest of the hill leading down to the Plymouth Creek Trail and wetland. A wooden rail fence was added a number of years ago by the Park Department along 38th Avenue. The site overlooks the wetland which is adjacent to the Plymouth Creek Activity Center, the future Plymouth Millennium Garden, City Hall and the Plymouth Amphitheater. ATTACHMENTS: ANNEX 1: Reproduction of S. '/2 Sec. 16 T. 118 R.22 showing the site in relation to the park and our neighborhood ANNEX 2: Photographs of the site ANNEX 3: Affidavits of Support by residents connected or adjacent to the site supporting the project BACKGROUND AND CURRENT USE To the best of our knowledge, the site was purchased by the City of Plymouth/Park & Recreation Department from the Parkview Ridge developer sometime in the late 1980's as a possible access point to future venues of Plymouth Creek Park. Prior to the recently approved Plymouth Comprehensive Plan, the site was on the City master plan as a parking lot. The recently approved Plymouth Comprehensive Plan indicates no pending use of the site although possible suggestions have included another connection to the Plymouth Creek Trail with parking and a sledding hill with parking. The site is officially part of Plymouth Creek Park and is maintained by the City and the Park Recreation Department. Many residents from the immediate area use the open space to walk, play catch or enjoy fireworks during Music in Plymouth. The site is also used by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association for their annual National Night Out neighborhood picnic. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT During discussion at the November 2000 Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association Annual Meeting, our residents became aware of the search by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee for a piece of City owned property on which a Minnesota native wildflower plant showcase garden could be developed. The residents of Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association formed a committee to discuss and research the possibility of this site being used for such a planting project. Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes were contacted concerning the project and became involved in the project development committee. The project development committee contacted Prairie Restorations, Inc. to discuss the pros and cons of a native planting on the site and to obtain an estimated of possible cost ($5,830). The project development committee met with individuals of the City Council to discuss our project idea. The three associations jointly presented the project idea to the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee at their April 11, 2001 meeting and received their unanimous support for the project. 0 SUGGESTED PROJECT DESIGN We suggest that the site designed with a combination of open space, planned native plantings and native grasses. The open space would be large enough to continue to serve as a location for neighborhood picnics and for families to use for playing catch or other types of family games. In the area working away from the open space would be specific showcase plantings of native wildflowers with plant markers (plant markers have not been included in our cost estimate). The specific showcase plantings would work away from the center of the open space with possibly two or four simple pathways allowing up close access to the various native plants. Two or three park benches and/or a picnic table would be designed into the planting areas along the pathways (these items have not been included in our cost estimate). The current wood rail fence along 38°i Avenue would remain. Our three associations wish to remain involved with this project through the design, implementation and maintenance stages and by providing volunteers as necessary. ATTACHMENTS: ANNEX 4: Preliminary draft design of the project plan for the site ANNEX 5: Listing of suggested possible Minnesota native wildflowers and grasses which could be included in the project WHY WE FEEL THIS PROJECT SHOULD BE ENDORSED With the implementation of this project the residents of the area will be provided with something more than just an open lot. We strongly feel that once completed this native garden will be a wonderful accent to the more formalized plantings of the Plymouth Millennium Garden. We strongly feel that once completed this native garden will accent the wetlands directly adjacent to it. The Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee will be provided with a small outdoor educational facility which showcases Minnesota native wildflowers and grasses. Chapter 8 of the Plymouth Comprehensive Plan adopted on August 8, 2000, Section 8.2.5.2.2 Environmental Park, states in part: Plymouth as a whole lacks outdoor environmental education facilities, although some elementary schools are establishing small sites. An environmental park may take many forms, ranging in size, staffing and maintenance. It may be incorporated into an existing park..." Later in Chapter 8 of the Plymouth Comprehensive Plan adopted on August 8, 2000, Section 8.5 Natural Areas and Open Space, states in part: Natural areas are vital community'and regional assets. Shorelands, upland forests and grasslands stabilize the earth, reducing erosion and increasing local water quality and clarity. Connected natural areas allow for the transport of seeds and the increase of genetic diversity, giving the ecosystem better resistance to diseases and pests. Natural areas also provide valuable amenities for Plymouth residents. The scenic value of natural areas contributes to the livability of a community and offers opportunities for natural resource based recreation, such as hiking, bird -watching and nature study. Plymouth has made a strong commitment to the preservation of natural communities through both acquisition and regulation of unique natural resources." By developing this site as a Minnesota native wildflower and grasses showcase garden the City of Plymouth would be enhancing and preserving the natural environment of the adjacent wetland and park and providing our neighborhood with a beautiful wildflower vista. We respectfully request the Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission to join with the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee in recommending the Plymouth City Council implement this project beginning in the Summer of 2001 at the next available City Council meeting. ay• 0.YM110URl — ' Tr • I _ I E \ sP mZ. I II AADDN. ^ 118 A22 IIY N LL • I - 43 44 rdnlmeyu un rry,nu, rm+ Il/ 16l IiIN OnSiwlEx dnialTliNlHlm.gnn U.Fw 11/5 I6/5 1515 plry s/y nrN S112SEC16 T.118R22 f I1 33 34 lel:I: .io®ny um,r Il md=vrtllnionr,rm iinnygm r,n i,. 0 400_ 800 FeetuninYnqIL'=wort¢. iA Ll le: FnN 10 CB:15:]92S/J 118 A22 IIY N LL • I - 43 44 rdnlmeyu un rry,nu, rm+ Il/ 16l IiIN OnSiwlEx dnialTliNlHlm.gnn U.Fw 11/5 I6/5 1515 plry s/y nrN S112SEC16 T.118R22 33 34 lel:I: .io®ny um,r Il md=vrtllnionr,rm iinnygm r,n i,. 0 400_ 800 FeetuninYnqIL'=wort¢. iA Ll le: FnN 10 CB:15:]92S/J 118 A22 IIY N LL • I - 43 44 rdnlmeyu un rry,nu, rm+ Il/ 16l IiIN OnSiwlEx dnialTliNlHlm.gnn U.Fw 11/5 I6/5 1515 plry s/y nrN S112SEC16 T.118R22 f, a i 22:y p7»w m. 3 ° `a{ un lf»2 6\ \ \ '; d ANNEX 3 AFFIDAVIT'S OF SUPPORT FROM RESIDENTS CONNECTED TO OR ADJACENT TO THE SITE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT UWe are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at.zt9z s- 30 1'' /v' Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`" Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: _ 12001 zazge Signature Printed Name Dated: 2001 Signature Printe Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT UWe are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at /5IO 3g T/ivz . It , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38h Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: 12001 Dated: rr 12001 Signature ZEIV i Printed Name k Signa e j L &" Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at 38.50 , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38th Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: 12001 a, Sign re Dated: 12001 92ztJ&/li/SCS G o/26/4iU.lI STG' Gt—/U/.SC1{ Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT 1/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townhome' HHomeowners Association with my/our home being located at / 9 ,K P , /; L Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38'a Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: „ , 2001 W-71c.o Signature C h(,Le yoZ 4- PrintedPrinted Name / Dated: i 1111 2001 Signature lis Jt l r r. L Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at 38/7 14IAjh/f-so y -a /-/fl , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38'h Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: y/, -9-y161 2001 ei Signature ieA/Jle) G. AL -0 Printed Name Dated: 12001 Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association with my/our home being located f /`/ , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38 h Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: ',gyp 12001 Dated: 12001 Printed Name Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at 3,PU9 /'cCvn.eo, Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`x' Avenue North. With this Affidavit, I/we hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: D 2001 Signature Printed Name Dated: oz 2001 (:V12 Sig ture ROB E4 --T &MO l5T Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at n96-7 &V Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38th Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmenct al Quality Committee. Dated: cr/ 2001 t-dd.-g_ :&449)x Si nature Dated: 12001 Saw J . La-rso Printed Name Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townho/me'Homeowners Association YYwithmy/our home being located at 6' 5, // (G1'L'YG 6e% h// , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`h Avenue North. With this Affidavit, I/we hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated:2001 Dated: 12001 Signature r Printed Name Signature Printed Name F1 n "IMIAMOMI UU I/We are currently a resident of the Park View Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association with my/our home being located at -560 j v ,tis J iz L, V) , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`x' Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: 2001 Dated: 2001 t J Signature LItv1---) v.Dltl Printed Name Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT P(+YZKJ1Lw R'De4-r I/We are currently a resident of the Q:R@k34eAv Townhomes Association with my/our home being located at Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`h Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: !-j — w 2001 LP Signature ff, n Printed Name Dated: 12001 Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Parkbrooke Townhomes with my/our home being located at _1 5lh S 3A"4A-0s N Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`" Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: MW -7. 12001 '_.,_ Hess Signature l vwu,,n cs cs Printed Name Dated: r2001 Cil y — eS r Signature n nq nnll !an — h OS S Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Creekv ew Townhomes Association with my/our home being located at / S / 5o i flj. , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38°i Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: +i / 2001 " 4 d" I . Signature Dated: 12001 X, I' , & Printed Name Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT S,m I/We are currently a resident of the CreelTownhomes Association with my/our home being located at ' 0 3 C -v--J,) , Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38a' Avenue North. With this Affidavit, I/we hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: 05 12 2001 Dated: — 2001 Sign6ture / Ye / Cl, V/ hJ Q N f e, 45' Printed Name Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT c I/We are currently a resident of the Creekv5A ownhomes Association with my/our home being located at V V & i Pf 'Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38°i Avenue North. With this Affidavit, I/we hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee. Dated: 2001 Dated: , 2001 Signature Printed Name AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I/We are currently a resident of the Cree iew Townhomes Association with my/our home being located at / :!:l (00 3 ff kk 4u.t %Oo Plymouth, MN. My/our residence is either directly connected to or adjacent to the open area of Plymouth Creek Park connected to 38`h Avenue North. With this Affidavit, Uwe hereby indicate my/our support of the Minnesota Wildflower Planting Project as presented by the Parkview Ridge Homeowners Association, Parkview Ridge Townhome Homeowners Association and Parkbrooke Townhomes and supported by the Plvmouth Environmental Oualitv Committee. Dated: Abu 2001 Dated: 12001 Signature Printed Name Signature Printed Name ANNEX 4 Z LU U - Hyl QZ Q w O Z v U, Y y Q MINNESOTA LANE ro o W W m C> O m CCa- 3 Df y ccz E J 6 O i L E LU JOpNV u a- O o 0 o m 3 Z O 0 _} X•, z k• Oo O j fid LJJ + y W v Q N N C my 3 o a o N N Z_ n LL Z m w n V W y y m 41 N ois sz sz Z m Of or s oHN l 5-MO1171*1101 2J/OOb'9J,"/b' ANNEX 5 SUGGESTED WILDFLOWERSAND GRASSES TO BE INCL UDED IN THE PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK PLANTING PROTECT Thimbleweed Pussytoes Columbine Whorled Milkweed Heath Aster Smooth Aster Azure Aster Northern Bedstraw Yellowish Gentian Wild Geranium Prairie Smoke Prairie Dropseed Prairie Larkspur Hispid Sunflower Rough Blazing Star Meadow Blazing Star Woodland Phlox Prairie Phlox Prairie Cinquefoil Prairie Rose Balsam Ragwort Blue -Eyed Grass Prairie Violet Pennsylvania Sedge Yarrow Fragrant Giant Hyssop Lead Plant Butterfly Weed Panicled aster Arrow -leaved Aster Stiff Tickseed Stiff Sunflower Tall Blazing Star Hoary Vervain Culver's Root Golden Alexanders Wile Bergamot Wile Prairie Clover Purple Prairie Clover Black Eyed Susan Canada Tick Trifoil Common Ox -Eye Bush Clover Gray Goldenrod Upland Goldenrod Stiff Goldenrod Showy Goldenrod DATE: May 4, 2001 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Skate Park At the City Council's direction, I have been working with the youth of the community on the development of a skate park for Plymouth. At our first meeting, over 40 kids participated in discussing what would be important in developing a park. At our second meeting, a core group of kids got together with a design consultant to actually put together a preferred plan for a skate park. We have also been successful in writing a grant and receiving $10,000 for a skate park to be constructed. As I have mentioned in the past, the proposal has been to place a temporary skate park for the summer months on the parking lot on the east side of the Plymouth Ice Center. However, as we have shared this information with area residents that live close to the Ice Center, strong opposition to a skate park at this location has grown from the neighborhood to the north. Some of the reasons we selected this area were: first, it was centrally located within the 36 square miles of the community; second, it has close proximity to the Plymouth Ice Center, thus providing restroom facilities, concessions, parking, staff trained to deal with emergencies, and close proximity to the police department. Some of the negative things that have been pointed out include such things as: more traffic going to and from the Ice Center, possible disturbance to wildlife, a loss of enjoyment of the park for those people who just want to walk or bike on the trail system, the possible conflicts with the swimmers at LifeTime Fitness, and more youth traffic going in and out of the Ice Center. We have identified an alternative site that might be considered at the Elm Creek Playfield. An area immediately south of the children's playground and sand volleyball courts has been set aside for a future outdoor ice hockey rink and warming shelter. This area is currently a lawn. It would be feasible to construct this facility at this location. We have also made a call to the Wayzata School District to see whether or not they would permit the park to be set up temporarily on the existing parking lot at Wayzata High School. I will report the results of that request at the Commission meeting Thursday night. Some of the pluses of this site are: it's a long way from any residential property; it's existing property that is not being used for any other park and recreation activity; there is adequate parking available; and there would be room to expand the skate park if it were to grow in later years. Some of the difficulties with this site are: it's immediately adjacent to a children's playground which caters to a different age group than the typical skate board clientele; it's located in the far northwest corner of the community making travel time longer; we have no permanent staff there that are trained in emergency operations, and there would be no first aid equipment available. From my discussions with the neighbors closest to the Iee Center, the number one concern is noise. It is very difficult at this time to get a handle on what the noise may be from a facility such as this. Over the weekend, I hope to visit a park and get some videotaped footage that may help you get a feel for the type of noise that will be associated with a skate park. The closest homes to the Ice Center would be over 500 feet away from the location. This item is scheduled to go before the City Council at their May 22nd meeting. The attached letter has been sent to all the surrounding residents to the north inviting them to the Commission meeting and to the Council meeting to discuss this subject. At the very earliest, we could get a park up and operational by approximately June 15th. I think it is important to get a park open sometime this summer, so that we can get at least a trial experience under our belts, from which we could make a decision on future locations of the skate park. EB/np Eric Blank From: Laurie Ahrens on behalf of Joy Tierney Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001 8:43 AM To: 'DennisG376@aol.com' Cc: Eric Blank Subject: RE: Skateboard Park Thank you for your feedback. I am forwarding your message to Park Director Eric Blank and asking that he keep you informed in this issue. Joy Tierney, Mayor Original Message ----- From: DennisG376@aol.com [mailto:DennisG376@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 5:11 PM To: jtierney@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: Skateboard Park Dear Ms. Mayor, I live with my wife at 14925 38th ave n. Respectfully, we are utterly opposed to the skateboard facility behind Lifetime. We would be grateful for all information regarding this proposition so that we might lobby against it . Respectfully, Becky and Dennis Griffm Eric Blank From: Sandy Hewitt Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 12:14 PM To: Eric Blank Subject: FW: Skateboard Park Just an FYI. Original Message ----- From: Thomas Resick@rsmi.com To: council@ci.plymouth.mn.us Sent: 5/4/01 11:24 AM Subject: Skateboard Park Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, I understand that there is a proposal to build a skateboard park behind Lifetime Fitness. I attended Eric Blank's informational meeting on the subject on May 1 and I'm familiar with all the facts. I want to voice my strong opposition to the project for a number of reasons. I have been near other skateboard parks and I'm aware of the significant noise that is generated by the skateboards themselves, the jumping and crashing, the loud music, and the participants shouting. I realize that Eric plans standards for noise and behavior, however even if all the standards are met, this is still a very noisy activity. I live near Lifetime and can tell you how sound carries when a large group of hockey participants leave the building. I tolerate that because I have to, but a skateboard park would bring a constant barrage of noise. As one person at the May 1 meeting pointed out, this is a dangerous combination ------the city center area which we all acknowledge is congested with car traffic, plus 100 teens and subteens on skateboards. It's an accident waiting to happen. Another May 1 meeting attendee pointed out that this is adjacent to the wildlife area and that you have to consider the impact of the noise on the wildlife. I know that Eric promises that there will be no disruptive behavior, but that is inevitable. We are not against a skateboard park per se, but this is not the place for it. It is too close to residences and you are trying to cram too much stuff into the city center area. Councilmember Hewitt was at the May 1 meeting and can verify that the majority of the 25 to 30 attendees have serious concerns about this proposal. I will try to attend the Council meeting on this subject, but I want you to know that I, and all of my neighbors that I have talked to, are opposed to the skateboard park. Please vote against it. Thank you. Tom Resick 15160 38th Ave. N. 763-551-1777 Zyv` roi 14, 26 432=7k7/ t!ce Soccer Soccer er e Practl ce y%m Soccer Soccer o Ijpy%}V MuaPPond 3 , n IN Iw cwE A Proposed li gh Sch/ Rc NE aFIISA 1 o Ijpy%}V MuaPPond 3 , n IN Iw cwE A Proposed li gh Sch/ Rc NE a FIISA rio j S`/ I WETLANDBASI N 3 I Yeti and MI td g.tl onJA ?- I i Yeti and XI it gatl on Pre. 1 rio j S`/ I WETLANDBASIN 3 I Yeti and MI td g.tl onJA ?- Eric Blank From: CookieRRut@aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2001 2:47 PM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: skate park Hello, Eric Thanks for asking my opinion of the skate park..) would be very sorrry to see that happen on the ice rink location. I live at 39th and Minnesota Lane and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the park path and park behind city hall and walk there often. It's the only quiet we have left in this vicinity. Please don't ruin it for us. Not all recreation areas have to be for kids. Regards, Carole Rutherford Eric Blank From: CookieRRut@aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 06, 20012:47 PM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: skate park Hello, Eric Thanks for asking my opinion of the skate park..) would be very sorrry to see that happen on the ice rink location. I live at 39th and Minnesota Lane and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the park path and park behind city hall and walk there often. It's the only quiet we have left in this vicinity. Please don't ruin it for us. Not all recreation areas have to be for kids. Regards, Carole Rutherford April 30, 2001 Mr. Eric Blank Park and rec. City of Plymouth Plymouth, MN 55555 Dear Eric: We would like to thank you for the time you spent working with our association this past season. As we discussed, the Plymouth Ice Center facilities have proven to be a tremendous benefit to the Wayzata Youth Hockey Associatior} and community at large. There is no question that the addition of the two ice sheets at the Plymouth Ice Center has greatly improved the hockey "experience° for the over 800 participants and families of Wayzata Youth Hockey. Our growth and subsequent ice usage requirements continues to exceed the availability of ice hours provided by the Plymouth Ice Center. We would like to go on record that we are committed to the City of Plymouth and any effort to expand the Plymouth Ice Center facility. To meet today's demand, we currently purchase over 400 hours of ice annually from arenas outside our community. Due to our projected growth rates, the need for additional ice is a major concern. This past season we had a 15% increase in our membership. We anticipate this trend to continue due to several factors: 2004 2002 season we will introduce a new program for children under the age of five years old - TERMITES. This will bft chik! n into the game and continue to add to our our already growing mite program Girl's Hockey — this program continues to grow and develop. 2 years ago we added a team for girl's aged 10 & under. We anticipate adding a second team at this level this -year. As the Bid's graduate onto the older levels, more teams will need to be added. Jr. Gold — this level is comprised of high school aged boys. in the past we have seen a fairly significant drop in participation at this level. This year we will be adding a 5"' team to the program because we are doing a much better job of retaining these players and keeping them involved in youth hockey, all the way through high school graduation. In addition topMram ice, we -continue lo -develop clinics and otherprograms to train our athletes to their top potential. While we do use a significant amount of ice time for these training programs, we have realized that many timesthis venue is riot ideally suited for the specialized training required. A significant amount of training for our program shouldbedone"off-ice." We presently have no facility for this purpose and are looking to develop an off -ice training #acility. This facility would be from 5000- 10,000 square feet and accommodate some of the following attributes: Shooting and stickhandlingstations Plyometric, balance and agility training equipment Weights Conditioning Page 2 April 30, 2001 We are also looking for a location to establish an "official" Wayzata Youth Hockey office, preferably at the training center location. Eric, we value our relationship with yourself and Bill Abet and would like to continue working together to meet the needs of our association and the citizens of the City of Plymouth. Please feel free to contact me for further details or discussion. Thank you. Sincerely, Tim Olson 763-478-8026 H 612-327-5831 C Eric Blank From: Lalbre@aol.com Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 5:16 PM To: eblank@ci.plymouth.mn.us Subject: May 10 meeting Thanks for your informative memo of May 4 re. the may 10 meeting. I'd like to give my inputs to the various topics to be discussed at the subject meeting. My primary interest is to preserve the beauty, peace, and residential aspects of the areas in question with a minimum interference. Skate Park: No, if it is absolutely necessary, keep it quiet, and at the Elm Creek playfield On street parking on Plymouth Blvd :Seems like a good workable idea. New additional ice rink:No, we have enough now in this location. Wildfire Planting Project:Yes, another good idea. Please, please, don't ruin the area with a parking lot. Thank you for the opportunity to give my input. Sincerely, Lawrence and Bernice Albrecht Endaperdcnt School District 284 17405 Old Rockford Road Plymouth, MN 55446. April. 27, _ 2001 ' Plymouth Park and Rec. 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Doer>Srr NFaa n t . Kimberly Lane Elementary School 17405 Old Rockford Road Plymouth. MN 55446-2422 763.745.5600 Fax: 763.745.5691 1 Uelfeve that we should have more domes. There are many reasons why Ibelievethis. One is we have to get up early for baseball. Also we have to share the dome. First of all, my friends and I take a baseball class. We have to get up at 6:00 A.M. to make it there on time. This is because it is the only time they could book the. Plymouth dome. Maybe if you built more we wouldn't have to wake up. so early for baseball Secondly, we have to share them. When we have lessons, we always have to share them. This makes us squish together because there is hardly any room. Once again if you made more domes we could use the whole dome., ... . Also,' weklave very long wrnters` So we need to train indoors to get readyt for shorts in the summer. There are many teams that use the only dome. Lacrosse teams, baseball teams, almost every single soccer team in the area, and football teams all use one dome. Thank you for taking your time to look at this letter. I hope you consider the way we have to share, we have to wake up early, we have long winters, and many teams use it. Thank You. WORK ...RESPECT—BELONG Andy Cooper Kimberly Lane Elementary 17405 Old Rockford Road Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Andy: Thank you for your letter about use of the dome for baseball. Currently the dome is used by many different groups throughout the community. Some of the uses are soccer, softball, rugby, lacrosse, football, track, and of course baseball. The Plymouth—Wayzata Youth Baseball program is given priority in scheduling time at the dome. You might want to remind your coach that he can call earlier in the year and probably book time a little later in the day. The other benefit to booking earlier in the year would be to book the entire dome, so that you could have the space that you would like to have. Thank you for taking the time to write. I will forward your letter to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission for their information. Sincerely,& V—-- 9 Eric Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/hp cc: PRAC PLYMOUTH A BeautifurPrace To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 www.d.plymouth.mmus