HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 10-10-2002Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
October 10, 2002, 7 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Visitor Presentations
a. Athletic Associations
b. Staff - Diane Evans
c. Others
4. Report on Past Council Action
a. Council approved name change for Mud Lake
b. Plymouth Creek Center- basement finishing
5. Unfinished Business
a. Millennium Garden update
b. 2003-2007 CIP - review possible update to plan
C.
d.
6. New Business
a. Tobacco free policies presentation by Brittany Meyer, Tobacco Free Youth
Recreation
b.
C.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting - November 14, 2002
n\parks\staff\edc\prac\agendas\Oct02. do
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
September 12, 2002
Page 30
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Krahulec, Meyer, Musliner,
Rezabek, and Singer; staff Blank, Evans and Pederson
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Meyer and seconded by
Commissioner Rezabek to approve the July minutes. Motion carried with all
ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting.
b. Staff - Diane Evans. Evans discussed the success of the summer recreation
programs. At a future meeting she will have statistics on how many
participants we had, a revenue report, etc. Evans said we are working on
fall programs. She talked about the Autumn Art Fair. We have about 40
artists registered. On October 5 is the Plymouth on Parade event. We have
87 parade units registered, and we expect that number to increase by
parade day. There are other activities prior to the parade and following
the parade. LifeTime fitness will be open for swimming, and the Ice Center
will be open for free skating. There will be another Ducky Derby in the
pond at the Amphitheater. The Teens Driving Safe and Sober Concert is
October 12. The Big Wu will be performing. They are a nationwide, well
known teen group. We are expecting up to 6,000 people to attend. The
event runs from 3-9 p.m. Big Wu performs beginning at 7. It will be
interesting to see how the space handles the crowd. Singer said they
don't perform hard rock, but it's not gospel either. There will be a heavy
police presence there. The target age group is late junior high through
high school. Evans stated that staff is working diligently to update the
City's website. Evans has been working with IT on this process. We expect
to launch the new website in November.
c. Others. There were no others present.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
The bid was awarded on the Ice Center parking lot. They are scheduled to
begin work on Monday, September 16. A 60 car parking lot will be added,
with 40 spaces behind the Ice Center and 20 in front.
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 31
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Millennium Garden update. Blank discussed the progress being made on
the garden and showed some slides of it. We will wait until June, 2003, to
have the dedication. The bricks are installed. Anderson asked who was
the brainchild behind the garden. Blank said many different folks were
involved.
b. Greenwood youth sports update. We've started playing soccer on this
new complex. Fiemann said the sign at the entryway is great. The
baseball fields are all set for play next spring.
c. Mud Lake new name update. Blank stated that the name of the lake has
been officially changed to Lake Camelot. All of the residents want the
name of the park to be Lake Camelot Park. Staff is also recommending
this name. A question was raised about the word "neighborhood" being
in the name of the park. Blank said it doesn't have to be included in the
name. That just identifies it as a neighborhood park in the park system
plan. SINGER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE NAME LAKE CAMELOT PARK.
KRAHULEC SECONDED. ALL AYES.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Name for Environmental Park. The playground is in and being used. Blank
said he thinks this park will primarily be an outdoor education center.
Singer asked about the reasoning for using "special use" in the name.
Blank said it's because we don't want to label it with a name that would
imply a specific use, because this park has the potential to serve more
than one purpose, i.e., nature area and youth sports. The words special
use would not be in the name, but this puts it in that category in the park
system plan. Park maintenance staff have been referring to it as Nature
Canyon Park. A couple of the commissioners liked the name Tamarack
Park, after Blank explained that several years ago, tamarack trees grew in
the low swamp land area. Our forester is checking to see if tamarack can
be planted again in this location. It would not be a good idea to name it
Tamarack if the site will not support this type of tree, Krahulec said. Blank
will do more research on whether or not tamarack could survive here and
will bring his findings back to the next meeting.
c. 2003-2007 CIP - review possible update to plan. Blank had a power point
presentation on some of the wish list items in the CIP. Because of Singer's
suggestion last year, the East Beach building was updated, Blank said.
Imperial Hills park was discussed first. There has been a request for some
lighting in this park to curb vandalism. This park is totally enclosed by trees.
Blank described the layout of the park and its amenities. Blank questioned
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 32
the value of adding lights, because there's no one that can see into the
park even if lights are installed. The next photo was of a baseball field.
Infield areas need to be renovated. Park maintenance thinks it would cost
about $5,000 per field to do this. Blank said we could schedule four infields
per year. The third photo was of Egan Park, which Blank is recommending
for a dog park. Many years ago, we had community gardens at this
location. Watering was a problem here, however, so gardens were
moved to the workhouse property on Shenandoah Lane. A small gravel
parking lot could be added here. There is some wetland in this park, so
boardwalks might need to be added. The area is 3-4 acres in size.
Krahulec and Rezabek think this area would need to be fenced. Other
commissioners agreed. Our park maintenance supervisor feels that it does
not need to be fenced. Blank said even though the dogs would be off
leash, they must be under voice control, so a fence may not be
necessary. Singer asked Blank to research the cost to fence it. Blank said
the easiest fence would be the orange, plastic type you see around
construction areas, rather than chain link. Rezabek said this area may not
stay rural for too long. Blank said we may have to put in two dog parks,
one in the northwest part of Plymouth and another in the southern portion
of town. The fourth picture was of Bass Lake Playfield. A resident wants this
rink paved. Blank said he told the resident that if the neighborhood can
raise $5,000 toward the cost, that PRAC will seriously consider it. Only one
person in the neighborhood hasn't signed the petition to pave it,
according to the resident behind the drive to get it paved. The fifth
picture was of the turf removal at the fieldhouse. The new Astroplay is
being installed tomorrow. The next picture was of Plymouth Creek
Playfield, where Blank is thinking of installing the old Astroplay turf that's
being removed from the fieldhouse. West Lutheran High School practices
soccer here. We propose getting quotes to install the turf here. This would
be one site where we could get lacrosse and rugby players on the field
sooner than on a regular grass surface playfield. Another site for the old
artificial turf could be Ply Creek Elementary, but there's no parking here to
speak of. Blank explained that the old turf is being removed because it's
blemished. The next photo was of Zachary Park and the pinwheel of four
baseball fields. The wood retaining walls need to be replaced with
poured -in-place concrete. This will be costly, perhaps over $100,000. The
next photo was along Rockford Road looking west from Zachary Lane.
Neighbors have requested a trail here. Three neighbors do not want the
trail to be on their property. It would run from Larch Lane to Zachary. The
next photo was along Lancaster Lane near the Four Seasons shopping
Center. Blank said this is a dangerous street. It's lined with apartment
buildings and has many "S" curves. The next photo was near the Willow
Creek movie theaters and Nathan Lane. There are also many apartment
buildings along here, too. The extended stay hotel is in this vicinity also.
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 33
The high density apartment dwellers use this route daily. Some research
needs to be done by our engineering department as to the best place to
locate a trail in this area. The next two photos were of the warming house
at Ridgemount Playfield. This is the only playfield in our system that does
not have a concrete warming house. Blank is not proposing something
that grand, but perhaps a nice vinyl sided building in the range of
40,000-$50,000.
Blank then discussed additional items that are on the wish list. Greenwood
may need some additional parking. A small playground would be nice at
the amphitheater. When we built Zachary Playfield we traded some
property with the church. We also worked a deal that they could use our
parking lot on Sunday mornings. We use their parking lot as an overflow lot
other days when necessary. Blank talked with the pastor of the church
about the BMX course and skate park being built here. Blank suggested a
five year lease with the pastor that would be renewable. It would include
an escape clause. Blank hopes to hear back from the pastor by the
November meeting regarding the opinion of the church's members on
locating the BMX course nearby. We are running out of storage at
Plymouth Creek Center. Blank said we have a spot down in the northeast
corner of the fieldhouse where a double space garage could be built to
store tools, etc., that would be used to maintain the Millennium Garden.
The indoor tennis court was discussed briefly. At the Hilde Performance
Center there's a need for additional lighting and an improved sound
system. We need to replace the Rolling Hills playground at some point. It's
the oldest one in the system. The third sheet of ice at the Ice Center is still
of interest.
The current CIP was then reviewed. Rezabek asked about the outdoor
hockey rink at the high school. Blank said it's not on the list, because of
the low density housing there. He doesn't see a need for another skating
rink at this time. Blank doesn't see a parking issue at the Ice Center if we
add a third sheet of ice there. Fiemann said Breck spent millions to put in a
rink along Hwy. 55 west of Theodore Wirth Parkway. Our estimate to add a
third sheet is $4.5 million. Blank said the operating cost of a free standing
indoor ice rink is what makes it cost prohibitive, not the capital cost.
Fiemann said we don't have enough ice time now to handle all the
requests at the Ice Center.
Blank asked for additional ideas from the Commissioners. The City
manager has had the finance department looking at big capital items
over the next 10 years including the acquisition of property for the NWG, a
third sheet of ice, police department and fire department needs, etc. All
could be financed, but the trick will be the land acquisition. Land cost
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 34
increases at 15% per year. The finance study shows that we need to buy
land. Some current money comes out of a fund called the Capital
Improvement Fund to purchase land, Blank explained. Some money
would come from park dedication, .and some would also come from the
CIF in 2003. In 2006, we would have to repay the loan to the CIF, Blank
said. We're now looking at a new scheme that says whatever money is in
park dedication, half would be committed to land acquisition and half to
projects each year. A key piece of property is the Begin land. Mr. Begin is
having serious health problems. We cannot negotiate at this time with the
Begins because of this. We're probably going to hold a lot of money aside
for land acquisition, and limit some of the building projects. The police
department wants an underground parking garage for the squad cars.
Musliner asked about the teen center. Blank said there's nothing planned
for right now. They could have some of the space in the finished lower
level of the Plymouth Creek Center. However, we have learned that we
may have to scale back on what we do with the lower level and
complete it in two phases, instead of all at once, although it would cost
80,000 less to do the entire project in one phase. Staff is leaning toward
waiting to see what the legislature does this session before making any
final decision.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Singer discussed her tobacco free crusade. Cloquet has adopted a tobacco
free policy. Evans is doing research on this topic and is trying to get
surrounding communities to buy into the idea. She stated that Roseville is
tobacco free. Singer said she could have the soccer club draft a letter
supporting such a policy. Our plan is to bring something to the Commission in
January. Singer stated she was encouraged by all the ideas for teen
programming.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Blank handed out forms to sell chances on the Rotary Duck Derby race. The
race will be October 5 in the amphitheater pond after Plymouth on Parade.
9. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
New Items for CIP Review
Parking lot expansion - Greenwood Park School 70,000
Rehab - walls and drainage - Zachary baseball - lighting
upgrade 2Z5,a0D
Reinstall Astroplay at Plymouth Creek 2-7 000
Bass Lake - blacktop hockey rink 25,000
Small playground for amphitheater 25,000
Skate ark/BMX bike park 110,000
Dog park tom ca-, bc)eea w 12,500
New warming ho se at Rid emount0 00
Storage garage at Plymouth Cre k Park Mucic 00
Imperial Hills - safety lighting of cS 15,000
Indoor tennis loan from park replacement fun
Hilde Performance Center - improve li hting and sound 25,000
Replace Rolling Hills playground 1987 90,000
Pa„A Bass ake hoo -r-m ----5-000-- 25 000_-
Third sheet of ice Lqt CJ 4,500,000
20 year old ball fields $5,000 ea.) 25,000
Queensland playground 1986) 90,000
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MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: October 7, 2002
TO: PRAC
FROM: Diane Evans, Superintendent of Recreation
SUBJECT: Tobacco Free Policy
Brittany Meyer, Assistant Program Director of the Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation Initiative,
will be at the meeting to make a presentation on this subject. (See attached documents.)
DE/np
Diane Evans
From: Bill Abel
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 12:14 PM
To: Diane Evans
Subject: FW: Tobacco Free Grounds and Facility
PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION.
The Plymouth Ice Center is currently "Smoke Free". This means there is no smoking
inside the facility. I would like to take the next step and become a "Tobacco Free
Facility & Grounds". My reasoning is that we still have people that chew tobacco
inside this facility, sometimes leaving a mess for our employees to clean up. We also
have many smokers outside our front doors. These people not only leave a mess of
crushed out cigarettes all over our front sidewalk, but they also leave a trail of odor
and smoke in our front vestibule. We have received complaints of non-smokers
having to walk through this same smelly area to gain admittance into this facility.
would like to have signage warning people of this venue being Tobacco Free, both
inside and outside. This signage would be the means of telling people they can not
chew or smoke tobacco on the grounds of this facility. Eventually, this would resolve
the problem.
Thank You.
Sincerely;
Bill Abel, Manager
Plymouth Ice Center
r2ag)
PLYMOUTH
PARKS AND RECREATION
ACTION REOUESTED
In March of 2002, a member of PRAC requested that I do some research on establishing a
Tobacco -Free" policy for the Plymouth Park and Recreation Department. I apologize for the delay,
and blame it on being a "new employee" who has her hands full and has a lot to learn about the
department and staff.
I hope that the following document will provide all of the necessary background information, details
and suggestions for establishing a "Tobacco -Free" policy.
BACKGROUND
The Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation initiative (known as TFYR) is one of thirteen statewide
programs of the Minnesota Youth Tobacco Prevention Initiative. The TFYR program is designed to
assist recreational groups in their efforts to model and promote healthy tobacco -free lifestyles for
young people. Additional rationale for support of this initiative is provided in the attached document
entitled "A Decision Maker's Guide to Tobacco -Free Policies for Youth Recreational Facilities". As
part of my research I realized that nationally, there are many Communities and States who have
adopted or are currently working on adopting the policy. In Minnesota there are ten communities
who have implemented the policy; they include: Baxter, Bloomington, Brainerd, Cohasset,
Owatonna, Richfield, Rochester, Roseville, St. Cloud and Virginia.
Of the Minnesota communities that have adopted the "Tobacco -Free" policy, each one is just a little
bit different in regard to the specifics of the policy and what facilities or amenities are included. I
have listed some examples from a few of these communities.
The City of Bloomington
The following regulations shall apply to all City Parks:
Beaches and public waters - No person shall use tobacco products at any of the City's
designated beach areas, or other designated pool and play areas at City -owned swimming pools
and aquatic facilities.
Athletic Play Fields — No person shall use tobacco products on City -owned athletic play fields,
including their spectator areas, while the fields are being used for organized youth
athletic events.
The City of Owatonna
Tobacco use is prohibited at outdoor youth recreation facilities owned by the City of Owatonna
to include Warsinski Outdoor skating facility, soccer fields, football fields, baseball/softball fields,
Lake Kohlmier beach, and playgrounds. Tobacco products shall also be prohibited at the
spectator areas, restrooms, and concession areas of these facilities.
The City of Roseville
In order to protect the health and welfare of our children, Roseville Parks and Recreation
prohibits the use of all tobacco products in youth activity areas.
IMPACT
By establishing a "Tobacco -Free" policy, the Plymouth Park and Recreation Department would be
joining many other Park and Recreation agencies across the country that have taken a pro -active
approach to making our parks and recreation facilities healthier places. By adopting a policy, we
would be sending the message that tobacco -free environments protect the health, safety and
welfare of the community. Even though the policy will be difficult to enforce, it is a first step to help
change the community norms, by saying that tobacco use is unacceptable and harmful, especially
around young children.
FINAL COMMENTS
Now that I have provided the information regarding the "Tobacco -Free" initiative, I am asking the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Council to make a recommendation whether the Plymouth Park and
Recreation Department should support this campaign.
If support for this initiative is provided, additional work will need to be done regarding the language
and intent of the policy, what parks and facilities would be included in the policy, what types of
signs would be utilized, and any cost or budgetary constraints that may come into play.
I have attached a draft of what the Plymouth Park and Recreation Department "Tobacco -Free"
policy may look like prior to review by the City Council and other appropriate staff/departments.
r
PLYMOUTH
PARKS AND RECREATION
SUBJECT
Use of tobacco products at Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department youth events that utilize
Plymouth Park and Recreation facilities.
POLICY STATEMENT
The City of Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department is committed to the quality of life for all
residents, therefore, we believe that:
1. Tobacco product use in the proximity of children, youth and adults engaging in or watching
youth recreational activities is unhealthy and detrimental to the health of others.
2. Tobacco products once consumed in public spaces are often discarded on the ground, thus
posing a risk to toddlers and causing a litter problem.
3. As parents, leaders, coaches, and officials we are thought of as role models, and the use of
tobacco products around youth has a negative effect on their lifestyle choices.
REGULATIONS
In order to protect the health and welfare of our children, Plymouth Parks and Recreation prohibits
the use of all tobacco products in any youth activity areas (or in all park areas; or while youth are
involved in organized athletic events in park areas) owned and/or operated by the City of Plymouth
Park and Recreation Department.
COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
The process for obtaining compliance with this regulation is as follows:
1. Appropriate youth activity spaces will be signed.
2. Plymouth Park and Recreation staff will meet with youth activity organizations and/or
leaders or coaches to discuss the policy and to distribute flyers with the "Tobacco Free"
regulations.
3. Plymouth Park and Recreation staff will make periodic observations of youth activity sites to
monitor compliance.
4. Plymouth Park and Recreation will take an active role to encourage the surrounding
communities to adopt the "Tobacco Free" policy, so that we may act as a united front to
ensure the health and wellbeing of our youth.
5. Although the emphasis is on voluntary compliance, failure to comply with park regulations
is unlawful and is considered a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine.
IM
www.ansrmn.org
Policy Fact Sheet: May 2002
Tobacco -Free Policies For Outdoor Youth Recreation Facilities
Tobacco -free youth recreation
facilities make sense
Secondhand smoke harms everyone and kills
thousands every year. Exposure to secondhand
smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in
theUnited States, killing approximately 53,000 people
every year.
Secondhand smoke is harmful in outdoor settings.
According to Repace Associates, secondhand smoke
levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high
as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is
permitted.
Tobacco free policies help change community
norms. Tobacco -free policies establish the community
norm that tobacco use is not an acceptable behavior for
young people or adults within the entire community.
Most Minnesota parents support tobacco -free
policies for outdoor playgrounds. A 1998 survey
showed that 68% of Minnesota parents support smok-
ing bans in outdoor playgrounds and 80% support a ban
in all public places where children are present.
Why are city tobacco -free policies for
youth recreation facilities so important?
City-wide policies support groups who have existing
policies when they are using city recreation facilities.
Since most school districts prohibit tobacco use
in all their facilities, city-wide policies create
consistency for all youth recreational facilities in
the community.
Cigarette butts cause litter, maintenance expenses, and
can be ingested by toddlers using recreation facilities.
Creating tobacco -free environments protects the health,
safety, and welfare of the community.
Why are tobacco -free policies effective?
Policies reinforce to youth the message that tobacco
use is unhealthy and unnecessary behavior.
Policies ensure that participants and spectators
are not exposed to secondhand smoke.
Policies create an environment where leaders can
model and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
Tobacco -free policies establish the community norm
that tobacco use is not an acceptable behavior.
Cities Across Minnesota Make
Youth Athletic Facilities Tobacco Free
Communities that include Rochester, Bloomington, St. Cloud,
Owatonna, and Brainerd have recently adopted tobacco -free
policies for their youth athletic facilities and playgrounds. A
tobacco -free policy sends a clear message that the community
cares about the health of the children and adults participating in
youth sports at their facilities. The policies affirm that tobacco
use and secondhand smoke are detrimental to health. When
describing the rationale behind their particular park policy, the
Owatonna Park and Recreation Department stated that parents,
leaders, coaches, and officials are role models for youth. By
refraining from tobacco use during youth activities, these role
models have a positive effect on the lifestyle choices young
peoplemake.
Cities who have implemented tobacco -
free policies for outdoor settings
Baxter, MN (City Council) March 2002
Bloomington, MN (City Council) June2001
Brainerd, MN (Park Board) Apri12002
Cohasset, MN (City Council) January 2002
Owatonna, MN (Park Board) December 2001
Richfield, MN (Park Board) September 2001
Rochester, MN (Park Board) November2000
Roseville, MN (Park Board) December 2001
St. Cloud, MN (City Council) May 2002
Virginia, MN(City Council) May 2002
Association for Nonsmokers --MN
2395 University Ave. West, Suite 310
St. Paul, MN 55114-1512
651) 646-3005; tfyr@ansrmn.org
ffi1
Defeating Policy Myths:
The Truth Behind Tobacco -Free Recreation
Myth #1
Kids that see adults using tobacco products are not likely to start using tobacco.
RPS Thousands of teenagers start smoking every day, in part because they see their
adult role models use tobacco or allow its use in public places. How do children learn to
walk? To talk? To play sports? From Adults! Adult habits DO affect our children and youth.
Myth #2
Cigarette butts discarded on the ground do not really hurt anything.
Reality- Cigarette butts are not biodegradable, meaning they do not decay and cannot be
absorbed by the environment. In fact, cigarette butts remain intact for about 10 years before
breaking apart, which amounts to tons of litter. Also, toddlers may ingest the butts that are
discarded on the ground.
Myth #3
Policies that restrict tobacco use at youth recreational facilities or during youth recreational
events will restrict tobacco users from these facilities and events.
Tobacco -free policies for youth recreational facilities and events do not restrict
people from using these facilities or attending these events; rather, they only ensure that
tobacco users refrain from using tobacco for a short period of time while at facilities where
children and youth are playing.
Myth #4
Recreation -based tobacco -free policies are needless regulations and a governmental
interference.
Tobacco -free policies are public park policies similar to those banning alcohol or
littering in public park and recreational facilities. It is the duty of policy makers to enact
policies that protect the health and well being of the citizens of their community.
Myth #5
Tobacco -free policies for recreational facilities will be impossible to enforce.
Reality: 81% of all Minnesota adults do not smoke. Therefore, tobacco -free policies are
largely self -enforcing and can be enforced with a combination of adequate signage and
community education about the policy. Any infraction can be reported and handled in the
same manner as an alcohol or litter complaint that may occur at these facilities.
Components of a Successful Policy
1. Include the rationale for developing and implementing the policy
Include the reasons for having a policy: health effects of tobacco (first-hand and secondhand
smoke), concerns about a safe and healthy environment to play in, reinforcement of tobacco
educational efforts and support for appropriate role -modeling for young people.
2. Consider who the policy will cover
Identify participants, staff, officials, visitors, and all parties the policy will affect.
3. Locations and/or facilities where the policy applies
Identify all grounds and facilities and include organization -sponsored events, even if held off-
site.
4. Definition of terms
Describe clearly which tobacco products are being banned and what determines use and/or
possession.
5. Enforcement of policy
Describe how the policy will be enforced: for example, utilizing signage, having staff and/or
volunteers ask people to refrain from tobacco use during recreational activities, or publicizing
it at each event.
6. Consequences of violation
Consider what the consequences will be for violating the policy. This could include verbal
warnings, or, if the problem persists, an escort off the grounds.
7. Activities that support the policy
Identify opportunities that complement the tobacco -free policy, such as communicating the
policy, promoting the tobacco -free message at events, providing educational materials,
trainings, and utilizing adult and peer role models as spokespeople.
8. Dissemination of policy
Develop plans to notify participants, parents, and spectators of the policy. This can include
updates to the policy manual, team & participant pledges, trainings, newsletter articles and
signage.
Adapted from Creating Tobacco -Fra . Schoolc, Connie Alcott, author.
C,
uacs art
City -Owned Outdoor Youth Recreational Facilities
Model Tobacco -Free Policy
WHEREAS, the City believes that tobacco use in the proximity of children and adults engaging in or
watching youth recreational activities at city -owned or operated facilities is detrimental to their health
and can be offensive to those using such facilities; and
WHEREAS, our youth recreational organizations have a unique opportunity to create and sustain an
environment that supports a non -tobacco norm through a tobacco -free policy, rule enforcement, and
adult -peer role modeling on City youth athletic fields; and
WHEREAS, the City believes parents, leaders, and officials involved in recreation are role models for
youth and can have a positive effect on the lifestyle choices they make; and
WHEREAS, the tobacco industry advertises at and sponsors recreational events to foster a connection
between tobacco use and recreation; and
WHEREAS, cigarettes, once consumed in public spaces, are often discarded on the ground requiring
additional maintenance expenses, diminish the beauty of the city's recreational facilities, and pose a
risk to toddlers due to ingestion; and
WHEREAS, the City Park & Recreation Board determines that the prohibition of tobacco use at the
City's recreational facilities serves to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of our City.
Section 1: Tobacco use prohibited in outdoor youth recreation facilities
No person shall use tobacco products at or on any City -owned or operated outdoor recreational
facilities when used by youth, including their spectator areas, restrooms, and concession areas. These
facilities include [insert specific facilities here, e.g. playgrounds, athletic fields, beaches, aquatic areas,
parks, and walking/hiking trails].
Section 2: Enforcement
1. Appropriate signs shall be posted in the above specified areas.
2. All recreation clubs will be given this policy for distributing to leaders, coaches, and parents.
3. Staff will make periodic observations of recreational facilities to monitor for compliance.
4. Any person found violating this policy may be subject to immediate ejection from the
recreation facility for the remainder of the event.
Section 3: Effective Date
This policy statement is effective immediately upon the date of adoption.
Appropriate City Official Date
Medicine `Calle Sailing Club
ti
August 16, 2002
City of Plymouth
Attn: Eric Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
RE: Medicine Lake Sailing Club
Request for Access for Sailboats
Dear Eric:
This is to follow-up with you on our proposal for sailboat docking space on Medicine Lake
As you suggested, we took our proposal to Doug Bryant at Three Rivers Park District. Doug
and the Park District Commissioners were receptive to the idea of providing space on the lake
for docking sailboats. In July, the Park installed a dock with finger piers for sailboats.
As a result, we will withdraw our proposal to the City of Plymouth.
On behalf of the Medicine Lake Sailing Club, I thank you for your time and effort in helping us
meet our goal of ensuring the opportunity for citizens to continue the sport of sailboat racing on
Medicine Lake. Your sensitivity to the various needs and concerns of the community were very
helpful. Without your suggestion, we would not have submitted our proposal to Three Rivers
Park District. Thank you!
Also, please send our thank you to the members of the Park & Recreation Advisory
Commission for their kind attention to our proposal.
Very tru yours,
Larry Leistiko, Commodore
Cc: MLSC Board
September 11, 2002
City of Plymouth
Recreation Department
3400 Plymouth Avenue
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Recreation Department,
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I am not sure who to address this letter to so I will address it the the entire Recreation
Department!
I want to thank all of you for the wonderful outdoor concerts that are held annually during the
summer at Parkers Lake on Tuesday nights. The concerts are so relaxing, entertaining and fun.
I enjoy seeing other residents of the community, their families and pets. My dog, Kirby, loves
walking to Parkers Lake from Chelsea Woods. He seems to know it is Tuesday night, a night
for the concert, as he walks faster to get there! He enjoys seeing and greeting those of his own
species.
Thank you again for serving the community of Plymouth and making this a great place to live
and socialize with neighbors.
Sincerely,
f
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Barb -Laurance
Elizabeth and Jason Palmiter
934 Trenton Lane N
Plymouth, MN , 55441
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Palmiter:
Shawn Drill of the City's Planning Department has forwarded your letter dated August 9
to me for review and comment. Shawn noted in his letter to you that he was sending you
a copy of the City's trail plan. On that plan, you can see that we are planning to add trails
on South Shore Drive that will connect to the new regional trail that was recently built on
the Luce Line Railroad. We have also started building a trail on the north side of 10th
Avenue. This past summer we completed a section of trail on Revere Lane south of 10th
Avenue connecting over to the shopping center. We will extend the 100' Avenue trail to
meet the Revere Lane trail.
Each year we receive many requests from citizens asking us to consider building
additional miles of trail. The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission annually
reviews all of these trail requests and determines which sections will be built the
following year. I will forward your letter to the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission, so that they are aware of your suggestions for additional trails in your area.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter. If I may be of further assistance, you
can reach me at 763-509-5201.
Sincerely,
Eric Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
cc: PRAC
PLYMOUTH ABeautifulPlace To—five
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD E PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 a TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000
01-1P1www.eLplymouth.mn.us