HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 05-10-20181 Approved Minutes
May 10, 2018
Approved Minutes
Park & Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, May 10, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tricia DeBleeckere, Vice Chair Aaron Vanderwall, Commissioners: Dick Burkhardt,
Marilyn Sunseri, Michael Swanson, Vita Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Merrilee Riley
STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Plymouth Creek
Center Manager Chris Fleck, Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Council Member Jim Davis
GUESTS: Jono Cowgill - CDG, Danny McCullough – Three Rivers Park District, Stephen Shurson – Three Rivers Park
District
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair DeBleeckere called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Burkhardt, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending approval
of the February 8 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written. With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
3. OPEN FORUM:
4. PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS):
4a. Plymouth Creek Center Project
Plymouth Creek Center Manager Chris Fleck outlined a community engagement campaign to gather
resident feedback regarding a potential expansion or renovation of the Plymouth Creek Center.
There are four options for providing feedback on the project. The first option is to view interactive
boards at either the Plymouth Creek Center or Plymouth City Hall. The boards include a mock -up
spatial concept of what the building could include. Visitors can complete a comment card with their
thoughts and suggestions.
There will also be three Open Houses available to the community to attend. Two will be held in the
evening and one during the daytime. Visitors will be able to talk with staff and volunteers. The
intention is to spark conversations on what visitors would potentially like to see.
A third option would be for feedback to be given via Flash Vote. This website offers surveys that are
open for a few days at a time asking specific project questions.
The fourth option is to use Social Pinpoint. This website shows the same interactive boards that are
displayed in the Plymouth Creek Center and City Hall, but online. Site visitors are able to add
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comments on the items they like/dislike, what they wou ld like to see, what they enjoy at other
community centers, and any other feedback they would like to leave.
The Plymouth City website includes a scrolling news page regarding the community engagement
process. Those interested in the project can also visit www.plymouthmn.gov/pccproject for details.
Chair DeBleeckere asked where this postcard is being posted. Manager Fleck shared that the
marketing materials are posted on the City’s social media accounts, in the Fall Parks & Recreation
guide, and in the senior Grapevine newsletter. An email will also be sent out to all past participants
over the last two years with information on the campaign.
Chair DeBleeckere followed up and inquired if feedback can only be on what is presented or if any
requests can be taken. Manager Fleck expressed that any comments are more than welcome. The
current designs and examples are available to help create discussion and ideas in hopes that it will
spark additional ideas and questions. Commissioners are encouraged to share the information
with their contacts and networks.
Commissioners are also invited to attend several upcoming community events to help answer
questions. An information table will be set up at a Farmers Market night, Music in Plymouth, Kids
Fest and a Water Ski Show.
Commissioner Wilson asked if any “proposed development” signage will be put up at the Plymouth
Creek Center to help draw attention to the project. Director Evans shared that at this point in the
process it is too early for those signs to be displayed. Once development is approved and the
design and bid process has started then signage can be put out at the Plymouth Creek Center.
Commissioner Swanson asked how long the comment period will be available. Manager Fleck
shared that Social Pinpoint will run from May 15 – August 28, FlashVote will be open July 17 – 19.
Both residents and non-residents are welcome to attend any of the Open Houses or online
commenting options.
4b. Receive Annual Report (Action)
Each year the Parks & Recreation department creates an Annual Report to collectively show all that
was completed and accomplished in the previous year. Director Diane Evans was present to
present the 2017 Annual Report to Commissioners. The Annual Report will also be available in each
Commissioner’s Dropbox account and on the city website. A printed copy is available by request.
Edits were discussed and will be made to the chart on page 8 regarding the Department’s annual
budget.
Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Vice Chair Vanderwall, recommending the approval
of the 2017 Annual Report, with changes as discussed.
5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS):
5a. Trail Gap Projects Update (Action)
Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe presented updates on trail gap projects scheduled for 2018. Trail
Gap 43 will be completed. This is the gap along the south side of Medina road, running between
Greenwood Elementary and the Medina boarder. Construction will begin around the week of July 4
and be completed before the school year begins. Staff were able to acquire 5 right of entry
agreements; 4 from residents and 1 from the school in order to complete the gap.
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Trail Gap 112 along Revere Lane is also being completed this year. The gap runs between Old
County Road 15 and 6th Ave. This project will allow residents on the south side of Highway 55 to
safely travel north to the commercial development area (near Arby’s). Staff are working with the
landowner of the Arby’s property to gain a right of entry access for the trail easement. If right of
entry assess isn’t obtained in time, a sidewalk can be put in in place of a trail in this section. This
project would start in September and likely be complete in one week.
Chair DeBleeckere asked how the trail and sidewalk easements differed. Coordinator Rippe shared
that with a 5’ wide sidewalk it would fit within the right-of-way and wouldn’t need an easement. A
10’ wide trail would extend beyond the property right-of-way and require an easement.
Coordinator Rippe provided an update on Trail Gap 113 along 32nd Ave. This gap is south of the
Fresh Thyme/Goodwill commercial area. As of right now staff are working to combine the trail gap
with the Vicksburg Lane mill and overlay project scheduled for 2019.
5b. West Metro Regional Trail Study (Action)
Jono Cowgill from CDG and Danny McCullough and Stephen Shurson from the Three Rivers Park
District were on-hand to share information on a potential West Metro Regional Trail. They are in
the process of completing a community engagement process gathering feedback on creating a
north-south trail system that would go through Plymouth.
The engagement process is running from December 2017 – November 2018. The group will be
meeting with residents and park commissions to share the trail concept. The area would include
creating a trail from Bryant Lake Regional Park to Eagle Lake Park. The long term plan would be to
connect French Regional Park to Bryant Lake Park and Downtown Wayzata. The team is working
with the cities affected to gather feedback. The project could be completed in the next 10-15
years.
Feedback from residents and trail users will be gathered and used to create a future master plan
for the trail.
In addition to attending larger events and park commission meetings, they are also offering smaller
group sessions and listening sessions. For those unable to attend a meeting, there is an online
survey available at www.trpd.westmetrotrails.com that can be completed. In addition to the
survey, you can create routes, highlight current problem areas and designate wishful routes using
an online mapping tool.
Chair DeBleeckere expressed that a safe crossing will need to be considered if crossing Highway 55.
She also shared that when the team is thinking of areas for the trail to go through, be sure to make
the trail visible and to keep the trail as linear as possible. She shared that she was very excited
about the possibility of these trails, as a north-south route is needed in this area. It is currently hard
to find a good route to travel between several cities.
Commissioner Wilson shared that it is very important to have inter -community connections to
allow people to travel through multiple suburban areas. She asked that public safety be kept in
mind so that bikers are not directly on busy, high-traffic streets. She asked whether the regional
trails are typically used for recreational use or commuters. Mr. McCullough answered that their
trails are used by both pretty evenly, it just depends more on where the trail is located. He has
seen an increase in the number or commuter travelers over the last 10 years, especially along the
Cedar Lake Trail in Hopkins. Other trails such as the Dakota trail in Wayzata are considered more
destination trails” and see more recreational use.
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Commissioner Burkhardt shared that he enjoys the Dakota Rail trail quite a bit. With living in
Plymouth, it is hard to find many trails that connect to that trail as most go east/west instead of
north/south. Currently the easiest options are to either ride part of the time on city streets, or
drive to Wayzata and get on the trail.
Commissioner Swanson asked if the new trails would be designed for bikers only. Mr. McCullough
responded that all new trails in this project would be designated as multi-use trails which would
accommodate cycling and walking. Mr. Swanson shared that having bikes and walkers and runners
on the same trail doesn’t always mix well and suggested lowering bike speeds to make it safer for
walkers and runners. Mr. McCullough responded that all of their trails are currently ca tegorized as
multi-use”. They continue to work on educating trail users regarding etiquette on their trails.
Director Evans shared final thoughts of the City’s support of creating a connection within the west
metro. She encouraged the team to consider year-round maintenance options. Parks & Recreation
currently maintains over 100 miles of trails each winter and if this connection does get added, they
would expect the area to be plowed as well. We have a very active population of trail users year -
round. She also shared the same concern as Chair DeBleeckere regarding a safe crossing option at
Highway 55, near Hwy 494. That is currently a larger barrier point that should be looked into.
5c. 2018 Strategic Plan Update (Action)
Director Evans shared an update to the 2018 Strategic Plan. In order to continue meeting CAPRA
accreditation standards, the Commission needs to be provided with, and review the department’s
strategic plans at the beginning of each year, in the middle, and at the end of the year.
Highlights to this year’s Strategic Plan include:
Purchased the Schwappach property – the last property needed to complete the
Northwest Greenway
Completed Kimberly Lane boardwalk
Ice Center hosted two national tournaments in less than a year – US Sled Hockey and High
School National tournament
East Medicine Lake Park building has been torn down and new helical piers are in place to
construct the new building on
Close to completion on Crooked Creek Park – will host an open house event late summer
The playground at Green Oaks Park has been removed and donated to Kids Around the
World
Motion by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Burkhardt, recommending the
approval of the 2018 Strategic Plan Update.
5d. Draft 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Program Review (CIP) (Action)
Director Evans presented Commissioners with a draft of the 2019-2023 Capital Improvement
Program (CIP). Some highlights of upcoming projects include:
Playground renovation at Zachary Park in 2019
Boardwalk replacement at Plymouth Dog Park in 2019, and at Lake Camelot in 2020
The Plymouth Ice Center will be purchasing a new Zamboni and will sell a current one to
offset the cost
A trailhead will be added to the Northwest Greenway at the south end of Peony Lane
Commissioner Wilson inquired if the City keeps track of the number of people using the trails.
Director Evans shared that we do have trail monitors that track the number of users, and mode of
use (walk, bike, etc). There are two portable units that are moved around the community to
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randomly track trail usage. The Northwest Greenway does have embedded trail counters along the
trail.
Commissioner Sunseri asked if any trail data is collected along the boardwalks. She suggested that
a trail counter be put along the boardwalk at Lake Camelot Park to see how many people are using
that connection. That data may help in the process of either removing the second boardwalk at
Lake Camelot Park or replacing it. Deputy Director Northway shared that they will set up one of the
monitors along that boardwalk to gather more information on its usage.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE
Sue McLean & Associates has notified the City that they will not be offering a Live at the Hilde
concert this year. They were unable to secure a group on the date they needed.
The Park & Rec Summer Entertainment series will start in June. A schedule of upcoming
concerts and movies is included in the meeting packet.
Bark in the Park will be held Saturday, May 19. Council Member Jim Davis and his dog Be tty
will help lead the 1K Dog Walk.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Burkhardt, seconded by Vice Chair Vanderwall, recommending
adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair
DeBleeckere adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.