HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNRC Minutes 10-17-18 DRAFT
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
October 17, 2018
Committee Chair Swan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion
Conference Room.
Members Present: Bob Swan, Jeanne Peterson, Jim Storms, Lori Bovitz, Tom Goodwin, Holly
Weberg, Patty Zuzek
Members Absent: Alternate Tony Wotzka
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen, Recording Secretary Stella
Eskelson
Representatives from Youth Athletic Associations: Dan Bergstrom (Lakeville Lacrosse),
David Tobias (Lakeville Baseball Association), Chris Beumer (Lakeville Baseball Association)
1. Approval of October 3, 2018 minutes
Minutes approved as written.
2. Citizen comments
No citizens present.
3. Staff Report
Parks and Recreation Staff attended the annual MNRPA Conference last week and
participated in various informational seminars and workshops.
Snow plow training for the upcoming season was held this week, Parks and Public Works
Staff were in attendance.
The Community Art Project from this year’s Art Festival will soon be installed in the newly
constructed Art Walk at the Arts Center.
4. Avonlea Concepts
Staff and Tim Wold from SRF Consulting Group presented two concepts of the Avonlea
Community Playfield. The concepts were developed with feedback gathered from Youth
Athletic Associations, community survey results and this Committee. Based on community
input from the online survey, nature-based and contemporary play structures will be
incorporated as well as buildings that blend with the natural areas.
Concept A: This concept includes an athletic dome, grass multi-purpose fields, a full-size
baseball diamond, pickleball courts, play areas for younger and older kids, a park building
with included warminghouse, removable pleasure and hockey rinks, challenge course, trail
system and additional picnic shelters.
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, October 17, 2018 Page 2
Concept B: This concept includes grass multi-purpose fields, one artificial turf multi-
purpose field, a full-size baseball diamond, pickleball courts, play area for younger and
older kids, a park building, separate warminghouse, removable pleasure and hockey rinks,
trail system, challenge course, fitness workout area and additional picnic shelters. Fewer
parking stalls were included in this concept since a dome was not included.
Feedback from the Committee and Youth Athletic Associations:
Consider fencing or netting between the lacrosse fields and also along the parking lot to
contain loose balls. Also, recommended the installation of scoreboards and a concrete ball
wall for lacrosse practice.
Netting might need to be installed on the Cedar Avenue side of the baseball diamond,
Staff shared that given the size of the field that this wouldn’t be an issue.
Would the number of parking spaces be adequate for the number of fields and an athletic
dome? The dome and fields wouldn’t be in use at the same time, parking should be able
to accommodate practice and cycling tournament usage. There are numerous parking
areas that could be utilized for overflow parking as well.
Does the dome allow for a walking track? The Savage Dome does have a walking area that
is available for use when the turf is not in use, this is something that could be considered.
What would the annual maintenance costs be for this park? This information is still being
developed.
Representatives from Lakeville Baseball Association (LBA) shared a brief overview of the
benefit of having a full-size baseball field at this facility for their teams. Currently, the fields
that the association utilizes are crowded with over 15 teams sharing them. Some of the
fields including Steve Michaud have restricted use at different times during the year due
to special events or other large events that utilize the same fields. LBA loses kids and adults
to local travelling teams and other clubs, this additional facility would provide an
opportunity to keep these players local and paying for Lakeville field usage. LBA
understands that there would be fees associated with using this field as they already pay
for usage in other cities such as Farmington, Dundas and Savage. LBA feels that having a
full-size baseball field in Lakeville would provide the opportunity to host tournaments and
events as well as give the association an opportunity to expand. The association is also
prepared to assist in supporting the funding of the facilities through amenity donations
similar to the funding they provided for King Park lighting and additional improvements.
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, October 17, 2018 Page 3
Committee recommends the approval of both Concepts A and B as presented of the
Avonlea Community Playfield subject to the recommendations from Committee Members
and representative from Lakeville Youth Athletic Associations.
Ayes: Unanimous.
5. Other Business:
No other business.
6. Announcements:
The Haunted Forest Festival is on October 20th at Steve Michaud Park.
7. Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stella Eskelson, Recording Secretary