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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15 ® CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING JUNE 15, 1994 ITEM #1-- Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairperson Illa. ITEM #2 Roll call. Present was H. Lovelace, C. Warless-Sobel, L. Lulf, K. Illa, A. Raymond and P. Messinger. Committee member Grenz was absent. Also present was Park Director Steve Michaud, Recreation Supervisor Renee Brekken, Barry Warner of Barton- Aschman, and recording secretary Judi Ryan. Twenty-five citizens were also in attendance. ITEM #3 Minutes of June 1, 1994. The minutes of the June 1, 1994 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting were discussed. There were no additions or corrections and the minutes were approved as printed. • Staff stated that "Staff Comments" would follow the discussion of the Ritter Farm Park master plan update. ITEM #6 Discussion of Ritter Farm Park master plan update. Approximately 25 citizens were in attendance to hear the presentations and offer input on the Ritter Farm Park master plan update. Committee chair Kevin Illa invited the citizens present to come forward following the presentations and contribute comments and suggestions. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud welcomed those present and gave a brief historic overview and general information about Ritter Farm Park. Two master plans have previously been completed on Ritter Farm Park; the first about ten years ago and the second about five years ago. The overall theme of these master plans was conservation and preservation. The 315-acre park was purchased in 1972 using funds from Federal and State grants, and matching city funds. Since that time, the park has been carefully developed. • The two previous master plans have identified uses such as picnicking, parking, nature trails, environmental education, etc., around the former homestead. Trails and the archery range are developed away from the homestead. Staff feels the adoption of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee IV~eetiig Junk 15, 1994 Page 2,' • mission statement is very important in setting goals for park development. Several meetings have been held between Barry Warner of Barton-Aschman and various staff members to discuss and expand various development concepts and future programs for the park. Barry Warner distributed information to city staff and citizens present which summarized various information which had been discussed at the meeting level. Mr. Warner stated that the main intent of the master plan revision is to meet the needs of the citizens of Lakeville. Ritter Farm Park is unique in its quantity and quality of natural amenities in Lakeville. Existing facilities at the .park include trails for various uses hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, horseback riding, nature trails, orienteering course; archery range; natural amenities and habitat plantings. Mr. Warner also described the buildings that exist on the property and current programs and uses. Issues which need to be addressed include the need for a mission statement; the relationship of Ritter Farm Park to other county and regional parks; natural resource and • wildlife management; and future trail facilities and options including equestrian, snowmobile and mountain bike opportunities. Mr. Warner then discussed alternative concepts for various levels of development. Recreation Supervisor Renee Brekken addressed the committee and citizens present. Currently, a naturalist is contracted for most programs. Independent School District #194 makes use of the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) for elementary school nature programs and the park is also utilized by various groups such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and Civil Air Patrol search-and-rescue exercises. Steve Thomford, 3050 Creekview Circle, Prior Lake, a naturalist for the Minnesota Zoo, offered his comments concerning Ritter Park's potential. 1VIr. Thomford stated that currently there is tremendous interest and growth in the environmental education field it has become a substantial family learning experience. He also .expressed his support for preservation of the natural areas of the park for environmental education purposes. Char Shabinger, 19176 Judicial Road, a representative of the horseback riders in the neighboring area, expressed her belief that equestrian trails are compatible with other • park uses, even mountain biking if it was allowed. She stated that her group would be willing to try to work out any problems that may exist with the equestrian group's use of the park. Parks and Recreation Advisory Ct~mmittee Meeting June 15, 1994 Page 3' • Lane Wieker, 17392 Goldenview Ave., is the current president of the South 40 Archery Club. He believes that the archery range is an appropriate and compatible park use but has had concerns about mountain bikers on the archery trail. He would not be opposed to a mountain bike trail in the park if there was a way to make sure mountain bikers remained on designated trails. Former Lakeville Mayor Ed Mako, 8455-207th St. W., stated that, along with Leo Aronson, he was one of the original instigators of the Ritter Park purchase. Mr. Mako felt that he represented the people who originally saw the significance of preserving this property for generations to come. He also stated that the Ritter's had opportunities to sell the property for development, however, they also envisioned a preserved natural park area. Over the years, there have been many groups, such as the snowmobilers and cross country skiers, who have had to work out their differences and come to compromises. Mr. Mako expressed his hope that groups would continue to maintain the integrity of the park. Nancy Houtkooper, 17316 Ipswitch Way, was representing the Minnesota Trail Riders Association and complimented the City of Lakeville on the trails in Ritter Farm Park. She offered the services of the association in whatever area they are needed in an effort to allow them to pursue their horseback riding interests and maintain the equestrian trail at Ritter. Farm Park. Tom Smith, 16305 Griffon Court, stated that he is a mountain biking enthusiast and also is interested in keeping the park in a natural and preserved condition. He feels that mountain biking can be compatible with other uses if trail users adhere to designated trails and park rules. He would like the City to consider designating a trail, if only on a trial basis, for mountain biking. Tom Sheridan, 9400-185th St., said he had recently read an article in a national magazine that advised equestrian groups to strongly endorse the continuance of existing equestrian trails, as they seem to be disappearing. He is confident that all groups will find a way to get along. Committee member Pat Messinger stated that she has always been supportive of environmental learning opportunities being offered by the city and school district. She would especially like a building that would be able to accommodate much larger groups than those which the current ELC is capable of serving. Parks and Recreation Advisory;.Com~nittee Meeting June 15, 1994 Page', 4` Committee member Larry Lulf also said he would like the ELC to accommodate as many people as possible. Linda Moe, SnoTrackers president, had asked Larry to comment on her behalf. He emphasized the important link on the west side of I-35 and stated that the snowmobile club would like to keep the existing trail open as long as possible. Committee Chair Kevin Illa believes there is a need to enhance educational opportunities with the schools and stated that an adequately sized environmental learning center is a significant part of meeting that need. Park Director Steve Michaud discussed the compromise worked out between the snowmobile club and cross country ski club many years ago. Lakeville has a relatively low vandalism rate compared to other metro communities, however there will always be abusers of rules and those who do not take care of the park facilities. Staff pointed out that most people are respectful of park amenities and rules and will properly use the trails and other facilities as designated for their specific use and enjoyment. Staff stated the farmstead building is not in good shape but is repairable. The duplex was renovated by the Sentence to Serve (STS) crew last winter at a materials-only cost. Staff also feels the cistern is worthy of being saved through some renovation; the silo is apparently in good condition. Staff told citizens present that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will discuss the Ritter Farm Park master plan update issue again at their next meeting, July 20, 1994. Following that discussion a concept plan will be chosen for recommendation to the City Council. Part of the process of making a recommendation will be to have a work session with the City Council. ITEM #5 Staff reports. The Ice Arena project is moving ahead right on schedule. The cement floor slab has been poured and the front brick is complete. Staff met with the DNR at the site of the fishing pier on Lake Marion. With last week's rain, the lake has risen five inches and staff has asked the DNR to consider installing the • pier in the water. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee IVleetmg June 15, 1994 Page''S Field conditions at the new Lake View Elementary School are good, with heavy use. Team bench installation will be completed as soon as possible. The Pan-O-Frog soccer tournament is scheduled to take place the weekend of June 24 through 26. This tournament gets larger each year and staff is doing everything possible to accommodate this year's 140 teams. A discussion of the Lakeville's beach hours ensued. Committee members are sympathetic to citizens who may not be home from work until later and would like to take their families to the beach on hot evenings. Messinger would like to extend beach hours for 1995 to 8:00 PM. Staff will discuss this issue with the Recreation Supervisor and request an increase in the beach operations budget for next year. Committee members also asked if there were any funds available to increase the hours this year. Staff mentioned that there are other staffing considerations such as how many hours guards are allowed to work and scheduling conflicts at all three beaches. Staff will check on these issues and get back to the committee. 4.22 Motion was made by Messinger, seconded by Lovelace, to request staff look into budgeting and scheduling for extended beach hours for the remasnder of 1994 and for 1995. Motion passed. Staff distributed an article to committee members that had been published in the National Cities Weekly on the importance of parks to the community specifically to youth and the deterrence of crime. ITEM #7 Park bond referendum report. Chair Kevin Ilia reported that the Coalition for Parks and Trails is very busy and currently is in the process of setting up a phone bank for June 26. Volunteers are needed to help with this evening. The bond referendum seems to be going well with no apparent organized opposition. Absentee ballots are available at City Hall. ITEM #8 Unfinished business. Colette Warless-Sobel, Larry Lulf and Howie Lovelace responded that they would be attending the Dakota County PARAC picnic on June 21. Parks and Recreati©n Advisory Committee Meeting Junk 15, 1~~4 Page 6 • Committee members stated that they would like to postpone their discussion of the Dakota County Park Policy Plan until their next meeting in order to give them more time to examine the document. Some further discussion was held concerning the Ritter Farm Park master plan. Committee member Messinger stated she would rather see funds that would be spent on renovations of the old farmstead be used on a new building. She stated her preference would be for heavy emphasis on development of environmental education. ITEM #9 New business. There was no new business at this time. ITEM #10 Announcements. The July 6, 1994, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting has been canceled due to the timing with Pan-O-Frog and the Fourth of July holiday. The next. meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20, 1994 at 7:00 PM. • ITEM #11-- Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, u th A. Ryan, Recor g Secretary T Kevin Illa, Chair jr