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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18 CITY OF LAKEVILZE • PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE NIINU'I'ES JULY 18, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Vice Chair Larry Lulf. Present were Lulf, Lovelace, Larson, Grenz and Raymond. Messinger had a family conflict and Illa also had another conunitment. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Michaud and Recording Secretary, Judi Ringeisen. The minutes of the June 20, 1990 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee were approved as published with no additions or corrections. Dan Bale and Brad King were in attendance representing the South Suburban Off Road Riders, a mountain biking group. Tb show their appreciation to the Parks and Recreation Committee for the cooperation they received in their use of Ritter Farm Fark for the Ritter Blast Mountain Bike Race on July 7, 1990, a souvenir T-shirt was presented to each corrnnittee member. The group also presented a $1,000 check to the park department to be used for general trail. restoration at Ritter Farm Park. Dan and Brad reported they had 230 mountain bike riders for the race. Although it rained heavily the night before the event, an alternate route was used which did not have a negative impact on the park. The group will put a ceiling of 300 riders on future races in order to minimize the damage to the park and also to eliminate parking problems in the park. • About 35-40 residents were in attendance to be heard concerning the Cherrywood Park issue. Park Director Steve Michaud welcomed the citizens and gave a brief history of the property. The 8-acre piece of property was purchased by the city for a storm water retention pond from the developer, Warren Israelson. The land was advertised in brochures as a park, and although it is very swampy and forested, residents were expectant of a playground equipment installation. Staff explained the one mile park service area policy, but stated he has received some input from neighbors who feel Foxborough Park, the park that serves Cherrywood neighborhood, is too far away for their children to walk. The Park & Open Space System Plan is being updated, as it is every five years, and no policy changes are expected. The park system is based on a neighborhood park system, taking into consideration non-traversable boundaries such as major roadways. Staff also explained the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) line, which is the southern boundary of the Cherrywood plat. A park in the area would therefore serve a limited number of citizens, as it will be some time before the land outside the MUSA is developed. Some thought and consideration has been given to acquisition of land outside the MUSA line which would be prudent and a good use of dollars, however, no funds are available at the present time. Staff also explained the standarr~.s for park dedication and decision making for cash or land contributions. The trail system being planned and, built in the city will give safer and easier access to neighborhood parks in the future. The city plans are to • get away from mini parks since they require high maintenance. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting • July 18, 1990 Page -2- The Park Dept. worked closely with the engineering staff and private developers to make the pond aesthetic at the time it was originally built. Some problems in design caused too steep of slopes and too high an outlet for the pond. The outlet problem has been corrected. Corrective work on cPxtain steep slopes will be completed this year. Staff has received many calls from neighborhood residents inquiring about the status of the playground or other amenities such as ski trails which could possibly be added to the park. One original idea was to build a small pathway through the woods to circ~nnvent the area, however, no funds were set aside. A small playground apparatus which was replaced in another location was saved for the Cherrywood addition. Staff has been asked several questions concerning the safety of the pond, including the possibility of fencing the entire area. Many residents have voiced the opinion that the playground site was too close to the pond, creating an attractive nuisance, and that the site would be too difficult to patrol. There is an alternate site that would need to be cleared where visibility would still be poor as would access for maintenance and emergency vehicles. The second site is on a lobe on the east side of the park. Vice Chair Uulf asked for citizen comrnents. • Lr~uise Rowrid said they chose their lot on the pond for the beauty of the area wildlife. She feels the playground would be detrimental to the existence of the wildlife. Parents would need to accompany their children to the playground due to its close proximity to the pond. Their house would block the view of patrol vehicles in the area. She is also against an asphalt path being installed between their house and their neighbor's and is concerned about the number of trees that would need to be cut fqr a walking path. Ms. Rowed has heard rumors of a bridge being installed and feels that would also be very dangerous. Staff commented that other playgrounds also exist in close proximity to water and homes and cited examples of those. Rita Rgnonti feels neither site is big enough for a playground site and is against putting playground equipment on this site at all. She is also concerned for the wildlife in the area. Mark Vandelist, a personal injury attorney, is in favor of a park however he feels the pond is an attractive nuisance being so close to the pond and would be a hazard and a liability for the City. He is also concerned about the removal or reconstruction of the ditch in the area. Staff stated that some slopage is necessary for proper drainage. Mr. Vandelist proposed the knob be left in its natural vegetative state. Tommi Derado says she was promised by the park dept. last stormier that no • development or playground would be put in at the alternate site behind her house. She used that as a point in choosing her property. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting • July 18, 1990 Page -3- Paul Corbin wants to keep the natural vegetation in the area. He questioned how the bulldozers and other equipment would access the area. He also stated that small children who go to the playground should be supervised. Mr. Corbin asked about the park dedication fees from the surrounding areas and staff told him that the funds from various plats in the area were used to develop Foxborough, their neighborhood park. Jeff Miller stated the Realtor of his property informed him and others that no development would be taking place on the property. He would like the playground put in another area, on flat ground and away from water. A clarification of the definition of park was made by a co~nnittee member who stated that park land can remain in its natural state and still be a park. Brenda Nordgren is opposed to a playground or a trail being installed on the property. She would like to wait and see what will happen with grading and drainage when the project is complete. She also feels the developer should be responsible for correction of the slopage and other improvements to be made in the grading and that the city should not have to pay for it. Staff expressed the fact that the developer, Warren Isrealson, has met all his park dedication requirements and other terms of his development contract. The eight acres was property that was added on later to be used • as a storm water retention holding pond. Bruce Hutchinson is not in favor of anything that will disrupt the existing wildlife. He asked what exactly the options are for a playground in another area. He does not want to alienate his neighbors by pushing for the playground to be installed in this area, but feels there is a need for something closer than Foxborough. Acting Chair L~z].f stated the purpose of this meeting was to discuss the use of this particular piece of property. If there is to be a change in service area policy, it must be done in an orderly fashion. Staff had also told others who had phoned the office that a playground at another site is a separate issue. Tom Pantzke stated some future growth should be allowed for. People use the pond in the winter for skating and hockey and in the sunmier they can use the area for nature activities. Staff reiterated the one-mile service area and the southern boundary being on the MUSA line where no planning has yet taken place. No decisions have been made or acquisition funds set aside for future parks. Staff is anticipating a public forum on the update of the Open Space System Plan in order to get the opinions of the residents in all areas of the city. John Weydert was concerned about security on the proposed trails and the • depth of the pond. Tommi Derado stated that if there is a playground, then a trail would be necessary to keep pedestrian traffic frarn imposing on people's properties. Parks and Recreation Advisory Carrnnittee meeting • July 18, 1990 Page -4- Tom Kelly, a police officer, sees a problem with retrofitting a playground into this area. He opposes the playground and the walking trail and does not want this to become a part of the trail system because of the lack of patrol possibilities. Lulf thanked the citizens for their connnents and interest in this issue. It was suggested to have a playground search area begun to precipitate a playground installation. He and other conunittee members felt the general consensus of opposition to the playground equipment. Josh Rawrid asked the corrnnittee for a motion to reflect that and was told the connnittee would like to take some time to think about it and discuss alternatives. Staff also mentioned that this is a very valuable piece of property and much can be done to make and keep the area more aesthetic. Staff suggested the Park Service Area review be completed before a decision is made on a potential additional playground to serve the area. Several areas were mentioned. Pat Arling spoke that he was in favor of the playground if this is the only location available. He is afraid that if this site. is turned down, it will be a long time before an adequate site is acquired. Brenda Nordgren asked about reforestation of the property. Staff suggested a Scout project could be used to do that. The trail system connecting their neighborhood to Foxborough Park was also discussed. • Richard Roen is concerned about the condition of the pond, the mosquitoes, the mud and the algae. He is opposed to the trail. Rita Rgnonti suggested an aeration system for the pond and ornamental trees. Larry Lulf invited the citizens back to the next meeting on August 1, 1990. Staff said Israelson will be doing some regrading in the area as soon as possible. Lulf thanked the citizens and explained the advisory function of the Parks and Recreation Committee. STAFF REPORTS. The Maintenance Dept. has a list of about 50 projects which they will begin to work on. The Eurasian Milfoil tests conducted by the DNR on Lake Marion and Orchard Lake showed no evidence of the weed. The DNR also conducted fish inventory and population tests on the lakes. The roof at the Senior Citizen Center has serious problems. In the heavy rains this year, water has been entering the center through the roof and upon inspection of the roof, it has been determined that it was built substandard. Quotes are being taken to have it repaired, however, staff is working with the attorneys for alternatives. Second session of recreation programs is starting with. good turnout. The beaches have been very busy and have had carne problems. Guards have • reacted well to emergency situations which have arisen. Staff is working on incentive programs in order to keep good employees additional years. Grenz asked about extending hours on warm evenings. This has been one of Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting • July 18, 1990 Page -5- the biggest causes of complaints, however, the budget does not allow for more hours and it is difficult to open and close the beaches randomly. Surveys of other comm~xnities have shown that other Metro beaches also do not allow swimming before or after guard hours. Staff told committee about a washout above the tennis courts at Oak Shores Park, which left a layer of mud on the basketball court. This will need to be removed very carefully so as not to damage the surface. The Tree Trust Program has finished their work for the Lakeville Park Dept. for the sunmiex. The program was spread out amongst more cities this year, giving each less time. The crews, however, did get some big projects completed at the Meadows, Valley Lake Park, Bunker Hill, Orchard Lake Park and City Hall. Trail striping projects will be getting underway and are estimated to cost about $5,000. Dan Bale has been studying various methods and materials for seal coating the trails. Pan-O-Prog had a big impact on the Park Dept. and everything went well. All events went off well including the Tug of War, whose sponsors are considering holding the nationals in Lakeville in 1991. • Staff discussed the mountain bike trails at Ritter Park. No formal policy has been established designating the route as a mountain bike trail, however, no problems have been encountered. The carrnnittee stated the future policy which would most likely have the mountain bikes and horses sharing portions of the trails, while the pedestrian trails would be incompatible and would be separated from these uses. A staff person from Northwest Associated Consultants would like to meet with the subcommittee on the Park Service Areas in order to prepare the graphics for the update. The park and trail dedication funds were discussed. Staff asked committee members to let him know if they have any ideas or suggestions for. 1991 projects. Staff discussed some ideas he had and will have more information for the next meeting. Larson suggested marking future trails so people will be aware of their locations when they purchase homes or property. COUNCIL ACTIONS: Casperson Park grant agreement was signed by the Mayor and City Clerk to begin development project. A possible market for the mined gravel is being investigated. UNFIl~TISHED BUSINESS: Grenz asked about Orchard Lake Beach parking lot. The design preferred by • the Parks and Recreation Committee will be used. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting July 18, 1990 Page -6- NEW ~TSINESS Raymond asked about the concession stand at Antlers Park aril the potential of reopening it in the future. Staff discussed the reasons for closing it aril said it was unlikely that it would be reopened in the near future. The area is now being used for storage of lifeguard equipment and for a first aid station. Staff reported the success of the fireworks shuttle bus system. All six buses were filled at the end of the fireworks and many positive conanPazts were received. Grenz suggested more parking is needed at Aronson and should be added to better acconnnodate the tournaments. There are a couple more areas that are designated for future parking. ANNOLTNC~V'].'S Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting: August 1, 1990, 7:00 PM Official dedication of the William J. Alich Tournament Center: August 15, 1990, 6:00 PM Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 PM. i Respectfully submitted, ~ ~ ~ Larry Lulf, Acting Chair ATI~ST: I ~ 2' ..~~`L_.___.... J Larson jr • • ON-SITE INSPECTION JULY 18, 1990 6:00 PM - CHERRYWOOD PARK Members Grenz, Larson, Lulf and Raymond; Councilmember Ruhmann; and Park Director Michaud were all present. Staff gave a history of the park and the pond and described all other issues that had occurred to date. The committee proceeded to walk to the south side of the pond area to view an area for a proposed playground. Committee members had several questions, there was a lot of good discussion. The on-site visitation gave the committee a good perspective, and background knowledge to carry into the meeting which was to occur at 7:00 PM. The committee disbanded at approximately 6:45 and returned to City Hall to the regular meeting. GSM : j r • i