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MINUTES OF THIS <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br />Monday, November 3, 2014 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />central Minnesota. Inhabiting these woods were the Dakota Indians. Watertown Road, which runs <br />alongside Seven Nations Park, was originally a Dakota Indian trail. This trail led to buffalo hunting <br />grounds used by the tribe. The Seven Nations Park area could have been a resting place for the tribe <br />going to and from the hunting grounds. Eventually this area was colonized by settlers and the land was <br />turned into a gentleman's farm. Gentlemen's farms are usually small and more Iike a hobby than a <br />business. The gentleman's farm on the Seven Nations area was called Mid Meadow Farms and had prize <br />winning European dairy cows. The farm was owned by a wealthy family who lived in the Twin Cities <br />area. Their homestead remained on the property until around 1990. For more information, visit the <br />WCPA museum in Long Lake. <br />Knueppel stated there are many fallen branches on the park premises, both in the initial entryway and by <br />the roundabout and trails. A possible add-on to the project would be the installation of gravel in the <br />park's driveway and possibly the roundabout area of the park. Knueppel stated it would not be possible <br />for him to place gravel around the entire roundabout since he would not have enough time and that <br />currently there is some grass growing in spots that would need to be removed. <br />Knueppel stated the questions he has regarding the project include, one, whether the City would be able to <br />provide any monetary assistance for the project; and if so, how much; and two, is the City willing to <br />provide the gravel and possibly some tools for branch removal. Knueppel stated he would also like to <br />make sure the City would like all of these proposed additions to take place. <br />Meyers noted the Park Commission is just an advisory board and that the City Council would have the <br />ultimate decision on what to do, especially if City money is allocated toward the project. Meyers <br />indicated he is not sure whether placing gravel in the park would be considered a capital improvement. <br />Pesek stated it would likely be considered maintenance. <br />Meyers stated if placing gravel in there is considered a capital improvement project, the City could <br />perhaps take some of the park dedication money to purchase the gravel and the sign. <br />Meyers asked what the cost of the sign would be. <br />Knueppel stated the estimate that he received a while ago was approximately $200 but that he is not <br />aware if the cost has gone up. Knueppel stated at this time he is not sure what the exact cost would be. <br />Meyers stated the sign would be permanent and would not require a lot of maintenance, but that as part of <br />the project perhaps Mr. Knueppel could research what one of these signs would cost and then provide <br />Staff with that information. Meyers asked if he would be raising money for the project. <br />Knueppel indicated he could do some fundraising but that it would take approximately two months to get <br />all the paperwork completed. Knueppel stated he also is not sure of a vendor for the sign in the area and <br />that he was wondering if the City knew of any. <br />Gaffron asked if Mr. Gasch has given him any information on where he could obtain a sign <br />Knueppel stated he has not. <br />Gaffron suggested he contact Mr. Gasch to see if he has any recommendations. <br />Page 2 of 24 <br />