07-07-2014 Park Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, May 5, 2014 7:00 o'clock p.m. 9. EXPLORE INTEREST FOR MORE ACTIVE USES IN CRYSTAL BAY PARK Meyers noted the Park Commission discussed this item briefly at their last meeting and that some residents have expressed a desire for more active uses at the Crystal Bay Park. Lundblad stated they have discussed a possible ice arena at Crystal Bay Park at some point in the future and that it might be a possible project for 2015. Lundblad stated at the time Jim White was the mayor, there was a tree dedication ceremony and he had raised the issue that one of the Orono residents wanted to pay for a pavilion in that park. Lundblad stated he never heard adytli rg about that again but that he was curious where that ended up. Meyers stated he vaguely remembers Jim White indicating irat.he kad 7a benefactor who was interested in making a significant donation to the City parks but that, Jieisnot aware;617-who the person is. Meyers stated he is not sure whether the City is necessarily infer ted in a pavilhon,at°Crystal Bay Park, but that if the Park Commission is going to have any discussibnssregarding changing the wise of Crystal Bay Park, it will likely be necessary to hold some type of pub11 - eting for the residents. Meyers noted Crystal Bay Park is not suitable for baseball,fields antlstliat hockey rinkslend to be costly since they often require lights and a wai=ming,house. Meyers stated the improvement could also change the character of the neighborhood. Meyeits�rioted a number of eJties are not maintaining their outdoor hockey rinks any longer since people prefer,,itui6 rinks. Meyer9`stated in his view an outdoor hockey rink is very labor intensive and likely will require someone to keep as�hedule of play times, which raises the question of who would be tnanaging that. Berg asked how Wayzaia,'manages their hockey rink Berg noted t ey:also have a warming house. Struve indicated he is not aware of how Wayzata manages that. Struve noted he has received a note asking if the P.ark,Commission would ,�onsidar,a dog area 3 ithin the Crystal Bay Park. Meyerssetatefl the Park Co mmissiorlcould perhaps'lodk=at sending out a survey to see what the residents are interested in or holding a public hearing. Berg stated sheds not sure what kind of return, hey would receive on a survey. Gaffron stated if it fs".more neighborhood oriented, the residents would be more likely to respond to it. Gaffron stated the last survey done b , the City related to the street lights in Navarre in 2013 and that the last park survey was completed -in 3008. Gaffron stated generally Orono residents have indicated they want open spaces preserved ani that they are not anxious for new baseball fields to be constructed or other active uses. Gaffron stated he would recommend the Park Commission focus on individual neighborhoods. Warner noted the Crystal Bay Park is more of a neighborhood park and not necessarily a city-wide park. Gaffron stated the City does not have regional parks and that they are either run by Hennepin County or the Three Rivers Park District. Page 7 of 10