Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, January 5, 2015 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />ROLL CALL <br />14--t-,ac,,,yt6,v / <br />The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br />Chair Rick Meyers, Commissioners Brenda Johnson, Bryce Johnson, Paul Pesek, and Julie Rueggemer <br />Representing Staff were Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards and Recorder Jackie <br />Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. <br />Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m <br />PRESENTATION <br />1. DANNY McCULLOUGH, THREE RIVERS TRAIL MANAGER <br />Danny McCullough is the Regional Trails Manager of the Three Rivers Trail System and will be the <br />liaison to the Orono Park Commission for anything trail related. McCullough noted he has been with <br />Three Rivers since the creation of the Dakota Trail. <br />McCullough stated one of the issues that he is aware of is the issue of parking with the Dakota Trail and <br />that Three Rivers Park District is well aware of the parking needs for the trail. McCullough indicated the <br />trail gets approximately four to five hundred thousand visitors per year, which makes it probably the third <br />or fourth busiest trail in the Three Rivers trail system. McCullough stated Three Rivers is hoping to come <br />up with some parking solutions for the trail in the future and has looked at a number of options. <br />McCullough noted one option that has been looked at in the past is the Old Crystal Bay Post Office area. <br />Pesek stated the biggest complaint he has heard about the trail system relates to the bikers on the trail that <br />do not warn the pedestrians as they approach them. <br />McCullough indicated that is a concern on all the trails and that he receives several e-mails a week about <br />this topic. McCullough stated it is an issue because it is a very successful trail system, and anytime you <br />have a significant number of people on the trail at one time, you will have conflict. McCullough stated <br />Three Rivers is attempting to educate the bicyclists and has implemented a number of years ago mobile <br />sign campaigns on a number of the trails. Three Rivers has achieved some success with signs and they <br />are directed to both the pedestrians and the bicyclists since it is a multi -use trail. <br />McCullough stated on a larger level, he is currently working with the state on developing a state-wide <br />trail safety messaging program. Three Rivers' program is called Share the Trail and is the first one of its <br />kind in the state. The program covers trail etiquette and trail rules to direct people to ride and walk safely <br />on the trails. <br />McCullough indicated his work with the state involves working with the DNR and Hennepin County on <br />developing a state-wide safety messaging program. McCullough stated in order for the safety messaging <br />to be effective, there has to be a cultural change among the users of the trails, and Three Rivers is <br />concentrating on attaining that shift in the cycling community but that it takes time. <br />Pesek stated the best defense is clay since the bikers cannot ride on that type of surface very fast. <br />Meyers asked if there is any enforcement by Three Rivers of dog ordinances. Meyers indicated he has <br />seen Three Rivers' people out there but that he has never seen anyone receive a citation for anything. <br />Page 1 of 11 <br />