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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, March 7, 2016 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Levang stated the Park Commission could also approach the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts about helping to <br />clean up the various parks. <br />SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS <br />6. SAGA HILLS <br />Brenda Johnson noted at the February work shop removal of Item No. 4 was suggested. Johnson <br />indicated she has rewritten it and modified it. The goals for 2016 are as follows: <br />1. Install a historical sign and an overall map of the paths at the entrance to the path from the <br />parking lot. <br />2. Place path markers along the paths to inform visitors of their location within the park and provide <br />direction to the parking lot and other entrances. <br />3. Restoration of the area around the small pond near the parking lot and develop a path and clear <br />buckthorn. Add a bench in that area. <br />4. An Adopt Saga Hill program will be implemented to help determine park user needs, engage the <br />neighbors and other visitors in its upkeep and foster appropriate use. <br />5. Restore forest areas within Saga Hill to preserve high priority trees. <br />Johnson indicated she and Commissioner Ruegemer have not come up with a cost for the restoration and <br />cleanup at this point but that they will be doing that in the near future. Johnson stated she would also like <br />to seek input from the neighbors and volunteers in determining the priority areas. <br />Johnson noted the last action item would be to establish an address for the park and include it on the City <br />of Orono's park web page. <br />Bryce Johnson stated when they visited the area with the Hennepin County forester, he pointed out the <br />quacking aspen and a nice stand of white pines. Johnson asked whether there is a way of harmonizing the <br />GreenCorps person with the forester to take a look at this park. <br />Edwards stated the other part of the grant was to look at the parks. <br />Brenda Johnson stated she would also like to install some benches in those priority areas as well as giving <br />some consideration to adding a sign on County Road 19 for Saga Hill since it can be difficult to locate. <br />Johnson stated it is likely they will need to work with Hennepin County on the location for the sign. <br />Ruegemer noted there is a fair amount of parking available at this park as well. <br />Johnson stated they can work with the neighbors to see if there are any concerns. Johnson noted there is a <br />small 3 -acre portion that is not controlled by the DNR and that perhaps that could be restored to a flower <br />area or picnic area but that she would like to clean up the woods first. <br />Page 6 of 8 <br />