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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Tuesday, September 5, 2017 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />5. Describe and map Orono's existing and proposed local parks, trails, and recreation facilities. <br />6. Include a capital improvement program for parks and open space facilities as part of the <br />implementation program. <br />Barnhart indicated on the screen is a depiction of some of the regional trails. The System Statement <br />denotes the Lake Minnetonka Islands Regional Park (Big Island), Baker Park Reserve, and Norenberg <br />Gardens. The Lake Independence Regional Trail is depicted as well as the Luce Line. The City's System <br />Statement also talks about potential connections or extensions and requires the City to identify a potential <br />for trail extensions. Barnhart noted there is a planned extension of Lake Independence Trail south likely <br />following some portion of Shadywood Road to connect to the Dakota Trail. Already identified in the <br />City's Comprehensive Plan are trails, park preserves, and special park features. <br />Barnhart stated the focus of the Parks Commission should be a review of the policies and goals that can <br />be incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Barnhart noted he also provided a copy of the Parks Open Space Plan. The first 25 pages describe the <br />parks in the City. The main area of focus will be to review the policies and goals included in that plan <br />and then come back with any recommendations ideally by February of 2018. Those recommendations <br />will be submitted to the advisory committee for review. <br />Johnson stated it struck him that there were two things the Parks Commission may need when doing this <br />review. The first one is to identify where the existing easements that have been granted in the past are <br />located so the Parks Commission has an idea of where there are gaps. Johnson commented he <br />understands it would take some doing to see where those easements have been granted but that in his view <br />it would be extremely helpful for long-range planning of the trail system. Johnson noted he and <br />Commissioner Brenda Johnson had offered to help do that and that this is the time it should be put <br />together. <br />Johnson stated the second thing he would like to see happen is another survey conducted to obtain input <br />from the public. <br />Meyers noted the Lakeview Legacy Park is a privately funded public park and it should be listed since it <br />is Orono open space. <br />Meyers indicated he is in agreement with the survey and the need to clean up some of the language as <br />well as identifying the current easements. Meyers stated the trail system is probably the most long-term <br />feature and the City should make every effort to connect the parks and trails and have a unified system. <br />Meyers stated some of the City's ultimate goals are to have a trail along County Road 19, a trail on <br />Willow, and a trail connection on Orono Orchard Road. <br />Meyers suggested the Park Commissioners review the Comprehensive Plan prior to the next work session <br />and then they discuss any suggested changes at the work session. Meyers recommended the Parks <br />Commission also make a motion recommending the City Council authorize another survey. <br />Barnhart stated as it relates to the easements, up on the screen is a map of the City's trail system. The red <br />lines depict existing trails and the yellow lines are potential connections. At the time of development, the <br />City typically will require a trail easement. <br />Page 9 of 14 <br />