09-03-2019 Park Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, May 6, 2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. Commission talked about a trail connection from Holbrook to the garden area. The Fire Department also uses that area as a kind of rally point for events. Rief stated he did speak with Janie Delaney this morning and that she indicated they meet every Wednesday morning and also go to the garden on Sunday mornings to maintain it. Rief noted Adam has her email address and that he will speak with Adam about it. Meyers commented the garden has good support, which is growing, and that perhaps they could think about starting a garden club in Orono. Meyers stated he is not sure whether there has been any interest expressed in a garden club here in Orono, but that they could perhaps do plantings at the parks if one should get established. Johnson stated a couple of years ago some plantings were done at Livingston Park. Johnson asked whether those gardens have been maintained. Meyers stated they have been maintained and they look very nice. Ruegemer stated they did a lot of weeding over at Navarre Park as well. Berg stated the neighbor by Lydiard Beach has moved and no one is weeding that or taking care of it. Berg stated they will need to figure out how that area can be maintained. 9. TRAILS Carter reported he sent an email suggesting the City add the Willow Trail as one of the City's priorities and that the email was basically supporting the City of Long Lake in their effort to get permission from Mn/DOT to run the trail along the south side. The trail will be added to the Orono Comp Plan. Hudson indicated he has talked with Chilstrom from the Long Lake Park Commission and he has already contacted Mn/DOT. Mn/DOT has indicated they would be willing to do that. Also discussed was sending a dual letter of support. Meyers suggested they can use Long Lake's letter as a template. Rief asked whether any cost estimates have been obtained yet. Hudson indicated they are talking about placing class five gravel down and that it is not a big area. Hudson stated it is his understanding that Long Lake might be picking up all the costs. Carter reported the committee has also come up with some milestones for the trail grid and those have been emailed to Adam. 10. BIG ISLAND Carter reported the grant from the DNR was approved, which was for $200,000, with a 50 percent match. In order to get $400,000, the City needs to contribute $200,000. It is hoped that approximately $80,000 can be allocated from the capital fund and that they are going to try to raise $120,000 from the public at Page 6 of 8