07-02-2001 Park Commission Minutes

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CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,JULY 2,2001 Lake Access Points Stacy Bull, 4690 Tonkaview Lane, noted she previously submitted a petition to the Park Commission concerning the lake access located at Forest Lake Landing. Bull stated some of the neighbors have been inquiring about the progress being made on the access. Bull inquired when this lake access point would be reopened to the general public. Bull noted she attempted to use it yesterday, with access to the lake at this time being pretty impossible. McDermott inquired what the City could do to make the access easier to use. Bull inquired whether the access could be regraded back to the original grade. Bull noted the slope in this area is very steep and it is very difficult to tell exactly where the lake access is. McDermott stated it is his understanding the right-of-way goes all the way to the residence located to the left of the access. McDermott stated basically the front lawn of that residence is within the lake access. Bull noted the stakes denoting the lake access point have also been removed. Bull stated in the past the pathway down to the lake was located more to the south than to the north, with the property to the north remaining basically the same for the past 30 years. McDermott stated there is a row of arborvitae on the right-hand side, which is one edge of the public right-of-way give or take a couple of feet. McDermott indicated the area to the left, all the way to the foundation of the residence, is the other edge of the right-of-way. McDermott noted the play structure,the deck, and the stairway are located mainly on public land. Ilse commented she is unsure of the Park Commission's role in dealing with the lake access points, and questioned whether the Park Commission has the authority to deal with these issues being raised by the neighbors. Ilse noted the City Council would have the final say on these lake access points and that their philosophy is that public property is public property. Ilse stated the residents may need to take their concerns to the City Council. Bull stated the neighbors would basically like this access point restored back to a small neighborhood access like it had existed in the past. Bull stated the changes that have been made to this area in the past few years are what have prevented the local residents from utilizing this access point. Bull stated she is aware of an individual who drove his truck down to the lake a couple of years ago, which is impossible today. McDermott stated this would be considered a city park with motorized vehicles not being allowed. McDermott noted this would be a walking path only. McDermott stated the Park Commission is in agreement that every resident should have access to the lakeshore on available City property. McDermott commented the legal access to the lake might be located in a different location than what the neighbors have been using in the past, and that the Park Commission has recommended to the Council that this lake access remain open. McDermott stated it is the desire of the Park Commission to have every lake access point clearly designated and marked over the next few years. Jay Nygard, City Council Representative, stated Orono is following the lead of other communities around the lake by starting to mark and identify the City's fire lanes and lake access PAGE 3