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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,January 6,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Edwards said they have and it is still available. The City has been working with the school cross-country <br /> ski team. Last year they were interested in grooming it and using it;this year they are not. The school <br /> offered to let the City use their grooming machine but the City would need to find their own snowmobile. <br /> They debated whether they should find a snowmobile to pull the grooming machine. They have not had <br /> the demand to justify buying another piece of equipment. <br /> Ruegemer suggested it could be talked about again next year. <br /> Chair stated in February they would talk more about the items. He encouraged everyone to throw out <br /> ideas for what to do with the parks long-term. He noted other cities in the area are doing stuff with bike <br /> trails,off-road bike trails. <br /> Klaahsen added there are also Ninja obstacle playgrounds and natural playgrounds. <br /> Edwards stated once the Hackberry property reverts to the City, it's an ideal time to look at the park <br /> holistically.There are drainage issues and little league fields that are too close to roads,and it will be a <br /> great opportunity to wipe the slate clean and redesign it. <br /> Commission members and Edwards talked about the post office in Crystal Bay and the fact that Orono <br /> does not have its own zip code. The Crystal Bay Post Office serves the area and people love having the <br /> post office in that location.At one point there was discussion about turning the area into a trailhead/park <br /> activities center but there was pushback from the local people. <br /> The Commissioners discussed a plan previously presented by Rick Meyers regarding the Crystal Bay <br /> area,which could use some updating. They will contact Meyers and it can be discussed in February. <br /> Chair noted Seven Nations Park was brought up last year because there are a lot of invasives there and it <br /> needs some cleaning up and TLC. <br /> Edwards stated this winter they will solicit for contract mowing for the parks,which gets done once every <br /> three years, and Seven Nations will be added into the solicitation. In the past the City mowed it once or <br /> twice a year with a rough mower. <br /> The Commissioners decided to hold off on Park Assignments until the Commission gets new members. <br /> Walsh suggested adding the Paul Pesak Park and said someone should oversee the community gardens. <br /> Chair noted there was discussion and a motion at the last meeting to name it the Paul Pesak Park and there <br /> was a little bit of pushback from his widow. He suggested bringing a motion the next formal meeting in <br /> March for an alternative name. <br /> Commissioners discussed that Minnesota law states certain things cannot be named after living people <br /> such as roads and state parks. <br /> Carter stated the idea of having a Lead Commissioner for trails is interesting. He had not thought about it <br /> before but there are a lot more trails. <br /> Page 8 of 11 <br />