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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Wednesday, September 10,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Edwards noted that came about as an aspiration after they had the Orono Rotary put together a project for <br /> tree plantings last year, and they happened to have it at Lurton Park and Saga Hill. He said as they were <br /> looking at it, one of the target parks for trees was French Creek Park and the thought was if anyone has <br /> walked that park around the old sewage lagoon,many of those trees are falling into the water. The <br /> thought process was if in the future it would make sense to do a sort of reforestation project where some <br /> diseased,falling down or scrub trees would be removed and they could plant a mini arboretum with <br /> specimen trees and plaques around that walk. <br /> Roath asked who is assigned to French Creek Park. <br /> Edwards replied it is currently vacant. <br /> Roath noted they should get someone assigned to it and asked for a consensus on how big of a priority <br /> this line item is. <br /> Carter stated since it's listed out under 2024,he doesn't feel the need to worry about it much right now, <br /> noting it's a$20,000 item four years from now. <br /> Roath said not to worry about what year it's in for the document,he is asking if French Creek Park is <br /> something the Commission wants to focus on. He noted they will get someone assigned to that park,they <br /> will leave it in 2024 for now and if anyone proposes that the Commission work on that sooner or later or <br /> not at all,they can take it up at that point. Roath asked if any Commissioners have an interest in that <br /> park. <br /> Edwards explained for anyone who has not been to French Creek Park that it is a nature park and is <br /> basically a trail that goes around the former sewage lagoon before they integrated with the Met Council. <br /> It is now a haven for water fowl, and said the past projects at the Park have been restoration of prairie and <br /> a few Scout projects putting up benches to view the water fowl. He said it's not a complicated park. <br /> Berg said it's more a wildlife area. <br /> Carter suggested as they go into next year,in the same way they've done for the golf course and trails for <br /> the parks,to have a strategic approach to the priorities. He noted he has a tough time doing it this way, <br /> although they should get through it as they are halfway. He thinks if they were able to look at a column <br /> and understand what is the No.2 priority and the money is there, it makes sense. He said it's kind of <br /> throwing darts to him. <br /> Roath replied there is a page that lists the 2020 focus parks,for instance the French Creek Park is not on <br /> there for 2020 as it's not a focus. <br /> Edwards stated one of the things the Commission has done in the past is to drive what Committees they <br /> want as some of the projects come forward, for example East Long Lake Trail, as it marched forward on <br /> the calendar,the Commission formed a committee to help steer what that would actually look like. <br /> Roath said he was using the CIP to start that prioritization and noted they could go alphabetically by park <br /> name;however,they want to do it, but it should align with the focuses in 2020 and 2021. <br /> Page 9 of 27 <br />