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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, March 2nd, 2020 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 11 of 20 <br /> <br /> <br />Klaahsen asked how many trees would have to come down and whether any were currently diseased. <br /> <br />Mr. Burrell stated the original plan had 6-8 trees coming down. After walking the park, some of the trees <br />that would come down are either diseased or dying. The plan is to plant new trees in the park as well, <br />more than would come out. <br /> <br />Klaahsen asked Staff if there were any reports that could confirm there are diseased trees and if there <br />were plans in the works to replace them. <br /> <br />Edwards said a tree survey was done last year, and although he doesn’t recall the exact numbers, a large <br />number of the trees at Summit Beach are diseased. The City does not have a tree planting program. <br /> <br />Carter said if the Commission was introduced to the idea that there was an interest to develop the park <br />possibly with bathrooms, playgrounds, parking lots, and a building and launches for the boat club, the <br />Commission would get the right parties together, have an engagement process, develop a master plan, and <br />then stand back and take a look at it. Instead, the Commission is looking at a proposal from the boat club <br />and saying yes or no. He thinks it is a possibility but that it will take a lot more work. <br /> <br />Roath stated that, as a Commissioner, he is not looking to change or impact any of the current users. The <br />Commission has talked about doing something with the park for a couple years and would like to increase <br />the benefit to the community and better utilize the beach and park. His biggest concern is how club <br />activities would impact other people’s activities. <br /> <br />Berg pointed out that it is a natural area; it is relaxing to go there. Most people are concerned about taking <br />the feeling away that you are in a natural area. <br /> <br />Ruegemer stated Bruce Dayton donated land specifically as a place for people to go to enjoy nature. She <br />hates to see this land as an opportunity to build when his intent in donating it was opposite of that. Even if <br />it is there, it doesn’t mean that it should be developed just because the City can and somebody wants to. <br /> <br />Berg asked if Ruegemer opposed a playground. <br /> <br />Ruegemer indicated that a natural playground has been in their plans for a long time but that is different <br />than a 6,000-9,000 square-foot building. <br /> <br />Berg said the playground was pushed to the side because of other developments. Her vision has always <br />been to create a natural playground at that park. <br /> <br />Hudson stated because it is so early in the planning process, a lot of questions cannot be answered -- what <br />the finishes are, how it ties into nature -- and it makes it hard for the Commission. A big part of <br />conserving nature is also promoting the use and interest of nature. The more people on the lake, the more <br />people interested in the conservation of the resource. <br /> <br />Ruegemer said the Commission is currently transforming a road into a trail and being careful with putting <br />a lot of environmental aspects into it such as rain water gardens and new trees, which will bring more <br />people into the park and increased use.