11-01-2021 - Park Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 6 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chairman Brian Roath, Commissioners Janice Berg, Rick Carter, Casey Hudson, and Taylor Stephens. Representing Staff was Adam Edwards. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Roath led the Commissioners and those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 5, 2021 Park Commission Meeting Minutes Hudson moved, Berg seconded, to approve the May 5, 2021 Park Commission Meeting Minutes. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Barbara Schmidt, 50 Landmark Drive, read a statement from the neighbors of Bederwood Park and Lowry Woods: We are advocates for the following: Environmental impact analysis of proposed park projects prior to the final decision including examination of reasonable alternatives and mitigation measures, ample opportunity for citizens to be pursuant to an appropriate notice and comment, administrative procedure, transparent and timely communication to Orono citizens on all park-related topics including notifications for park neighbors when projects, plans, or other changes are being contemplated in their neighborhood. Prevention of further damage to natural resources by reversing the decision to allow bicycles in Bederwood Park, restoring the environmental damage to Bederwood Park, and committing to keeping Lowry Woods a passive, bicycle-free, nature conservation area as directed by the Nature Conservancy. If this is not honored, then enforcement of the Nature Conservancy’s restrictive covenants as to the Lowry Wood, preserving our streams and wetlands as natural resources, preserving our big woods and maintaining them as natural areas similar to Wolsfeld Woods and Wood Rail. These are also big woods remnants designated as scientific natural areas (SNA’s) by the Minnesota DNR. Passive enjoyment of Orono’s big woods parks consistent with conservation of resources would preclude bicycles within the big woods portion of Orono parks. Specifically, we are concerned that allowing bicycles in the big woods park areas will result in safety issues associated with bikers and hikers co-existing on the same park trails, private property liability issues associated with bicycle-related activities including trespass and private property damage, negative impacts to trees and understory plants as well as wildlife, adverse impacts to soft dirt trails including soil erosion and compaction, the introduction and spread of invasive species, other environmental impacts determined by a thorough environmental impact analysis. We have also submitted a document that raises many questions to Exhibit A and B. Ms. Schmidt asked to submit Exhibit A and B for a response.