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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />MINUTES FOR JUNE 8,1998 <br />(#2) Saga Hill Park Access Information Meeting - continued <br />Boehm commented that he has seen few users of the Fagemess Point park and didn't think a park <br />by the Dairy Queen would get much use. <br />Lyle Kasprick, 1067 Linden Lane, stated that he understood that if the land had remained as open <br />space without being purchased by the City and neighborhood, it would have been developed with <br />housing at some point. <br />Brian Peterson, 1100 North Shore Drive, asked if a study had been done regarding the need for a <br />park. Jabbour responded that 25% of the households had been polled. The results indicated that <br />open space and trails was the highest priority followed by ballfields with some amenities. <br />Peterson commented that a number of Mound-Westonka fields were not being used and questioned <br />the need for a park. Jabbour responded that there is a need and the City has been asked by the girls’ <br />softball group to use fields. <br />Flint added that he has served on the Park Commission for 10 to 12 years. The Park Commission <br />has its greatest pressure from organized teams who wish to use ballfields. The City has responded <br />by severely limiting the use of neighborhood parks by organized teams; i.e. Bederwood Park can be <br />used by organized teams three nights per week. Orono's philosophy on parks is to protect open space <br />as land is developed. However, there is an increased need for more formal parks. The Saga Hill area <br />was initially brought forward by the neighbors, and the Park Commission has subsequently <br />identified this area as a neighborhood park and open space area. He noted that it is irresponsible of <br />the City to move forward with park plans without access issues being resolved. He reiterated that <br />a condition of the last DNR grant request was that access be secured to the park. <br />Peterson commented that the type of park development would determine the access needs. He asked <br />about the City's master plan. Jabbour responded that no master plan existed at this time, only to gain <br />access to the park. He felt a 20' wide access to the park would work, or acquiring the Church <br />property if the Church was interested in selling. Another option would be to relocate the easement <br />and create a buildable lot. He also thought construction of a road on Garden Lane would be closer <br />to $200,000 than $100,000, and would accelerate development of the area. <br />Flint responded to the question about a master plan, stating that there was not a plan as to where <br />swings and a ballfield would be located. The neighborhood is involved with those plans as a park <br />develops, like the Ciy’stal Bay and Antoinne parks. He added that there is a plan for one parcel vs. <br />the second. The Mayor requested that staff make an overhead to show the two parcels.