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Home My WebLink About03-06-1995 Park Commission Minutes . , .. ORONO PARK COMMI5SION MEETING MINUTES FOR MAItCH 6, i995 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Chair Richard Flint, Lili McMillan, Susan Wiison, Robert Howells, and James White. Sherokee Ilse was absent. Public Works Director John Gerhardson and Recorder Sherry Frost represerrted Staff. Chair Flint called the rneeting to order at 7:32 p.m. (#1) APPROVAL 4F MINUTES OF FEBRUARY b, 1945 �ritten corrections from the draft of the February 6, 1995 Park Commission Meeting were received. The minutes will be on the April meeting agenda for appr�val. (#2} CRYSTAL BAY PLAYGROUND McMillan reported that the playground plan was evaluated by Shardlow(Cathy) regarc3ing the location of the basketball cc�urt and skating rink. A letter was sent t� Commission members on her findings. The middle section of the park near the �razebo area is preferred due to several reasons: The nearby gazebo would enable spectators to watch the skaters; seating would be available for skate removal; poles are available for tighting; and na e�ensive grading of land would be required. Also, Judy of the post office preferred more contralled-type activities to eliminate balis and children from running into the parking lat area. The planner said as long as proper ctrainage is maintained, the ground could be seeded in the spring to allow for a�rassy area in the summer. Gerhardson commented that berms could be instalied around the perimeter if needed because the location was near a storm sewer and water could b�piped in. These costs would be figured into the operating budget. McMillan su,�ges#ed aerating the ground and seeding at the same time. The size of the rink is not yet determined and can easily be changed. McMillan said that David Owen of Earl Anderson Consuitants will look at the existing play equipment and report back in a caaple weeks with a plan incorporating the ideas and feedback given by the Commissioners. The development of the park will be completed in twa phases. The first phase wtll include the wood fence on the north and east sides, cleaning up the playfietd, plantings along the . post office, parking lot, and fence, and the ec�uipment improvements. The parking lot wiil be completed this year. Phase two will concentrate on the gazebo, basketball court, and skating rink in the mid-section area af the park. 1 . . � MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COIVII�iISSION MEETING HELI� ON MARCH 6, 1�395 (#2 - Crystal Bay Playground - Continued} The neighborhood group, represented by Randi Carlson, reported being favorable to the plan. The�are interested in viewin�the equipment plan and would like to see an ice rink next year. The Commissioners would like to see the park cleaned up first and check on curcent rink maintenance before going forward with the rink. Carlson commented that there are few winter activities and woutd like to see a rink as soon as possible. She felt the condition of the rink would not be the issue but the lack of one would be. Gerhardson said the ririk's location would not need atat of grading and could feasibly be done for next year. The Commission wiil look into the possibility. The walkway in the center af the park will be cleared by machine in the winter to a width of 4'-5'. McMillan will send a memo to the Council on the status of the park and explain the two- phase process at the next Council meeting. Costs will be determined for phase one prior requesting to Council's formal vote for approval. Competitive bids wi11 be needed. WiIson maved, McMiilan seconded, for conceptual�approval of the park plan in two phases. The subcommittee will obtain cost estimates for phase one. A status report will be made to the Council at this time. Ayes 5, Nays �. (#3} PARK SIGNS Gerhardson handed out plans for new signs in parks. The signs now in place will remain as they are. The plan was for the Orono Park logo to be reduced from about 30" to 12" and embossed on a metal circle. At the present, all s'rgns say "City of Orono", with the exception of French Creek Preserve. Through discussion, it was determined that a vote was needed to at-�-ive at a decision on uniform signs for new parks. The wood signs would say: l) "Orono Parks" on round metal City lo�;o; 2) routed"Orono Parks", or 3) routed "Ciry of Orono". The majarity vated for the new signs to be routed with the words, "Orono Parks." Gerhardson and Wilson will determine appro�riate changes to the sign at French Creek Preserve. �'he Commission would like to add "Orono Parks" to the si�n alang with an entrance arrow. This is to clarify the presenee and location of the preserve to the public. The sign may also need to be raised. (#4) BASKETBALL COURT- BEDERWbOD PARK Gerhardson reported that the cost for a fu11 size, 84'x54', reguiation basketball court is approximately $4,000. A half court as desired wa�rld reduce the cost about $1,000. The size woutd be large enough to have the free-throw lines ma.rked on the court. 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK �OMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 6, 1995 (#4 -Basketball Court -Bederwood Park- Continued) It was determined that it would be difficult to establish the location for the court without visiting the site. Bederwood will be added to the park tour in June to enable the Commissianers to decide on the proper location at that time. (#5) PLANNING FOR MARCH 1bTH W(3RK SESSION The Park Commissioners will meet with the Planning Commission at 6:30 p.m. on March 16 for a two-hour meeting. Moorse, Gaffron, and Crerhardson will attend, along with a representative of Shardlow. The agenda will consist of a)Moorse updating the Planning Commissian on the park survey with a specific look at open spaces;b} discussion of preserving open space through the endeavors of the Planning Comrnission through means short of purchaaing the space, such as zoning regulations; and c) determining a plan for preserving parcels with the ultimate goal of owning the land through donations, purchase, or park ded.ication. Gaffron, who did the study of open spaces in the City, asked for input from the Park Commissioners to particularize criteria on which to focus at the meeting. Through discussion, it was determined that the areas of focus will he as fotlows: 1) The five largest undeveloped parcels 2) Parcels which would protect e�sting parks and natural areas 3)Parcels which would link existing apen space 4)PaFcels containing unique natural features 5) Accessibility to Orono residents, i.e., density of surrounding area 6) Proximity of other parks Flint asked that all Commissioners review the Maplewood open space plan for ideas prior to adopting farmal criteria. (b) STATUS �F ADVERTISING OF: A. CANOE RENTAL Advertising will be placed in the local papers and newsietter the first of April. B. ADOPT-A-PARK BROCHURE The brochure is ready for distribution. It will be distributed at the West Tonka Chamber and advertised in the April newsletter. Gerhardson will be talking with the schools to solicit interest in school clean up projects. 3 MII�IUTES OF THE GULAR OROI��►,�,.R�C �pMMISSIOI� MEETII��ELD ON IV�AR�C�6, 1�95 (#7� �JPDATE QN VARIQUS I`�EMS SET F4RTH fJN 19�15 ACTION AGENDAI� {COPY ATTA�C�IED) Fiint asked that the Action Agenda be revi�wed regular��or status update. 1)Winter Recreation Program a) Maintenance of Ice Rinks Howells reported that he viewed Antoine Park and did not see any blade marks on the ice. It was noted that a private hockey rink has been provided nearby on the lake. Only a handful of skaters have been seen at Hackberry. Installing a light for nighttime use was suggested. The basketball court, field, and playground are used in the summer. Commissioners were varied in their opinion on whether the public shauld be notified pri�r to closing a rink. Gerhardson said the rnost criticism received are from people who feel the public is not notified of happenings. VVlvte reported that the rink at Casco Point is heavily used. The rink is located such that a person feels they are out in the woods. The ice condition has been excellent. Improvement could be made with parking. The light for night skating is helpfu�. Bederwood is receiving some usage. b) Orono Golf Course Wi�nter Recreation Program had a bad year due to lack of snow. 2) Crystal Bay Park was previously discussed under Item#2 3)Highwood and LDwry Woods The costs for Highwoad Park will be on the Council agenda on 3/13. Work on the trail wiil be done in the spring. The subcommittee wili mark t�e trail in April. Lowry Woods is on hold until th� developer has sold one more�ot to the subdivision. At that time,the developer witl be a�ked for an easemer�t for the parking lat for the trail. �t . . ., MINUTES OF THE REGULAR OROND PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 6, 1995 (Aetion Agenda Update- Continued) 4) There is no opening date set as of yet for the Little League Baseball Diamonds but grading, fencing, driveway, and parking lot is completed. The dugout and concession stand is cutrently being constructed. 5) The date for the grand opening of French Creek Preserve is May 20, 1995, at 2:00 p.m. 6} The final agenda for the June park tour wili be completed at the May meeting. Suggestions were made to visit Bederwood, Arrtoine, Crystal Bay, Highwood Trail, Little League Baseball Diamond, North Brown Road section of the trail, and possibly the trail at the Dickey property and Saga Hiil. '7)No report was made on Saga Hilt. 8)The trail section on Brown Road from Hwy I2 to CoRd 6 wil� be completed in the spring. An application has been submitted to the DI'�R for $SQ,000 funding for the Old Crystai Bay firail, the backbone of the Orono traii system. Bids have been received, but awarding the cantract is dependent upon putting together all parts of the financing package. 9) This item was discussed under agenda item#5. 10) Ilse will chair the comrnittee for planning the park on the Dickey property. (#S)- OTHER BUSINESS Howe�ts reported havirzg a conflict with the work session on March 16th and will not be able to attend. ADJ4URNMENT Wilson moved, McMillan seconded, to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. 'chard N. Flint, Chair 5