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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01-2021 Park Commission MinutesMINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, November 1, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. 16l1 0W111XIII'll 7D17 Chair Reath 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, Kjersti Duval, Casey Hudson, and Taylor Stephens, and Gordy Stofer, and Alternate Commissioner Cameron Porter. Representing Staff were Adam Edwards and Josh Lemons. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Reath led the Commissioners and those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Carter moved, Hudson seconded, to approve the September 7, 2021 Park Commission Meeting Minutes. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Michael Miller, a 35 year resident of Orono lives on Fagemess Point and would like to publicly recognize Judy Fezenmeier who has taken it upon herself to tend the flowers and plants at Antoine Park in the neighborhood. With the drought this year it was a big challenge and he said the garden looked fabulous. PRESENTATION a. PICKLEBALL PRESENTATION Caroline Melberg, 1290 Lyman Avenue, gave a presentation about pickleball and noted many in attendance are in support of or play pickleball themselves. She explained the unique aspect of the game and that it is the fastest growing sport in the United States. Ms. Melberg is before the Park Commission to discuss dedicated pickleball courts, as currently players play on tennis courts that are lined for pickleball which is not the right experience for true pickleball. A dedicated court means one spends less time chasing balls, it is much more accessible, there is a consistent net height, and the lines are not as confusing. She noted if the players are using the school courts they are also competing with them for court time. Other communities are considering pickleball for the future including Wayzata, Mound, Long Lake, Spring Park, Maple Plain, and others have lined tennis courts and may be considering dedicated courts although she does not know. Ms. Melberg stated all of the courts they play pickleball on are busy and it is a drive for residents to drive over to Long Lake, Minnetonka, and Delano for dedicated pickleball. Many times one will show up and wait for a court to open up. Eagan just built 8 courts, Edina has built 8 courts, and given the demand in Orono 6-8 courts would be ideal; the courts are approximately the size of a volleyball court whereas a tennis court is the size of 4 pickleball courts. Ms. Melberg noted a noise factor to the game and costs which are estimated at $35,000-$45,000 per court, and other options Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, November 1, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. such as lighting and porta-potties versus bathrooms. Funding could come from State grants and fundraising, as well as the City. Stofer asked Ms. Melberg how long the playing season is. Ms. Melberg noted indoor they can play all year and outdoor some play when the temperature is even in the 40's when the ground is dry. Katie Gronberg, 110 Leaf Street, noted a group of them played the previous year through February bringing shovels and squeegees to clear the courts. Chair Roath noted many play indoors at the Westonka Activity Center (WAC) and the Orono Community Center and asked what the availability is in the winter. Ms. Melberg shared that the Orono Community Center has some mornings where they play 7am-9am and one night per week. For those who work during the day it can be a challenge. Mike Hoffman, 3640 Hoffman Avenue, shared the WAC has hours Monday -Friday from 8am-1 lam and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm, as well as Saturday mornings, and Sundays. It gets very busy in the winter and there is a wait for court time. Duval asked where the growth is happening and whether there will be league or youth play in the future. Ms. Melberg replied youth play is a big area because schools are teaching it in physical education and the fastest growing segment of players are ages 38-45 years old. Carter asked if the group can help the Commission look at which parks make the most sense for pickleball. Ms. Melberg noted they do have some thoughts and Commissioner Berg also met the group to discuss pickleball. Two parks that might make sense are Bederwood Park and Hackberry Park. Peter Hitch has been working with Wayzata on the project and explained that the City gave half of the funding while the pickleballers raised the rest. Wayzata also wanted them to pay for half of the maintenance of which there is not that much of a cost for pickleball. He explained the fundraising process they used, noting other grant opportunities are available. Chair Roath noted the Park Commission will continue to work with the group to find something that works. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT a. WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS Page 2 of 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, November 1, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Chair Roath is happy to welcome Commissioners Gordy Stofer, Kjersti Duval, and Alternate Cameron Porter to the Park Commission. He announced there is still one opening on the Park Commission and if anyone is interested they are always looking for good people. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. SUMMIT BEACH PLAYGROUND DISCUSSION City Administrator/Engineer Edwards noted they have been looking at Summit Beach for the past few years and at the direction of the Commission, a Committee was set up to explore what the playground might look like. Edwards showed various options on screen. Chair Roath noted the beach is very busy over the summer and the park itself is a little dated with no equipment there which is why they hoped to look into a more natural -looking play structure. Alisa Benson, 1220 Lyman Avenue, gave a presentation on standard metal and plastic play structures, noting many of the current parks are not designed for children with limited mobility due to illness or injury. She spoke about what a natural play area is, noting that these spaces incorporate the surrounding landscape, vegetation, elements like wood, boulders, logs, sand, stepping stones, grasses, and perennials to create a play area that is accessible to all ages and there are opportunities to use large motor skills. The spaces are not overly manicured but just like nature and encourages seeing, touching, and smelling the elements. Another benefit of a natural play area is that the land dictates the design... if a slide were to be considered it would be built on the existing slope, rather than 6-8 feet in the air. She continued speaking about children's development and the way they could incorporate a natural play area. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Benson for the presentation. Chair Roath noted 2022 is when the Park Commission will review the options and will then bring a recommendation to the City Council and it will be their decision on whether to move forward. COMMISSIONER REPORTS a. PARK ASSIGNMENTS REVIEW Chair Roath stated the Park Commission finalizes goals in the January meeting. He asked everyone to think about what roles they may like to take for the rest of this year and as they plan for 2022. He walked the group through each of the parks and the Commissioners volunteered for assignments in each area. b. COMMISSIONER UPDATES Carter noted there is a non-profit 5016 established called the Big Island Legacy. The Board has decided to transition it to support all parks and of the four current Board members, three are ready to move on. He noted this is an open request for possible board members and there is no commitment to live in Orono. STAFF REPORTS a. PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) REVIEW Page 3 of 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday, November 1, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Edwards stated they spent most of the last work session talking about the CIP; Staff briefed the City Council at their last work session on the Parks CIP. The City Council did not have any guides to change anything and noted it is available online. b. CRYSTAL BAY PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS Edwards shared the plan is to go in and replace some pieces of equipment. The City has received some proposals and they are still waiting to hear from some vendors, noting the budget is $65,000. c. PARKS STAFF UPDATE Park Superintendent Josh Lemons noted they will be hiring a full-time parks employee. There is now a gate at Lydiard and he stated they are using many of the public works employees to get some of the projects done. They have been working on winterizing throughout the City, over -seeding soccer fields, and fixing turf on fields. They are prepping for the skating rink at Casco Point and are also prepping for the Tree Lighting Event coming up on December 4, 2021. ADJOURNMENT Carter moved, Hudson seconded, to adjourn the Orono Park Commission meeting at 8:02 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. ATTEST: tri6n Roath, Chair Page 4 of 4