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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,January 5,2015 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Chair Rick Meyers,Commissioners Brenda Johnson,Bryce Johnson,Paul Pesek, and Julie Rueggemer. <br /> Representing Staff were Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards and Recorder Jackie <br /> Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. <br /> Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. <br /> PRESENTATION <br /> 1. DANNY McCULLOUGH,THREE RIVERS TRAIL MANAGER <br /> Danny McCullough is the Regional Trails Manager of the Three Rivers Trail System and will be the <br /> liaison to the Orono Park Commission for anything trail related.McCullough noted he has been with <br /> Three Rivers since the creation of the Dakota Trail. <br /> McCullough stated one of the issues that he is aware of is the issue of parking with the Dakota Trail and <br /> that Three Rivers Park District is well aware of the parking needs for the trail. McCullough indicated the <br /> trail gets approximately four to five hundred thousand visitors per year,which makes it probably the third <br /> or fourth busiest trail in the Three Rivers trail system. McCullough stated Three Rivers is hoping to come <br /> up with some parking solutions for the trail in the future and has looked at a number of options. <br /> McCullough noted one option that has been looked at in the past is the Old Crystal Bay Post Office area. <br /> Pesek stated the biggest complaint he has heard about the trail system relates to the bikers on the trail that <br /> do not warn the pedestrians as they approach them. <br /> McCullough indicated that is a concern on all the trails and that he receives several e-mails a week about <br /> this topic. McCullough stated it is an issue because it is a very successful trail system, and anytime you <br /> have a significant number of people on the trail at one time, you will have conflict. McCullough stated <br /> Three Rivers is attempting to educate the bicyclists and has implemented a number of years ago mobile <br /> sign campaigns on a number of the trails. Three Rivers has achieved some success with signs and they <br /> are directed to both the pedestrians and the bicyclists since it is a multi-use trail. <br /> McCullough stated on a larger level,he is currently working with the state on developing a state-wide <br /> trail safety messaging program. Three Rivers' program is called Share the Trail and is the first one of its <br /> kind in the state. The program covers trail etiquette and trail rules to direct people to ride and walk safely <br /> on the trails. <br /> McCullough indicated his work with the state involves working with the DNR and Hennepin County on <br /> developing a state-wide safety messaging program. McCullough stated in order for the safety messaging <br /> to be effective,there has to be a cultural change among the users of the trails,and Three Rivers is <br /> concentrating on attaining that shift in the cycling community but that it takes time. <br /> Pesek stated the best defense is clay since the bikers cannot ride on that type of surface very fast. <br /> Meyers asked if there is any enforcement by Three Rivers of dog ordinances. Meyers indicated he has <br /> seen Three Rivers' people out there but that he has never seen anyone receive a citation for anything. <br /> Page 1 of 11 <br />