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Home My WebLink About2011-09-21 PRC PacketAGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, September 21, 2011 5:30pm Parks Tour (Lion's Park) 7:15pm Regular Meeting Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 5:30pm Meet at City Hall 5:45pm — 6:15pm Lions Park Tour 6:30 — 7:00pm Return from Lion's Park for dinner in the Maplewood Room 7:15pm Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. July 20, 2011 5. Visitor Presentations 6. Unfinished Business a. Joy Park Phase 2 Improvements 7. New Business a. Master Plan for Gladstone Savanna and Gloster Park b. Reciprocal Easement Agreement with Airlake Properties 8. Staff Presentations a. Fish Creek Aquisition 9. Commissioner Comments 10. Adjourn — (9:30 p.m.) Next meeting — October 19, 2011 CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Meeting Minutes Wednesday, July 20, 2011 7:00pm Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Chair Kim Schmidt indicated there was a quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:03PM. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners Commissioner Craig Brannon, present Commissioner Don Christianson, present Commissioner Peter Fischer, absent Commissioner Dan Maas, present Commissioner Bruce Roman, present Commissioner Therese Sonnek, present Commissioner Roy Adams, present Commissioner RJ Erhardt, present Chair Kim Schmidt, present sta Recreation Supervisor, Jim Taylor- present Natural Resource Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor- present Senior Planner, Tom Ekstrand- present City Attorney Alan Kantrud — present 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Brannon moved to approve the agenda Seconded by Commissioner Christianson Ayes: All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approval of the June 15, 2011 Agenda Minutes Commissioner Schmidt requested to change Rhoda's name to RJ on page one. Commissioner Christenson moved to approve the minutes as amended Seconded by Commissioner Brannon Ayes: All The motioned passed. 5. VISITOR PRESENTATION 6. UNFINISHED BUISNESS a. Sale of Roselawn Property Jim Taylor, Recreation Supervisor, updated the commission on the sale of Roselawn property. Ginny Gaynor, Natural Recourses Coordinator, Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner and Alan Kantrud, City Attorney are present for questioning. The Commission discussed and questioned staff regarding property and sale details. Commissioner Sonnek moved to recommend the sale of property for $125,000 Seconded by Commissioner Adams Ayes: Sonnek, Adams, Schmidt, Brannon, Nays: Christenson, Roman, Maas, Erhardt The motion fails. Commissioner Maas moved to recommend the sale of vacant property located at 3xxRoselawn Ave for the price of 125, 000 dollars that will go directly into the City PAC Account. Seconded by Commissioner Sonnek Ayes: Maas, Brannon, Schmidt, Sonnek, Adams, Erhardt Nays: Christenson, Roman The motion passed. b. Recycling In the Parks Jim Taylor, Recreation Supervisor updated commission on Recycling Program. 7. NEW BUISNESS 8. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Edgerton Park property lines and use Jim Taylor Recreation Supervisor updated commission on park property lines. Commission discussed and questioned staff on uses of Edgerton Park. 9. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Maas questioned Jim on vending machines "healthy eating" in parks, Jim Taylor informed that we do not have vending machines currently in parks but it is a good idea. Commissioner Christianson addressed Jim Taylor about checking on Kohlman Lake outlet. Jim Taylor spoke with Steve Love one of cities Engineers noted that they did not do anything to outlet, only to surrounding area. Christianson requested further feedback on area. Commissioner Christianson shared his dislike to the Park Commission on the sale of park land to a developer without talking to the neighbors first. Commissioner Brannon inquiring graffiti in parks, Jim Taylor advised the parks crew check the parks daily for it. Commissioner Roman inquired about flooding issues in parks. Jim Taylor spoke on Hazelwood's flooding; the park is designed this way. Robinhood Park had flooded also in tot lot for first time, woodchips and tree branches kept park crews busy with clean up. Commissioner Sonnek inquired about significant storm damage loss, Jim Taylor reiterated Hazelwood has intentional designs for floods and Robinhood was mainly cleaning up, no significant loss. Commissioner Sonnek also inquired about cross walk signs. Jim Taylor asked if there had been any incidents in area, and there hadn't. Commissioner Sonnek questioned timeline for Frost Bridge. Jim will report back to Park Commission. Commissioner Adams spoke on Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative and will be keeping the Commission updated on this initiative. Commissioner Erhardt wanted to thank the Commission for not scheduling a Park Tour due to weather conditions. Commissioner Schmidt inquired about planning to do a park tour for the neat meeting. Jim Taylor suggested going through Geranium and Lions Parks and maybe Goodrich if time permits. 10. Adjourn Commission Chair Kim Schmidt Adjourn meeting at 8:11P.M Neat meeting October 19, 2011 Agenda Item 6A MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Joy Park Phase II Update DATE: September 14, 2011 for September 21, 2011 meeting INTRODUCTION On September 13, 2010, Maplewood City Council approved $300,000 funding for Joy Park Phase II Improvements and authorized staff to hire SEH, Inc. to develop plans and specifications. On August 8, 2011, Council awarded construction of this project to Hardrives, Inc. At the September 21, 2011 commission meeting, staff will provide a project update. DISCUSSION In 2010, the city completed Phase I Joy Park improvements including: 1) Installed Lake Links Trail, 2) Installed new parking lot for boat launch area, 3) Installed five rain gardens to capture parking lot runoff, 4) Enhanced three wetlands and wetland buffer, 5) Installed two shoreline access points, 6) Restored 200' of shoreline buffer, and 7) Installed fishing pier. SEH, Inc. developed detailed drawings and specifications for Phase II. Attachment 1 shows the layout of trails and amenities at the park. Phase II improvements include: 1. Install three additional step access points along the shoreline. 2. Restore 150' shoreline and repair existing eroded areas. 3. Install bituminous trail loop on west site of park and bituminous trail to fishing pier on east side of park. 4. Install rustic trail on west side of park (mowed) and rustic trail section on east side of park (gravel). 5. Install boardwalk over wetland. 6. Install benches. 7. Remove old parking lot and construct new parking lot. 8. Construct rain garden to filter parking lot runoff. 9. Seed along trails and disturbed areas. A picnic shelter was included as an alternate bid item but there is not enough funding to install that as part of Phase II Improvements. Construction began in late August 2011 and the project is on track for completion this fall. At the September 21, 2011 commission meeting, staff will present a project update. RECOMMENDATION No action required Attachment 1: Joy Park Plan Drawing $ mo i3 rc ¢ z p $v 63 � pQ r o✓. n� ran rcow - a m ug B < Go Yn J 0, �L � 1533 s� w nv iaa t r G O� gEs000 � 4° w If 1 If S — 9 1 w I r N 01 o� r 5� 3 Q 3 Z =G� a m� R G Y ^ & Gary �n rGaa m° oho oo z goo \ d G.x3o :o �;� sd3is /livUl sG 3 o 3 ° z Go 31 b`J3aD9 e .- � 1NVya �°3avao� S w G a a � l au d6 / S l Go _8 f11 d3 1IV81 Sf10 NI W f1L9 �PV J o o ws c J o I m� /Go N N ' S Z 5� J Z W� Q 3 Z 2� a° =ems m� Agenda Item 7A MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator Jim Taylor, Recreation Supervisor DATE: September 14, 2011 for September 21, 2011 Commission Meeting RE: Master Plan for Gladstone Savanna and Gloster Park INTRODUCTION The city is developing a Master Plan for Gladstone Savanna Neighborhood Preserve and Gloster Park. The city requests input and ideas from the Parks and Recreation Commission for the site Master Plan. DISCUSSION Gladstone Savanna Neighborhood Preserve is a 24 -acre natural area, which currently has no trails or amenities. Gloster Park is a 2.7 acre Neighborhood Park with play equipment and open play area. The site was once the location of the Gladstone Shops of the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad. Attachment 1 shows a map of the site with an overlay of the location of historic structures. In August 2011, the city held two public meetings for the site Master Plan. The first meeting covered background information and gathered input from participants. Handouts of the presentation are attached (Attachment 2). At the second public meeting, Pete Boulay did a presentation on the history of the site. Participants then met at the site for a walk- through to discuss history and natural resources at the site. A project webpage will be available soon at www.ci.ma Iewood.mn.us (click on the Projects link along the top bar). The Master Plan for Gladstone Savanna and Gloster Park will integrate history, natural resources, trails and recreation, stormwater management, and soil remediation. Staff requests that the commission provides ideas and input for the site Master Plan. Attachment 2 contains background information that you will need for your discussion, so please review it prior to the commission meeting. RECOMMENDATION Staff requests that the Parks and Recreation Commission provide ideas for the Gladstone Savanna /Gloster Park Master Plan. Attachments: 1. Site with historical overlay 2. Presentation from Meeting #1 a a s B ¢ a 8/31/2011 Agenda Gladstone Savanna and Gloster Park Master Plan Public Meeting #1 August 30, 2011 Project Scope and Process Background Topics — Site History — Soils — Stormwater Management — Natural Resources — Gloster Park — Survey Results — Design Questions and Input Project Scope Develop Master Plan — Gladstone Savanna — 24 -acre neighborhood preserve — Gloster Park— 2.7 -acre neighborhood park Project Participants City Staff — Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator — Jim Taylor, Recreation Supervisor — Steve Love, Engineer Consultants — SEH, Inc. — Ron Leaf, Engineer — Veronica Anderson, Urban Designer & Park Planner — Al Sunderman, soils Commissions — Parks and Recreation Commission — full park plan — Environmental and Natural Resources Commission — soils, Stormwater — Heritage Preservation Commission —site history City Council Residents Planning Process Site analysis - done Neighborhood survey Public Meeting #1 — present background, gather input Public Meeting #2 — history and site walk -thru Public Meeting #3 — Review two different concept designs, provide input Public Meeting #4 — Review revised single design Commissions make recommendation on design Council reviews design Plan implemented in phases as funding is available 8/31/2011 Additional Commission Meetings September 8 - Heritage Preservation Commission: IDEAS TO INTERPRET HISTORY September 27 - Community Design Review Board: FROSTAVENUE STREETSCAPE October 17- Environmental and Natural Resources Commission: SOILS November: 3 commissions review plan at their regularly scheduled commission meetings Maplewood Neighborhood Preserves Preserve natural resources Provide wildlife habitat Provide for passive recreation Discovery and learning Restore native plant communities FAQ's Will neighborhood be assessed? No Will savanna be developed? No Project Parameters — Treat Gladstone Savanna and Gloster Park as one site — No -net loss of natural area acreage — Integrate stormwater management into site — Incorporate soil remediation into design — Respect and celebrate the cultural history of the site — Make trail connections to the neighborhood — Use previous plans to inform design Previous Analysis and Planning Work Environmental assessments Natural resources site assessment Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan — McLaughlin — H KGi Landscape designs — U of MN graduate student — Brauer &Associates e Site Industrial History History presentation tomorrow night Historical Society materials 1865 St. Paul and Duluth Railroad 1884 Wisconsin Central Railroad 1886 Village platted, depot: Gladstone station (later renamed Gloster Station) 1887 The Gladstone Shops :1 8/31/2011 The Gladstone Shops Build and repair locomotives Roundhouse held 25 locomotives 9 repair tracks . • 100 smokestack • 640 well Ru i Soils Soils testing completed in 1992/1993 and again in 2007 — Contamination found does not pose a significant risk to health or safety MPCA has approved a plan to manage the soils More detailed discussion of this issue will take place at the October 17 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Stormwater Management • Area ultimately drains to Round Lake and Phalen Lake. — Round is impaired for nutrient loading — Phalen is a high priority water for the City and the Watershed Distract • Goals for improvements: — Remove additional stonnwater pollutants — Reduce potential flooding impacts — Improve the aesthetics of the system Stormwater Management Previous concept: a combination "wet' pond and an infiltration area An emergency overflow to Flicek Park would be part of a future phase of work 3 8/31/2011 Natural Resources Urban natural areas need management Sites are too small to function as an intact ecological system Human and natural impacts — Removal of fire from landscape — Removal of grazing — Introduction of invasive species — Introduction of pollutants — Altered hydrology Goal: Restore preserves to native plant communities Target Plant Communities Select target based on: — Historical plant community — Soils — Sun /Shade — Insects, birds, wildlife — Need for views, open areas, screening Prairie • Open landscape • Prairie grasses and flowers • Some prairie plants now Oak Savanna • Scattered oak trees or oak groves • Prairie grasses and flowers • One big oak and oak nursery now 12 8/31/2011 Oak Woodlands Canopy of oak, cherry, basswood, etc. Shrub layer of native shrubs Groundcover of native wildflowers, ferns, sedges Currently very degraded woods, dominated by Siberian elm Wetlands Many types of wetlands from ponds to areas that dry up after spring rains Currently no wetlands on site Opportunity to create stormwater wetlands Gloster Park • Neighborhood Park • Play equipment • Soccerfield • No parking Flicek Park • 2 ball fields • Scheduled for leagues • Trail connection to Gateway Trail • Parking • Not part of Park Master plan but need to make strong trail connections 5 8/31/2011 Survey Results 938 surveys sent, all resident within .5 miles of site 145 returned – 15.3% How many respondents visit: Gloster Savanna daily 2% 2% weekly 6% 6% monthly 10% 8% never 77% 79% Survey Results What do you like most about Gladstone Savanna? (open ended) 50 natural setting, trees 20 nice seeing open space 5 location /close to home What do you like least about Gladstone Savanna? (open ended) 23 fallen trees, weeds 20 no trails 5 inaccessibility 3 changing it 3 too woodsy Survey Results Items you'd like to see at the park and preserve, not on list: 8 no use 5 dog park 3 disc golf 2 small parking lot 2 bike trail /ski trail 2 Soccer 2 tennis courts 2 history of site Survey Results What do you like most about Gloster Park? (open ended) 19 wide open spaces 7 location /close to home 6 natural setting 4 soccer fields 4 secluded from road What do you like least about Gloster Park? (open ended) 14 Hard to access 12 old /outdated playground equipment 6 outdated, unkept, weeds 4 lack of facilities, waste cans, bathrooms, drinking fountain Survey Results Items you'd like to see at the park and preserve, from list provided: 66% walking trails throughout the site 63% restoration of native plant communities on the site 45% improved landscaping 40% trail connections to neighborhood 37% picnic shelter 34% children's play area 33% small plaza or sitting area at corner of F &E 20% improved connection to Flicek Park 8% basketball court 7% sand volley ball court 3% four - square, hopscotch, hard court area Themes from Other Comments Incorporate history Better accessibility Connection to state trails No basketball courts People don't know this exists — better signage Make area neighborhood - friendly Keep it natural Leave it alone Restore it Use ideas from previous planning processes Better parking Citizens paid to have the savanna preserved Cost concerns J 8/31/2011 Gladstone Savanna Park Vision An Urban Nature Preserve Park Design Goals Restoration Trails and Access Education Gladstone Savanna Park Program Objectives Trail System Connections to Neighborhood Interpretive Points Site History Seating Areas Main and Secondary Entries Play Area Stormwater Management Soil Remediation Views — Internal and External Native Plant Restoration Past Master Plan Studies }s it 4 uof v. t• - j,�.'yR �Ck% # McWoghln Brau 7 8/31/2011 Key Plan Design Elements • Formally planted bosque • Metal rails to reflect history • Storage structure • Outdoor classroom amphitheatre • 3 -cell stormwater complex • Rain garden • Steel edged limestone arc walls Key Plan Elements • Circular loggia plaza • Series of picnic shelters at access points • Informal internal loop trail • Formal planting along paved trail • Woodland retained • Formal linear allee planting • Wet pond Key Plan Design Elements • Plaza pergola • Formal linear access trail • Curving internal loop trail • Stormwater wetland complex • Circular play area • Underpass trail connection • Formal boulevard planting 0 8/31/2011 Key Plan Design Elements • Linear entrance arbor feature • Circular trail loop around hill feature • Oak savanna restoration • Stormwater wetland complex • Play area in Gloster Park • Underpass trail connection to Flicek Park • Bridge crossing through stormwater wetland Aggregate labyrinth Questions and Input Trail System Connections to Neighborhood Interpretive Points Site History Seating Areas Main and Secondary Entries Play Area Stormwater Management Soil Remediation Views - Internal and External Native Plant Restoration What's Next? Create two master plan concepts based on: - Project Vision and goals - Incorporation of past study design elements - Site Visit - Community Input - Site History • Draft Master Plan (best of two concepts) Final Master Plan 0 AGENDA REPORT TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: DuWayne Konewko, Parks and Recreation Director Jim Taylor, Recreation Program Supervisor SUBJECT: Reciprocal Easement Agreement with Airlake Properties DATE: September 12, 2011 INTRODUCTION Dan Regan, of Airlake Properties is requesting a reciprocal easement agreement with the City of Maplewood at Maplewood Heights Park. This agreement would be for shared parking and is related to a proposed 13,728 square foot medical building that would be a VA Clinic on the vacant lot adjacent to the park. As part of the proposal, Mr. Regan is negotiating with City staff to share parking facilities and to utilize some of the park land for the parking lot. DISCUSSION Currently the park has an existing parking lot that is 4600 square feet in size and has 10 parking stalls. The proposed new joint use lot would have 7500 square feet and 21 stalls on park property. To complete the proposed parking area the current trail will need to be relocated to the east side of the lot. This relocation will actually better suit our patrons with direct access from the sidewalk on Beam. As part of the proposed agreement the City will receive a full PAC contribution for the project, site improvements related to the parking area, exclusive use of 4 parking stalls in the new proposed lot, and improvements to the tennis and basketball courts not to exceed $20,000. The developer will also be responsible for dealing with the year round maintenance of the parking lot resulting in a cost savings to the City. It is important to note that the improvements to the tennis and basketball court would normally come from General Tax levy dollars and not out of PAC. These improvements will allow us to spend the dollars we receive from the General Levy in other needed areas. At the September meeting of the Planning Commission they discussed the street right -of -way vacation as well as the overall project. It is important to note the Planning Commission did not know that City staff was currently negotiating with the developer for the added improvements. The Planning Commissions comments were as follows: 1. The city will be giving up 10 parking spaces and getting the use of four within the proposed parking lot. The PC is concerned the city is giving up a lot and getting little in return. Mr. Trippler observed Tuesday evening before the Planning Commission meeting that the city's park parking lot was full. Therefore, are we giving up needed parking? 2. The Planning Commission would hope that the developer will work with the city's park department for an amicable agreement to the sharing of park land for commercial purposes. 3. If the Parks Department cannot reach an amicable agreement with the developer, the city council should give serious consideration as to whether they want to approve this agreement or not, as there is concern that the city would be losing on this deal. 4. There needs to be a clarification as to what the city is getting or not getting through this process. Staff recognizes that the park is well used and that the parking lot is necessary. Most of the usage comes in the evening and on weekends when the clinic is closed and Park patrons will have use of all the stalls within the lot. In addition to the parking lot there is also adequate parking on Beam Avenue. Staff believes that through our negotiations with the developer we have alleviated the Planning Commission's concerns. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City enter into a Reciprocal Easement Agreement with Airlake Properties at Maplewood Heights Park for the use of 7500 square feet of park land for a shared parking lot. For allowing this easement, the City will receive a full PAC contribution for the development, improvements around the parking lot, 4 exclusive use spots for park patrons, and improvements made by the developer to the tennis and basketball courts not to exceed $20,000. In addition the developer has agreed to provide year round maintenance of the proposed parking lot and allow the City access to all of the additional parking stalls. Attachments 1. Quotation from Finley Bros. Inc. 2. Proposed Site Plan 3. Maplewood Heights Park Overhead Quotation From: Finley Bros., Inc. Dba Tennis West P.O. Box 677 Hopkins, MN 55343 , Ph: 952 - 933 -8272 Fax: 952- 933 -6164 To: Maplewood Parks James Taylor 1830 Cty. Rd. B East Maplewood, Mn. 55109 651- 249 -2121 Re: "Resurfacing" of a battery of two (2) doubles tennis courts at Maplewood Hts. Park. Approx. area: 120'x 110' and a basketball court with tennis practice area : 60' x.120' Description of work : Treat surface for mold & mildew. Pressure wash & manually scrape. Router, clean, treat & fill cracks. "Standard Crack System." Note: do to the nature of structural cracks, there permanent repair can not be guaranteed. They will reflect. Patch for "bird baths ". Max. three (3) applications. Apply a Nova USA Color Surface System for existing acrylic over asphalt construction. Skim coat patches, fille.r course, texture course, and finish course. Color(s): to be determined. , Stripe: 2" white playing lines per USTA and NFHSL rules. Totalthis bid .......................................... ..............................$ 17 Respectfully submitted, ,Raymond S. Finley ( 8- 10 -11) c.) 612 -363 -3004 Estimate accepted: Date: J N ACCESS ROAD / • co � y I T yy x m do >IE. i� f l� III P��e� ICI 'I NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION e� No �, o ----- " — I e Be s € Al go N e € e 9 g €4 IV thin N VA WT- PATIENT WNIC F °"E x. ',.S„�gr'3'•�ww: R'i'. Tr I / \ '_ 4 u unN E , I AIRLAKE DEVELOPMENT INC - eow> u °--- 2866 WHITE BEAR AVE E / �� CONCEPT PLAN A MAPLEWOOD, MN 85109 - ^rt � J, ,.. ` J ,��, ne mE L — Maplewood Heights Park 2071 Beam Ave 25.61 Acres Apr11,2008