HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 -05 MayGet Engaged! Help Shape the Future of Maplewood Parks
Over the past year, City staff along with members of the Maplewood Parks System
Plan Task Force, Parks and Recreation Commission, and City Council, has worked
to engage residents and businesses in the community. The goal being to generate
ideas and ignite conversations regarding the future of Maplewood’s parks system.
Thank you to our residents that have participated in the process thus far!
For those that have not had an opportunity to comment, there will be more
opportunities in the future to participate in the process. The Maplewood
City Council is committed to creating a Parks System Master Plan that directly
reflects and supports the ideas that are generated from this community
engagement process.
Neighborhood Preserve System Turns 20
Mink, coyote, eagles… yes, you are in Maplewood! Our City abounds with
natural areas and wildlife. This legacy exists in part thanks to a group of
visionary residents that saw the need for preserving land, supportive city
councils, and Maplewood taxpayers. - continued on page 3
City’s Official NEWSLETTER
In This Issue
Community Gardens
Tree Inspections
Council Corner
Arbor Day
Community Center News
Business Highlights
Group Fitness
New!
Residents can now view
videos and publications on
the City website by clicking
the link under “Action Center”
ci.maplewood.mn.us
MAPLEWOOD
May 20142
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- continued on page 5
Bergamot blooms in the prairie at the Priory Neighborhood Preserve.
Living
MAPLEWOOD LIVING
City Publications & Videos
Frequently Called Numbers
City Hall 651.249.2000
Maplewood Community Center 651.249.2230
Recreation 651.249.2120
Public Works 651.249.2400
Police Non-Emergency 651.767.0640
Visit the city website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us for the
meeting schedule of the City Council, Commissions and Boards.
To advertise in this newsletter call 952.212.7333 or email
heidi@careycommunications.org.
Elected Officials
Nora Slawik: Mayor .........................................................651.738.7099
nora.slawik@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Marylee Abrams: Councilmember ..............................651.249.2000
marylee.abrams@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Robert Cardinal: Councilmember ...............................651.765.8600
bob.cardinal@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Kathleen Juenemann: Councilmember .....................651.771.3670
kathleen.juenemann@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Marvin Koppen: Councilmember ............................... 651.770.5391
marvin.koppen@ci.maplewood.mn.us
Chuck Ahl: City Manager ...............................................651.249.2050
chuck.ahl@ci.maplewood.mn.us
MAPLEWOODLiving
2 / May 2014
Create Your Own Community Garden
Monday, May 12, 6:00 - 7:00 pm at the Maplewood Nature Center
Learn about the benefits of creating and implementing Community
Gardens, related city ordinances, and existing resources. Meet the Maple
Hills Community Garden coordinator who will highlight successes of their
townhome association garden and show inspirational photos of their
experience with individual and community plots. There will be a
discussion by participants, sharing possible new sites and dreams,
and identifying challenges.
We want to encourage more community garden creation in the area! If
you are in the process of planning a community garden, are interested in
starting the process, have experience and want to share your knowledge,
or just want to plug into someone else’s garden project, ALL are welcome
to attend this informational forum. Contact Oakley at (651) 249-2173, or
oakley.biesanz@ci.maplewood.mn.us, to express your interest in creating
more community gardens in Maplewood and the surrounding area.
What’s the Buzz? Pollinators!
Learn what you can do for pollinators by creating a pollinator-friendly
garden habitat. Heather Holm, author of Pollinators of Native Plants, will
do a presentation about native pollinators that visit our gardens and how
we can foster all parts of their life cycles, including providing food, water and nesting habitat. Join us Monday, May 19,
7:00 - 8:30 pm, at First Evangelical Free Church, 2696 Hazelwood St, Maplewood. For more details: (651) 249-2170.
Garden Programs For All:
Learn how to compost your kitchen and yard waste, where to get low-cost seeds, organic gardening
demonstrations, and more! Visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/nc or call (651) 249-2170.
For your Townhome, Church, Business, Organization, School, Or On Your Private Property
May 2014 / 3
Continued from cover... Neighborhood Preserve Turns 20
The call for preserving open space
started in the late 1980’s when
concerned residents, alarmed by
the fast pace of development,
approached Maplewood City Council.
In 1987, the Council appointed an
Open Space Committee to study the
issue. Four years later, the committee
was charged with identifying
potential sites for preservation. These
hardworking volunteers developed
an evaluation and rating system and
spent countless summer evenings
visiting and ranking parcels.
In November 1993, Maplewood
voters made history when they went
to the polls and voted 54:46 in
support of a $5 million bonding
referendum to preserve open space.
Maplewood was the first City in the
region to pass such a referendum.
Armed with the open space
committee’s site rankings, the City
began purchasing land in 1994. Over
the next several years, sixteen parcels
were acquired. Some of these were
adjacent parcels and combined into a
single site. The purchased sites, along
with three other city-owned sites,
became the Maplewood Neighbor-
hood Preserve system.
Today, there are fourteen Neighbor-
hood Preserves, ranging in size from
the 5-acre Jim’s Prairie to the 46-
acre Priory site. The preserves are
sanctuaries from the hustle and
bustle of urban life. Tucked into City
neighborhoods, they are places for
plants, animals, and people.
Providing opportunities for people
to experience nature and make an
emotional connection to nature is
one of the guiding principles for
Maplewood’s preserve program.
To help accomplish this, the City
maintains rustic or asphalt trails at
eight of the sites. Future plans call
for adding trails to three more sites.
At sites with no maintained trails,
the adventurous can bushwhack or
follow deer routes through the
woods and grasslands.
Stewardship is a second guiding
principle for the preserve program.
As small, isolated sites, the preserves
can’t function as intact ecosystems
without a bit of help. Restoration and
management efforts include a
range of activities from controlling
invasive species to prescribed burns
to complete “start-from-scratch”
prairie restorations. During the past
fifteen years, nine preserves have
undergone buckthorn removal and
four preserves have been, or are in
the process of being restored to
native prairie and oak savanna.
Over the span of twenty years,
Maplewood’s understanding of the
preserves and its approach to access
and management has evolved. The
Parks and Recreation Commission
and former Open Space Advisory
Task Force shaped our open space
policies thirteen years ago. This year,
as the Maplewood Parks System
Master Plan is developed we will
review those guidelines. Join us in
this adventure. Enjoy this legacy
and visit a neighborhood
preserve.
For more information:
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/preserves
Annual Inspections of Elm, Oak and Ash
The City will be inspecting trees on public and private
lands in Maplewood for three diseases or pests
this year: Dutch elm disease, oak wilt, and emerald
ash borer (EAB). EAB has not yet been detected in
Maplewood. Certified arborists from S&S Tree and
Horticultural Specialists will do the inspections. If
you suspect your tree has one of these diseases, call
the Public Works Department at (651) 249-2400.
Information on these diseases is available on the
City’s website at ww.ci.maplewood.mn.us/trees. If
you are planning on contracting out tree care, note
that Maplewood requires tree companies working in
the City to be licensed with the City. A list of licensed
tree contractors is on the City website.
Full Service Tree Care Specializing In Difficult Removals
HUGO TREE
(651) 429-4705
www.hugotree.com
35 Years Of Experience!
Removals, Pruning and
Lot Clearing - we do it all!
Plant A Tree This Year
The City of Maplewood is offering a purchase
rebate to residential and commercial property
owners for planting shade trees on landscaped
property in Maplewood. Visit www.ci.maplewood.
mn.us /trees or call (651) 249-2170 to learn more.
4 / May 2014
COUNCILCORNER
The Council Corner is a space that is rotated
monthly between the Mayor and Council
members. Editorial views expressed are those of
the author and may not necessarily represent or
reflect the views and opinions of the City
of Maplewood.
Councilmembers Cardinal and Abrams, Mayor Slawik,
Councilmembers Koppen and Juenemann
- MAPLEWOOD -
Dear Resident
By: Councilmember Bob Cardinal
You May Know Someone Who Lives In
Maplewood That Is Illiterate.
Federal statistics several years ago stated
that more than 32 million adults in The U.S.,
or about 14 percent of population, have
very low literacy skills. Functional illiteracy is defined by
Literacy Volunteers of America as “the inability of an
individual to use reading, writing, and computational
skills in everyday life.”
Today, there are more than 40 million functionally
illiterate adults in the U.S. who cannot fill out a job
application, write checks on their own, read a magazine,
follow written instructions, or read to their children.
Illiteracy is not a problem for just a select group of people.
According to the National Education Association, 41%
of illiterates are white, 22% are English-speaking African
Americans, 22% are Spanish speaking, and 15% are other
non-English speaking peoples. Forty percent of these
adults are between the ages of 20 to 39, showing that
illiteracy is a problem that is not going away.
ProLiteracy is an international organization that supports
the people and programs that help adults learn to read
and write. Being the largest adult literacy and basic
education membership organization in the nation,
believes that a safer, stronger, and more sustainable
society starts with an educated adult population. For
more than 50 years, the organization has been working
with people and organizations across the globe to build
that society and to create a world where every person
can read and write. ProLiteracy has 1,000 programs in all
50 states and the District of Columbia and works with 52
non-governmental organizations in 34 developing countries.
ProLiteracy estimates: 63 percent of prison inmates can’t read.
If parents can’t read, there’s a good chance children will
be poor readers as well. In spite of major gains in all areas
of education, illiteracy still remains a big problem in many
U.S. communities. If you cannot read or write, this is a
disability. Illiteracy is a major U.S. problem.
Maplewood’s Poverty Estimate: Over 11%
Some of those who have lived in poverty have said:
1. “No one cares.”
2. “There is no one to help.”
3. “There is no hope.”
4. “I have no power.”
5. “I should not trust.”
The number of people in the United States living in
poverty is estimated at 49 million. One out of seven
people in the USA are living in poverty. In 2012, 46.5
million people were living in poverty in the United States,
the largest number in the 54 years the Census has
measured poverty. The poverty rate remains high: 15% for
all Americans and 21.8% for children under age 18. The
United States Bureau of the Census measures poverty by
comparing household income to the poverty threshold
for a household of a given size. The poverty threshold
is adjusted each year to take account of changes in the
cost-of-living. In 2012, the weighted average poverty
threshold for a household of four was $23,492.
Maplewood Police Department
Believe me, the Maplewood Police officers are good guys,
not bad guys. When you meet one, say “hello.” For that
matter, this holds true for any police officer.
Bob Cardinal
(651) 765-8600 bob.cardinal@ci.maplewood.mn.us
P.S. Help somebody learn to read. This is one single
volunteer activity that we can all do to make Maplewood
a great community. This would help Maplewood become
an opportunity City. Please mentor someone.
May 2014 / 5
Continued from cover... Shape The Future of Maplewood Parks
In addition to the community engagement, Maplewood
City Council hired ETC/Leisure Vision to administer a
city-wide survey focusing on the outcomes from our
conversations with residents and businesses in the
community. The surveys were randomly sent out to
Maplewood residents with a goal of obtaining a total
of 600 completed surveys. City staff received 626
completed surveys providing us with a 95% level of
confidence.
Highlights From The Survey Include
• 74% of Maplewood residents have visited parks or
preserves in the City of Maplewood in the last
12 months;
• Trails and neighborhood parks are most important
to our residents;
• The vast majority of households visit parks and
preserves with walking, hiking and biking trails most
often used;
• Opportunities exist to improve the conditions of parks
and preserves;
• The Maplewood Community Center is the most used
facility in the parks system;
• A wide range of unmet needs exist at parks, preserves
and facilities;
• Walking and biking trails and neighborhood parks are
the most important features and connectivity within the
system is a very high priority.
The next phase in the development of the Parks
System Master Plan involves hiring a Parks Planning
Consultant. This consultant will compile data and begin
drafting the plan. To that end, City Council contracted
with the Hoisington Koegler Group (HKGi) to assist staff
in the development of the plan. HKGi is a firm of talented
planners, landscape architects, and urban designers with
more than 30 years of experience creating and designing
park master plans. The most important criteria for the
selection of a consulting firm was articulating a clear
vision and demonstrating an ability to work directly with
the community in the planning process. One of the goals
of staff was to ensure that the information gathered from
the community meetings and outreach activities were
“not lost” in the transition. The interview selection
committee, comprised of city staff and community
stakeholders, agreed that HKGi was best suited to provide
the resources and tools for the City and its residents to
create and implement a plan that will guide the future
of our parks system. The Parks System Plan is being
developed to ensure the residents expectations of its
parks are realized- a City Council goal.
In addition, the City of Maplewood’s intent is to become
certified by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and
Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) by December 2016. The
development of the Maplewood Parks System Master
Plan will help to achieve the standards that are required
to receive this accreditation. However, to be success-
ful, this plan needs to reflect the input received from the
residents of Maplewood. The City of Maplewood looks
forward to hearing from you. Get Engaged!
City Council Proclaims May 10th Arbor Day!
Saturday, May 10 is Arbor Day in Maplewood! Come join the festivities at
Maplewood Nature Center located at 2659 East 7th Street. From 1:30-
2:30 pm, there will be a tree identification walk for families and individuals.
If you don’t know a bur oak from a pin oak, or a silver maple from an ash,
this tree hike is for you. From 2:30-4:00 pm there will be tree crafts and
activities for families. The event is free! To register or for more details,
call (651) 249-2170. National Arbor Day is the last Friday of April, but
states and communities vary the date to coincide with planting times
and community activities.
6 / May 2014
Maplewood Community Center
MAPLEWOOD JOB FAIR AND VOLUNTEER EXPO
TUESDAY, MAY 20 (11:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• FREE ADMISSION •
Looking for a summer job, internship, or volunteer
opportunity to add to your resume? Join us for our first
annual Job Fair and Volunteer Expo. This event offers you
the chance to network with employers and explore a
position or organization that you had not previously
considered. A variety of non-profit organizations will also
be on-hand to share information on volunteerism and
volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities area. No pre-
registration required. Call (651) 249.2230 for more
information. This event is sponsored by Century College.
SUMMER SWIM LESSON REGISTRATION
GOING ON NOW!
Help your child prepare for safe fun in the sun with swim
lessons at Maplewood Community Center. All Maplewood
Community Center aquatic instructors are Red Cross
Certified and are committed to helping your child
become comfortable and safe in the water. With an
emphasis on fun, education, and water safety, our
instructors are pros at making sure each participant is
reaching their full potential. And, in the land of 10,000
lakes, nothing is more important than your child’s safety.
That is why we not only teach each participant how to
swim, we also teach them to respect water and know
their limits.
Course descriptions may be found on our website at
www.maplewoodcommunitycenter.com. All full summer
sessions include eight lessons and cost $73.00 ($58.00
for MCC members). To register, stop by the Maplewood
Community Center Customer Service Desk (Monday
9:00AM - 7:00PM, Tuesday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM).
Online registration is also available at www.ci.maplewood.
mn.us. Or register by phone at (651) 249-2230.
SAVE THE DATE: KIDS FEST
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 11:00AM – 2:00PM
• FREE ADMISSION •
Join us for our first annual Kidsfest at the Maplewood
Community Center. We will have a variety of kid friendly
activities such as the bounce castle and face painters.
Local businesses will be on hand to let you know about
all the fun activities for you and your family to experience
this summer. Bring the family to see all that the
Maplewood Community Center has to offer!
Scorching Savings:
Rates valid May 1 - August 31
SENIOR/YOUTH - $100 • $115 SAVINGS!*
ADULT - $135 • $152 SAVINGS!*
COUPLE - $155 • $184 SAVINGS!*
FAMILY - $195 • $196 SAVINGS!*
Rates valid for summer memberships only. Summer membership valid May 1 - August 31, 2014
*Savings calculated based on monthly, non-resident rate & administrative fee.
SUMMER MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL
WWW.MAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYCENTER.COM • 651.249.2230
2100 WHITE BEAR AVENUE • MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 Offering wellness, arts
& fun for everyone!
Don’t Delay: Join anytime after April 30, but come
in early for the greatest savings!
BusinessMaplewood
May 2014 / 7
HigHligHt
German immigrant John E. Strauss
began his business in the 1880’s as
a safe and lock company. Soon rumors
of his skills as a master of steel spread
and he began taking requests to both
repair bicycles and manufacture light-
weight steel racing bikes. One day,
a Minneapolis boy said “Mr. Strauss,
why don’t you begin making skates?”
Strauss said, “This set me to thinking. The bicycle fad was
dying out and it kept me busy only during the summer,
so I decided to try my hand at wooden-top skates.” It
was a natural fit as Strauss applied techniques he learned
while making swords at an arsenal in Naples, Italy. In
1887, Strauss Skate Shop was founded and became
known throughout the world. In 1914 Strauss revolution-
ized skating when he invented the first closed toe blade
made from a single piece of steel making skates stronger
and lighter in weight. Sonja Henie won Olympic Gold on
Strauss’s blades and wrote in a letter to him “I would not
even dream of going into the championships unless I was
wearing your skates” dated 11-8-1935. Other customers
included the Queen of Spain, Olympic speed skaters and
hockey teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, the
New York Rangers, the Boston Bruins and the old
St. Paul Fighting Saints.
Liz Charbonneau and
her husband, Richard,
purchased Strauss Skates
& Bicycles in 1983 along
with their business partner
Don Eyinck, grandson of
founder John E. Strauss.
True to its roots, Strauss
Skates & Bicycles remains
a local bicycle shop
carrying top quality
bicycles at prices that
are in line with big box
retailers, but with the
level of service that
comes with small business and dedicated employees
who want their customers to leave with the right bicycle
for their type of riding and a smile on their face. Strauss
also specializes in customized bicycles and tricycles for
disabled veterans and both adults and children with
special needs.
Call (651) 770-1344 or visit the
website to learn more.
www.straussskatesand bicycles.com
Authentic Mexican Food Truck Back Is In Business
Roberto Sanchez started his food business in 1997 in the
City of Miami, Florida in a wooden trailer. After a year, he
was able to open a restaurant called “La Poblanita” in the
City of Homestead, Florida.
After the twin towers collapse in 2001 Roberto’s business
was struggling. Roberto sold the restaurant and moved to
Minnesota. In 2002, he started working at a construction
company so he could save money to get back into the food
business - which is what he loved. With lots of hard work
he was able to open his trailer again in May of 2013 in
Maplewood. His business is called “Camila’s Taqueria”
and they serve authentic Mexican food.
Last summer, they served food to 75 kids in the “Youth Farm” summer program
located in St. Paul. “We enjoy helping out the community in any way we can. We
also have been serving complimentary food at the Sherwood Park neighborhood
party for the past three years. This past year we went to 29 Pines and to
Maplewood apartments to serve complimentary food.” said Roberto. You will find
them at the Maplewood July 4th event this summer as well.
“Camila’s Taqueria” is a family business you can reach them at (651) 797-8156.
From left to right- Liz Charbonneau,
owner; Bill Rhody, Sales Manager;
Steven ‘Moose’ Younghans, Shaun
Hastings, Purchasing Manager;
Jenelle Hastings, Owner. And the dog
Boogaard who can be found at the
store most anytime of any day
Nations Oldest Hocky And Bicycle Shop Celebrate 127 Years In Business
Roberto and his family
City of Maplewood
1830 County Road B East
Maplewood, MN 55109
Phone: 651.249.2000
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us
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Maplewood Community Center Group Fitness
Group Fitness Classes at the Maplewood Community
Center are a fun way to stay motivated. There are fun
classes offered for every fitness level. Instructors are
inspiring, friendly, and professional. Most importantly
they strive to make your visit a great part of your day.
MCC group fitness classes are included with your
Maplewood Community Center membership, but if
you aren’t a member, drop-in anytime at the low daily
admission rate. Shauna Maloney is one of the instructors
you might see when you visit the MCC, here’s her story.
Hi- I’m Shauna Maloney and I have been a member at
MCC since 2008. I come to MCC almost every day, to
work at my building attendant job, to work out on the
exercise equipment, or to participate in a group fitness
class, especially my favorite spin, step, and interval classes.
Spinning has always been my favorite class.
While learning is sometimes
hard for me due to my cognitive
disabilities, I worked hard, and
I earned my spin instructor
certification from Mad Dogg in
2011. I got the opportunity to
lead my first spin class at MCC in
October, 2012. Since early 2013,
I have led the evening spin class
on Tuesday evenings, and I’ve
really liked the relationships that
I’ve built with the MCC members
who attend my class. Also in 2013,
I earned my group fitness instructor
certification from NETA. I love to help all people to be fit,
healthy and happy. I hope that I can meet more people in
my spin classes. (Thanks mom, for helping me write this)
Shauna Maloney