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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 04-18 Acres of changes coming for parks THE REVIEW d, Minnesota Single Copy 30(t / WED., APRIL 18, i4�9 1 Cres of changes coming fparks By MELANIE WAAGE As part of the 1979 park improvement "The present lights are old and an- program, the city has acquired titles for tiquated,and sparks can be seen flying," Taped to the walls of the Maplewood Tierney, Maplecrest and Pleasantview Blank said. "We will be using un- Community Services Director's office are parks. derground wiring for the new lights." large sheets of white paper with dates and FUNDING for a fourth park, Cope Bids will be awarded May 3 for the projects listed on them.It is a rough draft Street, will come from three sources. building of two tennis courts at of the many city park projects Eric Blank Federal funds will cover half the cost with Maplecrest Park. With good weather, is hoping to complete this summer.Some the balance being shared between state Blank said,these courts should be done by projects are carryovers from last sum- and city funds. Total cost of this project June 15. $15,000 was allocated for these mer when there was more work than crew will be $100,000 with the city's share courts. and time could complete. The other $33,250. g projects are those whose funds have been $5,000 was approved for purchasing ANOTHER $2,100 was allocated for approved for and plans have been made to trees for the city's nursery. Maplewood resurfacing of the tennis courts at complete this season. has a five-year program to reforest the Maplewood Heights Park. This will in- Thesero ects represent a total of p j p parks in the city. volve color coating the asphalt. $168,795. Funds come from the city's "We have a joint venture with five other "This lengthens the life of the courts, general fund, revenue sharing and communities to share nursery facilities to and the rest of the tennis courts in moneys escrowed by contractors at the grow our trees in,"Blank said. "They are Maplewood are surfaced with this," time developments of housing are located kept in a nursery called Twin City Tree Blank said, near parks. Trust and CETA labor is used so the costs This operation is something the park are kept low."The communities pay only crews can do themselves,but they need 70 "Oh,we may not complete them all this basic maintenance for the trees kept degree temperatures to begin,so weather summer, but it's much better to have there. pending,this project should be completed more to do so we don't complete our Using this facility,the cities are able to shortly. planned projects by July and sit around buy younger trees, at lower costs, and The soccer field surface at North idle for the next two months. Our crews nuture them in the nursery until they are Hazelwood Park will be upgraded with are industrious, and the projects move mature enough to stand on their own in the $10,000 allocated. The North East along as swiftly as can be expected." the parks.Last year was the first year of Area Soccer Association would like to Blank would like all 13 neighborhoods in the project,and Maplewood bought about light the soccer fields,funding the project the Maplewood area to have a park within 100 trees to be cared for at the nursery. themselves, and hopefully this project walking distance for the families and This year,with the$5,000 they city council will be completed by September, Blank children. Many of the parks have dif- approved,they hope to buy as many trees said. ferent facilities depending on what as that will allow. They will buy $5,000 Other projects are: 1,600 foot trail of residents in the neighborhoods want. For worth of trees every year, for the next asphalt in Four Seasons Park for bike example,some neighborhoods are soccer three years. riding, $6,000: leveling of Kohlman Park enthusiasts and some are hockey buffs. The park commission received ap- for better use of the ball field,$8,000; and BEFORE A project is begun, the park proval of $20,000 for the building of a the installation of security systems in five commission sends out 200 questionnaires three-room facility at the Goodrich Park. park shelters, $3,000. to persons living close to the project,and This facility will have two restrooms, The city has and designated for 23 • asks for their opinions as to what they concession facilities and a maintenance parks, which totals about 250 acres. would like to see in their city parks.Then room. The park board has completed a One of the many ongoing projects is the a public hearing is held for neighbors to building choice, and Blank hopes this completion of landscaping for the voice their interests. facility will be operable by July 1. They Maplewood Nature Center, in time for "This is a very energetic year and we will be using a pre-fabricated building their grand opening May 20.The grounds have a good start," Blank said. which can be constructed quickly. have to be cleaned and trees and bushes "Wave many ongoing projects,.and By June 1 the commission hopes to have planted. many time consuming projects,"he said. lights hung in Goodrich Park. Two of the "Right now, we have a great push for The Maplewood City Council approved three fields are to be lighted and this will the opening of all our parks,"Blank said. the 1979 Park Budget at its March 19 cost$35,000. "Parks have to be cleaned up, grounds meeting.Fourteen projects were included $10,000 was appropriated for the groomed and facilities prepared for the in the budget. lighting of Afton Heights hockey rinks. summer."