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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-20 PRC Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6:00 PM June 20, 2024 A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. April 17, 2024 E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Harvest Park Master Plan Update 2. Kohlman Park Playground Replacement F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Park System Master Plan Chapter Review G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Parks and Natural Resources Division Updates J. ADJOURNMENT RULES OF CIVILITY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY Following are rules of civility the City of Maplewood expects of everyone appearing at Commission Meetings - elected officials, staff and citizens. It is hoped that by following these simple rules, everyone’s opinions can be heard and understood in a reasonable manner. We appreciate the fact that when appearing at Commission meetings, it is understood that everyone will follow these principles: Speak only for yourself, not for other Commission members or citizens - unless specifically tasked by your colleagues to speak for the group or for citizens in the form of a petition. Show respect during comments and/or discussions, listen actively and do not interrupt or talk amongst each other. Be respectful of the process, keeping order and decorum. Do not be critical of Commission members, staff or others in public. Be respectful of each other’s time keeping remarks brief, to the point and non-repetitive. MINUTES MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6:00p.m., April 17, 2024 Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Harris at 6:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Commissioners Craig Brannon, Commissioner Present Vickie Lee-Her, Commissioner Present Monica Barton, Commissioner Present Terri Mallet, Commissioner Present Mark Harris, Chair Present Kimii Porter, Commissioner Present Jason DeMoe, Commissioner Present Staff Audra Robbins, Parks and Recreation Manager Present Student Commission Mallory Absent Charlie Present Todd Present Nischal Present C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Brannon made a motion to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Porter. Ayes – All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. March 20, 2024 Commissioner Mallet made a motion to approve the March 20, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. Seconded by Commissioner DeMoe. Ayes – All The motion passed. Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Swearing In of New Officers Audra announced the new officers who were elected previous meeting and made mention of this being the first meeting with the attendance of the student commissioners. 2. Climate Mitigation Plan Steering Discussion Shann Finwall provided an overview of the Climate Mitigation Plan to the commission including how it was developed, tasks that have taken place thus far and future plans. Shann discussed ways the commission can assist in this task and fielded commissioner questions. Commissioner Mallet made a motion for Commissioner Harris and Brannon to join the steering committee. Seconded by Inaudible. Ayes – All The motion passed. 3. YMCA Update Alex Schmitz, Director of Operation at the Maplewood YMCA, presented to the commission on the happenings of the YMCA. This included offerings to youth, adults and active adults, partnerships within the community, scholarship opportunities and general operations updates. Alex answered a variety of commissioner questions. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Student PRC Commissioner Candidate Interviews The commissioners interviewed another prospective student commission member. Commissioner Brannon made a motion to accept Todd as a student commission member. Seconded by Commissioner DeMoe. Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. Park System Master Plan Chapter Review Audra Robbins led the commission in a discussion/review of Chapter 3 of the Parks System Master Plan. G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. Bus Tour 2024 Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Mallet brought up the scheduling of the bus tour. Commission had a discussion on the 2024 bus tour. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Department Updates Audra Robbins updated the commission on the upcoming events and highlighted the May 4 Tree Planting Demonstration day at Wakefield and the Earth Week Challenge. J. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Brannon made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Mallet. Ayes – All The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. 1 of 3 HARVEST PARK COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE Maplewood Parks and Recreation June 6, 2024 918916904902900898 896 920 912910906 890 888 876874872870 894892 886 882880 916 906 904 902 900 898 914 912 910 920 918 916 914 912 908 904 920 918 914 908 924 916 928 924 918 926 922 924 922 918 916 914 914 910 922 918 882880 920 918 912908 908 906 896 894 920 918 920 918 916 914 912 914 912 892 890 878876 932930 930 928 920 918 916 914 908 892 884 878 908 896 906 922 912 920 920 920 926 922 882 916 910 906 904 906 902 896 890 884 928 924 924 922 920 920 918 918 918 918 916 914 916 914 914 912 914 910 912 912 912 908 908 910 908 908 904 900 900 894 890 888 880 880 876 874 874 888 870 ¯0 150 30075Feet Bruce Vento Regional Trail Existing P ar k Trail 2f t C ont our Park Boundary Welcome! There will be no formal presentation, please feel free to engage with plans for Harvest Park at your own pace. Project staff are available around the room if you have any questions. Please remember to sign in and leave comments using post-it notes or the provided comment cards. (your email will only be used for project-related communication) Project Context Harvest Park planning has been in development since 2019. Since then, there have been some changes that impact the proposed designs. As a result of these changes, there are new programmatic opportunities for the southwestern corner. Project Progress: We’re here to provide updates and gain feedback on changes to the Harvest Park design Covid, Purple Line Route, Parking Needs, Future Pickleball, Sunshelters October 2019 Project Kick-Off November 2019-April 2020 Public Engagement & Creating Master Plan May 2024 What Has Changed? Staff Review of Master Plan TODAY Community Open House-Public Engagement Looking Forward Council Feedback, Public Engagement and Approval Preferred Concept from 2020 Planning Process Existing Conditions Ballfield Soccer Proposed PurpleLine Station Br u c e V e n t o T r a i l Parking (150 Stalls) Playground Tennis Courts (2) On-Street Parking(17 Spots) Basketball Key A U14-Adult Soccer Field (3) B U10 or U12 Soccer Field (9) C U12-Adult Softball Field (1) D Playground (2) Picnic Table Bench Light Adult Exercise Equipment Areas of Change (2024) Sextant Ave E Brooks Ave E N B a r c l a y S t Gervais Ave Br u c e V e n t o T r a i l B B B B A A A B B B D D B B Shift These Amenitiesto Maintain CurrentParking Capacity Existing Basketball Court Pickleball Courts (6) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) with Bench Swings + Small Play Features Bocce Ball Courts + Other Lawn Games Picnic Shelter with Restrooms+ Storage Space (75 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter with Restrooms(25 Person Capacity) Purple Line Stationand Park and RideMay Shift to NewLocation Gazebo (25 Person Capacity) Prairie + PollinatorDemonstration Area Gervais Ave C 2 of 3 HARVEST PARK COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE Maplewood Parks and Recreation June 6, 2024 Updated Overall Plan Option 1 A picnic shelter and tables sit at the center of a restored prairie that fills the southwestern corner of the site. Interpretive trails intersect the restored prairie and connect to the Bruce Vento Trail. A small parking lot is added west of the basketball courts to serve users on this side of the park. Please identify what you like about this concept or what you’d like to see changed with the provided dots, markers, & post-it notes! Twin Cities Bible Church Harmony Gardens Senior Living Harvest Garden Use this blank space to write down your thoughts & ideas! Native Prairie Restoration and Interpretive Trails Pickleball Courts Picnic Shelter and Tables Gervais Ave Sextant Ave E Brooks Ave E N B a r c l a y S t Gervais Ave Br u c e V e n t o T r a i l 0 60 120 240 Feet N B B B B A A A B B B C D D B B Existing Parking Lot Existing Basketball Court Pickleball Courts (6) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) with Bench Swings + Small Play Features Bocce Ball Courts + Other Lawn Games Picnic Shelter with Restrooms+ Storage Space (75 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter with Restrooms(25 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) Restored Prairie with Trails Gazebo (25 Person Capacity) Prairie + PollinatorDemonstration Area Key A U14-Adult Soccer Field (3) B U10 or U12 Soccer Field (9) C Playground (1) D Open Play + Volleyball Area Picnic Table Bench Light Adult Exercise Equipment Parking Lot (20 Stalls) 3 of 3 HARVEST PARK COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE Maplewood Parks and Recreation June 6, 2024 Updated Overall Plan Option 2 A new bike skills course or skate park sits at the south of the park adjacent to a new medium parking lot. To the east, a new picnic shelter and tables site between existing courts and the new course. A trail system winds around the course, providing connections to the basketball and pickleball courts, the existing trail system, and the Bruce Vento Trail. Please identify what you like about this concept or what you’d like to see changed with the provided dots, markers, & post-it notes! Use this blank space to write down your thoughts & ideas! Twin Cities Bible Church Harmony Gardens Senior Living Harvest Garden Sextant Ave E Brooks Ave E Gervais Ave Skate Park Bike Skills Course Pickleball courts Picnic ShelterBike Skills Course Gervais Ave N B a r c l a y S t Br u c e V e n t o T r a i l 0 60 120 240 Feet N B B B B A A A B B B C D D B B Existing Parking Lot Existing Basketball Court Pickleball Courts (6) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) with Bench Swings + Small Play Features Picnic Shelter with Restrooms+ Storage Space (75 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter with Restrooms(25 Person Capacity) Picnic Shelter (25 Person Capacity) Bike Skills Course/Skate Park Parking Lot (40 Stalls) Key A U14-Adult Soccer Field (3) B U10 or U12 Soccer Field (9) C Playground (1) D Open Play + Volleyball Area Picnic Table Bench Light Adult Exercise Equipment Bocce Ball Courts + Other Lawn Games Gazebo (25 Person Capacity) Prairie + PollinatorDemonstration Area PERFORMANCE DRIVEN DESIGN / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / LHBCORP.COM OPEN HOUSE MEETING NOTES HARVEST PARK MASTER PLAN MAPLEWOOD, MN JUNE 6TH, 2024 City staff and the city’s consultant, LHB, held a public open house for the Harvest Park Master Plan. Participants were encouraged to review the proposed plan from 2019 and two new options for areas of the park that have changed since that time. They used notes on the boards, comment cards, and discussion with staff and consultants to share their feedback. Members of the public came and went throughout the meeting and not all used the sign-in sheet, but it appeared that close to 50 people stopped by. Meeting materials will also be posted on the website for comment. Overall, participants were pleased to see that the parking ramp shown in the 2019 plan was replaced by either a natural area with trails or a bike skills training area in the two new options. There were positive comments for both, but somewhat more support for the bike skills training area. Folks also supported the 40-space parking lot in that option, to help ease safety issues with on-street parking in that area and traffic issues coming from the existing lot, though a few people opposed any additional parking at all. There was a lot of excitement about the trail loops, picnic shelters, and restrooms. Folks were pleased that the very old playground would be replaced, though neighbors who live closest to the new playground have concerns about noise and requested that it be moved deeper into the park and that buffering be provided. The notes below are directly transcribed from the comments left during the meeting. HARVEST PARK MASTER PLAN PUBLIC MEETING PAGE 2 JUNE 6TH, 2024 Post-it Note Comments on the concept boards General Notes • No Soccer Field Lights • Stop sign at Hazelwood and Brooks – Crosswalk • Request: Flowers and native plants with walking area • Smaller parking lot to serve the park and not the Purple Line Harvest Park Option 1 • Like the restrooms • Keep playground where it is. Park is already very noisy and I live right next to the parking lot. What distance buffer will be from the existing houses - Ed Flom 507- 319-6050 • Reduce parking and traffic here (speed is too high) • NO parking lots or ramp • Please keep the playground where it is NOW, not moved to a person's house • Help with speed on Gervais • I support making the playground with as much accessible equipment and features as possible. Needs to be near the parking lot for access • One shade tree by bench @ playground equipment. At Hazelwood park w/ no shade by playground. It's too hot in Summer • #2 is best parking lot for the south. #1 is best for restored prairie w/trails in south • Don't need 20 stall parking. Street parking is cool (both sides). Slows cars down too. • Two different opinions about parking here. Some folks would like more parking here instead • This area of the city is home to one small colony of the critically endangered Rusty Patch Bees! So an area for pollinators is critically important to them! • Dual Tennis and Pickle Ball courts HARVEST PARK MASTER PLAN PUBLIC MEETING PAGE 3 JUNE 6TH, 2024 • I LOVE the idea of an area with restored prairie and native plants. This is something that was in a resolution some years ago--supporting pollinators. That area of this park would be a perfect place for this! • 4-way stop @ hazelwood and brooks to slow traffic coming from the park • Add a few more benches around the trail • It will become necessary to have one or two dog poop stations with bags and trash! • Small parking lot on south end of park. No skate park needed. • I prefer option 1, but would also like to see a enclosed dog exercise area. The amount of time people have their dogs loose is scary and dangerous. • No stadium lights! Walking lights on path fine if light is pointing down • Access to the Bruce Vento trail • Harland Hess: I prefer Option '0'. NO light rail. White bear lake bus route. New train route? Vento Trail Gone. English street bus route. HARVEST PARK MASTER PLAN PUBLIC MEETING PAGE 4 JUNE 6TH, 2024 • Love the greenspace and the picnic shelters and permanent restrooms! • Love the pickleball! • Prioritize playground replacement • Increase safety at Gervais Entrance (cars drive on sidewalk now) • No stadium lights • Lights around the paths get point right down • Soft lighting • Like the pickleball • Increase the other parking lot on Gervais to split up traffic • Stop sign on Hazelwood and Brooks • Prefer restored prairie w/trails to bike skills/skate park area • Concession stand for organizations to rent Harvest Park Option 2 • Like the larger parking lot-recommend 1 sided parking on Gervais on the park side • Mix of baseball, soccer, volleyball • Animal Friendly • Accessible • NO BUS!!! • No parking ramp • I like the addition of bathroom and pickleball courts and a new toy! Prefer Option 2 • Looking forward to the playground! And more lights. • Loop Distance -> map or signs • Please keep playground more than 50ft away from homes. • Have the Harvest Park Trail connect with the Bruce Vento Trail (wheelchair accessible) • Shelter with Restroom or Bathroom & water would be great • Love the Shelter! • Please keep parking to a minimum on the south side. • Also eliminate at least one picnic area by the playground preferably. • There needs to be a LOT of TREES & BUFFERS around a playground. Even fencing HARVEST PARK MASTER PLAN PUBLIC MEETING PAGE 5 JUNE 6TH, 2024 • Bocce Ball and Horse shoes • Paved trail to Gazebo (for seniors to use walkers) • I prefer option 1. I would like no more than 10 more parking spots. In southwest corner I prefer option 1 • Like parking lot of Gervais! Please no lights on fields. • If the purple line goes through this would be a waste of our TAX dollars because I would no longer use the Park. However if it doesn’t go through this plan would be great. • Bigger playground or Have z playground (not sure what they meant here) • Parking lot along Gervais is great. Picnic - Picnic Shelter in that area would be great too • PLEASE NO LIGHTS ON FIELDS • I like this option a lot! Especially the bike skills course and all the soccer fields • Disc Golf • Should have softball/baseball Field!! • I like the idea of bringing in other activities: Disc Golf, Skate Park, Native Plantings • Parking lot on south side is great. Would love some stormwater management • I would like to suggest having a natural area with walking paths. • We need more areas with pollinator friendly plants, rather than just sterile monoculture grass. (this is something that Maplewood resolved to support several years ago-more pollinator friendly areas) Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 37 Chapter 4: where we are going parks & rE crEation m ission The Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to provide diverse recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, enhance and preserve its parks, facilities, and open spaces while promoting environmental stewardship through education and outreach. The mission defines the department’s purpose and direction. parks & rE crEation vision The vision for the parks and recreation system and the supporting guiding principles outlined in this plan are aspirational and describe where the parks and recreation system wants to go over the next 20 years. The vision and principles are based on community and stakeholder input, current plans such as the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan, and a detailed evaluation of the opportunities and challenges facing parks and recreation in Maplewood. The Vision for Parks and Recreation is: “To help create a vibrant community that embraces diversity, celebrates arts and culture, values health and wellness, and promotes stewardship of the environment.” g uiding principl E s The vision recognizes four critical elements of the parks and recreation system: diversity, arts and culture, health and wellness, and environmental stewardship. Together, these elements contribute to a vibrant community. The recommendations and strategies in the following chapter use six underlying guiding principles that will help realize the vision. Information booths at the 1st annual Maplewood Red Run 5k drew crowds Parks & Recreation Day Campers enjoy a variety of activities 38 I Chapter 4: Where We Are Going Safe & Welcoming Inherent to any vibrant community are safe, clean, and welcoming parks. Many Maplewood parks are faced with infrastructure nearing the end of its life. Maintenance and reinvestment in park infrastructure is fundamentally important for user safety and satisfaction and to maximize the benefits of public investment in facilities. The Parks and Recreation Department will: • Maintain cleanliness and overall quality. • Design and maintain safe facilities. • Make facilities and programming welcoming to all. Connect People & Places When asked about a favorite community place, people often describe a park or open space. Connecting people to places is one of the things Maplewood’s parks and recreation system can do best by building connections between bikeways and trails and sidewalks and by building connections between residents by providing places and events for community gathering. The Parks and Recreation Department will: • Construct a network of trails and sidewalks that connect within Maplewood and to surrounding communities. • Create community and neighborhood gathering places. • Preserve areas of historic value. • Connect parks and natural areas. • Establish effective and accessible communication. • Ensure accessibility for all ages and abilities. The Community Center is highly valued by Maplewood citizens Biking the trail at Beaver Creek Preserve Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 39 Encourage Health & Wellness The link between health and an active lifestyle is well established. Increased computer use, sedentary jobs, and increased driving has led to less active lifestyles with troubling health implications such as increased obesity levels, heart disease, and diabetes. Recreational options that are relevant to people’s lives can establish a lifelong habit of physical activity and advance the overall health of the community. The Parks and Recreation Department will: • Provide a mixture of culturally relevant recreational activities throughout the City. • Provide a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational programming. • Offer recreational facilities and programming at the Maplewood Community Center that meet current needs. • Expand partnerships to provide additional recreational options. Promote Environmental Stewardship Maplewood is known for leadership in environmental stewardship. Continued education, demonstration, and access to high quality natural areas will continue to be a defining feature of the City and underpin all Parks and Recreation decision making. The Parks and Recreation Department will: • Preserve quality natural resources. • Provide access to natural resources so residents can enjoy and learn about nature. • Increase native plant diversity to create healthy habitats. • Encourage sustainable design and maintenance on public and private property. Community Center visitors enjoy state-of-the-art cardio equipment Shoreline buffer planting at Maplewood City Hall 40 I Chapter 4: Where We Are Going Financially Sustainable Realizing the community vision for parks and recreation will take additional resources. Appropriate funding and re-investment is needed to extend the benefits of the park system, assure continued resident satisfaction, and achieve many of the new initiatives outlined in this plan. This includes planning for park reinvestment over time, building public support for additional funding, and looking creatively and comprehensively at new funding sources, partnerships, and volunteer efforts. The Parks and Recreation Department will: • Ensure stable and sufficient funding to meet system goals. • Build partnerships within and outside of the City. • Maintain appropriate staff to achieve its mission and vision. • Use volunteers to extend capabilities. • Plan annually for the maintenance and replacement of facilities. Inspire Creativity & Learning Inspiring creativity and futhering learning are hallmarks of a vibrant community. Programs focused on environmental stewardship, history, culture, and the benefits of parks and recreation are also beneficial. The Parks and Recreation Department will: • Integrate public art throughout the system. • Collaborate with organizations and individuals to provide artistic and cultural activities. • Teach about nature and promote environmental stewardship. • Create places that foster creativity. • Encourage and support volunteerism. • Continue scholarship programs to promote participation. • Educate residents about the quality of life benefits of parks and recreation. The Parks & Recreation fall dance recital is held at the MCC City Campus is home to Maplewood City Hall Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 41 Chapter 5: The sTraTegic plan Parks and Recreation’s goal is to provide for play of many types to many people. This chapter offers specific detail on how to accomplish that goal. The chapter is organized into five topic areas that will drive ongoing improvements. The five topic areas are: • Parks & Recreation Facilities • Trails • Natural Areas & Greenways • Programs • Arts & Culture Recommendations and strategies are identified for each of the topic areas. Underlying Values This chapter’s recommendations across all the topics listed above are built on the foundatoin of two underlying goals for Maplewood’s park and recreation system: providing a safe and welcoming environment, and environmental sustainablility. Providing a safe and welcoming environment for parks and recreation programs is fundamental. Such an environment encompasses: • Conducting ongoing maintenance like regular mowing and trash pick-up. • Replacing equipment at the end of its life cycle or which no longer meets safety standards. • Adding basic amenities such as ADA accessibility, shade, restrooms, and water. • Providing activities that meet the needs and interests of Maplewood’s increasingly diverse population. • Ensuring that recreation opportunities are financially accessible. • Integrating art into the park system. The City of Maplewood already exemplifies environmental leadership though design, maintenance, and operations. Recommendations and strategies in all of the topic areas assume continued sustainability practices, which include: • Preserving natural open spaces. • Managing natural resources. • Innovating construction practices and materials selection. • Integrating natural areas into more active parks. • Supporting walking and biking as alternatives to automobile use. • Educating through demonstration, art, programs, and service learning. Icons in this chapter Icons at the beginning of each topic area represent the guiding principles (Chapter 4) that support recommendations for the topic area. 42 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan parks & rE crEation FacilitiEs When people think of a parks and recreation system, they tend to think about the physical places: the Community Center, the neighborhood playground, the local soccer field. As a nearly developed community, most of the City’s parks and recreation facilities are already defined and developed. Over the next 20 years needed replacement of infrastructure will present exciting opportunities to reinvent portions of the system and adapt to changing recreation interests and community demographics. Future recommendations focus on: • Creating safe and welcoming parks. • Reinvesting in older parks to make them more unique and representative of the community. • Developing an updated and standardized package of basic amenities such as signage, benches, and waste receptacles. • Creating new, high quality community destinations in the center of the City. • Updating the facility mix based on changing demographics and recreation trends. • Continued leadership in environmental sustainability. • Improving accessibility and ADA facilities. Recommendations 1. Provide access to a neighborhood park for all residents within a 1/2 mile radius (10 min. walk) and distribute neighborhood scale recreation facilities across park service areas. Strategies a. Focus neighborhood park activities on playgrounds, informal gathering, and informal turf play. b. Maintain athletic fields for practice or youth games in neighborhood parks. c. Add user amenities such as shade, benches, and bike racks based on the asset management plan, funding availability, and community input. d. Improve resident connectivity to neighborhood parks by adding trails and sidewalks. e. Develop a new neighborhood park in the south end of the City when that area develops. f. Explore opportunities to add needed recreation facilities, including tennis, basketball, youth fields, hockey/skating rinks, and community gardens so there is at least one facility per park service area. 2. Establish places for neighborhood and community gathering. Strategies a. Ensure each park service area has a small picnic shelter. b. Ensure each park service area has a small, multi-purpose building that can be used for indoor neighborhood events, programming, and as a warming house in the winter. c. Construct an outdoor performing arts space in the City with Veteran’s Memorial Park and Hazelwood Park the top options. importance of neighborhood Parks According to the 2014 Citizen Parks and Recreation Survey over two-thirds of households with young children rate neighborhood parks as one of their top 4 facilities. Neighborhood parks have developed along with residential development, and parks in older neighborhoods are in need of reinvestment. Important to attracting new families to the City will be updating these parks as infrastructure reaches the end of its life-cycle. Recommended improvements to neighborhood parks include replacing or adding amenities such as updated signage, shade, benches, safe playgrounds, and flexible field space for informal play. Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 43 FigurE 5.1 Recommended Park Classifications WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CO N C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X WE L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO NC O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T EA S T C O U NT Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake Priory Preserve Joy Preserve Carver Preserve Nature Center Preserve Spoon Lake Preserve Applewood Preserve Prairie Farm Preserve Fisher's Corner Preserve Beaver Creek Preserve Trout Brook Preserve Hidden Marsh Preserve Jims Prairie Preserve Gladstone Savanna Kohlman Creek Preserve Fish Creek Preserve Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [ Park Classifications Community Park Community Athletic Complex Youth Athletic Park Neighborhood Park Special Use Park City Preserve Regional/County Park Park Service Areas 0 1Miles SignAture pArkS future n e i g h b o r h o o d pArk SeArch AreA 44 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan 3. Provide community parks and community athletic parks in strategic, convenient locations (Note: this recommendation applies to Joy, Wakefield, Veteran’s Memorial, Harvest, and Hazelwood Parks). Strategies a. These parks should support community gathering, access to nature, and active recreation. b. Ensure each community park and community athletic park provides user amenities including restrooms, water fountains, bike racks, and lighting in key use areas. c. Assess parking adequacy annually to ensure use is not adversely affecting surrounding neighborhoods. 4. Create parks that reflect community interests by using community-driven park planning processes to prioritize capital improvements. Strategies a. Conduct community-driven park planning processes for any significant planned improvement over $50,000, or at least 20 years after original construction. b. Phase improvements based on replacement needs and available funding. 5. Design parks to be welcoming. Strategies a. Ensure visible and legible signage at park entrances. b. Use recognizable branding to indicate that parks are open to all people. c. Provide entrances on public streets. d. Utilize vegetation that does not obscure views into and through the parks. e. Provide support facilities such as restrooms, lighting, shade, and water based on the type of park. f. Include signage kiosks at community and community athletic parks that invite users to use the parks for activities like volleyball, bocce ball, etc. 6. Improve the perception of public safety. Strategies a. Cluster compatible activities to avoid conflicts and increase social observation. b. Create additional neighborhood watch groups. c. Locate parking lots and facilities near streets so they are easily observable at night. d. Locate restrooms and playgrounds in areas that are easily observable. e. Provide lighting for areas intended to be used at night. f. Increase park patrols. g. Use volunteer park liaisons to educate youth about appropriate behavior in parks. h. Increase neighborhood involvement in park design and operations. i. Use the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) in the design of parks. 7. Ensure the cleanliness of parks and park facilities through regular maintenance. Strategies a. Regular garbage and recycling collection. b. Regular cleaning of buildings, picnic shelters and restrooms. c. Removal of graffiti and repair of vandalism, as required. d. Respond to complaints and problems in a timely manner, as established by policy. Applewood Park features new play equipment and nature-inspired elements Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 45 Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CO N C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36 UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Park Service Areas City Preserve City Parks Regional/County Park Central East Central West Northern Southern Western FigurE 5.2 Park Service Areas Park Service Areas Park Service Areas help provide equitable and convenient access to facilities that do not need to be provided at each neighborhood park but that need to be distributed throughout the community. These facilities include tennis, baseball/softball, basketball, soccer, small shelters, and hockey/pleasure skating. These areas were identified by consolidating existing neighborhoods into larger service areas, keeping in mind major transportation and natural resource barriers. Each of the five park service areas are outlined in orange. Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CO N C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36 UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Park Service Areas 4LEGENDPark Service Areas ParkServic Central East Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CO N C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Park Service Areas 4LEGENDPark Service Areas ParkServic Central East Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CON C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Park Service Areas 4LEGENDPark Service Areas ParkServic Central East Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CON C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Park Service Areas 4LEGENDPark Service Areas ParkServic Central East Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CO N C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Northern Southern Central East Western Central West Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Park Service Areas 4LEGENDPark Service Areas ParkServic Central East 46 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan 8. Establish Veteran’s Memorial Park, Wakefield Park, Gladstone Savanna Preserve, and the City Campus area as the premier recreation and community gathering area for the City. Strategies a. Establish trail and sidewalk connections between the three parks and one preserve. b. Develop Wakefield as a family gathering destination with a multi-purpose building/ warming house, picnic shelters, splash pad, large playground, and other winter facilities. c. Complete the Veteran’s Memorial Park Master Plan and add an inclusive playground and performing arts space. d. Add a skate park, a fitness loop, and environmental demonstration areas around the pond at the City Hall Campus. e. Implement the Gladstone Savanna Preserve Master Plan 9. Ensure safety through regular maintenance and equipment upgrades. Strategies a. Conduct annual inspections of parks, buildings, restrooms, shelters, ball fields, play courts, skatepark, outdoor ice rinks, parking lots, trails, and nature areas. b. Establish an Asset Management Plan and implement the annual 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for park facilities. c. Use tiered maintenance level standards for routine maintenance to guide the level of maintenance from most intensive to least intensive. d. Reduce ongoing maintenance costs over time by replacing outdated park elements with high quality materials and outdated maintenance equipment with higher efficiency models. e. Establish a winter maintenance plan that increases the facilities maintained for winter activities like walking, skating, sledding, cross- country skiing, etc. Park reinvestment and asset management In a growing community, park dedication is a primary source of revenue and is used to build a park system. As a community becomes fully developed, park dedication revenue declines and park infrastructure ages. As facilities reach the end of their life cycle (typically 10-20 years), a community must commit a higher level of funding for timely renovation and replacement of park facilities. Replacement of aging and unsafe equipment is essential to maintaining safe and welcoming parks. An asset management program is an essential tool to help the Parks and Recreation Department plan for facility reinvestment costs. Asset management involves: • assessment of recreation facilities based on age, condition, safety, and standards. • regular inspection of facilities. • Prioritization of assets in need of replacement. • Integration of park reinvestment needs into the annual 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for park facilities. Hazelwood Park is a community athletic park Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 47 FigurE 5.3 Signature Community Parks John Glenn Middle School City Hall Gatew a y S t a t e T r a i l Robinhood Park Gloster Park Flicek Park Gladstone Education Center Maplewood Community Center City Hall Campus Veteran’s Memorial Park Gladstone Savanna Preserve Ramsey County Services Wh i t e B e a r A v e County Rd B E Frost Ave Woodland Hills Church N St P a u l R d Wakefield Lake Key Features •Responds to a key finding from the 2014 statistically valid survey that residents want a new, large destination park with city-wide amenities •Adds signature features and connects three parks in the heart of Maplewood •Focuses on reinvestment in facilities at community parks Wakefield Park Ha z e l w o o d S t Larpenteur Ave E Legend Sidewalk / trail to be built in 2015 Proposed pedestrian/bike connection Existing pedestrian/ bike connection Existing regional trail Enhanced landscaping connecting parks 0 0.1 0.2 Miles Signature community parks Concept Signature parks help define their cities, embody the ‘brand’ of a city, generate substantial civic value, and attract visitors. The 2014 Citizen Parks and Recreation Survey identified a large, destination park as one of the most important additions to Maplewood’s Park and Recreation System. To fill the need for a destination park, re-investment in four centrally-located parks and connecting them with trails is recommended. Together, Wakefield Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Gladstone Savanna Community Preserve, and the City Hall Campus will provide a wide range of destination activities and be hubs for community gathering. Each park/preserve, however, will retain its own character and focus. Art and sustainable design, construction, and maintenance practices will be integrated into all four parks/preserves. This approach: • Builds on two of the most visited destinations in the City - the Community Center and the Gateway Trail. • Locates destination recreation throughout the City through this signature parks corridor and in conjunction with Phalen-Keller and Battle Creek regional Parks, which are already regional destinations. • reinvests in existing parks. • Provides needed speciality facilities: outdoor performance space, high quality ball fields, skate park, splash pad, signature aDa playground, reservation picnicking, and winter recreation hub. • Strengthens trail connections between the parks. 48 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan FigurE 5.4 Wakefield Park Concept Wakefield Lake Pr o s p e r i t y R d Frost Ave 100 person Picnic Pavilion Pedestrian Bridge Existing Parking Rain Garden Sidewalk Sidewalks Proposed Giant Slide Wooded Areas Extend path to road Expand Trail Playground Pleasure Rink Splash Pad Multi-purpose Building-2 classrooms-Kitchenette-Warming house-Restrooms-Changing Area Hockey Existing Picnic Pavilion (35 person) Existing Pier Proposed Stormwater Feature Proposed Naturalized Shoreline Proposed Rain Garden Open Lawn/ Flexible Field Space 0 10050 Feet The Wakefield Park concept includes a mix of active and passive programming, providing new and improved areas for picnicing and gathering, while preserving much of the park for passive recreation and exploration. Key Features •Signature splash pad •Winter recreation destination includes ice skating, hockey, snowshoeing, and sledding •Rentable, multi-purpose building features flexible classroom space, kitchen facilities, warming house, restrooms (open sunrise to sunset), and changing rooms •Stormwater demonstration feature & shoreline buffer plantings in partnership with the watershed district Sledding Area Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 49 FigurE 5.5 City Hall Campus Concept Ramsey County Courthouse Fitness Station Fitness Loop Skatepark To Gateway Trail Gatew a y T r a i l County Rd B E Wh i t e B e a r A v e City Hall Maplewood Community Center Rain Garden Wetland Buffer Planting Woodland Nursery Woodland Restoration Prairie Prairie Demonstration Bike Rentals 0 10050 Feet Bike RepairStation The City Hall Campus Concept provides recreational options that can benefit visitors already present onsite for other functions, making it a one-stop destination for a multitude of activities. Key Features •Natural resource demonstration areas •Fitness loop featuring outdoor exercise equipment •Bike rental and repair station •Skatepark •Consider Photo Location for Weddings 50 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan FigurE 5.6 Veteran’s Memorial Park Concept Proposed ADAPlayground Relocate Swings Walking Trail Proposed Stormwater Feature Woodlands Concessions/Restroom Picnic Pavilion with Restroom Open Lawn Memorial Natural Area Natural Area Proposed Athletic Field Upgrades Additional Amphitheatre Seating Lawn Proposed Picnic Pavilion Goodrich Golf Course N St P a u l R d on-s t r e e t p a r k i n g on-s t r e e t p a r k i n g Woodland Hills Church(seek opportunities for shared parking) Amphitheatre Expand Rain Garden Expand Rain Garden Mounds Park Academy 0 10050 Feet Veteran’s Memorial Park is envisioned as a major destination for community gathering in Maplewood. Key Features •Amphitheatre that can accomodate up to 500 people •Veterans Memorial •Playground featuring universally accessible play equipment •234 total parking spaces •Natural resource restoration •Ballfield upgrades •Picnic shelters •Restrooms 38 34 104 36 22 Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 51 10. Use Sustainable Design Practices. Strategies a. Use renewable energy where possible (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass). ›Solar lights for trails. ›Solar power at athletic facilities. ›Wind turbines where appropriate. b. Follow Maplewood’s existing Green Building Code for new facilities. c. Conserve Water Resources. ›Follow water quality requirements in Maplewood’s Green Building Code when making improvements. ›Use cisterns and other water harvesting/recycling techniques where feasible. 11. Develop Sustainability Pilot Programs. Strategies a. Solar garden. b. Wind turbine. c. Solar powered trash compactor. d. Organics composting in a signature park. e. Composting toilet. f. Passive solar or net-zero energy park facility. g. Pesticide-free park. h. Bee Lawn (includes clover etc. for pollinators). 12. Implement Sustainable Maintenance Practices in Parks and Preserves. Strategies a. Continue and expand turf maintenance program, especially in parks within greenways. b. Continue and expand integrated waste management practices. ›Recycle in all parks and at all events. ›Organics composting at appropriate parks/ facilities. c. Follow integrated pest management strategies to control nuisance plants, weeds, insects, rodents, etc. An artful example of solar arrays White clover is drought tolerant and supplies nitrogen to other plants Wetlands provide habitat for Blanding’s turtles, and are sensitive to pesticide run-off from lawns and streets 52 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan 13. Extend the use of the park system into the fall, winter, and spring. Strategies a. Add lighting to high-demand recreational facilities such as key baseball/softball fields, high-quality tennis courts, and hockey rinks to allow use into night-time. b. Ensure each park service area has at least one City-maintained pleasure skating rink, one hockey rink, and a warming house. c. Partner with neighborhood associations and community groups to provide additional winter skating and hockey opportunities in additional neighborhood parks if partner groups are willing to maintain the facilities. d. Explore additional cross country skiing opportunities. e. Identify and publicize suitable locations for sledding such as Hazelwood and Wakefield Parks. 14. Maintain quality, up-to-date indoor facilities to provide recreational, cultural, arts, and community gathering activities. Strategies a. Continue to operate the Community Center as the hub for indoor recreation and programs. Explore partnerships to support operations and expand programs. b. Prepare and implement a Master Plan to guide maintenance and investment in the Maplewood Community Center. c. Maintain partnerships with the school district to provide community gyms in neighborhood locations. d. Replace existing warming houses with small, multi-purpose buildings that can serve a variety of needs including locations for neighborhood based classes & programming, private rentals, winter warming house, and restrooms. 15. Respond to recreation trends and community needs by updating the mix of facilities offered. Strategies a. Convert low-use facilities to other uses as determined by a park master planning process. ›Provide high quality tennis courts by transitioning neighborhood tennis courts to a larger bank (4 or more) of high quality, lighted courts, at Maplewood Heights. ›Maintain at least two courts in each park service area. ›Convert courts at Four Seasons, Playcrest and Western Hills to other uses once the existing facilities have reached the end of their life. ›All tennis courts will be multi-use and shared with pickleball. b. Support participation in pickleball by striping all tennis courts. c. Provide public community gardens as demand warrants, up to one per park service area. ›Priority on park service areas where other semi public (operated by a school, church or other organization) gardens do not exist. ›Support partnerships to provide additional gardens. For example, allow the use of City land for a neighborhood group to operate and manage a community garden. Pickleball is a lifetime sport that is growing in popularity Maplewood Parks & Recreation System Master Plan I 53 FigurE 5.7 Proposed Activity Facilities Gervais Lake Silver Lake Beaver Lake Tanner's Lake Carver Lake 3M Lake Lake Phalen Pig's Eye Lake Th e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r Battle Creek Lake WHEELOCK PKWY EN G L I S H S T ROSELAWN AVE E IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 E DOD D R D AR C A D E S T FROST AVE 7TH S T E MC K N I G H T R D HOLLOWAY AVE LOWE R A F T O N R D 34TH ST N WH I T E B E A R A V E N WH I T E B E A R A V E DA L E S T N HIGHWAY 110 COUNTY ROAD C HIGHWOOD AVE SM I T H A V E LARPENTEUR AVE E RI C E S T MINNEHAHA AVE E RO B E R T S T S 7TH S T W ED G E R T O N S T COUNTY ROAD B2 CO N C O R D S T N CO. ROAD C GE N E V A A V E N WE I R D R SELBY AVE CO. ROAD B MA X W E L L A V E CE N T U R Y A V E N CO N C O R D S T S ED G E R T O N S T STILL W A T E R R D RI C E S T HI L T O N T R L N EA S T C O U N T Y L I N E R D N ST . P A U L R O A D JA C K S O N S T HA Z E L W O O D S T MC K N I G H T R D N SOUTH AVE E VADN A I S B L V D CARVER AVE UPPER AFTON SO O S T LINWOOD WENTWORTH AVE W PHALEN BLVD CE N T U R Y A V E S RANDOLPH AVE MC K N I G H T R D S BEAM AVE ANNAPOLIS ST W LARPENTEUR AVE E SAI N T P E T E R S T CONWAY AVE CO. ROAD D DA L E S T N LYDIA AVE PRO S P E R I T Y R D Hazelwood Park Wakefield Park Harvest Park Joy Park City Hall Campus & Community Center Veteran's Memorial Park Edgerton Park Sherwood Park Maplewood Heights Park Afton Heights Park Hillside Park Playcrest Park Vista Hills Park Legacy Park Pleasantview Park Kohlman Park Geranium Park Gethsemane Park Flicek Park Sterling Oaks Park Four Seasons Park Roselawn Park Sunset Ridge Park Robinhood Park Western Hills Park Lions Park Nebraska Park Crestview Park Applewood Park Gloster Park Maplecrest Park Timber Park Kenwood Park Lookout Park Mailand Park Battle Creek Regional Park Phalen Regional Park Keller Regional Park §¨¦35E §¨¦ 94 §¨¦694 §¨¦ 94 §¨¦494 £¤52 £¤61 £¤10 UV36UV36 §¨¦694 §¨¦35E §¨¦694 UV61 [0 1Miles Facilities T 1 Tennis court ?2 Tennis courts _Pleasure rink only ^Pleasure and hockey rink k Warming House 'Community Center City Parks Regional/County Park Park Service Areas Tennis/Pickleball Courts City Community Garden Pleasure Rink Only Other Community Garden Skating Hub (hockey rink, pleasure rink, warming house) Indoor Recreation (community center, school gym, multi-purpose building)  Recreation facility strategies • add lighting to high-demand fields, courts, and rinks. • One hockey rink, pleasure rink, and warming house per service area. • replace existing warming houses with small, multi-purpose buildings. • Maintain at least 2 tennis courts per service area. • Provide up to one public community garden per service area. Proposed Activity Facilities * * * ** ** *       - - ' ' ' ' ' % % % % 54 I Chapter 5: The Strategic Plan 16. Respond to recreation trends by adding specialty recreation facilities. Strategies a. Construct a splash pad. b. Add an all-inclusive playground at Veteran’s Memorial Park. c. Develop a skate park. d. Create a disc golf course in Battle Creek Regional Park. e. Construct a Tuj Lub (Top Spin) court. f. Ensure sufficient space for outdoor volleyball events by having a park with room for at least 6 volleyball courts and signage. g. As demand warrants, develop an off-leash dog area in the northern part of Maplewood. Tuj Lub The need for a Tuj Lub court in the eastern metro is an example of evolving recreation needs as a result of demographic changes. Tuj Lub (pronounced too-loo) is a traditional Hmong sport that immigrants brought with them when they resettled in the United States. It is a game played outdoors that incorporates spinning of a top with a line and stick and is played in an area approximately the size of a tennis court. The City of Maplewood is currently partnering with Ramsey County to locate a Tuj Lub court in Keller Regional Park. Tuj Lub is a traditional Hmong sport