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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-18 PRC Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING VVednesday, February 18, 2009 6:30p.m. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. PRC and ENRC a. Discussion of Sustainable Maplewood b. Discussion of joint commission goals 5. Approval of Minutes . a. January 7,2009 6. Visitor Presentations 7. Lake Links Trail 8. Commissioner Presentations a. Dog Park Update 9. Staff Presentations a. Lions Park Survey b. Legacy Park c. Community Garden 10. Election of Officers 11. Commissioner Comments 12. Adjourn - (9:30 p.m.) Next meeting - March 18,2009 CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES (DRAFT) Wednesday, January 7, 2009 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. Chair Fischer indicated fIVe commissioners are requ commissioners present re seven Present Chair Peter Fischer Commissioner Carolyn Peterson Commissioner Bruce Roman Commissioner Kim Schmidt Commissioner Donald Christianson Commissioner Craig Brannon Commissioner Therese Son Absent Commissioner Julie Binko 3. as modified, seconded by ESOTA CAPSTONE PROJECT The university students who participated in the Sustainable Maplewood 2050 project were presentto give a summary of the parks section and answer questions. Chair Fischer introduced Nicholas Saumweber and Greg Rotlach. Mr. Rottach and Mr. Saumweber were present to give their summary. They worked on parks and recreation aspects. The report was in three secttons: social, biophysical and managerial. The students: . Inventoried existing vegetation in the parks, determining the typas of vegetation in these areas that could be changed. . Researched what residents of Maplewood preferred through a resident survey. 1 . Performed inventory and assessment of park facilities, graded and evaluated trails and buildings and amenities, and performed observational surveys in the parks. Mr. Saumweber stated their first recommendation was to reduce management costs and increase public awareness of vegetation types. Mr. Rottach indicated parks infrastructure was researched. Disrepair in parks should be addressed in future surveys. Recommendations were made to increase community involvement in the parks. Mr. Rottach and Mr. Saumweber stated social aspects were important because of differing opinions regarding how parks should be used. Parks can be gathering pia . .m" te. Bulletin boards could become a medium for residents to interact. Mr. Saumweber said adjacent to a school, safety at Gloster an Regarding cost for managing vegetation, Mr. Rottach indicated a report could be found online. nd thai Commissioner Schmidt asked if the commission wou comprehensive plan. She expressed concern about bulietin boards. She asked whether the city plans to ir lemented Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor responded t Commissioner Fischer stated that discus est in gardens. Edgerton Park, ere was concern about park e of this concern. r and vegetable gardens. and the dog park concept was recommended by y Gaynor indicated the report showed lower and middle income n. She asked the reason for this. Mr. reported lack of accessibility, and residents in the middle income range indicated time constraints and security issues. Mr. Rottach indicated a mail survey would be expensive. He said a mail survey that would give residents a chance for feedback through e-mail or telephone would be effective. Door to door contact was successful. Chair Fischer asked if planting additional trees was a component in their research. Mr. Saumweber stated they researched borders and boundaries of vegetation; however a wooded transition would be beneficial in terms of reducing costs. 2 Mr. Rottach stated most residents preferred open spaces; citing the need to educate residents regarding implementing wooded areas. Mr. Saumweber indicated the importance of aesthetics with different vegetation types. Turf grass is a critical aspect in parks, however planting different grasses around the edges would be beneficial. Chair Fischer asked about the types of grasses and signage that could be used. Mr. Saumweber cited the Lake Phalen project in terms of signage. The public was concerned about the aesthetic quality of the project; hence project managers used signage approximately every 50 feet. Commissioner Roman asked if the students could explain the rea below age 30 and residents eaming $40,000 a year or less. ge factor. Mr. Saumweber said they spoke to the heads of households whic Mr. Rottach said the largest constraint among the el users were families with school ege children. ighest park Commissioner Christianson asked if the survey was Mr. Saumweber said they weren1 allowed Commissioner Peterson asked how hous Mr. Saumweber stat sampling technique. and they did a "dot" grid 4 and 8 p.m. evenings and on weekends. besity rates, which were 13% in the 1960's, 32% t, although some subjectivity should be used with these statistics. . ning at one point and ending at another. Did the survey participants of trails, length of trails or signage on trails? Mr. Saumweber said the respondents enjoyed walking with their family and dogs and using the trails for exercise. An increase in small athletic facilities is important -- patrons using the trails would tend to use the equipment. Signage on trails was important. Park patrons tend to use parks that have loop trails (trail begins and ends at the same place). Commissioner Schmidt asked how many hours of observation were completed. Mr. Rottach said they visited parks at different times of the day for twenty rninutes each in a two week period beginning at the end of September. 3 Commissioner Sonnek inquired about the number of dogs they observed in the parks. Mr. Saumweber said there were a few dogs at the parks. Twenty percent of the respondents owned dogs, yet many without dogs would support a dog park. The number of people supporting a dog park was higher in an area that already had one. Commissioner Schmidt asked for an update at Edgerton and Western parks as a result of gang activity. She asked about liability if neighbors took responsibility for the basketball nets. Open Space Coordinator Gaynor said she would take this item to 7. REVIEW OF 2008 ACTIVITIES Commissioner Christianson said the city of St. Paul doesn't have coming to Maplewood. Residents weren't able to use the courts. Commissioner Fischer said Edgerton was a critical a time the basketball hoops were taken down. He sug noted this for a future agenda item. Chair Fischer said their 2008 task list will accomplished. He said they would discus year. me items have been partially hat will carry over to next Goal 2: Gladstone r vanna is dependent on forward on this project when funds are available. d the planning process for Lion's Park had begun. ristianson said they discussed what responsibility community center could be deemed an "indoor" park in the winter. ore discussion in the future on this item. Commissioner Christianson said they received information regarding the profits of the community center in the past, indicating the necessity of receiving periodic reports. Commissioner Schmidt said the commission should determine how self supporting the community center is. She indicated they should consider the financial aspects of lower income residents, and whether finances prohibit them from coming to the center. Commissioner Sonnek said they should determine if the community center is part of the parks commission's charge. 4 Chair Fischer stated the staff should not deal with policy issues. Further discussion would be in order. Commissioner Christianson indicated this item should be a future agenda item. Goal 5: Recommend minimum requirements for a parks director. Chair Fischer said the commission will be involved with this in the future; the cily currently has a parks manager. Goal 6: Develop diverse programs for the community. Chair Fischer indiceted this wes not completed. Commissioner Peterson indicated the community center is a plac together. !ural Resources Coordinator into upcoming tournaments. Commissioner Peterson suggested having a representative from t this goal. Commissioner Sonnek mentioned some cily wide ev the 4th of July celebration, and National Night Out we Chair Fischer indicated the Capstone Project's reco festivals in parks. He suggested partnering with grou Commissioner Sonnek mentioned the sac Chair Fischer said diverse groups partici Gaynor to ask Mana, Resources Coordinator Gaynor to improve the trail in 2009. hair Fischer indicated this goal graffiti in parks. Cheir Fischer said this has been rK land policy for the city. The commissioners indicated this is included r said the Comprehensive Plan has a no-net loss policy for the Cheir Fischer said the neighborhood preserves are owned by the city. If there was concern about anything being sold, it would initiate a change in the Comprehensive Plan. Chair Fischer said that they have a no net loss policy regarding the preserves. Commissioner Brannon asked what tools they have for protection of parkland. Chair Fischer said there were conservation easements, especially in the preserves. Presence of these preserves on the land use maps and in the park plan would force a four to one vote for protection. 5 Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said conservation easements are the highest level of protection. The preserves are very well protected through the proposed Comprehensive Plan; the parks are as well. Ordinances, (three to two vote), policies and guidelines, public opinion, and education are all part of protection. Chair Fischer asked if they wented to continue this item for the coming year, or wes everyone comfortable with the current park plan protectton. Commissioner Christianson said they have always voted unanimously on a no net loss for park plan. Chair Fischer indicated this ilem will not be on the agenda for the the Park Commissioner Christianson indicated some of the activities listed Department's responsibilities. Chair Fischer said they were responsible for a report report. He mentioned other things that have bsen worked 0 planning process, and the Gethsemane project. He Commissioner Peterson indicated the fiel Hazelwood Park, and they also visited par made trips to Lion's Park, Natural Resources visited in 2008. which parks the commission a plan to be finalized in 2009. ission's brainstorming goals for 2009. Th e commissioners at the meeting. There would be opportunity at future t. Each commissioner voted on three goals in the coming year. have already committed to: . Lion's Park plan . Gladstone savanna plan . Legacy totlot plan . Beaver Creek trail . Lake Links Trail plans (2 sections) Top goals after each member voted for three goals: . Community gardens (3 votes) . Work with other commissions (3 votes) 6 . Receive more feedback from staff and other groups (Open Space Panel, Friends of Maplewood Nature, MAA, (Maplewood Community Center), NISA (3 votes) . Long-term funding of parks system and grants (3 votes) . Maplewood Community Center (3 votes) . Dog park (2 votes) other projects and topics: . Encourage involvement by diverse groups . Turf policy . Trail policy . Tree policy . Trail signage . Park signage (same style, consistency) . Programming (beyond youth sports) . Fitness and health programs . Review bUdget information . Park hours . Park survey . Bulletin boards and other forms of communi . Prioritizing and following up on long and sh . Park security and public safely . Basketball hoops . Green corridors . Water in parks (water quality, aq . Sustainability of athletic fields . Sherwood . Hillside nei . School site . Volunteers Id be grouped together. e broader, He said their list should be internal parks. or sal e nv ronmental Commission wentlhrough this process. work on and chose three items to be their goals for the year. ith the Environmental Commission on January 20'h, 2009. He committees, and across commission lines to accomplish goals. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said staff will perform an assessment of parks and work on some of the Capstone project ideas. Commissioner Brannon stated they should prioritize their goals and make sure to follow up on the items throughout the year. Chair Fischer said it would be helpful if they review their goals quarterly and have key staff attend their meetings. 7 Commissioner Peterson said they met wiIh the technical advisory board in the past and suggested meeting wtih them twice a year. She shared a folder on Friends of Maplewood Nature. She indicated they promote support and enhance growth of the Maplewood Nature Center and preserves. She and Chair Fischer attended their board meeting in December, 2008, and suggested meeting with them in the future. Chair Fischer indicated the MAA (Maplewood Athletic Association) had raised money in the past to give back to the city. Connection with them and other community groups would be beneficial. Commissioner Christianson said they received reports from the Finance Department in the past; however they do not currently receive reports. Commissioner Schmidt indicated the President's stimulus ergy had Commissioner Peterson asked if someone in the city wrote grants grant funds exclusively for the eastern part ofthe metropolitan are Chair Fischer asked if there were any other com men to proceed to the commissioner presentations. 9. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Sonnek shared an interesti Maplewood. There are approximately 88 She also stated that dogs are required to enforce licensing. regarding dogs and people in ren. park would be one way to Commissioner Schm C didate worked at the community center on a rass. He received his Eagle badge in December, m has expired, and Chair Fischer responded that she may serve until r commission spot. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor stated the Eagle Scout he did an excellent job. She reminded everyone next Monday the council would be interviewing candidates for open positions. 11. OTHER - no other business 12. ADJOURN 8 Chair Fischer moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. He reminded everyone that a joint meeting with the Environmental Commission would be held on Wednesday, January 28~ from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., and the Comprehensive Plan review would be from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. 9 AGENDA REPORT DATE: Park Commission Members Doug Taubman, Parks Manager Lake Links Traillmprovements/McKnight to Joy Park Consider Additional Design Information and Discuss Next Steps February 18, 2009 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION At the October 15, 2008 meeting, the Park Commission reviewed three possible alignments for the segment of the Lake Links Trail between McKnight Road and Bellaire Avenue as follows: . Option A - Lydia Avenue . Option B - Power Line Easement . Option C - County Road D The Park Commission recommended that Option A be considered as the preferred alignment. At the November 19, 2008 Park Commission meeting, public input was received regarding the preferred Option A alignment. After receiving the public input and hearing the resident concerns about the preferred alignment, the Park Commission requested further study. At the December 17, 2008 Park Commission Meeting, staff presented the option of extending the County Road D alignment through the Joy Park Open Space rather than along Bellaire Avenue to reduce impact to residents. The Park Commission requested this alignment be further investigated. BACKGROUND The Lake Links Regional Trail system is an important east-west regional trail corridor that extends across the northern portion of Maplewood between the City of Little Canada on the west and Century Avenue on the east. Portions of this trail system have been completed while others are being planned for future construction. Staff is currently developing plans to complete the construction of the rernalning segments. DISCUSSION Extending the trail through the Joy Park Open space rather than along Bellaire Avenue would reduce impacts to residents along Bellaire as well as provide an aesthetically pleasing trail setting. The Parks Commission expressed concerns regarding the feasibility of constructing a trail through the open space as well as the cost associated with it. A second concern regarding the County Road D alignment is how the timing of the trail construction correlates with the reconstruction of County Road D. In order for this alignment to be feasible, its construction should be coordinated with the County Road D reconstruction which is currently slated for 2012 on the City's CIP. Additional information will be presented to the Park Commission regarding these issues. RECOMMENDATION Staff is requesting that the Park Commission consider additional information on the alignment options and provide direction on the next steps for the project. Atlachmenls: 1. ALIGNMENT C - COUNTY ROAD D. JOY PARK OPEN SPACE UIdti:'i-llQOl'nIill>/uqlfJ~d1.<<'llllHl-:rOllV-~~1Mil~f't\llI:l\W1'"OML\:)I O!:) I"'~ ~:: ~ ~on tJ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ U>< u \<g I ~ ~ ~ ~~ I ~ Ill! ~I :! ~~ ~ I!U H ~" ~~ t~~i l~i HI ~~ 118 If! I. ~lL ~I .& .. '" @: ill it 1bgethtrWeCan Resident Survey Lions Park City of Maplewood, Minnesota February 6, 2009 Dear Resident, The City of Maplewood is currently in the process of preparing a master plan for Lions Park. The neighborhood park is approximately three acres and is located in east-central Maplewood between Century Avenue and Farrell Street and south of Margaret Avenue (see map on the back of this survey). Currently the park provides residents with a tee ball field, court area, open play area and play equipment. The site, however, has a history of drainage problems that make it difficult to use in addition to the out-dated play equipment. The master plan will serve as a tool to guide the improvement project. We invite you to participate in the renovation of Lions Park by answering questions 1 through 6 and returning it in the envelope provided or by fax at (651) 249-2319 by February 20,2009. If you have any questions, please contact Doug Taubman, Park Manager, at (651) 249-2120. 1. Please describe your household by indicating the nurnber of individuals in each of the following age categories and by gender (gender optional): Gender Aqe Gender Under 8 8-12 13-18 19-22 Aqe 23-34 35-45 46-64 Over 64 2. How often do you or your family use the park? _ Daily _ Monthly Weekly _ Never 3. What do you like most about the park? 4. What do you like least about the park? 5. Please prioritize the following items that you would like to see added or improved at Lions Park (1 being your top choice): _ Children's play equipment Park walking trail Picnic shelter _ Little league ball field Tee ball field Basketball _ Horseshoes _ Open play area _ Sand volleyball court _ Four-square, hopscotch, hard court area Improved landscaping (more shade trees, shrubs, flowers, rain gardens) Other 6. Other comments relating to your use of Lions Park or the redevelopment of Lions Park: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PART/CIPATIONJI