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Parks Commission Minutes 07-09-2001 Special . . . MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION July 9, 2001 - 2 p.m. Members Present: Fran Fair, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Earl Snlith Members Ahsent: Nancy McCaffrey; Council Liaison, Roger Carlson Staff: Gregg Engle The Park Commission toured a number of parks beginning with Pioneer Park. A pathway has been cut into the grass/wetland area. It was discussed whether additional area should be mowed and the consensus of the Parks Commission was to just keep the pathway area mowed. The Parks Commission also asked about the proposed layout of the trail in the area. The Parks Commission discussed the wooded area. It was felt that at some point a trail would be cut through the wooded area and possibly a few benches placed in that area but other than that the area would be a passive park and not developed intensively. Gregg Engle pointed out the trail access points to the park and it was noted that the park is well accessed from the various developments. Earl Smith suggested that the City contact Wright County about partnering project that would put in cross country ski trails. He felt the cross country ski trails would be a good complement to the skating rink that was also mentioned as a possibility. Mike Lundquist from the Lions Cluh met with the Parks Commission at the Pioneer Park and updated them on the status of the proposed shelter. 'rJ1C architectural drawings arc being prepared by Skip Sorenson but have not yet been completed. It is the intent of the Lions to get the shelter constructed yet this year. They are designing the shelter to be as vandal proof as possihle and to complement the rustic theme of Pioneer Park. One end of the shelter would be enclosed for storage purposes. Mike Lundquist also discussed possible locations for the shelter. One of the initial sites selected was a knoll in the area of the gravel parking lot. Mike Lundquist felt it provided good visibility of the whole park. The Parks Commission felt that was too centrally located and they didn't want the shelter to be f()Cus point of the park and have to develop around it. They felt the shelter would be better situated off to one side of the entrance. Mike Lundquist talked about financial support from the Lions and indicated that they would probably conduct at least one fund raiser at the park with the proceeds going towards the park and also provide a $2,000 annual allotment for the park. Mike Lundquist explained that much of the labor for construction of the shelter would be donated by Lion members. Mike Lundquist also noted that the Lions had considered lighting for the park. The lights would be more of an old fashi(.)I1ed design that would go with the theme of Pioneer Park. However at this point there is no electrical service to the park. The Parks Commission felt that the immediate goals for Pioneer Park should be to get the Lions shelter constructed and then work on the parking lot area. Earl Smith felt that grading of the parking lot area should be done at the same time work was done on the skating area so that lill material could be used. It was also felt that the wooded area would be separate from the park only linked to the park by the trail and not developed except I(Jr trails and perhaps a few benches. Park Commission Minutes - 7/9/0 I . The order of priority I()/" Pioneer Park is: I. ('onstruet the shelter. Grade and install the parking lot area. Trees/plantings I()r the parking lot area. Skating area. Possible basketball court by volleyball area. Possible small bandshell. Trai I development in the wooded area. 7 3. 4. S. 6. 7. There was some discussion on the cost of constructing the trails. Gregg Engle noted that he got an estinwte of $4.500 to replacc the section of trail in the Meadow Oaks Park and he felt the trails fiJ[ Pioneer Park would be around $20,000. Fran Fair staled that the MCP had some funds and asked if the Lions, Rotary or other civic organizations would have an interest in going together to get SOlne signs installed at Bridge Park. Mike Lundquist thought the Lions Club would be open to that and suggested that a cost estimate be prepared so that there is something specific that can be presented to the various organizations. Gregg Engle indicated that the signs would probably run about $2.000 each but he would come back with a firmer cost estimate. Mike Lundquist also suggested that Lions might be able to help out with sonle of the labor on the signs. . The Parks Commission then reviewed the park \and in the Wildwood Addition. There is only access to the park from the street. 'lhe Parks Commission felt the park needed trees and also felt a play structure should be included and possibly a small shelter but did not see other development j()!' the park. It was also noted that there are strips of wooded area that were set aside for tree preservation and there is no expectation that the Park Department will have to do anything with the tree preservation area. The park land by the water tower was also visited and basically the Park Department will be working on clearing and grubbing out the area. The Parks Commission viewed the Meadow Oak Park and the recently completed play area. They also saw the segment or trail that is in need of replacement. After that they reviewed the Battle Rapids area. The Park Department has begun some clearing of the area and the question was how much area should be cJcared. The Parks Commission felt that the area betweclJ the two light poles should be cleared but they also cautioned about doing too much in the area. Basically all they wanted to do is to provide a better view of the river tor the properties on the other side of County Road 39. The Parks Commission also discussed the trail systenl for this area. The Parks Commission also checked on the park located on Mississippi Drive. The Parks Commission concluded their Ineeting at 4: 15 p.m. . O~_~~S~____ Recording Secretary 2