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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 13PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, October 13, 2003 MAINTENANCE CENTER 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes a. Approval of August 11, 2003 Meeting Minutes 3. Old Business a. Meadowview Park Playground Equipment b. Lakefront Park Reforestation Program c. Discussion of PAC/LAC September 16, 2003 Joint Meeting d. FIN Program e. 2003 Parks Projects Update f. . New Business a. Winter Maintenance Policy b. PLAY Contribution 5. Future Meeting Date a. November 11, 2003 (Tuesday) 6. Adjournment 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES FOR AUGUST 11, 2003 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm, on Monday, August 11,2003, at the Maintenance Facility. Members present were Pat McFadden, Tom Borger, Mike Feriancek, Lori Heigestad, and Ruth Harris. Also in attendance were Council Liaison Andrea Blomberg, Public Works Director Bud Osmundson, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Al Friedges, Recreation Supervisor Chris Esser and Assistant City Manager Susan Walsh. Approval of the June 9, 2003 Meetinq Minutes: Motion by McFadden to approve the June 9, 2003 Meeting Minutes. Second by Helgestad. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0. Meadowview Park Plav_qround Equipment: Discussion was held on whether to install the new playground equipment for Meadowview Park or to wait until the 40-acre area north of Meadowview is developed and then install the new.equipment in the larger park serving the entire area. Public Works Director Osmundson advised the members that the city has received a proposal from a developer to develop this 40-acre site as a mixture of commercial and residential uses. If this area would be developed, the city would receive through park dedication the majority of the land needed for a centrally located park for the entire area. On August 18th, the City Council will consider an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan (from Hospitality/General Business to Residential High Density) that would allow this project to move forward. Discussion was held on the current Meadowview residents' expectations for playground equipment in their park and what type of equipment should be install if the larger park was developed. A resident of Meadowview was in attendance and believed that residents would prefer to have a smaller scale park in their neighborhood. Members agreed that playground equipment should be purchased on a smaller scale if the new development goes forward and requested staff to come back with costs for recommended equipment if Council approves the rezoning at the August 18th meeting. Glynwater Basketball Court Update: Installation of the basketball court has been put on hold until next spring since residents have opposing views on whether a half court basketball court is appropriate for this neighborhood. Skatepark Equipment: Tom Borger advised the members on the new skatepark equipment that was purchased. The city was able to purchase a rail for the existing pyramid for $430 rather than its initial cost of $2200. Borger reported the skateboard camp was a success and very well attended. He has also been in contact with civic organizations asking for donations for additional equipment. Tom also advised that attendance numbers were down and would like the committee to review skatepark fees later this year. Lakefront Days: Staff gave an update on this year's Lakefront Days events and activities. All of the events were well attended by residents. PAC members were thanked for helping out this year. Tennis Courts: Public Works Director Osmundson advised that four of the seven tennis courts at the old high school are in fairly good shape. He will contact Mary Haugen, Activities Director, to see if the school district is interested in renovating them for public use. Parkinq with Trailers: Discussion was held on the City Council seeking input from PAC members as to whether additional parking spaces should be created for boat trailer parking. The city code restricts parking boat trailers within 2500 feet of the two access points on the lake that are located at Sand Point Beach and Dewitte Avenue. The city continues to receive requests from residents to post no parking signs within this area. Questions were raised whether we should have additional parking since this would most likely increase the number of boats on the lake. Members also questioned if there is a capacity issue on the lake and could the DNR provide input on the appropriate number of boats or parking spaces. Members agreed a joint meeting should be held with the Lake Advisory Committee to discuss these issues. Staff will schedule a meeting with the Lake Advisory Committee. Boat Slips/Fi~hinq Pier: Al Friedges advised there is a good possibility the city will receive a matching grant from the DNR for a fishing pier at Watzl's Beach. In the 2004 ClP, $15,000 was budgeted for 50% of the cost if the grant is awarded. Another $30,000 was included in the ClP for public boat slips that would allow boaters to use the concession building at Watzl's. This would also allow boaters to walk or be shuttled to the downtown area businesses. FIN Proqram: Al Friedges explained a new program called, Fishing in Your Neighborhood where the DNR will stock a pond with bluegills and sunfish either by stocking a shallow pond that will freeze out each year or by stocking a pond with an aerator. The purpose of the program is to promote shoreline fishing, and Friedges suggested Hass Lake or the ponds at Lakefront Park as possible sites. The DNR would stock the fish, and the city would have to pay for the electrical cost for the aerator. Forest Management Plan at Lakefront Park: Al Friedges advised the city has received approval of a grant application to pay for a reforestation program for our city parks. The initial grant application was for $12,750, and the city was approved for $9,000. The funds would be used to pay for a forest management plan that will assist city staff on how to remove unwanted noxious plants such as buckthorn, prickly ash, etc. It will also recommend the kinds of plants that should replace the noxious plants to prohibit it from reoccurring. Friedges named Applied Ecological Services as one of the consulting firms that provide this service. Friedges further noted that the plan would be written for Lakefront Park but would be used as a template for other city parks. Feriancek asked that the committee be provided with more information on the content and value of the study as well as further details. Friedges advised he would have more information at the next meeting. Recreation Proqrams Update: Recreation Supervisor Esser provided an update. MOTION by Helgestad to adjourn. Second by McFadden. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0. Respectfully submitted, Susan Walsh PRL October 7, 2003 Mary Sheehan 17306 Horizon Trail SE Pr/or Lake, MN 55372 Subject: Petition for snow removal of sidewalk/trails in the Woodridge Development and Ponds Park/Magen Fields Dear Mary: We have not forgotten your petition for snow removal of the sidewalk/trails in the Woodridge Development and Ponds Park/Magen Fields. City staff and the Park Advisory Committee (PAC) are reviewing this petition, the available City resources, and the criteria to perform winter trail snow removal at their next meeting.on Monday, October 13, 2003. City staffwould like to invite you to attend the PAC meeting regarding the winter maintenance of the sidewalk/trails in the Woodridge Development. The PAC meeting will be at the City Maintenance Center at 6:00pm, on Monday, October 13, 2003. The Maintenance Center is located at 17073 Adelmann Street SE. Please contact me if you have any questions at 952.447.9899. Sincqrely, Public Works Coordinator cc: Bud Osmundson, Director of Public Works A1 Friedges, Parks and Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Parks Advisory Committee Maintenance Center 17073 Adelmann St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 / Ph. (952) 440-9675 / Fax (952) 440-9678 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER FISHING INTHE NEIGHBORHOOD Program Summary January 2001-July 2002 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES What is Fishing in the Neighborhood? Fishing in the Neighborhood (FIN) is a DNR program aimed at increasing angling opportunities and environmental stewardship within the seven-county metro region. The FiN Program has created new shorefishing structures and fishing piers, stocked fish at lakes and ponds, and improved habitats through shoreline restoration and cleanup. Ffl~ isn't just about more people catching more fish: In a fundamental way, it's about the future of fishing. A Minnesota Tradition With more than 2 million anglers in Minnesota, it's clear that fishing is one of our state's most popular pastimes. But as more of the state's people become concentrated in the seven-county metro region it's important to recognize that an increasingly urbanized population may not have the same strong connection to the outdoors as .previous generations have had. To assure future generations will have opportunities to experience our outdoor heritage, we need to reach out to this urban population. Alice Lake, Washington County. Photographs taken by Minnesota DNR employees. Anglers take a, dvantage of the Beaver Lake fishing pier, Ramsey County. New Fishing Ponds in the Metro Region Carver / 1. Loring Lake - Minneapolis 2. Wolfe Lake - St. Louis Park 3. Powderhorn Lake - Minneapolis 4. Centennial Lake - Edina 5. Smith Lake - Bloomington 6. McColl Pond -Savage 7. Wakefield Lake - Maplewood 8. Colby Lake - Woodbury 9. Ravine Lake - Cottage Grove "The FiN program staff have been great to work with. They have been doing a great job at one of our regional parks to make it a fantastic fishing opportunity for families. We really appreciate all their assistance." -- Mike Polehna, Parks Manager Washington County Working with Partners With over 900 small bodies of water, the Twin Cities has some of the best urban angling in the country. Many area residents don't have access to these great fishing waters. Only one in six Minnesotans owns a boat, and many smaller lakes and ponds lack shorefishing facilities, or aren't managed for fish. By making an inventory of smaller bodies of water with potential for fisheries management, FiN has identified and added shorefishing opportunities. By teaming up with local interests such as city and parks departments, lake associations, and schools, FiN has developed partnerships that have improved access, habitat restoration, and community stewardship. Nearly all of FiN's activities have taken place in cooperation with one or more partners. The end result: Better fishing closer to where people live. Cub Scout troops participate in shoreline restoration at Simley Lake, Dakota County. Block installation with the City of Maplewood. FiN Program Highlight: Wakefield Lake What made Wakefield Lake a perfect spot for a new kids' fishing pond? In a word, location. Situated near the Maplewood-St. Paul border, the 23-acre lake is located within a residential neighborhood of 23,000 people. Minority groups make up 29 percent of the population and nearly 28 percent are between the ages of five and 14. A city park borders the lake on two sides. This location met all the criteria for a successful FiN project: a small lake in an urban setting with significant minority and youth populations nearby. Moreover, the city park was already a popular attraction for local families. Once the location was identified, we needed to inventory the fish in Wakefield Lake. In August 2001, we conducted netting surveys. The initial findings were disappointing-we found many bullheads, a few goldfish, and only one game fish. But we knew that stocking the lake would provide good angling opportunities for the neighborhood. A few months later, we met with park staff from the City of Maplewood to discuss creating a fishing resource at Wakefield Lake. The city was very enthusiastic about the idea and our discussions soon lead to collaboration on a management plan. In April, we installed six, large concrete blocks that were used to create three shore- fishing stations. To save money, the blocks were cast in molds and then colored to look like limestone. The FiN program purchased the blocks and the city donated the materials, equipment, and personnel needed for the installation. Native vegetation was planted along the edges of the blocks and limestone paths were created to provide access to each station. We stocked the lake with catchable-size bluegill'and black crappie in May. We knew the project was a success from the number of kids Part of the DNR's mission is to "provide quality recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans," including that half that lives in the metro region.'. -~ and adults we saw fishing at the stations during site visits we made in May and June. We also heard many positive comments from anglers and park users. Information about the shore- fishing stati6ns was included in the parks and recreational flyer and local newspaper. The Pioneer Press also ran a feature article about the project in its urban fishing column. These and other promotional efforts will help to make others aware of this new fishing opportunity in their neighborhood. Wakefield Lake, Ramsey County. FiN Program Accomplishments, January 2001-July 2002 · Created nine new neighborhood fishing ponds-an increase of more than 30 percent in the number of fishing ponds prior to the FiN Program. · Stocked over 9,000 catchable-size panfish in the new ponds and conducted supplemen- tal stocking at several other lakes. · Visited eight schools to teach students about aquatic ecology and lakes in their community. · Implemented shoreline restorations at four lakes, restoring over 1,000 feet of de- graded shoreline. 35~ Number of Metro Region Lakes Stocked With Bluegill 25 10- 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 · Designed and helped install seven shorefishing structures on three lakes. · Helped install two new fishing piers with two more ready for installation. · Participated in over 25 events introducing youth, seniors, and people with disabilities to angling and their local aquatic resources. Students getting involved in the FiN program. Lake Calhoun, Hennepin County. · Participated in the Great River Cleanup to remove trash from the banks of the upper Mississippi River. · Investigated new sources and techniques for rearing and harvesting catchable-size panfish for stocking. · Promoted the new fishing opportunities through six articles in the local press, features in two major newspapers, a FiN page on the DNR web site, and three local cable access television and radio programs. The FiN program participates in shoreline cleanup and restoration. Loeb Lake, Ramsey County. · Developed numerous partnerships with city and county parks departments, lake associations, and schools encouraging community stewardship. Fishing... and much more By getting more people involved in angling, FiN is assuring that this family- oriented activity continues to be one of Minnesota's most popular pastimes. By helping a wider cross-section of people understand how our natural world works, the program encourages environmental stewardship, assuring healthier habitats for fish and wildlife-as well as humans-for generations to come. Give a person a fish and you've fed her for a day. Teach that person and her children to fish--and to care for the land, air, and water that sustain the fish-you've given them a lifelong interest, that will Provide a broad range of social, econOmic, and environmental benefits. Mother and daughter fishing at Lake Simley, Dakota County. For more information, please contact one of the FiN Program Coordinators: West Metro ~ Mark Nemeth n 9925 Valley View Rd. Valley View Business Center Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952)826-6764 East Metro Rick Walsh 1200 Warner Rd. Ra St. Paul, MN 55106 (651)772-7949 mark.nemeth@dnr, state.mn.us rick.walsh@dnr, state.mn.us This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling: (651) 296-6157 (Metro Area) or 1-888-MINNDNR (MN Toll Free) or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf/TTY: (651) 296-5484 (Metro Area) or 1-800-657-3929 (Toll Free TTY). Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age, sexual orientation, membership or activity in a local commission, or disability. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to MN-DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4031; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240. Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 (651) 296-6157 (Metro Area) 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) (MN Toll Free) ©2003, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources Printed on recycled paper containing a minimum of 10% post-consumer waste and soy-based ink. www. dnr. state.mn.us City of Prior Lake F innesota 2003 TRAILS - SNOW PLOWING MAP SKATING RINK SCHOOL 0.5 MI RADIUS SCHOOL BUFFER (1.0 MI RADIUS BUFFER AT PRIOR LAKE MIDDLE LAKE MUNICIPAL PARK COUNTY/REGIONAL PARK :~.J CITY BOUNDARY TRAIL/SIDEWALK BY PLOWING STATUS / '~ PLOWED TRAIL OR WALK / '~ NOT PLOWED TRAIL OR WALK ," ', ,, PROPOSEDTRAIL Last Updated October 2003 City of Prior Lake Engineering Department X:\Pu biic_Works\Snow_Plow~sn°w-pl°w-map'ap r 3000 0 3000 Feet HOWARD LAKE REGIONAL. PARK SPRING LAKE LOWER PRIOR / ! This drawing is neither a legally recorded map nor a survey and is not intended to be used as one. This drawing is a compilation of records, information and data from various city, county and state offices and other sources. This document should be used for reference only. No representation is made that features presented accurately reflect true location. The City of Prior Lake, or any other entity from which data was obtained, assumes no liability for any errors or omissions herein. If discrepancies are found, please contact the City of Prior Lake. CLEARY LAK£ REGIONAL PARK