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1994-08-09 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF 14ENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOT] PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 9, 1994 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, August 9, 1994, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Spicer, Norton, Damberg, Linnell and Katz. Commissioners Libra and Kleinglass were excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Landscape Architect Joni Giese. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the July 12, 1994 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: WENTWORTH PARK PLAY EQUIPMENT Parks Project Manager Kullander described a proposal from Earl F. Anderson to install handicap accessible play equipment at Wentworth Park in an amount not to exceed $17,000 as approved by City Council. Kullander described the custom designed play booster system that would be added to the existing system and would be accessible by current ADA standards. Kullander described this play system as including a horizontal ladder and pipe barrier with a new wave slide, driver panel, a transfer module, a slide winder, a clatter bridge and various decking. He stated that a rubberized surface and bucket swing would be added in the swing area. An extension of the playground border, asphalt and trail connection, and additional pea gravel would be added in the new play structure area. Commissioner Spicer inquired if this proposal is within the budget as approved by the City Council. Kullander stated yes it is within the $17,000 cap placed upon this project by the City Council. Commissioner Linnell discussed making another Jigger piece accessible. The Commission discussed possible placement of an accessible digger and a new surface that would need to go with it. The Commission decided to discuss this in a future year. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 2 The Commission discussed an alternate pricing bid for extending the border edging for a larger swing safe zone that would include the excavation and relocation of the existing border for $1,600. Kullander stated the same type of safety guidelines would need to be implemented at Hagstrom-King Park and Curley Tot Lot but these are planned for in the five year capital improvement plan for 1997 and beyond. Kullander explained that the current border wood, in Wentworth, when installed met all safety distance guidelines, but these guidelines are now modified with larger safe zones, but can be moved at a future date. Commissioner Damberg moved to recommend that the City Council accept the Earl F. Anderson bid for handicapped accessible play equipment for an amount not to exceed $17,000. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYESa NAYS: VERBAL UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the discussion of park vision/philosophy statement would be carried over to the September meeting. Batchelder described the Third Annual Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks! and stated that it was a successful event with over 1,000 people in attendance. He stated there was significant contributions from both the business community and individuals in Mendota Heights that volunteered to help with the event or to sponsor the event. The Parks Commission was of the consensus that the family fitness walk was a great addition to the Celebration even though there were less than 50 walkers. The Commission felt that this walk should be a part of the Celebration that is continued into future years. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the monthly report from Parks Leadperson Terry Blum had stated there was more vandalism at the Marie Avenue bridge and in a different location. Commissioner Spicer commended Terry Blum for the wonderful work that had been done for the men's softball tournaments and stated that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association (MHAA) was also very happy with the wonderful conditions of all the all fields all summer long. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 3 Kullander described an upcoming project that is the enlarging the Friendly Hills free skating area. Kullander stated a bulldozer would be used to level the surrounding area so that the free skating area would be doubled in size and that currently he is accepting bids to move and relocate the warming house. Commissioner Spicer inquired if the soccer fields at Kensington Park had worked well this summer. Kullander responded yes. Commissioner Norton reported on her attendance at the Dakota County picnic and stated each City took a few minutes to describe their park system and their recreation programs. Norton stated that the City of Mendota Heights has as much of a commitment to the park system and recreation programs as the other cities that were at the meeting and who reported on their programs. Norton stated there was a discussion about the County's park policy acquisition policies and that there is some concern among other cities as well that Dakota County park acquisition policies are not adequate. Kullander reported the archery range at Friendly Marsh Park had been briefly analyzed by City park staff and felt the concerns can be addressed with the addition of some signage and by mowing the grass in a certain fashion that would create separate shooting aisles to make it a safer, more structured, archery range. Norton asked staff to place on the agenda, for September, a discussion of the use of chemical fertilizers on City owned grass. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING - NORTH KENSINGTON PARK CONCEPT PLANS Administrative Assistant Batchelder welcomed the audience and introduced the Parks Commissioners and City Councilmembers Smith and Krebsbach. Approximately 25 adult residents and 2 children were present in addition to staff. Batchelder stated the intention of tonight's neighborhood meeting was to have the neighborhood review the concept plans that have been designed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council in concert with the contracted landscape architect. Batchelder stated that hopefully following this input, the Parks and Recreation Commission would be able to make a recommendation to the City Council on the concept plans. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 4 Batchelder stated in February a neighborhood meeting was held and that input was received from the residents who attended that meeting. He stated the input from the residents had been the guiding force for the development of the concept plans. Batchelder stated that since the February meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council have worked out a budget approximating $25,000 for a "Backyard Concept" with the possibility of more funding for a shelter. He stated the development of North Kensington Park was one of the final pieces of the referendum, that was approved by City voters in 1989. He introduced Landscape Architect Joni Giese. Ms. Giese began by presenting a base map, a map of the constraints in North Kensington Park. She stated that some of these constraints are the power line easement and the gas line in that easement and mature oak vegetation in the northeast corner of the park that she does not want to disturb. Giese stated the topography of North Kensington Park makes it a natural gathering area and that North Kensington Park includes a stormwater detention pond. Giese stated the flow of water is from the surrounding neighborhood into the stormwater detention pond which empties into a storm system that delivers the water to the Copperfield ponds system. Giese stated that in designing the concept plans one of her main concerns was for the cleanliness of the pond. She stated the input from the February neighborhood meeting was that a high value was placed on the wildlife and the natural attributes of the pond. She stated her concept plan intended to preserve and save the ponds but also to allow for sediments and fertilizers to be filtered prior to their entrance into the pond. Giese reiterated her concern about the long term quality of the water entering the pond and discussed how her plan would help better define the edge of the pond. Giese also discussed a knoll that separates South Kensington Park and North Kensington Park as being another constraint. Giese reviewed her Activities Concept for North Kensington Park. She stated this Activities Concept includes four gathering areas for family sized picnics. It also includes a lawn area for informal games such as croquet, volleyball, boccie ball and other games that would make use of flexible open grass area. Giese demonstrated how water is channeled past these gathering areas through water swales into the pond area. Giese stated the water swales are designed to allow water to slowly enter the pond and use natural vegetation to filter out nutrients and sediments as the water runs through these vegetated swales. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9. 1994 Page 5 Giese demonstrated the circulation routes for pedestrian traffic through the park. Ms. Giese demonstrated her Ground Design Plan which highlighted the swales that would channel water to the pond and use native grasses that would mature at about waist height. She stated these swales areas would support a lot of bird and wildlife and that in between the water swale area will be the open grass areas which will be at an elevated level from the Swale areas. Giese stated a small planting area had been included for the neighborhood as well as a platform and deck/observation area for the pond. Giese described how foot bridges and paths would allow pedestrian access through these grass Swale areas. Giese stated that sandstone is being considered to be used for seating and retaining walls throughout the park. Giese stated that sandstone is potentially available from Acacia Park where there is a deposit of sandstone block that is left over from the demolition of the old Ramsey County courthouse. Giese stated it is the City' s hope that this sandstone would be provided free of cost and could be used for structures in the park. Giese demonstrated her tree canopy design which had oaks along Mendota Heights Road serving as an enclosure to the park while allowing visibility into the park as well. Giese described trees along the pathway as being Sugar Oaks interspersed with Red Maples to provide shade. Giese stated that Amur Maples would be used along the townhouse border and to help define the boundaries of the park along that edge. She stated this tree canopy plan would allow visual permeability into the park and that views into the park would not be blocked. Giese stated that Amur Maples would also be used to connect South Kensington Park to North Kensington Park in the knoll area at the southern end of North Kensington Park. Giese stated the plans shows a shelter that would allow one picnic table and some benches to be placed in the shade along the trail in the southern portion of Kensington Park. Giese demonstrated some elevation plans of the park and showed what the park would look like from Mendota Heights Road as well as what the park would look like from Stockbridge Avenue. Ms. Giese used a slide show to demonstrate the native grasses that she is proposing in the park and to show some pictures of the sandstone that she is proposing to use for retaining walls Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 6 and benches. Giese stated that some of the native grasses include: Blackeyed Susans, Prairie Gardens and other types of native grass. Giese showed some pictures of emergent plants that would be used for the wet areas. Giese concluded by saying the concept plan includes some intimate areas within North Kensington Park for neighborhood gatherings as well as some natural settings that would accommodate the need for a natural look to the park as well as accommodating the movement of water into the detention pond. Administrative Assistant Batchelder opened the meeting for comments and questions by the residents in attendance. A resident inquired about lights in the park. Kullander stated the only lights are those that already exist and are security lights on the US West Communications building at the north end of the park. A resident inquired about making an investment in landscaping in the NSP easement and if there was a possibility that NSP would come along at a later date and rip up the landscaping during maintenance or improvements to their facilities and powerlines. Kullander stated that any work on the power line or pipeline would be for repairs or upkeep and that the turf and vegetation would be restored by the utility company, if necessary. A resident from the single family neighborhood on the east edge of the park complained about the structure being near their property and too close to their backyard and garden. They stated they did not want this structure near their home. A resident from the townhouse development stated they do not want it near their townhomes. Giese described the shelter as being vertical supports with a flat roof to provide shelter from the rain and sun and that it was designed to be big enough to include one picnic table with some bench seating. Residents, staff and the Commission discussed security in North Kensington Park. Batchelder stated the proposed design includes canopy trees around the edge of the park that would allow for visibility into the park by police patrol. Chair Katz inquired if there was a concern that most of the tree species are oak and would there be a liability with oak wilt in the future. She stated the City should consider using an assortment of tree species. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 7 Ms. Giese stated that the oaks and tree species are native to this area and with the proper care should do very well. Residents inquired about the size and scope of the pond and the changes that the pond would undergo with this construction plan. Councilmember Smith stated the shelter is designed to provide sufficient privacy without obstructing any views within the park. A resident inquired if the shelter could be moved away from the single family homes. Commissioner Linnell stated there are other possible locations to place this shelter that would also be near the path but perhaps closer to the US west building. Batchelder inquired if residents would be interested in the garden plot that is shown on the plan or if there was a level of interest in maintaining gardening in this area. A resident stated he would rather see an apple tree than a garden. Commissioner Damberg felt that perhaps wildflowers being established in this area would be less maintenance in the future than a garden area. A number of residents stated that they were rather pleased with the design of this park and its natural amenities, with the exception of the shelter. A number of residents were pleased with the possible use of the sandstone block. Following the neighborhood meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission returned to the large conference room to discuss the concept plan. Commissioner Spicer moved to approve the concept plan as presented this evening by Landscape Architect Joni Giese and to recommend that the City Council adopt this plan as its concept plan with the condition that the question of the inclusion of a shelter be reserved to be considered one year after the park is constructed. Commissioner Spicer stated that his motion is based on his conversations with people from the area who do not want to see a shelter located in North Kensington Park. Spicer stated the only conflict at the neighborhood meeting was related to the location of the shelter. Spicer stated this recommendation also relates to the previous representation by the Parks and Recreation Commission that funds could best be applied for providing tennis at the Hagstrom-King Park instead of a small shelter in this location. Spicer stated he feels a shelter is not a good use of the remaining referendum money in this location. Spicer further stated that this plan includes approximately 100 trees which will provide some level of shelter. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYESa NAYS: Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 8 Commissioner Linnell stated that the reconsideration of a shelter can show a different location that is not as close to the single family homes that did not desire to see this shelter located near their property, ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned its meeting at 8:30 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant