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Summer 1991 Shore ReportSUMMER NEWSLETTER CITY OF SHOREWOOD "PARKS ° FILE COPY 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD, SHOREWOOD MINNESOTA 55331 Senior Citizen Assistance Minnetonka Community Services operates a Senior Skills Bank for the senior citizens in the community. The Senior Skills Bank seeks to attempt to provide low -cost service for those senior citizens who need occasional help to maintain themselves in their homes for as long as possible. The services are many: small repairs of plumbing, electrical needs, carpentry, yardwork, housework, driving, cooking, laundry, etc. Any senior in the'City of Shorewood is eligible to use the referral service. Contact the Senior Skills Bank by calling Jan Gray at 470 -3488. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #128 EXCELSIOR, MN 55331 GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY PARKS Printed on Recycled Paper Boulevard Obstructions Public Safety requires obstructions to be kept out of City rights - of -way. Even signs are not allowed, such as real estate and garage sale signs. They must be placed on your property Signs and hazardous obstructions on City rights -of -way are removed and discarded. You need to know where your property line is. If you do not have a survey City Hall may be able to help. Call 474 -3236. A FIRE SAFETY REMINDER FROM THE Excelsior Fire Prevention Bureau GOLDY KNOWS TO " GOPHER OPHER 1 1 � 1 pKE DETEC HIS SMOKE DETECTOR EVERY MONTH TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS - , r� University of Minnesota mascot Goldy Gopher knows that a smoke ' detector on every level of his home is his best friend - should fire i strike. That's why he checks it every month to make sure it works and changes the battery once a year. So should you. SERVING THE SOUTH LAKE AREA SINCE 1889 DEEPHAVEN • EXCELSIOR • GREENWOOD • SHOREWOOD • TONKA BAY Juvenile Curfew When summertime comes we all have a need to get out of the house and enjoy - our free time. Kids seem to know this better than anyone. The intent of our curfew ordinance is to ensure that all kids are safe and sound at the end of the night. Moms and Dads, please go over the curfew ordinance with your kids. For those fourteen years of age and younger, the curfew is 10:00pm. For those, ages 15 to 17, the curfew is midnight. The curfew ordinance stays in effect until 5:00am. The ordinance is the same in downtown Excelsior in the summer months. If your child goes into Excelsior to meet friends, please make sure arrangements are made to get them home before curfew. The ordinance also places liability on the parents for knowingly allowing children to violate the curfew ordinance. Fire Department's 7th Annual Dance and Fundraiser Friday, July 19th - 6.00pm to Midnight The 7th Annual Excelsior Firefighter's Relief Association Fundraiser Dance is just around the corner again. The sights, smells and sounds of what has abecome a familiar event will again fill the air at the Fire Station located at 339 Third Street in Downtown Excelsior. Another successful and entertaining event last year makes us look forward to the 1991 dance with excitement and anticipation. TICKETS WILL ARRIVE IN THE MAIL SOON!!! Party Ordinance If you plan to have a party at your home and you anticipate more than 75 guests attending you need to obtain a permit at City Hall. Information required for the permit is as follows: location, date and time of party, name of person, purpose of party and number of persons expected to attend. If you plan on having additional parties within six months following your first one where it can be reasonably anticipated that 75 or more people will be attending, you need to obtain special permission from the City Council. No parties are allowed between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00 am. Severe Weather Warning System The City of Shorewood has installed five outdoor warning sirens to warn citizens of events which require them to take action for their personal safety. This could take many forms. Severe weather is only one reason the sirens may be sounded. They would also be used for such things as a hazardous materials incident, nuclear accident or war, other weather related phenomenon, etc. For this reason it is vitally important that persons react properly. Unless the reason for the siren sounding is obvious, persons should turn on their radio or television to determine what action they should take. Should the siren be sounded for a hazardous materials incident, taking shelter in the lowest portion of a structure may actually endanger the resident. The proper action would be to evacuate the area. This information would be available by the public media. The most common use is to warn citizens of severe weather in general, and tornado warnings in particular. However everyone must realize that the outdoor warning sirens are just for that purpose - outdoor warning. They are not designed nor intended as an indoor warning system. Unless a resident lives very close to the siren, they can not expect it to warn them while they are in their home. The proper method of indoor warning is a weather alert radio. These can be purchased at local electronic stores or the electronics department of larger stores. It is recommended that the purchaser make sure they are buying a radio which will be set off by the Weather Bureau alert tones. Some weather radios are not so equipped. They merely provide weather radio when activated by the purchaser. The alert radio will be passive unless activated by the Weather Bureau alert tones. Most schools, nursing homes, industries, etc. use these radio alert receivers. A portable model can be purchased for about $30 and a desk model for about $40. They are very small but can provide lifesaving information. Crescent Beach Crescent Beach opened this year on June 8. For information on swimming lessons, etc., read F� page 48 of the Minnetonka Community Services summer issue "brilliant options ", or call Community Services at 470 -3450. CITY PARKS NEWSLETTER Meet Your Park Commission U W 4-4 O v The Shorewood Park Commission consists of 7 members who are appointed by the City Council. The job of these volunteers is to be an "Advisory Board ". They research what the park needs are, then make recommendations to the Council. Mr. Gordon Lindstrom, self - employed - "Minnetonka Lawn Service " - has been on our Park Commission the longest. He joined the Commission on January 13, 1978. Lindstrom has a wide variety of experience in recreational activities as a participant, coach, and administrator. He has knowledge of the recreational resources and recreational needs of the metro area. Mr. Ken Vogel has been on the Commission for over 5 years. Now retired, he was in the nursery business. He worked for Bachman's Florists and Nurserymen for about 10 years, and the past 15 years for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Mr. Mark Laberee, owner of Lan -De -Con Inc., a design -build landscape construction company, has been on the Commission for over .4 years. He is a graduate landscape architect with 2 years experience in park design and management. He has "hands on" knowledge of landscape construction costs, workmanship and problems associated with the industry. He has acted as a coach, utilizing Shorewood facilities, and has numerous associates and friends in municipal, county, and state park positions. Mr. Gordon Christensen, a civil electrical engineer, has also been on the Commission for over 4 years. He has a deep interest in the parks, and has spent numerous hours assessing their needs. Mr. James Andrus, Chairman of the Park Commission, has been on the Commission for over 4 years and is the President of Omni Pacific. His firm does tourism research and consulting for governments in the Pacific basin and owns travel agencies in Minneapolis and Honolulu. His administrative abilities, combined with a world -view perspective on leisure and recreational facilities, makes him a valuable member of the Park Commission. Mr. Jim Wilson, owner of Wilson Nursery, joined the Commission in June of 1989. He has an education in horticulture, landscape design, and construction, and 20 years of experience as a business manager /owner. Mr. Steven Dzurak, our newest Commissioner, is both a CPA and an attorney. His professional experience is beneficial in areas such as developing budgets and evaluating bids, interpreting and drafting rules, and dealing with various levels of government. New Freeman Fields Named J Three citizens who have been instrumental in the development of the Shorewood Park system were honored by then Mayor Jan Haugen, in ceremonies last winter. Freeman Park Softball Field #5 has been named Keeler Field, to honor former Councilman William Keeler who was instrumental in the organization of the Park Commission and who has consistently shown concern for the environment for the recreational needs of Shorewood residents. Softball Field #6 has been named Kelly Field, to honor former City Attorney Frank Kelly. Mr. Kelly served the City for twenty -five years and drafted the Park Commission organizational ordinance. Softball Field #4 has been named Lindstrom Field to honor Gordon Lindstrom who has served tirelessly on the Park Commission since January, 1978 (longer than any other Commissioner). Soon Field #3, a Little League Field, will be dedicated. "Tonka Men's Club ", has built and is donating this field to the City. It will be available for use in 1992. From the Park Commission The Park Commission is looking for Shorewood residents who would like to serve on various volunteer committees aimed at improving the quality of life in Shorewood. The two most urgently needed committees are a Park Promotion Committee and a Shorewood Annual "Theme Day" Committee. The Park Commission has long felt a need for a city -wide annual event which would both enhance Shorewood's image in neighboring cities and foster a greater sense of community among Shorewood residents. A citizen's committee would be formed which would be responsible for the planning and implementation of a day -long or weekend event in which all Shorewood residents could participate. Freeman Park has been suggested as possible venue for such an event which could be a Walkathon, a Food Fair, a Carnival, a Farmer's Market, a Flea Market or a Craft and Food Fair. Really there is no limit to the number of ideas for such an event, so if you are interested in working on such a committee, please call Sue Niccum at City Hall (474- 3236). The second major committee would be Park Promotion Committee. As a result of city meetings held last winter, the Park Commission has been working with the city staff.on a revised program for funding the completion of Shorewood's parks. In order for such a plan to work, we need to involve a few Shorewood residents to formulate ideas for promotion of the parks and funding plan to all residents. This is perhaps the most urgently needed committee, so if you have any interest at all in Shorewood's parks and would like to help in the promotion of the parks, please contact Sue Niccum at City Hall (474 -3236) or contact any one of the Park Commissioners right away. Freeman Park DO YOU KNOW YOUR CITY PARKS ? ?? IN EACH NEWSLETTER WE WILL BE DOING A FEATURE ITEM ON ONE OF SHOREWOOD'S PARKS. IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP THESE ARTICLES FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FREEMAN PARK? Did you know that Freeman Park is our only "Community Park "? The other parks are "neighborhood parks ". Do you have any idea of where Freeman Park is? It's northern border is the "Hiking and Biking Trail" (the old railroad corridor) so you can enter it from the trail on the north .......... it's eastern border touches Eureka Road, so you can enter from Eureka Road on the east ........... it's southern border touches State Highway 7, so you can enter from Highway 7 on the south..... and it's western border touches Strawberry Lane, but the only way to enter from Strawberry Lane is by walking, either on the "Hiking and Biking Trail ", or through the woodchip trails, one of these enters the park right next to the "Hiking and Biking Trail ". Did you know that Freeman Park is approximately 61 acres in size? Did you know that it has beautiful quiet peaceful woodchip walking trails winding through the woods that give you a chance to enjoy nature, to walk in the spring, summer, and fall, or to use for cross - country skiing in the winter? And that if you chose to bring a picnic lunch along, there are picnic tables scattered here and there among the trees (there are no grills as yet, hopefully, someday, there will be). Did you know that it has 3 regulation softball fields, a Babe Ruth field, and 2 Little League fields? Or that it has soccer fields, and a football field? That all except 2 of these fields are irrigated, and, hopefully, someday, the other 2 will be. WHAT ELSE IS PLANNED FOR THIS "COMMUNITY PARK "? Some of the other planned items are shown on the map: tennis courts, volleyball courts, playground equipment, hockey rink, free skating rink, picnic areas and pavilion, horseshoes, additional parking and a multiple use building (equipment storage, restrooms, warming house, concessions, etc.). Other planned items not shown on the map are sewer, water for the .multiple use building, a sandbox, benches and a fitness center for use along the trails, a basketball court, entrance signs, road improvements, perimeter fencing along the "Hiking and Biking Trail, football and hockey lighting, informal signage, and landscaping.. Parks... Planning for the Future Over the past year the Park Commission has been working on ways to improve our City parks. One method of financing improvements considered by the Commission was a bond issue referendum of nearly $2 million. The message received by the Commission at a series of public informational meetings this Spring was, in short, yes, our parks need improvements but economic times are tough; lets cut back. So the Commission is now working on a parks capital improvement program which spreads needed improvements out over a ten year period. The program will involve the City and area organizations in a coordinated effort to keep property tax impact low while constantly working together to improve the parks past the turn of the century. We hope local civic organizations, athletic associations, and businesses will respond positively when they are approached by the City to help in this effort. A bond issue referendum is still likely but in a reduced, cut -back form. More information will become available as the Commission and City Council develop this plan to improve our parks in a fashion consistent with public input. PROPOSED FACILITIES FREEMAN PARK SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA PROPOSED FACILITIES PROPOSED FACILITIES Dear South Shore Resident: The South Lake Crime Prevention and Criminal Apprehension Fund, Inc. needs your support. That support takes two forms. First, we need your financial support for the Fund and the citizens group that operates it. The many programs conducted annually by the Crime Fund require financial resources that can only come from our community residents. Please see the other side of this letter for an explanation of where the Crime Fund spends the funds it raises from the community. We also need your support to fight crime in our cities. Crime is a community problem and it is so very important for all of us to work together as a team to achieve our goals to fight crime through prevention and apprehension. Your Police Department works at these goals 24 hours a day; however, they can only provide a certain measure of effectiveness. You, the citizens, provide the significant contribution by participating in crime prevention programs and being the eyes and ears of the Department within the community. We ask for your help in fighting crime 365 days a year. Now, we ask for your financial support also. All contributions to the South Lake Crime Prevention and Criminal Apprehension Fund, Inc. are fully 100% tax deductible. Our Internal Revenue Service tax exempt number is 41- 1402572. Any size contribution will be greatly appreciated. Rotary °Chamber of Commerce Thank you for your crime prevention concern, «League of Women Voters American Legion Most sincerely Knights of Columbus «Excelsior Fire Department Minnetonka Women's Club / I , Masonic Lodge Robert Weiss Lions Club President SOUTH E C PREVE NTION l i." APPREHENSION FUND, D, iN Please make check payable to: Please mail to: (Optional Information) Name Address _ City /State _ South Lake Crime Fund P.O. Box 472 Excelsior, MN 55331 Zip My Contribution is: The Key To Crime (Check one) Prevention Is You �LLL�Lf_L11 LL L�1 Dear South Shore Resident: The South Lake Crime Prevention and Criminal Apprehension Fund, Inc. needs your support. That support takes two forms. First, we need your financial support for the Fund and the citizens group that operates it. The many programs conducted annually by the Crime Fund require financial resources that can only come from our community residents. Please see the other side of this letter for an explanation of where the Crime Fund spends the funds it raises from the community. We also need your support to fight crime in our cities. Crime is a community problem and it is so very important for all of us to work together as a team to achieve our goals to fight crime through prevention and apprehension. Your Police Department works at these goals 24 hours a day; however, they can only provide a certain measure of effectiveness. You, the citizens, provide the significant contribution by participating in crime prevention programs and being the eyes and ears of the Department within the community. We ask for your help in fighting crime 365 days a year. Now, we ask for your financial support also. All contributions to the South Lake Crime Prevention and Criminal Apprehension Fund, Inc. are fully 100% tax deductible. Our Internal Revenue Service tax exempt number is 41- 1402572. Any size contribution will be greatly appreciated. Rotary °Chamber of Commerce Thank you for your crime prevention concern, «League of Women Voters American Legion Most sincerely Knights of Columbus «Excelsior Fire Department Minnetonka Women's Club / I , Masonic Lodge Robert Weiss Lions Club President SOUTH E C PREVE NTION l i." APPREHENSION FUND, D, iN Please make check payable to: Please mail to: (Optional Information) Name Address _ City /State _ South Lake Crime Fund P.O. Box 472 Excelsior, MN 55331 Zip My Contribution is: (Check one) ❑ $1,000 ❑ $500 ❑ $250 ❑ $100 ❑ $50 ❑ $25 ❑ $15 ❑ $10 ❑ Other: $ 1990 CRUAE FUND ACTIVITIES: The Crime Fund purchased 100 video tapes of "How to Raise a Street Smart Child ". Approximately 80 of these have been distributed through various parent- teacher organizations, both public and private. The tapes are loaned out to parents through these various organizations for viewing with their children in a family environment. They have also been distributed through the South Lake Police Department. The Crime Fund made a substantial donation to the Minnetonka School District to help defray costs associated with Red Ribbon Week. Those funds, which were matched by the City of Minnetonka, along with a slightly smaller grant from Lutheran Brotherhood, were used to purchase "Just Say No" T- shirts. These were used during the Red Ribbon Week campaign in the schools. The Crime Fund purchased 1000 Halloween bags which were distributed by the South Lake Police Department through its' Officer Friendly program in local public and private schools. They were also distributed Halloween night at the police station by "McGruff, the Crime Fighting Dog ". The bags were specially purchased with safety features for small children. They were also biodegradable. The Crime Fund also authorized several rewards for information on local crimes and drug related activities. Rewards were paid for information which resulted in felony arrests as part of this program. The Crime Fund also redistributed posters urging motorists not to drink and drive. Other posters advertising rewards for information on drug dealers were also distributed throughout the South Lake area. The Crime Fund assisted with funds for the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force to be used in the education, prevention, enforcement and treatment of persons using illegal drugs. The Crime Fund continues to support all of the ongoing crime prevention activities and projects it has initiated over the years. This includes such programs as Operation Identification, Video Inventory, Neighborhood Watch, Officer Friendly, Elderly Lock Program, etc.