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052300 PK AgPCITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2000 8:00 P.M. OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PARK TOURS AGENDA 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll Call Lynch Bix Puzak Themig Arnst Dallman Youn Berndt B. Review Agenda 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2000 (Attr42A Draft Summary) 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of May 22, 2000 B. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of May 18, 2000 C. Response to Adopt -A -Brick Program 5. REVIEW "TO DO" ITEMS FROM PARK TOURS (Att. -#5 -1999 "To Do" Items) 6. REVIEW LETTER TO SMITHTOWN WEST NEIGHBORS 7. SKATE PARK A. Discuss the "Seasons" visit B. Update on Tonka Bay (Larry Brown) C. Review New Concept Drawing (Brad Nielsen) 8. CONSIDER NAME.FOR FREEMAN PARK STRUCTURE (Att. #8) 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. ADJOURNMENT Council Liaison: June: Puzak July: six CITY OF SHOREWOOD • PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2000 MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:30 P.M. Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at '7:52 P.M. (This followed the annual tour of Cathcart Park, Freeman Park and Crescent Beach.) A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Vice -chair Themig; Commissioners Puzak, Dallman, Bix and Young; Director of Public Works Larry Brown Absent: Commissioner Berndt; Council Liaison Zerby B. Review Agenda Arnst requested that item 4B (Report on Land Conservation & Environment Committee Activities) be deferred until the June 13 meeting. • Puzak moved, Themig seconded to approve the agenda as modified. Motion passed 6/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2000 Themig moved, Puzak seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion passed 6/0. B. Park Commission Work Session Minutes of April 29, 2000 Puzak moved, Young seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion passed 6/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of May 8, 2000 Engineer Brown said that Acting Administrator Nielsen gave an overview for Council of the neighborhood meeting at the potential skate park site. Mayor Love and Councilmember Zerby had inquired also about the construction activity at the site. Brown explained that the City allowed Mn/DOT • permission to store a job trailer on the parking lot area. Unauthorized equipment and piles of millings have also accumulated and Brown is addressing that with Mn/DOT. He plans to ask Mn/DOT to restore MJ PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE 2 the area and to install new posts along the Highway edge of the parking area and to seal coat the surface of the lot. Chair Arnst said that some residents also had a concern about construction activity starting too early in the morning. Brown said it has been addressed. The Commissioners discussed possible ideas for the re- surfacing of the parking area. B. Report on Land Conservation & Environment Committee Activities Deferred until June 13 meeting. C. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of April 13, 2000 Commissioner Dallman reported that the Parks Foundation made final approval of their brochure, which has since been printed and included in the Shorewood City newsletter. Puzak asked that each Park Commission receive 10 copies to have on hand. Arnst recommended that various sports organizations be asked to include a copy in their own newsletters as well. Arnst gave some information to Dallman on Excelsior's adopt -a -brick program as a fundraising idea to pass on to the Park Foundation. The next Foundation meeting is Thursday, May 18. 5. REVIEW `PTO DO" ITEMS FROM PARK TOURS During the tour of the parks, the following items were found to be in need of attention: Cathcart Park • • Add ag -lime rock around the team benches in the baseball area. • Stripe a "net line" on the practice board in the tennis court. • Apply brightly colored paint on gateposts at the end of the hockey rink. • Mend a split pipe on the tennis court fencing. • Paint a few bare portions of the teeter - totter. • Fill the potholes in the turf. • It was also noted that cars are being parked on the grassy area of the park when the parking lot is full. Staff will monitor to see if "No Parking" signs need to be installed. Freeman Park • Replace sod in the waterline construction area (hopefully before the June 17 open house). • Repair the rubber surface at the tot lot. • Remove graffiti on "doggy -do" sign near the trail area. • Remove cinder block near "doggy -do" sign. • Inspect park signs by Strawberry Lane and consider for possible replacement. • Check on missing biff (There was only one.) • Remove wood post in bushes southwest of the softball fields. • Take care of dangerous trees that have fallen in the woods. • Address matter of "unauthorized" soccer field near the softball area. (Consider planting a few trees.) 0 PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE 3 The Commission expressed appreciation for the excellent care that Charlie Davis and crew have given • toward parks and asked Brown to say thank you on their behalf. A certificate will be prepared to recognize their efforts. Brown commented that Charlie takes a lot of pride in the parks. Brown reported that the Osha's (neighbors to the west of Freeman Park) are interested in working with the City to develop a buffer between their property and the new parking area near Highway 7. Brown also reported that Mn/DOT has now approved the concept plan to close the Highway 7 access at Freeman Park. They will pay the City $50,000 to close the entrance and create a parking area for the south end of the park. A meeting is planned at the end of May with Mn/DOT to finalize plans. Brown will report back to the Commission as things develop. He said he will also be negotiating for bituminous millings to use as dust control in the parking area for another year. Crescent Beach • There was nothing - listed - atthis time. Brown added that there will be signs posted on the City's tennis courts saying "No Pets Allowed." 6. DETERMINE NEXT STEP AFTER SKATE PARK COMMUNITY MEETINGS Puzak stated that there were some issues revealed that the Park Commission needs to pay attention to. One is the question of restoring or sealing the hand pump well at the site. After conversation with neighbors, he now thinks it should not be restored at its present location. • Another concern is that some kids may skateboard and roller blade through the Seasons neighborhood off of Excelsior Boulevard. That neighborhood is private property and a quiet area. Puzak said he does not know the answer, but wants the City to do the best they can to address the issue. He does not think signage is a good solution. Amst said the residents liked the idea of the curb and berm very much. They also suggested a realignment of the pathway to Highway 7 and other ideas to reduce turn- around traffic in the Seasons development. Brown said it would boil down to signage and enforcement. A reconfiguration of the parking and driving area is possible but they have to work with some constraints. Themig said he would like to hear further discussion around the basic idea of this site as a best selection. Now that there is more information,. he asked about reconsidering the idea of Manitou Park. in Tonka Bay. Puzak said the main problem with Manitou is where to store equipment during the winter because the skate park would be placed in the hockey area. There was discussion about the pros and cons of the Manitou location, including accessibility, safety, traffic, neighboring homes or businesses, etc. The options of Manor Park and Badger Park were also reviewed. Themig said he is not opposed the St. Alban's Park site, but feels that the Manitou site has maximum visibility. Engineer Brown mentioned the idea of the existing (and un- utilized) basketball court at the Oasis Market near City Hall. Chair Amst suggested that someone contact the City of Tonka Bay to see if Manitou is still an option. Puzak said he is concerned about how that would effect timing and the overall progress that has been made. Amst said she would like to have staff contact Tonka Bay to check on the status of Manitou. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE 4 Puzak reviewed the history of the site selection process. He noted the advantages of visibility and trail access with Manitou. He is also not comfortable with the potential of creating teen traffic through a senior neighborhood, which is an issue to resolve for the St. Alban's site. The Commission discussed various ideas for designing around that problem. It was agreed that the question of Manitou needs to be looked at once again. The Commission agreed to change the park tour of the next meeting to visit the St. Alban's site again instead of the Christmas Lake launch. The May 23 park tour schedule was set for: Manor, St. Alban's, and Silverwood parks. They will look at the idea of a garden/bench area on the west end of the St. Alban's site as an amenity for Seasons residents. 7. DETERMINE NEXT STEP AFTER SMITHTOWN ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING Chair Arnst said that her impression is that the strong support from west end residents along Smithtown has waned from what it was at the outset. She is hesitant to proceed on such a large undertaking without the grassroots support. The more vocal people at the meeting were not even from the west end of Smithtown. Arnst added that she would hope to consider a concept of one side of the road or another and then ask staff to proceed with gaining right -of -way for that side. Then in 2 or 3 years, when the roadway is slated to be improved, look at State aid funding and include a trail as part of the package. Right now we are not seeing enough support to keep it active at each meeting. Puzak asked what to communicate to residents now that we have had our meetings, talks, and open houses. Dallman added that he did not hear enough people on the west side who were in support of a trail. One person in particular favored a trail, but felt it is impossible to overcome all the obstacles. • Puzak suggested some language to say there was not enough support for a trail and the next review cycle will be when the roadway is due to be improved. Themig said the idea for a trail along the west end should not be dropped because of what people on the east side have said. He wants to let the west side residents know that the Park Commission needs their support. Puzak added that they should also be told what needs to still be accomplished in easements, etc. The Commission discussed options for a trail or a smaller walkway if working around Minnesota State Aid (MSA) standards. They asked Engineer Brown about plans to reconstruct Smithtown Road in two or three years. Brown said that, although people react negatively to the idea of MSA projects, reconstruction of Smithtown Road could not happen without MSA dollars. In the meantime, City Council has directed staff to do reclamation /repair to the road surface. He added that the State allows state aid funding to be used for obtaining right -of -way. Brown said that he would like to see Smithtown reconstructed to one standard for both the east and west potions. The MSA standard would be 26 foot wide curb -to -curb minimum. A width of 32 feet allows for a bike lane along the edge. Commissioner Dallman said that if staff is going to recommend that Smithtown be redone at its present width, we should proceed with the trail idea. If it is going to the MSA width, delay trail construction to be included in that project. Brown said the timing for a decision to either go MSA or to reconstruct as currently configured would be at the next CIP review. This year's CIP has not been approved. His best guess is that it would be toward the end of this year. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE 5 The Commission discussed how to proceed with communication to residents. Some ideas for survey • questions and format were considered. Arnst and Themig will draft a letter for the Commission to review and amend if needed. 8. DISCUSSION REGARDING SOUTH ENTRANCE OF FREEMAN PARK See Item #5 at the end of the Freeman Park To Do list. 9. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Puzak will be the liaison for the next Council meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT Puzak moved Dallman seconded to adjourn. Motion passed 6/0. The meeting adjourned at 9:34 P.M. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Connie Bastyr RECORDING SECRETARY • Tuesday, June 8, 1999 Park Tours Manor Park Done ♦ Aerator for pond ♦ Paint the graffiti by the satellites Wayside Rest Area ♦ Seal the well ♦ Check location for skatepark ♦ Improve the barrier along Highway 7 ♦ Check on walkway trail Silverwood Park ♦ Dress up the erosion around the satellites ♦ Plant bushes along the two big slides to stop erosion ♦ Remove the two fence posts by pond (south of the satellite and east of the blacktop trail) ♦ Remove the thistles at the end of the big slides ♦ Rubber mat at the end of the two big slides Cancelled • ♦ Fill in the holes around the blocks (by the swing area) ♦ Small garden area by Silverwood sign (Zerbys are going to adopt) ♦ Put article in newsletter that Silverwood was adopted by Zerbys Christmas Lake Access ♦ Check on painting stripes at Christmas Lake access parking lot L� 1t3 MEMO Date: May 16, 2000 To: Shorewood Park Commission cc: Mayor Woody Love and Acting Administrator Nielsen From: Connie Bastyr, Communications Technician 6 Re: Proposal to Name the Freeman Park Multi- purpose Building Upon learning that the City Council and Park Commission were desiring to assign a more appealing and permanent name to the proposed park structure at Freeman Park, I began using my sleepless hours (2:00 to 4:00 a.m.) to challenge my brain toward that endeavor; a more constructive distraction than worrisome thoughts. In short order, the idea of using the word "Station" came to me because: • 1. The park is partially bordered by the old railroad bed (LRT trail). 2. A train station often had the same multi- purpose use as our park structure; snacks, restrooms, shelter and resting area. 3. Many parks have "stations" along a walking/jogging path for various exercise activities and in that sense the word is associated with physical activity and recreation. A few options for the name of the "station" were immediately clear: • Eureka Station (because the park entrance is on Eureka Road), is logical and has a nice rhythmic sound. Yet it is historically confusing because the real Eureka Station was nearby, but a separate entity from the Freeman Park property. • Freeman Station or Park Station are obvious possibilities, but lack imagination and historical significance. • Shorewood Station could work. (Boring) • Bastyr Station would not work. Then I remembered an interview I conducted in Fall of 1999 with May Bloomgren, a lifetime resident of Shorewood (86 years), who was born on that property. Her grandfather had homesteaded 160 acres (part of which is now Freeman Park) in 1856. I couldn't remember his name, and by now I couldn't sleep, hoping it was a name that fit well with "Station." Keep reading. This gets interesting. • 0 TA After presenting the idea at a staff meeting, I was encouraged to research the name. Larry Brown found the property's abstract which revealed that Henry R. Eddy was the first to file a claim. "Eddy Station "? —not as charming as Eureka Station, but it could work. The Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Files The next step was to investigate further any recorded facts or events that might verify (or eliminate) the selection of the name Eddy. With help from Betty Peck and the local history archives, some interesting points emerged: • There was once an Eddy School on Mr. Eddy's property which was moved to the site of the present Minnewashta School in 1894. • The summer kitchen from the Eddy house was moved to the western end of the property and donated as the clubhouse for the Minnewashta Improvement Club Company. (It still stands near Strawberry Lane and is a private residence.) • Henry Eddy's diary from 1855 -1856 was recorded and on file. It portrays a hard - working 23- year old with foresight and community spirit. Here's the spooky part. An entry listed in a condensed recording of news clips jumped out: June 3, 1893 "Mrs. C. B. Wann is boarding with Mrs. H. R. Eddy at Eddy's Station. Northwestern Tourist and Sportsman This fact was confirmed in a map (date unknown, but very old) that Brad Nielsen has found. On the quarter section once owned by Mr. Eddy are the words "Eddy Station." Enough said. I have attached a sketch of the park shelter with an adjustment to the original drawing —the "railroad - looking" sign above the door. One More Comment The "multi" in multi- purpose may increase by one more. Perhaps a small historical exhibit could be incorporated into the interior of the building to explain the source of its name and to provide insight into Shorewood's early beginnings. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to consider a recommendation to Council. P.S. None of this proposal has been presented to Mr. Eddy's granddaughter Mrs. Bloomgren or great- granddaughter, Kay Carlson. (They reside in Shorewood on the northeast corner of Highway 7 and Eureka Road.) • • •