022376 PK MINPARK COMMISSION — MINUTES
February 23, 1976
The February 23rd meeting of the Shorewood Park Commission was called to order by
Chairman Bill Wyatt. Those present were Breckheimer, Gray, Drews, Raby, Heiland,
Paulsen, Congdon, Wyatt, and McCuskey. Jerry Brecke, planning commission member was
present. Also attending were several members of the Excelsior Park Commission, headed
by Rhoda Brooks, chairman.
Rhoda passed out copies of the Excelsior Five Year Park Proposal and a pamphlet blocking
out development for each of the five years. Excelsior is an old community, once a
bustling resort area with many large hotels with cafes. The extensive Commons area
was developed long ago and their main duty now is maintenance, except for Studer Park,
just off County Road 19 which is a newly created park.
The Commission surveyed the community last July, passing out lengthy questionnaires
to determine where residents' priorities lay in regard to existing park development
and use. Twenty percent returned the sheets. Their next step was tc. contact the CDC
(Community Design Center), a group of landscape architecture students who offer help in
community park planning. Careful analyses were made in the parks on adjacent land
use, natural forces at work, vegetation, drainage, slopes, spatial character and
usage.
Their funding sources are LAWCON,HUD, city budget, concessions and fees and material
and labor donations. LAWCON, Land and Water Conservation funds come through the Metro—
politan Council which puts up funds matching local monies. The bandshell to be located
on a high knoll in the Commons is of particular interest. The Chamber of Commerce and
Excelsior Rotary have combined to provide a raffle fund raiser to reach the $20,000
goal. The Park Commission concluded that fund raising via a bond issue was impractical
unless the money sought was over $100,000.
We talked of combining efforts in regard to adjoining bike and cross country ski trails
noting that the railroad already ties Shorewood and Excelsior, as do several roadways.
An Excelsior subcommittee was set up to follow Shorewood's bike trail planning. The
possibility of setting up a joint recreation calendar was discussed. Many thanks to the
Excelsior Park Commission for their time and assistance. We look forward to more joint
meetings.
After our guests departed, we took up regular business.
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
OLD BUSINESS Bill Wyatt reported that he presented the proposed ordinance regarding
a "Developer's Fee'' to the Council. They were not in favor of it. They also did not
accept our recommendations for spending the HUD funds. Bike trail requests were
turned down. Mayor Frazier suggested that Hennepin County trails may run where our
proposed trails are. We discussed ways to encourage better communication between council,
and park commission and decided to ask Steve Frazier and Bill Keeler to attend our next
meeting, March lat.
Jim Heiland reported that he thought we could get away with spending less on a warming
house with volunteer labor. Our savings there might be used for bike trails.
NEW BUSINESS Bill Wyatt presented a beginning drawing for the extended Manor Park.
• We will need a baseball diamond and hockey rink. Gloria Congdon will contact CDC about
the Manor Park drawings as well as a whole community park plan development.
PARK COMMISSION - Minutes - 212AI76
The presentation of land surveys will be at the next meeting. John Breckheimer again
expressed the need for an aerial map to show Shorewood' topography.
Jim Heiland noted that Shorewood has several little known historical spots. The
Wealthy apple was developed on a homestead now on the corner of Glen Road and County
Highway #19 and the Haralson apple was also created in our city; in fact, the original
tree still stands on the corner of Eureka Road and Seaman's Drive. Indian Mounds
can be found on the Thomas Schoenecker property.
Meeting adjourned at 10 :00 p.m. Next meeting is March 1st.
Respectfully submitted,
JUDY MCCUSKEY, Secretary
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