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050382 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD MONDAY, MAY 3 1982 7:30 P.M. M I N U T E S CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Park Commission was called to order by Chairperson Carl at 7 :40 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Gary Carl, Carol Chapman, Don Goettelman, Gordon Lindstrom, Conrad Schmid, Roger Stein, Council Liaison Tad Shaw, and Assistant Kathy West. Also Present: Anne Bronken, Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Stein moved, Lindstrom seconded, to approve the minutes from the April 19, 1982 Park Commission meeting as written. The motion carried unanimously. Staff brought to the attention of the Commission a typographical error in the March 1, 1982 minutes. Chapman moved, Schmid seconded, to correct the minutes of the March 1, 1982 Park Commission meeting as follows: REPORTS ON GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (Page 1) "The former item 8 (Trails) renumbered 7." • Should read: "The former item 7 (Trails) renumbered 8." The motion carried unanimously. FREEMAN PARK PROPOSAL Planner Anne Bronken presented detail sketches of the-park entrances at Highway 7 and Eureka Road. The Eureka entrance drawings outlined two alternate road possibilities to the north of the original plan. Bronken felt that of the three, the road furthest north would disturb the neighboring residents least yet would be the most feasible. This road would be approximately 225 to 250 feet long from Eureka to the interior of the park compared to 150 feet for the originally planned road. Electrical lines could run along the shortest route. Dennis Snyder, 5985 Eureka Road, agreed that the alter- nate road was more acceptable. Bronken also showed alternate sketches for improving the Highway 7 entrance. The pos- sibilities of adding lanes, marking off turning lanes, and moving; the entrance to meet the road from the south were discussed. Even minimal improvements for State approval were cited as very costly. The Park Commission agreed the best plan for now is to open the back entrance to Eureka and to get the loop road in. Wally Reutiman, 5965 Eureka Road, cautioned that a road running completely from Highway 7 to Eureka might become a thoroughfare causing more problems than currently exist within the park. The Park Commission described the present Highway 7 entrance as very dangerous and emphasized the need to open an alternate exit - Eureka being the most feasible at this time. A road between the two proposed entrances would enable South Lake Minnetonka Public Safe- ty Department to police the area more easily. The Commission also mentioned possible "speed bumps" to control traffic and chaining the park entrances after hours. Solution • of the entrance/exit problem was seen as one of the top priorities. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 2 - MAY 3 1982 FREEMAN PARK PROPOSAL, CONTINUED The neighbors also expressed concerns for the safety of children, pets, bikers and joggers with increased traffic on Eureka Road. Comments noted, the Commission closed the public discussion regarding Freeman Park. The Commission agreed that they had reached a point in the initial planning stage where recommendations from the City Council were needed. It was decided that Gary Carl and Anne Bronken would present the proposal at the May 10th Council Meeting. Carl moved, Stein seconded, to send the following formal resolution to the Council: With the efforts of Anne Bronken of Northwest Associated Consultants, and input from Jim Jones of Minnetonka Community Services, area athletic organizations, and Shorewood residents, the Park Commission presents the concept stage plan for the development of Freeman Park t,o the City Council for their approval. Justification has been cited for softball facilities for youth and adults by Minnetonka Community Services, as has the need for soccer facilities. Cross Coun- try skiing trails and walking /jogging paths have been added to accentuate the nat- ural features and green areas of the park. The natural ponding area that presently exists has been included and protected. Family picnic and play areas have been pro- vided for, including playground equipment, horseshoe pits, an archery range, a hard court games area, and a shelter /pavilion type building. A, main service and storage building will be put in a central area between the north ballfields and the hockey rink. Power and water will be brought into the area for safety and maintenance pur- poses; no lighted athletic facilities are projected. The existing facilities in Freeman Park (the baseball fields and the BMX track) are presented unchanged, their need and justification confirmed by the area athletic associations and the Park • Commission. It should be noted that the existing entrance to the park creates a major safety problem. The new plan proposes a drive- through access allowing for two exits/ent- rances to the park. Much consideration was given to this problem. The Park Com- mission has proposed what we feel is the best alternative to minimize traffic flow problems and facilitate policing the park. By this proposal the Park Commission plans for both organized and non - organized activities at Freeman Park. Our feeling is that it presents the best utilization of the existing property and incorporates both active and passive areas. The motion carried unaimously. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANT'S FOR THE PARK COMMISSION Chairperson Carl noted that the procedure for appointing applicants had not been standardized. Dan Starkey, 5990 Lake Virginia Drive, withdrew his application. He stated that he would attend additional meetings but that at this point his positions on park related issues did not follow those of the Park Commission as he observed them, He suggested that there was a need to work on the present parks in the City. Applicant Marty Jakel, 5405 St. Albans Bay Road, was absent from the meeting. Applicant James Grahn, 5945 Eureka Road, was asked his opinions on organized sports versus nature areas. He stated that he had participated in organized sports at all levels and felt that too much emphasis was placed upon them, generating pressure from peers, parents and the community. He preferred to see family oriented activities, imagination in play and more unstructured leisure times. There was some debate between Mr. Grahn and members of the Park Commission as to trends today and the value of organized athletic programs. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 3 - MAY 3, 1982 • CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANTS FOR THE PARK COMMISSION, CONTINU Applicant Launisse Cousins, 5955 Christmas Lake Road, mentioned her involvement with organized sports through her children. She stated that some children do not need structured activities while others do. She felt that the City must meet both needs. Ms. Cousins felt that there was sometimes negative behavior on the part of parents of participants but that overall, the programs taught good sportsmanship to those involved. The applicants were asked their opinions on the current City Parks. Ms. Cousins ex- pressed her wish to improve the present facilities at Freemanand she had positive feelings about the proposal under way. She cited an _increased need for accessible public park facilities in the future. Mr. Grahn felt that the City should concentrate on providing family oriented parks. He expressed interest in protecting the wildlife and natural areas of Freeman and a need for increased supervision of the parks. He felt the Commission should guard against the influence of special interest groups. He said another area of concern is the traffic problems associated with park development. There were quastions amongst the Park Commission members as to the procedure to fol- low in filling the vacant positions. Delaying any decisions to allow time to consider the evening's discussion with the applicants and to determine Marty Jakel's interest were both areas of debate. Schmid moved, Chapman seconded, to defer nomination of candidates to fill the vacant Park Commission positions. • The motion carried: ayes - Carl, Chapman, Goettelman, Lindstrom, Schmid. nays - Stein. Staff was requested to place the item on the May 17th agenda and to contact Mr. Jakel. Dennis Snyder expressed the feeling that the Park Commission should decide upon those who made the efforts to appear. The Commission accepted the comments but stated that the motion had been voted upon. BMX CONCESSIONS Carl presented a letter from the Minnetonka Y's Men Club asking to be allowed to run concessions at the BMX races: for the 1982 season. It was noted that they were approved last year on the basis of their non - profit nature and all proceeds were donated to less fortunate children from the area. The Commission requested proof of insurance. Carl stated they would also be covered by BMX insurance. Chapman moved, Schmid seconded, to recommend that the Council approve the Minnetonka Y's Men Club request to provide concession service at the BMX races in 1982. The motion carried unanimously. • MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR Manor Park - Staff reported that Don Zdrazil suggested volunteer efforts be solicited to clear rocks from the park. Freeman Ballfields - South Tonka Little League would be working on the fields over the weekend of May 8th. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 4 - May 3, 1982 REPORTS is Council report - Tad Shaw explained the following items from the April 26th meeting: Dog problems in the City continue; John Cross/Minnetonka Moorings fill permit was reinstated; approval of a swimming pool application for 28150 Boulder Bridge Drive; Mike Arvidson was allowed to maintain his docks; IXI - Council recommended to deny; Amesbury plan for recreational facilities passed 3 to 2; Charles Crepeau's attorney John Lee brought up his request to be annexed to Excelsior; Deephaven' made a request to close Vine Street at Manor Road due to traffic problems. ADJOURNMENT Schmid moved, Lindstrom seconded, to close the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10 :00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, - 9�cv�' - 1 10 - t'� tqk Kathleen West