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092082 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS • PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1982 7:30 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairman Carl called the September 20, 1982 Park Commission meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Carl, Chapman, Cousins, Lindstrom, Schmid, Stein. Absent: Jakel. Also Present: Council Liaison Shaw, Planner Anne Bronken, Assistant West. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Lindstrom moved, Stein seconded, approval of the Park Commission minutes dated August 16, 1982 as written. The motion carried unanimously. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR Chairman Carl read a Notice of Claim mailed to the City resulting from a personal • injury which occured at the BMX track on August 7, 1982. Carl stated that he will contact the A.B.A. regarding the incident and then notify the City. Staff reported complaints by the local football organization of damage to the Badger Park football field from weekend pick -up games during wet weather. It was noted that the City fields are open to use by anyone. Policing the facilities during poor weather conditions was not seen as a feasible solution. DISCUSSION - UPGRADING & MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING PARKS Manor Park Slide - The Park Commission began a discussion of replacing equipment in Manor Park. It was noted that the Manor Park slide had been moved to Cathcart Park. Catalogues showing play equipment and prices were distributed. It was suggested that due to the time of year, expense of equipment, and budget restraints, purchase and placement of a slide should wait till Spring of 1983. Concern was expressed that Manor is the only park in the north and east side of the City and it is an area with a relatively high concentration of children. The Commission agreed that an assessment of play facilities, existing and desired, is needed for all the City parks. Stein, Chapman and Schmid agreed to act as a subcommittee to study the matter. A January or February report was suggested. Chapman moved, Stein seconded, to table discussion of play equipment for study and future action by the subcommittee. The motion carried unanimously. Staff noted that the Manor Park ballfield was complete except for the placement of the backstop. The Park Commission suggested that the stop should be positioned . twenty feet behind home plate. Other items for the Public Works Department to check into are seeding the outfield, putting in the bases next season, setting up the swing sets, and tennis court maintenance. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 2 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1982 • FREEMAN PARK VANDALISM /MAINTENANCE Chairman Carl stated that he had filed a second report with the Police on vandalism in Freeman Park. Cables were cut in the park; obscenities were written on the dug- outs, park buildings, and on advertising signs on the Babe Ruth field. The Park. Commission agreed that the structures in Freeman Park should be repainted to cover the graffiti. There was disagreement as to whether the athletic organi- zations — Little League and Babe Ruth - should be contacted for assistance, or if'. it should be the responsibiltiy of the City to repair /maintain the park facilities in question. Lindstrom moved, Chapman seconded, to recommend that the City Administrator authorize the Public Works Department to repaint the Freeman Park Structures as soon as possible. The motion carried - Ayes: rl, Chapman, Cousins, Lindstrom Nay: Schmid Absta'n: Stein The Park Commission requested that staff contact the Babe Ruth League to remove the vandalized advertising signs. ICE SKATING /HOCKEY SEASON PAIR MANAGEvOU The Commission suggested that' due to Marty Jakel's absence, the agenda item be con- tinued at the next meeting. Chairman Carl noted that the topic is a discussion of coordinating the ice rinks and attendants, developing a reporting system, and main - taining discipline. • Bob Shaw was present as the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association' (MYNA) liaison to the City of Shorewood. He expressed the Association's concerns over possible user fees in the future. It was noted that fees /charges were not planned as yet for this coming season. A'discussion of the types of f'es that might be charged followed. Shaw noted that MYHA had purchased the lights; the Park Commiission added that the City had replaced them. It was noted that facilities' maintenance is much more expensive for hockey than other ctivitie . Shaw noted r that the ity of Minnetonka had considered charging a portion of the rink attendant's cost to the associations. Other ideas mentioned were painting and maintnance of the boards, and /or flooding and maintaining the ice through MYHA volunteer efforts.- possibly in lieu of the rink attendant charge. 12- ., MWIZIJNBI)gm�� Planner Anne Bronken presented planting and trail plans for discussion. She noted that the planting plan generalizes materials into six categories - evergreen trees, large deciduous trees, small deciduous trees, large deciduous shrubbery, small decid- uous shrubbery, and prairie. The plan details suitable areas to place vegetation the City might acquire in the future. Also shown are the maintenance limits in the park, taking into account the existing maintenance areas. Suggested top priority areas for future plantings were at the entrances, along neighboring residences, and where there are existing facilities. Scattered planting for vegetation of various ages was advised. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 3 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1982 • FREEMAN PARK.DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED Bronken's trail plan showed a walking /jogging /skiing trail following the perimeter of the park. It was noted that the closest points to adjacent property lines are thirty feet. The trail incorporated some existing paths in the park. It was also noted that a "par course" (exercise course with stations) was planned with the trail. The Commission suggested that the trail could be blazed in early winter, after freezing but before snowfall. It should be marked before the first freeze. Chairman Carl brought up the idea of snowmobiles in Freeman Park. He noted that Southwest Trails Association wouldbe maintaining the abandoned railroad line trail this winter and would agree to groom and maintain snowmobile trails within the park, along with cross- country ski trails. It was noted that a chainlink fence would be needed to prevent snowmobiles from entering the park; a trail system might offer some control.I Carl said -that the Associations would also sign the trails. It was pointed out that cross- country skiers would benefit from groomed paths. Some Commission members expressed concern over the compatability between motorized and non - motorized recreational uses. Carl noted that portions of the trail system would be multi- purpose, other sections for sking only. The Commission also discussed permitting snowmobiles into Freeman Park on a tempo- rary basis or permanently changing the plans to include an east /west snowmobile trail through the park. It was suggested that, temporarily, the railroad right- of-way be used as a connecting loop on the west side of the park between the north is and south trail sections. Concern was expre's'sed over the method of breaking the trails - cut and clear versus blazing through with heavy equipment. Carl moved, Lindstrom seconded, that the City work with the Southwest Trail Associa- tion and the South Shore Snow Skippers to provide a west to east controlled trail system for combined snowmobiing and cross- country skiing in Freeman Park to be groomed by said Associations. This trail system is to include a temporary section beyond the western park border to follow the abandoned Hennepin County railroad right -of -way for approximately 1/4 mile. The Associations will maintain both the non motorized and the motorized trails. The motion carried 5 - 1. Ayes: Carl, Chapman, Cousins, Lindstrom, Schmid. Nay: Stein. Carl stated that he would contact the Associations. Staff was requested to ask the City Administration to- the Public Works Department mark a portion of the trail. Said portion starts at the proposed parking area near the Eureka Road entrance, heads north, then west along the park borders, to a northwest point at the abandoned railroad corridor. Staff suggested that the Commission change a meeting night to a Saturday /Sunday and mark the trail as the members want it. This idea was not seen as workable, but Carl, Lindstrom and Stein agreed to check the trail after staking. It was agreed that the City's crew should mark according to the plan drawn by Bronken as soon as their schedule allows. The Commission discussed who would be breaking the trail - volunteers, private-con- . tractors, organizations, or City employees. It was noted that the existing easti "west path would be cleared to a ten foot width through volunteer efforts. It was planned that the trails be blazed by private contractors after the City marks them. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 4 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1982 PARK COMMISSION EVALUATION REPORT - PROPOSAL Commission member Cousins presented a rough draft of an evaluation /questionaire designed to solicit opinions on the City parks from park users. The form included the following items: type of program, contracts, insurance, funding, facilities, supervision, medical assistance, equipment, etc. The Park Commission suggested.some changes and instructed staff to type the form incorporating the suggestions. It was noted that the evaluation should be retitled: "Facility Usage Report'!. REPORTS City Council: Schmid and Council Liaison Shaw reported from the August 23rd Council meeting - the 'park signage' recommendation to the Planning Commission was reported to the Council; discussion it s: Cable TV; Country Club Road traffic pattern; City insurance; and the geese Prblem on Timber Lane. Cousins and Shawl reported from the September 13th Council meeting - Jim Dutcher water meters /water system discussed; approval of a Naegele sign Permit request; amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance were discussed and tabled; approved a subdivision request for Richard Niglio; 'the Park Commission's suggested c es for Ordinance #91 were heard and the item was tabled for rewriting; and the Council voted to accept the joint Cable TV agree- ment concept. It was noted that Don Goettelman had received a certificate_!. at the Town Meeting for his years of service on thelPark Commission. G1 • I:T11U SRI Cousins moved, Schmid seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 10 Respectfully submitted, Kathleen West, Park Commission to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously and :26 P.M. stant