082289 PK WS MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD
PARR C OMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1989
M I N U T E S
R nT.T. CALL
CALL TO ORDER
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:00 PM
LABEREE
LINDSTROM
VOGEL
WILSON
WEATHERLY
ANDRUS
CHRISTENSEN
Chairman Laberee called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vogel moved, Wilson seconded, to approve the minutes of Tuesday,
August 8, 1989 as written. Motion carried - 4/0.
LIAISON - 2ND AUGUST MEETING
Chairman Laberee will be the liaison to the August 28th Council meeting.
DISCUSSION - PARR PLANNER /LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Laberee said the Park Commission has been trying to work from preliminary
plans and you can't bid from them. He said the Park Commission should
have their own expert, someone that specializes in this area. He said
• he also thinks that a certified landscape architect would cost much less
than having the City Engineer do everything.
The Park Commission discussed the advantages of a Park expert. They
would like the Council to consider having a Park Planner /Landscape
Architect on retainer for Parks.
Staff has been asked to contact several firms asking for information.
The Commission was presented with three names and asked if they wished
to add to the list. Laberee suggested contacting James Robin, a former
Park Commission Chairman who still lives in Shorewood. He said Robin
has designed parks for the City of Bloomington and also does county
parks. Mr. Robin also teaches at the U. The Commission also asked
that Van Doren Hazard Stallings be included. They feel that it should
be made clear that the major part of the job is recommendations for
park improvement financing.
MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
Freeman Park
Lindstrom.said he had visited the Park with Todd Strote, President of
the Excelsior Softball League. Lindstrom mentioned that George Haun
has been doing consultant work for us. Strote said the St. Louis Park
fields are the best in the state. Lindstrom said he felt that it is
important, especially without a warning track, to make sure that the
outfield fence is set back at least 280 and the closer to 300',
the better. The Commission agreed with Lindstrom, saying this had
also been recommended by Haun. The Commission requests that Admin-
istrator Whittaker talk to Norton and Haun regarding the rear fence
setback and set up a special meeting if necessary.
PARR COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1989
Page two
0 MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR - Continued
Silverwood questionaire
The Commission spent a long time reviewing the Comprehensive Plan
and the LAWCON Grant items, they then came up with.a list of consider
ations that they felt would be appropriate for Silverwood Park.
Wilson felt that a copy of the preliminary park plan should be included.
He also suggested informing people that the Commission, using the
Comprehensive Plan, utilized the park to its fullest capabilities
before there were any people in the area- -and now would like input.
The Commission chose 5 categories for rating individual preferences:
1. most important
2. somewhat important
3. indifferent
4. not important
5. not wanted
The Commission felt that they did not want to get too detailed. They
will add a "other suggestions and comments" area where people can add
any additional information.
They started by listing passive activities and lead up to active
activities.
picnic area
• picnic pavilion
scenic overlook
winter sliding hill
children's playground area
toddler's playground area
grassy common area
pickup ballfield
regulation ballfield
tennis courts
hockey rink
free skating rink
warming house
volleyball court
basketball
The residents name and address space will be optional.
Snowmobiles
The Park Commission was informed of the 2/2 vote and asked to be
informed before any further action takes place as they would like
to meet with the Council if further action is intended.
Manor Pond - Weeds around edges
Staff informed the Commission that there had been a request to cut the
weeds around the pond. The Commission prefers to leave it natural.
Tot Equipment in Parks
Staff informed the Commission that a request had been received for
Toddler play equipment in parks. The Commission will add this to
there park plans.
American Legion Post #259 contribution
The Legion contributed $2,500 to be used for drinking fountains in
Freeman Park.
PARR COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1989
Page three
46 MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR - Continued
Freeman Park - Football Goal Posts
The Park Commission would like to have the location of the football
field goal posts in Freeman Park marked so the goal posts can be
installed this fall. They will ask Christensen to talk to the
Football people to see if they would consider contributing the cost
of the posts. Staff will check costs.
Forecast - Public Artworks
Niccum informed the Commission of her response to the letter she sent
to Forecast informing them of the Park Commission's reaction. Forecast
said "We normally specialize in temporary installations, however, we
are willing to consider permanent works such as playground equipment.
For safety reasons special consideration must be put into such a design.
Liability insurance for a permanent installation would then be the
responsibility of the owners ". The Commission asked Sue to check this
out.
Hennepin County Regional Railroad Right -of -way - Signs
There has been a problem with people driving down the newly improved
portion of the right -of -way, apparently they think its a road. The
Commission feels it is important to put signs at all street crossings
as soon as possible for safety reasons, they are asking for two
different types of signs -- "No motorized vehicles except snowmobiles
allowed" (similar to the existing red signs with white lettering) and
"Welcome to the City of Shorewood's Walking and Biking Trail" (possibly
with the City Logo).
Manor Park Pond - Possibility of making into lake?
Gagne informed the Commission that someone had mentioned an area in
Lake Elmo that looks just like Manor Pond that has been made into a
little lake with a sandy beach and swimming area. The Commission
asked Sue to ask Administrator Whittaker about it.
o \��fi 0 a " I, icy
Vogel moved, Lindstrom seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM.
Motion carried unanimously.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Sue Niccum
Park Staff Rep