082493 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1993
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SILVERWOOD PARK
5755 COVINGTON ROAD
7:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
8:15 P.M.
The Park Commission met in Silverwood Park at 7:00 PM.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Dzurak called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at
City Hall at 7:27 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Dzurak, Commissioners Bensman, Fuller, Lindstrom,
McCarty and Andrus (8:05); Council Liaison Benson;
Administrator Hurm; Park Planner Schroeder; and Park
Secretary Niccum
Absent: Commissioner Wilson
3. REVIEW AGENDA
The agenda was not changed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
McCarty moved, seconded by Fuller, to approve the minutes of Tuesday,
August 10, 1993, as corrected.
Para 1. #5. lst paragraph ... add word
He said that the Minnesota Safety Commission tested shock - absorbing
material by dropping it from increasing heights until deceleration
exceeded 200 G's, at which point they felt a life threatening head
injury could occur.
Motion carried 5/0.
5. DISCUSS SILVERWOOD PARR PLAN
Chairman Dzurak pointed out that at the last Park Commission meeting
there was discussion on the cost of correcting the soil to install the
proposed tennis courts. There was also discussion regarding whether to
cut down to one court, or to use the area in a different manner. The
Commission did not feel $70,000 should be spent to correct soil
conditions for the courts.
SHOREWOOD PARR COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1993 - Page two
Bensman said she felt it was very important to explain to the
neighborhood why the two tennis courts were not being installed. She
suggested putting an article in the newsletter, inviting residents to
an open meeting, and letting them know they can call any Park
Commissioner if they have questions or suggestions. She said it is
important to let them know that this will not affect the planned
playground equipment or the picnic area, only the tennis courts. Hurm
said the newsletter will be going out in mid - September. Bensman will
write an article to appear in the newsletter. Fuller said she thought
an informal meeting would be better, perhaps in the park, with coffee
and donuts in the back of a station wagon. The Commission discussed the
meeting and decided to do it on a Saturday, October 2nd, at Silverwood
Park, from approximately 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. They also chose
Saturday, October 9, as a "rain check" day. The Commission requested
that the two optional plans presented at tonight's meeting be enlarged
and put on map boards for the residents to see. Hurm said the City will
make up some "comment sheets ". All residents will be asked to fill one
out. The Commission discussed putting up signs in the neighborhood the
day of the meeting inviting people to stop in at the Shorewood open
house and planning meeting, or, if they can't make it, to call the
Commissioners. The Commission thought they could ask for playground
equipment installation volunteers at the open house.
The Commission was asked what they thought about the one court idea.
Hurm
said its possible that there would also be a soil problem in that area.
The two optional plans were discussed. Several of the Commissioners
liked
the one with the open field. Fuller said it could be used during all 4
seasons, and presented more options. Bensman would like to see what the
neighborhood opinion is. The Commission discussed "Covington Park" in
the
City of Minnetonka. Because the park is quite close to Silverwood, they
will check to see how many tennis courts they have. They also discussed
the backboard shown on one of the plans, saying the area could be
landscaped to improve its appearance.
6. REVIEW 1994 - 1998 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN {PCIP)
Hurm reviewed the current Park Capital Improvement Plan with the
Commission. He told them park fees were coming in faster than
expected, and there is a $20,000 excess this year. The Commission
discussed what to do with the money. Hurm said a list could be made of
trails that can be done without having to be redone within a few years
due to street improvements (which could raise the grade, and cause
redoing of already installed trails).
Hurm told the Commission that the some members of the Council appeared
to be interested in doing more in the way of park improvements and
trails, and had mentioned a possible increase in the park budget
without having to raise taxes.
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1993 - Page three
Hurm said the $39,400 for the tennis courts in Silverwood should be
designated for Silverwood Park. Hurm mentioned some ideas to fund park
and trail improvements.
• Start a trail fund ($100,000)
• Designate 50 of street funds for trails
• Develop some type of foundation"
The Commission also discussed what they could expect from a fee
structures and the benefits derived from work done by Tree Trust and
the Public Works crew.
Hurm said the girl's softball organization may be interested in playing
at Freeman, however, in order to raise revenue, lights to allow more
games to be played, and a multi -use building are necessary. He said he
has asked Public Works Director Zdrazil to come up with some estimates
for lighting. The Commission discussed the fact that by improving
Freeman, and raising revenue, they would be releasing available funds
for use in other neighborhood parks.
Hurm said the younger girls teams could not play on the big fields.
There was some question on whether the Girls Softball League and the
Little League should be encouraged to purchase the Wagner property in
order to put in more fields of a smaller nature.
Hurm asked the Commission what they would like to put in the PCIP for
1998. The Commission mentioned:
• Trails
• Shelters in Cathcart and Silverwood
• Drinking fountains
• Indoor bathrooms
Hurm said another thing the Commission might consider for 1998 is
putting up some front money for Freeman park concession stand and
lights, or for trails.
The Commission discussed the trail on Vine Hill Road that had been
discussed at the Council meeting. Benson said it appeared that now they
are more interested in getting to Covington Park, however, after the
improvements are made at Silverwood Park, this could change.
7. PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
McCarty said there will be a Playground Equipment meeting Tuesday,
August 31st, at 5:30 P.M, at City Hall to discuss playground
installation. There will be three installation shifts:
Saturday, September 18 - 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M
Saturday, September 18 - 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, September 19 -1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1993 - Page three
8. REPORTS
Girls Softball League
G. Lindstrom, Todd Strot, and J. Hurm had a meeting with 4 people from
the Girls Softball League to discuss the possibility of future play at
Freeman Park. This was at the request of the girls softball
organization.
Playqround base to be buckshot Gravel in both Freeman and Manor Parks
The Council decided buckshot gravel should be used in both parks for
safety reasons.
National Recreational Trails Trust Fund Grant
Hurm told the Commission that the City did not receive the trail grant
applied for. They received 117 requests, and could only fund 13.
Tree Trust Thank you letter
Dzurak asked if the thank -you letter had been sent to Tree Trust. Hurm
said he was waiting to get individual names of the kids that worked on
the projects, and planned to send individual letters.
9. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
None
10. AD JOURNME N T
Lindstrom moved, seconded by McCarty, to adjourn the meeting at 9:27
P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Susan A. Niccum
Recording Secretary