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042302 PK WS MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2002 7:30 P.M. OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the Work Session to order at 7:52 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Callies, Young, and Palesch; City Engineer Brown; City Council Liaison Lizée; and Mark Koegler of Hoisington Koegler Absent: Commissioners Bartlett and Meyer B. Review Agenda 2. MASTER PLAN REVIEW - FREEMAN PARK As part of the Shorewood Parks Master Plan Review, Chair Arnst asked the commissioners to assist her in analyzing Freeman Park as they move on to Step 2. 1. Current Emphasis of the Park Callies stated that the obvious current emphasis of Freeman Park is sports and recreation. Chair Arnst added that some cross-country skiing occurs during the winter season. As a regional park, Freeman focuses generally on organized activities, with opportunities for individual users. Facilities Include : hiking and ski trails ball fields - 2 little league, 1 Babe Ruth, 3 softball, and 6 soccer fields Eddy station - 2 picnic shelters Little League Concession stand Parking facilities for approximately 314 cars Volleyball and horseshoe pits 2 Tot lots Community Garden at the main entrance Open Space used for driving range, kite flying, and dog exercising 2. Population Served It was noted that Freeman serves a very diverse population. Primarily, the emphasis is on youth sports and recreation, however, due in part to the close proximity of the senior housing facility, many seniors use the park and trails on a daily basis. 3. What are the deficiencies in service and/or opportunity Although no concession stand currently exists at Eddy Station, the City hopes to rectify this deficiency soon. The Commission recognized that winter activities as a whole are lacking. Chair Arnst noted that at one time, a free skating rink had been discussed. Young questioned the need for another skating rink in PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES April 23, 2002 Page 2 of 3 Shorewood given the expense and difficulties in recruiting quality rink attendants. Brown indicated that the need had not been warranted to date. Palesch suggested investigating the opportunity for the future. Chair Arnst agreed stating that a family open free skate rink and opportunity to rent Eddy Station could be valuable to the community. Young reiterated his concern with regard to the state of the Commissions budget and cautioned any further expense. Brown stated that while flooding and upkeep can be costly, he urged the Commission to simply not let costs turn them away from their goals. Koegler identified several deficiencies in service: the fact that Freeman Park has been segregated and separated in the first place, is one; others include encroachment by fields with neighboring developments; parking quantity and surface, including parking etiquette and management; and finally, visibility, Freeman Park is somewhat difficult to find. Chair Arnst pointed out that one other concern at the park is the number of dogs and their lack of restraint. Lizée agreed, stating that there are too many unleashed dogs among too many people and children. While she maintained that, fortunately, no incidents have occurred to date, it is not necessarily a good combination at public events. Koegler suggested the City investigate the possibility of creating a “dog park” within the park itself. These have become increasingly popular and offer a fenced area to allow pets and owners to socialize. In addition to a dog park, Koegler recommended the City considers investigating areas for other new and upcoming activities including, Lacrosse fields and frisbee golf space. These would be worthwhile interests to examine for the future. With that, Brown presented the Water park suggestion once again, as he has in the past, or even a community pool, which could be linked to the new Depot Concessions. Brown went on to report that whenever he visits Freeman Park, he stops and asks residents for their impressions. Many have stated that when sports are going on, they stay away. One suggestion he has heard on a number of occasions has been to lay a walking trail in the northeast area of the park which would link to the LRT and other trails in the area. Lizée liked this suggestion and recommended that the passive user be considered. Brown went on to report that the expanded parking lot plans, which include a walking trail, have been shipped to the state and he hopes to have a written agreement for $76,000 in funding soon. He was pleased to announce that the funds had been expanded from the original $50,000 for the access closure to an estimated $76,000. Koegler reiterated that the most effective marketing tool is a community event. While Chair Arnst noted that each park will be featured in upcoming newsletters, a community activity as the focal point at Freeman Park was once envisioned. She said that years ago, the Park Commission dreamed of winter sleigh rides and skating at a winter festival put on by the City of Shorewood. Palesch concurred, pointing to the draw for Excelsior’s Art in the Park festival during the summer months. Discussions continued ranging from community walks and bike rides, to music in the park. Young stated that he had a problem purposely drawing more people to Freeman. During the summer, the park is getting maximum use a fair amount of the time. He had difficulty encouraging more passive users to come to Freeman while many other smaller parks were underutilized. He asked if the passive use or new use activities should be considered for the other parks in Shorewood. Brown reminded the Commission to consider what they want the park to be. He asked if the master plan or its use’s should be changed, and if so, now would be the time to do so. Again, he encouraged the Commission to choose the goals they wish to achieve and work from there. PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES April 23, 2002 Page 3 of 3 Chair Arnst asked whether Freeman is trying to be too many things to too many people. Callies stated that the Park now performs a useful purpose that other parks do not, it is Shorewood’s premier sports park. Chair Arnst emphasized the need for balance. Koegler believed that balance might be achieved to a degree through answering the parking and future management questions. Callies questioned whether every park has to have a balance of everything. She continued by addressing the idea of putting some of the new activities to use at other parks to achieve an overall balance. 4. Recommendations for further Action Palesch suggested inserting an informal survey in the newsletter polling people of what they would like to see, use or not use, in their parks in order to give us a lead to follow-up. Brown stated that designing and analyzing surveys requires much manpower and expense. Lizée suggested an open house forum to obtain this information. Chair Arnst asked what the next step would be in order to wrap up this discussion. Brown felt a consensus was not forthcoming and asked Koegler if he had enough of a framework to put together a real comprehensive plan from this evening’s discussion. Koegler proposed that he put together several scenarios based on the directions he had heard this evening, i.e., one scenario would go in the passive user direction, another in the active use direction etc. Based on this alternative scenario foundation, the Commission could examine on paper several tracks for discussion. Chair Arnst stated that she believes the position the Commission finds itself in to be indicative of the size of Freeman and the lack of previous direction. Koegler encouraged the Commission to think more broadly about the Park. He emphasized its importance as a central gathering place and identity in and for Shorewood. Further action would also include the completion of the walking trail; investigation over horse shoes and bocce ball; dog park; frisbee golf; lacrosse; a rink and archery. Brown reported to the Commission that he is in receipt of a letter of interest and proposal from Kristi Anderson and Sally Keefe regarding scheduling and he will be discussing it with them and bring an update to the Commission at its next meeting. 3. ADJOURNMENT Palesch moved, Callies seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Work Session of April 23, 2002, at 9:17 P.M. Motion passed 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi Anderson Recording Secretary