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070803 PK TOUR MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD SHOREWOOD PUBLIC WORKS PARK COMMISSION PARK TOURS SILVERWOOD PARK TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2003 SOUTHSHORE COMMUNITY PK 6:00 P.M DEEPHAVEN BEACH PARK CHANHASSEN SKATE PARK CHAN. LAKE ANN PARK SEDGE MEADOW @ARBORETUM MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION PARK TOUR Chair Arnst called the tour to order at 6:00 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst, Commissioners Young, Meyer, Davis, Callies, and late arrival Gilbertson; City Engineer Brown; City Administrator Dawson; Park Secretary Grout; and Engineer Bailey. Absent: Commissioner Palesch 2. PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY TOUR Brown gave the Commission a brief tour of the facility, shop, and equipment garage. 3. SILVERWOOD PARK TO-DO LIST ?? Refurbish the backboard in-house ?? Sealcoat the half court surface in-house and repaint lines Engineer Brown pointed out that this park is a high use neighborhood park. Discussion surrounding the use of the tennis backboard and installing a multi-purpose surface arose. Bailey suggested the Commission consider installing a second set of hoops at the opposite end of the half court or moving a smaller piece of skateboarding equipment from the Community Park to Silverwood for the youngsters to practice on. 4. SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY PARK Consider low-level landscaping for the berm, potentillas, dogwood, etc. ? Apply a coat of paint to the equipment to clean it up ? Although the park is heavily used, Brown indicated that there had been a slight decrease in activity lately. Chair Arnst indicated that she and Brown would be meeting with Tim Hughes, one of the original designers of the park, to discuss adding an additional piece of equipment and redesigning the layout. While the American Legion does not have the funds currently, Brown reported that the Legion has promised to honor their commitment to providing $1,000 annually for improvements to the park. PARK COMMISSION PARK TOURS JULY 8, 2003 Page 2 of 3 Chair Arnst encouraged the Commissioners to consider if, and where, a bike park might fit in the greenspace of the park. While additional thought should be given to benches or something for adults to use at the park. 5. DEEPHAVEN PARK Deephaven City Administrator Dana Young met the Commission at the main beach area to view the new multi-purpose surface installed at the tennis courts. Administrator Young explained that the new Sport Court surface, combined with blacktop improvements, cost approximately $18,575., and were part of an overall improvement project. Administrator Young reported that the surface had a life expectancy of 20 years, would be left down during the winter, and had, so far, meant less maintenance. With regard to questions about vandalism, the playing surface, and designs, Administrator Young indicated that other cities have had few vandalism problems, the tennis action is a bit slower for medium play, and that numerous design surfaces are available, including hopscotch, magic square, roller hockey, basketball, etc. In response to Chair Arnst’s question regarding public reaction, Administrator Young stated that public reaction, although first mixed, had since warmed to the change. He indicated that the Park Commission took on an ambitious improvement project that was downsized a bit and included new lighting at $65,000, boardwalk improvements and gazebo, as well as the court changes for a total of approximately $135,000, paid for via park dedication fees. He noted that future improvements would likely be funded through their CIP, since the accessibility of park dedication fees would be declining. 6. CHANHASSEN SKATE PARK Todd Hoffman, Chanhassen’s Park and Recreation Director, met the Commission to provide a brief overview of current park improvements and activities. Hoffman reported that the skate park continues to be a hot destination across the metro area hosting 150 visitors a day. He believed the accessible, convenient location, proximity to shopping, and configuration of the park has helped it to succeed. Hoffman pointed out that the park was gated to contain the litter and access to the park, with the north gate closed at all times to separate the park from the elementary school. Hoffman explained that the City is awaiting $15,000 in new True Ride equipment, which will consist of 2 new pieces and a new configuration. He stated that phase one included the half pipe and grind rail for $15,000, phase two included other pieces for the same money, and currently phase three includes the fence, landscaping, and the $12,000 metal shelter. Hoffman maintained that the return on the dollar spent at the park has been phenomenal, with greater use seen here than any other park. Hoffman indicated that he had seen no decline in usage at the park and credited its location between the fire station and city hall for helping to monitor the use. When asked about a bike park, Hoffman stated that the City was giving consideration to converting a rink near the recreational center to a bike track. He suggested the City contact Playworld Systems in Chaska for their equipment needs and pointed out that the life expectancy of the equipment was less than 10 years. Hoffman further suggested the City talk to his public works department about a new granular product they use in their trash cans to deter the bee problem. PARK COMMISSION PARK TOURS JULY 8, 2003 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner Gilbertson arrived at 7:55 P.M. Upon returning to the bus, Commissioners acknowledged the usefulness of the cement benches and metal shelter as potential elements to be considered for the Shorewood Skate Park. It was noted that the Chanhassen Skate Park was littered and in need of maintenance. 7. CHANHASSEN LAKE ANN PARK Chanhassen Park and Recreation Director Hoffman accompanied the Commission on its visit to the Lake Ann Park facilities. He gave a brief history of the 102 acre park, explaining that the first portion of the park was purchased back in 1969 for $6,000 with a vision that encompassed the entire area as part of the Master Plan. The west portion was later purchased in the 70’s for about $10,000. an acre and includes 40 acres of beautiful woods, which by today’s standards would be worth more than $40,000,000. Hoffman pointed out that the park has 3 lit ball fields (thanks to a $100,000 donation from the Lions), 3 unlit fields, full size and youth size softball fields, and 3 full size soccer fields. He noted that the Chanhassen Athletic Association donated a set of batting cages for their use. With regard to scheduling, Hoffman explained that the Chanhassen Park Rec department schedules the field use in cooperation with the sports organizations at a meeting to negotiate space. The most recent trends he noticed were that the diamond sports participation numbers were decreasing dramatically, as well as, adult softball, and soccer from a highpoint not so long ago. He pointed out that they have recently begun to offer Lacrosse at Vandemeer Park. Similar to other communities, Hoffman indicated that the park and rec department has been encouraged to increase revenues and decrease costs via raising rates for the rec center and cutting labor and maintenance costs. He added that the front half of the park could always be changed to a water park if interest in ball dropped off significantly. 8. SEDGE MEADOW AND OAK SAVANNA AT U OF M ARBORETUM Commissioner Davis led the group into the Sedge meadow at the Arboretum explaining that the 25 acre, 50 year experiment, was a work in progress to restore what was once a farm to its natural state. She pointed out that the arboretum acquired the land in 1995 with lottery money, and has since obtained numerous grants to plant from seed, as well as, starter plants the native vegetation seen today. While drawing a comparison to Freeman park wetland area, Davis believed the effort to restore the wetland and provide cleaner water could be accomplished using a similar small scale ponding system to that of the arboretum’s. 9. ADJOURNMENT The tours adjourned at 9:20 P.M. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY