052405 PK TOUR MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 6:00 P.M. MANOR PARK
PARK COMMISSION MEETING & TOUR 6:30 SILVERWOOD PARK
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005 7:00-8:00 P.M. FREEMAN PARK
MINUTES
1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING & TOUR
Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
A. Roll Call
;
Present: Chair Davis; Commissioners Meyer, Young, Westerlund, and late arrival Moonen and
City Engineer Brown
FarniokWagner were absent
Absent: Commissioners and
2. MANOR PARK
General comments included the recognition of increased use with the advent of spring, suggestion to keep
the volleyball courts, disrepair of the tennis courts. In light of the fact that a sport court surface or rebuilt
tennis courts run as high as $135,000 and several courts within the community are in dire need of repair,
Brown noted that the Commission will need to evaluate short and long-term solutions.
A. POND
Accompanied by Minnehaha Creek Watershed District limnologist Lorin Hatch, the Commission discussed
ideas for the restoration of Manor Park Pond. Westerlund pointed out that by mid summer, the pond is full
of filamentous algae and the tot lot full of goose feces. In an effort to control the goose problem,
Westerlund suggested that naturalized plantings be placed around the edge of the pond to deter geese from
using this area.
Brown mentioned that a proposed new development to the north might further compound the stormwater
issues, as well as, the drainage difficulties from the outlet at the intersection, already not functioning well.
He indicated that a cooperative agreement will need to be reached with the developer to redo the outlet,
correcting the undersized outlet and runoff issues.
Since phosphorous will continue to be a problem, Westerlund suggested the City plant a shoreline
educational garden and demonstrate to residents with signs a restoration project first hand. She asked Hatch
his opinion of what it might take to clean up the pond.
Although no guarantee, Hatch stated that aerating the pond might oxygenate it, or investigating an alum
pump.
Having spoken to renowned limnologist Dick Osgood, Westerlund stated that he suggested the Commission
visit Amesbury, where they’ve successfully been using an alum pump to clean up a 3 Acre pond over the
past three years.
PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005
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Though expensive, Hatch explained that an alum pump acts as a phosphorous magnet, sealing the
phosphorous at the bottom, provided one can control the external phosphorous additives. He suggested the
city collect water samples over the course of the summer and make an evaluation based on those findings
for best practices.
Westerlund volunteered to collect the samples over the summer.
3. SILVERWOOD PARK
Due to erosion problems, Brown stated that the supposedly soft landing at the base of the slide has been
congested with gravel from the hillside. He pointed out that the sliding hill is very popular over the winter
months and that the pond is also used for skating. As the city collects quotes for tennis court resurfacing,
the Silverwood court will also be addressed. Finally, Brown pointed out that the turf trail, near the pond,
has been marked with monuments and runs all the way to the Holiday gas station.
Meyer suggested the tennis court/half court basketball court be seal coated as opposed to a resurfaced
tennis court surface.
4. FREEMAN PARK
While walking the trail around the perimeter of the park, Brown pointed out the new drainage way and park
walkway exit at the south end of the park. In addition, he acknowledged the tot lot vandalism mid park.
Brown suggested the Commission pull out the feasibility study for the wetland project through the woods
and review its merits, the open water walkway, and proposed kiosks, if the Commission is truly looking for
a wetland restoration project.
Commissioner Moonen joined the Commission at Eddy Station at 8:00 p.m.
Upon stopping at the Park Plaza, Brown noted that public works staff would be paving the ‘y’ walkway to
the plaza on Thursday, which will free up the Foundation to finish the landscape work for the dedication
ceremony June 10, 2005.
5. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
Chair Davis stated that she was pleased by the trail system at Freeman and felt there were never too many
trails. She suggested they approach the Foundation to gauge their interest in cooperating on a trail project.
Young stated that he liked the idea of moving forward with a do-able project, such as the Manor Park Pond
and planting a restoration water garden. He encouraged Westerlund to begin the process of collecting
samples for analysis and suggested the neighbors be contacted to solicit their support or volunteerism for
the project.
Brown encouraged the Commission to consider the goals and priorities contained within each parks master
plan to determine whether those listed have been met or if others have been found.
Meyer stated that the city should determine the costs for refurbishing the tennis courts.
PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005
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6. ADJOURNMENT
Meyer stated that this would be her last Park Commission meeting, as they had sold their home in
Shorewood and would be moving mid June. The Commissioners congratulated her and thanked her for her
service.
The Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:22 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristi B. Anderson
Recording Secretary