041806 PK JT MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5735 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
PARK COMMISSION JOINT MEETING SOUTHSHORE COMMUNITY CENTER
WITH COMMUNITY CITIES7:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006
MINUTES
Chair Davis welcomed representatives from the neighboring communities, including; Greg
Miller, Excelsior City Council; Pierre LaMere , Excelsior Park Commission; Woody
Woodburn, Deephaven Park Commission Chair; Shorewood Park Commissioners Young,
Norman, and Hensley, Director of Public Works Brown, and City Council member
Turgeon.
1.HISTORY OF A WINTER EVENT AND WHAT HAS WORKED IN THE
PAST FOR COMMUNITIES
Chair Davis asked Deephaven Chair Woodburn to share their experience hosting a winter
event.
Chair Woodburn stated that Deephaven had hosted 2 separate events, Deephaven Days in
the summer months and a winter Skating Party during the winter. Both events were
promoted on the website and in the newsletter. Woodburn pointed out the importance of
timing the event to coordinate around some of the other lake activities and avoid the
holiday season. During the summer event, Woodburn noted that a separate party planned
the triathlon and the Park Commission hosted the refreshments for a minimal fee. In the
winter the chili is donated by a separate vendor as well.
Woodburn commented that it has been Deephaven’s philosophy that life is busy and
however many show up for the events is wonderful, as there is no participation standard
applied. In fact, in most instances although some residents might not participate in person,
they usually like the concept of these hometown events.
Chair Davis pointed out that Chanhassen hosts a large scale winter event and skating party
in early February with great success.
Norman explained that he had experience working with Plymouth’s Fire and Ice event,
which also has proven to be quite successful providing a full days activities capped off by a
fireworks show in the evening. This event has included sleigh rides, skating, broomball,
and fireworks sponsored by businesses such as Starbucks, selling coffee at the event,
Target, and others. He encouraged the joint communities to create a join moniker to
encompass all of the events and cities.
Chair Davis indicated that Shorewood’s own Music in the Park festivals have been
enjoyed by growing numbers of citizens in and around Shorewood over the past few
years.
LaMere stated that there are numerous events going on constantly around town with
different sponsors, churches, and chamber, which draw from in and around the
surrounding communities.
PARK COMMISSION JOINT MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006
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2.WINTER COMMUNITY EVENT
A.Define a Vision
Chair Davis asked if there was interest in creating a vision or winter calendar of events to
piggyback on each others plans.
Woodburn stated that Deephaven would be more than willing to cross promote the
various lakes community events, though they would not have a great deal of additional
staff time to devote to the implementation of such events.
Hensley encouraged the representatives to consider the things that connect the lakes
communities, the trails and bike paths, when trying to coordinate and event.
B.Define Partners
C.Produce a Revenue Stream for Event
D.Success / Problems from Community Cities That Have Held a
Community Event
E.Programming
Ideas that were presented by various Commission and Council members included:
?
A month long calendar of events throughout the neighboring communities.
?
A day or two long event
?
Sleigh Rides at Freeman Park
?
Bowling with Frozen Turkeys
?
Curling on Deephaven’s rinks (zamboni) – or Tonka Bay
?
Dog sled demos or rides
?
Search and rescue dog demos
?
Pond Hockey
?
Snow plow safety demo
?
Fire and Ice rescue demo
?
Trolley or Shuttle between community activities
?
Luminary Parade down the Trail
?
Ice Sculpture
?
Neighborhood snowman contests
?
Ice Fishing
?
Artistic ice houses and parade
?
Cross country skiing
Turgeon stated that she would be happy to approach the Friends and Advisory Board to
the Southshore Center for their support and volunteer dimension.
Hensley suggested Excelsior consider pulling in the Chamber of Commerce to promote
the downtown business area as he could envision a family making a day of the events and
finish off in Excelsior for dinner and potentially a smaller scale fireworks show.
PARK COMMISSION JOINT MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006
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Brown indicated that a bonfire finale in Shorewood would be allowed with a recreational
burn permit with cocoa, sleigh rides, bonfire, lighting of luminaries.
With regard to a time frame, it was suggested that a late January event made the most
sense.
Norman indicated that a small scale fireworks show would likely run $5,000-6,000 for a
decent 15 minutes program.
Miller stated that he believed the Chamber and downtown business group would embrace
something like this and get involved at some level.
Brown agreed that a moniker, as suggested by Norman earlier, would provide the joint
communities with an identity for the event.
Hensley suggested an encompassing title such as the South Lakes Winter Fest.
Chair Davis asked the representatives what they felt should be the next steps.
Brown indicated that Secretary Grout could compile a calendar of events that are annual
and have set dates for winter 2006-2007 at this time for planning purposes.
Hensley suggested they at least begin by picking a date, such as January 20 or 27, 2007, as
mentioned earlier and begin the process of planning some events for cross promotion.
Norman encouraged the other representatives to take the concept back to their Council
and Commissions for further discussion.
Woodburn stated that Deephaven had been considering moving the Winter Party to
Thorpe Park anyway, which would provide more space for a joint activity. He pointed out
that they could begin to build on the event each year, starting smaller this year and
growing with time.
Chair Davis urged the representatives present to take back the information discussed this
evening to their committees to see if there is interest in pursuing the concept further and
take it from there.
Miller stated that he felt the festival to be a great idea, that he would take back to the
Commission and Council, as well as, the Chamber of Commerce to solicit their support or
commitment.
Woodburn concurred, thanking Shorewood Chair Davis for trying to get something
started.
Young commented that the older folks in the community might really like skating, cross
country skiing, or curling.
3.ADJOURN
PARK COMMISSION JOINT MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006
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The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristi Anderson
Recording Secretary