043009 PK TOUR MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
PARK COMMISSION TOUR SHOREWOOD CITY HALL
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 STARTING AT 5:00PM
MINUTES
1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING
The Park Commission met at City Hall at 4:45 p.m. to depart for their Park Tour at 5:00
p.m.
A. Roll Call
Present: Acting Chair Davis, Commissioners Trent, Quinlan, Robb, Edmondson,
and DeMers; Public Works Director Brown; Park Coordinator Anderson,
and City Council liaison Woodruff.
Absent: Chair Norman
PARK TOUR
1.BADGER PARK
The Commission complimented staff on the field conditions and admired the lighting for
the football field and hockey rink.
The Commission toured the warming house facility and noted that while the tennis courts,
have held up well, they are in need of repair. There was some question as to the proposed
relocation of the courts and removal of the hockey rink as seen in the TKDA proposal.
There was enthusiasm expressed regarding the TKDA illustration showing a trail around
the wetland and pond area with a bench for viewing. In addition, some members suggested
they consider, at minimum, remodeling the warming house and adding a picnic shelter near
the Community Center and trail.
Something seen at another park she’d visited, Anderson suggested installing a light
colored hard surface in the hockey rink and adding basketball hoops to its interior ends to
allow for a dual year round purpose of the facility.
It was observed what a mess of debris, a mattress, and stuff there was behind the
automotive shop and gas station. It was suggested they be contacted.
2. CRESCENT BEACH
Anderson reported that the City of Shorewood shares ownership of the beach with Tonka Bay
and dredges the channel near the beach. She pointed out that kayaking will depart from the
beach this summer as part of Friday activities in the parks.
Brown stated that community ed department had sent over a revised lifeguard fee schedule
which will need to be reviewed. He noted that the fee for services had gone up significantly.
Brown mentioned that the city could consider going without lifeguards, posting ‘no lifeguard
on duty’ signage. Since this is a heavily used neighborhood beach, the Commission did not
want to forego lifeguards.
3. CATHCART PARK
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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2009
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Though located within the Chanhassen City limits, Brown reminded the Commission that the
park itself is owned by Shorewood. He pointed out what poor shape the lights on the hockey
rink were, as they hung a bit haphazardly from their posts.
Anderson noted that the tennis courts are second only to Badger Park and that they are
scheduled to be resurfaced by DermCo this spring, as well as, the court games surface. Having
seldom seen anyone using the court game area, she questioned why the hockey rink on the
TKDA drawing could not be slid back over this area which would allow for an enlarged
parking lot. The Commission agreed more parking was necessary.
The Commission observed that the swing set was outdated and considered where a potential
community garden could be located on the site. Anderson stated that she had spoken to the
Chanhassen Environmental Specialist that day and that she had indicated an interest in
partnering to create an additional community garden in Cathcart to accommodate the up to 50
folks on their waiting list and many residents in Shorewood who have voiced interest in
community gardening. The group considered the area to the south along the tree line as a
possibility.
While on tour, a resident approached the Commission near the playground and voiced her
concern with regard to a safety hazard and lack of ‘tot lot’ fixtures for younger children. She
stated that there is an unsafe opening near the top of the gazebo structure where the chain link
ladder connects to the structure and suggested it be closed off. While the Commission spoke
with the woman, so many children were climbing up and down enjoying this feature that the
Commission commented that perhaps a more user friendly set of equipment might be worth
investigating for younger children but for this section they might look into narrowing the gap
or installing a bar of some kind to hinder the smaller kids. The resident thought those
solutions might be useful, noting that the area is growing as many more families with young
children are moving in who would enjoy some of the smaller tot lot sized equipment. All
agreed a picnic shelter would be a nice feature for parents to sit under watching their kids.
4.FREEMAN PARK
The Commission started at the end near Eddy Station noting that the shelter would be
repainted and stained this spring. Brown pointed out where the rain garden would be placed
near the side rear of the building.
Davis suggested the Commission consider replacing the concrete picnic tables at the Garibaldi
Plaza with the vinyl coated steel, when the time comes.
As Anderson compared the TKDA drawing with the site, she noted that there would be plenty
of room to install a hockey or free skating rink without removing a ball field and that the
basketball hoops could be incorporated into the rinks as opposed to using up precious space.
She questioned whether there was a need to add more tennis courts at Freeman.
As they neared the section of ground to the east of the parking area and slightly behind and
north of Eddy Station by the trail, they noted that there might be ample space to place
community garden plots in the future. In fact, Anderson stated that this was a spot she had
PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2009
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suggested for future consideration. Brown noted that, as long as the water line which runs
thru the area is avoided this would be a good location.
As the Commission made their way toward the little league fields, Grant Leum of STLL met
them to walk the area. Leum pointed out the new fencing and where the matting will be
installed. In addition, he pointed out the batting cages near field three and asked that
consideration be given for them to install up to 2-3 more batting cages at this end and
asphalting them. Brown noted that Engineer Landini was investigating watershed regulations
with regard to the hard surface request. In addition, he noted that the shed was in the process
of being removed.
Continuing on, the Commission noticed the corner post that public works had raised and
repaired. Leum pointed out that light near field three and another by fields 1 and 2 which were
not working and ‘blown’ out. Brown stated that he had placed a call to Xcel Energy last year
about repairing the lights under their contract but had not gotten a response to the request.
The Commission suggested Brown contact Xcel again. Brown stated that he would have
public works address the graffiti and the benches by field 1. The Commission asked staff to
consider reroofing the concession stand. Leum asked the Commission to give consideration
to a second concession stand at field 3 so people would not have to walk to the other one.
Anderson pointed out that the STLL would like to install a couple of low small bins to house
the ag lime and dirt needed at the fields for maintenance in order to clean up the area near the
concession stand. The Commission thought this would be a helpful idea to avoid some of the
overflow and mess. It was also discussed that the fencing be resituated by the stand to house
the bins and neaten up the area.
The Commission stopped along the path leading from the fields to Shorewood Oaks Drive to
check the status of the rock path laid last year. Brown noted that a second layer of rock would
be laid this year and that the edges would be dressed to clean it up. Commissioners
commented on what a high traffic and muddy area this had been in the past and how much
better it looked today.
A visitor to the parks requested that the City put lark layouts and directions to the parks on
the website.
The Park Tour adjourned to the regular Park Commission Meeting at City Hall at 7:00
p.m
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristi B. Anderson
Recorder