110910 PK MINS
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING
Chair Norman convened the meeting at 7:00pm
A.Roll Call
Present: Chair Norman; Commissioners Trent, Quinlan, and Swaggert; City
Council liaison Bailey; and Park Coordinator Anderson
Absent: Commissioners Edmondson, Robb, and Gaidos; City Administrator Heck
B.Review Agenda
Trent moved, Quinlan seconded, approving the Agenda as submitted. Motion passed 4/0.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2010
Trent moved, Quinlan seconded, approving the Minutes of October 12, 2010 as
presented. Motion passed 4/0.
3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were none.
4. REPORTS
A. Report on City Council Meeting
Bailey reported that the Council reviewed the 20 Year Road Plan and heard from MCE
Representative Tad Shaw.
B. Update on Work Program
Anderson shared the 2010 Work Program pointing out that most of the work items had been completed
for the year, although a few had been placed on hold. She commended the Commission on accomplishing
great things this past year and reported that Public Works Director was coordinating the drinking fountain
addition at the Skate Park for completion this year.
PARK COMMISSION AGENDA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 2 OF 2
C. Update on Grant Programs
Anderson reported that staff continues to research additional grant opportunities that could be applied to
future CIP endeavors. She noted that staff was pursuing a relationship with Hennepin County via their
Step To It grant initiative for the spring of 2011, as well as, a small USTA tennis grant to provide shading
for the tennis courts to encourage tennis among young children.
Chair Norman suggested staff continue to pursue Jordan grants thru local Target Corporation stores, as
well as, the Safe Routes to School annual grant opportunities.
D. Report on Arctic Fever – Park Commission Chair, Jeremy Norman
Norman stated that the Arctic Fever committee would be meeting next week to finalize some of the Arctic
Fever details for January. He indicated that several new programs have been added to the agenda,
including the Hot Air Balloon lift off on Sunday, Tea Party in coordination with the Southshore
Community Center, and Medallion Hunt.
Anderson interjected that the Tea Party was under way, as was the planning for the Find Frosty Hunt,
directed at children, and the more adult oriented Medallion Hunt.
E. Update on Signs
Anderson reminded the Commission of the sign design presented to them earlier in 2010 and indicated that
she continues to work with several contractors to obtain estimates for the stonework.
The Commission looked forward to seeing the upcoming quotes for signs.
5. DISCUSS REHABILITATION OF THE PAVEMENT PATH FROM THE
PARKING LOT TO THE PLAY AREA AT MANOR PARK
As was noticed by the Mayor and Commissioners at the Manor Park Open House, the current
trail and sidewalk from the parking lot is in poor condition. Since the City owns its own trail
paver, staff recommends the Commission direct public works staff to rehab the existing sidewalk
from the parking lot to the boundless playground, as well as the strip in front of the playground
next summer. Although Director Brown was unable to supply her with an estimate at this time,
Anderson mentioned that she would share the information with the Commission as it became
available, since the work would not take place until 2011.
Chair Norman suggested the item be placed on the 2011 Work Program and that staff return with
an estimate as it becomes available. He questioned whether this item should come from the park
operation budget as opposed to the CIP.
Bailey agreed, but noted the item would likely come from the CIP.
PARK COMMISSION AGENDA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 3 OF 2
6. SUMMER ACTIVITIES
In addition to scheduling many of the successful programs of 2010, Anderson stated that staff had
gone to great lengths to brainstorm new and added programs for 2011. To that end, she indicated
that some of the new programs include, MCE programs at both Manor and Freeman Parks,
Archery at Freeman, Geo-Caching Capture the Flag games at Freeman Park, and additional
tennis camps including Cardio Tennis and Welcome Back to Tennis for Adults and Seniors.
Anderson shared what she and staff felt would be an exciting new program with Hennepin County
alluded to earlier, the Step To It Challenge walking program. She explained that the City would
be one of 25 cities participating this year and would be given all of the support and promotional
material including banner, posters, trail signage, paper and online sign up and tracking material.
She noted that last year people counted steps they walked and converted other physical activities
to equivalent steps to compete for prizes. In addition, she suggested the City Council coordinate a
kick-off event with Excelsior City Council to create some excitement and competition around the
event.
In addition, Anderson pointed out that she would be coordinating a poetry event centered on
Poetry month in April, as well as, looking into the Great Decisions Program through the
University of Minnesota International Center. She also noted that she and Park Secretary Grout
would be meeting with MCE to discuss theatre programs in the park for the summer.
While he felt the children’s music series were adequate, Chair Norman maintained that our larger
music in the park series was kind of getting old and that too much other far reaching music
programs offer what we cannot. He suggested, if anything, the Commission might consider a
completely different genre of music, such as big band or swing, though rather pricey.
Quinlan stated that he felt we provided a good representation of activities during the week and
questioned whether we should gear something towards families on the weekends or weeknights.
While Trent believed the City had addressed the children’s activities quite well, he questioned
how to attract a broader variety of diverse audiences. He suggested we build events around
th
natural holidays such as the 4 of July, Easter, or even Arbor Day.
Quinlan disagreed, stating that we would not wish to compete with the events that are done very
th
well in Excelsior, such as 4 of July and Easter, and would fail trying to draw folks from those
activities.
Chair Norman agreed, noting that we would prefer not to run the risk of competing against well
established events, although Arctic Fever was created out of nothing. He questioned whether the
City could create a summer festival similar to Arctic Fever.
Anderson stated that, although not technically a park, the Southshore Center does create events
around the various holidays such as the Thanksgiving Holiday turkey craft event, the Family
Holiday party, Garden Fever, and holiday break activities. She noted that the NRPA convention
PARK COMMISSION AGENDA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010
PAGE 4 OF 2
the past week acknowledged that the ‘big truck’ event was quite successful over the summer, at
which public works and public safety vehicles are put on display.
Swaggert complimented staff on an excellent job of coming up with additional programs. While
he felt music in the park had been captured elsewhere, alternative programs in spring or fall might
provide an opportunity for added events.
Anderson suggested building a bigger neighborhood event around the planned Movie in the park
next September.
Quinlan thought a summer splash or central summer activity would be desirable.
Trent suggested a car show at Freeman Park.
While Anderson thought it was a tremendous idea, she indicated that this was something staff
looked into for this past summer and learned that no collector car owner would drive their vehicle
to Freeman Park because of the gravel parking lot. No one would risk damaging his or her
vehicles.
The Commission encouraged staff to proceed with these plans and consider an additional summer
event.
Anderson encouraged the Commission in return to share any new ideas they may come up with
for staff to consider.
7. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
8. ADJOURN
Quinlan moved, Swaggert seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of
November 9, 2010, at 7:43pm. Motion passed 4/0
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristi B. Anderson
Recorder