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072721 Park Minutes CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB R PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2021 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Hirner convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Hirner, Commissioners Schmid, Tauer, and Heinz; City Council Liaison Labadie; Parks and Recreation Director Grout; Planning Director Darling Absent: Commissioner Gallivan B. Review Agenda Heinz moved to approve the agenda as written. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2021 Schmid moved to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2021 meeting as written. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. B. Park Commission Park Tour Minutes from May 11, 2021 Schmid moved to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2021 meeting as written. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. C. Park Commission Park Tour Minutes from June 8, 2021 Heinz moved to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2021 meeting as written. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Review of Park Tours Planning Director Darling gave a presentation that explained the trail options for Freeman Park. She stated that staff has a recommendation for Option #3 because it seems to provide more flexibility. She stated even though that is their recommendation, they would acknowledge that it PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2021 PAGE 2 OF 4 does not showcase the active portions of the park, nor does it go through the woods, which is very pretty. Chair Hirner asked if it was certain that they will construct the bridge through Option #2. Planning Director Darling stated that they will, however, the responsibility for maintenance and replacement would fall to the City. Commissioner Heinz noted that he walks his puppy here and has tried to observe the usage of the park and parking habits. He stated that he would also support Option #3 because it would have the least impact on the park , the wooded areas, and will be less costly. Commissioner Tauer shared her concerns about Option #1 due to the speed of the bicycle traffic and stated that she would agree that Option #3 is the best option. Chair Hirner stated that he also has concerns about the first two options and would support Option #3. The Commission discussed City park signage separate from the Three Rivers Park District. Hirner moved to recommend approval of the Option #3 for the Three Rivers Park District trail, that the lower parking lot has parking spaces dedicated to the trailhead, that signage when entering Freeman Park indicate the parking situation, that the wayfinding signage directing people be included, that information on the trailhead be added to the City website, and that the kiosk be located where it is plainly visible. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Planning Director Darling suggested that Commissioner Heinz present to the Council on August 9, 2021. Chair Hirner suggested that other Commissioners may also want to attend since this is such a big recommendation. Hirner moved to recommend that for Option #3, that the City does not lose the soccer field or that the trail have any impact to the ballfield as part of the project. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. The Commission talked about other items related to the Park tour. Chair Hirner stated that for a future agenda, he would like to discuss whether there is something the Commission or City can do to encourage and draw senior citizen and others into the parks. The Commission discussed possible senior programming options and ways to tap into the senior residents of the City. Chair Hirner asked that this item be placed on next month’s agenda. Planning Director Darling noted that, as a group, the Commission did not visit Crescent Beach, Gideon Glen, Minnetonka Country Club open space, or the Christmas Lake boat landing. She asked if any of the Commission members had comments from their personal visits to those sites. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2021 PAGE 3 OF 4 Commissioner Tauer explained that she had been instructed by friends who live in the Minnetonka Country Club area to pass along that they would love trash cans along the walking trail. Planning Director Darling gave a brief overview of the proposal staff will be bringing next month about some improvements to the Christmas Lake boat landing area to address some of the concerns from the HOA and nearby residents. Chair Hirner suggested that the Commission make an effort to go out to the Christmas Lake boat landing area prior to the next meeting. B. Review Quote for Extension of Fence at Southshore Community Park Community Gardens Park and Recreation Director Grout gave an overview of the quote from Dakota Fencing for the extension of the fencing at Southshore Community Park Community Gardens. Chair Hirner asked when the City may need to make a decision about adding another spigot for watering, rather than just adding more hose. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she will check with the Public Works Department to see about adding another spigot. Planning Director Darling stated that the water line may need to be extended and she would confirm there is enough pressure to add another spigot. Heinz moved to recommend approval of the quote from Dakota Fencing for extension of the fence at Southshore Community Park Community Gardens. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. 5. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Heinz stated that he thought the Badger Park Grand Opening was well done and congratulated staff for how well the event went. Planning Director Darling noted that Joey Nova’s sold out of everything that they had planned for the event and actually sold more pizza in Badger Park that evening than they did in the restaurant. She stated that the balloon lady was busy the entire time and worked steadily throughout the event, with a line, until 30 minutes after the event closed. She commended Park and Recreation Director Grout for her work on this event because it turned out lovely. She stated that Communications Director Julie Moore also did a nice job getting the word out about the Grand Opening. Commissioner Heinz stated that there was also a good crowd for the Music in the Park event. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she thinks there were around 200 people and if so, would be the largest crowd they have ever had for Music in the Park. 6. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS / UPDATES PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2021 PAGE 4 OF 4 A. City Council Planning Director Darling gave an overview of the July 26, 2021 City Council meeting. B. Staff 1. Update on Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant Park and Recreation Director Grout explained that the City was awarded $25,000 for Silverwood Park from Hennepin County Youth Sports. 2. Next Month’s Agenda Planning Director Darling asked if there was anything else that the Commission would like to see on next month’s agenda, besides the things already mentioned tonight. 3. September Park Meeting Planning Director Darling noted that staff is recommending that the September Parks Commission meeting be cancelled. 7. ADJOURN Heinz moved to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of July 27, 2021 at 7:56 p.m. Tauer seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.