Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/15/2002

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Commissioner Olds stated the Commission will have to address whether or not a theme should be taken on if an added expense is the case. Commissioner Shryock stated she feels the theme idea was already taking shape with the Ramsey parks and asked that it continue with Alpine Park. Commissioner Johns stated she was in favor of the theme as well. She indicated it entered in an educational aspect to the park. Chair Cook suggested the themes within the parks be the nature surrounding us. Commissioner Johns stated she felt $70,000 was not sufficient for the Alpine playground project. Chair Cook agreed stating a perennial garden would require irrigation, an additional expense. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos indicated the Central Park entrance was complete at this time. He noted the area is requiring a large amount of irrigation, which should be recommended and approved in the spring of 2003. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted the trail construction along County Road 83 from the northern terminus of Lake Itasca Trail south to 153rd Avenue NW within the road right-of-way of Armstrong Boulevard was up for discussion. He noted $130,000 would not be enough to complete this trail corridor. Chair Cook suggested this item be left as is and that the trail be started with the funds allotted. He indicated once this trail is started the Council will begin receiving comments from the residents to have this trail completed. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted he found a petition to have a trail along County Road 83 from a neighborhood member and noted he would keep this on file. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated future funding will have to be denoted or separated between park dedication funds and trail funding. He noted the Rivenwick dedication funds could be used to help complete this trail. Commissioner Olds stated this trail could connect a regional park and should maintain priority. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated the Titterud Park Play Equipment was the last item up for construction in 2003. Commissioner Johns stated she received a request to move the location of the play equipment to make it more visible. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos indicated this could be done, but then would not be within the shade of the surrounding oak trees. He added that this may conflict with future ball fields as well. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted in 2006 irrigation, is proposed for the upper and lower athletic fields and possibly the area around the play equipment at Titterud Park. He noted this project may need to be phased as the irrigation system will also need a water well, increasing the price substantially. Park and Recreation Commission/July 11, 2002 Page 5 of 9