Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/10/2002

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tn addikion, a couple of remnant prairie areas were identified for restoration and new fire breaks were mowed to effectively delineate these areas. Prescribed burning will be implemented in these areas starting this' fall or next spring. Aisc, one of the former roads was closed and was re-constructed back into a native prairie plant community that will provide enhanced wildlife value and improve the aesthetics of the park. Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Performance Pavilion Planned The County has received a 2002 State Bonding Metropolitan Council bonding appropriation of $755,000 for the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. This grant will be used for the construction of a large group performance pavilion for groups of up to 200 people and associated support facilities. The support facilities will include: roadway and parking/ improvements, lighting, landscaping, site furnishings, resfrcom upgrades, utilities, observation deck overlooking the Mississippi River and a lawn seating area for the summer concert programs held at the park. Brauer and Associates have been retained by the county to provide a master plan and schematic design for the park and area surrounding the new performance pavilion. Buetow and Associates will be designing the architectural plan for the performance pavilion and preparing the bidding documents for the structure, Master plan for the park and area surrounding the new performance pay/lion. Anoka County will work closely with the Coon Rapids Arts Commission to assure a quality facility to accommodate the summer concert series for years to come, along with providing the public with quality park features. This entire park project will be completed by early 2004. ,Jerry.' Zondlo Featured Employee Jerry Zondlo feels a lot of "disdain" from fellow employees because of Ms affiliation with the Green Bay Packers. Growing up on a dairy farm in R/b Lake, Wisconsin and 18 attending Wausau area schools has made Jerry an authentic Cheese Head. Plenty of good-natured ribbing happens every week during football season and especially after Vikings-Packers games. Jerry is used to being in the minority and handles the losses well. After graduating from Wausau High School, Jerry felt the need to flee from Wisconsin. He moved to Northeast Minneapolis where he worked for a store fixture manufacturing firm as a spray painter.' He went back to W~tseonsin to attend the University of Wisconsin - Superior and graduated with a degree in Biology. All of that education caused him to wise up and he 'returned to Minnesota. He began working for Anoka County on April ~ (no fooling), 1975 as a member of the CETA crew. Six years later he became a permanent employee with the Par~ and Recreation Department. Jerry remembers the early days of the department when they salvaged lumber and nails from homes they were dismantling on recently purchased park property. They used the materials to build and repair picnic tables and for other construction projects. He remembers one rime when he ran out of used nails and the department had no money to purchase new nails. The nex-t day he brought some nails from home to finish the job! Currently, Jerry loves the job, his co-workers, and especially likes working outdoors. Examples of Jerry's handiwork can be viewed at the new Bunker Hills Campground Visitor C~nter wh~e'h¢ created a beautiful caunter which is the centerpiece of the central lobby area, as well as the sturdy retaining wall bordering the side of the building. If you get a chance, you can see some recent examples of Jerry Zondlo's handiwork at the Bunker Hills Campground/Visitor Center. A beautiful counter created by Jerry is the centerpiece of the central lobby area. A sturdy retaining wall borders the. back side of the building, showcasing Mr. Zondlo's and Bob Miller's abilities. Jerry has built several amenities with such skill and workmanship that he has saved the County money while creating quality results. If you get a chance, congratulate him on over 27 years of hard work and console .him after the latest Packer loss. Page 4