Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/14/2002 - Joint with Horse Care Board

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Summer Camps 2002 County's Parks and Recreation Department just up another successful summer of nature and adventure camps and has already begun the planning process for summer camps in 2003. One did not have to look far when searching for a camp that fit their needs and ages this past summer. From Tadpoles to Nymphs, Wildernuts to Art and Nature, there was a camp for all. For those seeking a little more adventure under the summer sun, adventure camps were planned with them in mind. All in all, 16 .individual camps took place representing 290 young participants. -' ,'' ~ ~-~F- ~ Yl'"~-~-~L- ~ .... .,-,.~..... individual ca~s took place repr~enting 290 young participant. largo Nature Center and' Coon Rapids Dam were the for many of the camps. Over the years the Parks and Recreation Department has collaborated with a number of agencies providing camps that target a more specific audience. Banfill-Locke'Center for the Arts has worked with a naturalist offering an art camp with a natural touch. For the past three years, Anoka County's Recreation Specialist has worked with the Lino Lakes Park. and Recreation Department offering a wide variety of adventure camps. ~ ~.~C...~...'. ~ . ""~.:~ ,~.:.' ~.. .... ,~. ~:~::~.. '- ~. ',,.., .,.~.~ ~:' .~i:~,~g,"~2~'~ For the past t~ee yea~, recr~tion specialis~, Todd Mumwaski has worked ~th Lino ~kes Park and Recr~tion Depament offehng a Mde vahe~ ofadventure ca~s. ~rough the hard work and dedication of Wargo Nature ter's naturalist staff, summer camps continue to grow and provide a meaningful way for children to make a personal connection with the natural environment around there. Stables Fire Suppression System With the nea~ completion of the new stables arena and barn, the remaining fire equipment apparatus is being installed. Part of the fire suppression system utilizes an underground storage tank. This tank houses ,5,000 gallons of water under 400 pounds of air pressure and is made of 5/8 inch thick treated steel This pressurized system provides water to the fire sprinkler system which was installed in the arena and office areas. Since there is no city water main or fire hydrants located in the park, this system was required by the city instead. .. .~. ~ ;~ Since there is no city water main Or fire hydrants located in the park, this pressurized system provides water to the fire sprinkler system which was installed in the arena and office areas. Underground pipes connect the water tank with the building's internal piping system to ensure adequate fire protection. In addition, a fire hydrant will be installed on site to assist firefighters if a fire were to occur. The barn at the stables is painted with a fire retardant paint which will inhibit the spread of fire. A fire access road was installed to enable the responding fire trucks adequate access. Once the fire suppression equipment is installed and testedl the building construction will be complete and ready for operation in mid-November. White Pine - Hardwood FOrest Re_~orat]on Project Completed The final phase of a native white pine - hardwood forest restoration project at Martin'- Island - Linwood Lakes Regional Park was implemented in October. This conservation project, in cooperation with funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was designed to begin restoring a 30-acre high quality native forest community along the eastern shore of Linwood Lake. The first phase of this project included controlling the dense natural regeneration levels of the red maple component of the forest. This was accomplished by selectively cutting red maple maple trees and treating the stump to prevent re-sprouting. The reduction of the dense red maple component will allow for the introduction of more diverse tree, shrub, and ground layer species. Pag~8~5