Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/2008

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Another resident stated that his taxes were up 75 percent in the last three years and requested that they leave the park as it is. A female resident stated that in regard to an observation area the lake is filling in but advised that it would leave an option for a waterfountain. She stated that there is a bald eagle that comes to the park and advised that she would like to be able to sit and watch the wildlife. Schoenbrauer questioned if the park would be a neighborhood or community park. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that a neighborhood park would be generally smaller than 15 acres and accessible by foot or bike. He stated that there would however be value to more than the neighborhood with the connections to the other parks and the elementary school. Jason Amberg agreed that neighborhood parks are walk-to destinations with smaller parking lots. One resident questioned how many parks there were in Ramsey. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that there were 25 actively maintained parks. He explained that included both parks with playgrounds and those with just trails. Schoenbrauer confirmed that he was hearing that the observation of the wildlife was important. Amberg questioned if the residents had noticed that plants were choking the lake out. A female resident advised that it appears that all of the edges of the lake have vegetation. She stated that it is a good place for waterfowl. Another female resident stated that he backyard backs up to the wetlands and agreed with the wildlife aspect of the park. She stated that they also see deer and pheasants and would like the area to be kept as natural as possible. She stated that she did not want to see playgrounds, skate parks, or ball fields in that area but maybe picnic tables, park benches or wooden swings. Amberg questioned if any residents had requested playground equipment. The female resident replied that most of the residents with small children have swing sets in their yards and advised that alpine park has new park equipment that can be used. One resident stated that he owned the whole property at the south end of the lake. He stated that he would not like to see a parking lot and would be against lake access for people who do not live on the lake. He stated that he would not like to see snowmobiles or ATV's in the winter on the lake. He stated that he was one of the original three landowners of the lake and that he would not like to see trails along the lakeshore. He advised that he still has the legal control of the southern boundary of the lake and will not allow the trails on that side. He advised that he controls the land that the City bought from him when they built the road and that he would not allow public access to the lake on that side. He stated that the residents there have tried to make it a quiet private lake with no jet skis in the summer or ATV's in the winter. Park and Recreation CommissionlMarch 13, 2008 Page 3 of 11