Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/12/2008 - Joint with CC

Home

Mr. Schombauer confirmed that the cost for petroleum-based products is continuing to grow. Commissioner Shryock stated that she was glad they asked questions about the driveway at the previous meeting, as she is much happier with this new layout. Commissioner Erickson advised that she had been at Rivers Bend Park the week prior and seen many people using the grills throughout the park and questioned if that would be a design aspect that they could incorporate in this park. Mr. Schombauer 'ldvised that in the design review step of the project they would be able to make the choice to install a grill instead of a park bench. He advised that in the next step the Commission would take a larger role in the design of the park. Motion by Commissioner Shryock, seconded by Commissioner Barr to recommend approval of the Sunfish Lake Master Plan, and that the Commission and Council move forward with the plans and specifications for construction of the park in 2008. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners Erickson, Barr, Hansen, LaMere, and Shryock. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Backous. Case #2: Skate Park for Alpine Park ParkslUtilities Supervisor Riverblood presented background information on the Skate Park for Alpine Park project thus far. He advised that within the Parks CIP $195,000 had been projected for a skate park facility in 2008. He advised that the Commission had reviewed all the various places that could host a skate park and had come to the decision that Alpine Park would be the best location for many reasons. He advised that there is a need for a skate park in the City, as kids have been known to build their own in other parks. He advised that Rivers Bend Park had been another choice but the police did not favor that location, as there is a lack of visibility to the passing by public. He advised that with the existing warming house and the need for future skating facilities and the notion that a concrete slab could be beneficial to winter skating Alpine Park was also a good fit. He advised that they also did the demographics of the possible users of the park in Ramsey and the highest concentration was right on top of Alpine Park and the surrounding area. He advised that Alpine Park also has all the trail connections in place to allow for more residents to access the park from other areas of the City. He explained that they would be developing the west side of Alpine Park and would have a chalet for ice skating and the skate park would be adjacent to that area. He advised that it would not be likely that they would be able to develop the future ice rink portion of the park at this time. He advised that they would be constructing the skate park and drive portion of the project at this time. He stated that storm water management would also be an issue with the runoff from the flat concrete slab and explained that they might be able to make a serpentine swale where the water could run down into a rain garden type pond and then into the existing wetland. He advised that the skateboarders and bicyclists could also use the serpentine swale. He advised that this process had been ongoing with the Commission for the .past year and a half. He stated that if the Commission and Council approve the design, product and site selection they could have the skate park active as soon as fall of 2008. He stated that the Happy Days Committee had also advised Park and Recreation Commission/June 12,2008 Page 5 of 11