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

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Umee Hermanson, 15115 Gamet Street NW, questioned what the liability would be for the neighbors in that area. Chairperson Johns commented that the City would hold the liability and advised that it is actually minimal if kept under a certain height, which they plan to do. Mrs. Hermanson advised that she had previously called the Parks Department with complaints on the kids in the park and was told to contact the Police Department, who then told her that they would need to catch the kids in the act. She also advised that a bench had been hauled to the landfill area by the kids. Mr. Hermanson explained that the bench was very heavy and must have taken several kids using a wagon to get it to that area near the landfill. He advised that they also build hangouts or forts in the area by the landfill. Mrs. Hermanson advised that they have removed several forts themselves from that area, as they do not want to encourage those kids to be in that area. Mr. Hermanson advised that in 1982 some kids had poured kerosene into a pan and lit it to keep them warm and caused a fire, which had to be put out by the Fire Department. He also questioned which types of kids would be using the skate park, as he had seen the types of kids who use the skate parks in other areas. Chairperson Johns advised that it might seem like the kids are hanging out near the skate park equipment but they are actually encouraging each other. Mr. Hermanson advised that he and his wife had gone by the Ward Parkin Anoka and the kids were not encouraging each other. Commissioner Barr advised that her husband still skateboards, as does her 14-year-old child and stated that her family would use this equipment. She stated that she would hate for someone to think that she and her family are hoodlums because they use the equipment. Mr. Hermanson advised that the interest of he and his wife would be to avoid this skate park if possible. He again stated that if the skate park were to be placed in the Town Center it would be more visible by the Police Department. Chairperson Johns responded that the demographic of children that would use the park would be between ages nine or ten all the way through teenage or adult residents. She advised that the high demand for this amenity in that area has been unmet thus far. Mr. Hermanson questioned if the high demand for the skate park is more important than the wants of the neighbors around that area. He questioned ifhe and his wife are less important than other residents in the City. . Park and Recreation Commission/June 12, 2008 Page 7 of 11