Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/13/2008

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requested to investigate the possibility of that project occurring as a City project and not shared project and explained that the Council had already given their approval and this item was already underway. He advised of a observation pier being added to Lake Itasca; trail connections, which he explained would not include all needed connections; he advised that funding had been set aside for the development of Sunfish Lake Park; and landscape improvements for park in the amount of $5,000. He explained that this small amount of money for landscaping could be joined together with other projects occurring within the City, such as a community garden near the water tower. He advised that the last item is part of the safe routes to school program and would provide trail connections, through grant funding, to areas that are currently in need of connections. Commissioner Shryock questioned if a certain connection had been included in the connection plan. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that specific connection had been included in the grant application submitted last winter but had not been approved and eXplained that it would be included in the application being submitted this winter. Commissioner Barr questioned if trails would be a part of the Armstrong Boulevard construction. Parks Supervisor Riverblood confirmed that trails would be a part of the road construction. Commissioner Shryock advised that they are looking to create a one-way road through Central Park and questioned if the entire parking section should not be reviewed for a better parking layout and design for the pedestrians. Parks Supervisor agreed that the whole park should be reviewed comprehensively and that pedestrian safety was a priority. He thought that it would look better, feel better, and function better if certain improvements were to be made to the parking area. Chairperson Johns agreed that there were some parking issues that would need to be worked out in that park. Commissioner Shryock advised that she would forward her wordsmith and language suggestions to staff. She stated that in looking at a map of Hunters Hill it states that it could be a high density area and did not feel that would be a correct description as she did not feel that some residents in that area would sell anytime soon. She was also concerned with duplicating park facilities in close relation to each other and installing facilities that would not yet be needed. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that the development landscape has changed in the past two years and questioned if the Commission would like to drop that item off the five-year plan, as it is highly unlikely to occur within the next five years. Commissioner Shryock did not feel that this area would be a priority in the next five years and felt that the funding could be used to add facilities to areas without other park facilities nearby. Park and Recreation CommissionlNovember 13,2008 Page 9 of 11