Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 12/11/2008

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COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #1: History of Sunfish Lake Park Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised the purpose of the case was to discuss the history of the Sunfish Lake Park and review the process thus far, and place the following two cases into context. He advised that the City had been working on this project for the past 15 years, adding that the Sunfish Lake Park is located in an urban area of the City and displayed an aerial map of the Park. Emerald Pond Park is located to the south of Sunfish Lake Park and is a neighborhood park with play ground equipment, and Alpine Park is located to the north of the Park with more of an emphasis on baseball and sports activities. He continued with background on the park, adding that a meeting had been held, for neighboring addresses within % mile of the site to come forward and share their thoughts for the park. He displayed a visual aid of the proposed plans for Sunfish Lake Park and eXplained that residents were very firm with this being a passive park area that focused more on trails and preserving natural areas for wildlife. He described some of the features of the park, including a shelter, and displayed a proposal for a entrance monument for the park. Riverblood highlighted that another new aspect for the park and the City would be a canoe rack with lockers; including canoe paddles and life jackets. He stated that in the area where the paths come together, along with two other park locations would be kiosk locations where maps and interpretive signs could be displayed. , He suggested a community billboard type use for the kiosks as well. He also reviewed the five possible locations for the interpretive signs throughout the park. Case #2: Presentation on Interpretive Signage - Sunfish Lake Park ParkslUtilities Supervisor Riverblood advised that the City and the Anoka Ramsey Community College worked together through an ecology class on this project and introduced the professor, Dr. Kristen Genet. The Professor advised that Parks Supervisor Riverblood approached her about this project at the beginning of this school year, which although was a busy time, she believed would also be a great opportunity for the students. She advised that through the revised syllabus; as a group, six topics were chosen for the interpretive signs. She stated that each set of students brainstormed about how they could effectively inform the public, as well as entertain, and engage several different age groups. She stated that there was a more general section of the sign and then addition sections would go more into detail, including interactive aspects of the topics. She thought that it was a very positive experience and was humbled to be a part of the process. She looked forward to the park being put together in the future. Nate Nemmers advised that he would be presenting the topic covering the natural history of Sunfish Lake. He displayed a broad layout for the sign. He stated that the main section goes into further detail on glaciations and the role that played on Sunfish Lake. He explained that glaciation played a major role in the development of Sunfish Lake. He stated that the next section covered the hydrological cycle, which is the path that water will follow when left to its Park and Recreation Commissionillecember 11, 2008 Page 2 of 13