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

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Commissioner Shryock thought that this would be beneficial and would help to bring more pride into the community and parks. She thought that this project could be replicated in other areas of the City. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that the park is within two miles of Ramsey Elemnetary, and could be added included in their curriculum. J ody Hammre stated that her presentation would be on linkages between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. She stated that this topic was chosen because while most know what an ecosystem is, they do not know the importance of the linkage between the different ecosystems. She explained that Sunfish Lake includes both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and advised that those two zones meet in a transition zone, which is found around the boarder of Sunfish Lake. She explained that most animals rely on two or more ecosystems for their life cycle. She stated that the next section personalizes the topic and explains that each ecosystem supports its own types of species. She explained that when two ecosystems meet it helps to create biodiversity. She stated that although Sunfish Lake is a small park there are several types of species that make that park their home. Hammre continued that the interactive component of the sign includes six pictures of species that are found throughout the park and questions the viewer to determine which ecosystem the organism belongs to. She thought that it would be a fun activity for small groups to take part in while at the park. She stated that the have you seen me portion of the sign focuses on the chorus frog, which is a small frog common to Minnesota. She advised that it is the smallest frog found throughout the state and explained that while it may be hard to locate it is actually a great example of a species that benefits from more than one ecosystem. She advised that while it may be hard to locate the frog it is not hard to hear the frog and advised of the sound made. She stated that the fun facts of this sign include a picture of a frog and explains that they actually do not have any teeth. She thought that the picture would be something that kids would be drawn to. Chairperson Johns again thought that this sign was a great addition and was a good topic to bring into the park. She enjoyed the presentation. Kellie Fiedler stated that the topic for this sign was the aquatic food web and thought it would be interesting to show the aquatic food levels in the park. She advised that the main section of the sign would jnclude the four levels, which include: primary producers, primary consUmers, secondary consumers, and the tertiary consumers. She advised that the next section cove~s the toxins in the ecosystem and how they move through the food web. She explained how toxins in lowest level of the food web, zooplankton, could actually reach the top level of the food web, human. She advised that the interactive portion of the sign would challenge the viewer to follow the food web and where they would fit into it. She advised that the species highlighted on this sign is the twelve-spotted skimmer, which is a dragonfly common to Sunfish Lake Park. She advised that the fun facts of this sign draws attention to the little guys known as decomposers, such as earthworms. Park and Recreation CommissionlDecember 11, 2008 Page 5 of 13