Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/12/1998

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Cottonwood Park Last fall, 5,883 feet of trail was constructed around the wetland in the 27-acre Cottonwood Park, including segments added along County Road #116 - now reaching from Ramsey Boulevard to Sunwood Drive. Remaining is seeding the areas along the path (April/May), and a 90-foot wetland crossing. Staff is now in the process of designing a bridge or boardwalk for the above link. There is approximately $4,000 available for this connection from the original (1997) $40,000 construction budget. It is possible that volunteers may be used to construct the bridge in that the material cost could constitute $2,000. Cottonwood Park may also receive some trees and native shrubs as part of a DNR grant awarded to the Twin Cities Tree Trust and Ramsey (see also below). ."Savanna Trail" From Industry_ Avenue to Garnet Street The Savanna trail will be constructed from Industry Avenue through the oaks and meadows between Regency Pond and the landfill property to the Garnet Street cul-de-sac. The trail development is the obligation of Good Value Homes as a Stage One improvement for the above subdivision. It's construction was delayed until the 1998 season due to the need to acquire a route around two wetlands. The second of these two parcels is-expected to be received by the City this spring, with construction following. Twin Cities Tree Trust, in partnership with Anoka Electric Cooperative, Good Value Homes, and Ramsey, will be conducting a DNR sponsored tree planting in this vicinity. The majority of these trees will be on private lots. However 84 one-inch and larger caliber trees (primarily oaks) will be planted on both Cottonwood Park to the south, with the majority along the Savanna trail corridor. The bulk of this tree planting is expected to be performed by volunteers which may lead to other volunteer development and maintenance of this trail corridor. Central Park Tennis Courts A four-battery tennis court will be constructed south of the hickey rinks across from the large parking lot in the southwest comer of the 45-acre park. After the bids are received for the court and fencing, the remaining amount of the $63,000 budget will be applied to a connecting path, turf, and landscape plants adjacent to the court and possibly pull-off parking, similar to the hockey rink parking lot. As part of this project, several large trees may be moved behind the outfield fence in line with the third base line of Softball Field #3. This would serve to intercept balls that could be hit over the fence toward the playground if high school aged players are in this field. There have been no incidents, but it remains a concern. Park Directional Signage Later this spring, the Park and Recreation Commission will identify the parks and locations for advisory signs directing visitors to prominent locations. The $1,000 budget will fund about 15 of these signs. Attached for your information is the 1998 Capital Improvement Plan ledger.