Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/12/1996

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Background: By: Parks/~li~es Su~rvisor Mark Boos As you may recalt, an earlier agreement between the City of Ramsey and Waste Management of Minnesota IncorpOrated (WMMI) called for deeding property to the City, north of the landfill. This is all but com~pleted. The City, in essence, has control over two parcels. The first parcel is inorth of 153rd Avenue N.W., beginning at Sunfish Lake Boulevard N.W. and then westerly appl:oximately 3,200 feet. Ultimately, this 22 acres is proposed to be subdivided for single family urba~ lots with the proceeds funding concurrent park development. The second parcelis south of 153rd Avenue N.W. and shares the same east and west boundaries. The eastern portioin is intermittent wetlands and woods. Much of this 56 acres was utilized as a borrow area to provide soil cover for the landfill. WMMI agreed to deliver the property in a rough graded condition with at least 4" of topsoil. The City prepared a draft park plan for the area to be graded so that the grading and restoration might resemble the final !ayout of the park. Unfortunately WMMI did not have the resources available to provide much contour other than a straight one percent in grade south from 153rd Avenue N.W. Observation: The fact that the useable land south of 153rd Avenue N.W. is linear, allows for little creativity in layout. Two layouts are presented w~thln this case. The first demonstrates the current property hrmts with a prob&°ole amenity configuration. The second is a configuranon earlier in the process with an attached r!arrative. Because park development is not expected until 1997, the precise design of the park!is not critical at this time. The approved C.I.P. shows $220,000 allocated for the Sunfish Lake }{ecreation Area in 1997. Design of the park should be completed during 1996 should the City c6ntinue on this schedule. This schedule will be impacted by the timing of municipal utilities in the area. The park is expect~ed to serve as a neighborhood park for existing residents, large numbers of future urban residents and, because of its size, proximity and access, it will also serve as a community resource. The park is proposed to be developed with athletic fields, both baseball/softball an~ soccer/football, and tennis courts. A winter skating facility will be important as the population dear the park increases and especially if the warming house and rinks are not upgraded or are no tonger in use at the Ramsey Elementary School. During the Commission's review of this issue in November 1993, it was suggested that one alternative may be!to have the Sunfish Lake Recreational Area serve predominantly as a soccer facility, with Central Park serving as primarily a ballfield facility. It would be staff's recommendation tol determine the ratio of soccer/football fields to softball/baseball fields nearer to the park's development to more accurately project field needs. A professional survey would assist with these issues arid provide valuable documentation of resident's desires and the City's general demographics. Another important consideration is the likelihood of Central Park expansion during the next three or four years. 153rd Avenue N.W. is already a popular walking route. A paralleling bikeway/walkway to 153rd Avenue N.W. shou(d be completed no later than this areas urbanization or the park's development.