Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/14/1996

Home

Chair Cook was ~oncemed about possible impact on vehicles (i.e. dents) from play conducted on the field that would ~ace the parking lot. Commissioner Droegemueller responded the plans include a 240-foot fence, ~,nd he has yet to see a softball hit that distance. Chair Cook expressed additional concern about recreational use and how this might impact vehicles in the parking lot. Commissioner Droegemueller stated the proposal at hand can allow for switching/turning around of fields. The ParkdUtilitio, s Supervisor prepared a rough sketch of an alternative layout, noting there would be more grading &xpenses incurred. He added it was important to not bisect the park's two identified uses. Commissi~,ner Johns inquired about potential trade offs. Mr. Boos responded a small field could be added, but not an extra soccer/football field. Commissioner D~-oegemueller stated the soccer program has tripled in the last four years. And currently the pro~ess for contracting/proposing a traveling soccer program with the MN Youth Soccer Association is happening. Either way, more growth is expected in the soccer program. Currently, there ~e approximately 1,200 youth living in the immediate use area which could increase to as much as 3,0D0. Commissioner Droegemueller reiterated three ball fields and one soccer field are not enough to address future planning needs. Commissioner Ostrum interjected Alpine Park has to serve other functions as well and expressed concern about thelparking lot accordingly as he believed the City has a much better plan. Mr. Boos added water drayage issues would occur on such a large parking lot as the one Commissioner Droegemueller is l~roposing. Mr. Boos inquired whether Commissioner Droegemueller could meet with the City inl~ern and himself to work on adding a fourth field to the City's concept plan. Commissioner Drloegemueller agreed adding a desire to work with the intern to expand the Active Use area. Chair Cook requested dimension confirmation of Commissioner Droegemueller's proposal. Commissioner Jo~bns confirmed all fields are youth size. Commissioner Droegemueller added the biggest need is fo~ baseball fields. Mr. Boos reminded the Commission that Alpine Park will be in use for at least i100 years. During the near term, there will be plenty of opportunities for development, i.e., Ce City Hall property, Lake Itaska Park, etc. and, therefore, it would not be in the best interest to compromise aesthetics at this time simply for the sake of an additional ball field. Mr. Boos stated RFP packets have been sent out to prospective developers regarding the parcel north of Alpine Park. TSe deadline is November 11, 1996. Area residents have been requested via letter to attend a meetin~ on Thursday, October 24, 1996 at 7 p.m. in order to provide input pertaining to development spec~cations of the parcel north of 153rd Avenue. Resident input will be forwarded to prospective deva. lopers for implementation consideration prior to the RFP deadline. A copy of the letter sent to resi4ents was distributed. Commission members were encouraged by Mr. Boos to attend the meeting~ to address resident input, first hand. Commissioner Dr0egemueller inquired about funding of a potential pedestrian bridge and fiscally responsibility; Par~ks & Recreation or Street Improvement. Mr. Boos indicated there is some flexibility as the pedestrian bridge may relate to transportation needs. Park and Recreation Commission/October 10, 1996 Page 5 of 6