Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/08/2012

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Mr. Personius began his presentation with bicycling in general and maps that are available for finding trails. He wanted it to be recognized that May is bike to work month. He reviewed the bike trails available on Google maps and the satellite image. Another source for finding trails and routes is Cyclopath.org. Mr. Personius explained it is a fairly simple website, and it has a lot of information that is available to bicyclist or trail users. To find a path on Cyclopath you click on the route tab and a pop up box will appear that offers many options. He reviewed that in Google maps you have to click on the bicycle icon that is highlighted with a red person standing over it. He showed a demonstration route. You can also modify the path on an individual basis, within Google maps you can edit the map if there is any discrepancies found. You do have to have an account with Google to edit within it, but not to use it. Mr. Personius reviewed the Go Anoka County website. He stated all the parks' community activities can be found at the website and can also be found through the City of Ramsey website. He reviewed some of the options you can look for are parks, rivers, regional trails, fairgrounds, nature centers, boat launches and fishing piers. Mr. Personius demonstrated how you can zoom in close enough to show what businesses are located on a specific trail that you are riding. He also showed how to use the map maker, and demonstrated how it can edited by selecting a place which would be considered a specific area, or you can select a specific line or draw line to create a new trail. He also explained once you have made all your edits it can be submitted on the sight but it doesn't automatically appear, as it needs to be reviewed for approval or disapproval. Mr. Personius reviewed some options in Cyclopath that can be chosen are the distance, or a scenic visit, and then he showed all the options you have such as if you want to avoid hills, you click on the thumbs down, if you want low traffic, click the thumbs up. When you click on find route, it will calculate the route. Mr. Personius demonstrated the Go Anoka County site and used The Draw as an example for a picnic. He showed how to search various routes, how you can map out the size of a park, and how to measure walking distances. Chairperson Shryock asked how to get to the Cyclopath website. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated it would be a good idea to put a link on the City website. Commission Staff /Input Parks Supervisor Riverblood reported the ice rinks are still open and attendance is approaching 6,000 patrons for the season. There will be a tree planting at the North Commons. Mr. Riverblood noted the DNR Forestry Bonding Grant and the Transit Oriented Developments Grants one which will further the planning process for the proposed pedestrian overpass. He stated the concert summer series planning is in progress for The Draw. The Environmental Expo planning will be the subject of our March meeting and the last item is firewood for sale has been published in the Ramsey resident. Park and Recreation Commission /February 9, 2012 Page 4 of 5