Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/10/2013

Home

play structure at Elmcrest. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood offered to cover this during Commission input later in the meeting. Councilmember Minke asked about the North Commons playground gaining support from Council. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood advised that he cannot speak for Council but there was consensus to move forward with park platting. He reported that there are a lot of families in this neighborhood. He suggested that adding the park will help the lots sales as well. Motion carried as amended. Voting Yes: Vice Chair Olsen, Commissioners Chubb, Minke, Barr, and Bennett. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Shryock and Commissioner Fyten. 6. COMMISSION/STAFF INPUT 6.01: Commission/Staff Input Commissioner Chubb stated that he would like information on skating rink use this year. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that he has not had an opportunity to get skating numbers together. He explained that the rink attendants have counted an increase of 16 percent over last year. He commented that even on days where there is not an attendant an increase in use is noted. He noted that this was observed at the rinks located at Central Park, the Ramsey Elementary School and Bear Park. Commissioner Barr stated that Central Park has a very good learn to skate opportunity. She reported that there is equipment to push around while learning and a nice spot for parents to go inside. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted that the tongue and groove paneling was salvaged from inside of another building. He explained that the skate walkers are being well used. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed that at Central Park many people are participating in cross country skiing and sledding. He reported that there are groomed trails at Rum River Central through Anoka County. He described that they are initiating plans for the Mississippi River trail with a grant through MN/DOT. The trail goes from Kings Island over to Mississippi West Park. The city has secured the $388,000 grant. He detailed that the City of Anoka and Ramsey are working toward construction on this trail which should be completed in 2013. He noted for the 2013 Parks Capitol Improvement Plan they are scheduled to go before Council during a work session meeting on February 5 at 5:30 p.m. He indicated this will be a joint work session. He asked for Commissioners to attend if possible. He reviewed that there were requests for lighting at Alpine Park in the off-leash area. He commented that there is a motion sensed light in an area where people gather. He indicated that there are solar lights set up along the side of the fence which gives some soft lighting. He added that recently a resident was viewing the website and asked whether this park had lighting. They were able to answer yes, there is lighting. Park and Recreation Commission/January 10, 2013 Page 3 of 4