Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/13/2013

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Olsen, Commissioners Mobry, Bennett, and Chubb. No: None. Absent: Commissioners Barr, Fyten, and Minke. 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Consider Volunteer Landscape Improvements for Fox Park Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the Volunteer Landscape Improvements for Fox Park. Fox Park is an approximate 22 acre neighborhood park (largely wetland) located in the northeast quadrant of Ramsey. The park was dedicated in the early 1990's and soon thereafter developed with playground, tennis court, and trail with boardwalk connecting the north and south portions that are separated by wetland. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted in 2012, Excel Energy cleared all trees under the transmission line that is over the south property line of the park - leaving that prominent portion of the park stark in appearance. Neighborhood resident Brooke Beaton is proposing landscaping this area in a manner that is consistent with vegetation under power lines, and one that is not unduly labor intensive. It was noted that Ms. Beaton was present to describe her ideas, which include a neighborhood fund- raising plan for the landscape materials. At this time there are no municipal funding needs known. Brooke Beaton, resident near Fox Park, presented her ideas for landscaping at the park. Because of the loss of trees, much of the wildlife has disappeared. She is pulling members from the Anoka Ramsey Women of Today to help with this project. She provided photographs for the Commission review. Ms. Beaton has been working with Green Valley Greenhouse and has developed a proposal showing plantings, etc. The plan would be to remove the tree stumps and fill the area in with plantings. The plants selected will attract the wildlife back to the area. Perennial gardens will also be planted. Some plantings around the outhouse would also be added. The estimated price for the full scale planting totals $6000. The women she works with would do as much of the planting as they could and so far, $1000 has been raised by the group. She believes this is a great project for her group. She has received positive response from the neighborhood around the park. Commissioner Bennett asked if there was an estimate on the cost of stump removal. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the City could do it with a backhoe or with a stump grinder, which would be a slow process. Chairperson Olsen asked if there are any monies in the capital improvement fund. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated he would like to meet with Brooke and go over the scope of the project and possibly come up with some City monies that may be available. He suggested the Anoka, Ramsey, Andover Women of Today adopt the park. Ms. Beaton stated that has been discussed. Jill Johns, 6043 174 Avenue NW, asked if there is a grant available. Park and Recreation Commission June 13, 2013 Page 2 of 4