Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/10/1992

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Boos summarized what parks contained playground equipment, etc. and what has been requested for some of the neighborhood parks. Discussion ensued regarding the size of some of the parks and what would be feasible development for each park. The City was divided into 17 different districts. The process by which the neighborhood parks will be developed, and in what order, will be determined by how densely populated that particular area is, accessibility to other developed parks, trails, etc., and the ratio of park dedication dollars paid to recreational assets within that district. The Commission briefly discussed each park. The Commission discussed accomplishing a minor recreational improvement within each district, if feasible, and also types of improvements such as active (tennis courts, bleachers, etc.), passive (landscaping or park benches) and linear (acquisition, development or signage of trails). Funding was discussed. City Administrator Schroeder stated that charitable gambling funds are allocated for park improvements and that amount is estimated to be about $20,000 per year. Case #1: Woodland Green Park Development The case sheet stated that at the joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission meeting held on June 11, 1992, several residents from Reiltey Estates and Stanhope River Hills were present requesting park development of the dedicated property at l$5th Lane N.W. and Roanoke Street N.W. Mr. Boos stated that within these subdivisions are two dedicated developable parks which are Reilley East and Woodland Green. Woodland Green Park has some development and can be accessed from 155th Lane N.W. east of Barium Street N.W. An impassible drainage swale exists off 156th Lane N.W. Staff is of the opinion that clearing and paving the swale to ten feet wide and completing the balance of a trail connecting 156th Lane N.W. to t55th Lane N.W. is superior to initiating any development of other parks in the neighborhood. Commissioner Swokowski agreed that targeting Woodland Green Park and leaving the other park CReilley Estates) as is made sense. Commissioner Cook also agreed and stated that residents would have to understand that some of the other residents don't even have access to a neighborhood park at all. Commissioner Florentius felt that the Commission should address Reilley Estates in the future and at least do grading and top soil for now. City Administrat°r Schroeder stated that it has not been the City's preference to develop two parks within within a few thousand feet of one another while there are still other areas having no park development nearby. Mr. Schroeder stated that the following options being presented to Council are as follows: 1) Do nothing; 2) Pursue an alternative project; 3) Propose the development within the 1993 budget; or 4) Fund the project from 1992. Mr. Schroeder stated that Option #4 was preferred by Staff and the funding could be allocated from the following: redistricting refund from Anoka County $3,102; primary election reimbursement $2,370; and park supplies budget $1,478 for a total of $6,950. Motion by Chairperson Hetland and seconded by Commissioner Cook to recommend that City ' Council approve spending $6,950 ($3,102 from redistricting refund from Anoka County, $2,370 from primary election reimbursement and $1,478 from park supplies budget) to proceed with Park and Recreation Commission/July 9, 1992 Page 2 of 4