Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/12/2016

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Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Date: 05/12/2016 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works 5. 1. Information Title: Rain Garden Demonstration Project, and Trail Connection - Brookfield Subdivision Purpose/Background: Note: The two elements of this project to be funded from the Park Trust Fund were recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission in April of 2016, as part of the Capital Improvements discussion. This case is copied forward from the Public Works Committee's April 19th agenda as additional background and detail from what was discussed at the Commission's CIP discussion in April. This proposed project joins various city realms and goals; including 'a connected community', increasing recreational opportunity, encouraging sustainable water use, prudent storm water treatment, minimizing maintenance costs, creating attractive landscapes, as well as elements of the Environmental Policy Board's Statement of Purpose —staying abreast of 'Emerging Topics', in this instance, creating habitat for pollinators and Monarch Butterflies. The following is asummary of the events and discussion leading to the Public Works Committee's consideration of this case. During the review of one of the more recent additions in the Brookfield subdivision (west of CSAH 5, adjacent to Trott Brook), the City agreed to various commitments in exchange for fee title to a small, narrow parcel that connected to the Trott Brook Trail. The primary commitment agreed to by the City was the construction of a trail link from the neighborhood street (170th Trail NW) to the existing trail that runs parallel to the brook. This 'mid block' trail would provide another, more convenient, access point to the existing 9/10's of a mile trail for a majority of the Brookfield neighborhood. After grade changes and paving of the trail segment, the site will require a landscape component, which provides for a layering of benefits discussed below. Timeframe: Observations/Alternatives: Staff is recommending three (3) interrelated projects at this site. First, based on the proximity to Trott Brook and the wooded wetland fringe adjacent to the Brook, staff believes that a landscape of wildflowers and native grasses is most appropriate. This will require much less maintenance over time than standard turf grass and/or ornamental plantings would (no regular mowing or irrigation). Secondly, staff is recommending the installation of a small rain garden in the boulevard area adjacent to this site. This happens to be at a low point in the road and thus, with a slight modification to the curb (installing a curb cut), a certain amount of storm water runoff can be diverted from the storm sewer system into this area for infiltration and recharge. The quantity of captured storm water is calculated/modeled in the attachment entitled 'rain garden plans and specs' and thus, this demonstration project could potentially provide useful information for future street reconstruction projects if, for example, property owner(s) were interested. The third component includes the planting of several oaks on the trail parcel and possibly one in the rain garden as well. This could serve as the City's Arbor Day activity for 2016, something that the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) has expressed a desire in revisiting (now that the Environmental Expo and Tree Sale events are no longer programmed).