Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/15/1984

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March 5 Quad City Rec. Board Meeting Page Two I I I I I I years. He explained the need for a central community park with active recrea- tion instead of the neighborhood parks. He explained that the City of Ramsey relies very heavily on help from the City of Anoka in providing the necessary facilities. He briefly explained that the major problem the City of Ramsey faces is the financial aspect whereby Parks are not considered as high a pri- ority as other city functions and the fact that a number of Ramsey residents who left the metropolitan area had come to realize that the services provided in the metropolitan area were a necessity to their lifestyle. Jim Schrantz, the representative from the City of Andover, handed out the demographics for the City, with a map showing the relationship of the parks to the City of Andover. The City of Andover has 39 parks consisting of 280 acres, 15 of which are maintained. He explained that the largest acquisition and development is in the neighborhood of Kelsey Park. He explained the rec- reational entities of the park which are bordered by the lake. He then des- cribed the construction of the park facilities located at City Hall. Present facilities include a hockey rink with two softball fields, a soccer field and two tennis courts. He explained that they are presently trying to develop an irrigation system and develop that park into an active recreation area. He then pointed out that with the development of Good Value Homes that a good portion of property adjacent to Ninth Avenue and County Road 16 has been se- cured for the development of a park. I I I I I I I I I I I Discussion then centered around the fact that some residents would rather pay non-resident fees than pay whatever additional taxes accompany park develop- ment in Andover. Mr. Schrantz pointed out that there is no one particular youth organization. The City of Andover is represented by three and sometimes four different youth organizations. He also stated that there has never been a need assessment put in front of the City Council or any of the City staff. He explained that a number of the staff and officials in Andover had no idea regarding the partici- pation in athletics by the residents of Andover. Jim Schrantz then explained the property next to Rum River Park is owned by the City of Anoka. He explained that this is basically low land and flood plain area to be used as wetland and, open space. He also explained that the tax levy limitations has had a direct bearing on the amount of capital improvements that the City of Andover can do to their park facilities. The third person to speak was Mr. Hilary McNallan from the Dayton Park Commis- sion. Mr. McNallan explained to the Board how the City of Dayton organizes and oversees the adult and youth programs. He also explained that a number of the youth are associated with the Elk River group, as well as Champlin. }~r. McNallan explained that Dayton has worked with the City of Champlin and orga- nized the Champlin-Dayton Athletic Association, whereby Dayton relies very heavily on the City of Champlin for the use of their facilities for their or- ganized sports. He explained that he has been a member of the CDYAA for a number of years and has been a Park Board member for the City of Dayton since its original conception. He explained that the City of Dayton has three or four major park sites. He stated also that the ballfield located in the down- town area itself was primarily an adult ballfield and the youth did not have any games scheduled on them. He stated the CDYAA starts their athletic pro- grams in the first and second grade for girls and boys. They also have a very strong participation ratio for kids interested in softball from the Senior High on down. Mr. McNallan described the capital development in the City of Dayton, whereby they had been working with the Dayton Elementary School