Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 07/30/2003 - Special

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Chairperson Johns stated they do not have to recreate Trout Brook but she would like to see some water feature. She thought a fountain in Town Center would be a nice addition. She would also like to see a wading area. Commissioner Lehman stated he liked the idea and felt it is an important piece to have. It is nice to have the opportunity to reflect in all the ages. Chairperson Johns stated closer to downtown should be a little more active and as you move out, it would become quieter. There would definitely need to be trails and she would like to see it quiet. Maybe this could become a skating pond in the winter and a swimming hole in the summer. Commissioner Shryock stated at the last meeting, there was mention regarding a swimming hole and a spray deck. Chairperson Johns stated the sprinkler area may be more in the downtown area and not the pastoral system. Ms. Bartels stated if there would be a swimming hole, it would need to be separated from the storm water drainage. Commissioner Olds stated that was one of his questions because that would be a concern. He stated the ponds could have cattails planted around the parameter to help in the filtration of the ponds. Chairperson Johns stated in regards to a skate park, Elk River was planning on doing something like this and she did not think it would be a competition because there were a lot of cities that already provided this activity. She asked if they were planning on charging admission to the skate park. Ms. Bartels stated they did talk about having a teen center in area “G” and contract this out and making it private. She stated at this point in the discussion process, they are trying to line up an activity area but this could be discussed and decided later. Commissioner Ostrum asked where the swim hole would be. Ms. Bartels stated it would be on the west end of the Town Center. Chairperson Johns stated she thought it would be closer to the skate park on the other end. Ms. Bartels stated this is midway in the storm water management system and it is possible to support a fishing hole because it could be clean enough by the time it reached the water hole. Commissioner Olds asked if it would be in the west end so it would be in the beginning area. Ms. Bartels stated that was correct and they would need to work with environmentalists and biologists to make sure this is treated properly. Park and Recreation Commission/July 30, 2003 Page 3 of 11