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different commitments to the community on different homes. He stated that the people that <br />purchase these homes will most likely have children that play sports and use the regional parks. <br />He stated that the park system provides something for everyone to enjoy, whether it be sports, <br />playground use, or use for different celebrations. Chair Bennett commented that this is a consistent <br />practice across communities and noted that Ramsey surveys other communities to ensure the <br />development fees are similar. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Sis, Barten, Leistico, Loss, and Olson. <br />Voting No: Commissioner Walker. Absent: None. <br /> <br />5.02: Playground Replacement Policy <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that this has been on the radar <br />of the Commission for some time, to develop a schedule for playground replacement and in a <br />manner that allows for proper planning and budgeting. He stated that $100,000 would most likely <br />be the minimum amount to estimate for playground equipment. He noted that the focus should <br />first be placed on developing the replacement plan and then can consider discussion of a funding <br />source, noting that a good suggestion for funding could be the lawful gambling fund. <br /> <br />Parks and Recreation Intern Wagenfeld stated that while some communities have more informal <br />policies, larger cities like Minneapolis have a more formal policy. He stated that he is considering <br />seven different factors, four related to the playground itself while the other three factors relate <br />more to context. He recognized the shift towards regional parks with more amenities rather than <br />neighborhood parks as well as the factors of density and accessibility. <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood commented that the Ramsey policy <br />would not be based on the policy of Minneapolis but instead the City is developing a scoring <br />system that can be used to evaluate and schedule the replacements in an efficient and programmatic <br />way. <br /> <br />Chair Bennett referenced the most recent update at Ford Brook and the discussions with the <br />community members. He stated that he would like to see use studies and community engagement <br />as a part of the process. He noted that sometimes the neighborhood parks are being used far more <br />than originally believed. <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood confirmed that would become a part <br />of the larger process. He noted that the scoring system would be developed along with the other <br />elements such as use and community input. He referenced a policy used by Andover where input <br />was solicited from the community and neighborhoods that did not provide input, did not rise to the <br />top of the list for playground replacement. <br /> <br />Commissioner Barten agreed that the additional study would make sense, as sometimes you do not <br />notice activity at the park when you drive by, but it can be heavily used at different times of the <br />day. He stated that sometimes there is turnover in home ownership where the residents with <br />children that have aged out of the park use have been replaced by families with younger children, <br />similar to the Ford Brook area. He stated that he also supports more natural play areas. <br /> <br />Park and Recreation Commission/June 10, 2021 <br />Page 3 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />