Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/09/2006

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Chairperson Johns wondered how deep the pond is and if it could be used for swimming in the summer or skating in the winter. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood thought it was pretty shallow, around six to eight feet deep. He thought a swimming area would be better at another park. Civil Engineer II Linton indicated he would talk with the developer to see when they are going to bring a plan in. Commissioner Shryock stated she liked the idea of public open space but she did riot think they should put in structured play areas there. She would like to see a trail there. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood suggested the Commission recommend the development have a private park area. Commissioner Lehman wondered what is at Hunters Hill Park. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood indicated there is virtually nothing at Hunters Hill Park except a sliding hill. Emerald Park just to the east of that is a nice and frequently used park so they would not want to get another repetitive park so close. He stated every park in the District is pretty much built out except for Sunfish unless they decide to redevelop some of them. Case #2: Geocache Review It was noted staff was asked to investigate the potential for geocaching in Ramsey. Geocaching involved placing an object in a public location then posting hints on how to find the object on the website. The hints include coordinates to enter into personal GPS units and a general description of the area. The object of this activity is to locate the cache, enter your name in the log in the cache if one is provided and replace the cache for others to find. The website may provide a logbook for additional comments. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood indicated Commissioner LaMere asked for this item to be discussed so he thought this should be tabled until he was at the meeting. Case #3: Update of Elmcrest Park It was noted the parking lot at Elmcrest Park was constructed in 2004. The 2na lift of bituminous was placed on the parking lot in 2005 and most of the trails were paved. Some of the trails south of the playing fields were graded but not paved. These trails may be moved to provide room for wetland mitigation in connection with the extension of Sanitary Sewer and Watermain to the Sweet Bay Ridge development. The highway underpass in the southeast comer of the park was completed under Highway 47 last summer. The paving season ended before all of the connections could be completed. The bridge over County Ditch 66 was placed last fall. Construction of the trail connection to the south is anticipated to be completed early in the 2006 construction season. Park and Recreation Commission/January 12, 2006 Page 4 of 7