Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 12/14/2023

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Commissioner Olson commented that the concepts are all wonderful and include many great options. He stated that he likes the all-ages idea as well as the accessible options and zero-entry water feature. Commissioner Sis commented that he likes the natural areas and running water as opposed to a wading area. He stated that a smaller, moving stream with a play area around could help to prevent children running amuck. He stated that he was drawn to concepts I and 3. Chair Barten echoed those comments, stating that he likes 1, lA and 3 as those seem to provide more versatility. He stated that he also likes consideration for accessibility and natural seating and focus. Commissioner Bennett commented that they have talked about the need to create a destination within the city, and this could be that. He stated that he liked elements of each concepts, including the elements of natural play. He believed that this would come down to the financials as well as the scope and scale of the water play area. He commented that the water play area within concept 2 would seem to be too small. He asked if the size would be too large in concept 3. He believed that the water play area within concepts 1 and IA would be equitable to Maple Grove and noted that Ramsey may not see the same level of traffic that community sees. Commissioner Arts referenced the balance of the Park Trust Fund and asked if the funding were to come from that source, would it be replenished in the future. Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood explained that the Park Trust Fund is composed of dollars paid in by developers to be used for park projects. Councilmember Musgrove commented that it would be great to have natural features that could be used for seating while they watch their children. Parks &Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood confirmed that those natural areas exist in all of the concepts and noted that they would have seating that wraps around the area. He stated that the landscaping would also be used to provide shady for some of those seating areas. He stated that he hopes to have a discussion with the Council at a January work session to discuss some of the other park features and hopes to gain consensus on moving forward with some of those other elements, such as trails. Chair Barten commented that he would tend to err on the larger scale. He stated that his kids tend to gravitate toward the more natural play elements. Commissioner Arts asked if more research could be done on other communities, noting that he also tends to lean more towards the more natural options. He stated that perhaps input could be received from communities with more natural features to find what works well and what does not, in order to avoid those mistakes. He stated that it is also great to see things for people of all ages. Commissioner Olson agreed with erring on the larger side as they want to do it right the first time and support the eventual growth of Ramsey. Park and Recreation Commission/December 14, 2023 Page 4 of 6