Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/08/1998

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Droegemueller, LaMere, Johns, Ostrum, and Rolfe. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Asfahl. NOTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The Park and Recreation Commission noted the City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes dated December 9, 1997, (draft). NOTE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES The Park and Recreation Commission noted the Planning Commission public heating and regular meeting minutes dated December 2, 1997, (draft). COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #1: Peltzer Park Playground Development Process Mark Boos, Parks/Utility Supervisor, advised that the 1998 Capital Improvement Program designates $35,000 from the Park Improvement Trust Fund for Peltzer Park. These improvements are intended to provide recreation for the residents of Regency Pond as well as the existing neighborhoods. The majority of the money will be required for the playground itself. Mr. Boos reviewed the existing playground equipment which included a wood structure that is approximately 12 years old. He advised that the wood structure and spring rider may be the only existing components that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for playground safety. The RFP process should be preceded by a neighborhood survey. Mr. Boos introduced Mike Basich of St. Croix Recreation who was present to address the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and types and materials of play structures available. Mr. Basich reviewed his history in the playground industry and advised that St. Croix Recreation represents several companies. He stated he wants to reintroduce wood as a material for consideration which provides a distinct difference over metal structures. He explained that a wood structure provides a higher user preference over other types of materials and is more aesthetic in a natural setting versus a more urban environment of glass and steel. He noted that the use of wood can also reintroduce an element of nature which becomes burnished over use as opposed to metal or plastic materials. As it relates to environmental concerns, Mr. Basich pointed out that wood is the only renewable and biodegradable building material and for every pound of wood in trees, 1.47 pounds of CO2 are removed from the atmosphere and fixed into the wood fibre. He noted that it requires approximately nine times more energy to produce a steel post than a timber post. Mr. Basich displayed a sample of the wooden post which they use and explained that it is not redwood due to its scarce supply. He explained the process that is used to produce their wood posts and components. He noted the post is core drilled from end to end which allows dimensional stability, prevents warping, and allows pressure treatment to penetrate completely through the wood. He advised that in Minnesota, his company has never replaced a piece of wood due to deterioration Park and Recreation Commission/January 8, 1998 Page 2 of 7