PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
December 1, 2004
Minutes
Chairman Woody Woodburn called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Woody Woodburn, Jennifer Young, Bryan Sykora, John Dupont, Hans Larson, Charty Oliver, Lucy Hicks, John Flynn, Jean Midthun, Council Liaison Jon Monson, Administrator Dana Young
None
The Committee approved the November 3, 2004 minutes on a motion by Lucy Hicks, seconded by Charty Oliver. Motion declared carried.
Bonne St. James, 18390 Minnetonka Blvd, was present to discuss a number of issues relating to Thorpe Park. She stated that she walks Thorpe Park twice a day and has a strong affinity for Thorpe Park. She stated her concern about the stressed trees at Thorpe Park last year and was thankful that the City finally decided to water many of the Oak trees at the Park. She added that if any new trees are planted at the park should include an expandable iron grate to protect the tree from deer.
Ms. St. James requested that the Committee recommend letting the ditches through Thorpe Park grow wild until August. She stated that the ditches act as a bird sanctuary and she saw many diverse varieties of birds at Thorpe this year than she had seen in years.
She recommended that the Committee leave the basketball court at its present location in the middle of the park due to the noise caused by the dribbling of the basketball. She stated that the tennis courts next to Westview are used and should be repaired instead of replaced. She also stated that there are garlic mustard problems emerging at the park and that additional garbage cans need to be placed next to the pavilion due to the numbers of people using the new playground structure.
Woody Woodburn thanked Ms. St. James for her comments and explained that the Park Committee had authorized Top Notch Tree Service to provide recommendations on the condition of the trees at Thorpe Park and provided a brief update on the planned improvements to the tennis courts next to Westview.
Woody Woodburn stated that it was his preference to replace the east tennis courts with one tennis court and one basketball court. He stated that he preferred to install a smaller basketball court next to the tennis court with an adjustable backboard for younger players. The existing basketball court would be taken out and sodded over to provide additional room for soccer fields. He added that he would prefer a traditional asphalt surface instead of a sports court. Jennifer Young stated that she would prefer the color of the court to be green rather than multi-colored.
Woody Woodburn stated that there are primarily three options for the Park Committee to consider in regards to the east tennis courts at Thorpe Park and asked each member to vote on each option. First, the courts could be taken out. One member of the Committee supported this option. Second, the existing courts could be replaced with one tennis court and one basketball court. Five Committee members supported this option. Or third, both tennis courts could be repaired. Two Committee members supported this option.
Woody Woodburn stated that quotes should be obtained comparing the cost of repairing the two courts versus installing one tennis court and one basketball court before it is presented for final consideration by the City Council.
The Committee recommended replacing the existing east tennis courts at Thorpe Park with one tennis court and one basketball court, removing the existing basketball court and replacing it with sod and installing a green asphalt surface on a motion by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Hans Larson. Motion declared carried.
The Committee reviewed a site plan of Amesbury Park and the proposed park development plan that had been submitted by former Park Committee member Barbara Nye. Both Lucy Hicks and Woody Woodburn commented that the Committee would need to establish goals and objectives for the park before designing park improvements.
After further review of the park development plan, it was the consensus of the Committee that there should only be minimal improvements at the park at first, with the attempt to visually improve the look of the area. Jon Monson suggested that the Committee consider blocking off the south entranceway with trees and provide a better shape of the east entranceway by planting evergreens. Jennifer Young suggested planting some sort of natural grass south of the paddle tennis court to give the park a more natural look.
Woody Woodburn thanked Jon Monson for his comments and asked Jon if he would be willing to return to the Park Committee in February or March with further ideas on how to improve this park. Jon Monson stated that he would be willing to return at any time to give the Committee his ideas.
Dana Young stated that the first term of office for Jennifer Young and Charty Oliver are set to expire on February 2005. He added that both Jennifer and Charty have the option to enlist for a second three-year term that would expire on February 2008. Charty Oliver stated that she has served on the Committee for some time and would prefer not to serve a second term. Woody Woodburn asked Jennifer Young to consider serving a second term and give the Committee her response next month. Further discussion was held on reviewing the volunteer applications next month.
Woody Woodburn stated that he had talked with Phil Rock and informed him that Thorpe Park is not the best location for a skate board park and encouraged him to get involved with the existing skate board park that is located in Shorewood.
Woody Woodburn stated that he had met with Thomas Kemmetmueller about the possibility of working jointly to improve Pump Park to mutually benefit both his business and the park. He stated that Mr. Kemmetmueller did not appear receptive to this idea at this time.
Woody Woodburn stated that he would like each Committee member to take turns appearing at the second monthly Council meeting. He asked each Committee member to check their calendar and give him a date when they would be willing to appear at an upcoming Council meeting.
John Flynn provided an update on a meeting he had this afternoon with the Public Works Committee on enlarging and installing borders around the Village Hall open ice rink. Further discussion was held on the December 18th Open House at the Village Hall ice rink. Woody Woodburn asked Lucy Hicks and John Flynn to email the Committee on what they would like each member to do for the Open House.
The Committee officially thanked Councilmember Jon Monson for his many contributions to the Park Committee during his tenure on the City Council on a motion by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Bryan Sykora. Motion declared carried.
Motion to adjourn by Charty Oliver, seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2005.