Woody Woodburn, Jennifer Young, Hans Larson, Jean Midthun, John Dupont, Lucy Hicks, Bryan Sykora, Staff Dana Young

John Flynn, Charty Oliver, Council Liaison Jon Monson

Kathe Flynn, Nancy Middleton

The Committee approved the April 7, 2004 minutes on a motion by Lucy Hicks, seconded by Bryan Sykora. Motion declared carried.

The Committee toured Village Hall Park, Deephaven Main Beach, Thorpe Park and Children’s Park.

Village Hall Park – Dana Young stated that the Public Works intends to install a fence on the north side of the hockey rink to protect the fire station and pedestrians from flying hockey pucks later this summer.

Jennifer Young recommended that the porta potty be moved out of sight or enclosed.

Woody Woodburn recommended that the warming house be converted into a four-season structure by adding a sliding door to allow park patrons to use the warming house as a shelter during the spring and summer months.

The Committee recommended that the warming house and gazebo be re-painted.

Deephaven Main Beach – Dana Young stated that Paul Skrede was looking into the possibility of obtaining a grant from the Watershed District to replace the asphalt pathway with porous pavers.

Kathe Flynn suggested that the south end of the boardwalk along the beach could be removed in order to expand the south beach area. She stated that this section of the beach is very steep and could be leveled off somewhat by removing a portion of the boardwalk.

The Committee reviewed the playground area, which included a set of monkey bars and a swing. Dana Young noted that some of the residents who returned the Park Survey stated that they felt the playground equipment is not particularly interesting. Discussion was held on the possibility of adding a second swing to the site. Bryan Sykora stated that the existing swing could not be turned to face the lake because of national safety requirements. He stated that the swing has to be positioned with 16 feet of clearance both in front and behind the swing and with 6 feet of clearance on each side of the posts. He stated that repositioning the swings in the attempt to add another swing would make the City liable for any accident that occurred on the swings.

The Committee reviewed the bike racks and recommended that additional bike racks be added at both ends of the beach. Woody Woodburn stated that he has read in a national bicycling magazine where new recommendations have been developed on bike racks and he would provide a copy of these recommendations to City Staff.

Thorpe Park – The Committee reviewed the condition of the tennis courts by Westview Drive. Dana Young stated that the results of the Park Survey indicated a majority of respondents supported repairing the courts, with the second highest support for removing the tennis courts and replanting the area with grass. Discussion was held on whether to repair the courts, convert the space to soccer fields or to add a third court to those courts on the west side of Thorpe when they are scheduled for renovation in 2008. The majority of the Committee supported converting the courts to soccer fields and include a letter in the July 1^st Newsletter supporting this position with an invitation to the public to attend a Town Meeting to discuss the issue at greater length. The Committee decided to continue discussions on this issue at their June meeting.

Children’s Park – The Committee reviewed the drainage problem around the fountain where sand was washing over the bricks, in some cases causing the engraving on the bricks to fade. The Committee asked Staff Dana Young to obtain quotes on covering the sand with sod or patio stones and report back to the Committee in June.

The Committee decided to hold their social outing in June. Lucy Hicks stated that she will send out an email to confirm the date and time.

Motion to adjourn by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. The next meeting of the Park Committee will be held June 2^nd.