PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
May 3, 2006
Minutes
Vice-Chair
Jennifer Young called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Jennifer Young, Hans Larson, Bryan Sykora, Charty Oliver, Jean Midthun, Administrator Dana Young
The Committee approved the April 5, 2006 minutes on a motion by Charty Oliver, seconded by Hans Larson. Motion carried 5-0.
Patrick Noll was present to discuss his proposed Eagle Scout project. He explained that he would like to improve Sandy Beach by repainting the Sandy Beach sign, or building an enclosure around the portable toilet, or constructing a bike rack. He noted that he would like to complete the project by the end of June. The Committee indicated that they would prefer that Patrick build a portable toilet enclosure rather than repaint the sign or construct a bike rack. Hans Larson recommended that Patrick present a design of the enclosure and a proposed budget to the Park Committee for their further consideration of the project.
Bird Sanctuary
Bonne St. James, 18390 Minnetonka Blvd, was present to request that the ditch through Thorpe Park remain natural for a bird habitat. She stated that the ditch should be allowed to grow naturally within five feet of the ditch until mid-August to allow for birds to habitat along the ditch area. She stated that there have been a wide variety of birds that would habitat within the ditch that would be a unique benefit for the community. She stated that signs would have to be posted along the ditch signifying it as a songbird sanctuary.
Later in the meeting, the Park Committee confirmed the location of the ditch from Thorpe Pond to Rutledge Road. Charty Oliver moved to recommend that the ditch from Thorpe Pond to Rutledge Road be allowed to grow naturally within a five foot area from the center of the ditch until mid-August for the purpose of establishing the ditch as a songbird sanctuary. Seconded by Jennifer Young. Charty Oliver, Jennifer Young, Bryan Sykora and Jean Midthun voted in support of the motion. Hans Larson opposed. Motion carried 4-1.
Dana Young stated that Tennis West is planning to resurface the courts at Thorpe Park and Village Hall Park within the next few weeks. He asked if the Committee had a preference in the color used on the courts. Jennifer Young stated that she would recommend that the courts be colored green and dark green. Discussion was held on whether the residents that use the tennis courts regularly at Village Hall Park would prefer the more traditional color of green and red and if there would be a cost increase to convert the courts to a different color.
Hans
Larson moved to keep Village Hall tennis courts the traditional color of green
and red and to repaint Thorpe Park tennis courts green and dark green if the
costs to repaint the courts are not excessive.
Seconded by Bryan Sykora. Hans
Larson, Charty Oliver, Bryan Sykora and Jean Midthun voted in favor of the
motion. Jennifer Young opposed. Motion carried 4-1.
Bryan
Sykora stated that Landscape Structures, the company he works for, would like
to donate a climbing playground structure called the Evos to the City. A model of the playground structure was
presented. He stated that this
playground equipment is a prototype piece of equipment that Landscape
Structures would like to install at Shuck Park.
He stated that Shuck Park would be an ideal location because it would
get use but it is not located on a main thoroughfare. He stated that this would enable Landscape
Structures to survey the use of the structure, make modifications when
appropriate and keep its location safe from competitors who might steal the
design.
He
stated that the structure is made of steel and is supported by three main
arches and cables. Landscape Structures
would install the structure free of charge and the City would be able to keep the
structure permanently unless they would like it removed for whatever
reason. He stated that the City would
have to remove the existing playground equipment and level the site. He stated that the site would be
approximately 50’ x 60’ in size. Jennifer
Young asked if the small basketball court would have to be removed and what
type of surface would be used. Bryan
Sykora stated that his staff would have to stake out the area to determine if
the basketball court would be in the way of the new playground structure. He added that the surface would be rubber
chunks similar to the surface for the climbing structure installed at Thorpe
Park. He noted that the playground
structure is valued at around $40,000 - $50,000.
Dana
Young noted that the current playground equipment at Shuck Park is not in very
good condition and is scheduled to be replaced in 2007.
Jennifer
Young moved to recommend the installation of the Evos playground structure at
Shuck Park subject to the same terms and conditions that had been developed for
the climbing structure at Thorpe Park.
Seconded by Hans Larson. Motion
carried 5-0.
The
Committee toured the ditch area at Thorpe Park to verify its suitability as a
bird sanctuary. The Committee also
reviewed the location of the three White Pine trees that had been planted at
Thorpe Park along Westview Drive as part of the Arbor Day celebration. Dana Young stated that a complaint has been
received from Ann Barry, who lives at 3735 Westview Drive, that the recently
planted Arbor Day trees are blocking her view of Thorpe Park. The Committee was not able to meet with Ms.
Barry to discuss her complaint regarding the trees.
The inspection of City parks and beaches was postponed until next month.
Motion to adjourn by Charty Oliver, seconded by Jennifer Young. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006.