4.2. SR 07-17-2000-'ity of
Item # 4.2.
'ver
TO:
FROM:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor & City Council
Michele McPherso~rector of Planning
DATE: July 13, 2000
SUBJECT:
Monthly Park & Recreation Commission
Update
From this point forward, staff will provide the City Council with a monthly update on the
activities and accomplishments of the Park and Recreation Commission from the
previous month. Some items may require City Council action.
Recent Activities
In recent months, the Commission has reviewed the Master Park Plan, adopted in
1997, evaluating the City's existing parks and determining the appropriate uses; the
need for additional landscaping and/or equipment, and identifying the priority for
development. These recommended changes will be brought to the City Council for
formal approval later this year.
The Commission has also spent time identifying potential area-wide/"regional" park site
outside of the Urban Service District. In late June, they reviewed area photos of
properties within the Urban Service District for potential neighborhood park sites and
trail connections. These areas are, of course, slated for development and the
Commission proposes to be in a position to direct developers where parks should be
located in future subdivisions. These recommendations will be incorporated into the
Master Park Plan and will be forwarded to the City Council for formal approval.
Regional Park Coalition
Attached please find a letter from Jim Nystrom regarding the development of a regional
park coalition that would include counties and cities along the Highway 169 Corridor.
This coaltion would require a lot of staff time to nurture and develop. The Commission
reviewed this letter and recommended that the City Council consider the proposal by
Mr. Nystrom.
Please provide staff with further direction regarding this issue.
Park Use Policy
The Commission reviewed the use of Woodland Trails Park by the Leukemia Race
organizers. The race was held in May, and the organizers used traffic marking paint on
the City sidewalks and trails instead of volunteers or signs. This was done in opposition
13065 Orono Parkway * P.O. Box 490 * Elk River, MN 55330 * TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to the Mayor and City Council/Park & Recreation Update
July 13, 2000
Page 2
to advise from staff. The Commission recommended that the City Council consider
adopting a written policy for the use of park facilities other than shelters and to consider
a floating deposit based on the size of the event.
Please provide staff with further direction regarding this issue.
Survey of Outlot A, Lafayette Woods
The Commission, during its May park tour, visited Outlot A, Lafayette Woods, located
between the Ridgewood East and Lafayette Woods Subdivisions. This area is being
heavily used by ATV's, mountain bikers, and others, creating erosion problems and
damage to trees. The Commission requested that the area be surveyed so that city
park boundary signs can be installed identifying the park property. Two estimates were
obtained from Howard R. Green: $5,000 ("leaf off" conditions), and $7,000 ("leaf on"
conditions). The Commission recommended that the City Council authorize spending
$7,000 to have the property surveyed immediately so that the sign can be installed as
soon as possible, preventing further damage.
This item was not identified as part of the Capital Expenditures that was reviewed by
the City Council earlier this year. This activity, however, would fall under the
"undeveloped" park improvements line item, which identified $10,000 as a proposed
amount to spend. Approximately $6,000 of that item has been spent surveying Gagne
Park. There, is however, more than adequate funds in the Park Dedication fund to
support this request.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the expenditure of $7,000 for
surveying the boundary of Outlot A, Lafayette Woods.
Park Development Updates
The Barn should be moved the week of July 17, 2000 and playground installation
begins July 24, 2000.
June 1, 2000
Mr. John Kue~ter
Chairman of Elk River Park Committee
Dear John,
Thank you for the opportunity to make a proposal for the creation a multi-
jurisdictional regional park, trail, and open space plan to the Elk River Park Committee
last month. As I mentioned at the park meeting, the St. Cloud Area Planning
Organization (APO) is well-established agency that among other things, does an
effective job of long range planning for recreational facilities for the Benton, Sherburne
and Stearns County area. The APO has an extensive park and recreational plan that
includes trail rights-of-way, preservation of historic sites, and purchase of large regional
parks and open spaces. In the past, they have successfully made proposals to the state
legislature for requests for bonding or grants for development of their park system. I
believe that one of their reasons for success was that they have professionally prepared
plans based on input of citizens from all communities in the area.
The eastern portion of Sherburne County does not have a similar comprehensive
multi-community park plan or the experience in preparing requests for major grants.
Because of success of the APO park planning, I am proposing that the Elk River Park
Department lead in the establishment of a similar coalition of park and open space
organizations from communities along a corridor located along highways 101 and 169
from Rogers to Princeton. These communities all face similar needs, goals, and
problems and have a natural geographical affinity and interest.
The goal of the coalition would be to develop a comprehensive park, trail, and
open-space plan without borders and investigate means of implementing the plan.
Cooperation between communities can provide coordination (or prevent duplication)
of regional parks and open space, continuation of trail corridors, and provide the
resources for professional planning. Requests for development grants from the
legislature and other government agencies are generally more effective when they
represent multiple interests.
This proposal would require from approval from the City Council as well as City
staff time to identify the proper representatives of other communities, draft invitations
and organize the initial meetings. If you have any questions on this proposal please call.
CC: Pat Klaers, City Administrator, Michelle McPherson, City Planner
19232 PROCTOR RD · ELK RIVER, MN. · 55330
PHONE: 763 441 2561 FAX: 763 441 7626
Possible members of the Highway 101 and 169 park coalition:
COUNTIES
Hennepin
Sherburne
Wright
Mille Lacs
(Anoka)
(Isanti)
CITIES
Rogers
St. Micheal
Otsego
Elk River
Zimmerman
Princeton
(Ramsey)
(Dayton)
(Big Lake)
TOWNSHIPS
Hassen
Livonia
Baldwin
(Big Lake)
( ) Not directly on TH. 101 and 169 corridor