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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 06/03/2024UNAPPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2024 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 Mitchell Road, Heritage Rooms COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Tom Poul, Vice Chair; Sarat Atluru, Deepa Bhujle, Cecilia Cervantes, Pedro Curry, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Jennifer Meyer, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Karli Wittner, Forestry and Natural Resources Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commission Members Atluru, Bhujle, Cervantes, and Klodd were absent. Commission Member Shah arrived at 7:40 p.m. No Student Representatives will be in attendance until September. Commission Members and staff introduced themselves for the guests in attendance. Eden Prairie resident Steve Clifton was present as an observer. Joe Zweber, Glenn Olson, John Leblanc, and Jim Millin were in attendance as members of the Friends of Eden Prairie Parks. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commission Member Hookom moved, seconded by Vice Chair Poul, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Vice Chair Poul moved, seconded by Commission Member Meyer, to approve the April 1, 2024 Commission Minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. A. ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION At the April 16, 2024 City Council meeting, Mayor Case proclaimed Saturday, April 27, 2024 as Arbor Day in the City of Eden Prairie. Arbor Day provides an PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 2 opportunity to celebrate the importance of trees and forests. The City has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The City’s Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair was held on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Round Lake Park. Residents were encouraged to celebrate Arbor Day with a walk at Round Lake Park, enjoy free seedlings and compost, and participate in a garden tool swap. Residents who had previously ordered trees were able to pick them up on this day as well. B. TREE CONTRACT AT HIDDEN PONDS PARK Council accepted the quote and authorized entering into a contract for goods and services with Hoffman & McNamara for tree planting along Hidden Ponds Trail, which is located west of Hidden Ponds Park, in-between residential properties. Staff started work last winter removing ash along the trail just north of the Park and completed the removals this spring. The next phase of the project is to replace the eighty-three removed ash at a 1:1 ratio using a variety of native trees. This work will utilize Hennepin County Healthy Tree Canopy grant funds. The project will be completed by fall 2024. C. SENIOR AWARENESS MONTH Council adopted a proclamation designating May 2024 as Senior Awareness Month in the City of Eden Prairie. At the May 7, 2024 Council meeting, Markle spoke on events planned for the month and members of the Senior Advisory Council spoke on behalf of seniors in the community. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION A. LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE CODE CHANGE Bourne reported the Planning Commission recently approved a Code change for landscaping requirements for developers. He stated this is separate from the tree replacement fund Ordinance. The change allows developers to count shrubs and perennials -- not just trees -- toward their requirements. Spresser inquired and Bourne responded the requirement is the same. However, previously developers could only count twenty-five percent of all trees and plantings based on the total area to go toward their requirement. The change now allows fifty percent of all trees and plantings. Spresser inquired if there is a tree consequence to this change. Bourne responded there is no tree consequence because tree replacement and tree preservation requirements remain the same. The change allows developers to take advantage of parking lot island plantings, perimeter plantings, etc. which were not previously counted toward their requirements. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 3 VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Summer Programming and Events Update. Recreation Services Manager Brink provided each member of the Commission a copy of the 2024 Summer Arts and Entertainment brochure. The flyer was provided to all residents and businesses as a tear-out from the recently mailed Life in the Prairie newsletter and it is also available online via the City’s website. The City’s summer concert season begins on Sunday, June 9, with the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie held in conjunction with the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club’s Rib Fest. Seven area big bands will perform every hour from noon until 7 p.m. Commission Member Spresser inquired of any key changes to the structure or how the events are organized compared to previous years. Brink stated there are no major changes other than continuing to diversify the cultural representation and types of music and art genres. She added the performances this year are skewed toward younger audiences. Brink reported on a new program this summer, Pop Up Backyard Adventures, which was created as a result of research indicating there are pockets of children in the City not signing up for summer fee-based programs. These pockets typically exist in areas with newly immigrated families where language barriers also exist. Staff is focusing on areas with high density housing (typically apartment buildings), so they can work directly with the housing manager to spread the word about the program. The free classes will be held on alternate Thursday mornings at Nesbitt Preserve Park and Edenvale Park from 10 a.m. to Noon. No registration is required for the program which will offer games, art, sports, music, and other fun activities. Brink passed around brochures for the program in English, Somali, and Spanish. Funding for the program will come from an Outreach budget and a special position has been created to coordinate the effort. B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 4 1. Friends of Eden Prairie Parks. Forestry and Natural Resources Supervisor Karli Wittner gave a presentation on engaging residents in natural resources, highlighting the City’s relationship with the newly formed group, Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP). Four members of the group (Joe Zweber, Glenn Olson, John Leblanc, and Jim Millin) introduced themselves. The City’s Natural Resources staff and the FEPP Board work together to plan restoration activities for parks, provide each other funding for projects, organize volunteers to get more done, and educate residents to empower positive change in the community. After the land acknowledgement, Wittner displayed photos and described some of the different areas of the City’s natural Heritage. Only one percent of remnant bluff prairie remains in the entire State, and Eden Prairie has two high quality locations (Prairie Bluff and Richard T. Anderson Conservation Areas). A flood plain forest exists in the James A. Brown Conservation Area. Riley Woods Conservation Area is home to one of the highest quality big woods in the Twin Cities area. The City also has several wetlands areas that have been protected. Eden Prairie has a long history of residents wanting to conserve natural resources. In the 1960s, the City was one of the first municipalities to create conservation easements to protect pieces of land even when located on private property and the easements continue today. In the 1970s, Anderson Lakes and Bryant Lake Parks were purchased by the City before handing management over to Three Rivers Park District. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge’s Upgrala Unit located in Eden Prairie was protected in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1994, a City referendum resolved to purchase sensitive properties to preserve, and it now includes fourteen conservation areas. Today, about forty-four percent of Eden Prairie is designated for parks and open spaces. Over thirty-five hundred acres of open space is owned by the City. Wittner described components of Eden Prairie’s Natural Resources program including prescribed fires being performed since 2000, buckthorn removal with ICWC (Institution/Community Work Crews), resident/volunteer removals on City property permit program, turf conversion to prairie within parks, and embarking on more ecological restoration projects in Edenbrook Conservation Area, Staring Lake Park, Miller Park, Birch Island Woods Conservation Area, Prairie Bluff Conservation Area, Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area, Smetana Lake Park, Cardinal Creek Conservation Area, and others. Wittner displayed a map of current and future projects within the City. She explained volunteers can help in a number of ways, including performing PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 5 initial removal of invasive species, expanding on project areas since restoration can take years, post-project upkeep, and providing educational opportunities for residents. Wittner stated that since residents of Eden Prairie are invested in protecting the natural areas, developing a partnership and close relationship with the Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP) makes sense. FEPP’s mission is to assist the City in improving and maintaining the biodiversity and enhancing the ecosystems within natural spaces, including parks and preserves. Since its inception in 2023, FEPP has grown to have over seventy newsletter subscribers and twenty-five active members. FEPP’s growing membership is made up of a variety of people including Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, forestry and ecology professionals, and citizen scientists. In its first year, FEPP has sponsored nine invasive species removal events targeting garlic mustard in the spring and buckthorn in the fall. With the oversight of the Eden Prairie Parks Department (EPPD), volunteers contributed over one hundred hours of work across these events. FEPP recently formed a bird interest group that builds and installs blue bird boxes, wood duck boxes, and kestrel boxes for parks; monitors nests; and provides general birding education through walks and talks. In September 2023, FEPP and EPPD partnered to launch the Park Steward volunteer role. Park Stewards are local, trained volunteers who focus on a specific park. They report monthly on vegetation and trail condition changes, as well as plan special projects for improving their park. Park Stewards must submit a yearly agreement with a work plan to FEPP and the City and receive approval. The role includes leading volunteer events, performing park project maintenance, gathering information, and providing maintenance requests. The role does not include policing the park, advocacy, or working in any maintained areas (sports fields, buildings, mowed areas, etc.). The City’s role includes providing a limited number of tools for the Park Stewards to check out, reviewing work plans, applying for grants to support projects, and ordering plant materials. There are currently twenty trained Park Stewards at fifteen City parks and conservation areas. In the last year, FEPP volunteers were trained by Wittner and then conducted vegetation surveys within Birch Island Conservation Area. Volunteers contributed thirty-two hours of work to complete this project. FEPP hosted five meetings with guest presenters throughout the year for members and citizens. These local experts included researchers from the University of Minnesota and Hennepin County’s Land Conservationist and Chief Agricultural Inspector. Education and outreach opportunities include a newsletter, hosting PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 6 quarterly speaker events, leading walks through parks, and partnering with the Eden Prairie Local News. FEPP has created a digital presence with a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/friendsofepparks) and website (www.friendsofepparks.org). Members of the Commission thanked the FEPP members for their efforts and support of the parks. FEPP members commended Wittner for her knowledge and support of their work. 2. Summer Construction Update. Parks and Natural Resources Manager Matt Bourne provided an update on summer construction projects in the parks. a. Miller Park Court Renovation: The existing sports courts are being replaced with a new complex featuring a tennis court, basketball court, and eight pickleball courts. All courts will be lit for after-dark play and shaded seating areas will be added adjacent to the courts. Bids will be requested next week and opened on June 27. If prices come back as expected, work will begin this summer. Existing courts will be closed during construction. All park facilities will remain open for use throughout the duration of the work. Anticipated completion is late fall 2024 with a bit of restoration-type work next spring. The goal is to have the courts constructed and ready for play this fall. Spresser inquired if the Department’s stance remains that pickleball courts will only be installed in City Parks and not in neighborhood parks. Bourne and Markle agreed that is the current stance mostly due to noise and proximity to homes. b. Riley Lake Park Hardcourt Rehabilitation: Existing sports courts at Riley Lake Park are being updated to feature a revitalized tennis court, basketball court, and four new permanent pickleball courts. The temporary pickleball court will be removed and converted into four permanent courts. Anticipated completion is fall 2024. c. Round Lake Park Hardcourt Rehabilitation: The City has partnered with the Eden Prairie School District to remove the degraded tennis courts and install new pavement, fencing, gameplay netting, and sport court surfacing. The facility will continue to house eight tennis courts. This project will begin this summer and is anticipated to be completed in August 2024 in time for the fall PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 7 tennis season. This project is partially funded with grant monies. d. Pioneer Park Tennis/Pickleball Courts: A tennis/pickleball court rehabilitation projected started in October 2023. Rehabilitation was determined to be the most cost-effective option given the current state of the courts. The old courts were removed and new blacktop, fencing, gameplay netting and court surfacing are being installed for one tennis and four pickleball courts. Courts are anticipated to reopen for play by mid-summer 2024. e. Purgatory Creek Park Parking Lot Rehabilitation: The project will include removing the old degraded bituminous parking lot, correcting failing subgrade, updating ADA parking stalls and pedestrian ramps to meet ADA specifications, replacing areas of damaged and failing curb and gutter, installing new bituminous, and installing new parking lot lines. Anticipated construction and completion is fall 2024. The parking lot will be closed for the duration of the project. The park will remain open, and visitors will be able to park on the northwest end of the business parking lot at 775 Prairie Center Drive. f. Viking Trail Drive: A new eight-foot trail is being constructed along the north side of Viking Drive, from the end of the existing trail east to Golden Triangle Drive. Construction has begun and is expected to be completed in fall 2024. g. High Trail Estates Playground Equipment Rehabilitation: The existing playground equipment and safety surfacing will be removed. New playground equipment and safety surfacing meeting current standards and guidelines will be installed. The project will begin in mid-June and completion is anticipated in late August 2024. h. Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area (RTA) Maintenance Trail Stabilization: Staff is working with an engineer on this project which includes the bituminous trail section that connects RTA’s lower parking lot to the upper parking lot. The goals are to correct and prevent erosion negatively impacting this conservation area, to provide safe trail access from RTA’s lower parking lot to the upper parking lot, to prevent further degradation existing of high-quality plant communities, and to promote success in ongoing prairie restoration work implemented by the City. Bourne stated the project is going to bid soon and many of the different phases of the projects can be done in winter months. Bourne also mentioned shade structures will be added at Franlo Park PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 8 basketball and pickleball courts and the Riley Lake Park beach area. The shades have been ordered. Upon receipt, the pads can be poured and shades structures installed. D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Government Academy Follow-Up. Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported Eden Prairie’s six-week City Government Academy was recently held. One of the weeks focused on the Parks and Recreation Department. On May 8, PRNR staff hosted the Academy participants at the Community Center and provided dinner and a presentation of staff responsibilities. Community Center Manager Val Verley lead the group on a tour of the facility. A bus tour was offered which highlighted many of the City’s parks, the new building at Staring Lake Park, the Outdoor Center, and Miller Park. Staff enlightened the group on the environmental education opportunities offered at the Outdoor Center. Several amenities at Miller Park were highlighted, including the athletic fields, inclusive playground, and splash pad. 2. July Bus Tour. Markle explained the July PRNR Commission meeting will not be a typical meeting, but rather a bus tour. Stops will include the Outdoor Center, Homeward Hills Park, Cedar Hills Park, Riley Creek Conservation Area, Big Woods Park, Riley Lake Park, Round Lake Park, and the Flying Cloud Drive dog park area. Commission Member Spresser suggested adding a stop at Miller Park to see the improvements being made there. E. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent experiences with City parks and recreation programs, past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. Commission Chair Erickson stated staff who planned the Commission Banquet in May exceeded her expectations again this year. Commission Member Spresser stated he is impressed with the improvements made, specifically the layout, at Riley Lake Park. Commission Member Hookom attended the tree distribution at the Arbor Day event and was impressed by how smoothly it went with color coded postcards and signage and help available. He contacted Hennepin County about the poor condition of the bike trail along the Crosstown. Commission Member Meyer has set a personal goal to visit all City parks by the end of the summer. She has also subscribed to surrounding communities’ parks PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 3, 2024 Page 9 newsletters to see what others are doing. She participated in the City Government Academy and stated the Parks presentation was very well done. Commission Member Shah stated planning is underway for PeopleFest. Brink added the opening party will be held on Sunday, July 28, and the festival will run through the following Sunday. IX. NEXT MEETING In lieu of the formal July PRNR Commission meeting, Members are invited to attend the bus tour on Monday, July 1, starting at 6:30 p.m. Commission Member Spresser suggested offering an alternative date due to the 4th of July holiday week. Markle will ask Recreation Specialist David Keys to contact Commission Members to coordinate a date when most are able to attend. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Commission Member Meyer, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.