Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 09/12/2011 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Geri Napuck, Chair; Hutch Coburn, Vice Chair; Tom Bierman, Derek Gunderson, Larry Link, Joan Oko and Dave Rosa STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Katie Ostendorf, Liz Powell, and Joseph Schmit COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Services Manager Stu Fox, Parks Natural Resources Director Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager Beth Witt, Recreation Coordinator Sue Bohnsack, Senior Center Coordinator Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Napuck called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Napuck welcomed three new student representatives and asked them to introduce themselves to the Commission. She explained the Commission wants to hear their opinions and objectives. Their input is very important even though they do not have voting privileges. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Coburn moved, seconded by Oko, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES —August 9,2011 Motion: Motion was made by Bierman, seconded by Coburn, to approve the August 9, 2011 meeting minutes as published. The motion carried 5-0-2 with Oko and Rosa abstaining because of absence from that meeting. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Fox reported the City Council took the following action at their August 16 Council meeting: • Approved a limited use permit for non-motorized recreational trail from TH 212 Bridge to Riley Lake Road. This trail extension will connect Riley Lake Road north on the west side of Bearpath under Highway 212. • Approved winter use of the LRT trail with Three Rivers Park District. Currently, Three Rivers Parks does not maintain the trails between November 1 and March 31. If winter use is desired it is up to the individual cities to request a permit for a specific use of the trail during PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION September 12, 2011 Page 2 this time period. City park staff would plow the LRT for walking activities. They will not set tracks for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Park staff will also remove garbage from the trash receptacles along the trail during the winter months. The City has been doing this for eight or nine years and staff feels it is very beneficial to continue this because the trails are used by a number of residents. • Approved the fee resolution that was approved and reviewed by this Commission. • Accepted anonymous donations of$1,000 for the Community Theater program and $2,000 for a pet comfort station including a drinking fountain for dogs. The Council took the following action at its September 6 meeting: • Awarded trail bids for overlay and reconstruction of some of the trail segments on Mitchell and Baker Roads for$120,000. • Approved a professional services contract for Lake Riley Road trail extension. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Fox reported the Planning Commission reviewed the United Health Group campus plan. They have preliminary approval for construction of four towers and are moving forward with the project. The City will not receive any park dedication fees from this project because they are not subdividing the property. Fox also reported there may be another single-family housing project coming forward within a month or two on the corner of Pioneer Trail and Mitchell Road. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. BEACH USE SUMMARY Witt presented an overview of beach use for the summer of 2011 for Round Lake Park and Lake Riley Park. She explained Lake Riley was open from June 13 to August 28. Due to rain or inclement weather the beach was closed for operation nine days. Two shade umbrellas were transported from Round Lake to be used at Lake Riley otherwise operations were status quo from past years. Witt reported attendance for 2011 was down considerably from 2010 and this was partly due to the month of June having colder weather. August attendance was unusually low but this may have been because of the extreme heat during that month. Overall usage for 2011 was 12,208 attendees compared to 17,454 for 2010. Witt reported Round Lake was not open for swimming this summer due to low water levels and conditions. Staff has been working on designing signs for posting explaining the water quality and to encourage people to use the park even though they cannot be in the water. This is a great sunning beach area. Rosa asked if utilization on a daily basis is decreasing at Lake Riley. Witt said that was the case especially during the month of August. The usage numbers are less than the previous year. Staff did not take out the days they were closed when figuring for an overall average. If they removed the nine days they were closed, attendance would have been decreased in usage especially in August. Rosa asked if staff had received any feedback as to why PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION September 12, 2011 Page 3 attendance is down. Witt said they still held a lot of the same events as they have in the past and there were large rental groups. She said staff has not received any comments. Weekday attendance does tend to be slow but she cannot explain why the trend has changed. Obiazor asked if staff noticed an increase in usage at Oak Point or the Community Center during the summer months. Witt said it is difficult to tell. The YMCA is at Oak Point and utilizes the pool daily. If they removed those numbers it would be easier to tell. There are more members at the Community Center using that facility during open swim than in the past. Overall, the Community Center has a great appeal and is a multi-faceted facility. Link asked if the water quality at Round Lake is okay could they post a sign stating it is safe to swim at their own risk. Witt said there is no lifeguard on duty; and if the water is not safe to swim, a sign is posted saying no swimming is allowed due to the water quality. Napuck asked how long the signs are posted. Witt responded they would be up permanently and if the water quality is good they would switch the signs out. Witt further explained because of budget cuts last year and because of water quality in 2010 they did not allow the beach to be open. They will probably not open the beach until they can work the lifeguards back into the budget. Water quality may be better next year but it is difficult to know. Link said he thinks staff does a nice job at Lake Riley and the numbers were probably down in June because it was too cool and in August because it was too hot. B. SENIOR CENTER UPDATE Bohnsack reviewed Senior Center activities explaining they have done some remodeling of the Senior Center facility. She reviewed their Mission Statement and the areas staff is promoting. The Senior Center is a two person operation with an Advisory Council consisting of nine volunteer participants who meet once a month. Bohnsack reviewed the new programs implemented at the Senior Center including pickleball, a crafting group, biking club, massage therapy and Tai Chi. She also reviewed the 11 special events offered throughout the year including holiday events. Their largest program is the driver safety program in which they served over 300 people this past month. The facility includes a large community room in the lower level serving up to 100 people for special events. They do have a woodshop attached to the building opened day and evening hours. Bohnsack reported there are over 70 volunteers who assist in keeping the Senior Center running. They have backyard gardens maintained by both City staff and volunteers. The Center has a shopping bus and transportation to and from the Center for programs and trips. Bohnsack provided the Commission with a recap of the program numbers and explained they have received grants from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. In 2011 they received $3,000 for chairs and funds to purchase a stop saw for the Wood Shop. Bierman asked if they have a list of things they need like craft yarn or other materials that can be donated to the Center. Bohnsack responded they have a newsletter that goes out four times a year as well as flyers located throughout the facility that lists items that can be donated. There are 800 people registered for the newsletter. Bohnsack said if someone has something they would like to donate they should bring it to the Center and they will let them know if it is something they can use. They also place flyers at the library. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION September 12, 2011 Page 4 Gunderson asked if computer training is conducted at the Senior Center. Bohnsack said they do have computer classes and they work with the library and a volunteer that comes the first Friday of each month to provide basic computer training. This past week they asked for more time from the volunteer so they can provide more opportunities for this class. Also, the Girl Scouts started a program teaching seniors how to use computers. Link said there are a lot of programs offered at the Community Center such as Silver Sneakers. He asked if they coordinate between the Community Center and Senior Center when they do their programming. Bohnsack explained the Silver Sneakers program is conducted by the Community Center because participation is based on insurance coverage. They do not have any specific programs out of the Community Center but they do partner with them. Witt explained the Silver Sneakers program was started eight years ago and they had nine participants. Today they have 489 Silver Sneaker participants. Oko said she feels staff does a wonderful job at the Senior Center. Napuck said the programs offered and the increased participation is a great tribute to Bohnsack and staff. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. OUTDOOR FITNESS Witt explained at their last meeting the Commission discussed the possibility of putting outdoor fitness equipment in City parks, specifically Round Lake Park. Witt said this evening she would like to share with the Commission the benefits of fitness, where they are at as to what the City currently offers in the community and the opportunity to add to their fitness program. Witt reviewed the benefits of fitness including mental well being, reducing stress, improved cardiovascular health, increase in energy, weight control, combats adverse health conditions and diseases and sleep better. She also reviewed the benefits of outdoor fitness. Witt explained the Community Center fitness opportunities and other programs the City offers. She presented the testimonials received regarding the City's parks. She indicated they cannot fight obesity if all people don't have the tools to live an active life. As a Department, staff is trying to create a community of fitness. Witt reviewed what the Parks Department can do to create a community of fitness including developing parks to have rental of canoes, kayaks, etc. and to incorporate informative trail signs, expand group fitness classes and integration of outdoor fitness equipment into the City's parks. Witt explained outdoor fitness equipment appears to be a growing trend. She displayed a map showing the location of outdoor fitness parks throughout the country and indicated outdoor fitness parks are very popular in Chicago and Canada. She further explained six to ten pieces of equipment can provide a complete outdoor work out. There are approximately 50 different pieces of outdoor equipment available and the possibilities are endless as to what you can do for outdoor fitness. Napuck said this appears to dovetail with what they have been discussing about Round Lake by not focusing so much on the water but to make it a fitness park. A lot of this information would be great to use going forward in discussions about Round Lake. Witt pointed out the PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION September 12, 2011 Page 5 equipment is fairly inexpensive with the most expensive piece costing approximately $1,700. Oko said she thinks it would be a great idea to create fitness parks similar to what is located at Lake Nokomis. She expressed concerns with moving equipment and toddlers falling off of it. She said she would like to see some type of enclosure around moveable equipment. Oko said she loves the idea of taking people outside to work out but there are times it is not physically safe to move classes outdoors. She asked if the City would be interested in holding a Guinness event similar to something that was held at Valley Fair this past week which included a group read-a-thon to children. They could look at doing something similar to this at Round Lake tying into an exercise program. Oko said she does not see this as being an expensive event but it would draw people. Rosa said he had been in Paris and they were able to rent bicycles to travel to the various parks and museums. The bikes are located throughout the City and he was surprised by the number of people who used them. Rosa said he was also in Montreal and bikes could also be rented there. This is something that appears to be very popular. Witt mentioned there are a couple locations in downtown Minneapolis where you can rent bikes and this is something they should definitely look at for Eden Prairie. Coburn asked if there is any information available regarding usage rates and if it pays to add this equipment to City parks. Witt responded she does not have any statistical data to quantify usage but at peak times there are always people using the equipment. The City of Eagan feels it is a great investment and they have received great feedback from the community. Coburn said he thinks this is a great idea but would like to see some data as to usage. Anything they learn from other organizations doing this would be very helpful. Witt said there are locations they could call and get additional information. Coburn said it might also be nice to ask what equipment is most used. Link said he likes the comment about creating a community of fitness. He asked if that is part of the Parks and Recreation theme. Witt said this is a City-wide theme; live well and encourage people to live well. She said the City feels they need to give everyone the opportunity to exercise or encourage them to exercise. Link said this is a real passion of his and they need to get people active. Witt explained it is important to educate people and to make the City's facilities inviting and fun and to encourage the entire family to participate. Link asked how they can create more activities like pickleball which is both social and provides exercise. Witt responded right now seniors are most involved in the pickleball program and staff hopes to get families involved. Bierman asked if they have the equipment and resources available to keep things open so people can use it during the winter months. Witt explained it is not feasible to keep the fitness equipment outdoors during the winter months and pickleball is moved indoors. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION September 12, 2011 Page 6 VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. TREE TRUST PROJECT UPDATE Fox presented an overview of the City's Tree Trust program. Every year they have a group of individuals that come to work for the City through the program. The purpose of the program is to teach young adults work skills. They worked for the City for a period of 8 to 9 weeks and did some work at Staring Lake creating steps in an area that had eroded and restoring other areas. The cost to the City was a little over$2,000 for crew costs and approximately $3,000 spent on materials. Napuck asked if these individuals are Eden Prairie residents. Fox responded they come from a variety of communities. The City has a similar program called Leaders in Training for 13- 15 year olds and are paired up to do a variety of things providing them with job skills and training before they enter the job market. IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER FYI: Rice Marsh Lake Trail Update Fox reported how the bridge was put in place. It had been delivered by a crane and was a 70 foot long, 10 foot wide steel bridge. The footings were set and the new bridge was placed over Riley Creek. Fox explained the City has received a second quote on the Birch Island Woods parking lot. The quotes came in over$20,000; therefore, this information will be presented to the City Council at their September 20 meeting. The low quote for earth work,rock work and the removal of the existing concrete slab was a little over$30,000. Staff anticipates completion of the project prior to winter. B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. ObservatoryUpdate Obiazor presented a brief update of the City's observatory. The facility is approaching its one year anniversary. The observatory is programmed and scheduled by the Outdoor Center Coordinator. Obiazor presented examples of programming that is done at the Observatory including an ongoing monthly star watch program. We will be celebrating the one year anniversary with a free event on October 21. Obiazor also reviewed the challenges with the observatory including the need for a trained telescope instructors. She also reviewed future opportunities and programs. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION September 12, 2011 Page 7 FYI: Collection of One Acts FYI: Art Crawl D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. 2011 PRNR Work Plan X. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission will be Monday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Motion was made by Coburn, seconded by Gunderson, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 7-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.