Parks and Recreation - 12/15/1966 .s •
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1966
DECEMBER
15
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MINUTES
CITY OF EDEN
PRAIRIE
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. .. EDEN PRAIRIE PARK AND RECREATION MEETING
December 15, 1966 8 p.m.
Village Hal].
Present: Howard Merriman, acting chairman; Kenneth Anderson,
Frances Blacklock, 44euchcq Pti441
Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Oct. 11 and Nov. ? meetings were approved
as printed.
Report on Birch Ken Anderson reported on the Council's action regarding the
Island property proposed village park on Birch Island Lake. A committee
of the following persons was appointed to get appraisals on
the land and an opinion from a professional park planner:
Albert Picha, Zoning and Planning Commission; Art Miller,
Council; Don Nygaard, Park and Recreation Commission. A
budget of $150 was approved to cover the costs of these
services. (Odmor Skjelbostad was later appointed to
replace Albert Picha.)
Games for Summer The following table games were suggested for use in the
Recreation Prog. Simmer Recreation program: Skibbles (a new game very popu-
lar at Edina), Skittles and Hockey.
MPC Policy on Open Frances Blacklock read the following paragraph on Open Space
space from the Metropolitan Planning Commission's statement of their
policy released on Dec. 15, 1966:
a Open n Space __ Preserve or reclaim natural drainage
ways and impounding areas for storm water runoff ovk-
or open space; retain or replace existing public and
private open space that serves public purposes and has
scenic, recreational, conservation or protective value.
Place priority on acquiring parks on rivers and lake
shorelines; preserve scenic views from public roads and
and provide suitable access to water."
M/Anderson. S/Blacklock that the meeting be adjourned.
Frances Hlacklock, secretary
Next meeting, Monday, Jan. 16 rather than first Monday, in order
that the Council can make appointments to the Commission before
the meeting, and so there will be time for a progress report
on the Birch Island property.
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[iarensber ?. 1966
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The Park ant Recreat4on CGMd4s1on met with the txrc Kutcher
brothers on Navember 6. 1966 and went over their 'land to detsMdnae
its suitabi.11ty for park purposes. It was agreed by the C= nission
members that the land. which Is partly woodedo, could, w1th grsdIng
and Fill work, be used for a playground,, ball field. piardoground
and natural areas.
This is ones of the areas I omensded for park dovelopment in
the University of v,,jniesota•s study matte for us in 1965, copies of
which you have available in your fIles.
The following points hame been considered in reco mnending this
lard for park purposess
1. Natural beauty « [tolling, wooded Lakeshore lard makes this site
of special importance for park purposes. Tha x are grates of
mature trees alroady on the land and a large open area. The lake
is of sufficient, sine and depth (possibly 60 feet) to make it
dearable for boating and enJagraent of its natural be&uty.
2s Easy access -- The land borders County Road 4 and there is abrr soy
an &mass road which could *&oily be shifted to conform to a IMWk
plan.
r 3s Corxwdent location -- The land is near Eden View I and 11,, arrd
Paradise Valley. neighborhoods which all need park areas fOv ply►
and recreation purposes. A park here will evenlu&W *swiss a
BoA*SCM nd InfoEaLtion regaMin gthe,KutaheM.,..=SZ&v Page 2
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population area in Eden Prairie of 6.000 people. According to
National Recreation Association standards, we should have one
aoro of park per 100 people, or an eventual 60 acres of park in
this area.
4. Multiple use of the land ..- The area is large enough to acoom..
modate several uses such as a playground. horse shoe courts„
ball field, pionio areas. lake access for fishing and boating,
and natural woods. Grading and some fill Would make all areas
usable for park purposes. Of historic interest is the fact that
Indians once lived here and the Agnes marking their camp are"still
there.
5. WildUfo -- 0oor. ducks and muskrats are sane of the known kinds
of wildlife that can be observed on the land, and undoubtedly
there are other kinds that could be seen such as squirrels, fox,
raccoons, mink and mazy► kinds of birds. The land is next to a
large marsh to the northeast. If good water and wilclife oonserva•
tion practices are followed, this marsh should. acid probably will
be, left untouched, providing an additional kind of habitat area
for observing wild creatures:
The Park and Recreation Comiaission is whole-heartedly roco=w d-
ing the purchase of this land. feeling that thin is an Wportunity to
acquire the most importatt kind of park land in building a park system
for Eden Prairie to preserve our lakes for the enjoyment of every..
one in the village. Once our lakes are developed with homes along
their chores, they are lost, so to speak. to the rest of the village.
Baakgrowod Information rGgarding the Kutcher Propertar Page 3
The psias the Kutchere are asking for their 17 &ores (which
includes approx mat mIr two to three &cram of lake) is $15*000.
They would prefer to be paid over a pwiod of years.
Respeatful,v submitted,
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The Men Prairie Park aril ROOre&tiOn Commdssi4n
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