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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 05-20 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MAY 20, 1980 , CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 7:35 p.m. ROLL GALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Streitz, Sorenson, and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. • Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioners Bradford, Albright, and Kiefer would be absent from this evening's meeting and were excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 4-15-80 Chairman Johnson explained that approval of the April 15, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission minutes would be carried over until the June meeting. PARK DEVELOPMENT PLAN - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Chairman Johnson stated that the Commission members had received a copy of the M & C memorandum from the City Manager which contained a record of the. comments received from residents at the various Park Service Area meetings. Chairman Johnson explained that the Council has requested that the Park and Recreation Commission review and make recommendations regarding the comments received at the Park Service Area meetings. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he felt action should be taken as soon as possible since residents are awaiting the beginning of the park development. He added that the City Manager has indicated that it is important to consider the comments received at the Park Service Area meetings as soon as possible. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that the City staff is reviewing the parking lot designs at all of the City parks and particularly the lots at Kylawn, Willow Lane, and Evergreen. Chairman-Johnson suggested that the Commission proceed with the review of the comments received at the Park Service Area meetings as contained in the memorandum from the City Manager. BROOKLANE PARK In reference to a question raised at the Park Service Area meeting concerning the play apparatus the Park and Recreation Director stated that, all play apparatus will be placed over a sand base with a retaining wall. ORCHARD LANE Chairman Johnson stated that, in his opinion, a fence around the park is not realistic. He also added that, with regard to the request for tennis courts, there may be some problem with the courts disrupting the rest of the park area since orchard Lane is not designated as a play field. The Park and Recreation Director noted that the addition of tennis courts would be deviating from the overall plan approved by the Commission. Chairman Johnson inquired what the general level of usage was of the existing tennis courts in Brooklyn Center. The Park and Recreation Director noted that 5-20-80 -1- tennis is leveling off as an activity and the staff feels that the courts are not as heavily used currently as they have been in the past. Councilmember Kueler suggested examining the location of the courts, both existing and planned, in the vicinity of Orchard Lane to determine if additional courts would be needed. He added that, if the planned pedestrian bridge over 94 will be located near Orchard Lane Park this would give access to the courts at Northview and Willow Lane. He requested that Administrative Assistant Bublitz confirm the location of the pedestrian bridge with the Engineering Department. BELLVUE Regarding the inquires at the Park Service Area meetings for tennis courts in Bellvue Park, the Park and Recreation Director noted that there would be difficult access to any courts in Bellvue since the park is fenced and the tennis courts would have to be located at the south end of the park. Chairman Johnson suggested that Commission members can look at the feasibility of locating a tennis court at Bellvue Park while on the upcoming tour.. Council- member Kuefler suggested that there may be a possibility of locating a tennis court on a parcel of tax delinquent land in the Camden area which is close to Bellvue Park. He requested that Administrative Assistant Bublitz check on the size of this parcel to determine if a tennis court could be located there. He also suggested the possibility of locating a tennis court on the former parking lot site of Bellvue Park since the'lot has been eliminated from the plan. WILLOW LANE - With regard to the comments made on Willow Lane Park,'Chairman Johnson . requested an explanation of the term "hang out" raised at the Park Service Area meeting. The Park and Recreation Director stated that, at,the PSA meeting, picnic tables were requested for Willow Lane Park and there was a concern that this may result in creating a "hang out" for juveniles at the park. He noted that the picnic area could be located closer to the play- ground apparatus which would make it a more visible area and less conducive to the creation of a "hang out". Commissioner Sorenson stated that he believes the traffic noise from 69th Avenue North may create a'disturbance for picnickers at Willow Lane Park. The Park and Recreation Director stated that Willow Lane Park was not conceived as a major picnic area and thati generally, the tables are placed as a convenience for parents who wish to sit and watch their children play on the playground apparatus, Chairman Johnson inquired what the design of the parking lot would be for Willow Lane Park. The Park and Recreation Director stated that he had met_ with the Director of Public Works and the City Manager and they determined that the present design of the parking lot appears to be the most workable. Chairman Johnson stated that the restroom access at Willow Lane Park was addressed at the PSA meeting. He also noted that the comment regarding the length of the walking sign on the traffic signals across Brooklyn Boulevard at 69th would appear to be an engineering problem rather than one that could be addressed by tlae Park and Recreation Commission. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m, 5-20-80 -2- NORTHPORT Chairman Johnson noted that a suggestion had been made at the Northport PSA meeting regarding the conversion of the wading pool into a sandbox for small children. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the wading pool would be converted into a sandbox for young children since total reconstruction of the pool would be necessary to maintain it as a wading pool. WEST PALMER LAKE Regarding the comment at the PSA meeting concerning the mudhole in the area east of the shelter building, the Park and Recreation Director stated that the mudhole is a result of the peat ground in the area and it is part of the rink area. Chairman Johnson noted that comments had been received at the PSA meeting regarding a concern over the development of the Palmer Lake Basin. He explained it is the intent of the Commission, through the park plan, to maintain the Palmer Lake Basin as a local type wildlife area development not like the major wildlife natural areas located'at Elm Creek and wood-Lake. EAST PALMER In response to a question raised at the PSA meeting concerning the availability of fishing at East Palmer, the Park and Recreation Director stated that the stocking of fish would not be feasible since the-water is not clear enough at this location. Chairman Johnson, responding to the concern expressed at the PSA meeting about the mudholes underneath the playground apparatus, indicated that this problem will be resolved. EVERGREEN The Park and Recreation Director stated that the staff is looking at the design of the parking lots at Evergreen Park. Commissioner Denissen suggested that perhaps, speed bumps could be located in the north lot of Evergreen. The Park and Recreation Director stated that this may be a good suggestion for automobiles but the speed bumps may become a problem for bicycles. Councilmember Kuefler inquired whether it would be possible to relocate the soccer field at Evergreen Park instead of Garden City. The Park and Recreation Director explained that this would be dependent upon the realign- ment of the parking lot. A discussion ensued among Commission members regarding the location of the soccer field contained in the City's park plan. Councilmember Kuefler noted that Garden City Park area residents are concerned that the soccer field will disrupt the neighborhood park and indicated that he feels the residents have a valid concern. Chairman Johnson stated that he agrees with Councilmember Kuefler and believes that the Com- mission should examine this issue closely. RIVERDALE Chairman Johnson indicated that the concerns of the residents at the Riverdale PSA meeting were essentially summertime problems and problems with juveniles in the park which the Recreation Department will be dealing with this summer. LIONS Chairman Johnson stated that it appears to be feasible to move the horseshoe facilities and picnic facilities from their proposed location so it will not disturb the area used by children for their ball games. He explained that the request for tennis courts in Lions Park will-be addressed when the Com- mission examines Bellvue and Orchard Lane. 5-20-80 -3- GRANDVIEW In response to a concern expressed at the Grandview PSA meeting Councilmember Kuefler inquired how heavily the tennis courts were used by organized groups. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the tennis club uses the courts only one night per week. KYLAWN A general discussion of a 10:00 p.m. curfew for Kylawn Park was discussed by Commission members and there was a general consensus that a 10:00 p.m. curfew in the parking lots may be feasible for Kylawn Park. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the staff is examining the parking lot and realignment of the ball field at Kylawn Park. GARDEN CITY Chairman Johnson stated that the problem of the location of the soccer field at Garden City had been addressed and that this would be examined more closely by the Commission. He also indicated that from the comments received at the PSA meeting, there appears to be a policing need in Garden City especially for control of motorcycles in the park. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Johnson inquired of Commission members whether they wished-to. address any other items at this evening's meeting. Commissioner Denissen stated that there is a problem with dogs running loose at Firehouse Park. The Park and Recreation Director stated that City Ordinances prohibit dogs running loose in City parks and that the staff will research the ordinance to verify this. Commissioner Denissen also expressed a concern over the caliber of the staff working in the parks during the summer, especially at Riverdale Park. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the problem at Riverdale appeared to be the absence of a recreation leader at the park and indicated that there were two recreation leaders present but they were both harassed by teenagers throughout the summer. Commissioner Denissen expressed the concern that programs for summer recreation may not be varied enough to hold the interests of small children. , Councilmember Kuefler noted that the City staff had indicated that"a schedule of park development will be prepared by the end of June. He also congratulated the Commission and the City staff for their work at the various Park Service Area meetings. Councilmember Kuefler suggested the Park and Recreation Commission show their appreciation for the Citizens Committee in some manner. Chairman Johnson directed Administrative Assistant Bublitz to prepare letters and resolutions thanking the members of the Citizens Committee for their work on the park bond issue. The Park and Recreation Director stated that he will arrange the park tour for June 17, 1980 at 6:00 p.m. and will arrange a bus tour for approximately three to four hours. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Denissen to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m. 0 Chairman 5-20-80 -4-