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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 08-23 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION AUGUST 23, 1977 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 7:10 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Velasco, Nyquist, Kiefer and Bogle. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, Land- scape Technician Bob Hill and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioner Schroeder had been excused. Commissioner Hickman had requested Mary Ulm of Park Service Area II to sit in on the meeting in her absence. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Velasco and seconded by Com- July 19, 1977 missioner Nyquist to approve the minutes of the July 19, 1977 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Review of "Other" Park Chairman Johnson recognized Park and Recreation Director • Development Gene Hagel who then reviewed the development plans for the Palmer Lake Basin area, the Shingle Creek trail system, River Ridge Park, Twin Lake Island, and the arboretum. The first area reviewed was the Palmer Lake Basin area. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel referred to the 1968 Brauer and Associates development plans which contemplated extensive dredging, the erection of blinds, and the construction of walkways within the Palmer Lake Basin area. He likened the project at that time to that of Richfield's Woodlake Nature Center. Noting that the Brauer plans costs were in excess of a million dollars, Park and Recreation Director Hagel pre- sented a strong modification of the plan with an estimated cost of $232,500. A brief discussion ensued with Park and Recreation Director Hagel presenting schematic drawings outlining proposed trails in the park area. Chair- man Johnson inquired if such trails wouldn't encourage the use of motor vehicles in the park which is contemplated as a nature area. Mary Ulm noted that motor vehicles are presently being used within the park. Director Hagel responded that such vehicles could be prohibited through i park design. For example, the use of woodchip trails would make vehicular movement on park trails difficult. -1- 8-23-77 Commissioner Bogie pointed out that trails that would inhibit vehicle traffic would also present an obstacle for handicapped individuals. Director Hagel also added that the entrance to the park on 69th could be further controlled with the presence of a building at that point. The Commissioners inquired as to the possibility of using canoes within the Palmer Lake. Park and Recreation Director Hagel did note that the use of canoes was a possibility within the park. However, Councilman Kuefler replied that the lake was extremely shallow especially on the west side of the lake. Following a lengthy discussion, Chairman Johnson inquired if the schematic of the Palmer Lake Basin area was consistent with the proposal being recommended by the Commission. Director Hagel affirmed that the schematic was patterned after the Commissions recommendation. The discussion again turned to pathways and bike trails in and around the park. Noting that the proposed bike paths circle the perimeter of the park starting from the south and again joining together on the north side, Chairman Johnson -inquired as to a joint effort between Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park linking the bike systems of the two (2) cities. Director Hagel replied that the proposal was still being considered. Director Hagel then reviewed the proposed plans for the Shingle Creek area south of the Palmer Lake Basin to the freeway. He explained that the proposed development would provide a corridor through the industrial park area north of the freeway. He noted that berming along the Creek would promote a tunnel effect that would isolate the individual users from the surrounding development. He further added that developers have been cooperative in that pursuit. Director Hagel explained that two (2) pedestrian bridges would be constructed along this segment of the Creek. At the freeway, a tentative proposal calls for the construction of a bridge over the freeway. He further explained that the highway department has been quite adament in it's refusal to consider a pathway under the freeway. Following a brief discussion, River Ridge Park was then reviewed. Again, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel presented con- ceptual drawings of the proposed park plans at River Ridge. Director Hagel noted the contribution of the summer youth help in developing trailways, picnic areas and bridges at the River Ridge Park. He further added that cost estimated for park development there had been reduced from $8,000 to $2,000 because of the summer youth help. He noted that the trail system in the park would continue southward to 57th Avenue. Councilman Kuefler inquired whether or not the area would be subject to flood- ing. Landscape Technician Bob Hill replied that the majority of the park area was well above the river. Director Hagel noted that only the northernmost part of the park would be subject to such flooding. • 8-23-77 -2- Director Hagel then reviewed Twin Lake Island noting that the island was to be left as is. The last area reviewed was the arboretum. Again, con- ceptual drawings were presented to the Commission. Proposed plans call for fencing of the area. Director Hagel showed a detail drawing itemizing the location and the types of plants throughout the entire park. A brief discussion followed including trail concepts and philos- ophies and the development of the Twin Lake peninsula area. Recess The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 7:55 p.m. and resumed at 8:15 p.m. Twin Beach Park Discussion Chairman Johnson recognized Commissioner Nyquist who in turn requested the Park and Recreation Director to review the proposed development plans for the Twin Lake Beach area. Drawings of the proposed development were made available to the members of the Commission as well as a group of citizens from the Twin Lake Beach area. Director Hagel upon reviewing the proposal indicated that the plans indicate what is considered to be a better utilization of the park. Diane Schake from Park Service Area V Committee inquired • if the proposed parking lot at Indiana Avenue would be acceptable to the highway department since it was on their land. Director Hagel indicated that it was his understanding from a conversation between the Acting City Manager, Jim Merila, and the highway department, that such a parking lot would be acceptable. Diane Schake then inquired when construction would begin. After a brief discussion, it was explained that all of the proposals being contemplated and recommended by the Commission were contingent upon funding. Councilman Kuefler ex- plained the bonding procedure giving an estimated time- table and further noting that the staff is currently exploring the possibility of using federal monies for park develop- ment. He further indicated that he hoped development could begin by next year. The neighborhood group then noted a lack of supervision at the park which has resulted in a proliferation of broken glass and beer cans throughout the beach area. It was further noted that the broken glass and cans were the re- sult of "an anything goes philosophy" at the park. A long discussion followed in which the City's philosophy of treating the beach as a neighborhood park was chastised by the group. Director Hagel noted that maintenance crews made daily pickups at the park area. Commissioner Velasco added that the littering and vandalism described was not -3- 8-23-77 unique to the Twin Beach park, but was prevalent through- out the City parks. He further stated that it would be financially impossible to supervise all of the parks in the manner requested by the group. Commissioner Nyquist again reviewed the development i plans and inquired of the group their exact desires. The most prevalent request was for supervision in the form of a lifeguard at the park along with maintenance of the park. A complaint was lodged with the Commission that Twin Lake Beach Park was not included in the park's summer programs. Director Hagel replied that the Commission was not involved in programming, that the responsibilities rested with develop- ment policies for the park. He further stated that of the nineteen (19) parks in the City, only twelve (12) have such programs. He further added that programs have been pro- posed for the Twin Lake Beach Park, but that supporting response from the area had been lacking to justify such pro- grams. A long discussion then ensued relative to the closing of the skating rink at Twin Lake Beach. Chairman Johnson reviewed the process by which the parks were selected for closing, further indicating that it was a one (1) year program that would be reviewed next year. An inquiry was made as to the amount of money to be saved from closing the skating rinks. The • Secretary replied that the closing of the skating rinks was not related to saving money, that the primary and only consid- eration was the conservation of energy. He further explained that the selection of parks to remain open was based upon two (2) factors. First, the patronage of the skating rinks in each of the parks based upon a study of the Park and Recreation Department, and second, the location of the park so as to equally distribute skating rinks throughout the City. He further noted that such energy conservation measures were being employed throughout the City. Councilman Kuefler reviewed measures which had been taken by the City including the use of smaller cars, cutting back on the number of lights used in City Hall, temperature settings, and a variety of other measures. Diane Schake inquired if it would be possible to keep the rink open and not heat the shelter. She suggested that the shelter could be manned by volunteers from the neighborhood. Council- man Kuefler and Commissioner Vela sco both reviewed the problems associated with that concept. Chairman Johnson indicated that he would like to further discuss the skating issues and other problems of the group with them and Commissioner Nyquist at another time but at this time the Com- • mission desires their reaction to the proposed park development' plans. He then reviewed how the priorities were established 8-23-77 -4- noting that they were the product of people from that area. Commissioner Nyquist inquired if the group liked the plans. The general consensus of the group supported the concept with a few minor modifications. As a group they would like to see the tot swimming area moved further north so as to separate them from the older, rowdier elements that frequent the beach,. Following another lengthy discussion involving fencing, the placement of certain amenities and apparatus and water quality, the group re- quested that a public phone be placed at the beach. There was widespread support for the phone and Director Hagel stated that he would contact the phone company. Following a short discussion relative to the development process of the parks, assuming necessary funding is obtained, Chairman Johnson thanked the group for their input. Other Business Chairman Johnson inquired of the Commission if they had any other business to bring before the Commission. Adjournment Commissioner Bogle moved and Commissioner Velasco seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Adjournment was passed unanimously at 10:15 p.m. • Chairman 0 -5- 8-23-77