5.a. Aug 2020 Chair reportPRC Chair report – for August 3, 2020
Develop a long-term park plan
An agenda item for the September PRC meeting:
The PRC has worked to understand the capital plan for Scandia parks. We have had many discussions
regarding where to invest the available funds, for up to a 10-year planning horizon. Current projections
suggest, even with possible changes from the levy, that there will be funds available for capital
development in the upcoming years.
After the July meeting, Administrator Cammilleri suggested that a formal plan be created. All current
plans are out of date. The PRC can recommend creation of a more comprehensive plan for the city’s
parks. A formal engineering or planning organization could be tasked to examine current documents,
interview PRC and other city officials and residents, and update / create such a plan.
Next steps would include comments and recommendation by the PRC to the council, creation of a
request for proposal to do the plan, and identification of candidates to receive the RFP.
Trail extension to Ozark Ave
An agenda item for the September PRC meeting:
A local resident suggested the need to safely connect the Scandia Mall to the city center area.
Current pedestrian or bicycle traffic between the two locations must use MN Highway 95,
presenting a possible safely issue.
The city owns a narrow strip of land, where Ozark Ave. N meets 209th Street, extending south to the
proposed Gateway trail extension from the city annex to William O’Brien. Cammilleri suggested
further examination of this option, and possible engineering of the trail. Because funding for the
gateway trail has not yet been approved and will likely need to be re-submitted, this additional
engineering could be added. Other funding from city funds or grant opportunities will be explored.
City council meeting
I reported on PRC activities at the July 21 Scandia City Council meeting, highlighting the following:
• We have initiated the process to replace the playground equipment at the community
center and Wayne Erickson. The council agreed to first pursue Wayne Erickson, to allow for
any changes or other site upgrades pending at the community center.
• The Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District has indicated an interest in working with
the city for further development at the Bone Lake Park. The PRC will likely recommend a
change to the name of the park.
• We are already in early planning stages for Vinterfest 2021, pending event status due to the
Coronavirus outbreak. This will be discussed at the August PRC meeting.
• Council member Ray discussed the new story board walk in the Park at Lilleskogen, created
by children’s author Debra Mitts-Smith.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Gorham
PRC Chair