6.c) Staff Report-Lilleskogen ParkSCDIA
St off Rwor!
Date of Meeting: June 3, 2013
To: Park and Recreation Committee
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: Lilleskogen Park
Item #: 6.c
Background:
At the May PRC meeting, the committee began discussing a vision statement for the park and
reviewed the following from the park plan:
"The restoration and development of Lilleskogen Park will enable residents of Scandia to
have a park facility that can be better utilized by many different user groups. These
groups include school children who may use the park as an educational and interpretive
resource, and seniors and young families who desire to have a safe and accessible
walking trail system to use in close proximity to where they live."
Committee member Arnold recommended changing the introduction from "in close proximity to
where they live," to "in close proximity to the City center." Furthermore, committee members
were to submit draft vision statements to staff prior to the June meeting however, none were
received.
The Council met with over a dozen people on May 20, 2013 at the location where the trail is
proposed to come out of the park and connect with Olinda Trail North. These residents and
business owners were opposed to having the trail in that location. They felt there were enough
access points around the park and were concerned about additional parking on Olinda Trail that
may be generated if a trail connection was put in place. The Council did not approve a public
hearing on their petition to vacate that land (1" Ave) at their May 21Sc meeting but many
expressed concern about placing a trail there. These residents and business owners were
encouraged to work with the PRC and consider changing the park plan.
Issue:
What is the next step to complete Lilleskogen?
Proposal Details:
To help assess the community support for Lilleskogen and provide a plan for fundraising, I
suggest the committee look to hiring a consultant. The lack of response from committee
members when information is requested and limited staff resources make it difficult to try and
accomplish these tasks without a third party consultant. Tasks would include facilitating a
community wide meeting to get feedback from residents and business owners, focus group
interviews with critical partners (Friends, Lions, school, etc), research on available grants and
ultimately a fundraising plan that includes recommendations and strategies to raise funds from a
variety of sources including but not limited to foundation grants, governmental grants, and
private individuals and groups.
Furthermore, per the budget plan for Park Capital Improvements, $103,000 in expenses were
included for this year with $98,000 from grants or donations. The year is half over and the
committee has not taken actions to pursue any grant/donation opportunities.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost of hiring a consultant would likely be a few thousand dollars. The committee should
plan to expend at least $3,000 from the Park Capital Improvement Fund for this endeavor.
To date, $1,450 has been approved for expenditures from the Park CIP. This was for the site
survey. The 2013 budget included $5,000 to be spent this year from the fund.
Options:
1) Direct staff to solicit quotes to perform the above described tasks and/or any additions
from the committee
2) Select a consultant to begin working with and request Council approval
3) Do not seek a consultant to help with a fundraising plan
4) Have a volunteer complete the work described above