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06-12-06 Memo Recommendation Memorandum • To: Supervisor Seefeldt and the Town Board - - -- - --- - From: Debi Campobasso, Park and Recreation Committee Chair Date: 6/12/2006 Re: Parlc and Recreati on Committee Recommendation The Park and Recreation Conunittee discussed a few iteins at last nights meeting, June 5, 2006 that we'd like Town Board action or feedback on: �.. Ir , IF�`. ..:_I �,I�f ' .�A� 5 :'yfll. � ,'�iN t.. „u,.�.. .sf" . i.. 1. Lions Park Clean Ur�: It i's our understanding that all three quotes for cleaning up the slash in Lions Park have come in ai approlimately$6,OOG, Although, we did not l�ave a majority to take a vote, no strong opposition was eYpressed in having "Sentence to Serve"complete the manual labor of piling the already downed trees and brush. AIeY Bildeaux does have quotes of approx. $17�/lir for a profcssional chipper to chip it up. Sonie concern still exists with exactly ho��this projec� will be supervised ancl by whom, but we are confident we can work that out in the coming weeks with the expertise we have on the Committce and Subcommittees. Ii is our understanding that"Sentence to Serve"will be working at Gammelgarden on Juiie 23-25 and could work at Lions Park on these days as well. We are considering thc use of the chi�s on trails at Lions Park and Wind in the Pines, but will be exploring this idea at the � Parks subcommittee meeting on Monday, June 12`�'. If chips were not used for trails, or if there is extra it was suggestcd to put the chips at the Big Lake School site for�ublic use. (Looking for a Board vote to proceed with Sentence to Serve and hiring a cliipping company for June 23, 2006) 2. Wind in the Pines Park Improvements: The Parks Subcommittee would like permission from the Board to do somc work on trails in Wiud in the Pines Park. This primary work would involve: * removing brush and debris from existing trails; * eYplore new signagc system for trails; * solicit quotes from c�ualified restoration organizations to remove exotic, invasive,woody species; * removal of two do�ned trees which are crossing the existing trails. These are larger downed trees where it would be necessary to use a chain saw for cuttivg. Resident,Alex Bildeaux, Professional Logger and Cl�aiusaw Safety Instructor, i; willing to assist with this project to ensure safety procedures are followcd. The trees would just be moved off to the side of the trail, not be removed from the site. No standing trees would be cut down during this project. (Looking for a Boarc vote to proceed.) 3. U of MN Pr000sal for Lions Park Conceqt Plan: The Committee heard a proposal and voted unanimously to acccpt the University of Miii�icsota, Metropolitan Design Center's offer to develop three concept plans for Lions Park The Parks Subcommittee, at it's meeting on June 12`h, will develop a set of parameters &ideas, identify stakeholders wlio should be involved and establish a rough timeline for this project. This�artnership was initiated by subcommittec member John Hermai�. There would be no cost to the township for the center to spend 5-7 wark days to develop these plans. (No Board action is requested. Just and FYI.) 4. Rink Evaluation: VVe would like Town Board support for the following process to evaluate the condition of the rink facility: The Facilitics Subcommittee meets in the next month to explorc the process of evaluating the condition of the • skating facility. It has becn suggested to contact the hockey coaches to involve them in this process, along with the committee. As a group they could use the"rii�ic inspection check list"from the League of Mimlesota Cities to evaluate the rinlc facility. The idea is to get a complete picture of the scope of the work that needs to be done by early August 1, so improvements, if any, could take place early Fall. (Looking for a Boa�•d feedback.) Page 1 of 1 Mike Harnetty • From: "Debi Campobasso" <dcampobasso@CHISAGOLAKES.K12.MN.US> To: "Mike Harnetty" <mike1130@frontiernet.net> Cc: "Debi Campobasso" <dcampobasso@frontiernet.net> Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 2:52 PM Subject: Committee recommendations for Board Thanks so much for the discussion this morning. Attached is the memo which includes 4 points— 1. Lions Park clean up 2. Wind in the Pines improvements ` 3. U of Mn Proposal and 4. Rink Evaluation Could you please bring with you the Design Center handout from the U of Mn and the Wind in the Pines hand out from't��r`�rt'�`chilC`?'�'C�ir1k'tNe'se't1�Do db"�u1'1`t�l�s"'�'�h �nsWer''�i y qUes'�io's that��ie Board may have. I have also attached that rink safety-document from the League of Minnesota Cities that I referred to. THANKS Mike. Alex Bildeaux may show up tonight at the Board meeting regarding Lions Park. I'm not sure what his plan was exactly. Debi Campobasso Chisago Lakes Community Education Program Coordinator(651) 213-2606 ' • . 6/12/2006 UNIVERSITY CF MIr�NESOTA 7'win Cities Campus Ann Forsyth Professor nnd Director M¢tropolitar2 Design Center College of Architecture ancl Lmzdscape Archirectu��ex. 612-626-0600 1 Rnlph Rnpso�i Hall E-mail:farsythCaumn.edu 89 Church Street S.E. wx�w.designcenter.unvi.edu Miiiiienpolis,MN 55455 1 � • I � • � � � � • ' � ; � The Design Center's Direct Design Assistance program provides up to six � working days of effort to selected communities. This program provides help ;y ' � � � � � „� � in several forms:design assistance,community meeting facilitation, referrals, � � .� � and technical resources. We decide on projects each month. If you are interested in working with us, .�"'v ,.�* please send a short email to mdc@umn.edu telling us about: �a ��_�� : ` �� • The problem you have. � : �� .� �" - • Work to date on the issue. --� �,�:,- . , '�� ,�� ,;g; • Your organization and others involved. �,�� -� ,_ . ��`�� =\ �� • How your project fits with the principles below. �.�,�.._ • How you think we can help. We will try to help you or direct you to others who can help. r ; The following principles guide our selection of projects: �� 1. The Desi n C nt r w - � 1 ` � g e e o r k s w i t h c i t i e s, c i t i z e n g r o u p s, a n d n o n p r o f i t �. ,�_ �X�, . � organizations. We do not provide assistance to individuals. �"`� �, } �=�.:-� 1 � '�� `W;� t , 2. The Design Center works with communities to develop urban design and �� . a'"`" � ' � �;.� ,�<T? development goals, policies, guidelines, concepts, and principles. As a = ��- �� 3� ; university-based center our work is not meant to replace consultant services— we do not produce construction documents, for example—but rather we help groups see how design can make a difference in solving important problems. . ' � ' ^�.� - 3. In selecting projects, we consider community need, public benefits, political :�� . ti and community support, potential for implementation, project timing, and the fit 4�:-� ,...� �, with both the Design Center's research mission and other projects. ,� �. .,;- �� 4. While some of our work is pro-bono, our resources are limited and we often ��'`'3r � � � ask for matching funds. � � � ..� � �e��. 5. Given our other work and the university calendar, it generally takes one to two ` ��`tl � months before we can schedule a project. It may take longer, even if funding is in place. fi:.- 6. There are some activities that are not appropriate projects for a university -- research center: . , . i . • ' � • ' � - � - • � - ' • � Park Design Options: Munisotarum Buddist Temple Grounds, Farmington � � '� rt='''�"'M While working with five Twin Cities area Asian communities on an urban forestry initiative, r��,�� , -_°, ��-- Tree Trust contacted the Design Center to create conceptual site plans illustrating different � ways the landscape around a temple could be planted.After creating three,initial options, �,-t- ��`"��' the Design Center created a final concept plan that will be used to guide planting efforts and serve as a base for further detailed design work. �� ./ _ �/ ;�� ._ Identity Strategies: Center City '� :`' This effort helped the Center City planning commission envision how a state-proposed 41wArw ` � '�MIItb�M'MN; ' ,•��; � widening of Highway 8 might affect their community, and recommended strategies to `�$.�, i D� ;'" visually draw interest to the town. Recommendations included extension of the historic � � downtown to connect with Highway 8, an expanded pedestrian and bicycle circulation ��` -_==^= '� `'�a.��4� network, and strategic landscaping to enhance the town's character. �' —\ nwnw.ea..';"nl..�i'i . !� �/� \ Public Process: Dickerman Park °� ? The Design Center worked with Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey ��' County, University UNITED, Public Art St. Paul, and the St. Paul on the Mississippi River � '��` ��'� � Design Center to develop a broad-based consensus-building process for creating a �� , 3�� vision for Dickerman Park. The resulting resolutions lay out expectations for the future of �-� "�� :�='��ihk�'� �� Dickerman park and have already attracted funding toward implementation. ��•�'; '',�� _ 3 ��4� � ' 1�� ' " �!•� ' "�: [ , Redevelopment Options: Downtown Civic Options, Columbia Heights � �•� �.�r-:.—�- ��.-K;::�. The demolition of an old school building close to the business district of Columbia Heights �,,_�,, �, ' . , left a 5 acre site available for development. The Design Center developed options for the � �, cit council that ran ed from com letel ublic uses to housin The council referred " ��.�.' � �� Y 9 P Y P 9• P ��,��: . �� the schemes that were more public and the Design Center prepared posters of two �`� �i ��v ��-s-;-- development schemes. The final posters were presented at a council meeting and will be � � �� used to encourage further public dialogue about the future of the site. � � ��'.� � �� _ """""'�.� .r..�.�r• -•�...�� .�; i� '� Community Outreach: Family Issues Class, Broadway High School � o ' The Design Center worked with teen parents, teachers, and staff from Minneapolis Public � Schools and Lutheran Social Services to explore issues of teen parenting, homelessness, housing options, and community quality. Exercises included tours, analysis of housing, ,,,� a . , environmental autobiographies, and envisioning future living environments. The results ��"`N;�� r�_� ,'°°�� of the class are being used to inform investments in supportive housing for pregnant and r4f4d3,�,b..,,, � �� , parenting teens. �1' 6� �a��e�� ' �� , = Mapping Assistance: Parkshed and Park Access Map h � , ," Working with the Trust for Public Land, Design Center staff built on earlier work to produce �. � Y� �+ � ` a series of maps highlighting Twin Cities populations with low mobility and poor access to � � � ' parks. Using GIS analysis of accessibilty and census data, these maps help focus attention �-� ��`�� on places where there is a high need for parks.The Trust for Public Land used these maps � '� � 1��. ,� .� �' � =� as part of a successful grant application to the Minneapolis Foundation. Visit www.designcenter.umn.edu and click on Design Assistance for more information about these and all previous projects. Metropolitan Design Center I College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture I University of Minnesota 1 Rapson Hall,89 Church St.SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 www.designcenter.umn.edu 612-625-9000