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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-08 Park Board Packet• �9ZA, oe • f�� SOfl.A��9 • lase AGENDA ARegular Meeting of the Edina Park Board Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 7:00 P.M. y° Edina City Hall Council Chambers 4801 West 501" Street PARK BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES During "Public Hearings, " the Chair will ask for public comment after City staff members make their presentations. If you wish to speak on the topic, you are welcome to do so as long as your comments are relevant to the discussion. To ensure fairness to all speakers and to allow the efficient conduct of a public hearing, speakers must observe the following guidelines: • Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less. The Chair will modify presentation times, as deemed necessary. • Try not to repeat remarks or points of view made by prior speakers and limit comments to the matter under consideration. • In order to maintain a comfortable environment for all those in attendance, the use of signs, clapping, cheering or booing or any other form of verbal or nonverbal communication is not allowed. PARK BOARD AGENDA I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES * Tuesday, August 11, 2009, Park Board Minutes. II. NEW BUSINESS A. *Community Science Education Project Proposal — Mark Burman. B. *Closing Strachauer Park and Countryside Park Skating Rinks. III. OLD BUSINESS A. *Community Gardens Policy. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS During 'Public Comments, " the Chair will ask to hear from those in attendance who would like to speak about something not on the agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less and cannot speak to an issue for which a public hearing was previously held and closed or a matter scheduled for a future hearing. Individuals should not expect the Park Board to respond to their comments. Instead, the Park Board might direct the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. 1 V. UPDATES FROM STAFF VI. PARK BOARD COMMENTS VII. ADJOURNMENT The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in advance of the meeting. * These are agenda items that require or request Park Board action. 2 Memo To: Edina Park Board From: John Keprios, Director Edina Park and Recreation Department Date: September 1, 2009 Re: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009, PARK BOARD MEETING STAFF REPORT. Enclosed you should find the following items: 1. Tuesday, August 11, 2009, Park Board Minutes. 2. Tuesday, September 8, 2009, Park Board Agenda. 3. Rink Attendance Data. 4. Community Gardens Information. 5. Emails from Mark Burman. 6. St. Louis Park Community Gardens Information. 7. Eden Prairie Community Gardens Information. 8. Bloomington Community Gardens Information. 9. Richfield Community Gardens Information. 10. Minnetonka Family Gardens Information. 11. Hopkins Family Gardens Information. 12. Yorktown Park Location Map and Community Two Community Garden Maps. 13. Lake Edina Location Map and Community Garden Map. 14. Pamela Park Location Map and Community Two Community Garden Maps. The following is the monthly Staff Report concerning each item on the agenda with the exception of Approval of the Minutes, Public Comment and Park Board Comment. PARK BOARD MEETING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS EDINA CITY HALL 4801 WEST 50TH STREET The Tuesday, September 8, 2009, Park Board meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Edina City Hall. If you are unable to attend, please call either Office Coordinator, Janet Canton, at 952-826-0435 or me at 952-826-0430. II. NEW BUSINESS A. *Community Science Education Project Proposal — Mark Burman. Edina resident Mark Burman is requesting permission to install a total three 10" by 10" permanent metal plaques in Edina parks; one at Pamela Park, one at Centennial Lakes Park and one at Rosland Park. The purpose is to build an educational model of our Solar System to be used by the community and schools to tour the solar system. As you will notice in Mr. Burman's letter to the Park Board, his plan is to seek permission from Edina School District and other neighboring cities (parks and schools) to be part of this educational project. His plan is to secure donations to fund the project. In my view, Mr. Burman's proposal would educate the public about our solar system while encouraging people to get out and visit other parks and school owned properties. I made it clear to Mr. Burman that he would be held responsible for any cleaning, maintenance and replacement needed to keep the plaques in Edina's parks. He would also be held responsible for fielding questions about the plaques and the entire concept. As you will notice on the attached documents, Mr. Burman has answered my concerns. Therefore, I have asked that Mr. Burman give the Park Board a formal presentation of the concept plan and answer any questions and address any concerns of the Park Board. If all concerns of the Park Board are adequately addressed, I recommend that the Park Board approve his request to provide the plaques at the three proposed park locations: 1. Centennial Lakes Park 2. Pamela Park 3. Rosland Park I further recommend that the Park Board's approval be given with the understanding that the plaques are to be maintained and if necessary replaced by and solely at the expense of Mr. Burman. Another condition of the approval is with the understanding that Mr. Burman will continually provide resources to answer the public's questions regarding the plaques. The city will not be held liable for maintenance or replacement of the plaques or provide resources to further educate the public about the intent and purpose of the project. If approved by Park Board, I would work closely with Mr. Burman to find the most appropriate location within each park. City staff would assist with the installation of the three plaques in Edina's parks. Mr. Burman will give the Park Board a presentation of his formal proposal at the September 8, 2009 Park Board meeting. Formal Park Board action is requested on this agenda item. B. *Closing Strachauer Park and Countryside Park Skating Rinks. Due to projected revenue shortfalls, staff was directed to propose cost cutting measures for the 2010 operating budget that totaled a 5% reduction from the 2009 Park and Recreation Department operating budget. One of our recommendations included eliminating two outdoor skating rinks for the 2009-2010 skating season as well as closing all outdoor skating rinks for the season at the end of the day Monday, February 15, 2010 regardless of the weather. By not opening, supervising and maintaining an outdoor skating rink, there is a savings of approximately $3,750 per rink. By closing two outdoor skating rink sites, we can cut costs by approximately $7,500. By closing all the outdoor skating rinks for the 2 season on Monday, February 15, 2010, we can cut costs by an additional $9,500. Some of the savings is from not having to pay Warming House Attendant wages; however, we save approximately $3,200 per weekend in full-time Park Maintenance Department personnel overtime for each weekend rinks are closed. The full-time professional maintenance staff would remain on the payroll; however, their time will be spent on other maintenance duties that otherwise would not get done, which includes primarily forestry work and building and equipment maintenance. The general public will have an opportunity to submit their views regarding the proposed 2010 budget as part of the annual budget process. The City Manager has accepted several of my recommendations to cut expenses in 2010; one of which is closing two rinks and closing early. One of the largest budget cutting measures recommended by the City Manager includes mandatory unpaid furloughs for all full-time staff. This may even call for closing City Hall on certain week days in 2010. I believe it is important for the Park Board to have a voice in the rink closing proposal. In staff's opinions, we recommend that Strachauer Park and Countryside Park be the two chosen outdoor skating rinks to be closed for the 2009/2010 outdoor skating season for a number of reasons. Countryside Park currently does not have an outdoor hockey rink and as a result it has the least number of outdoor ice rink skaters. Staff proposes to close Strachauer Park because it is clearly the least desired hockey rink by the Edina Hockey Association and specifically those who schedule outdoor hockey rink games and practices. Strachauer Park hockey rink is least desired for a few reasons. The rink is so close to Crosstown Highway 62 that the traffic noise becomes problematic for coaches and players. We have also learned that the ice surface is not always reliable due to the rink's close proximity to the highway. I am told that the heat and exhaust from vehicles has a direct effect on the quality of outdoor ice. As you will notice, the attendance numbers at Strachauer Park for the past two years are slightly higher than a few other outdoor skating areas. I am told that this is primarily due to adult and non-resident unscheduled use of the hockey rink because skaters have learned that Strachauer Park is rarely scheduled by the EHA for practices or games. Todd Park was considered as another close candidate for closing because it would save manpower by not having to construct and remove the hockey rink boards and netting each year; however, the hockey rink is scheduled more frequently by the Edina Hockey Association and it has a newer and more user friendly warming house. Staff recommends that the Park Board recommend to the City Council that Strachauer Park and Countryside Park not have outdoor skating for the 2009/2010 outdoor skating season due to budget cuts. Formal Park Board action is requested on this agenda item. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Community Gardens Policy. At the July 21, 2009 City Council meeting, the Council voted 4 to 1 against the Park Board's recommendation to approve YEA Corp's request to develop and maintain an organic vegetable garden plot at Chowen Park. The Council has also asked staff to recommend a policy that addresses community gardens and future similar requests such as the YEA Corp one. At the August 11, 2009 Park Board meeting, staff recommended a policy that did not allow for community gardens in Edina parks. The Park Board chose not to take any formal action; however, members asked staff to study the issue more and recommend options for the Park Board's consideration. Therefore, I visited ten different community gardens in six different communities, took photos and gathered information on each community's community garden policies and procedures (copies included in this packet). I also asked the Edina Garden Council to poll their members for their views regarding community gardens in Edina's parks. I am still awaiting their response; however, I expect to get their recommendation prior to the September 8 Park Board meeting. My research has taught me that successful community gardens require a number of important amenities to have on site including but not limited to: 1. Easy access to water. 2. Adequate parking. 3. ADA compliant access from parking lot to the garden plots. 4. Quality soils. 5. Non -shaded flat grade planting grounds. 6. Open space in an area currently not used for passive or active park uses. 7. Place in a public area that deters vandals and/or thieves. 8. Resources to develop and maintain a quality garden site. 9. Properly measured and clearly staked plot numbers. 10. Adequate spacing between rows of plots for easy access. 11. Well established and publicized rules and regulations that are enforced. 12. A well organized and well publicized registration process that is customer friendly. 13. Gardener compliance to rules, especially keeping area clean and removing all of their personal belongings at the end of the growing season. 14. Resources and system to administer and manage equal access to the garden plots. 15. Restroom facilities. 16. Bins for compost (already composted materials), wood mulch and a compost bin for the gardeners' compostable organic materials. 17. Garbage containers. 18. An area that is acceptable to those who live closest to the proposed site. As I have mentioned earlier, the most difficult challenge of all the above is component number 18. 4 My Observations Of the ten community gardens I visited in the six surrounding suburbs, some of the sites chosen for a community garden are located in areas that would be otherwise least desirable for other recreational purposes. For example, Eden Prairie's community garden at Pioneer Trail is located directly behind industrial properties next to two high traffic roads within 500 feet of Flying Cloud Airport. An exception to that rule is Eden Prairie's Pioneer Park community garden which is directly adjacent to single family homes and a small neighborhood park; however, it is strategically placed behind their Senior Citizen Center. The Richfield Community Gardens are located immediately adjacent to the Crosstown Highway 62 and right next to the north runways of the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Bloomington's only community gardens consisting of only 30 plots is located on Xcel Energy's property next to an elementary school, in a single family home area and is directly under high voltage power lines. Finding ideal locations for community gardens in Edina's parks will be a challenge. All six communities charge an annual fee per plot to their residents. Fees vary per community. All community gardens are for residents only. Some offer a discount for multiple plots; whereas, Bloomington has a 2 plots per family limit in the initial registration process. Eden Prairie offers a discounted rate for residents over the age of 55. As you will notice in the enclosed handouts, the number of plots in each community garden varies from 30 (Bloomington) to 150 (Hopkins) plots. All communities provide site preparation each fall which requires gardeners to have all of their belongings removed from site by an established deadline. Bloomington charges a $50 fee to those who do not remove their belongings by the October 15 deadline and/or ban them from renting plots in the future. The most common size plot seems to be 20' by 20' in dimension. Bloomington's plots are only 10' by 15% however, they only have 30 plots total. Eden Prairie's plots are 20' by 30' for one or 20' by 60' for two plots. I have included maps of Yorktown Park, Lake Edina Park and Pamela Park that clearly show that there is enough open space that could be converted to community gardens if the Park Board and City Council wish to do SO. In my visits, it seemed clear that many gardeners do not abide by the rule to keep their plot(s) free of debris and tools. Some gardens are extremely well kept while others are very unsightly and littered with debris, tools and personal belongings. Another common practice among gardeners is the placement of amenities to protect their crops from wildlife. Most (but not all) use chicken wire fencing to keep rabbits out. In almost all cases, fencing materials are supplied by the gardeners and must all be removed by the gardeners in the fall. Many gardeners use aluminum pie plates, flags and home-made scare crows to detract birds. I found tables, chairs, buckets, garbage, tools and a variety of other personal belongings at various sites. Some cities offer portable restrooms and some don't. All communities do not permit the use of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, etc.); however, fertilizers are permitted. Some cities provide composted materials ready for use and wood mulch. From conversations with other city staff, I learned that a common problem has been gardeners who plant in the wrong plot location and gardeners who leave garbage and personal belongings behind. City staff must take extra measures to ensure that gardeners know exactly where they are supposed to plant their gardens. All gardens are limited to annual plants (no perennials allowed). Only the City of Richfield seemed to offer raised beds for those gardeners in wheelchairs. Among the six cities, I did not see any policy that prohibits gardeners from selling their own produce. Some communities have water readily available and easily applied by a garden hose. Some have large water tanks on site and some offer city water with spigots. In most cases, the gardener must provide their own hoses. The City of St. Louis Park provides a water spigot and hose; however, at the Texa-Tonka Park community garden site they require the gardener to provide their own handle for the water spigot which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Two gardens are located directly next to a creek (Hopkins and Minnetonka) and gardeners are encouraged to gather and carry water from the shallow creek. Two of St. Louis Park's four community gardens are not open to the general public. The site at Ainsworth Park (Mark Sathe Community Gardens) in St. Louis Park is only available to and used by an apartment complex in an agreement between the City and the apartment association. The community garden at Nelson Park is open to that neighborhood association first and the general public second; however, the neighborhood association always uses all of the garden plots. Those two sites are administered and maintained by the associations and not the City. St. Louis Park's other two community gardens (Texa-Tonka Park and Hurd Park) are administered by the City and are open and available to the public for a fee on a first come first served basis. Proposed Park Locations in Edina Parks: In looking for the best locations for community gardens in Edina's parks, it seems to make sense to place them in or closest to high density residential areas where residents have limited or no land at all of their own to create flower or vegetable gardens. I would not suggest that in or near high density residential areas is the only place that should be considered; however, if given a choice, those areas would be (in my view) preferable. If it is determined that the City of Edina will provide one or more community gardens in Edina's parks, I recommend that we begin with one as a test site to determine the level of interest, support and opposition to the concept. If it is determined that more than one site is needed and there is an acceptable level of support, then I would recommend that the following sites be chosen in the following order of priority: 0 1. Yorktown Park 2. Lake Edina Park 3. Pamela Park 1. Yorktown Park Site I recommend Yorktown Park (located next to the Southdale YMCA and the Tri -City Skate Park) as the first location for a number of reasons. Financially it makes sense as the YMCA may be willing to pay for initial construction of the community garden after they are done using the property as a temporary parking lot. There also may be an opportunity for a partnership with the YMCA administratively and operationally. The location is in an area that has Edina's most high-rise multiple dwelling units. There is adequate parking on site. The area is sunny and has a flat grade. The soil conditions are unknown; however, the soils should be tested for contaminants regardless of which park the garden is placed. Proper soils will also have to be imported to the site regardless of which park the community garden is located. There is access to water within a reasonable distance (near Fire Station #2) and will have to be connected and routed underground and located directly adjacent to the garden site. The site is large enough to accommodate between 50 and 100 garden plots depending on how much land is dedicated for that purpose. The main user of the open space at Yorktown Park now is the Southdale YMCA. With their support for this location, we will not be relocating an existing Park and Recreation Department program or general public activity. With the YMCA's support, gardeners will have easy access to the Y's restroom facilities. One drawback of the Yorktown Park location is that the site won't be available until 2011 at the earliest. The YMCA is planning on using the Yorktown Park open grass area as a temporary parking lot during construction of their new facility. Their plan is to keep their existing facility open and operational until the new construction is complete. The YMCA is open to the concept of having them develop a community garden at their expense after they are done using the site for a temporary parking lot. The YMCA is still in the capital fundraising campaign process and won't likely be prepared to begin construction on their new building until 2010 at the earliest. 2. Lake Edina Park Site The second community garden (and second in priority) location I suggest for the Park Board's consideration is Lake Edina Park, which is located directly adjacent to Fred Richards Golf Course. I suggest this site for a number of reasons. The site could be developed and made available to the public in 2010, at least one year earlier than the Yorktown Park site. The soils in Lake Edina Park may be slightly better than most any other site in Edina for growing gardens as it is mostly peat type soils with not much clay and sand. Even so, as true with any chosen site, the soils will have to be tested by the University of Minnesota to determine the level of contaminants, ph levels, nutrients and so on. The open grass area at Lake Edina Park is currently not being used for any programmed use. The land is rarely used by adults or children simply because the soft • surface is uneven and not safe or suitable for active recreational purposes. The soils are also littered with concrete curbing that was dumped to fill the site many years ago. 7 Excavation will be necessary to remove those pieces of concrete that are within the garden site. The park is located near high density housing as well as single family homes. The site is large enough to accommodate a community garden 100' by 200' or larger (approximately 50 garden plots). Water would have to be routed to the community garden site from either the golf course irrigation system or from the nearest water main. There is off-street parking available off of Parklawn Avenue for 7 cars including a handicap stall. We would have to develop a pathway access of some sort (wood chips, agri-lime, gravel or asphalt) from the parking lot to the garden area. There are no restrooms near by; however, portable restrooms could be provided near the parking lot. It is approximately 385 feet from the parking lot on Parklawn Avenue to the proposed community garden site. I fully expect that single family homeowners around that piece of land will strongly object to this proposal. 3. Pamela Park Site The third park site I would recommend (and third in priority) would be the south west corner of Pamela Park. There is enough land to the west and north of the south parking lot to accommodate a small or large number of garden plots. If desired, the site currently proposed to be developed into a safer athletic field could be used as a community garden area instead. A large community garden at this location would eliminate its current use as a practice athletic field. This location has easy access to parking and ample flat non -shaded ground. There is a park shelter building with restrooms within a reasonable distance. Water could be brought to the site by tapping into the water supply that serves the soccer field irrigation system. This is a community playfield park designed to serve the greater community; however, the immediate neighborhood is mostly single family homes. We do know that the soils are filled with a lot of concrete and street and sidewalk debris that would have to be excavated to make it a suitable community garden site; however, the same would have to be done if it were used as an athletic field. A smaller community garden (70' x 120') could be placed between the south parking lot and the proposed new athletic field. Similar to Lake Edina Park, I suspect that there will be strong opposition from neighboring residents to locate a community garden at Pamela Park. Expenses The Engineering Department assisted me in estimating locations and expenses to bring water to each proposed community garden site including installation of water spigots: Yorktown Park $20,000 Lake Edina Park $19,000 Pamela Park $16,000 0 To import proper sand/peat planting soils to the site will range in price from $5,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the size of the garden and its location. Lake Edina Park and Pamela Park have considerable concrete debris that would need to be excavated; whereas, Yorktown Park would require less excavation. Adjustments would need to be made in the operating budget to pay for portable restroom facilities if needed (approximately $120/month). There would also be an added annual expense for use of City water (approximately $1,200/year depending upon size of garden and weather). Garbage collection and maintenance labor (part-time and full-time) would also be an added expense. Compost and mulch bins would cost approximately $2,500 in parts and labor. If portable restrooms are desired, I would recommend that we provide a cedar fence container to screen the restroom. I would not recommend portable restrooms for either Yorktown Park or Pamela Park. Gardeners could use the restroom facilities at the park shelter building at Pamela Park and the YMCA restrooms at Yorktown Park. In my opinion, Lake Edina Park could use a portable restroom facility; however, it is not an absolute necessity. In any case, I believe we can construct a 50-60 plot garden (20' x 20' ea.) for $30,000 as we have recommended in our Capital Improvement Plan for 2010. In my view, to build a 50 or 60 plot community garden at Pamela Park, it would be necessary to use part of the area currently designated for a new athletic field. The enclosed aerial maps show that there is ample open green space available at Yorktown Park and Lake Edina Park to develop a 50 or 60 plot community garden. Proposed Policies If the Park Board and City Council wish to pursue the development of community gardens in Edina's parks, I recommend that we adopt the following policy: "The City of Edina will offer community garden plots to residents only and in a manner that includes a comprehensive process that is open to all residents on a first-come first-served basis. Edina's community gardens will be limited to those park areas that are pre -determined by the City of Edina. The City of Edina's community gardens are not intended for and will not be made available for commercial use by private for profit organizations." The above proposed policy does not prohibit Edina residents who are part of non-profit organizations, such as YEA Corps, from renting their own individual plots. The intent is to make community garden plots available to Edina residents only and not provide a block of garden plots to any organization. The policy prohibits any commercial for profit organization use. The number of plots per resident will have to be adjusted depending on how many plots Edina chooses to provide and the level of demand. If the Park Board approves the above policy or one similar to it that calls for . development of community gardens in Edina's parks, I recommend that the Park Board take the following action: 9 "The City of Edina will offer community garden plots to residents only at Yorktown Park as soon as the YMCA is no longer in need of the property for use as temporary parking." If the Park Board wishes to offer community gardens in 2010, I recommend that the Park Board adopt the following instead: "The City of Edina will offer community garden plots at Lake Edina Park beginning the year 2010 for Edina residents only." In my view, the third proposed site (Pamela Park) could be added at a later date if the demand and support for such an amenity is determined to be a priority and appropriate for that park setting. If a larger community garden area at Pamela Park is considered to be a priority, then the new athletic field development should be placed on hold until final decisions are made. Regardless of location(s), I recommend that the Park Board conduct a public input meeting on your choice of park(s) for development of a community garden. This would involve mailing notices to residents within 1,000 feet of the park; notification in the Sun Newspaper; notices posted at the park(s) and posted on our website. I recommend that the public input meeting take place at the October Park Board meeting. I intend to provide the Park Board with a Power Point presentation that will include photos of the ten community garden sites I have visited, as well as the proposed Edina park locations. Formal Park Board action is requested on this agenda item. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS During "Public Comments, " the Chair will ask to hear from those in attendance who would like to speak about something not on the agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less and cannot speak to an issue for which a public hearing was previously held and closed or a matter scheduled for a future hearing. Individuals should not expect the Park Board to respond to their comments. Instead, the Park Board might direct the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. V. UPDATES FROM STAFF Staff will be giving a brief verbal updates on upcoming events. VI. PARK BOARD COMMENTS This is the opportunity for Park Board members to provide comments on park and recreation related matters not on the regular agenda. 10 Minutes of the Edina Park Board August 11, 2009 Edina City Hall, Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Kenney, Ben Pobuda, Todd Fronek, Ray O'Connell, Dan Peterson, Joseph Hulbert, Jeff Sorem, Bill Lough, Keeya Steel, Rob Presthus MEMBERS ABSENT: Randy Meyer STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Janet Canton, Ed MacHolda I. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 17, 2009 PARK BOARD MINUTES Dan Peterson MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 17, 2009 PARK BOARD MINUTES. Bill Lough SECONDED. MINUTES APPROVED. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Pamela Park Master Plan — Mr. Keprios gave a presentation on the Pamela Park Master Plan and informed the Park Board of what took place at the Pamela Park information meeting on July 30, 2009. He explained the history of the process of how they got to where they currently are. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that it seemed pretty clear from both written and verbal responses that the number one concern is spending tax dollars on these projects during these challenging economic times. Mr. Keprios then summarized his recommendations from his staff report. RELOCATE HOCKEY RINK AND LIGHTS • WEST PARKING LOT RENOVATION AND EXPANSION • NEW ATHLETIC FIELD • SOUTH PARKING LOT EXPANSION • NORTH PARKING LOT EXPANSION • NO ARTIFICIAL TURF ON SOUTH ATHLETIC FIELD • SENIOR ATHLETIC FIELD RENOVATION • PAVED TRAIL ACCESS TO PLAYGROUND • PARK SHELTER BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS Ms. Steel asked Mr. Keprios what kind of natural grass he has in mind for the new athletic field. Mr. Keprios replied that they would have to rely on their engineers to tell them what would be most economically feasible. He noted that his first choice would be to go with another sand peat field with irrigation and proper drainage. He noted that it will need to be engineered in a way to be tolerant of a lot of play therefore it will probably need to be a mix between sand peat and natural soils. Mr. Fronek informed the Park Board that he thought it was a very good process that they went through. He added that Mr. Pobuda, Mr. Peterson, Mr. O'Connell and he attended the Pamela Park neighborhood meeting. Mr. Fronek commented that he thought it was very productive and felt that they sorted through a lot of the issues. Mr. O'Connell noted that he thought it was very positive. He commented that he would like to see the city and the school system develop a collaborative situation and share the costs. Mr. Pobuda stated that it opened his eyes to more opinions than those of just the Park Board and now he has a good idea of what they want and what they expect from them. Mr. Peterson indicated that he was amazed that the number one issue he heard is that the economy stinks, don't spend the money. Mr. Fronek asked Mr. Keprios to speak a little bit about the hockey rink because he initially thought it had to be moved because it is in a watershed plain. In addition, there were also issues with getting good ice on the hockey rink as well as they would be losing a lot of the open skating area. Mr. Keprios replied that originally his staff recommended moving the hockey rink 30 feet in order to have a better surface to work with. However, there is a debate on whether the water table is really any different 30 feet to the west. He noted that there is a fairly steep grade east of the hockey boards which would make it fairly tight to walk through for the nature trail. He explained that most times of the year it isn't an issue until they start flooding the rink where it then becomes a dangerous situation of having to walk to the west side of the hockey rink. Mr. Keprios commented that one concern of a resident was that it would consume too much of the open skating area but noted that the reality is they have enough real estate where they could easily expand the open skating area. Mr. Keprios explained that it is not critical for them to move the hockey rink; however, it is just staff's recommendation that by moving it, it would be better for maintenance and it would make for a better nature trail. He pointed out that as long as they need to replace the light standards and bases it just makes sense to move it slightly and make room for the trail. Mr. O'Connell asked if they do move the hockey rink will it increase the cost figure. Mr. Keprios replied yes, it would cost approximately $60,000 because they would have to replace quite a few of the boards. He added that to leave the hockey rink in its current location and just replace the broken boards it would cost approximately $45,000 to fix which $40,000 of that would be for new light standards. Mr. O'Connell indicated that he thinks the $15,000 would be a good investment. Mr. Keprios responded that he doesn't disagree with the recommendation but that the reason he came to this conclusion is because so many residents felt strongly that the rink should stay in its current location. However, he does still feel that if they are going to replace the light system then now is the time to move the rink and that is why they made the original recommendation that they did. Mr. Hulbert asked how old are the boards and what is the life expectancy of the hockey boards? Mr. Keprios replied that hockey boards last approximately 15 years before they have to be rebuilt. He noted that he thinks the Pamela Park hockey rink was built 15 or 16 years ago. Mr. Keprios stated that he doesn't disagree with moving the hockey rink he was just trying to be sympathetic and responsive to the residents. Mr. Lough asked what is the incremental cost of moving the hockey rink versus not moving it? Mr. Keprios replied it would cost $60,000 to move it and $45,000 not to move it. Therefore, it would be a $15,000 savings. Mr. Presthus asked if the rink is moved would all of the boards be new or would you use some of the existing boards. Mr. Keprios responded they would try to use what boards would still be salvageable. 2 Ms. Steel commented that she knows people want to save dollars especially in this economy and asked if project costs are down in the current market could money be saved that way. Mr. Keprios replied a lot of their bids today on contracted work are lower than what they typically would be because of the economy. Mr. Lough asked Mr. Keprios in terms of the overall timing of the priority items how long would you guess it would take to get through all nine items or at least the top five. Mr. Keprios replied that his guess is they are going to be going through some very tough economic times as an organization for a minimum of the next 2 '/2 to 3 years. And feels in his view it will be at least three years before they start to come out of this. Mr. Keprios indicated that in his opinion it could be four to five years before they start building new amenities in the parks. He commented that they are going to be in maintenance mode for at least the next few years. Mr. Keprios noted that maybe they will be able to find enough cuts in other areas and commented that thankfully most of the capital improvement plan funding source does not come from the annual operating budget. He pointed out that it's a pool of money that has been secured over the years which is earmarked specifically for capital improvements. Mr. Keprios explained that thankfully only $50,000 from the general operating fund goes to fund the capital improvement plan's Revolving Fund which has a balance in the millions; however, the $50,000 is now being removed from 2010 operating budget. Therefore, there are still Revolving Fund dollars available for capital improvements but he is not sure how much of those funds the Council will approve for use over the next four years and so he cannot fully answer Mr. Lough's questions. Mr. Lough commented that the senior athletic field is not likely to occur in the next four years to which Mr. Keprios replied that is correct. Mr. Lough asked if the paved access trail is likely to occur in the next four years. Mr. Keprios responded that is one he would still like to try to fund out of his Paths and Hard Surfaces operating budget and that is why it doesn't show up in the capital improvement plan. That is one he really feels should be a priority because they need to have accessible path from a parking lot to the playground and he didn't want to have to rely on the capital improvement plan to fund this project. Mr. Lough asked if it would be possible for one of the parking lot expansions to be an overall priority in the next four years. Mr. Keprios replied that it's possible but again it would have to be funded through the capital improvement plan and not through the operating budget since that's going to get cut severely next year. Mr. Lough asked Mr. Keprios what the payback period would be for the investment in the lights to which Mr. Keprios replied that he wasn't sure but thought it might be approximately 13 or 14 years. He also asked Mr. Keprios if it was likely to be approved by the financial staff or the City Council with that kind of a payback. Mr. Keprios replied that because the investment was green and the city had established a priority to make green expenditures or green investments that he thought it would be fine. Mr. O'Connell commented that he would like to see the building at Pamela Park be renovated as soon as possible because that is something that would be used a lot. • Mr. Fronek entered a motion regarding Mr. Keprios recommendation with regards to the five-year Pamela Park Improvement Plan. Mr. Peterson MOVED TO APPROVE. Ray O'Connell SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Keprios asked if the recommendation would include moving the hockey rink as he proposed the first go around or leave it where it's at. Mr. Fronek MOVED TO AMEND MR. KEPRIOS RECOMMENDATION TO RELOCATE THE HOCKEY RINK AS PREVIOUSLY STATED. MOVE IT 30 FEET SOUTH AND 30 FEET WEST. HE NOTED THAT HE WOULD ALSO LIKE MR. KEPRIOS TO AT LEAST EXPLORE ADDING SOME SPACE TO THE OPEN SKATING AREA. Mr. O'Connell accepted the amendment. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Community Gardens — Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he is still of the opinion that the silent majority would be okay with a policy that suggests we keep our open space as open space. He noted that for those who want to have a vegetable or fruit garden they should do it on their private property. He stated that what they have learned from the past is that open space is just too precious in a town that's a first ring suburb where we are fully developed. Mr. Keprios stated that in addition it would be very difficult to find an ideal space that will please everyone. Therefore, that is what he would ask the Park Board to recommend to the City Council. Mr. Lough stated that while he is somewhat sympathetic to staff's recommendation on this issue he wants to make sure that as a Park Board they clearly understand that it is their responsibility to try and come up with recommendations which will serve all members of the community. He commented that gardens of this nature typically serve an educational, hobby and social purpose as well as there may be other purposes to add to this list with the exception of any commercial purpose. He noted that the nature of the community in Edina is changing somewhat in that it is an older community which more and more people will reside in multi -family housing. He indicated that green space is meant for all of the citizens and not just for youth sports or people who like to walk and that sort of nature but perhaps for other purposes as well. Mr. Lough asked Mr. Keprios if they were to adopt a policy that does not approve the community gardens and it goes to the City Council and they do approve the recommendation what does it take to change it in the future. Mr. Keprios explained that a policy is not an ordinance and that a policy can change at any given City Council meeting. Mr. Keprios encouraged the Park Board to not make a recommendation at this point and perhaps direct staff to kick around some other means of feedback from the community and perhaps put an article in the Sun newspaper and ask for more input if they need more time to deliberate. He noted that this isn't something that needs to be rushed into. Mr. Peterson asked Mr. Keprios about his thought on having a community garden along York Avenue. Mr. Keprios replied that he doubts that the YMCA would be all that disappointed in not having a community garden at that site because the YMCA is currently primarily user of that open space for their own programs. Mr. Peterson stated that he agrees with Mr. Lough and would be glad to table this for awhile to think about it. 11 Mr. Lough asked if perhaps staff could come up with some type of policy for the Park Board to discuss. Mr. Keprios replied he would be happy to do that and will further study the issue and have something ready by the September Park Board meeting. Ms. Steel stated that she definitely agrees they should encourage people to use their own homes for growing organic gardens. However, as Mr. Lough pointed out we are expanding our senior housing and inviting more young families to move into the community. She indicated that something they look at as far as policy is perhaps allowing a certain age group to have priority of these gardens so that the elderly population can continue to have some of the gardens they enjoyed in their own homes. Mr. Fronek indicated that personally he doesn't think that adopting a policy that can be changed at the September Park Board meeting makes too much sense. He noted that so far none of the locations (Pamela Park and York Park) have passed the test for us to say okay, let's invest the dollars and resources to make it happen to the extent we need a policy. He stated that they haven't seen a situation where a community garden is going to be implemented at this point. Mr. Fronek pointed out that's not to say in the future he would not say yes to a community garden project. IV. UPDATES FROM STAFF A. Pamela Park Equipment — Mr. MacHolda informed the Park Board that the new playground equipment was installed at Pamela Park and it looks nice. Unfortunately, however, on the eve of the completion of the installation it was vandalized. Mr. Sorem commented that he has been to the park a few times and noted that he thinks it's one of the nicest playgrounds in the city. He commented that Ashley Swanda and Dawn Lambert, who were neighborhood committee members, were very helpful and did a wonderful job. V. PARK BOARD COMMENTS A. Recycling and Solid Waste - Mr. O'Connell handed out an e-mail to the Park Board from Michelle Horan who is a member of the Recycling Solid Waste Work Group which is a subcommittee of the Energy & Environment Commission. The e-mail talks about approaching the athletic associations and presenting to them a new way of handling recycling. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm to N M� w O M CD 00 h (D M r r � I,- 00 m Cl fD 00 It O O O T- LOO O M 0 w wq�t to �-- N N N � N V- T- T- � N LO O I-- LO LO M �t � O t- O LO LO O N t ti M O It ti (0 M N M T M M M M N N- M N r- O O t S O N M N N 't"t d- N M M N M 0 r N O M I- CO LO (O N (O LO O M U') N c- M V LO LO - M LO M LO Ln M r Lc) _ (O m O M V Ln m O) M LO O) N O r I-- r.- Lo O N r T N 70 N L 0 LL 70 cu @ a 7 >, > C Co Co i N c C� L y E U C W7 i E co 'O QUUU2JZa-cnFf�� N N 00 (D "T N O - r- M CO CO N MO M m m- 00 00 " I- J U) N M O M M "t N (O LO O_ M � 00 N"T O O7 � M Q Y 04 M < Z - N M N N N N N M N- M O) o (7 i Z J LU~(V O N O O O N 00 O N '� N Y M C`') (N M M N N M r Cl) >W U) N N M 00 N M Il- (O M O) LO r O- O O CV r O O Lf> LO O I-- LO LO M �t � O t- O LO LO O N t ti M O It ti (0 M N M T M M M M N N- M N r- O O t S O N M N N 't"t d- N M M N M 0 r N O M I- CO LO (O N (O LO O M U') N c- M V LO LO - M LO M LO Ln M r Lc) _ (O m O M V Ln m O) M LO O) N O r I-- r.- Lo O N r T N 70 N L 0 LL 70 cu @ a 7 >, > C Co Co i N c C� L y E U C W7 i E co 'O QUUU2JZa-cnFf�� � M N O M tC t0 N C O �h CO M r M r co � et O 00 r O W O 0 M to LO ti M M N'M It M O r �O N T- � e T- r V- T- T- r N O O Nti LO M Lo d' M O S e- V' N O C0 N O O ti O Cl)pN N Cl) U) QY 00 "T m ,I' LO Cn O M ti— O O N 00 I-_ w r- Ln ll- m Ln 00 �Z 00 0 U } Z LL, Q LO LO LO M � N66 L2 0 co b 6> 00 O LL Y N N— O I-- Cfl T O CO I- r- CO O M c- e- N — — •-- N N — — 'It V- O It �- M rY I� I- LO I`0 f= CD It N M V LO CO O Ln Ln N N O M N N N N N N V V- N M ti 0 0 0 0 O N N M O LO V ti� N M N N O m M M M N M N N r M r O COI,- CD In O M O ti O M Lo LO M M M M M LO V N Cl) N N = N — — — — r- - K* r O LO LO LO I- w M O N M � r T N O) LL p L / �n \\� 7 I_ L O LU C N E U O O n 00 LL 0 0- 0 M@ O > m > O N QCUUC)T- zoa- �>> O O (D IL LJ L 0 0 0 0 Y O O C6 C: • 0) 07 0) N L N L ~ 0 z Cn Cn cn U U Q cn Cn 4-4 rn o 00 �.. c� cam- LO oLO M � (D o 0 0 0 0 Tn o 0 Q Q 4- Z z x x x x x x x x O o 0 0 0 0 0 0 n N N N N r N N 4--1 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O L(7 In N N LO N N N N c'7 LO Z Z Cll LL i/) >, Z E LU cn ca) _0 M U QL L Q U (� > U) i O N O + OU +r a) CU Z ca L co Y L C j c6 a O m N a C 0 L O c� G � oO N N Q 0) EX n a U Q z�= z > 0 L L L L CU /1 LCL I'1 I.(n C a_ O L L (n U) O : O O O O N C E J J J J Q L O U_ _O CO Cn Cn Cn 7�; 2 Q� m W W John Keprios From: John Keprios Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:36 AM (mark.burman@jostens.com) Subject: FW: Park space use request for community science education project. Attachments: header.htm; SolarSystemLetterToEdinaParkBoard.doc; SolarSystemEdinaLocationOptions.doc; Earth PlaqueModel.jpg; JupiterPlaqueModel.jpg Hi Mark Nice to talk with you this morning. In follow up, please know that I totally support the concept and I would be happy to request approval frorn the Edina Park Board with the understanding that you are able to work out the details that we discussed: • A plan that directs park visitors to the next rnarker. • A plan that directs the public to a website for further information. • A plan that directs the public to a contact person who would assume the responsibility to answer questions about the project and markers. • A commitment and vehicle in place to replace vandalized or stolen markers (or an understanding that the plaques would not be replaced as the City would not be held responsible for expenses to replace or repair vandalized or stolen plaques). As I mentioned over the phone, the City would be happy to install the plaques within the three parks at our expense. Once you have those details ironed out, I'd be happy to move it through the process. Let's stay in touch. Great idea. Many thanks, J :eprios, Director Edina Park & Recreation Department 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 Voice: (952) 826-0430 Fax: (952) 826-0385 jkeprios@ci.edina.mn.us "We Create Community through People, Parks and Programs" From: Lynette Biunno Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 8:25 AM To: John Keprios Subject: FW: Park space use request for community science education project. From: Burman, Mark[mailto:mark. burman@jostens.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:00 PM T nette Biunno SL ,act: Park space use request for community science education project. Mark Burman 7/23/2009 6301 Maloney Ave Edina, MN 55343 c612 207 3004 h952 912 1502 T lina Park Board members: I am an Edina resident working to build an educational model of our Solar System to be used by the community and schools to tour the solar system. I think as you come to understand the project, you will agree that it will add value to the community, provide a hands-on educational tool, will be an attraction to the parks, and fits in with the mission of the parks. I have a number of public entities that I need to coordinate with and the process is new to me, so any guidance on the proper steps to approval, or advice on information I need to supply is greatly appreciated. Further below is the project story and explanation, but I thought I would get to the point on what I am requesting from the Park Board. My initial contact for the project was Concord Elementary School principal Rick Sansted and we have chosen a home for the Sun on the school grounds (which will be painted on the ground 23 ft across). With the center of the Solar System established the planets must be placed at mathematically accurate scale distances (my scale is 200,000,000:1) from the sun and represented at their true scale size. This will create a long-term fun educational asset to be used by students, and the entire community. As I searched for planet locations, I found that 3 of the planets scale orbits cross over great locations inside Edina parks. Specifically I want to locate Earth in Pamela Park and Mars in Rosland Park. Jupiter's scale orbit passes over Centennial Lakes Park. I would like permission to mount a plaque at these locations representing the planets as part of the Solar System community tour. Other planets would be located at schools, the community center, and other parks outside of Edina. Earth and Mars are both smaller than 3 inches in diameter at this scale and would be represented on a l Oin x l oin square metal plaque (see attachment) that would show the planet to scale and some interesting information. Jupiter b the largest of the planets is a bit bigger and would require a circular 28in metal plaque (see attachment) to rt, --sent the planet and all the facts would be in the circle. FYI: Planets further than Jupiter do not fit in Edina. Saturn will probably end up in Hopkins at Eisenhower Elementary, and there are many potential sites for Uranus and Neptune. Project Story: There is a renewed excitement for space exploration and science with the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing. Understanding our home, Earth, in the context of space exploration is a way to focus on the environment and technology and how they can work together. The enormity of galaxies and the universe is frankly impossible to fathom, however we can manage to explain the size of our Solar System. The Solar System is something most children and adults are familiar with, but few understand how vast it is. It cannot be represented in a textbook to scale because there is no physical way to show both the relative size and distance on a piece of paper. Therefore most people have a very skewed perception of the comparative size of the planets and the distance between them. By building the Solar System to scale 200,000,000:1 this project will allow people to travel the Solar System at light speed from the Sun to each planet and see, feel, and comprehend how large it really is (and conversely how small we are in comparison). Take a day trip across the Solar System: The Solar System is big, but luckily at this scale a leisurely walking speed is equivalent to the speed of light. Start early at the Concord Elementary School Sun and view the Sun 23ft across painted on the ground. After a brief 1000ft walk across a field covering 36,000,000 scale miles, the new explorer might be surprised to find Mercury, the smallest planet, is a mere 1 inch across. Venus is just another short walk of another 30,000,000 scale miles further. The visitor will still find Venus tiny compared to the vast Sun at under 2 '/2 inches. N,., it is off to Earth at nearby Pamela Park, just '/z mile from our Concord Elementary Sun (93 million miles). Here you look for the grand Earth, but yet again even the largest of the inner planets is only 2 '/z inches across (actual size is 7926 miles in diameter). Hopefully this instills a protective instinct to take care of our little blue dot of a world. Now 7/23/2009 the`huut gets interesting as we head south to Rosland Park where little Mars is located just'/4 miles from our Sun (for us light -speed walkers, and warp speed drivers covering the 142 million miles is trivial). Mars is the last of the inner planets, the next great frontier for manned space travel, and is just under 1 '/z inches across on our scale. Now we tackle the big kid on the block. The outer planets are huge compared to Earth, but they are also a lot further Jupiter is a car ride away to Centennial Lakes (2.42 miles from the Sun, or close to 500 million miles if that n. --es you feel better). At last you locate the hefty 28 inch diameter circular plaque representing the size of Jupiter to see that it could contain over 1000 Earths at that size. Hopefully this inspires some young student to learn more about the power and beauty of the huge planets guarding the outer reaches of our Solar System. Perhaps it is now time for lunch; after all we have traveled hundreds of millions of miles. I will leave Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune for another day as those take a bit more travel outside the confines of Edina. Our Sun's light takes many hours to reach the cold surface of Neptune (14 miles away), but it is just a warp speed car ride away for us. Along the way our student explorer is collecting a rubbing of each planet's official alchemy symbol from each plaque. It becomes part of his/her Solar System passport that once full can be turned into the school principal for the recognition that the young explorer, and future scientist deserves. Design: I have a basic layout of the Earth and Jupiter plaques attached (Mars would be similar to Earth's layout). These are not final designs but show the basic idea. Each plaque represents the size to scale of the planet, include some interesting facts, and the planet's alchemy symbol to rub and prove the target was reached. I would like to work with the Park Board to find the best mounting options, depending on the specific location. Specific Locations See attachment"SolarSystemEdinaLocationOptions" for maps and images. T atial Partners / Funding sources I .__✓e priced the plaques from 3 different manufacturers, but I am interested to know who the Park system usually works with for the outdoor plaques. Part of this project is working on finding sponsors to fund the planets. I am confident that the material costs can be covered. I am not aware of how to coordinate the physical mounting of the plaques or the costs, scheduling, or restrictions of doing so using park maintenance staff. I do need to understand if it is allowable to mention a company sponsors name as a note on plaques placed in public parks (a potential sponsor is my employer Jostens, my wife's employer Medtronic, and I am approaching the Science Museum, the Works, and various other local businesses. Execution Timelines Phase 1: Solar System build including Sun and all planets Now -> October 2009 I would like to have all work approved and completed by October 2009. The work on the Sun I hope to complete in August before School starts. The timing for placing the planet plaques is dependent on the location approvals, physical manufacturing (4 week lead time), and coordination with park and school grounds. Phase 2: Passport concept and curriculum connections August -> November 2009 Work with School to develop the explorer passport concept. The passport to the Solar System is a log the student uses to record his/her tour of the Solar System and also answer important questions. Work with school to utilize the Solar System to teach hands on science and math, and also promote green thinking. Phase 3: PR Launch Early Spring 2010 Grass roots promotion of the Solar System tour. The formal launch will coincide with the creation of an information web site promoting the Solar System tour, with the ability to print a passport, and links to other educational sites. The existence of the planets should allow a buzz to begin before any formal launch. Timing of the launch may be earlier dependent on the winter accessibility to the planet sites finally approved. 7/23/2009 f e Attachments: 1. Attachment"SolarSystemLetterToEdinaParkBoard" is this e-mail in a microsoft word document. 2. Attachment two"SolarSystemEdinaLocationOptions" is a Microsoft word document, that includes maps of the potential planet locations within Pamela Park, Rosland Park, and Centennial Lakes Park. 3. Attachment "EarthPlaqueModel" shows the conceptual layout of the 10x10 inch cast metal plaque for planets Earth and Mars. This is not a final design but shows the concept. I would probably have some basic artwork detail added to the planet. 4. Attachment "JupiterPlaqueModel" is the conceptual layout for Jupiter which is 28 inches in diameter. The size is mandated by the scale used for the Solar System. Again artwork would probably be added to perhaps include Jupiter's distinctive large spot (which is actually a storm 3 times the size of Earth). Thanks for your time. Mark Burman h952 912 1502 c612 207 3004 7/23/2009 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY St. Louis Park PLOT # PAID CK# M I N N E S O T A SENT CONF. LETTER COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOT APPLICATION FORM** I am enclosing a check, made payable to: City of St. Louis Park, in the amount of for garden plot(s). I prefer plot # 2nd choice (see enclosed map). Name Address Phone Date NOTE: Please keep the map for your reference. You will be sent a letter confirming receipt of your payment and assigning you a plot. Applications sent without payment will not be guaranteed a plot assignment. Please be advised that we do our best to honor your requests whenever possible, but we may reserve the right to assign you a different plot than requested. I agree to the following provisions (as set forth in the attached letter). 1 will plant my garden by June 7th and keep it maintained all summer long. • If I abandon my plot for any reason, I will notify the City. • I will keep weeds down and maintain the areas immediately surrounding my plot (if any). • If my plot becomes unkempt, I understand that I will be given 2 weeks notice to clean it up. After that time, it will be re -assigned or tilled in. 1 agree to clean up my plot space by no later than October 15tH • 1 agree to release my name to my fellow gardeners in order to facilitate a prosperous and productive community garden. Applicant's Signature ** Send your application form and check to: ATTN: JIM VAUGHAN ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR 7305 OXFORD ST. ST. LOUIS PARK, MN 55426-4579 7305 Oxford Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426-4512952-924-2562 Fax: 952-924-2560 website: www.stlouispark.org Iff St. Louis Park M I N N E S O T A MUNICIPAL SERVICE CENTER COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOT The garden sites are located at Texa-Tonka Park, 2750 Virginia Ave S. The plots are across the bike trail from the parking lot. Access to the gardens is off the parking lot at Victoria Lake on 28`h and Virginia. The cost of each plot is a NON-REFUNDABLE payment of $25.00. You will be responsible for tilling your plot as well as the routine garbage upkeep. The City will provide a water spigot and hose for watering your plot _but you must obtain your own handle for the water spigot which is available at most hardware stores. Water to the spigots will be turned on by May 15`h. There are three wood bins, located on the north side of the gardens, for your use. The bins are labeled and used for compost (already composted material), wood mulch and compostable material (from your beds). The City will stock the compost and the wood mulch bins, while you'll stock the compostable one with your trimmings. The garden area is measured and staked, with your plot assignment number, at the northwest corner location of each 20' x 20' plot. Each applicant shall agree to the following provisions: A) The premises will be kept in a neat and clean condition and all garbage and refuse shall be removed or place in available refuse, containers. B) At the end of the growing season, no later than October 15, all plots shall be completely cleared of all stakes, wire, rope or other temporary supports used in aiding the growth of plants. C) The applicant will indemnify and hold harmless the City, its agents and employees from any and all claims, demands, actions or cause of action of whatsoever nature or character arising out of or by reason of the use of said land as a garden plot, in any respect, including, but not limited to: cost, attorney's fees, expenses, etc., incurred in connection with defense for settlement of any claims for injuries for damages resulting from or connected with this use. D) Deposit all organic material in organic compostable wood bin located North of gardens Deposit non-organic material in nearby waste containers. E) All rentals for plots not used by June 7`h will be cancelled without a refund and will be rented to other interested parties. Failure to comply with these provisions may result in the forfeiture of future requests. Upon receipt of your check and the application form enclosed, you will receive a confirmation notice and a garden plot assignment. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (952) 924-2565. Sincerely, Jim Vaughan Environmental Coordinator 7305 Oxford Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426-4512952-924-2562 Fax: 952-924-2560 website: www.stiouispark.org NAME ADDRESS PHONE COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS For Year CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PIONEER TRAIL GARDENS: 13180 Pioneer Trail (East of Super America) (please print) BUSINESS PHONE O New Gardener to the City of Eden Prairie Gardens ZIP O Returning Gardener (To keep your returning status — return form by April 15) Do you want the same plot as last year? ❑ Yes, last year I had Plot # ❑ No, I want a different plot. City can assign. See map for my top choices. PLOT SIZE and RENTAL FEE ❑ $54 - 20'x30' plot ❑ $42 (Resident Over 55) - 20'x30' plot ❑ $108 - 20'x60' plot ❑ $84 (Resident Over 55) - 20'x60' plot One Plot per Household After May 5, if there are still plots available, you may apply and pay for a second plot. Do you think you may want a second plot? ❑ No ❑ Yes O 20'x30' O 20'x60' I'M" EDEN PRAIRIE IiYE•WORR•RRERY I agree to be responsible for keeping assigned plot as clean and neat as possible; supply my own seeds, fertilizer and equipment; water my own plot without overuse of the water supply; take all paper and debris with me; use cultivation or mulches to control weeds, not weedicides. By Oct. 15, I will remove all garden refuse and stakes, so fall plowing can take place; and if I decide not to plant, I will call 952-949-8441 so another gardener may take my plot. Mail completed form and payment to: Garden Plots Parks and Recreation NAME 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 DATE Amount Paid $ Check Number: Cash: OFFICE USE Date Received PROP Payment ❑ Plot Assigned 0 z 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 W 6 5 a Plot Assignments Pioneer Trail Gardens 13180 Pioneer Trail Mulch Pile water ranxv E° Limited Parking Area Pioneer Trail Map Updated March 2009 Water Tank q 3 a� ri, 20 21 22 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 Turn around area 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 H b C Walkway o 45 46 U 47 48 49 50 51 52 3 a� A NAME ADDRESS PHONE COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS For Year CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PIONEER PARK GARDENS: 8940 Sutton Road (Pioneer Park behind Senior Center) (please print) BUSINESS PHONE O New Gardener to the City of Eden Prairie Gardens ZIP O Returning Gardener (To keep your returning status — return form by April 15) Do you want the same plot as last year? ❑ Yes, last year I had Plot # ❑ No, I want a different plot. City can assign. See map for my top choices. PLOT SIZE and RENTAL FEE Priority Use ❑ $54 - 20'x30' plot Residents over 55 years of age ❑ $42 (Resident Over 55) - 20'x30' plot will have first priority at this location until April 15. ❑ $108 - 20'x60' plot ❑ $84 (Resident Over 55) - 20'x60' plot One Plot per Household After May 5, if there are still plots available, you may apply and pay for a second plot. Do you think you may want a second plot? ❑ No ❑ Yes O 20'x30' O 20'x60' W''" EDEN PRAIRIE IIVE•WOH6•ONEPM I agree to be responsible for keeping assigned plot as clean and neat as possible; supply my own seeds, fertilizer and equipment; water my own plot without overuse of the water supply; take all paper and debris with me; use cultivation or mulches to control weeds, not weedicides. By Oct. 15, I will remove all garden refuse and stakes, so fall plowing can take place; and if I decide not to plant, I will call 952-949-8441 so another gardener may take my plot. Mail completed form and payment to: Garden Plots Parks and Recreation 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Amount Paid $ Check Number: Cash: NAME DATE OFFICE USE Date Received PROP Payment ❑ Plot Assigned Plot Assignments Pioneer Park Gardens 8940 Sutton Road 1 2 3b 3a 4b 4a 5b 5a 6b 6a 7b 7a 8 9 10 11 12 13 14b 14a 15b 15a watcr water c CITY OF OOMINGTON MINNE50TA Spring 2009 To All Garden Plot Applicants: Please review the 2009 Community Gardens Rental Agreement along with the 2009 Garden Plot Application. If you are interested in renting a garden plot please complete the application, including the signature and date, acknowledging that you have read and agree to the Community Gardens Rental Agreement. Return the application along with your check (made payable to the City of Bloomington) in the amount of $32.00 ($64.00 for 2 plots), or fill out the credit card payment section. Applications and payment should be mailed to: City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation Division Garden Plot Application 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd Bloomington MN 55431 The returning renters' priority registration period closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2009. This priority registration is offered to 2008 Community Garden renters in good standing. Monday, April 6, through Friday April 10, new applications from Bloomington residents will be processed on a first- come, first served basis. Beginning Tuesday, April 14, all remaining applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high demand of these garden plots, Bloomington Parks and Recreation has implemented a new policy limiting renters to two garden plots during the initial application process. If you indicate on your application that you wish to rent three or more plots you will initially only be assigned two plots. If plots remain available one week prior to the start of the gardening season they will be offered to those whose application indicated interest in three or more plots. Additional plots will be offered to applicants in the order stated in the preceding paragraph. Individuals will be contacted and given 24 hours to respond and pay for the additional rentals (we can accept credit card payments by phone). After 24 hours the plot(s) may be offered to another applicant. Thank you for your interest in Bloomington Parks and Recreation facilities. If you need additional information, please contact me at 952-563-8882. Sincerely, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES Mara Evans Parks & Recreation Division PARKS AND RECREATION DIvISIoN 1800 W. QLD SHAKOPEE ROAD, BLOOMINGTON MN 55431-3027 AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL PH 952. 5638877 FAX 952.563-8715 TTY 952 563-8740 OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER C For office use only: Date received New/Returning CITY OF Res/Non -res O O M I N G T O N Plot #(s) assigned MINNESOTA BLOOMINGTON COMMUNITY GARDENS 2009 PLOT APPLICATION ♦ Bloomington Community Gardens are located south of Smith Park and Concordia Academy on Park Avenue, between 82"d and 83rd Streets. ♦ This land is being provided for gardening by Xcel through an agreement with the City of Bloomington. A Last Name* icant lniorn><ntion Street Address * Apt# Home phone number* First Name* _City*_ Work/Cell ip Code* Email address Supplying this information will provide you with important updates (i.e. delay of spring tilling due to weather) Plot information I am a new renter I am a returning renter My 2008 plot number(s) was/were. I would like to rent 1 / 2 garden plot(s) for the 2009 gardening season* circle one Please assign me: the same plot(s) I had last year other (please explain the plot(s) closest to the water tank Please contact me if additional garden plots are available. I would like to rent a total of plots. I understand I will have 24 hours to reply and pay for the additional plo, I have read and agree to abide by the Community Gardens Rental At4reement Owner/Applicant Signature* Date * required information it lnWrismatzon ENCLOSE $32.00 (one plot)/$64.00 (two plots) RENTAL FEE Attention: paying for more than 2 plots at this time will delay the processing of your application! ❑ Check (made out to City of Bloomington) ❑ Cash ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ Discover Name on credit card Signature Credit card number Authorized amount to charge Expiration Date: PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION 1800 W. OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD, BLOOMINGTON MN 55431-3027 AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EOUAL PH 952-563-8877 FAX 952.563-8715 TTY 952-563-8740 OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER CITY 01- BLOOMINGTON FBLOOMINGTON M I N N E S O T A COMMUNITY GARDENS RENTAL AGREEMENT THE CITY AGREES TO: 1. Prepare the garden plot for planting. 2. Stakeout each 10' x 15' plot and identify all plots by number. 3. Make water accessible to gardeners. 4. Refund rental fee (less a $10 administrative fee) if requested in writing prior to May 1, 2009. I, THE COMMUNITY GARDENER, AGREE TO: 1. Supply my own seeds, fertilizer and tools for proper preparation and cultivation of crops. 2. Be a good gardening neighbor: ➢ Limit activity for me and my family or guests to my personal plot. ➢ Park my car in the Concordia Academy parking lot or along Park Avenue on the east side only, reserving the west side for homeowners. ➢ Harvest produce from my garden plot only. ➢ Remove paper and trash from the area. 3. Keep garden pests (weeds, insects and diseases) under control. 4. Use only approved pesticides (herbicides are prohibited.) 5. Completely remove weed blocking material, if use. If ANY weed blocking materials (plastic or fabric) remain in my plot after October 15, 2009 I may be required to pay a penalty of up to $50.00 and/or banned from renting a garden plot with the City of Bloomington in the future. 6. Clean up my garden plot by October 15, 2009; but leave plant materials. The community gardener shall keep his/her garden plot cultivated and shall abide by the following restrictions: a. No structure shall be built on the premises and no tall growing trees shall be planted thereon. b. No temporary fixtures, portable equipment, or materials shall be placed on the premises which may tend to create a nuisance. c. No automobiles, trucks or trailers shall be parked on the premises. d. No use of the premises shall be made which tends to induce third persons to drive or trespass upon Xcel's land adjacent to garden plots, or which give rise to bona fide objections to such use from residents in the area. The community gardener shall place organic waste in either of the compost piles at the ends of the garden area where city maintenance can remove it periodically. Individual gardens may be fenced with chicken wire no more than three feet in height to protect crops from rabbits. (Continued on next page) PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION 1800 W. OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD, BLOOMINGTON MN 55431-3027 AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL PN 952-563-8877 FAX 952-563-8715 TTY 952-563 8740 OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER (Continued) The community gardener agrees to assume all liability and to indemnify and compensate the City and Xcel for any injury or damage to persons or property including Xcel's property or employees occasioned by or arising in connection with the use of the premises by the community gardener. The community gardener further agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City and Xcel against all actions, claims, damages or demands which may be brought or made either against the City or Xcel or against Xcel's interest in the premises by reason of anything done by the community gardener, in the exercise or purported exercise of the rights and privileges herein granted. In case of termination of the lease agreement between the City of Bloomington and Xcel, the City shall immediately notify the community gardener of the termination. The community Gardener shall have 15 days to clean up his/her garden plot. THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND XCEL ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURY TO PARTICIPANTS OR OTHERS EITHER ON OR ADJACENT TO THE GARDEN AREA. NEITHER DOES THE CITY OR XCEL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTS OF VANDALISM OR LOSS OF CROPS DUE TO THEFT. I agree to abide by these conditions set forth for the Community Gardener. Applicant's signature on the Garden Plot Application acknowledges receipt and agreement to abide by the conditions contained within this Community Gardens Rental Agreement. PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION 1800 W.OLD SNAKOPEE ROAD, BLOOMINGTON MN 55431-3027 AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EOUAL PN 952-563-8877 FAX 952-563-8715 TTY 952-563-8740 OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER AW About Catalog Friends of W.L. Education Events Renting Store Kids (.'onttnnnitt' Garden Plots Click here for information about 2009 plot rental. Consider gardening at the Richfield Community Gardens 5844 28th Ave (just south of Crosstown at 28th Ave) Garden plots, measuring 15' x 20' are available for seasonal rental. The garden plots are fully irrigated and plowed. The cost is $25 per plot for up to the first nine plots, additional plots are $20 each (2009 prices). Registration must be done in-person at the nature center. Weather permitting, the plots will be ready in early May. The Community Garden site is located at 5844 28th Avenue. Registration Start Date & Times: Resident Saturday, April 4 12:00 pm Non -Resident Saturday, April 4 1:30 pm CLICK MERE TO VIEW THE RFLD COMMUNITY GARDENS SITE MAP. Features 180 garden plots (15'x20') Sunny location near the airport Water spigots Wheelchair -accessible raised garden beds Cost $25 per plot for up to the first nine plots, additional plots are $20 each. Registration Register in person at Wood Lake Nature Center (6701 Lake Shore Drive). Call 612-861-9365 for registration start dates. Location 5844 28th Avenue (corner of 59th St and 28th Ave, just east of Richfield near the airport) Crosstown to 28th Avenue. South 1/2 block on 28th Ave. 0 Recreation Services Department Wood Lake Nature Center "T,ut each spr%no... 9 gardevu.wg Lv st%nct, save os the sap rL.S ut qj Lw the trees, st%rs Wi61%� V.S. Vve Loole About o" declde to tome onother UttLe b%t of Jrov".' -- Lewis c,2v,,tt Richfield Community Information & Rules Welcome gardeners! The following rules are designed to make this a positive experience for all involved. Please follow them carefully and respect other gardener's plots and property so that we may continue to use this land which is owned by the Metropolitan Airport Commission. Due to budget cuts there will be no portable restroom at the site. Location of Community Gardens (5844 28"' Avenue) From Richfield: Take Crosstown/Hwy 62 east to the 28th Avenue exit. Turn right. Take 28th Avenue to 59th Street. Turn right. The Community Gardens and parking lot will be on the right (northwest corner of 59th Street and 28th Avenue). Plot Location and Size Attached is a map of the garden site. Each plot is 15x20. Corner stakes must be kept in place all season. Be careful to select the correct plot(s) when planting. Each plot is marked with a numbered stake. The stakes will be placed in the middle of the plot. Limit 24 plots per person. Trash All trash must be removed after each visit. Parking Please park only in the parking lot and do not drive onto the fields along the sides of the garden. Water There are water connections available. Hoses are not provided. Planting Gardeners will be notified when the plots are ready to be planted, generally early -mid May, weather permitting. Plowing may be delayed due to weather conditions. Only annual plants are allowed. Use biodegradable mulch such as straw, hay, leaves, grass clippings. Insecticides and herbicides are not allowed. No illegal or invasive plants are allowed. DO NOT PLANT OR OTHERWISE BLOCK PATHWAYS. All fencing must be within garden plot boundaries. No permanent fencing is allowed. Animal policy Pets are NOT allowed inside the garden plot area. Leghold traps are not allowed. Call the nature center at 612-861-9365 with any nuisance animal issues. Claims to future use In being permitted to garden on Richfield maintained and MAC -controlled land gardeners have no claim now or in the future to this garden plot. Gardening is at each gardener's 6710 LAKE SHORE DRIVE, RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA 55423-2222 612.861.9365 FAX 612.861.9367 own risk. The City of Richfield is not responsible for any loss of crops. Rules subject to change. Gardening etiquette Gardeners will keep the plot neat in appearance and free of weeds. No containers, tools, trash, or any other items that may cause injury will be left at the site. Gardeners will avoid all harm to trees, shrubs, and wildlife in the area. Suspicious activity Report any illegal or suspicious activity immediately. Call 911 if any illegal activity is witnessed and call the nature center at 612-861-9365 with any other complaints. Vacating the plots All gardeners must vacate the plot(s) by the date specified in the end of season notice (usually November 1). This includes removal of all fencing, stakes, string, and refuse at the end of the growing season. Questions? Please contact nature center manager Karen Shragg at 612-861-9365 or email kshragq(a�cityofrichfield.orq. W cf)° N co Nt CC h CT to C14 C> r r t- co r N �? r-+ .— O Z M � Cn c rn Cl) Cn r p N CW) �.. 00 Q Q" r N l() h+ � r r' r r r' r U) WU) O O Q� 0 �cO OCD N c O O N OD � 00 In h+ 0) > .- N Q \ Q O0) 00 Q Cb N sf LO hM 00 C)`' \ (0coU) CN `✓ O (n \ o �f 00 N c100 tf> ti Co 400 N CSD r r 01) Z 0LOC)_ _ to 00 CL rG. 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U)O ` � O N 00 \( co O UO CAr ti M O u7 O CO Q Q LO N M LOCD cn U) O � O O CD N OO d \ w 0000 rt N M LO CD r `� r r - M O) to t) c�D co\ CL m co U) O M yi O 00 00 ��}} O co N CD \ CND N r M Lo CD 00 0) Z CA LO _ x C7 r r M CD CO O Minnetonka Family Gardens Your garden num' Example: Located on Exrelsior Bouievard just east of Highway 101 www.eminnetonka.corn To find garden "149` first locate the stake along either the west or east edge of the gar- den that is marked with the letter "J". Follow that row until you come to the garden stake "J49 This stake is at the southwest corner (bottom left) of the sample garden. Please do not use metal stakes for marking or planting within your plot. Map on other • Recreation Services has reserved a garden plot(s) in your name. The gardens will be plowed, tilled, dragged, measured and staked by the City as described in the sample below. Weather permitting, the gardens should be ncadv in mid-May. Water is available east of the gardens in Purgatory Creek. • You are responsible for marking your garden with your name, phone and garden number. Please be considerate of others and leave your pets at home. By Ordinance, dogs and other family pets are not allowed in City parks. Your garden must be cleared by October 8. • lndividaul garden plots are 20'x 20'. Gardens ane measured and "staked" at the southwest corner (bottom left) location for each garden plot. To determine the boundaries of your garden, you will measure 20 feet east and 20 feet north of the stake. Measurements must be accurate to allow for a two foot walkway between gardens. 22' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Walkway w #J49 a I k w easure 20' a VI K 53 54 55 56 J 48 ` 49 44 45 50 51 [ 46 47 H 39 40 41 42 Map on other • Recreation Services has reserved a garden plot(s) in your name. The gardens will be plowed, tilled, dragged, measured and staked by the City as described in the sample below. Weather permitting, the gardens should be ncadv in mid-May. Water is available east of the gardens in Purgatory Creek. • You are responsible for marking your garden with your name, phone and garden number. Please be considerate of others and leave your pets at home. By Ordinance, dogs and other family pets are not allowed in City parks. Your garden must be cleared by October 8. • lndividaul garden plots are 20'x 20'. Gardens ane measured and "staked" at the southwest corner (bottom left) location for each garden plot. To determine the boundaries of your garden, you will measure 20 feet east and 20 feet north of the stake. Measurements must be accurate to allow for a two foot walkway between gardens. 22' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Walkway w #J49 a I k w easure 20' a VI "tip a }� L K 45 -CREEK K 42 43 44 1 38 39 40 4i H 34 35 36 37 .. 1 . 29 30 31 32 33 O, PARK", F 2425 26 27 28 E 19 20 21 22 23�. x;14 15 16 17 18 '9 10 11 r 12 13 ? . 5 .. Awl Q2 3 - . _ • , A Place To Swap Zinnias And Zucchini For over thirty years, visitors to Valley Park (801 7th Ave S) in Hopkins have been smelling more than freshly cut grass. A wide variety of plants, from dill to dahlias, offer up an aroma better than your grandma's garden. The Hopkins Family Gardens feature several 20' by 20' plots that residents line up to register for every March. The most sought-after plots are those closest to the water source, Nine Mile Creek. The Family Gardens came into existence in the late 1970s and are offered by the City of Hopkins for $12. The City plows, tills, drags, measures and stakes the gardens, which are typically ready to plant by mid- May. A Community Affair The spirit of cooperation and helping out your neighbor is prevalent throughout the Family Gardens. When their friend went on vacation, Bart and James Jordano took over the duty of watering their friend's plot, as well as their own. According to Bart, produce swapping is also common. He grows broccoli, zucchini, and cabbage, which he trades for zinnias. He also brings much of the produce home to share with neighbors. The Family Gardens is a place for people from a wide variety of backgrounds to come together, socialize, share gardening techniques, and admire each other's bounty. That's why the Hopkins Family Gardens is August's Point of Pride. Home > City Places > Parks & Trails > Family Garden Plots Family Garden Plots The City of Hopkins provides a garden site area in Valley_Park in the Westbrooke/Nine Mile Creek area where residents can lease a 20 ft by 20 ft garden plot. 1 tte is $12 for each plot. Residents can register for a plot at HoNKins City Hall. Limit five plots per person. Plots are ready to plant in mid-May All 2009 plots have been sold. Learn more about the Family Gardens from Think Hopkins. City Hall 952-935-8474 1010 1st St S Hopkins, MN 55343 © City of Hopkins, 2009 :: 1010 1 st St S, Hopkins, MN 55343 Contact Us Site Policies pr�3Rir91r��.WY. M it o r � wfw .»•Ge =4e4 A � � i"sAc � � _ Xdre. rr � rt o.e� �."• wit ♦,XXR �w � T w ew err Alto It M,.. �,?`�� rrrurrrir! ■ r+ �I a ASI � 4s ee�NOW r yer BMw ,. . �..M -r .t �w rl ow or 1 Ode L. L YORKTOWN PARK 73rd St. and York Ave. (80' x 260' garden) a c 0 00 4F - off K WIN YORKTOWN PARK 73rd St. and York Ave. (80' x 260' garden) i►�� ���� , w. " M • _ • .� a to t, .k 3 F iA ,. .a. ao rax,' +, xs °: '�` �t.; o-,, 6! •"� faAo , •4Y Y • 1 x � t e 44, d -4 r 4 � " d'A� k 14 s"wF ter. �•ry �+ t " ,tIv. h n r r t � ~ .r ` x , Fes. \lyo.r•aihallS • .rc;::;-dtS G6 �til15 LAKE EDINA PARK 4400 Parklawn Ave. (100' x 200' garden) Wmi -10 i µ t w A xS x otr r Blip oaMeE ri1 hd13 � COP1*'A'� (C� LOGS f952p5 - t PAMELA PARK 5900 Park Place (134' x 300' garden) r -10 i µ t w A xS x otr r Blip oaMeE ri1 hd13 � COP1*'A'� (C� LOGS f952p5 - t PAMELA PARK 5900 Park Place (134' x 300' garden) � F `.r 1 r a' q t Rv a\ B f S7 ST YY t`} FIA ►lap—Mod wall kCWS - C",o IC) LOGS tl5 2W5 PAMELA PARK 5900 Park Place (70' x 120' garden) x F1 60 Project: Nanoscale Solar System Goals: 1. Explain the project 2. Park Board request 3. Address known questions 4. Q&A Short Description: The Nanoscale Solar System is a project to create a community sized solar system. I will lead the effort to create a scale model of the solar system where the planet sizes and distances from the Sun will be accurate to the scale of 200,000,000:1. The enormity of galaxies and the universe is frankly impossible to fathom, however we can manage to explain the size of our Solar System, by bringing it down to a human scale. The Solar System is something most children and adults are familiar with, but few understand how vast it is. It cannot be represented in a textbook to scale because there is no physical way to show both the relative size and distance on a piece of paper. Therefore most people have a very skewed perception of the comparative size of the planets and the distance between them. By building the Solar System to scale 200,000,000:1 this project will allow people to travel the Solar System at light speed from the Sun to each 40 planet and see, feel, and comprehend how large it really is (and conversely how small we are in comparison). I think you will find that this project has educational value in math and science and also a social value for the larger community and as an attraction for park visitors. To be a success this project to requires a partnership with various schools in Edina, the Edina park system, and schools in Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Orono. I hope the Edina Park system would like to be part of its creation. The solar system will consist of a 23 foot diameter sun painted in front of Concord Elementary School with a guide to the remaining locations: Mercury: Southview Middle School (Edina) Venus: Normandale School / Community Center (Edina) Earth: Pamela Park (Edina) Mars: Rosland Park (Edina) Jupiter: Centennial Lakes (Edina) Saturn: Eisenhower Elementary (Hopkins) Uranus: Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) Neptune: Schumman Elementary (Orono) Each planet site will have a metal plaque representing the planet scale size along with educational information and environmental message. In addition Nanoscale Solar System tour flyers and student explorer pamphlets will be designed and printed. A web site will be built and hosted on the Concord Elementary school A site. The project and creation of materials will be included as part of the 4th grade curriculum at Concord. Request I am requesting permission and assistance in placing 3 plaques representing Earth, Mars, and Jupiter in the Edina parks. I will purchase and deliver the plaques to be permanently posted at predetermined locations (needed for accurate GPS info). The responsibility for replacement due to vandalism will fall on the project and not on the Edina Parks system. I am also requesting permission to include the sponsors name as a note on the bottom of the plaques. Such as "Funding provided by Jostens Foundation & Edina Education Fund" (example only). Issues to Address Communication that directs the public for futher information. • Additional information about the "Nanoscale Solar System" will be made available primarily through the web. o Project is branded "Nanoscale Solar System" on the plaque title. o Unique term not currently in use by Google or Yahoo search. o I will manage entries in Wikipedia, local city sites, geo-caching sites, facebook, youTube, astronomy blogs. ■ Once people start referencing those links it will become easier and easier over time to find information, and thus become less reliant on the maintenance of a central web- site. o All entries will link to central site at Concord Elementary, and a public blog monitored by the project manager (myself). o All schools involved will have entries on their sites as well. o The Edina Park system is not responsible for maintaining information. • Contact Person — o I, Mark Burman will see the project through its first years as the project manager. o I have the gmail account NanoScaieSoiarSystem(cb_gmaii.com for this purpose. For the foreseeable future I would monitor the account, but it would be something I could pass the torch on. This e-mail will be referenced on the various informational and social networking sites. I am hoping that after a few months, the web will become the primary source of information. o Concord Elementary principal Rick Sansted will be a key contact as well. ■ Concord Elementary is planning to work the creation of the Sun site into the 4th grade curriculumn. Directions to locate all the markers. o The web will contain the most detailed information. o Concord Elementary Sun location will list all the planet locations. o Pamphlets distributed through schools will have full location listings. o GPS caching sites will include coordinates to all locations. o Plaque design includes information to find the Sun, the next planet, and the previous planet ■ Name of school or park — additional directions such as "south parking lot" ■ GPS coordinates (degrees to 3 decimal places indicate an approx 150ft radius) ■ Email address. o A person wandering across a plaque, interested in finding them all could do so without any web information. o Email included on bottom of plaque o A single clue is also on each plaque as an incentive to locate them all. Timing o Receive all approvals by 3�d week in September from all sites. o Sun painted in October with volunteers from Concord elementary. o Plaque final designs and ordering by end of September. o Deliver plaques in October for mounting. o Grass roots communications, setup web -sites. o PR / communications for Spring thaw official opening of the tour. Funding: The sponsor (not the Edina Park board) will be providing for the material costs of plaques, paint, and some mounting materials the labor would be covered by the project manager, students, school maintenance staff, and park maintenance staff. The sponsor would receive funding recognition in printed materials, permanent markers (where policy allows), and in PR. Item Qty Total Price Etched Aluminum 9 $2800 Plaques representing each of the planets and the Sun. Nanoscale Solar 5000 $250 System tour flyer (1/2 page) Nanoscale Solar 1500 $300 System student explorer pamphlet Paint for Sun (located 1 $250 at Concord Elementary) includes 5 Gallons concrete paint + surface prep Mounting materials 6 $300 (concrete base and/or ole Tax $300 Take a day trip across the Solar System: The Solar System is big, but luckily at this scale a leisurely walking speed is equivalent to the speed of light. Start early at the Concord Elementary School Sun and view the Sun 23ft across painted on the ground. After a brief 1000ft walk across a field covering 36,000,000 scale miles, the new explorer might be surprised to find Mercury, the smallest planet, is a mere 1 inch across. Venus is just another short walk of another 30,000,000 scale miles further. The visitor will still find Venus tiny compared to the vast Sun at under 2'/2 inches. Now it is off to Earth at nearby Pamela Park, just'/2 mile from our Concord Elementary Sun (93 million miles). Here you look for the grand Earth, but yet again even the largest of the inner planets is only 2'/2 inches across (actual size is 7926 miles in diameter). Hopefully this instills a protective instinct to take care of our little blue dot of a world. Now the hunt gets interesting as we head south to Rosland Park where little Mars is located just % miles from our Sun (for us light -speed walkers, and warp speed drivers covering the 142 million miles is trivial). Mars is the last of the inner planets, the next great frontier for manned space travel, and is just under 1 '/2 inches across on our scale. Now we tackle the big kids on the block. The outer planets are huge compared to Earth, but they are also a lot further away. Jupiter is a car ride away to Centennial Lakes (2.42 miles from the Sun, or close to 500 million miles if that makes you feel better). At last you locate the hefty 28 inch diameter circular plaque representing the size of Jupiter to see that it could contain over 1000 Earths at that size. Hopefully this inspires some young student to learn more about the power and beauty of the huge planets guarding the outer reaches of our Solar System. Perhaps it is now time for lunch; after all we have traveled hundreds of millions of miles. Warp drive to Eisenhower Elementary in Hopkins to visit Saturn which is now 900 million miles from the Sun (4.5 miles). Saturn is the most recognizable planet with its prominent rings, and perhaps posted next to the permanent 24 inch plaque (74900 scale miles in diameter) is student art showing kid's vision of Saturn in all its glory. Uranus is almost twice as far as Saturn, but since at scale our cars can break the laws of physics and travel at 17 times the speed of light it a pleasant drive over to Deephaven Elementary School. Uranus is represented by a 10 inch (31,763 scale miles) round plaque and was named to be Saturn's father and is the only planet named called by its Greek name instead of the Roman name. Our student explorer is getting pretty excited by now because there is just one more planet to find. Success is at hand as we continue our journey west to find our farthest planet Neptune located at Schumann Elementary in Orono. We find Neptune to be almost the same size as Uranus, but now we are quite far away at 14 miles (or 2,800,000,000 miles) from the Sun at Concord Elementary. You can imagine that while the Sun looked big while standing on it, from here its light is just a bright star in the continuous night sky. Along her/his journey our student explorer is collecting a rubbing of each planet's official alchemy symbol from each plaque. It becomes part of his/her Solar System passport that once full can be turned into the school principal for the recognition that the young explorer, and future scientist deserves (like a special treat at the local ice-cream shop). Location Maps and mounting options: This document lays out possible locations for the solar system planets. The Google maps have red and green concentric circle representing the closest and farthest orbit distances that a planet reaches during its elliptical orbit of the sun (at scale 200,000,000 to I). Any location chosen between these red and green guidelines are mathematically valid. Earth Imaize Earth- simulated orbit Elie Edit View Favorites Tools Help >> BackASearch Favorites ' X1 I -4 Addlesk http:llwww.gpsvisualizer.comidisplayJI244835564-14350-192.189.112.5.htmI GO Link, M, .......... ........ .... rF.... . .................................. 1 cu — 100% - Tracks: ET -1 Kent Avt! 732 ni radius around > r'4=4895966,-93.3-15'122 . 760 ni i adius around > 44.895966,93.345V? Yvc-ne la L '0 f-, rcvierst vlmw [n M > 0,ocvAn7 Rd -14 Ph ok Ln 58th St -5th t nt > ElEn > ------ VY 59th St 03 i O ilth St 100 School Rd 4 St JO Ps- k V; 60th St W FA)lh 5t Parie a Park Y- 61 st S1 is[ St icrest DT Ski0 1 ak ej Pan) I St L f5 0-, ti V -i n2rld �A ce LU "RO--15 P, n �',arqs, ro -0 lCenter: 44.8097,93.34512! 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" <' W St' POWERED BY 1 nll • -- nMap created at GPSVi5ualrzer com Gar�7 le-vr'_= Map data 02009 Tele Atlas ri_ r 1-1-e I Done '� Internet Image Jupiter — Centennial Lakes (ampitheater ,south park)