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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-10 Park Board Packetow e .r/�lass AGENDA Regular Meeting of the Edina Park Board Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 7:00 P.M. Edina City Hall Council Chambers 4801 West 50`h 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. 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 or consideration at a future meeting. PARK BOARD AGENDA I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: *Tuesday, March 13, 2007, Park Board Minutes. II. NEW BUSINESS: *A. Todd Park Hockey Rink. *B. Edina Park Board Resolution for Support of Bicycling. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Athletic Facilities Fund Raiser Committee/Foundation — George Klus. • IV. PUBLIC COMMENT 0 V. UPDATES FROM STAFF A. Athletic Association President's Meeting. B. Comprehensive Plan Progress Update. C. 2007 Tree Planting Projects. VI. PARK BOARD COMMENT *These are agenda items that require or request Park Board action. 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. 2 e Memo To: Edina Park Board From: John Keprios, Director Edina Park and Recreation Department Date: April 4, 2007 Re: TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2007, PARK BOARD MEETING STAFF REPORT. Enclosed you should find the following items: 1. Tuesday, March 13, 2007, Park Board Minutes. 2. Tuesday, April 10, 2007, Park Board Agenda. 3. Residents' Comments from Todd Park Hockey Rink Community Survey. 4. Email from Michelle Sit. 5. Map of Countryside Park Proposed Mite -Sized Hockey Rink. 6. Map of Pamela Park Proposed Second Hockey Rink Location. 7. Map of Survey Area Surrounding Todd Park. 8. Survey Cover Letter Sent to Todd Park Residents. 9. Edina Park Board Resolution for Support of Bicycling. 10. Draft Copy of Park and Recreation Comprehensive Plan Progress. 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 CITYHALL 4801 WEST 50TH STREET The Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 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. Todd Park Hockey Rink Background: At the August 16, 2005 Council meeting, the following motion was passed: Member Swenson made a motion approving construction of a permanent outdoor hockey rink at Todd Park for a period of two years and to direct staff to study Garden Park, Lewis Park and other alternate sites for presentation to the Council by July 1, 2007. At the September 6, 2005 Council meeting, the following motion was passed: -1- Member Swenson made a motion to amend the motion from the regular meeting of the City Council on August 16, 2005, to direct staff to install and remove the hockey rink at Todd Park on a seasonal basis for the 2005-2006 season and the 2006-2007 season with an assessment to be completed by July 1, 2007, as to the appropriateness of continuing the rink at that location. As directed by the City Council, staff entered into a lease, with an option to purchase, with Athletica Company for use of an Athletica GamePlex Hockey Rink System at Todd Park. The white colored polyethylene plastic hockey rink GamePlex product is 164 feet long by 80 feet wide and the various 8 foot and 4 foot plastic panels are 42 inches high and 8 inches wide. The 2 -year minimum commitment lease agreement payment terms are: $5,000 lease for November 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006 $8,000 lease for July 1, 2006 — June 30, 2007 $10,900 due July 1, 2007 to purchase the hockey rink system Athletica also offered the City of Edina the option to purchase the rink upfront for $23,900 in 2005. As directed by Council, staff installed the plastic hockey rink system at Todd Park in the fall of 2005; removed and stored the plastic boards, posts and netting prior to May 15, 2005; reinstalled,the plastic boards, posts and netting in the fall of 2006; and plan to again remove and store the plastic boards, posts and netting prior to May 15, 2007. Council directed staff to study the appropriateness of continuing a rink at Todd Park after a two-year trial period. Council also directed staff to study alternate locations for placement of an outdoor hockey rink, such as Garden Park, Lewis Park and other alternate sites. Todd Park Hockey Rink Community Survey: To measure the subjective parts of this issue, as directed by the Park Board, staff mailed a public opinion survey approved by the Park Board to 608 residents of the Todd Park neighborhood. As reflected in the February Park Board minutes, the number of residents included in the survey was determined by the Park Board. A map of the area surrounding Todd Park is included in this packet. Of the 608 mailed surveys, we received 323 completed surveys postmarked by the Friday, March 9, 2007 deadline. The results of the Todd Park Hockey Rink Community Survey are included in this packet. There were numerous comments provided by survey respondents and all comments were typed into a document by my staff and are included in this packet of information. In analyzing the public opinion survey data, there are 208 respondents who either strongly agree or agree that: "The City of Edina should continue to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the outdoor winter skating season." 53 respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed and 53 had no opinion. Based on the results of question #6, the majority of respondents (78%) prefer to have the City of Edina maintain a general skating rink during the winter months even if a hockey rink is no longer provided. -2- — The results of question #7. F. state that 60% of respondents either agree or strongly agree that "the addition of the hockey rink at Todd Park does not negatively affect the value of the homes in the Todd Park neighborhood. 16% either disagreed or strongly disagreed; whereas, 24% had no opinion. Question #7. G. asks: "If the hockey rink at Todd Park had boards that remained up all year (similar to all other outdoor hockey rinks in Edina), it would not significantly affect my family's ability to use the park's open space." 46% either agreed or strongly agreed; 39% either disagreed or strongly disagreed; and 15% had no opinion. There are several potential uses of the space within a permanent hockey rink during the summer months for recreational purposes; however, there is no doubt that a permanent hockey rink hinders a variety of recreation uses and is considered having a negative effect on the aesthetics of a park. Todd Park Hockey Rink Scheduled User Survey: To get a better understanding of the opinions of the potential scheduled users of the Todd Park hockey rink who used the rink during the past two-year trial period, staff recommended to the Park Board that an opinion survey be sent to all Edina Hockey Association (EHA) coaches. The Park Board approved the scheduled user survey that was mailed to every EHA coach. The key questions of interest to the Park Board centered around the concern about the acceptability of on -street parking; the difficulty for scheduled users to find the rink (appropriate location); the number of outdoor hockey • rinks maintained and made available to EHA; and the coaches' opinions about the plastic polyethylene dasher boards. The survey results suggest that there is not a clear majority opinion one way or another among EHA coaches regarding the plastic dasher boards vs. wood permanent boards. No EHA coach either disagreed or strongly disagreed that the City of Edina should continue to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the outdoor skating season. 25% of the respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed that the on -street parking is satisfactory and acceptable. 67% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that the rink location is easy for EHA participants to find. Only 17% disagreed and no one strongly disagreed. Regarding question #8,1 interpret the results to be consistent with the EHA Board of Director's opinion, which is that the maintenance of 11 outdoor hockey rinks is more important than location. In other words, EHA is not as concerned about where outdoor hockey rinks are located as much as they care about the number of rinks maintained. The EHA coaches who responded to the survey seemed to be split evenly on whether the 11th hockey rink should be located somewhere other than Todd Park. It also seems clear that in spite of the on -street parking scenario (similar to Arden Park) and location, all EHA coaches feel that "the City of Edina should continue to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the outdoor winter skating season" or had no opinion. Study of Alternate Locations: Staff was directed by Council to study alternate locations, such as Lewis Park, Garden Park, and other potential park locations for placement of an outdoor hockey rink. As -3- mentioned above, there are several factors that should be considered when placing an outdoor hockey rink at a park: • Off-street parking. • Hockey rink orientation. • The hockey rink's surrounding land contour, trees and structures to protect rink users from the wind. • Close proximity to residential homes. • Size of park. • Access to park shelter building with restroom facilities. • Access to fire hydrant for making ice. • Ability to maintain ice at that site (soil conditions). • The identified need for a specific number of outdoor hockey rinks. • Resources made available to staff to maintain a desired number of outdoor hockey rinks; including resources for hockey rink removal, resources for adequate storage, and resources to re -install each year. Countryside Park (1St choice alternate location): Staff recommends that adding a Mite -sized hockey rink at Countryside Park (but not in its former location) be considered as the first preferred choice of alternate locations. After closely measuring the park land and configuration at Countryside Park, there is . enough park land adjacent to the tennis courts to place a small Mite -sized permanent hockey rink in the proper north/south orientation (see enclosed site map showing the proposed Mite -sized rink location). A small Mite -sized hockey rink would be a very desirable alternative for the Edina Hockey Association as their most significant demand for hockey rink time is for their Mite program. There is enough park land next to the tennis courts at Countryside Park to place a rink approximately 140 feet long and 85 feet wide, which is an adequate size for a Mite -sized hockey rink. For comparison purposes, Normandale Park, Highlands Park and Lewis Park are all 85 feet wide and 185 feet long. The Todd Park hockey rink is 85 feet wide and 163 feet long. There are funds in the Capital Improvement Plan budget to conduct a master plan review of Countryside Park in 2007. One of the many park planning issues that will be studied is proper orientation and placement of a full-sized outdoor hockey rink and its proximity to a shelter building. The construction of a full-sized permanent outdoor hockey rink in a proper north/south orientation could be developed in the future if and when funding is available. If a small Mite -sized rink is built at Countryside Park in 2007, the materials could be re -used to relocate the permanent rink to a different location within the park if so desired. The development of a Mite -sized hockey rink at Countryside Park would return a permanent hockey rink to Countryside Park and place it in the proper north/south orientation. The park has a permanent shelter building with restroom facilities; adequate • (though somewhat inconvenient) off-street parking; access to a water hydrant; somewhat sheltered from the wind; and would place a permanent hockey rink back to a -4- neighborhood park that has been accustomed to having a permanently installed hockey rink for over 20 years. The downside may be that some neighboring residents may prefer a larger permanent hockey rink over a Mite -sized rink; however, they would likely prefer a permanent Mite - sized rink over no rink at all. Countryside Park is staff's first choice over adding a second hockey rink to another existing site for the following reason. It seems only fair to spread out (as opposed to concentrate) the additional traffic, parking and noise nuisance that accompanies the addition of another outdoor hockey rink. It does not seem fair to add a second rink to a neighborhood park when there is an alternate site that is an appropriate location that currently does not have an outdoor hockey rink. Pamela Park (2"d choice alternate location): Staff recommends that adding a second hockey rink at Pamela Park be considered as the second best alternate location. Pamela Park has enough land to accommodate a second hockey rink and still provide a general skating rink at the same time. Off-street parking is available and could be improved upon by simply widening the existing Park Place road that is on the north end of the park and leads to the limited parking next to the shelter building. The park has an adequate park shelter building with permanent restroom facilities available during the • winter months. There is already rink lighting in place. There are residential homes in close proximity to the west, similar to the Todd Park scenario. There is easy access to a water hydrant. There would be economies to maintain two hockey rinks at one site. Pamela Park is large enough to accommodate another permanent outdoor hockey rink without significantly affecting the availability of open space for other recreational uses during the summer months. Similar to Todd Park, Pamela Park is somewhat sheltered by the wind. Neighbors of Pamela Park may not collectively embrace the concept of a second hockey rink at Pamela Park for many of the same reasons due to increased traffic, increased park user noise, increased maintenance noise and increased nuisance from rink lights. For those "subjective reasons," this alternate location may not be an ideal alternative; however, it is (in staff's opinion) still a better option than Garden or Lewis Park. Lewis Park (3rd choice alternate location): Staff recommends that adding a second hockey rink at Lewis Park be considered as the least preferred alternate location. In staff's opinion, the addition of a second hockey rink at Lewis Park is a viable alternative (but not staff's first or second choice) because it has adequate off-street parking, a permanent shelter building, restroom facilities, rink lighting already in place, has the proper north -south orientation, access to water hydrant and may have economies in maintaining two hockey rinks at one site (saves travel time, etc.). The down side of Lewis Park, compared to other alternatives, is the loss of a general skating area. The new sand/peat athletic fields at Lewis cannot be flooded for skating in the winter without sustaining irreparable damage. A second hockey rink at Lewis could be scheduled for -5- general skating (no hockey allowed) during certain times; however, it defeats the purpose and does not justify the additional expense of building and maintaining an outdoor hockey rink. Garden Park (Not a good option): In staff's opinion, Garden Park should not be considered as a viable alternative for an outdoor hockey rink for a few reasons. There is no permanent shelter building facility for users to put their skates on and off and warm up. Granted, a temporary shed could be brought to the park as was done many years ago; however, there are no permanent restroom facilities available during the winter months. The restroom facilities at Garden Park do not have heating equipment to keep restrooms functional during the winter months. Each fall season, those restrooms are winterized and locked up until spring. There is enough room at Garden Park to place a small size hockey rink immediately to the south of the parking lot; however, there is no sizeable area for a general skating rink. Many years ago the Garden Park holding pond was maintained for skating; however, the land contours make it problematic for access for both skaters and maintenance personnel. Garden Park has adequate parking but currently does not have any ice rink lighting or athletic field lighting in the park, which in itself would be controversial to that neighborhood. In spite of Garden Park's superior off-street parking compared to Todd Park, staff does not recommend Garden as a suitable alternative to Todd Park due to lack of a shelter building, restroom facilities, and accessible general skating area. All Other Parks (No good options): All of the other existing hockey rink locations were studied as to the appropriateness of locating a second hockey rink. No other park with an existing hockey rink fit the criteria as well as Countryside, Pamela or Lewis for alternative locations. For example, Highlands Park is similar to Lewis Park in lacking enough space to maintain two hockey rinks and a viable general skating rink. Weber Park, Cornelia School Park and Walnut Ridge Park would each require encroachment onto scheduled athletic field space and either reduce the size of or eliminate the general skating area. Arden Park, Normandale Park and Strachauer Park do not have enough park land without significantly altering the contour and landscaping of the park. Arden has no off-street parking and no other suitable land for another hockey rink. Strachauer Park is the least desired location due to the heat and noise from the freeway, which causes inferior ice and a less desirable location for coaches to train young hockey players. Todd Park Location: In staff's opinion, Todd Park is an appropriate location for an outdoor hockey rink. The location is not an ideal location for a number of reasons (stated below); however, those reasons do not make Todd Park an inappropriate location for continuing to provide an outdoor hockey rink. Using the same objective criteria to compare alternative sites for an outdoor hockey rink, • the Todd Park location has pros and cons. Similar to Arden Park, Todd Park does not have any off-street parking. Over the years, (and similar to the resident neighbors nearest Arden Park) those who live in closest proximity to Todd Park have voiced very strong -6- opinions that they oppose development of safe off-street parking in Todd Park. It is not my intention to pursue development of off-street parking within Todd Park regardless of the outcome of this issue. Similar to several other outdoor hockey rink locations (such as Walnut Ridge Park, Highlands Park, Creek Valley and Cornelia School Park) Todd Park's hockey rink is in close proximity to residential homes (noise & light nuisance). The hockey rink at Walnut Ridge Park is closer to private residential property than any other outdoor hockey rink is to the nearest residence. There is a plan to eventually relocate the hockey rink at Walnut Ridge Park further to the south away from those residential homes to lessen the noise and lighting nuisance. If left up year around (similar to all 10 other outdoor hockey rinks), a permanently installed hockey rink would take up open space park land but not interfere with scheduled athletic events. In staff's opinion, there is adequate open space within Todd Park for open space recreational uses; however, if given a choice, residents would prefer to have the hockey rink boards removed and reinstalled each year. Todd Park does not have as much usable open space maiptained grass areas as most other parks that have an outdoor hockey rink. A hockey rink left up year around does lend itself to other types of recreational uses during the summer months. I address staff's recommendation regarding a permanent vs. portable rink under the staff recommendations below. Todd Park does have a wonderful shelter building (which is rented for social functions • during non -winter months) with permanent restroom facilities that are used on a year around basis. The main reason for having removed the hockey rink that used to be at Todd Park years ago was due to its lack of an adequate shelter building with restroom facilities. Staff is able to maintain quality ice at the Todd Park location. There were concerns brought by residents two years ago that high water tables in Todd Park would not allow staff to develop and maintain quality outdoor ice during the winter months. Staff has proven that they are very capable of building and maintaining quality ice at the Todd Park location. There is adequate space to provide an outdoor hockey rink 80 feet wide by 164 feet long in the proper north/south orientation and there is easy access to a water hydrant for making ice. Study of Rink Use: Over the two-year trial period, it was staff's intent to measure the amount of use of the Todd Park hockey rink and compare the data to use of other rinks. I am disappointed to say that our young employee warming house attendants did not keep or submit accurate attendance data valid for comparison purposes. In spite of our supervisory efforts, the part-time staff did not fulfill their attendance record keeping duties on a regular basis at a level that is worthy data to use in this case. A different facility use/attendance data collection methodology will be considered in the future to compile reliable and valid statistical information. -7- Having said that, we do have record of the scheduled practices and games requested by EHA coaches over the past year and how it relates to other outdoor hockey rink schedules. Here are the results: Rink 1. Arden 2. Cornelia School 3. Creek Valley 4. Highlands 5. Lewis 6. Normandale 7. Pamela 8. Strachauer 9. Todd 10. Walnut Ridge 11. Weber # of EHA Scheduled # of EHA Scheduled Events 2005-2006 Events 2006-2007 92 48 104 76 86 67 68 57 52 97 83 103 65 63 37 37 50 49 20 33 61 40 TOTAL 140 169 139 123 104 118 106 72 130 144 143 The total number of EHA scheduled events (130 hours) at Todd Park over the past two years shows that EHA coaches used Todd Park for many scheduled practices. Five parks were scheduled more hours than Todd Park and five were used less. Strachauer Park hockey rink received the least amount of EHA scheduled events over the past two years because it is considered to be the least desirable rink of the eleven due to its close • proximity to a noisy freeway and its exposure to the wind. Due to an unusually warm weather during the early winter weeks, our outdoor skating rinks were not available for safe skating use until after the first of January. This is the first time in history that our outdoor rinks were not ready for use during the Christmas holiday break time period. Staff Recommendations: The appropriateness of placing an outdoor hockey rink in a park is not an exact science when taking into account subjective opinions. In this case, there are very strong opinions expressed by those who both desire having a hockey rink at Todd Park and by those who strongly oppose having a hockey rink at Todd Park. The Todd Park Hockey Rink Community Survey and Todd Park Hockey Rink Scheduled User Survey attempt to measure and quantify those opinions in a valid fashion. The fact remains that staff's opinion and recommendation on the matter has not changed. As stated before, it is staff's recommendation to continue to provide eleven outdoor hockey rinks in the system; regardless of where the rinks are located. Staff will be happy to build and maintain eleven hockey rinks wherever the Park Board and City Council choose to locate them. Wherever the Park Board and Council decide to place outdoor hockey rinks, it will continue to be staff's recommendation to make them all permanently installed outdoor hockey rinks. Staff has proven that we are capable of installing, removing, storing and reinstalling the plastic outdoor hockey rink system each year; however, that is not staff's recommendation for a number of reasons: • Additional man -power takes away from completing other park maintenance duties that are either delayed or compromised. • Professional Park Maintenance staff claim that the plastic boards are not as durable as permanent wood board system. • Professional Park Maintenance staff claim that the plastic boards demand more time to maintain ice because heavy equipment cannot be used close against edges because boards are too fragile; thus causing maintenance staff to use walk behind snow blowers to clean the outer edges as opposed to plows and large tractors with snow blower attachments. • Plastic boards consume valuable storage which is at a premium. • The plastic panels warp in the sun causing them to be uneven over the length of the rink. • The life expectancy of plastic polyethylene boards may be shorter than permanent treated lumber board system. • Replacement of damaged plastic panels is four times more expensive than that of wood dasher board panels of equal length. • Plastic polyethylene boards are six inches shorter than permanent wood board system (48" vs. 54"), thus limiting the ice thickness that staff can maintain. Staff • does not build ice too thick up the boards at Todd Park for fear of having boards too short and pose a more hazardous condition for users. • The practice of installing, removing, storing and reinstalling hockey rink boards sets a costly labor-intensive and storage -intensive precedence that may be demanded of other neighborhoods with outdoor hockey rinks. • The policy of directing staff to remove and reinstall outdoor hockey rink dasher boards each year strictly for the purpose of using the area as open space (and not needed scheduled athletic field space) sets a bad precedence (why just at Todd Park and not other parks?). In spite of staff's recommendation to install a permanent hockey rink that remains in place year around similar to all other Edina outdoor hockey rinks (vs. a "portable rink"), staff is of course able and willing to continue to install, remove, store and reinstall the plastic polyethylene board system each year at Todd Park. If the decision is made to direct staff to remove and reinstall a hockey rink each year at Todd Park, then staff recommends that the City of Edina purchase the used Athletica polyethylene hockey rink board system for $10,900 as per the lease/purchase agreement. The Athletica rink system product used over the past two trial -period years (in staff's opinion) is not by definition a "portable rink." Installation of this type of rink requires driving metal posts into the ground (similar to permanent fencing installation) which causes the ends to dull and mushroom, thus making it more challenging (and ultimately impossible) to reinstall the same posts year after year. The installation process is more labor intensive than a lesser • quality "portable rink." By staff's definition, a portable outdoor hockey rink is one that would not require any posts or pipes driven into the ground but rather a custom dasher board system supported by triangulation supports with sand bag or other heavy stabilizing weights. We are not aware of any private vendor that sells such a system at this time. In summary, if the Park Board and City Council choose to continue to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park, staff recommends that it be a permanently installed outdoor hockey rink similar to the other ten rinks in the park system. If the Park Board and City Council choose to have staff install, remove, store and reinstall hockey rink dasher boards at Todd Park each year, we as staff are capable and willing to continue that practice and would then recommend purchase of the Athletica plastic dasher board system. If the Park Board and Council choose to install an 11 to outdoor hockey rink in the park system that is permanently installed, then staff recommends not purchasing the Athletics plastic dasher board system. Staff would then recommend purchasing and installing permanent treated lumber at the park of choice. If the Park Board and Council choose not to place an outdoor hockey rink at Todd Park but at an alternate location, it is staff s recommendation to first consider relocation of an outdoor Mite -sized hockey rink at Countryside Park. If that is not an acceptable alternate location, then staff recommends Pamela Park as a second alternative and Lewis Park as a last choice. After I have given a formal presentation at the Park Board meeting, I suggest that the Park Board first ask questions of staff regarding the issue. Next I strongly urge the Park Board to open the meeting to public comment on this important agenda item before deliberating and making a final decision. Formal Park Board action is requested on this agenda item. B. Edina Park Board Resolution for Support of Bicycling The Bike Edina Task Force is requesting the Park Board to support a Resolution (copy enclosed in this packet) "to support the mission of the Bike Edina Task Force, which includes the development of a comprehensive bicycling plan for the City of Edina. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Athletic Facilities Fund Raiser Committee/Foundation — George Klus Park Board member George Klus will give the Park Board a verbal update on the current status and progress of the Athletic Facilities Fund Raiser Committee/Foundation. No formal Park Board action is requested on this agenda item. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT This is the opportunity for the public to give no more than 3 minutes of comments (each speaker) to the Park Board. -10- V. UPDATES FROM STAFF A. Athletic Association Presidents Meeting I ask for assistance from Park Board members Ray O'Connell and Todd Fronek to join staff in giving the Park Board a verbal update on the youth athletic association presidents meeting held Tuesday, March 27 (Ray and Todd attended). B. Comprehensive Plan Progress ss Update I will give a verbal update and provide handouts on the up-to-date progress of the Comprehensive Plan. C. 2007 Tree Planting Projects I will give a verbal update on our various tree planting projects planned for 2007. VI. PARK BOARD COMMENT This is the opportunity for Park Board members to provide comments on park and recreation related matters not on the regular agenda. -11- Minutes of the Edina Park Board Tuesday, March 13, 2007 Edina City Hall Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Finsness, Mike Damman, Ray O'Connell, Carolyn Nelson, Howard Merriam, Randy Meyer, Jeff Sorem, Todd Fronek MEMBERS ABSENT: Linda Presthus, Karla Sitek, George Klus STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton I. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PARK BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Finsness introduced the two new Park Board members, Howard Merriam and Randy Meyer. He noted that Mr. Meyer is the Edina School's Board representative on the Park Board. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Todd Fronek MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 13, 2007 PARK BOARD MINUTES. Jeff Sorem SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Election of Officers - Mr. Keprios opened up the floor for nominations for Chair of the Park Board. Mike Damman MOVED TO NOMINATE ANDY FINSNESS. Ray O'Connell SECONDED THE MOTION. Todd Fronek MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. Mike Damman SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Keprios opened up the floor for nominations for Vice Chair of the Park Board. Todd Fronek MOVED TO NOMINATE MIKE DAMMAN AS VICE -CHAIR OF THE PARK BOARD. Ray O'Connell SECONDED THE MOTION. Ray O'Connell MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. Todd Fronek SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. B. Edina Curling Club Presentation — Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he • received a late e-mail from Mark Willmert, Edina Curling Club member, stating that he would be unable to attend tonight's Park Board meeting. He noted that he has invited him to come back to the May Park Board meeting. C. Garden Park Pathway Master Plan — Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he sent out notices to residents within 600 feet of Garden Park (300 homes) including a map and asking for their input. He noted that a master plan has been drawn up by consultants they've hired from Olsson & Associates. Joel Oden, consultant from Olsson & Associates, went through and explained the plan to the Park Board. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that they learned quickly that they don't have the dollars in the capital improvement plan to do the entire master plan, therefore, what they can't finish this year they will try to finish next year through the capital improvement plan. He noted that they need to figure out two phasing plans and decide what the priorities are and what they can afford to do within the dollars they have available in the capital improvement plan. Mr. Keprios stated that there should also probably be a section or two small sections that should be considered as an add - alternate to be sure that they will at least have the dollars available to go forward with phase 1. Mr. Sorem asked what the status is with the grant application that was submitted to the DNR for federal grant dollars for this project. Mr. Keprios replied that that they • recently submitted the application and are asking for 50% of the entire master plan budget to which they should hear something during the month of June. Mr. Keprios explained that should they be successful in getting the grant they would draw the additional dollars needed through their operating budget and complete the entire plan in 2007. He stated that if they are not successful in getting the grant they will continue to move forward and will hopefully succeed in getting the dollars needed to finish phase 2 and the rest of the master plan through the 2008 capital improvement plan. Mr. Sorem asked what is the life expectancy of a path like this to which Mr. Keprios replied that the bituminous needs to be resurfaced approximately every ten years. Mr. O'Connell stated that he thinks it's very important to have interconnects because it will give people an even greater opportunity to walk further. He commented that he doesn't think it makes good sense to just put in a pathway without interconnects. Mr. Oden indicated that most of the pathway is used by the local neighborhoods; however, it is important that they have connection points on the major thoroughfares and walkways throughout the community. Mr. Oden stated that he does believe the plan would address the issue with two different access points. Mr. Merriam asked if there will be any .impact by the construction as far as the spring leagues with the soccer fields and baseball diamonds. Mr. Keprios replied that he doesn't believe it will have a negative impact. Everyone should be able to get in and out of the park without too much trouble. 4 John Henry, 5700 Johnson Drive, stated that Mr. Oden had mentioned that the • pathway will be approximately 20 feet in from the pond and commented that some trees are going to probably have to be removed in order to do that. In addition, he also has a concern from the environmental standpoint. He knows the water quality benefits from having natural vegetation because it cleans the water as it runs off the hill and into the pond. Mr. Keprios replied that in the grand plan they will definitely put in some additional landscaping. However, that is currently not shown in the master plan drawings because they are not yet showing that level of detail. He stated that definitely down the road they will be adding shade trees and plantings throughout the entire pathway. Mr. Oden pointed that one way they could address the issue with the trail being so close to the lake would be to have a rainwater garden so that the rainwater plants adjacent to both sides of the walk would infiltrate the water as it rushes down through the trail. He commented that would help significantly. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he did not receive anything in writing or e- mail as a result of the letter he sent out. He stated that he has received several phone calls asking a few questions but everything has been positive. Ray O'Connell MOVED TO APPROVE THE MASTER PLAN AS A WHOLE AND THE PHASING IN CONCEPT. Todd Fronek SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. D. Bike Edina Taskforce Update — Todd Fronek - Mr. Fronek indicated that he met with Steve Rusk, Chair of the Bike Edina Taskforce, who gave him a broad update of where the taskforce now sits. He stated that it does appear that he Bike Edina Task Force is probably more of a transportation issue than a park issue. He stated that the biggest task for them is to try to connect both a North South and East West trail way through the city. He stated that they are looking at connecting to the Cedar Lake Trail in the North and connecting to Hyland Park in South in order to make it more bike friendly. Mr. Fronek proposed that the Park Board provide support for the Bike Edina Taskforce. He stated that anything they can do as far as setting up bike parking, making trails accessible to bikes (as long as they are not interfering with walking) and if any park land needs to be used in order to set up this network he thinks the Park Board should support that. Mr. Fronek indicated that a city staff person is working with the taskforce in trying to find a consultant to see exactly how this network is laid out and how it could run through the city. Mr. Keprios stated that Kris Kubicek, Planning Assistant/Intern, has done a request for proposal and has gone out to seek a consultant to be funded through a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He pointed out that he thinks the Park Board's involvement with this should be writing this is in the comprehensive plan. He noted that he believes that the Bike Edina Taskforce job is really to identify more the connectivity between parks and identifying the corridors that connect to the greater regional trails. 3 IV. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. V. UPDATES A. Todd Park - Mr. Keprios indicated that per the Park Board he sent out surveys to all of the head coaches of the Edina Hockey Association as well as to all of the residents that live within the area that the Park Board approved at last month's meeting. He noted that as of the deadline he has received a little over 300 responses. B. Athletic Association Presidents Meeting — Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 27th at 7:00 pm at City Hall in the Community Room to meet with the presidents of the Athletic Associations. He noted that these meetings have had excellent attendance and he feels they have always been very valuable and worthwhile. He noted that they will be discussing insurance issues, fields issues and the scheduling of gymnasiums. VI. PARK BOARD COMMENT A. Outdoor Ice Rinks — Mr. Sorem noted that he would like to comment on the quality of the outdoor ice this year and stated that staff should be commended once again for the best outdoor ice anywhere in the country. After a tough start, it was exceptional. B. Fred Richards Golf Course — Mr. O'Connell indicated that Edina is very landlocked, however, there is one piece of property that he feels is underutilized that would be able to provide an area not only for refrigerated ice but could also provide both a soccer field and lacrosse field next to it. He stated that he is referring to the Fred Richards Golf Course. He noted that at this point the golf course is being subsidized and even though hockey, soccer and lacrosse would be paying for part of it, it would still need to be subsidized. However, it is his opinion that it would have greater utilization and would fill a need that they currently have for land. Mr. O'Connell stated that the golf course is named after a wonderful guy but they could still keep the same name for the athletic amalgamation. He commented that he just throws this out as something to think about because he thinks it would satisfy a lot of questions in several other areas to which a lot of serendipity could develop from it. Mr. Keprios commented that he thinks this idea could be discussed by the Park Board during the comprehensive plan review process. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm. r1 U 4 • Todd Park survey comments We own a condo overlooking Todd Park but we are there only a few weeks each year. So we do not feel qualified to fill out this questionnaire. However, when we are there for the Christmas holidays we enjoy watching the skaters. 2. I am retired and in Edina approx. 8 months of the year (not in the winter). For the reason above and since I don't live in the immediate neighborhood I have answered several questions with "no opinion". 3. We are retired and spend the winter in our Florida home. Even if we were there in the winter I would strongly support having a hockey rink at Todd Park as long as the boards were taken down in the off season. Having lively activities in the winter months enhances the area. 4. If kids are to stay out of trouble we need to maintain as many venues as possible for them to use. People who do not want kids around should not live near parks. Todd Park has been there a lot longer than many of the residents in this area. Keep the rink open. 5. I think the rink is good for the children and does not affect me at all. 6. We strongly feel that a hockey rink does not belong at Todd Park, especially is with year-round boards. We hope the Park Board and City of Edina will respect the opinions of the neighborhood. 7. I think that the boards being up ONLY IN THE WINTER was a good compromise. I feel Todd Park is too small for a hockey rink at all, but if we have to have it,1p ease, ONLY IN THE WINTER!! 8. Non -Hockey skaters are still forced to contend with kids playing hockey outside the hockey rink. I would like to see a larger free skate area like Weber Park. 9. I overlook the park (condo). I observe a very few persons using the hockey rink — except during hockey team practices, which didn't seem to occur too often. It has never bothered me having the hockey rink. I like seeing people enjoying the park (I'm too old). From my place, I can't see the parking or traffic related to the hockey rink so I don't know if there have been any problems. 10. We are new to this neighborhood (2 years ago). I am thrilled to totally support activities for families and great stuff to do to be active. 11. I think when you city officials think about all these new additions or subtractions into the neighborhood, you may not have to be fleecing America with all this wasted time and paperwork if you only stop and think — if you were an immediate resident in that particular area of the added or subtracted feature, would you want it there. That's all. If you were an immediate resident around the area of change; would it or would it not appreciate your property. Cause most often the city does whatever it pleases to do anyway. So sometimes residents don't have a choice even though paperwork is filled out. Think about it that way. It is obvious there is "special interests" in what individuals do on councils. Like "the one who coughs the loudest" saying... 12. We love the hockey rink! With 3 children all skating we would be very disappointed if the rink was not there. That was one of the main reasons we chose to live in Hilldale neighborhood. The rink is a huge asset to the neighborhood. All parks in Edina should have outside rinks! Especially if it's not safe to skate on the ponds or lakes as long due to weather conditions. My husband grew up skating outside — it was one of his fondest childhood memories! 13. Our two children are now adults. As children however, they did skate. It was nice to have a neighborhood rink and park. If the rink goes away, has Edina ever considered a dog park? 14. Live far enough away so the use of the hockey rink does not affect us. We enjoy walking around the park. 15. With all the concern over childhood obesity, we as a city should continue to provide, without question, a hockey rink at Todd Park. I grew up across from Todd, my parents still live there and the lights, were (are) never a problem for them. Our family uses the rink even when there is not ice to throw balls and frisbees it is a nice enclosed area with boundaries. As to home value, if Edina wants to maintain the image of a "hockey town" then it needs to provide residents with an outdoor hockey facility. This will attract families who play hockey. 16. FYI — The Minneapolis Park Board is trying to figure out what to do with our winter skating too and are considering some alternatives to lake skating. It has been our family's opinion that if you live in Minnesota you should learn to swim and skate. Where? 17. My family and I use the park quite a bit. When our daughter was younger we used the playground almost daily and the little hill by the condos to slide on in the winter. I always wished there was a skating rink. There was one (hockey) a long time ago but not general skating. We are not hockey players in our family but do appreciate an outdoor rink to keep kids busy and active. Our daughter is grown now and is a student in college and a nanny. She takes the E young boys over there to play now and the general skating area is a fun/safe rink. I'm ambivalent about the hockey rink because we don't use it, but I walk in the park almost daily when the weather is nice and would not like the boards up all year. 18. I have circled "no opinion" many times in this survey because of the fact I am a senior citizen and have no others' living with me. I am sure if the rink had been there 15 years ago my grandson would have used it, he used other parks. I hope for the sake of people who use this facility, it will be there for their families! !! Thanks for all you do for the Edina Park System, it has always been the best. 19. The lights are ridiculous! Sometimes they're left on until midnight. 20. I love to see the people use the rink; however,1p ease take the boards down in the summer, old people also use this park and the boards just do nothing to the field. 21. We should do what we can to provide our neighborhood with excellent facilities for outdoor exercise for children and adults. We can afford it. 22. This rink is an abuse of taxpayer $$ and a waste of City resources. It appears there is a full time employee dedicated to maintaining a rink that receives little use. I am OFTEN woken at 5am by the lights and equipment — makes me wonder about the overtime $$... On the few occasions the EHA uses the rink parking and traffic is terrible. It doesn't appear the EHA need this ice — they rarely use it. If they say they still "need more sheets" put it in a more suitable place. This was shoved down our throats from the start — make it go away! The city shouldn't cater to someone's personal agenda! When I see the waste and abuse of time, money and resources it embarrasses me to live in Edina! 23. I believe that hockey rinks at our neighborhood parks is part of Edina's identity. I love driving by and seeing the youth hockey teams practicing or playing games. I love seeing young and older people playing shinny hockey. What a healthy activity in this day and age when we are struggling as a society to get people to exercise. My favorite sighting this winter was after school one day a young child was walking to the rink with his skates through his stick over his shoulder — what a great winter activity! If you take the rink away — what will this 10-12 year old be doing next winter? Probably playing Xbox as there are no other rinks he could safely walk to. Please keep the hockey boards and rink. Care about our kids in the Community and them growing up! Give them a healthy winter activity! One question I have for you: Is the park for all the neighborhood, or just the people who live on the park? If it's just about pleasing the people who live on the park — Please let them buy the land and maintain it — because it's no longer a "City park" at the time. Todd Park is our only neighborhood park. Please keep it inviting to all ki the neighborhood kids. You need to separate the hockey pucks from general skaters for safety of all — DO NOT TAKE the boards away! 24. Would strongly encourage that the Park and Rec. Board keep the hockey rink at Todd Park. It is a wonderful asset to the park during the winter and provides great joy for all. 25. As far as I'm concerned at this time we can do without a hockey rink. 26. The hockey rink at Todd Park is a critical part of our community. The available outdoor activity that the rink provides is one of the few areas to meet and commune with our neighbors during the winter months. It provides a healthy, safe environment for our children in an area when fewer and fewer opportunities of this kind exist. Those of us that live in the area of the park that value our neighbors and the sense of community we create together prize Todd Park in the winter as well as the summer. As a resident that lives immediately adjacent to the park and the rink, I can testify to its overwhelming value. In short, a vote to remove the ice rink would be a strike at the heart of our community. PLEASE KEEP THE RINK!! 27. I live in the 4360 Building in Brookside Ct. We cannot see the rink and use the park only for walking. We are 80+ years of age. 28. Strong preference for temporary boards. 29. One reason why we moved to this area — we loved the pretty park. If the boards were up all year it would spoil the use of the open space for me and my grandchildren. I walk around the park and the boards are an eye sore! Listen to those who live closest to the park, please. 30. I am a senior citizen and no longer ice skate or have children at home who do. However, I value outdoor recreation and believe we should make facilities such as hockey and general skating rinks available to our youth. I enjoy seeing people use the Todd Park ice! 31. We have enjoyed skating at Todd Park and playing hockey in the hockey rink. We think the temporary boards are a great solution. We definitely do not want permanent boards put up in the park. It would negatively affect our enjoyment of the park. Regarding question 7a -d, we have not been affected on Parkside Lane. The people who live on the perimeter of the park should have their answers more highly weighted than others not so closely affected by the rink. 32. Too many empty nesters have forgotten how valuable the park was to them. The bright lights have a tendency to keep it safer at night during games or • skating. One of the reasons families would purchase in the neighborhood is iI because of the park and outdoor lit activities. Off street parking is no big deal — and the cars are there only a short time. If all the neighbors can do is worry about happy children, cars and lights tell them to get a life. 33. A neighborhood hockey rink is a positive factor to Todd Park residents. Many kids love to skate with their friends without needing to make the significant commitments required of the formalized Edina hockey program. 34. My boys have enjoyed using it this year and will use it in the future, but other parks are an option if you feel led to close this one. 35. There is limited flat green space for kids to play. An unused (summer) hockey rink is not good use of that space. For the limited months the hockey rink is in use, that just doesn't make sense. 36. I think it looks better to take them down — especially because they are kind of in the middle of the park. Definitely want some kind of skating area at the park. And if there is a hockey rink and another rink then everyone can enjoy in their own space. 37. Temporary boards are ok but I do not want permanent hockey boards at the park, I do like a skating rink. It seems as if outdoor skating conditions are much less reliable than in years past — if this is true — are outdoor rinks a good way to spend the cities $??? 38. No matter what you do as a City Council, there's always a group of people who will oppose it, no matter how illogical their objections are. The primary purpose of a park is for young people and their athletic programs. Our young people today are physically unprepared to defend our nation. 39. Todd Park should have a hockey rink, the warming house is beautiful and should be used often. The softball season is far more disruptive to the neighborhood/residents with regards to noise/parking/traffic. Parks that are in place should be used year round. Todd Park is not a private green space. People who live near parks need to understand that they are for the benefit of a neighborhood, and not an extension of their property. 40. My family has really enjoyed skating and playing hockey at Todd Park. We have three kids age 5, 4 and 2 and a baby. It is great to have a park in the neighborhood that we can enjoy year round. I find it amazing that some neighbors are against a hockey/skating rink at Todd Park. I grew up across the street from a park in South Minneapolis and loved to have use of a park year round. Families getting out playing and exercising together can only be a good thing. I think a very small minority of neighbors wants to have a deserted park all to themselves. 41. I strongly feel that the temporary boards should stay. I support hockey at Todd Park as long as temporary boards are used. If permanent boards were to be used, I would strongly support removal of a hockey rink at Todd Park. Living a block from the park on Oxford Ave., I am not aware of lighting and parking issues that may impact families living on Vandervork and Division. 42. Our kids are too little to skate but we use the park often and look forward to the day that we can have them enjoy skating at the rink in Todd Park. We would not think that the boards would cause any problems being up all year long. Perhaps paving it may allow for soccer hockey use in the summer? 43. Question: does designation as city vs neighborhood park affect the way road assessments are done? I believe the correct designation is neighborhood per the available useable space. Counting the wetlands to meet the acreage necessary to be a city park is not appropriate in my view. To me it is an eyesore in our small gem of a neighborhood park. I have heard Edina has come up with 3 more rinks recently and if that is true please remove this one. I remember how our neighborhood was in overwhelming opposition and this rink was really put in for the hockey association. Let them use the others. The season is too short to make this eyesore worthwhile. Re: Those few people who spoke up in the meetings recalling fond memories of being able to walk to the park rink and hang out — I have not seen one person walk there to skate — they all come in cars. 44. I am an elderly resident of Edina — somewhat disabled at age 90 the hockey rink plusses and minuses do not affect me. At the present time I do not think household values where I live could be affected whether the rink existed or not. 45. It's a good idea to have a local neighborhood hockey rink available to all, especially the kids. 46. Todd Park has a real nice warming house and it would be a shame not to use it. This is Edina — we need hockey rinks! 47. The no opinion responses are due to the fact that our condo is on the far side — away from the park. 48. It's been a great addition to the neighborhood. Temporary boards work just fine! 49. We have lived here about 54 years. We have had no problems with or without a hockey rink. The rink is on NW corner, we live on the SE corner (riot a problem). The biggest problem is the traffic on Division Street which comes to a stand still when cars from both the East and West come to a halt to drop off or pick up skaters. (include a map). C� 50. We like having the rink but prefer no boards in summer. We would still like to skate there even without a hockey rink. 51. I believe the park is too small for the rink. There is not adequate space for parking. Some of the homeowners streets are full of cars. Mainly it's too small area for such recreation. I think it is too dangerous, the walking path is too close. Even with protective fences I am uncomfortable walking there! !! A rink should be in a larger area. 52. I was born and raised in Edina. I have always thought two of the most positive things about Edina are the schools and the Park and Rec Department. It was great to see so many people use the rink this winter even though the weather conditions were tough. I feel that the park system is not just for the people who border the park but all residents of Edina. I think that when you buy a house near a park you should anticipate other people using the park. Since the city went forward and built the new warming house, it would be severely underutilized if there was not a rink there. When I have driven by or walked down to the rink there was not an issue with the parking. If anything there is more of an issue during the basketball clinics and the baseball season with parking. Finally, the park is not just about the residents who border the park but the service it can provide for all the Edina residents who use it and pay taxes to maintain it. • 53. I strongly believe a hockey rink must remain at Todd Park. Use of the hockey rink has been significant, despite (at times) difficult weather trends the past 2 years. The number of young children in the area has reached new heights and continues to grow. As this happens, more and more kids will require a hockey rink to maximize Todd Park's utility and contribution to the "neighborhood". Frankly, although comparative measures for summer time park use do not exist, I believe a hockey rink at Todd creates a winter park environment that drives use to level exceeding summer time park use. As the neighborhood children grow older average age is probably 3-4 years their already significant hockey rink use will increase. A hockey rink must remain at Todd Park. 54. Our family has enjoyed using the hockey rink during the winter months. The use of system with removable boards has worked well for our family as we utilize the green space in the park through the spring and summer months. The use of permanent boards would negatively impact our view of the hockey rink because it would change significantly the park space and our utilization in the warm weather months. 55. It's a beautiful Park! Take the stupid white boards down in the summer! That's what they are designed for! 56. I hope the survey filled out by the residents of Brookside Condo Group will not affect this. Most of the buildings don't even face the park. Some feel they 7 just have to be negative about this and they have no interest in the "park period". Thank you for your good work. 57. The park is very small and greatly used. The boards are visually unattractive. If the boards are left up during the summer it would interfere with the many games the children play — in good weather every bit of grass is used. Hockey is important in Edina, but we, the people should be considered too. We love our park — let's not clutter it up! In winter o.k., in summer NO! 58. As it turned out, we didn't object to the rink. People seemed to enjoy it although the numbers seem awfully low for the cost and effort. We do strongly object to permanent boards! They are ugly and space consuming. The lights from the building still shine in my bedroom window on Vandervork. We would appreciate different lights on the building. 59. Although we have used the hockey rink these last two winters, we are not a hockey family and would prefer to have just a general skating rink. We do feel strongly that permanent boards would be very unattractive and would negatively affect our ability to use the open space. More importantly, we are surprised that this rink is of any real value to the Edina Hockey Association. It seems as though a great deal of energy is being expended, and a great deal of neighborhood ill will is being wasted, for a rink with a very short and very unpredictable season. 60. Since I'm 93 years old I have no use for an ice rink. My condo faces north so all I see is the parking lot so I don't see nor hear any noise from the park. I am in favor of any activity that will keep our youth off the streets and doing something to improve their health. I often walk around the park in the summer and like to see the children using the basketball hoops. 61. The boards must come down. Leaving them up makes the park look too ashy and detracts from usable space and ability to enjoy the park. I do not think the rink is used very much. I walk over there a lot and it is rarely being used. 62. The hockey rink is rarely in use! 63. PLEASE maintain our gentle/peaceful park! NO HOCKEY RINK. 64. We live on the East side of 4370 — so any lights or noise have no affect on us. 65. Lovely park — too small for a hockey rink. 66. Hockey rink is ok, but we need general skating area too. Separate from hockey — better for the little kids. 67. This area has a nice warming house. It makes sense to have hockey/outdoor skating at this location. 68. How much space is there for other kids to skate in the park along with the hockey players? 69. Previously used Todd Park for soccer training for youth soccer. 70. Boards that are white on the inside and green on the outside "may" reduce complaints. There did seem to be more use of the rinks this year than the last couple years. If you leave the rink up in the summer with grass (not asphalt) inside it could be used for lacrosse instruction. 71. The hockey rink at Todd Park is a nice amenity for our neighborhood. We should be encouraging healthy, outdoor activity and the friendships that develop at a hockey rink and park! It is unfortunate that a few vocal people have chosen to make this an issue! The homeowners purchased their properties with the knowledge that the park was there! 72. I prefer boards be removed in summer for aesthetic reasons. Kids need hockey and skating places so — I would like to see rink remain. 73. We like the rink at Todd Park. The past two seasons have not been great skating seasons so we have not used it as much as we otherwise would have. However, I'm sure there will be great skating in the future. 74. My daughter has learned how to skate there with me and her friends. We have enjoyed many fun times, growth and laughter there these past 2 winters. Good luck and Thanks for providing the rink and excellent ice to skate on. 75. Although I personally do not utilize the skating rinks in the area, I believe it is a traditional winter sport for Minnesota's youth. However, having the rink boards up all year impedes the summer enjoyment of the park for Frisbees, catch, etc and they can be an eyesore — and barrier. The best solution to serve all area residents would be to have skating in the winter and an open area in the summer. 76. I prefer something that benefits the neighborhood of all ages and genders. Open skating would be wonderful. 77. I am a new resident to the City. I don't have an opinion either way because I was not aware of this issue. However, I strongly urge the City and Park Board to listen to the responses from other City residents and decide what to do accordingly. If people don't like having the rink in the neighborhood, don't do it. 7 78. My husband and I are Brookside Condo residents — we are 80 years old and not likely to take advantage of a hockey rink. We do not have family or relatives who would do so either. We enjoy the park and walk there frequently when weather permits. I suspect that leaving hockey boards up all summer would tend to be an eyesore for those living on that side of the building. We appreciate the work that is done to keep up the park! 79. With the aging demographics of our community, there may be less of a need in the future for a hockey rink. However, if there are children/young adults using the rink for outdoor hockey I think it's great to continue to offer the hockey rink. If not, perhaps at least a skating rink. Thanks for asking for input and feedback. I live in the 4350 building of Brookside Condos, so I don't know that much about the activities at Todd Park. 80. I use the rink for free skating, so for me personally, I am most interested in having skating nearby. I have no objection to the hockey rink, but I would feel a tremendous loss if there were no skating available. I appreciate being able to skate in my neighborhood. I would like the free skating rink increased. 81. Ice skating was great as I grew up. Hope many young persons has the chance to learn to skate as we did, we are 85 years of age. Hope the rink will catch on more this year. Great sport. 82. Prefer moving the hockey rink to a different park — to eliminate invasion of outsiders to residents of Brookside Court — parking, specifically. 83. I would use a general skating rink. 84. I'd rather see an investment in playground equipment. 85. I am a retiree, no young family here to use the park. Does not affect me either way. 86. I have walked this park for 6+ years. The open area used by the rink was underutilized. The rink is a good addition to the neighborhood. I do think more boulevard should be cut out of the area for off street parking. Division Street is hard to walk along. We desperately need a sidewalk which extend all the way through to Hilldale. Hilldale cut thru traffic is high speed. Could use another stop sign? Thanks. 87. I am quite disturbed by this questionnaire. It is troubling that we should think about reducing park activities. One of the reasons we moved to Edina was the reputation it had for the care of its children — good schools and excellent park facilities. We have been very pleased. But I am disturbed that we are somehow concerned that we should reduce park availability and activities because a few people somehow like the idea of living around a park that is 10 used for the purposes intended — activities of children. A few would like • nothing better than a quiet unused park. That is not why we chose to live in Edina. The park is for the many not the few. 88. Todd Park is an important part of this neighborhood. It is an active and attractive park. Because of this it adds value to our homes. The warming house should be open as much as possible for open skating and summer programs. Our children have spent many hours there over the years. Thank you for continuing work on Todd Park. 89. I think the hockey rink is enjoyed by the children and have no problem with it at Todd Park. 90. Great park. Great skating. I wish we would have had music while skating like last year. I think the City of Edina should take down the boards in the summer. 91. This is a young neighborhood with a lot of young kids who will be able to use this rink for years. The rink is an asset to the area that will give kids a reason to get away from video games and TV in the winter. 92. I live in the condo complex adjacent to the park. I was against the rink before it was put in, but I don't believe it has affected the area severely as some go thought. 93. Please do NOT have a skating rink throughout the year. If however, you have to decide to keep a skating rink, please keep it ONLY in the winters. Please keep the area completely free of any obstruction, clean and green during spring, summer and fall. 94. At one of the many meetings I attended, it was stated that soccer was more a leading sport than hockey. My thought is to use the field with soccer teams if they wish. 95. The hockey parents should pay for the rinks (all of them) not the tax payer, tax the ones that use them. 96. I do feel that children need outdoor activities of all kinds. It's definitely better for them to be more active and always inside. 97. The reason I would prefer the boards to be removed is about aesthetics, not usability. As far as I'm concerned this is Minnesota and skating is part of our culture. Additionally, it allows the park to be more of a year-round asset. 11 98. The expense of a rink — the lights, the maintenance is more than the rink's value here in this area — We have the creek which is used for skating and skiing and that is great and a natural area. Can the cost of the rink — all aspects of it be printed so we have some comparison of use and cost? We believe the rink is not needed. 99. Adjacent houses are affected most and their opinion should weigh accordingly. 100. Love the activity of the rink! 101. We do not live close to Todd Park therefore we do not have strong opinions re its condition or use. We would, however, like to have the hockey boards removed for summer activity. 102. I am a senior and use the walking path 3-5 times a week! 103. There needs to be outdoor skating rinks available for children that are safe to be used during the winter season. 104. For sure the boards must come down — there are many children who use that area all summer long. Also, it would be a liability issue - having kids climbing on them. It definitely would affect the value of our property in the summer. 105. The hockey rink that is up during the winter and comes down in the summer is the best plan. An additional ice rink next to the hockey rink for non hockey skaters is also very desirable. If the hockey rink is not put in the park, a regular ice rink would add a great deal to the park. Also keep the lighting for the hockey rink or any other non hockey rink. 106. This survey shouldn't be used to make decisions as you can't guarantee that everyone responded as they intended due to the large number of double negatives in your questions. 107. It is a small park — take the boards down. 108. I do not face the park but I use it for walking and tennis. 109. The late winter has more to do with numbers than any other factor. Usage must be analyzed over a number of seasons! 110. Only once have I seen anyone playing hockey. But I would like the Park Board to put a walk through at the other end of the trail along widening of Minnehaha Creek. It is a grand trail but people have fenced out walkers to the street, making a walk back necessary. What a shame. 12 111. Thanks for putting up the rink — it goes perfectly with the warming house. • Please take the boards down in the summer again! Thanks! 112. I do enjoy watching the kids skate, wish more would take up the sport. 113. Every community in Minnesota leaves their hockey boards all year long. Why not Edina. This is for the kids not adults. I'm sure the kids would use the rink in the summer for games such as Home Run Derby as we did as kids. That rink was a great addition to the neighborhood — every community should have one. 114. As I do not have kids, I do not know if it is a bother to the neighbors. But kids need a place to play hockey or skating. 115. Todd Park has a unique flavor as a park because it is on the edge of a wetland; was not built primarily as a sports field; has a walking path around it. Keeping the hockey boards up year round would definitely detract from that uniqueness. We also believe all hockey boards should be taken down for better park use around the city. We believe the hockey amenity adds to the value of our home — but is not worth the trade-off of year round boards. 116. If the hockey rink is removed, I would like a general skating rink. If boards are not removed in summer, I strongly oppose the hockey rink. 117. I do not want a hockey rink at Todd Park. 118. This is a very underutilized facility, the need for which was totally overstated by the Edina Hockey Association. The cost of erecting and maintaining this rink far exceeds its usage. Todd Park is not an appropriate place for a hockey rink and the amount of use this rink gets has proven that. 119. This was not a typical winter due to warm weather. This survey is poorly written. It is highly biased by using negatives and double negatives. You need help designing surveys that are objective not biased. Thanks for asking for our opinions. The CITY did not listen to us previously — City Council members and the Mayor did not return phone calls. I remember things like that when I vote. 120. Hockey players, in my experience, are so aggressive they are not considerate of time, place or persons. I don't want them in my neighborhood and I don't want them to be permitted to use a general skating rink. 121. I think as more young families move into the neighborhood — the rink is an added value. 13 122. I think the hockey rink is great! I love to see the kids play hockey — I would like the temporary white boards to remain in winter months and be taken down in the summer months. I think they are an eyesore if left up all year. 123. Because I am a senior citizen and a widow I don't have a close connection, but I like hockey and believe it should be available to anyone who wants to play. Lights and noise are part of the game. 124. It seems there is very limited use of the hockey rink — why spend money on it? Better to have skating rink — divided for children/adults. 125. We love the rink — our 5 year old boy will probably play hockey — it seems fitting to have both during the winter. And it is the only real open space there and it is right next to the playground — not good use of space in summer and kids are constantly wanting to walk the boards — would much, much prefer to have temporary boards. 126. I support skating at Todd Park. I support the white temporary boards which are used for hockey as they are visually appealing and removed in the summer. I do not support permanent boards at Todd Park. The skating season lasts 4-6 weeks. It is ridiculous to clutter the park for 12 months with boards. 127. The hockey rink is an asset for all our residents. Do not allow a few people to • eliminate the rink. 128. As I stated previously, the hockey rink has not negatively affected me in any way. In fact, I've enjoyed seeing the skaters during walks in the park. Of course I do not face the park and the neighbors who do have not complained, to me. 129. The ice in the boarded hockey rink should be extended outside the hockey rink board so anyone with figure skates can skate outside the rink to prevent holes in the ice inside the boarded rink. More ice is needed. 130. It is excellent for people who want to use it. I enjoy watching them use it. 131. We think the rink has been a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Anything that brings neighbors — neighbor kids out for activities in a safe place like Todd Park is positive. The boards provide a safe place for skaters to use pucks and sticks apart from the general recreation skaters. So we feel the boards make the rink even safer for everyone involved. It adds value and appeal to our Brookside Condo complex to have such a fully equipped recreational space next door. In the winter, most of the use of the park are the walkers on the paths and the skating in the evenings. I'm always happy to see groups of skaters using the hockey rink — especially keeping one in the neighborhood in a city with such a strong hockey tradition. One time, I did 14 notice the lights stayed on at midnight, but I know that the rink attendant just forgot to turn them off and I know it's not the policy so it didn't bother me. We really love having the rink here and a chance for families to skate. And if there's a rink, we will still have hockey playing, which we feel is safest when it is done within hockey boards so that pucks stay in a safer place to protect other skaters. Keep the rink with the boards! 132. Todd Park — indeed all Edina parks — is not just for hockey players, but for all area residents. I believe this is forgotten in the race to acquire more hockey ice. 1, and my family, want to go skating when we want to go skating. We, as residents and taxpayers, should not have to schedule around hockey players utilizing the ice at an area park. I come from a long line of hockey players — past, present and future so not just an anti -hockey person. I love hockey, but I also like to skate on my schedule and have use of whole park in summer. 133. As a resident of Thielen Avenue the last 6 years, my family as well as others from Thielen Avenue use Todd Park both in the summer as well as the winter. We find that the hockey rink (used primarily by the adults) and the skating rink (used by the younger kids) is a tremendous asset to the community. Not only does it give neighbors a chance to see one another during the winter... it's a great way to get some outdoor exercise. If the rink/rinks were to be removed, a major part of the park's attraction would be gone. In addition, the building would then be rendered somewhat useless. The rinks may not have • gotten that much use this year due to the weather. However, during a "normal" winter I believe they get plenty. 134. Our family uses the hockey rink as an outlet for exercise and family fun. Our kids NEED outdoor activities in the winter so they aren't inside playing video games or sitting on the couch. The Todd Park neighborhood congregates during the spring, summer and fall months on the swing sets, ball diamond and tennis courts. The hockey rink makes it a year round park where CONSTRUCTIVE activities are enjoyed by our kids! As a taxpayer, I have invested in the first class warming house. At a cost of $250,000 to build, let's utilize this great investment in the winter. That's the primary function of the warming house anyway. I have seen most of the neighborhood kids use the hockey rink over the last 2 seasons. They are able to walk to and from the rink, SAFELY! We need more places like this in the world. Let's keep this great thing going! 135. I think the hockey rink could be of value if more community organizations (broomball, private lessons, boot hockey leagues) were either formed or could use it more. Of course, younger teams should be using it (or H.S. varsity/J.V. Boys and Girls) for conditioning and power skating drills — more for workouts — when rink is functional depending on weather instead of indoors. The rink is important though, census of younger kids and families moving into area show more need for it. Ultimately, we believe the most immediate neighbors 15 on Division Street and Vandervork and other streets right next to park — their feedback and comments should carry the most weight — not any of the hockey associations or the politics governing the park boards decision to give into the hockey voice. It's an important voice but not as important as the neighbors immediately/directly near the park. 136. I have been involved in hockey for many years — as a coach, player and parent. I know that one of the best family activities was going down to the rink with my kids and playing "shinny" with other dads and kids. I no longer coach, play or have kids in hockey which makes me a bit more objective. I grew up in front of a hockey rink with lights and later owned the same house I grew up in. Looking out at the skating rink and the hockey rink brought life to the area on those cold dark wintry nights. It would be a huge mistake to take away the rink and the boards. Forget just a hockey rink for hockey players. There is far more to this issue than just hockey. A place for no traveling hockey kids to come down to the rink and get exercise — a place for kids and parents to play games. A place to exercise on those wintry days and nights. One can look at this half empty of half full. I choose to look at this as a very positive move on the part of the Park and Rec. Dept. I believe the people that complained prior to the boards going up held too much pride to admit that this is a plus for the community. Don't remove the boards during the skating season for it would be a big mistake. 137. I see kids playing hockey at Todd Park every afternoon. Those kids are getting exercise, having fun, and getting to know each other in positive and stress free ways. My son (17) has become a regular at Todd Park, along with 5 or 6 of his friends who live along 44th Street and other areas of Edina. None of these kids are in the Edina Hockey program but love to play hockey now, because they have a spot in their neighborhood where the competition level is relaxed and unthreatening to a non -hockey player who likes to play hockey. Highland Park and Lewis Park are too far away and the competition level at those parks is a couple notches above Todd and these kids are intimidated by the level of play. -Todd Park has filled a void for these kids, who are not quite as good. They love it, I love it because my kid can go 2 blocks down the street and skate for a couple hours a night like I used to do at my neighborhood park, Normandale on Warren Ave. in Edina. Let's keep the hockey rink at Todd. It keeps a lot of kids off the computer. We are also using that beautiful warming house that never was used before hockey came to Todd! 138. I'm 88 years old and my Condo at 4370 faces south and the hockey rink. To date, it hasn't bothered anyone. In fact it's nice to see the kids using the rink which was not too often due to the warm weather this winter. I have had 3 sons all hockey players — one an All American. Also have had many grandchildren play the game. It is a great outdoor winter sport that gets the 16 kids outdoors. I enjoy watching them play hockey from my 2nd floor balcony window. I realize it costs money to maintain but I feel it is money well spent. 139. How much money are we going to waste meeting the wishes of Jeff Bisson and Pat Cronin?? The EHS does not use the rink. None of the 294 residents that you surveyed wanted year round boards. John Keprios and the Park Board have not acted in good faith. Go back and review what was promised two years ago, none of it was delivered. I am sick of city employees driving the tractor around the path in the park and waking everyone up at 6:OOam on Sat. and Sun. morning. We deserve a neighborhood meeting at the comfort station and better leadership from the Park Board and John Keprios. Also this survey is invalid; the sample size was 294 two years ago and only those same 294 households should get to complete this survey this time. Survey Hilldale is a joke and will make the data totally invalid. 140. I grew up in this neighborhood in the 60s and 70s, and we always enjoyed the rink, warming house, are a safe, healthy play area. The park area where the boards are now are a perfect location. In the warmer months this area is only used by those who like to unleash their dogs, so leaving the boards up is not a decrease in the park's functionality. The park, once known as Division Park, was meant to be an area for kids and families to play, not a nature park. 141. Per my survey answers above, I very strongly believe that it is important to • have a Todd Park hockey rink. Outdoor hockey in Minnesota is a powerful and important tradition that brings a community together. Very few people use this beautiful park in the winter and the warming house — which is nicer than most homes outside of the developed world — remains virtually unused. My family has used the rink and loves it. We walk to the park with our skates. Todd Park truly is a park we use year round, but, without hockey, we would not get to use it for our longest season. Thank you for your consideration. 142. We enjoy the park and like the open space in the summer months. 143. We live right across the street, and the lighting, parking and noise have been less than expected. The issue with the rinks (hockey and general) is seepage of water up, which cracks and melts the ice unevenly. So I'm sure it is not a good hockey rink in its current state. 144. This hockey rink is unused most of the time; the boards and rink are unsightly to neighbors living in park area. The expense of the upkeep of the park does not justify the four or five weeks that it is in use. Weather inhibits play most of the season. 145. What's the big secret? Why doesn't this survey you sent out tell people that it is being sent to 800+ households instead of the 200+ nearest residents? Why 17 should it matter to those so far away. What noise, lites, etc. They aren't bothered by these things anyway! In talking to some of the people closest to the hockey rink they say they haven't even rec'd a survey! Why? They are the ones that the lites/noise and parking affect. From what I understand there is a law in Edina that any construction work or any noisy outside work can not be started until a reasonable time mornings, but guess that doesn't apply to Park employees because they have been out on Todd Park's hockey rinks clearing the rink — lites all on lighting up the whole neighborhood at 4:30am and running the sweepers and whatever else. This hockey rink hasn't been used enough to warrant all the expense and park care that is spent on them for a short 2 mo. that it can be used — May be the more sensible option Edina should be thinking of is more indoor arenas. There are many large parks that could accommodate that as far as space goes. Todd Park is mostly swamp along the creek and has huge puddles of standing water in the rest of the park after each rain. Todd Park doesn't need a hockey rink and definitely not a permanent one then now — with tennis courts, basketball and softball diamonds there is little enough green space for families now. 146. It is important to provide space for healthy outdoor activities such as hockey and ice skating. Skating at Todd Park has been a family tradition for 3 generations now. We have stayed in the area because Todd Park is a wonderful place to be in the winter and summer. We have lived on dead end street from the park and never in all the years was there a problem in the winter with the rink or summer with the tennis courts. Minnesota winters are long and dreary. Children spend 7-10 hours in school. It has always been our opinion that every park should have a flooded rink in the winter. This is how we keep children and adults connected, active and out of trouble. ...An after all, this is Edina and we love our hockey! Go Hornets!! 147. It is our hope that when the City reviews the decision to have a hockey rink at Todd they will keep the highest consideration on the kids of Edina. My childhood was filled with great memories of pickup hockey at the neighborhood rink. I did not play High School, College or pro hockey. I was just a kid who loved the park as a destination, both winter and summer. The more we can provide to make Todd Park a destination for kids, the better off we will be as a community. We have 2 kids (4 1/2, 2 yrs) and both of them love the rinks. Granted, they have not gotten full use of them yet. But my 4 %2 yr old never stops talking about when he gets to play in the park rink with his other young friends "when he gets big". Please, I know you will face pressure from those who oppose the rink. But in my estimation, those people all have kids who are grown. Also, people adjacent to the park oppose any development of "their park". Please keep the kids of the neighborhood in mind. When we moved here 6 years ago, we had no kids. The neighborhood had no young kids. Today, the Todd Park neighborhood has turned over, and there are a lot of kids who are younger (7 and under) and use the park very frequently. Please continue to provide them as many resources in our public parks as is possible. By the way, the lighting "issue" can be solved with different light fixtures. I know this because I am in that business. Don't let that be the road block. Opponents of the rink will hide behind bogus claims of traffic and noise. To me there is no "noise" better than that of kids being kids. 148. It's a good idea having a hockey rink or skating rink in the neighborhood for the kids. 149. Love the rink! Edina hockey is a tradition. Rinks are good! 150. Todd Park and all the other Edina parks should be enjoyed by all Edina residents and not just those in the immediate neighborhood. The Edina Hockey Association needs access to outdoor ice time to ensure practice time for its several teams and make hockey affordable. My husband's hockey team has used Todd Park for our son's hockey practice and find it to be a great facility. Due to warm weather the past 2 years, Todd Park was not open as much as we would like. Some might argue that it is not being used as much as intended. The same argument could be made for the park. I often walk down there with my four year old son and no one is at the playground, but I don't think anyone would advocate closing the park. I think closing the outdoor hockey rink at Todd Park would be a mistake. It would reduce the number of rinks available for teams to practice at and deprive neighbor kids of a place they could walk to to play hockey. I also think that closing the rink at Todd Park would set a dangerous precedent for Edina Parks. If other neighborhoods surrounding parks hear of the immediate Todd Park neighborhood's ability to kill the rink, other neighborhoods will want to place restrictions in their parks. Our children's access to basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields and playgrounds could be limited of future improvements to parks could be impeded by allowing the immediate neighborhood to dictate what is in `THEIR" park. 151. We love the rink. It is a positive addition to the neighborhood in every way. It is great to see the park being used in the winter. 152. I do not think we should be limiting the use of our parks. Healthy outside activities are beneficial to all of our residents — young and old. Hockey boards attract our kids and Todd Park isep rfect for a hockey pick-up game — the rink is almost hidden from view from the street. The park has been underutilized for years and people who live near this park like having a private park, but this is too BAD! It is great to see it being used! How do you know people completing this do not live in St. Louis Park? 153. One concern is the energy wasted by leaving the rink lights on late into the night. I assume that the warming house closes at a set time — could the rink lights be turned off at that time? Good ice is essential to having a usable and 19 used rink — in years past the ice was often rutted from truck tires when the flooding was done carelessly. 154. Children today have a weight issue sometimes due to inactivity. Whenever we as a community can add something to draw them into doing something towards a positive end I feel we should. Not just hockey players use this rink — many families skate together. I know the area of the park is small but I feel this was good use of an area of it hardly ever used. 155. NO RINK! ! ! 156. We are grateful to the mayor for coming up with the temporary rink solution, working with a community that felt generally ignored, invaded and undervalued. We are ambivalent about having a temporary rink but definite about not having a permanent rink. We definitely do not want the eyesore of a permanent rink. Doug and I keep our holiday lights on hoping that people using the park will enjoy them. We love the idea of people using the temporary rink. However, as we observe it, hardly anyone ever uses it. I am retired and my house overlooks the park. I enjoy it on a daily basis. It appears that it is unusable for most of the season that you attempt to maintain it. It takes quite an amount of resources to maintain this rink for very little use. We are getting a lot of assessments coming in as sewer, paving but we just continue to throw money at this rink that does not add value to anyone as it appears as very few people are using it. Katie Meehan and I spent a lot of time trying to beautify the park this past year, laying stakes, painting areas for gardens. I paid for the string, stakes and paint out of my pocket. Katie and I laid out the design for our fruit trees. We are very enthusiastic about making the park as beautiful as the other small parks in our city. Our park is full of weeds; the baseball diamond is ignored once the teams are done so weeds invade the space. It is embarrassing. We love our green space. We take pride in our park and want it to reflect our city. It is falling short of our vision of Edina. It is more an eyesore than an asset in the way it is being utilized. I have offered to be a liaison for the neighborhood a number of times. I am continuing to offer my services. This is a small park with a lot of potential. We would love to continue to improve the green space with trees and plantings, making it a treasure. 157. The sport of hockey is historically connected to Edina identity, the reputation of her schools, her community pride and spirit, and to property values. When I first moved to Edina 37 years ago, my neighbor talked about the strength of the village's commitment to sports and particularly, to hockey. When I commented on the expense of putting the boards up and taking them down every year I was told: 1. That Edina parks were supported by revenues from taxes collected by the municipal liquor stores, which went strictly for the parks and 20 C] 2. That there were specific crews whose job it was to maintain the parks and take care of the rinks and that was all they did. There are many reasons to not leave the boards up all year. 1. They are an eyesore. They inhibit the lovely view of the expansive open spaces that constitute our parks. 2. They get mouldy and harbor ducks and geese — not their natural environment. Todd Park has lots of low soggy spots. Leptosjsirasis breeds in ground like that. 3. The boards serve no useful purpose off season and are a waste of open parkland. To not put the boards up is to me not an option. Hockey provides a healthy, worthwhile activity for citizens of all ages. My sons all played hockey at Todd Park and I have even chased the puck around inside the boards there with my son and grandson. To leave the boards up seems to be diminishing Edina's commitment to that great sport that contributes so much to this community. The interest of citizens of all ages in the sport of hockey is an asset that should be nurtured and protected. My husband and I attended the International Pond/Hockey Tournament at Lake Nokomis this year when they put up boards for numerous rinks for that event although not of the high quality constructions Edina puts up. People come from all over. We watched a team from Colgate University play a local team. It was great fun to watch these teams of adult players compete in this low contact, gentler version of the sport for the sheer joy of it. Hockey is becoming more popular as a lifelong sport as those who grew up playing the game are coming back to it for exercise and friendly competition. Please do keep putting up the hockey boards at Todd Park, but also please do take them down when the season is over. Why would you not do so? 158. The Todd Park hockey rink has provided continuous joy for our family. With so many things in society that pull families apart and encourage unhealthy lifestyles ... this park is a shining star ... a community investment in health and family!! 159. Todd Park hockey rink is a great asset to our area!! There should be no negatives to providing "winter" activities for children and families — all other parks (in Edina and other communities throughout Minnesota) have skating rinks, hockey rinks baseball/soccer/football fields with lights! — That's life! And.it should be. When you buy a home near a park —expect activities — winner, summer — day & night! We love Edina because of its parks and providing activities for all. Thanks! 1. The addition of the hockey rink with the removable boards is a great asset to the neighborhood. It's fun for families and great outdoor activity for kids. We have enjoyed it on several occasions this winter (despite the weather challenges — often either too warm or too cold). 21 2.The removable boards are essential (and are used by many other communities in the area). I use the park on a daily basis in the spring, summer and fall and the boards would be both an eyesore and an impediment during the non -winter seasons — if they were to be left in place permanently. 160. Area for improvement: keep the warming house open longer hours and on days school is not in session. Thank you for soliciting opinions. 161. I think having a hockey rink and lights set up on a trail basis was a waste of taxpayer money. There are far better uses for those funds rather than placating a few adamant advocates. The rink received little use even from its supporters. Take better care of other parks and leave Todd alone. 162. Please note comments next to each — Also, the rink at Todd Park was added to include 11th sheet of ice is no longer needed with Minnesota made ice available. The city and Park Board ignored the impact to neighbors — catering to an elite group of residents. We would like to see "bike trails" with improvements to the walking paths. Thank you we hope you do the right thing and remove the rink at Todd Park. 163. We moved to Edina in 1964. Our daughters enjoyed many of the park programs over the years. I believe it's important to maintain these programs for our kids now and years to come. 164. The hockey rink is far enough from our residents that it does not really affect us. 165. We don't live right on the park, however, we like the idea of having an ice rink for skating and a hockey rink for hockey and broomball. We can't comment on the after effects of having the hockey rink and lights in the immediate vicinity. On the other hand, we would prefer for aesthetic reasons, we'd prefer to use the temporary boards up the in the winter and taken down in the summer. Thank you. 22 Page 1 of 1 John Keprios From: RJSMMS@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 4:00 PM To: John Keprios Cc: PatCronin@incentiveservices.com Subject: Todd Park Ice Rink Dear John: I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all the time and effort you have put into maintaining our new ice rink at Todd Park. I personally think that once the Parks Dept. recommended the rink and the City Council approved the rink, the residents of Edina should be free to enjoy the new addition at Todd Park that allows us to enjoy the park during the very long winters we experience in Minnesota. Without the ice rink, the City of Edina would have invested a lot of money in the beautiful warming house structure (I believe I heard it was $250,000) that would only be used for a very short part of the year. With the addition of the ice rink that we've so desperately needed with our growing families around Todd Park, the city park can now be utilized all year long by the residents, families and children of Edina. Since I have 3 kids in youth hockey I know how stretched this town is for good outdoor ice. Todd Park has been a great addition to the hockey program as well as to our neighborhood. I'm very disappointed that the surrounding neighbors still seem to be harassing our public officials due to their self serving interests and their belief that the park just belongs to them since they live adjacent to it. I think they have probably wasted a considerable amount of your time, and our tax payers' dollars, when it's only a very small minority of neighbors that are against the addition of the ice rink. I know they are vocal, but they do not represent the Todd Park neighborhood. After these past two winters, it's clear to see how much the park has been utilized year round and how much everyone has enjoyed the ice rink. None of the concerns the adjacent neighbors raised have even been an issue. The ice rink has been a wonderful addition to our neighborhood and most importantly, to all the residents of Edina and I'm confident that everyone will continue to enjoy it for many, many winters to come. Thank you for your continued efforts to meet the growing recreational needs of all of Edina's residents, but most importantly the children. Michele Sit 23 Circle West Edina, MN 55436 952-928-0887 AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL. com. 3/27/2007 ,. 5700 All, r 4. a` } k te,,r�" tri k � - v41 / e& 620 624044 Y 0 Aw •t"'�1 W. µ Ilk C. 1 r i 6200 k ' ��1 Countryside Hockey Rink >a / Pamela Hockey Rink 1"=100' April, 2007 1JR' « '`;�rtE �� "� � », . �� C f �/��1 � �r' . R": t � ,�`_I 1 .�, . �+t ' '°'r l•i/��« . ✓ i` . � i. City of Edina February 22, 2007 Dear Resident of Todd Park Neighborhood: On behalf of the Edina Park Board, I ask that you please take just a few minutes to complete the enclosed survey and return your survey in the enclosed postage -paid return envelope by Friday, March 9, 2007. The Park Board would like your input to assess options for outdoor neighborhood hockey rink locations in our community. As a resident household in the Todd Park neighborhood, the Park Board values your opinion. When the results of the survey are tabulated and analyzed by staff, it is my intention to have staff recommendations for the Park Board to consider at their Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Park Board meeting. That meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and take place in the Council Chambers at Edina City Hall. The public is always welcome to attend. If you have any questions about the survey or process, feel free to contact me directly at (952) 826-0430. If you have comments to share, I ask that you please submit those in writing on the survey. Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out the survey and for sharing your input for the Park Board's consideration. Much appreciated! 2ne,11y, rprio r Edina Park and Recreation Department City Hall 4801 WEST 50TH STREET EDINA, MINNESOTA, 55424-1394 Park and Recreation Department www.cityofedina.com 952-826-0367 FAX 952-826-0385 TTY 952-826-0379 Todd Park Hockey Rink Community Survey Results Not every respondent answered every question; however, the following are the results of the "Todd Park Hockey Rink Community Survey:" 1. Are you a resident of the City of Edina? Yes — 319 No -4 ■Yes ■ No 1 40 1 2. Have you or any members of your household used the Todd Park Hockey rink since 2005? YES — 90 NO — 229 3. The City of Edina should continue to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the outdoor winter skating season. Strongly agree — 113 Agree — 95 Disagree — 21 Strongly disagree — 32 No opinion — 53 ■ Strongly Agree © Agree in Disagree e Strongly Disagree ❑ No Opinion 4. How likely would you or any member of your family use the Todd Park Hockey rink in future years IF the hockey rink remained at Todd Park during the winter months? I or someone in my household would use the rink —110 No one in our household would use the rink — 200 ■ Would use e Not use 5. IF the Park Board and City of Edina decide to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the winter skating season, what is your preference regarding the rink boards? It is acceptable to keep the hockey boards up all year — 44 I prefer the hockey boards to be removed in the summer — 222 No opinion — 51 ■ Leave Boards Up ■ Take Boards Dow n ❑ No Opinion 6. IF the Park Board and the City of Edina decide to eliminate the hockey rink at Todd Park during the outdoor skating season, what is your preference for outdoor skating at Todd Park? I prefer Todd Park have a general skating rink — 242 I prefer there be no more outdoor skating at Todd Park — 25 No opinion — 43 L eral Skating Skating OpiNon 7. The following issues were brought to the City of Edina and the Park Board prior to the trial period of the new hockey rink at Todd Park. Please indicate • how strongly you agree or disagree with each of these issues. A. The new hockey rink lights at Todd Park have not been a problem or nuisance. Strongly agree - 114 Agree - 85 Disagree - 12 Strongly disagree - 20 No opinion — 86 ■ Strongly Agree ❑ Agree o Disagree ■ Strongly Disagree o No Opinion B. The noise from the Todd Park hockey rink has not been a nuisance or problem. Strongly agree - 120 Agree - 89 Disagree - 16 Strongly disagree - 12 No opinion — 80 ■ Strongly Agree e Agree M Disagree ■ Strongly Disagree 0 No Opinic C. The addition of the hockey rink at Todd Park has not increased traffic in the neighborhood to an unacceptable or unsafe level. Strongly agree - 105 Agree - 87 Disagree - 23 Strongly disagree - 24 No opinion — 77 s Strongly Agree ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree e Strongly Disagree ❑ No Opinion D. The addition of the hockey rink at Todd Park has not increased on - street parking in the neighborhood to an unacceptable or unsafe level. Strongly agree - 90 Agree - 86 Disagree - 27 Strongly disagree - 15 No opinion — 97 ■ Strongly Agree e Agree n Disagree ■ Strongly Disagree ❑ No Opinion E. The addition of the hockey rink at Todd Park adds value to the homes in the neighborhood. Strongly agree - 76 Agree - 58 Disagree - 45 Strongly disagree - 37 No opinion — 99 ■ Strongly Agree m Agree tn Disagree e Strongly Disagree O No Opinion F. The addition of the hockey rink at Todd Park does not negatively affect the value of the homes in the Todd Park neighborhood. Strongly agree - 106 Agree - 82 Disagree - 26 Strongly disagree - 24 No opinion — 77 ■ Strongly Agree in Agree ❑ Disagree ■ Strongly Disagree a No Opinion G. If the hockey rink at Todd Park had boards that remained up all year (similar to all other outdoor hockey rinks in Edina), it would not significantly affect my family's ability to use the park's open space. Strongly agree - 67 Agree - 78 Disagree - 50 Strongly disagree - 72 No opinion — 49 Todd Park Hockey Rink Scheduled User Survey Results: Of the 52 coaches who were mailed the survey, only 24 responded by the post mark deadline of March 9, 2007. Of the 24 that responded, only 5 used the rink during the 2005-2006 season and only 7 used the rink during the 2006-2007 season. The results of the survey were: 1. Are you currently a coach in the Edina Hockey Association? YES — 24 NO -0 2. How many times did your hockey team use the Todd Park outdoor hockey rink during the 2005-2006 hockey season? Zero —19 1 or 2 times — 3 3 or 4 times — 0 5 or 6 times —1 7 or more times —1 3. How many times did your hockey team use the Todd Park outdoor hockey rink during the 2006-2007 hockey season? Zero —17 1 or 2 times — 2 3 or 4 times - 2 5 or 6 times —1 7 or more times - 2 4. The City of Edina should continue to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the outdoor winter skating season. Strongly agree — 10 Agree — 8 Disagree — 0 Strongly disagree — 0 No opinion — 5 5. IF the Park Board and City of Edina decide to provide a hockey rink at Todd Park during the winter skating season what is your preference regarding the rink boards? It is acceptable to use the removable white plastic dasher boards — 2 1 would prefer the permanently installed wood dasher boards — 8 Either type of dasher board are acceptable at Todd Park —10 No opinion — 2 6. The following issues were brought to the City of Edina and the Park Board prior to the trial period of the new hockey rink at Todd Park. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of these issues. A. The on -street parking is satisfactory and acceptable. Strongly agree — 3 Agree — 7 Disagree — 5 Strongly disagree — 1 No opinion — 8 B. The Todd Park hockey rink location is easy for EHA participants to find. Strongly agree — 8 Agree — 8 Disagree — 4 Strongly disagree — 0 No opinion — 4 7. IF the City of Edina and the Park Board limit outdoor hockey rinks to eleven, I would prefer that Todd Park hockey rink be eliminated in favor of another park location. Strongly agree — 4 Agree — 3 Disagree — 4 Strongly disagree — 2 No opinion —11 �9ttA,r� o�e'`��� ay City of Edina Edina Park Board Resolution for Support of Bicycling WHEREAS: The Edina Park Board serves the City of Edina to develop and review plans for the acquisition and development of parks and recreational facilities, develop recreation programs, review parkland dedications for new subdivisions and make recommendations to the Edina City Council; WHEREAS: The Edina Park Board is interested in bicycle use for recreation and transportation throughout the City; WHEREAS: The Bike Edina Task Force has been commissioned to develop a comprehensive bicycle plan for Edina that supports all levels of bicyclists, connects key destinations including safe routes to schools, and integrates with the Twin Cities' regional bike network; and WHEREAS: The Edina Park Board and the Bike Edina task force share a vision for a bicycle - friendly community where citizens can integrate cycling into their daily life; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Edina Park Board hereby supports the placement of bicycle parking structures within parks and the use of park lands for bicycle trails, where appropriate; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Edina Park Board supports the mission of the Bike Edina Task Force and the development of a comprehensive bicycling plan for the City of Edina. City Hall 4801 WEST 50TH STREET EDINA, MINNESOTA, 55424-1394 Park and Recreation Department www.cityofedina.com 952-826-0367 FAX 952-826-0385 TTY 952-826-0379 GOALS AND POLICIES The following goals and policies are intended to serve as a guide for future decisions pertaining to Edina's park and recreation areas for the next twenty years. These goals reflect the results of the Community Attitude and Interest Survey conducted in 2006; however, the goals are not intended to appear in order of priority. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN BACKGROUND j Over the past decade, residents of the Twin Cities arilha,Zvoice -wide have shown an increased interest in the preservation and restoration sp d unique natural areas. Consistent with national trends, Edina resi1. ong interest in the protection and restoration of Edina's natur A sources. The Community Attitude and Interest Surveyre show t 66% of Edi residents have a need/desire for natural areas and wildlife ha mp�ared to 48% which is the national benchmark response for thA need/desire. E g�idents feel strongly about natural resources, natural areas and t ix pprotection andere appropriate) restoration. The need/desire for natural areas and `ildlifgj bitat was only coed to the highest need/desire, which was walking and bikig trai�� 6%. Thi ace was the need for golf courses (49%) and fourth was playground egfi at 4 o. . t„ � The City of Edin ' f arks are designed to prNi�a and pre rve natural settings while at the same time saris .ihe public demand for tion opportunities. To accomplish both, a Natural Resources Conservation and ent Plan is needed to protect and preserve Fdina's natural resources. A Wtle y-based Natural Resources �1 Conse ion and Management Plan ni needed as a means of protecting the he d safety of the public. 1 1, The City dina owns over 1,565 acres of park land and open space areas and the City is essential %0% developed. Therefore, in establishing goals for Edina's natural resources the focus is on establishing restoration and preservation management practices, as oppT9ryd,to identifying areas appropriate for future main transportation systems and utility infrastructure. Those decisions have already been implemented. Open space areas owned by the City of Edina are intended to remain protected and !, preserved from any future development. Therefore, the focus will be to determine what level of management and restoration is desired for Edina's natural resources. GOAL The goal is to establish a scientifically -based Natural Resources Conservation and Management Plan to identify; restore and/or protect natural resources and native wildlife habitat. The primary reason to restore and/or protect natural resources is to sustain their ecological integrity and functions and protect the health and safety of the public. Natural resource areas shall include prairies, woods and wetlands. The Water Resources Management Plan is addressed under the Water Resources section of this Comprehensive Plan. The goal is to also identify a master landscape plantings plan for all Edina parks, which is the final phase of park development that has yet to be completed. POLICIES 1. A resource inventory assessment must first be conducted to identify Edina's prairies, woods and wetlands and produce a landscape comprehensive resource map. A woodland survey, resource assessment and prodion of a landscape comprehensive resource map should be conducted to iassess ecological functions. This survey and resource assessment is intended . identify rare plant and animal species, and exotic non-native plant species assn Lent. ,The assessment can also include other important information such a -1 es, existin infrastructures, and areas of significant historical and cu al values.i�� 2. Once a resource inventory assessmencompleted, a Natural Resources Conservation and Management Plarras°w establ ed. At that time, natural resource management policies will be pro URted. For example, exotic or invasive plants may be controlled to prote ve haitats for the�health and safety of the public. 3. The plan is to also identify wl0$here additio dscape plantings are desired for each park. This ma } r landscapin old be addressed on an annual basis for many years to co e. 4. Edina will continue to.carry out al i 111,1111 dates for shade tree disease control and nodous weed co ol. 5. Staff will cork closely with any futur nvirommntal Commission that maybe established by the City C©uncil to emb a and utilize volunteer service that proves valuable resident input and advi ton natural resource conversation and 6 Mai agement plans. 1� ate and Federal grant funding will sought to assist with financing the t source inventory process. WILDLlilkE MANAGEMENT PLAN BACKGROUND Edina is home to a variety of wildlife, some of which make Edina their home year around and other wildlife thatmigrate in and out of Edina. Wildlife is more often than not viewed by residents as an asset to community and a wonder of nature for park users to view and enjoy. In some cases, wildlife poses a threat to public safety and in some cases wildlife may be considered a nuisance to park users and traffic. In managing wildlife, the focus is to manage habitat for wildlife and, when necessary, target specific wildlife species for removal. The Natural Resources Conservation and Management Plan will help identify any rare animals that may require additional attention to provide better habitat protection. The Natural Resources Management Plan will identify specific plants for wildlife needs. The Wildlife Management Plan defines an appropriate population target and management process approved by state and/or federal government agencies. GOAL The goal is to maintain existing wildlife sanctuaries and create new ones where appropriate to protect significant plant communities and associated wildlife from the impacts of human activity. The goal is to control animal and bird populations that are con rqd to be a threat to public health or safety; or considered hazardous to the envirc ent and/or infrastructure; or create an unacceptable public nuisance that could result.ini cial or social hardship if not controlled. ,lilt; The goal is to continue to improve shoreline fis, ' III The fa ublic. POLICIES ,, 111 11, Y 1. The Cit of Edina will continue to work 14 a gsota Departm hof Natural Resources to maintain a healthy her to 60 deer (or as dtherwise directed by the Minnesota DNR) within the Cit dina. Professional contractors or trained City staff will'be used to asst t*th deer control and the City will continue to support aerial deer count survey the winter months to assess the size of the City's deer herd. Ali, ri�Y [��9' 2. The City of Edina plans to continue to control gee populations in targeted park settings where their presence can create a threat to public health and/or an unacceptable p E �c nuisance. Being a�Aing. ally protected migratory waterfowl, geese are difficult° to control m an urban The City will continue to use a dog as a means of forcing geese off of golf courses. The City will also continue t to contract a professional contractor to round -up geese throughout targeted areas t � in the city during the goose moltipg season. 3. Thgof Edina will continue to control other animal species (especially beave t are considered harmful to the environment, the general public and/or the Ovate �Od. Beaver can disrupt the flow of storm water; cause flooding, and need to be removed. 4. The City of Edina will continue to work closely with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division to enhance shoreline fishing opportunities for the public, which includes stocking of game fish, improving habitat and water quality for game fish, offering Minnesota DNR shoreline fishing programs and supporting educational opportunities for the public to learn more about fishing. WALKING AND BIKING TRAILS PATHWAYS PLAN BACKGROUND The 2006 Community Attitude and Interest Citizen Survey clearly showed that the most important amenity requested by residents is walking/biking trails. One question in the survey asked; "Which Parks and Recreation Services Do You Think Should Receive the Most Attention from City of Edina Officials Over the Next TWO Years?" The results were: 54% Maintenance of Edina parks 53% Number of walking/biking trails 16% Number of nature conservation areas 14% The City youth programs 13% Number of Edina parks 12% Quality of outdoor athletic fields 9% Quality of indoor athletic fields 8% Quality of outdoor swimming pools 8% Availability of info about Edive rog a 8% Quality of programs/facilitie I Its age .*)-,)+ 6% The City adult programs P11111111111111111i6% Fees charged for recreatio1 Residents were also ash 4 oose their top three choices that they are most willing to fund with additional tax dol d the resr 14§ were: 66% developwalking and bikin trails g 42% develop a new indoor recreation center 21% develop outdoor athletic fields for sports 21% aggressively remove buck from city parks 19% develop new indoors orts or games, etc. 17% develop a new outdo ` og ex ase park 13% develop w outdoor ficial` ockey rink 5% other , The survey also asked for reasons that residents would use walking and biking trails in the City of Edina. The results were: d 84% for exercise and fitness 84% for enjoying outdoors/nature 25% for transportation 7% would not use trails The survey results clearly indicate that residents desire and support more park trail opportunities in their local park to use for fitness and enjoying nature and the out of doors more so than for transportation purposes. fly,>4 a 8% Quality of programs/facilitie I Its age .*)-,)+ 6% The City adult programs P11111111111111111i6% Fees charged for recreatio1 Residents were also ash 4 oose their top three choices that they are most willing to fund with additional tax dol d the resr 14§ were: 66% developwalking and bikin trails g 42% develop a new indoor recreation center 21% develop outdoor athletic fields for sports 21% aggressively remove buck from city parks 19% develop new indoors orts or games, etc. 17% develop a new outdo ` og ex ase park 13% develop w outdoor ficial` ockey rink 5% other , The survey also asked for reasons that residents would use walking and biking trails in the City of Edina. The results were: d 84% for exercise and fitness 84% for enjoying outdoors/nature 25% for transportation 7% would not use trails The survey results clearly indicate that residents desire and support more park trail opportunities in their local park to use for fitness and enjoying nature and the out of doors more so than for transportation purposes. Even though transportation is the least important reason why residents desire more walking/biking trails, the City is working closely with Three Rivers Park District to create regional trails to create connections to neighboring community trail systems that are subsequently connected to the greater regional trail system. GOAL The goal is to develop additional walking/biking trails within each of Edina's parks wherever it is appropriate and desired and maintain existing trails at a level that meets or exceeds residents' expectations. 111111111 ti The goal is to create connectivity between Edina's indiv' erior trails and regional trails that connect Edina's parks to neighboring comm y tra d particularly trails that are part of the greater regional trail system., i@r �� POLICIES ,11111 1. With extensive input from residents, ea k wil a reviewed fo phial development of new walking/biking trails 'n k. 2. The Edina Bike Taskforce will work with pro onal consultants to"#identify a new bike pathway master plan for the City of E�:. The goal is to identify the best routes for connecting existing and future internal: �'rk trail systems, as well as identify the most appropriate router traflthatwill connect to neighboring community trails. 3. The City of Edina will continue to work closely with Three Rivers Park District and neighboring communities to develop a comprehensive trail system that connects to the greater regional trail system. 4. Parking needs and feasibility will be studio as part of the development of a comprehensive trail sys- 5. New additio 1 internal park �� } irking trails will be added to the park system as funding becomes available' under the capital improvement plan. 6. Maintain existing trails on a gular basis to keep them safe and user friendly. PARKA MMENANCE'AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURE RENOVA A REPLACEMENT PLAN i #..•al's` is • �e��1i1►1 �7 The Community Attitude and Interest Survey clearly showed that the most important service that residents think that City of Edina officials should give most attention to is "Maintenance of Edina Parks." 77% of respondents are either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the overall value their household receives from the parks and recreation services in Edina. The national benchmark average is 57% that are either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied. Even with those high marks, residents recognize the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure to maintain the value of recreation services. Maintaining parks was the most important tax supported function even over the second most important expenditure, the development of new walkingibiking trails (54% vs. 53%). Of the 26 different parks and recreation facilities to choose from, survey respondents rated playground equipment as the fourth most important recreation facility needed/desired (24%). The top three were: 1. Walking and biking trails (64%). 2. Natural areas and wildlife habitats (30%). 3. 18 and 9 hold golf courses (27%). Resources to maintain park lands and facilities will be an ongoing challenge as facilities continue to age and will require either renovation or replacement. There are currently 12 of the 27 park buildings maintained by Maintenance Department that are between 25 and 100 years, 1. Arden Park Shelter Building 2. Bredesen Park Comfort Station 3. Cahill School Historical Building 4. Countryside Park Shelter Building 5. Creek Valley Park Shelter Buildin, 6. Grange Hall Historical Building 7. Highlands Park Shelter Building 8. Lewis Park Shelter Building 9. Normandale Park Shelter Bui 10. Pamela Park Shelter Building 11. Strachauer Park Shelter Building, 12. Utley Park The two gs at Topa Park are . valued as historically and culturally significanf $',dings. The other ten .ked buildings are approaching the end of their life span and will be , need of either major renovation or total replacement within the next 20 years. In detennining renovation vs. replacement, each building's function needs to be analyzed as to whether or not it serves the current needs and desires of park users. _ In some cases, the current architecture and design of a building may meet customer expectations. In other cases, the building may no longer meet customer expectations. The four newesfk shelter buildings in the park system were built in 1997 as part of a successful general o' ligation bond. Those buildings were built at: 1. Cornelia School Park 2. Todd Park 3. Walnut Ridge Park 4. Weber Park These newer facilities can accommodate social gatherings, meetings, classes, recreation programs and also serves as a warming house to change skates and warm up during the winter skating season. The older shelter buildings serve primarily as a place in which to change skates during the winter skating season but are not used for other purposes during the non -winter seasons other than for their restroom facilities. GOAL The goal is to continue to provide a high level of park maintenance services that meets or exceeds resident's expectations. The goal is to continue this level of service on a daily basis as well as maintain or replace existing park infrastructure in a timely manner that meets or exceeds resident's expectations. POLICIES 1. The plan is to continue to fund and employ an 401p umber of full-time professional park maintenance staff and p time`easona staffto perform all E daily maintenance functions needed to Rtam Edina parks at a premier standard. As more infrastructures ares ed to the park system, more professional staff and equipment will be needed to Miltain parks at a premier standard. 2. Through an aggressive Capital Improvement'Plan and annual operating budget, worn park infrastructure wi�j be either restored; ' replaced in a timely manner that meets or exceeds residents' tations. E . 3. It is the intent to not rely on v oved genera ation bonds to replace worn infrastructure. 1$ I 1141ITIARPYLAN ATHLETIC F,�1ii�AND F ,_4111111 11 11 111 4 1 BACKGROUND t�E> The nation-wide trend in youth athletics is that to are more outdoor athletic field programs 'offered `to more youth each year. #fie and more program offerings are ext d to children' at younger ages and bo sexes each year. There are also more enter ing sports that compete for the same fields, such as, soccer, rugby, football, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee. It is not uncommon for youth athletic associations to offer athletic field;programs to youth who are pre -kindergarten age. The Needs Assessment Survey results state that 66% of households are either somewhat supportive (43%) or very supportive (23%) of developing outdoor athletic fields for sports. Developing outdoor athletic fields for sports scored third highest in list of what residents are most willing to fund with additional tax dollars. Developing waking and hiking trails was first (66%) and developing a new indoor recreation center was second (42%). Developing outdoor athletic fields for sports ranked third in priority at 21 %. There is simply more demand than supply of outdoor athletic fields to accommodate the ideal schedule for all youth sports. When asked in the survey what they think should receive the most attention from City of Edina officials over the next two years, only 4% stated that "number of city soccer fields" should receive the most attention. Given the demographics of Edina, the large senior population understandably has little or no interest in developing outdoor • athletic fields. There are very few remaining park lands that could be developed into scheduled outdoor athletic field space. There is also a problem of over -scheduled fields which demands artificial turf to withstand the heavy use. Survey results also showed that the quality of outdoor athletic fields ranked much higher than the number of City soccer fields. 58% of respondents stated that they would support partnering with surrounding communities to develop sports facilities in communities within 1-5 miles of Edina. There is an emerging trend that youth athletic associations and families are reluctant to accept youth athletic program offerings during the weekday and weekend times. The window of acceptable days and times of the day have shrunk, thus putting more pressure on demand for more facilities to accommodate the ideal schedule for families; especially for dual working parents and single parent families. GOAL jj­111 Develop and maintain additional multi-purpose athletics elds where possible and reasonable within Edina's 40 parks to help meet t i TW for outdoor athletic field facilities. Explore partnership or ownership op unitie's within 5 miles of Edina to develop and/or secure additional outdoor at410 fields. ]expand program offerings to weekdayand weekend times to maximize avai ty of a ing facilities. al t' POLICIES 1. The plan is to explore the fe'asibilit of develops isting park lands into more outdoor athletic fields at parks, suoj Walnut Rid k, Pamela Park and Lake Edina Park. i 111111 2. Explore athletic field development and pa�tn opp rtunities with the Edina School Dist "1111iil1. t : 3. Explore t asibihty of converting one or more letic fields into artificial turf surfaces J, 4. Explore alternative scheduling opportunitigg, such as, Friday evenings and eekend events, plus, scheduled eventsduring the working day. PARK AND OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION PLAN BACKGROUND The City of Edina is basically 100% developed. Therefore, the City of Edina is no longer in a land acquisition seeking mode for the development of additional park lands. The intent is to retain all of the currently publicly owned park land and consider any additional property that may be offered in the future as potential additional park property. For example, the Grandview Square development resulted in a wonderful one -acre park nestled in the center of a mixed developed site that includes offices, condominiums, library and senior center. As these opportunities surface in the future, each property should be studied on a case by case basis. There does not seem to be a need to aggressively seek more land for park and open space purposes. GOAL The goal is to retain, maintain, protect and preserve all of Edina's park and open space property currently owned by the City of Edina. The goal is to also study the feasibility of acquiring additional park and open space land as more private land may become available for public acquisition. POLICIES 1. It shall be the policy of the City of Edina to not sell any park and/or open space property currently owned by the City of Edina. An exception to this policy might include a property exchange for land of equal or greater value that is determined to be in the best interest of the community.lt 2. It shall be the policy of the City of Edina to studyAq asiblity of additional park and open space property within the City li may come available for public ownership. l SII. 3. It shall be the policy of the City of Edina tdl} ;the feasibility of acquiring or leasing additional property outside the City limits not greater than a five mile radius of the City limits for athletic f d purposes. 4. It shall be the policy of the City of L study e feasibility of partnering with surrounding communities to gain p ac o additional property within five miles of the City limits for athleRij purposes. COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS PLAN BACKGROUND,�� °� The Edina Park; ecrea #)Department entered i several collaborations and partnerships as 1' ent and effective meth of providing recreation programs and facilities. Examples i the successful collaborative with the Cities of Richfield and Bloomingt the Sotde hdale YMCA to develop'and operate the YMCA Tri -City Skate Park. ample is the four -city partnership (ABLE) to provide adaptive recre n programd,services for residents with disabilities. The collaborative effort bei he City and He'nnepin County Library resulted in a very successful new Senior Citizen ter with a newt 8,000 square foot library building on the second level. The City of E also explo a partnership opportunity with the Cities of St. Louis Park and Minneap o provide other off -leash dog park location in Edina. The City of Edina entered int �jjease a a eement with a private company that originally built and operated what is now the Braemar Golf Dome. Other public/private partnerships have been studied in the past. The Edina Park and Recreation Department also works closely with County and State `levels of government to offer park and recreation services and facilities. The City of Edina is working closely with Three Rivers Park District to construct a regional trail or two in Edina to connect with the greater regional trail system. The Edina Park and Recreation Department also works closely with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in efforts to provide quality shore line fishing opportunities. There are numerous other examples; however, the point is that partnerships and collaborations should continue to be a viable option when considering new park and recreation services and/or facilities. GOAL When considering options to provide new services and/or facilities, partnerships should be considered and studied as a cost-effective and efficient option. POLICIES 1. When considering new recreation program services, staff will explore partnership opportunities that may be the most cost-effective and efficient means of providing the new recreation program experience. 2. When considering development of new recreation facilities, staff will explore partnership opportunities (public/private and public/public ventures) as a potential method of offering recreational facilities on a cost-effective and efficient basis that is in the best interest of the community. USE OF VOLUNTEERS PLAN 111111111_ BACKGROUND: One of Edina's greatest assets is its volunteers. Without vdutpers, the Edin ark and Recreation Department would not be able to provide "the extensive recreation programs and services available today. The Edina Park and Recreation Department also relies heavily on volunteers to do a number of things, only some of which include to: • Provide comprehensive historical services (archival servqces, historical museum, historical art' etc.) through the Edina Historical Society. • Provide r9W(oservation, ng opportunities and services thrc ghout Edina's parks via the Edina C ouncil. • Provide comp sive youth athletic program services for a wide variety of different sport opportunities Edina's 13 independently incorporated youth ia t'hletic associations°'and its two sport clubs (swimming and figure skating). ,411 Provide sound' informed advice to the City Council on important policies and er park and r tion matters via the Edina Park Board. •�ie sound an ormed advice to the City Council on important visual arts pohc And matter a the Edina Art Center Board. • Providlity ban concert music free to residents on a year around basis via the John l p Sousa Memorial Band. • Provide ad,46e to the staff at the Edina Senior Center via the Edina Senior Center Advisory Committee. • Provide extensive clerical and light duty services to the Edina Senior Center. • Provide numerous park improvement projects via Eagle Scout candidates. • Provide extensive park clean-up twice a year at each park via the Adopt -A -Park program. • Provide valuable input and feedback to the staff at Braemar Golf Course via the Braemar Golf Course Greens Committee. • Provide assistance to golfers, downhill ski enthusiasts, and other recreation program registrants who have developmental disabilities. The point is that the Edina Park and Recreation Department relies heavily on volunteers who donate thousands of hours of selfless service each year to help others and further the mission of the Edina Park and Recreation Department. GOAL It is the goal of the Edina Park and Recreation Department to recruit, utilize and empower Edina's volunteers to provide a wide variety of important services to help serve the mission of the Edina Park and Recreation Department. It is also he goal to properly thank and recognize volunteers for their valuable and self -les es to the City of Edina. POLICIES 1. Itis the policy of the Edina Park and Rec Rflt1% bpartmeriV ely on, support and empower volunteers to provide rec ion services as a co ective method of provide recreation services to ress, 2. Itis the policy of the Edina Park and ection Department to recntn and supervise volunteers where needed to provide recreation. services at imal cost to residents. 3. It is the policy of the City of Ntission o annually (v4 e Annual Volunteer Awards Reception and Annual Board Rece recognize its outstanding volunteers and the ue� nng to the lbf Edina. INDOOR TIES P BACKGROUNDa-:' The results of the 2006 Needs Assessment Sqrv4 show that 75% of respondents are either very supportive (44%y o�� mewhat supportive (31%) of developing anew indoor recreation center in Edina. Res howed that a new indoor recreation center was the second most important new facilit §pondents' choice. Developing walking and biking trails was first place' 890/(0 ng either very supportive (65%) or somewhat supportive (24%). When a I what they would be most willing to fund with additional tax dollars, resp ents clea stated that developing a new indoor recreation center (42%) was again ' d t veloping walking and biking trails (66%). Developing outdoor athletic fiel ports finished third at 21 %. When asked how they would allocate $100 in extra,'. ds if made available for the City of Edina, the response was: • $29 for improvements and maintenance of existing parks and recreation facilities. • $26 for new walking and biking trails. • $15 for a new indoor recreation center. • $9 for removal of buckthorn. • $7 for new outdoor and indoor sports facilities. • $6 for a new indoor nature center. 0 $4 for a new artificially refrigerated outdoor hockey rink. • $4 other. The survey asked respondents to choose from a list of 15 potential indoor programming spaces the ones that they and members of their household would use if they were developed in an indoor community center. Walking and jogging track (58%) was the indoor programming space that the highest percentage of respondent households would use. Other indoor programming spaces that at least 30% of respondents would use include: weight room/cardiovascular equipment (40%), aerobics/fitness/dance class space (40%), leisure pool (35%), and lanes for lap swimming (30%). Clearly the majority of respondents desire more indoor recreation space venue opports for exercise and fitness purposes. Developing indoor fitness opportunities seems to be a my ��qsidents that should be addressed. GOAL '11111 t'I The goal is to explore and study opportunities t vide i or exercise ss opportunities for Edina residents. This desired fac &t be provided rely by Pp the private or quasi -public sector; such as, the South CA and/or Lifetime Fitness and/or public/private partnership; ho the goal is t e that the desire is met within the next five to ten years.��# POLICIES . 1. The plan is to` active'1y seek a locat ' 9d fun ��rce to provide more indoor exercise cilities within the next fiv o ten year 2. The CitJof Edina will actively suppoA he development of an indoor exercise facility in Edina, whether it is a public,"Yate or partnership venture. 3. The City will explore a poten,tig T;ation ip opportunity with the Southdale �VICA to assist with expansion,tand/or replacement of the existing d1ijiSouthdale YMCA indoor fitness facilities. This partnership may involve a land E!se or land swap agreement if necessary. OUTDOOR HOCKEY AND GENERAL SKATING RINK PLAN BACKGROUND Due to the trend of warmer winter seasons each year, the Edina Park Maintenance Department finds it more challenging each year to provide and maintain quality outdoor skating ice for longer than six to eight weeks per year. There was a time when outdoor ice was easily attainable by December 20 each year. Outdoor ice was not attainable for skaters until after the first of the year for the 2006-2007 outdoor skating season. There is little debate that winters are getting warmer and outdoor ice is becoming more difficult to develop early and late in the season. This trend may very well suggest that communities need to consider a form of artificial refrigeration to ensure quality outdoor ice for skating during the winter months. Most neighborhoods desire a hockey rink in the park nearest their home. The Edina Hockey Association desires outdoor hockey rinks for many of their games and practices during the winter months. If winter weather continues to be warmer each year, then communities will be faced with exploring other best practices to cost effectively provide and maintain quality ice during the winter season. These best practices may include artificial refrigeration systems, high molecular density plastic rinks, covered ice rinks (large roof structures or shade materials), ice resurfacing machines and/or other creative methods to build and maintain quality outdoor ice. The Needs Assessment Survey results indicate very little community -wide support to fund a new outdoor uncovered artificially refrigerated hock Ifink. ESI il�, ❑ Maintenance�� ■ Walking/biking traililil��e, • Indoor community' 'j, acility ID Removal of buckthorn Outdoor/indoor sports MCI sties 13 da ■ Indoor nature center ® Outdoor artificially refrigerated hockey rink Other $30 �f.a $25 $20' $15 $10 $5 $0 3 Even though there is not strong community -wide support for artificially refrigerated outdoor hockey rinks, there may be interest in pursuing the concept with donated funds. GOAL • RECREATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PLAN DISCUSSION Edina offers a wide variety of recreation programs and services for all residents, toddlers through senior citizens. The Park and Recreation professional staff and volunteers seek to offer programs and services that meet the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of all residents. Recreation programs are offered year round. Adaptive Recreation The City of Edina made a commitment to individuals with disabilities before it was required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Edina is a part of a 4 cities and school district partnership to offer a variety of recreation opportunities specifically designed for individuals with disabilities ages 3 and older. Edina Adaptive Recreation is also responsible for providing inclusion services to provide a successful opportunity for individuals with disabilities who choose to participate in general recreation programs. General Recreation Programs The Park and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of year round opportunities for residents of all ages. Youth For youth ages 4-14 the Recreation Department offers programs at neighborhood parks during the summer months. From "Fab 4 & 5" to "You're Not Too Old for this..." there is something for everyone. During the winter a few special programs are also offered for our residents from "Tea for Two" to "Drive in Movies" residents can register for these family friendly activities. Adults A variety of Adult athletic programs is also offered throughout the year. From Broomball to Kickball residents have the opportunity to register teams at all ability levels. Tennis For youth and adults ages 5 and older Edina offers tennis lessons at all ability levels. Youth Athletic Associations Edina Athletic Associations and Clubs currently offer athletic opportunities to over 9,000 youth of all abilities through fourteen clubs and associations. The independently incorporated youth athletic associations and clubs are run by volunteers with the help of a professional recreation staff liaison. In 2006, the City of Edina appointed a Youth Sports Task Force to address the current issues related to athletic opportunities available to youth in Edina. The outcome of this task force is as follows: 1. Updated relationship agreement 2. Updated priority use of outdoor facilities 3. Formal grievance process to be followed which precedes existing association grievance processes 4. Resolution of Youth Sports Core Values and Community Strategy 5. Uniform Code of Conduct Enterprise Facilities The Enterprise Facilities within the Edina Parks and Recreation Department offer Programs and services in unique environments. The Edina Art Center offers a variety of programs for all ages to meet the creative visual arts needs of our residents. The Edina Art Center contracts with specialists to implement a variety of course offerings ranging from pottery to photography. Braemar Ice Arena is home to the Edina Hockey Association and Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club. Braemar also internally offers skating lessons and open skating to meet the passive ice skating needs of residents. For golf enthusiasts Braemar Golf Course offers lessons to youth and adults ages 11 and older. In a group setting or on a 1:1 basis Braemar employs golf professionals to offer beginning through advanced lessons. Braemar also offers tee times for 36 holes of golf. The Edina Senior Center currently has over 1,500 members ages 55+ seeking a variety of program offerings. From Bridge to Softball, the Senior Center is home to over ### programs to meet the needs of all members. Centennial Lakes is a beautiful setting in the southeast quadrant of the City. During the Winter months Centennial Lakes offers skate rental and open skating for residents to enjoy the 10 acres of carefully maintained ice. During the summer residents are welcome to golf on the natural 18 hole grass putting course. Also available are free outdoor concerts, a croquet field, and 1.5 miles of pathways. Edinborough Park currently offers 5 special events per year for residents to enjoy the Park. Adventure Peak is a recently added play structure that attracts youth up to age 12 from all over the metro area. The Edina Aquatic Center offers waterslides, a zero depth play structure, diving boards, a pulley ride, and a dry land play area for residents to enjoy independently. For residents who seek to improve their swimming skills, the Aquatic Center contracts with Foss Swim School to offer lessons for youth and adults ages 3 and older. GOAL 1. As Baby Boomers enter retirement, the Edina Park and Recreation Department will follow the trends and offer diverse opportunities for seniors. What used to be softball and bridge is soon to be volunteering and rock climbing. The baby boomer population will be looking for recreation opportunities outside of the senior center environment. 2. Youth obesity is now considered an epidemic. Children today are the first generation in which their life expectancy will be lower than that of their parents. The Park and Recreation Department has an opportunity to tackle this epidemic head on by providing recreation opportunities that lure kids away from the TV and out into the parks. POLICIES 0 - 1. The City will continue to add fitness based programs for residents of all ages. 2. The City will explore program opportunities for Baby Boomers. 3. The City will explore options to provide safe opportunities for kids to play at their local park in an unstructured environment. Hi Jennifer The following is information regarding our plans for Arbor Day which is Friday, April 27. The city tree crew and I will plant two 8' Heritage Elms in the city owned traffic island of Edina Ct., on the north side of W.50th St. at 10:OOAM. Public is welcome to participate or observe. I will be available not only to actively demonstrate proper tree planting procedures, but also to answer any questions regarding planting and important after care recommendations for raising healthy, structurally strong and visually pleasing shade trees. This early development period once a tree has been planted is considered the most opportune time to best influence a tree's growth throughout it's extended lifetime. John Keprios said he would notify and invite Park Board members. I am submitting this to you for an update on our web page. It would also be helpful, if it's not to late, to have this published in the Sun Current. Thanks Jennifer. • Summary of Tree Work Performed by City Personal February 8, to December 20, 2006 Compiled and Written by Mark Spain TOTAL NUMBER OF JOB ORDERS 216 TREES TRIMMMED 337 TREES REMOVED 311 TREES PLANTED 8 (A) TREES TRIMMED 56 JOB ORDERS 337 TRIMS Maintenance 20 Job Orders 108 Trims 21 Ash 47 Buckthorn 2 Silver Maple 1 White Pine 1 White Oak 4 Willow 3 Cottonwoods 13 Boxelders 2 Amur Maple 6 Elms 5 Red Pine 1 Mulberry Storm Damage 10 Jobs 22 Trees 4 Willow 2 White Pine 2 Cottonwood 12 Ash 1 Red Oak 1 Boxelder Creek Jobs 12 Jobs 42 Trees 3 Boxelder 4 Cottonwood 6 Elm 9 Ash 8 Willow 12 Basswoods Clear View Jobs 14 Jobs 165 Trees 27 Boxelder 27 Buckthorn 8 Willow 18 Elm 9 Red Oak 7 Basswood 6 Cottonwood 27 Ash 1 Apple 3 Amur Maple 1 Spruce 3 White Pines 5 Poplars 8 Bur Oaks 14 Silver Maples (B) TREE REMOVALS 104 JOB ORDERS 311 TREES Dutch Elm Disease Removals 64 Job Orders 174 Trees 174 Trees 2403" Dia. at breast height Oak Wilt Disease Removals 4 Job Orders 8 Trees 8 Trees 133" Dia. at breast height Dead, Hazard, or Declining 36 Jobs 129 Trees 129 trees 1140" Dia. at breast height 9 Willow 252" 18 Boxelder 201" 3 Silver Maple 26" 4 Spruce 25" 1 Poplars 7" 1 Catalpa 26" 14 Red Oaks 69" 6 Bur Oaks 127' 6 Cottonwoods 97" 11 Elms 88" 47 Buckthorns 108" 1 Russian Olive 20" 1 Amur Maple 15" 1 Scotch Pine 18" 2 Cedar 24" 2 Sugar Maple 14" 3 Ash 40" STUMP REMOVALS 3 JOBS 15 TREES 1 Cottonwood 10 Buckthorn 1 Boxelder 1 Willow 2 Crab Apple PLANTING JOBS 4 JOBS 8 TREES 2 Spruce 2 Swamp White Oak 4 Autumn Blaze Maple BRUSH PILE PICK UPS 46 JOB ORDERS LOADS OF MULCH DELIVERED 3 LOADS 60 Yards