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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-08 Park Board PacketCity of Edina EDINA PARK BOARD Tuesday, October 8, 1996 7:30 p.m. Manager's Conference Room AGENDA * 1 . Approval of September 10, 1996, Park Board meeting minutes. *2. Edina Basketball Association Proposal. 3. Arneson Acres Park Water Gardens Plan. * 4. Lewis Park Plans. 5. Naming/Renaming Parks and Facilities. 6. Park Referendum Projects Update. 7. Other. *8. Adjournment. * These are agenda items that require or request Park Board action. City Hall (612) 927-8861 4801 WEST 50TH STREET FAX (612) 927-7645 EDINA, MINNESOTA 55424-1394 TDD (612) 927-5461 CITY OF EDINA is PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: October 4, 1996 TO: All Park Board Members FROM: John Keprios, Director ")i SUBJECT: Staff report for upcoming Park Board meeting. Enclosed you should find the following items: 1. October 8, 1996, Park Board Agenda. 2. September 10, 1996, Park Board Minutes. 3. Wooddale Park survey results. 4. Materials mailed to Wooddale Park area residents. STAFF REPORT The following is the monthly staff report concerning each item on the agenda with the exception of approval of the minutes and other. "Other" is listed on the agenda in case last minute items come up between now and the Park Board meeting, plus, cover any other concerns of Park Board members and/or attendees. EDINA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PROPOSAL A copy of the enclosed letter, map and returned addressed stamped post card survey was mailed to 403 households throughout the Wooddale Park neighborhood area. The results of the survey tallied seventy-seven (77) against (43.75%) the proposal to add a basketball court to Wooddale Park and ninety-nine (99) in favor (56.25%)of the proposal. This was a return of 44%, which is considered to be a rather high return. All of the comments sent in on the post cards have been typed onto a list and are included in this mailing. Russ Fortner will be in attendance representing the Edina Basketball Association to discuss the Association's proposal. He will be present to share EBA's views on the matter and to answer any questions. As you will note on the comments submitted, there are a variety of good reasons to build a basketball court at Wooddale Park and there are some good reasons not to build a court at that site. As with any proposed donation to improve Edina's park system, each proposal should be judged on its own merit. In all cases of proposed donations to the City of Edina's park system, it is staff's professional opinion that the park and recreation needs and desires of the community should always be considered more important than the generous offering itself. In other words, if a proposed donation to the Edina park system does not best serve the 2 needs and desires of the general population of Edina, then the proposal should be rejected regardless of its well intentioned generosity. Each one of these proposals become a judgment call by the Edina Park Board and ultimately the decision of the Edina City Council. As with the Edina Swim Club's proposal to dome the pool at their expense, it becomes staff's duty to gather facts for the Edina Park Board to help Board members make an informed recommendation to the Edina City Council. It is also staff's duty to ensure the potential donor an opportunity to be heard through a fair process. It is very likely that there will be residents in attendance at the Park Board meeting to share their views. There are obviously several Wooddale Park neighbor residents who oppose the Edina Basketball Association's proposal. It is therefore staff's recommendation that alternative ideas be discussed and considered, such as: 1. Building a half court size basketball court with only one backboard and hoop. 2. Providing adjustable or permanent backboards that could be set at a lower height to better serve a younger population. 3. Constructing a full size basketball court at a different park. If the EBA proposal is accepted, staff recommends that we give due recognition by means of a permanent plaque or etching within the concrete ring around the court that identifies the Edina Basketball Association as the donor. Edina Park Board action is requested on this matter. ARNESON ACRES PARK WATER GARDENS PLAN Mr. Michel Ravaz from Northern Water Gardens Company will be present to present the proposed design for Arneson Acres Park water gardens area. This is design and concept that has been endorsed by the Arneson Park Development Committee, which consists of residents who live near the park, as well as, members of the Edina Garden Council and the Edina Park and Recreation Department's Horticulture Specialist, Mr. Tim Zimmerman. The funding for this plan was approved long ago by the Edina Park Board and Edina City Council to go forward with a water amenity design that bests fits this beautiful horticulture park site. Additional funding to complete the master plan for Arneson Acres Park will come from the Park Bond and from the Edina Garden Council. This is a very exciting design that will add a lasting and valuable attraction to the park. For those who may be interested, Park Board members can see the layout of the water amenities by visiting Arneson Acres Park. The water areas are currently staked out with blue colored tape and the pathways are marked with yellow flags. A detailed plan will be displayed at the Park Board meeting and reviewed by the designer, Mr. Ravaz. Since the concept has already been approved by the Park Board and City Council, Park Board action is not requested on this matter. 3 LEWIS PARK PLANS At the September Park Board meeting, the Edina Park Board recommended to add a basketball court to Lewis Park and pay for it out of the Developer's Fund. Since the September Park Board meeting, City Manager, Ken Rosland strongly suggested that we send notices to Lewis Park neighbors to inform them of this and the comfort station proposal before moving forward. It is therefore staff's recommendation that the Edina Park Board approve the process of mailing notices to neighboring residents of Lewis Park and invite their comments to be submitted to staff and/or attend the November Park Board meeting. Park Board action is requested on this matter. NAMING/RENAMING PARKS AND FACILITIES The naming and renaming of Parks was discussed and tabled for the October Park Board meeting. PARK REFERENDUM PROJECTS Staff will give a brief verbal update as to the most recent progress on park referendum construction projects since the September Park Board meeting. WOODDALE PARK BASKETBALL COURT RESPONSES IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT • Does the court have back -stop or will there be landscaping so that errant balls don't bombard the "Tot Lot"? Please landscape area - don't remove trees around the court. • Would be an asset for the Park. • It appears to be an attractive plan and may attract more age groups to the park. • Yes, the older girls and boys need a court like this - also Police should slow the "speeders" even semi trucks going 40 and 45 miles an hour, mostly west 50th Street, also ticket the car boomers, loud speakers even at 2 a.m. • Yes! • Great! • Great!! Please replace and add to trees on east side with quality trees (preferably oaks). I'd love to also see hockey/skating in outfield area. Country club is teaming with children in hockey with no rink in walking distance. Thanks!! • Trees too - to shade young and old from sun! How about an in-line skating rink? Multi- use area - skating and basketball. • Very much needed. • From my perspective as a parent, volunteer youth coach and neighbor to Wooddale Park, I strongly support its construction. I believe it would receive much use. I know I'll use it! • This is a good start. I think another park area we need to look at is Arden Park. We need more basketball courts! • Thanks for asking. I suggest that there be plantings on the street sides of the court, a visual screen of the not -so -beautiful fencing around the court. • This is a great idea. It should have been done earlier. • Thank you for checking with us - we so enjoy Wooddale Park and feel that the basketball court would be a good addition. • We'd like to see a winter skating rink as first priority rather than paving this nice grassy area. But older kids want more activities at the park, so this is OK. • • Would the court be fenced in - so as not to interfere with the toddler -child play area? • I would recommend a half court facility. Most couldn't run the full court anyway. • This will be a wonderful addition to the park. • This is a terrific idea! It would bring a much needed facility for outdoor recreation and exercise to East Edina. Please do it! • I am not opposed to the construction. • Just keep it neatly landscaped around the court as the park looks nice as it is. • It would be fun for kids over seven to have something to do in the park. • Please avoid losing any trees - we need the shade. • Terrific idea. • Great idea and thanks to Basketball Association. • We have wondered for years why there wasn't a basketball court! • If you build it we will play on it. Thank you! • We are looking forward to the court for our teenage son and his father. Thank you for taking survey. • Good idea! • Would make good use of park space, provide activity for mid to teenage children, provide "protection" to young children at park without adult present. • Take the hoops down if there becomes a long term problem. • It would be an asset to our community and our park! • Great idea! We're for it! • Does the possibility exist for a tennis court - times for children/adults could easily be placarded - children grow - adults age. • I am in favor, but I wold put most weight on opinions of the immediate neighbors by this park. • As long as it does not involve taking down mature trees, especially oaks and elms, etc. If it does, please put me down for a'no'. • I'd like to explore a community garden in Arden Park. Also a covered picnic shelter with fireplace would be wonderful. • A terrific idea for neighborhood. • Construct 2-4 half court areas. One full court can often be monopolized by a small group of people. • Great for older children/young adults. • I think it is great! It is one of the main reasons I voted in favor of the park proposed plan originally! • Sounds like a great idea. Two suggestions: make sure there are lights so people can play at night, perhaps lights automatically shut off at 10 p.m. or some reasonable time; and have a fence to ensure balls don't go into street. • The Junior High teens need a court and some practice nets very badly for individual as well as team practice. I thoroughly approve. This is really great! • It would be awesome! • As the parent of a teenager and a 5th grader, Edina needs more places/activities that are easy to reach and encourage drug-free play - East Edina needs this - West Edina has more now available. • The more recreational activities we provide for our children the better. It's healthy! • Can there be low baskets for younger kids? • Yes!! • We are in favor provided the money for the project will not become an assessment to neighborhood homeowners. • This would be great! ! • We have had a large turnover in families in Country Club. Huge numbers of kids. We have no basketball facilities on the East side of 100 and north of Edina Country Club. 0 But no additional basketball parking on Wooddale or Drexel. • Maybe 4 half -courts instead of 1 full court. • Our whole family loves the idea! • IT'S ABOUT TIME! ! ! Perhaps you would like Mr. Kojetin's/Ms. Paulus' views/comments published in the Sun Current re: "undesireables"!!? Parks should be welcome to children of ALL ages. Not just toddlers. • Sounds like fun. WOODDALE BASKETBALL COURT RESPONSES AGAINST THE PROJECT • I think it would totally change the neighborhood - why is it needed - Wooddale Park is great as is and perfect for little ones. • Aesthetically the park would look horrible - basketball is only for a select few and the park needs to be there for community use not special interest group - especially one that is male dominated. • Traffic wise it is a very busy corner already. • It will bring older kids in groups to this area and kids from out of this area including Minneapolis! • Not our highest priority. • Give us a tax cut. • A basketball court will bring in people from out of the area who will drive out people from Edina, particularly since it's so close to the kids playground. • Leave green space - we don't need sports areas everywhere! (Thanks for the opportunity to vote). • As a direct neighbor, I feel the convenience on this main road (50th) would make an easy stop off place for people traveling to Minneapolis after work and not draw from the neighborhood and create a very undesirable atmosphere in a very family oriented park. • Basketball courts are a magnet for people from outside the neighborhood!! • Strongly opposed. The open field is often used for soccer the largest participation sport for Under 10 year olds in Edina. Noise is also a concern (older kids out later). • We like the green open space in the park both aesthetically and as a place for kids to play. We feel a basketball court would detract from the beauty of the neighborhood. • Use of the court liable to be biased, in favor of the association's private use. Prefer to explore alternate uses. The 1984 plan must have been abandoned for some good reason. Why? L� • I like the flavor of the park as it is. The basketball court will take up too much grass. Also I feel it will bring older boys and beer bottles. • Studies indicate this type of facility attracts males 25 + years. I strongly oppose this development. • Leave "green space" and trees, we need these city open spaces, not another basketball court. • I enjoy basketball but do not want a court at the park. It is a quiet - family park with many small children. Basketball court would destroy the park's charm. • The traffic would get more congested than it already is. I'm also afraid groups of young males would cause "trouble." We have enough park facilities as it is. • We (and almost everyone in our neighborhood) are Very much against this proposal for many reasons, namely: 1) the park has had a ,fig child focus and we are concerned about the teenagers and adults who will be attracted to the court. 2) we like and use the open green space. The court will be very unsightly and will take up valuable green space. 3) as close neighbors we are concerned about noise - particularly during summer evenings. 4) we are concerned about overflow parking in our alley and on our streets. 5) we are concerned that it would attract non-residents because of its visibility. 6) we are concerned about our property values. • We want to maintain optimum green space. Poor mix of ages for basketball court (mostly male teens) with toddler recreation area. ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHTS! • It will take up most of the "green" space. When baseball games are going on there would be little area available for playing catch, kicking a soccer ball or just running on the grass. • I think this will change the park from a place for families to a place for young punks! • We notice a direct absence of the cost - also we think 50th St. is busy enough as it is and we don't need to bring more traffic into the area. We live in the close proximity. • How about a rose or other garden with paths, possibly picnic tables or benches. Also a bathroom between the baseball field and 50th St. • I think it would detract significantly from the beauty of the park and the neighborhood. We need the grassy area. • This intersection probably more than any other, give people an idea of Edina. It is attractive and inviting. Why pick it to spoil? • We already have a mess with traffic with the church on 50th and Wooddale. We do not need added problem and traffic jam. • This is a very bad idea. A basketball court attracts older kids, meaning more cars and more crowds. Leave the park open, as it is. • I feel that a basketball court at Wooddale park would attract an older crowd of kids that would end up hanging out there, so I would prefer to not have a court built there. • Keep this precious, little grass area for young children, especially; they need more room than the tot lot. There are other, better locations for basketball courts. • Absolutely NOT in favor. • It would be inconsistent with the tot lot environment and change the tone and use of the park. • This is one of the last open green spaces in old country club! People use it for soccer, touch football, kite flying, playing with their dogs, snow play, Frisbee, etc., etc. Why deny their use so a select few can play basketball 4-5 months a year? If this court is needed, locate it at Pamela, or some other park, that has an abundance of space. Thank you. • This is a terrible idea - that will encourage teenagers to gather in groups that may not be compatible with the peace of the neighborhood. • I think it would draw too much traffic to an already busy area; also the vacant lot is used by families for many types of games already. • The negatives are obvious and numerous. • Park too small! How about Lewis, Garden or Highlands! Why not a soccer goal instead!? Thank you for the opportunity to respond! • 1. Court would eliminate aesthetically pleasing open green space at Park. 2. Concerned about crowd that would hang out there. I've seen Linden Hills court example. 3. Arden Park would be a better choice, currently underutilized. • Since this is a residential area and my back yard is across from the park, I am opposed to this idea. • Let's retain some green space instead of more concrete. • A better place for a basketball court would be Arden Park - the ice rink is already located here. Leave Wooddale Park for small children primarily. • We like the grassy area for Frisbee, playing catch and touch football. It would destroy the peaceful park setting. • There is enough traffic in this area now. • The court is much too close to the playground! It also appears that the much needed shade trees on the south side of playground would be taken out. • The park is mainly used by younger children. The basketball court would be better situated closer to the older schools. • The park is terrific as is. It is great for kids and adults; adding the basketball court will take away from its usefulness/appreciation. We like the grassy area for playing, running etc. • It will look terrible! • While I do not live close to Wooddale Park, I feel we should be very sure the constant "thumping" of the balls, yelling and cheering, would not be heard by residents north and east of the proposed court. I can hear this type of thing from neighbors over 200 feet away from my house on Arden Avenue and it is very annoying for only a short time, to say nothing about the long hours it would go on at a park. Let's not spoil our nice residential living in the Country Club. • The removal of five trees and all the grass in exchange for concrete is not attractive or appealing at all! This is the first we've heard of it. • I have yet to see a public basketball court that is effectively maintained - the rims get bent, the nets ripped, and glass strewn about. • Attract undesirable crowd to park. • Attracts the wrong crowd! • Unless the city will police it to make sure it doesn't become a hangout for druggie, gangs, etc. • Wooddale Park is a wonderful park for families with young children and to add a basketball court would add too much congestion. 0 I think the basketball court will be too close to the playground for small children. • The area in question is part of the Country Club neighborhood. The Wooddale School complemented the area, and was a significant asset to it. The part that replaces it should be developed to do the same. Adding an asphalt basketball court and removing trees, when there are already few, would only detract from an already marginally attractive site. • Would love to see an outdoor ice rink if you are going to add anything. Really dislike the idea of seeing pavement from the road. Would ruin the aesthetics. • I prefer the green space to the asphalt ... • Will destroy park beauty. Will bring undesirables to city. Will expose youngsters to young adult males. Will provide drug rendezvous (we have old High School and its grounds for Basketball courts). • That park has worked well for young children - I feel this would attract older children and cancel out the good it has done. • • I am in favor of the City of Edina constructing a basketball court at Wooddale Park. I am NOT in favor of the City of Edina constructing a basketball court at Wooddale Park. Comments Please return by October 1, 1996. Thank you. EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Od,71 i4c?4 Inwho y3a3 644, cry AV 'I q0K- �t, %�.L� cIV ( p"C-1 `f 3 " club C4. 0 (A r\C,,. 6 V,p Oar,, 7, I?C?4 u CCU/ Al/ r �S yyoi lz��t��' St- �C lite" -11, .......... =I' /-A' l av, md 1(,74V-4Pi&'iu, - �3o3 (o-wc4 ()Q�,t t nq V 4A k September 8, 1996 John Keprios Edina City Hall 4801 West 50 th Street Edina, MN 55424 Dear Mr. Keprios, This letter is in regards to Strachauer Park on 62nd and Beard. For the last seven years I have lived about 3 houses away from the park on Abbott. I can say with a great deal of confidence, that we here at 6116 Abbott are the most avid and consistent users of Strachauer Park, period. We are down to that Park an average of 2 to 3 times a day throughout the year. In the winter, when park usage is restricted from snow, I'm the one that's been down there cutting 1000 foot long paths with my own snowblower, to make sure people had a place to walk. And many people have used that path. I've even had people make requests of special clearing. During the years the ice skating rink has not been opened, the park would hardly be used at all if it weren't for those paths. I've almost written you on numerous occasions over concerns I've had over the park. In the years I've been here the park has gone downhill. The closest I got to writing you was the spring before last. Trucks had driven through the park to trim the trees. A worse time of year could not have been picked. The soil was extremely soft. I measured the depth of the ruts the trucks left at 5 inches deep in spots. And ruts were clearly visible from one end of the park to the other. The park used to have 2 nice aluminum picnic tables, which were used, those are gone. The park used to have a slide attached to the other playground equipment, it's gone. A 2" by 4" now acts as a railing at the top of the equipment where the slide used to be. Recently a freeway sign was installed in what was once the park. I don't mind the sign so much, but 10 trees as a part of a row were cut down to make room for it. If the sign had been put just a short distance on way or the other, the row of trees could have been missed completely. But it had to be put right in the middle of the row of trees. The grass on the east half of the park is in deplorable condition, and is infested with weeds which spread throughout the neighborhood. Now, it would appear to me, suddenly some money has come available for this park which people who don't really care about this park, are supposed to spend on it. That's the appearance. I received a letter asking for input on the park just before I left on a vacation. I know construction had started on the park before I received this letter. This is a letter neighbors should have received 6 months prior to any construction beginning. You know, I don't mean to sound confrontational, but this park needed a parking lot like it needed a hole in the head. WHY a parking lot? There's adequate street parking on a quiet street! And there's rarely anybody parked there. This park is 90% used by neighbors who walk there. There's no reason why others have to park their cars in a lot, chewing up valuable park area. I challenge you to drive by the park at random times when this lot is done, and count the cars in this lot. But, the MOST IMPORTANT reason why I wrote is to ask you, (I don't know what the plan is) PLEASE leave the playground equipment as it is, except to put the slide back. I will never be so demoralized living in this wonderful neighborhood as the day that that area is harmed. The equipment, the gravel, the little bench are apart of this neighborhood being our home. It doesn't need changing in any way. If you would like further input from me on the park, I'll tell you this, I would like to see the basket ball hoop put back up, but it appears as though that is in the plan. I'd also like to see more care given the the grass. And lastly, It would be nice if the city could make a path in the park in the winter, just following the fence along the freeway, like the hypotenuse of the triangle. I thank you for your time, and once again stress that the most important point of this letter is to please leave the playground equipment as it is. Thank You Norm Sorensen and family 6116 Abbott Avenue South Edina, MN 55410 925-0303 To : Mr. John Keprios, Director Edina Park and Recreation Department 4801 West 50th Street Edina MN 55424-1394 From : Christopher T. Murray 5105 Wooddale Street Edina MN 55424 929-0897 Subject : Comments Regarding the Proposed Basketball Court at Wooddale Park Date : September 27, 1996 .......................................................................................................................................... Due to a prior work commitment, I can't attend the Park Board Meeting on October 8th. 1 did however want to voice my opinion regarding the above stated matter. The question to me is not whether or not we want a Basketball Court in Wooddale Park. The real question is what do we want to define as the "Character" of Wooddale Park. One of the reasons that my wife and I chose to live in this area of Edina was Wooddale Park. i still remember my first impression of Wooddale Park on a Saturday in August, 1994. There was a Group of Fathers by the baseball field, showing their young sons (and a few daughters too!) how to throw and hit. There were a lot of parents with their young children playing in the "Tiny Tots" area. It felt safe. It felt warm. It felt like the kind of neighborhood we wanted to raise our family in. 1 fear that a Basketball Court could change this. I have lived in many urban areas - Boston, Pittsburgh, Rochester (New York), Baltimore -Washington. My observation is that Basketball Courts tend to be primarily frequented by adolescent boys (between 10 and 18+ years of age). Even in "Nice Neighborhoods", these young adolescents tend to be loud. They tend to show off and can use abusive language. They push around younger kids. They play well into the night, despite signs forbidding it. A Basketball Court on a main road like 50th could become a magnet for both Edina and non Edina youth. There may be good intentions to monitor the Basketball Court and prevent it from becoming a negative influence. However, who will do the monitoring.? The Police have much more pressing matters., as do local residents. I fear that the "Character" of Wooddale Park could quickly change from a Family Oriented Haven to a hangout for young kids. Once this happens and people stop feeling safe, they'll stop going to the Park. Unfortunately, that unsafe feeling can spread elsewhere in the neighborhood. The feeling of safety and warmth is at the heart of any Community. We have a little 10 month old girl and are praying for another child. 1 want to know that when my wife goes to the "Tiny Tots" area that she won't be harassed by young adolescents, from Edina or elsewhere. i want to know that if our daughter and her friends go to the Park to play, they do so knowing that they'll be safe, with other kids their ages. 1 enjoy playing basketball. A basketball court close to my home would be convenient. But, 1 would gladly sacrifice that convenience for the piece of mind of knowing that Wooddale Park will continue to be a safe and warm place for my wife and children to go to. If the Edina Basketball Association wishes to donate a court, they could do so in an area where there is already an existing court, or they could refurbish existing courts. Please consider carefully the full, long term effect of a Basketball Court in Wooddale Park. City of Edina September 20, 1996 Dear Resident Neighbor of Wooddale Park: The Edina Park Board is requesting your input on a proposal to construct a basketball court at Wooddale Park. The Edina Park Board, which consists of eleven volunteer members, makes recommendations to the Edina City Council on Park and Recreation related matters. The Edina Basketball Association has proposed to donate funds necessary to provide an outdoor basketball court at Wooddale Park. The original master plan established in 1984 for Wooddale Park included the addition of a basketball court as shown on the enclosed drawing. Even so, the Edina Park Board would like your input on this issue before accepting or rejecting this generous offer from the Edina Basketball Association. If the overwhelming majority is in favor of this park improvement, construction could begin as early as October 22, 1996. Final color coating and striping, however, could not be completed until the spring of 1997. We ask that you please voice your opinion by filling out and mailing the enclosed self-addressed stamped post card no later than October 1, 1996. The Edina Park Board will discuss the results of this survey and will likely make a decision at their monthly board meeting scheduled for: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1996 7:30 P.M. MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM EDINA CITY HALL As always, Edina Park Board meetings are open to the public. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 927-8861 ext. 230. Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out and return the enclosed post card. Sincerely, F John Kepr' os, Director Edina Park and Recreation Department City Hall (612) 927-8861 4801 WEST 50TH STREET FAX (612) 927-7645 EDINA, MINNESOTA 55424-1394 TDD (612) 927-5461 to M m U3 =o 01 September 8, 1996 John Keprios Edina City Hall 4801 West 50 th Street Edina, MN 55424 Dear Mr. Keprios, This letter is in regards to Strachauer Park on 62nd and Beard. For the last seven years I have lived about 3 houses away from the park on Abbott. I can say with a great deal of confidence, that we here at 6116 Abbott are the most avid and consistent users of Strachauer Park, period. We are down to that Park an average of 2 to 3 times a day throughout the year. In the winter, when park usage is restricted from snow, I'm the one that's been down there cutting 1000 foot long paths with my own snowblower, to make sure people had a place to walk. And many people have used that path. I've even had people make requests of special clearing. During the years the ice skating rink has not been opened, the park would hardly be used at all if it weren't for those paths. I've almost written you on numerous occasions over concerns I've had over the park. In the years I've been here the park has gone downhill. The closest I got to writing you was the spring before last. Trucks had driven through the park to trim the trees. A worse time of year could not have been picked. The soil was extremely soft. I measured the depth of the ruts the trucks left at 5 inches deep in spots. And ruts were clearly visible from one end of the park to the other. The park used to have 2 nice aluminum picnic tables, which were used, those are gone. The park used to have a slide attached to the other playground equipment, it's gone. A 2" by 4" now acts as a railing at the top of the equipment where the slide used to be. Recently a freeway sign was installed in what was once the park. I don't mind the sign so much, but 10 trees as a part of a row were cut down to make room for it. If the sign had been put just a short distance on way or the other, the row of trees could have been missed completely. But it had to be put right in the middle of the row of trees. The grass on the east half of the park is in deplorable condition, and is infested with weeds which spread throughout the neighborhood. Now, it would appear to me, suddenly some money has come available for this park, which people who don't really care about this park, are supposed to spend on it. That's the appearance. I received a letter asking for input on the park just before I left on a vacation. I know construction had started on the park before I received this letter. This is a letter neighbors should have received 6 months prior to any construction beginning. You know, I don't mean to sound confrontational, but this park needed a parking lot like it needed a hole in the head. WHY a parking lot? There's adequate street parking on a quiet street! And there's rarely anybody parked there. This park is 90% used by neighbors who walk there. There's no reason why others have to park their cars in a lot, chewing up valuable park area. I challenge you to drive by the park at random times when this lot is done, and count the cars in this lot. But, the MOST IMPORTANT reason why I wrote is to ask you, (I don't know what the plan is) PLEASE leave the playground equipment as it is, except to put the slide back. I will never be so demoralized living in this wonderful neighborhood as the day that that area is harmed. The equipment, the gravel, the little bench are apart of this neighborhood being our home. It doesn't need changing in any way. If you would like further input from me on the park, I'll tell you this, I would like to see the basket ball hoop put back up, but it appears as though that is in the plan. I'd also like to see more care given the the grass. And lastly, It would be nice if the city could make a path in the park in the winter, just following the fence along the freeway, like the hypotenuse of the triangle. I thank you for your time, and once again stress that the most important point of this letter is to please leave the playground equipment as it is. Thank You Norm Sorensen and family 6116 Abbott Avenue South Edina, MN 55410 925-0303 September 18, 1996 Norm Sorensen 6116 Abbott Avenue South Edina, MN 55410 Dear Mr. Sorensen: City of Edina Thank you for your letter addressed to me dated September 8, 1996, concerning issues involving Strachauer Park. You raise several issues of concern in your letter and I will attempt to respond to each one individually. FREEWAY SIGN AND TREE REMOVAL First, your criticism of the freeway sign and the removal of 10 trees to accommodate the sign placement is legitimate, however, the City of Edina has no jurisdiction over that act. The signs were placed on Minnesota State owned property by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. I do not disagree with your concern, however, this was entirely a State of Minnesota operation. • WEEDS IN THE PARK I do not disagree with your criticism of the weed infested turf on the east half of the park. You should know that the City of Edina has adopted a Turf Management Plan that significantly reduces and in some cases eliminates the use of herbicides on public property. This policy was adopted in response to many concerned Edina residents, the Edina Community Health Services Advisory Committee, the Edina Park Board and the Edina League of Women Voters who are very concerned about community health and the potential health risks associated with the use of pesticides. Please know that we are doing our best with what public resources we have available to us to maintain public park grounds. In short, the Edina City Council is asking residents to be more tolerant of weeds in our park system in exchange for reducing potential health risks. DRIVING ON SOFT TURF Your criticism of employees driving over park land while the turf is extremely soft is a valid criticism. Typically our park staff would not do such a thing, however, like every large organization we do make mistakes from time to time. I would greatly appreciate knowing about such matters on a timely basis so that we can act on correcting the problem immediately. PEOPLE WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PARK I'm not quite sure what you are inferring when you suggest that there are "people who don't really care about this park, are supposed to spend (money) on it." I would hope that you are not suggesting that we as staff don't care about this park. If so, I City Hall (612) 927-8861 4801 WEST 50TH STREET FAX (612) 927-7645 EDINA. MINNESOTA 55424-1394 TDD (6121 927-5461 -2 - take offense to such a statement. Asking the neighborhood to provide input, hosting a neighborhood meeting, inviting letters and phone calls and having Strachauer Park be one the very first parks to have improvements made to it as part of the Park Bond Issue projects, clearly shows that we care and are spending a great deal of time and effort to improve Strachauer Park. PARKING LOT As for the parking lot, it has several benefits and most importantly safety. The more parked cars kept off the street, the safer the neighborhood. Safety is our number one concern. Inadequate provisions for parking obviously causes park users to park on the street. The main reason why all commercial/industrial developments must meet strict City Code guidelines with regards to adequate off-street parking is due to safety. On -street parking is a very dangerous situation for children. I agree that green space is very valuable space in a park. There are difficult decisions that must be made in developing a public park and again, safety should always be of great concern. Both the residents who attended the neighborhood meeting and the members of the Edina Park Board all agreed that parks which have scheduled activities, such as soccer games and hockey practices, should have some off-street parking. The general consensus of the Strachauer Park neighbors was that they would very much like to have a hockey rink put back in the park. That will most definitely bring more outside traffic to Strachauer Park which demands adequate parking facilities. The number one concern of residents at this meeting was too much on street parking. Strachauer Park will continue to have scheduled soccer and will most likely have more park users in the winter months when a hockey rink is replaced where it once was before. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT The general consensus at the neighborhood meeting was to also replace the existing playground equipment with safer and more user friendly playground equipment for children. I don't understand why you would not want children to have safer, more accessible, more aesthetically pleasing and more user friendly playground equipment for children than what is currently there. If we do not replace any playground equipment, then parents will simply take their children to other parks with equipment that is safe and more fun and more age appropriate. We already have a small task force committee made up of concerned residents from the Strachauer Park neighborhood area and they are very involved and excited about designing replacement playground equipment for the park. BASKETBALL HOOPS The basketball hoops and standards will be replaced within the next two weeks. We are simply waiting on a vendor to deliver and install their product which was ordered long ago. The delivery of their superior product is very late, however, I believe the neighborhood will be very pleased with the end result and will be worth the wait. PATHWAY ALONG FREEWAY FENCE For this coming winter season, the City of Edina will not be maintaining a pathway along the fence line. For us to plow a path with our heavy equipment will most certainly damage what little turf there is along that proposed path. If the neighborhood would like to petition the addition of a hard surface path to be maintained by the City of Edina year around, -3 - we would welcome that input. You do not have my permission to maintain a pathway along the fence line during the winter months on public property for liability purposes. Again, if you feel that the neighborhood would like to add that amenity to your park, please submit a petition with supporting names with signatures a their addresses. CLOSING REMARKS Please know that I do appreciate your letter. We like to believe that we are doing our best to serve the residents of Edina. We also recognize that we are not ever going be able to please everyone all the time. This should not hinder our customers from telling us what they want. If you wish to discuss any park matters, don't hesitate to call me at 927-8861 ext. 230. Many thanks. Sincerely, ohn Kepr' DLirector Edina Par and Recreation Department