HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-12 Park Board Packet0
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City of Edina
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
July 12, 1994
A G E N D A
* 1. Approval of the June 14, 1994 Park Board Minutes
2. Outdoor Skating Rinks Public Hearing - John Keprios
* 3. Lake Cornelia Park Playground Equipment Plan - John Keprios
0 * 4. Fall Soccer Program - Ed MacHolda
* 5. Adopt -A -Park Program - John Keprios
6. Other
* These are agenda items that require or request Park Board action.
Cit Hall (612) 927-8861
Y FAX (612) 927-7645
4801 WEST 50TH STREET TDD (612) 927-5461
EDINA, MINNESOTA 55424-1394
DATE:
T0.
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF EDINA
PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
July 6, 1994
All Park Board Members.
John Keprios, Director
Enclosed information for the upcoming Park Board
meeting and staff report.
Enclosed you should find the following items:
1. June 14, 1994, Park Board meeting minutes.
2. June 29, 1994 Sun -Current newspaper article concerning
closure of four rinks.
3. Outdoor skating rink letter that was submitted to Edina -Sun
Current.
4. List of people who called concerning the closure of outdoor
skating rinks.
5. Letters from residents concerned about rink closures.
6. June 15, 1994, letter from Al Frank, President, Edina
Soccer Association.
7. Adopt -A -Park program proposal.
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.
OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS PUBLIC HEARING
The enclosed memo to the Edina Sun Current was faxed to the
newspaper the week of June 20, 1994. From that memo, the Edina
Sun -Current printed a front page article on the subject (copy
enclosed for your review). From this publicity, several
residents have called and submitted their concerns in writing.
Documentation of these calls and letters are enclosed for your
review.
At the July 12 meeting, I intend to first give the audience and
Park Board a recap of the issue. This brief presentation will
include showing visual overhead displays of statistical
documentation (skating rink attendance figures & Edina Hockey
Association use of outdoor rinks) and I will outline the
history of how and why this issue is being considered. I will
also make it clear that the Park Board has not made any firm
decisions at this point, but rather, is concerned about
community input before making any recommendations to the City
Council.
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Therefore, it is staff's recommendation that the Edina Park
® Board conduct this agenda item as a PUBLIC HEARING and not make
any recommendations to the City Council until August or
September.
LAKE CORNELIA PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PLAN
At the July 12 Park Board meeting, staff will present a new and
innovative playground equipment plan for Lake Cornelia Park
playground area. This is a unique one -of -a -kind theme park for
a public playground area based on the movie classic, "Wizard of
Oz." The playground area is currently named "Somewhere Over
the Rainbow."
The concept is to make this a community project to be funded
completely through donations. Part of the approach will be to
sell "gift bricks" along the yellow brick road (path around the
playground equipment), as well as, attempt to secure corporate
sponsorships. If accepted as a viable method to fund the
project, it is staff's recommendation to request the Edina
Foundation to serve as the fiscal agent to handle donations and
purchase the equipment and installation for the project.
Therefore, staff is recommending that the Edina Park Board
recommend to the Edina City Council to:
1. Approve this unique playground equipment plan for Lake
Cornelia Park.
2. Approve the community project fund-raising approach as an
acceptable method to fund the project.
FALL SOCCER PROGRAM
As outlined in Al Frank's letter to Bill Jenkins, the Edina
Soccer Association is requesting to be allowed to have a 1994
Fall soccer season similar to the Park Board approved 1993 Fall
Soccer season.
It is staff's recommendation that the Edina Park Board approve
this request for the following reasons:
1. Meets current community soccer need.
2. Does not conflict with existing Fall athletic programs.
3. Sufficient number of facilities available to accommodate all
fall athletic program demands.
ADOPT -A -PARR PROGRAM
In an attempt to find more creative ways to keep maintenance
costs down and yet keep our parks as clean as possible, staff
is recommending a volunteer -based program which focuses on
cleaning up the park system. Please see the enclosed
Adopt -A -Park information.
It is staff's recommendation that the Edina Park Board
recommend to the Edina City Council to accept the
"Adopt -A -Park" program as proposed.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns that you would
like to discuss with me before the Park Board meeting, feel free
to call me at 927-8861 ext. 231. Many thanks.
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CITY OF EDINA
PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 17, 1994
TO: Edina Sun Current
FROM: John Keprios, Director
SUBJECT: Outdoor skating rink closings.
Please accept this memo as a letter for publication in the Edina
Sun Current. The Edina Park Board would like to inform Edina
residents of an important issue and ask for their input by mail.
FOUR OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS TO BE CLOSED
The Edina Park Board is considering a Park and Recreation
Department staff recommendation to close four outdoor skating
rinks for the 1994-95 skating season. The Edina Park Board will
select four out of the following outdoor skating rinks:
1. Countryside Park
2. Highlands Park
3. Normandale Park
4. Pamela Park
5. Strachauer Park
6. Walnut Ridge Park
6240 Tracy Ave. So.
5200 Doncaster Way
6501 Warren Ave. So.
5900 Park Place
6200 Beard Ave.
5801 Londonderry
The consideration is based on the following criteria:
1. Attendance figures at each location.
2. Meeting the demand for scheduled activities (hockey,
broomball etc.)
3. Cost of maintenance on a per skater basis (fiscal
responsibility).
4. Location of rinks throughout the City.
5. Other winter park maintenance needs.
6. Maintained cross-country ski trails.
ATTENDANCE FIGURES
In the late 19701s, annual attendance figures totaled over
100,000 outdoor skaters per season (total number of all skaters
on Edina's maintained and supervised outdoor skating areas).
When the Edina Hockey Association moved all scheduled hockey
games to indoor ice in the early 1980's, attendance figures
dropped dramatically to 30,000-40,000 skaters each season.
Over the 1993-94 outdoor skating season, there was a total of
only 24,094 skaters, not including Centennial Lakes outdoor
skating attendance.
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Another reason for a drop in attendance is due to the
development of the most beautiful outdoor skating facility in
the Twin Cities, Centennial Lakes Park, which had over 19,000
skaters during the 1993-94 skating season. Centennial Lakes
Park is strictly an outdoor pleasure skating rink does not have
a hockey rink and prohibits the use of hockey sticks and pucks.
DEMAND FOR SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES
Based on current demand for scheduled outdoor ice activities,
the closing of four rinks would not significantly hinder
ability to meet the demand. In 1993-94, the Edina Hockey
Association used only 140 of all available outdoor ice (483
total outdoor ice hours). By eliminating three hockey rinks
(Strachauer Park does not have a hockey rink), the demand for
outdoor hockey rinks would still be met.
COST PER SKATER
In 1978, outdoor ice was provided at a cost of $.62/skater. In
1994, it cost $3.69 per skater to provide outdoor skating
facilities. Even with the cost of inflation as an added
factor, the cost per outdoor skater has increased dramatically
over the past several years mainly due to the lack of
attendance.
OUTDOOR SKATING RINK LOCATIONS
Another factor in deciding which four rinks to close is
location. The Edina Park Board is concerned about the location
and accessibility of outdoor skating rinks and will be strongly
considering them as important factors.
WINTER PARK MAINTENANCE NEEDS
By closing four outdoor skating rink facilities, park
maintenance personnel would have the opportunity to accomplish
other much needed and desired winter maintenance tasks, such
as:
a. Tree trimming, which must be done during cold weather
months to avoid tree infection.
b. Indoor building maintenance and repair.
c. Cross-country ski trail maintenance.
d. An improved park system garbage collection program during
the outdoor skating season.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAILS
By making more maintenance personnel available for duties other
than maintaining outdoor skating rinks, additional winter
recreation activities could be offered. Professionally groomed
cross-country ski trails could be provided at various sites in
the Edina park system throughout the winter months.
If funding and manpower were abundant and not an issue, the Edina
Park Board would like to have professionally maintained outdoor
skating rinks at every neighborhood park. However, with limited
resources, the Edina Park Board is concerned that Edina's tax
supported resources are allocated effectively, responsibly and
fairly for the community at large. Allocation of resources and
policies are ultimately the decision of the Edina City Council,
. however, the Edina Park Board is responsible for providing the
Edina City Council with recommendations on Park and Recreation
matters that reflect the voice of the community.
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Therefore, the Edina Park Board is asking for input from Edina's
residents. If you have a recommendation, concern, idea or
opinion that you would like to share on this important subject,
the Edina Park Board asks that you send a letter to:
The Edina Park Board
Outdoor Skating Rinks
c/o Edina Park and Recreation Department
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
Neighborhood petitions are welcomed!
The Edina Park Board will be considering this recommendation at
their July 12, 1994, monthly meeting. Their recommendation will
then be forwarded to the Edina City Council, who will ultimately
accept, modify or reject the recommendation.
If you have questions concerning this subject, please call the
Edina Park and Recreation Department office at 927-8861. Thank
you in advance for your valuable input!
RESPONSE TO POSSIBLE CLOSING OF SKATING RINKS
PC = Received Phone Call
LTR = Received Letter
Judy & Paul Harvey (pc) - Keep Normandale Rink Open
6608 Naomi Dr. 829-9430
Mary Shuraleff (pc) - Keep Normandale Rink Open
6612 Kenny Place
Jeff Long (pc) - Keep All Rinks Open
5112 Oxford Ave.
Mike Milo (pc) - Very Against Closing Rinks
831-0845
Ron Cohen (pc) - Strongly Opposes Closing Ice Rinks
925-1995
Todd Nieland (pc) - Opposes Closing Outdoor Rinks
661-4006
Terry Schneider (pc) - Wants Walnut Ridge To Stay Open
Fax 935-3243
Elaine Lang (pc) - Leave Normandale Park Open
6616 Kenney Place
Susan Knelman (pc)- Not Both Highlands and Countryside
922-8295
Sue Duffy (pc) - Opposes Closing Strachauer Park
6209 Ewing - 922-2051
Julie Patera (pc) - Opposes Closing Outdoor Rinks
Marcia Koester (pc) - Not clear why Park Board is recommending closing rinks
926-0248 while EHA is suggesting using more outdoor ice.
George Saly (pc) - Does Not Want Walnut Ridge Closed
5913 Tamarac Lane
LeAnn Engebretson (pc) - Do Not Close Normandale Rink
6537 Ridgeview
Lila Ryan (pc) - Suggested making skating rink rollerblade rink. Suggested
941-0804 concrete on rinks for rollerblades.
Sara Lund (pc) - Keep Normandale Open
5224 Danens Dr.
Kate Donnelly -Schneider - Opposes Closing Walnut Ridge Skating Rink
Becky Kidd (pc) - Against Closing Pamela Hockey Rink
922-2557
Mary Watson (ltr) - Opposed To Closing Four Rinks Especially Highlands.
5417 Doncaster Way 922-6562
Anna Dreyer (ltr) - Opposes Closing Highlands Rink
5309 Mirror Lakes Dr. 924-0617
Pam Nelson (ltr) - Opposes Closing Countryside Park and Listed Several Reasons
5520 Countryside Rd. 922-5753
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Colin or Pam Nelson
5 520 Countryside 11�l
Elim, MN_ 55436
June 30 1994
Mr. John Keprios
Park and Recreation Director
Edina City Hall
4801 W. 50th
Edina, MN 55424
Dear Mr. Keprios:
I just read the article regarding the closure of four city ice rinks. I commend you
for promoting this issue for public comment before making the final site
selection. It is an example of good public policy. I wish more decisions were
made this way!
My opinion is that the Countryside rink should remain open for several very
important reasons:
(1)
Countryside is in the center of the city and as a result of its proximity
to Highways 62 and 100, is easily accessible.
(2)
Countryside School has one of the largest populations.
(3)
Countryside Park is one of the safest parks. It is readily visible
from Tracy, Olinger and Colonial Way. It has very few secluded
areas. Parents still worry about what happened to Jacob Wetterling.
My children have been instructed to go to the Fire Station for help.
(4)
The Countryside rink is configured to allow team hockey practice in
the lighted rink, pick-up games in another section, and figure or
general public practice in the middle section. Something for
everyone ---all at once.
(5)
Countryside is the only rink within yards of expert medical attention.
Closing four rinks will increase the attendance at those remaining.
Therefore, that increases the statistical probability for accidents. It
seems logical to keep Countryside open.
I hope that you will evaluate park safety as the most important element
in making your decision. I hope you will conclude that it is logical and
important to keep Countryside open.
Sincerely,
i
Pam Nelson
(922-5753)
Edina Soccer Association
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
June 15, 1994
Bill Jenkins
Edina Park Board
6228 Knoll Drive
Edina, MN 55436
Dear Bill:
The Edina Soccer Association requests that we be allowed to have a Fall soccer season again this
year. Like last year, the soccer games will be played on the weekend so there will be no conflicts
with other Fall athletic programs (e.g., football). We anticipate having two boys teams at the U-
10, U-12, and U-14 age levels and one girls team at these age levels.
Last year, we did not have enough time to have tryouts for the Fall soccer season and considered it
to be an extension of the summer traveling program. The lack of tryouts caused a number of
problems (i.e., people who did not play on traveling teams felt excluded). To solve this problem,
we are planning to have tryouts open to in-house and traveling soccer players on July 16th (July
17th is a back-up date in case of rain). The tryout dates and the commitment required for the Fall
season will be communicated in the Sun Newspaper and through letters to the appropriate in-house
and traveling coaches.
We have been working on improving the traveling tryout process and plan to use the Fall season as
an opportunity to "debug" the process prior to Spring traveling tryouts.
We need to start the communication process prior to your next meeting on July 12th. Please call
me at 938-0239 and let me know if you anticipate anj issues or problems with this request, or if
you need someone at your next meeting to describe otir plans.
Sincerely yours,
Al Frank
President, Edina Soccer Association
cc John Keprios — Director of Park and Recreation
Ed McHolda — Assistant Director of Park and Recreation
Dan Rivkin — President, Soccer Edina
ADOPT -A -PARK
PROGRAM PROPOSAL
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Adopt -A -Park is a volunteer -based public service program designed
primarily to assist their community by picking up litter in their
designated Edina park. It enable citizens to contribute to a
cleaner environment. Litter clean-up is expensive. Citizens
lending a hand to keep parks clean will help the City save money
on maintenance costs. Volunteers will also be asked to identify
safety hazards and freely communicate other issues with their
designated park.
A litter free community is inviting to visitors and prospective
new citizens and businesses.
The Adopt -A -Park program affords a high quality of park
maintenance at no additional cost to the tax -payers. Once
implemented, the program can have a dramatic and positive effect
on the entire park system as well as the community as a whole.
Residents of all ages will take on a new feeling of ownership and
pride in their public parks and will provide a valuable service
to the community that otherwise would not be available. This
volunteer effort will save tax dollars and allow maintenance
crews to devote time and effort to other important projects.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Volunteer's Commitment
1. Adopt -A -Park is open to community groups, civic groups,
athletic associations, churches, and individual citizens who
may choose park sites on a first come, first served basis.
2. The group shall sign an Adopt -A -Park Agreement form that
specifies a minimum commitment of two years.
The volunteer group agrees to pick up their designated park
a minimum of two times per year, preferably once in the
Spring, once during the Summer and again in the Fall.
4. The group shall arrange litter pick up dates a minimum of 48
hours in advance with the Edina Park Maintenance Department.
5. The group shall collect aluminum cans in separate bags for
recycling.
6. The group shall place filled trash bags at an agreed upon
location within the park.
7. The group shall promptly inform the Edina Park Maintenance
Department of observed safety hazards in their designated
park.
City of Edina's Commitment
1. The City of Edina will provide, at the group's designated
park, a personalized Adopt -A -Park sign that identifies the
approved volunteer group during their period of Commitment.
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2. The City of Edina will provide an Adopt -A -Park agreement to
be signed by participating groups or individuals.
3. The volunteer group will receive a certificate of
appreciation from the City.
4. The Edina Park Maintenance Department will provide all
necessary plastic bags, brooms, shovels and access to park
shelter buildings.
5. The Edina Park Maintenance Department will pick up and
properly dispose of filled bags of litter and aluminum cans.
G. The City of Edina will request local newspaper coverage of
the group's efforts.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM.'
The following 36 park sites would be ideally suitable for the
Adopt -A -Park program:
1. Alden Park
2. Arden Park
3. Arneson Acres Park
4. Birchcrest Park
5. Braemar Park (walking path,
playground and picnic areas only)
6. Bredesen Park
7. Browndale Park
8. Chowen Park
9. Cornelia School Park
10. Countryside Park
11. Creek Valley School Park
12. Fox Meadow Park
13. Garden Park
14. Heights Park
15. Highlands Park
16. Krahl Hill Open Space
17. Lake Cornelia Park
18. Lake Edina Park
19 Lewis Park
20. McGuire Park
21. Moore Property
22. Normandale Park
23. Pamela Park
24. Robert J. Kojetin Park
25. Sherwood Park
26..Strachauer Park
27. Tingdale Park
28. T. Lea Todd Park
29. Tupa Park
30. Utley Park
31. Van Valkenburg Park
32. Walnut Ridge Park
33. Weber Field Park
34. Williams & Wooddale Park
35. York Park
36. Yorktown.Park
Our goal is to have each and every park assigned to a volunteer
group by the end of 1995.
To promote Adopt -A -Park, the Park and Recreation Department will
produce a promotional flyer for distribution to civic groups,
churches, businesses and associations. Additional publicity will be
placed the Park and Recreation Department Activities Calendar, the
local newspaper, and the City of Edina news publication, "About
Town."