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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-12 Park Board Packet0 0 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. -2 - 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. Q Z D W La to w ca •� �' 8 > � `� �.� � O cz • O �vi c� 'r e0c cz o 0 3 z° O O U v Ot.O C v 3 � �� (z cz co cd an V V 3 s. 3 �•o g tea. z • C', T -O ^ Ucz C1 . a V y cz y t ,� '0 V v x O° a3i ti cz as . °y 3 �'x� U c -.111. � bwb 10 ae cz C's ct a, of...� c2 a� ooc$ b � T w 5 cz oS? b � � v c 3 o ew y�+ cz �•' Uig F �r°j 'COC V% as d y L. ❑ >~. Q O U tO bA 04 cz c� om, '4 tt/� LL; Q �� �$bc`aQv 0 >, cz 0 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. -2 - 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. -3 - 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 is wr) ' ' -^-'--' _ ex IS' - -'---�;-^------`-'~-~=~----- ~~-~~~--`�-' - AlLe ' � /� -- / Ile .~~-.------- ----.-.-------. 7-41 - I I lir , ke-Pnvs .� a n� u� r-,' f,• n� ; � SPP v s, '�'a� P C Z0 S'<- s A hwnd Knv,v )e-d9t o4 1-1r9ti141r.ds nnK If is ws-d 6j ne yh bvilodd an it a d U JA's A -I / *k,- , 1/- e's i t ,*A ,'n SfZ-n a y/ , -T� S a.p /a c - LtJ h rt /�, Gc S W X d a e2 n o l i'n a 7 w/►e z- ed (�.vt Skd.� GcJ , `7iit Tei Yl D (�L�y S �d � /�idsLLG//%C,.b siuddnf's �so,./ i /JAA tA)eel /10/ e -Ase— /1�� # /In 45 Ot "l/ yl a.d l y P` .41 14� ' `'"4(` J � � ? �on ca5 �✓ IN ✓1 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 is 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. -2- 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."