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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-13 Park Board PacketCity of Edina EDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. Manager's Conference Room December 13, 1994 A G E N D A * 1. Approval of the November 8, 1994 Park Board Minutes 2. Cornelia School Park Plan - Mike Julius 3. Forestry Program Annual Report - Tom Horwath, City Forester 4. Youth Athletic Association Staff Report - John Keprios 5. Other * 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 PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: December 6, 1994 TO: All Park Board Members FROM: John Keprios, Direct SUBJECT: Staff report for upcomi g Park Board meeting Enclosed you should find the following items: 1. December 13, 1994, Park Board Agenda. 2. Minutes from November 8, 1994, Park Board meeting. 3. Annual Forestry report by Tom Horwath, City Forester. 4. Edina Park and Recreation Department 1994 Services to the Youth Athletic Associations matrix. 5. March, 1994, Letter to Athletic Association Presidents from Solvei Swenson, Office Coordinator. 6. Letter concerning Strachauer Park outdoor skating rink. 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. CORNELIA SCHOOL PARK PLAN - MIKE JULIUS. The Chairman of the Cornelia School neighborhood group, Mike Julius, will be making a brief presentation regarding the past park improvements and future park plan desires for Cornelia School Park. The Edina Park and Recreation Department, the Cornelia School Park Neighborhood Committee, and Cornelia School officials have been working closely together to make improvements to and plan for the future of Cornelia School Park. Mr. Julius will share the neighborhood's vision for the park and outline the specific project plans for 1995, which includes purchase and installation of a park identification sign, park benches trash receptacles and landscape planting. All of these projects are proposed to include volunteer help to install the park amenities. Staff is not requesting a specific motion for City Council action on this proposal at this time, however, I ask that the Edina Park Board review the proposal for purposes of feedback and support by consensus. -2 - FORESTRY PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT - TOM HORWATH CITY FORESTER The Edina Park and Recreation Department City Forester, Tom Horwath, will be present to give a brief overview of the 1994 forestry program, which includes oak wilt control, tree planting, trimming and removals. This is an annual report that requires no motion for action. YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION- STAFF REPORT As discussed at the November 8, 1994, Park Board meeting, there was a concern regarding the Edina Park Board's and Edina Park and Recreation Department's defined role and relationship with Edina's youth athletic associations. At the November 8 meeting, staff proposed to outline the role and relationship in this month's staff report in preparation for further discussion. The following is an attempt provide some background on the history of Edina's youth athletic associations and to identify the current relationship and the types of services that are currently being provided. For a number of years, Edina has been the model community for youth athletics. Nearly forty years ago, Edina became the pioneer of youth athletics by creating independently incorporated youth athletic associations led by volunteer parents and concerned adults. There are now 12 Edina youth athletic associations who offer 15 different sport programs: 1. Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club 2. Edina Baseball Association 3. Edina Basketball Association 4. Edina Football Association 5. Edina Girls Athletic Association -girls flag football -girls basketball -girls volleyball -girls team tennis 6. Edina Girls Traveling Basketball Association 7. Edina Fast Pitch Softball Association 8. Edina Hockey Association 9. Edina Jr. Olympic Volleyball Association 10. Edina Soccer Association 11. Edina Swim Club 12. Edina Youth Softball Association As taken directly from the Minutes of the November 8, 1977, Edina Park Board Meeting, the youth athletic associations' relationship with the Park Board and staff were documented as follows: The basic philosophy that the Edina Park and Recreation Department staff recommends to be used in working with the athletic associations in order to maintain good programs is as follows: The Edina Park Board and the Edina Park and Recreation Department recognize the individual athletic associations in the City of Edina as the only governing body for each respective sport. The Edina Park Board, in cooperation with the Edina Park and Recreation Department, will administer and help each individual association plan, provide facilities, and give professional direction regarding operation of their association, so as to maintain the basic -3 - philosophies. Also, the Edina Park and Recreation Department acts as a liaison between the associations and the Edina Park board to help see that the associations are providing a well rounded and equal program for all participants. The Edina Park and Recreation Department staff recommend the following guidelines be followed: 1. That all boys and girls receive an equal opportunity to participate in any activity at whatever ability level they may play. 2. Have fun. 3. Build good sportsmanship and character. 4. Learn basic fundamentals of the sport they participate in. 5. Be a good team member. 6. Learn to accept discipline. 7. Have a reasonable amount of practice and games. 8. The Edina Park and Recreation Department staff should encourage the use of volunteers on the Board of Directors, as well as in the coaching, because we believe in the philosophy of citizen involvement. 9. Selection of members to serve on the Board of Directors and as coaches should be based on the prospective member having the understanding of the basic program for all ability levels and all ages. All athletic associations have done an exceptional job of following these guidelines as well as meeting the needs of the community. And in answer to the question brought up at the November, 1994, Park Board meeting, "what is the role of the staff advisor," the paragraph that best describes the role is as follows: The Edina Park Board, in cooperation with the Edina Park and Recreation Department, will administer and help each individual association plan, provide facilities, and give professional direction regarding operation of their association, so as to maintain the basic philosophies. Also, the Edina Park and Recreation Department acts as a liaison between the associations and the Edina Park board to help see that the associations are providing a well rounded and equal program for all participants. To "give professional direction" has meant a variety of different services available and provided by professional Park and Recreation Department staff, not including clerical staff. In the past, these services have included: 1. Scheduling games, tournaments and practices. 2. Securing and preparing facilities (fields, rinks, gyms, etc.). 3. Attending monthly board meetings to provide advice where needed or requested. PLEASE NOTE: Staff does not vote and does not have veto power. 4. Administer coaches training clinics. 5. Secure and assist with registration set-up. The Assistant Director and Recreation Supervisor currently spend approximately 600 of their time serving youth athletic associations. Because the staff has attended most of the athletic associations' monthly board meetings and actively participated in problem solving, there is a perception that the Edina Park and Recreation Department is responsible for all youth athletic association problems. Each youth athletic association has the right to make their own decisions in spite of the professional staff's advice. Through the many years that staff has been attending athletic association board meetings, we have learned that there are pros and cons associated with having staff actively involved in the decision making process of these youth athletic associations and assisting them in administering their sport program. Examples of these pros and cons are as follows: PROS 1. Helps associations be more efficient, in that, they do not "re -invent the wheel" on every issue and often can identify potential problems. 2. Staff provides information on how other associations and/or other communities are dealing with certain issues. 3. Staff stays in touch with the program offering to ensure that the philosophy is in keeping with the Edina Park Board and City Council philosophy. 4. In most cases, staff is more skilled and better equipped (computers and league scheduling software) to generate quality game and tournament schedules. 5. Some associations need the staff's leadership assistance from time to time. CONS 1. A tremendous amount of professional staff time is spent attending youth athletic association board meetings when staff assistance is not needed. This often leads to unproductive and ineffective use of professional staff time. 2. The participants and general public perceive that the staff is responsible to solve all youth athletic association problems that surface. 3. In some cases, staff can potentially have a strong and long term influence on all decision making, which can lead to only one point of view. Some may argue that this is a positive attribute, however, it is staff's opinion that new ideas and new volunteers foster growth and enthusiasm. 4. The majority of professional staff time is currently spent assisting and serving youth athletic associations, which leaves limited time to program other recreational activities that are not necessarily athletic programs. -5- 5. In reality, staff has little control in the decision making process of the youth athletic associations. Staff offers advice, which is either accepted or rejected depending on the board's point of view. 6. Staff cannot attend every youth athletic association monthly board meeting simply because there are too many associations, therefore, not every association receives similar levels of service. The issue of who has the control over how these youth athletic associations are organized and implemented is a sensitive issue. The fact is that the City of Edina has control over its own facilities, equipment and staff resources. Realistically, the City of Edina does not have control over the decisions of the youth athletic associations other than placing sanctions on them which are within the control of the City. For example, the only time in the history of the City that staff can recall that the City chose to threaten to withhold City services and access to City owned facilities is when approached with the charitable gambling issue. In another case, the Park and Recreation Department staff advisor pleaded with the Edina Soccer Association to reverse a particular board decision concerning a coach and his team. The ESA chose to disagree and ignore the staff's recommendation. The isolated incident lead to a painful and costly lawsuit filed by a coach. The City chose not to exercise any sanctions against the ESA at that time. The lawsuit was eventually dropped by the coach and both parties assumed their own costly legal expenses. The City of Edina has the legal right to withhold its public -owned facilities from youth athletic associations in certain cases. The City can deny access to its facilities when there is just reason or cause that could otherwise do harm to the public or deny someone of their civil rights. The point is that the City of Edina has had an excellent working relationship with the youth athletic associations through the years and has never actually withheld services or facilities from them due to a conflict or difference in philosophy. Nonetheless, the staff really has no control over the youth athletic associations with the exception of the control over the facilities, where sanctions can legally be exercised only in cases where there is just cause or reason that may cause public harm or deny someone of their civil rights. This is not to say that the staff should or would want to have any further controls over youth athletic association matters. The fact is that, the more involved the staff and City become in administering youth athletic association programs, the more cost, liability and responsibility are assumed by the City. Without the volunteers to run these independently incorporated athletic associations, the programs would either be administered by paid staff, which would significantly raise the cost of administering the program, or the program would simply fail to exist. Therefore, the volunteers provide an extremely valuable service to the community in providing affordable athletic programs. Staff views these athletic associations and especially the volunteers as a vital part of the overall comprehensive recreation program offering to the community. We feel that it is important to support the volunteer boards the best we can and yet not be overly involved to where the City, Park Board or staff are assuming liability and/or responsibility for their actions. That becomes a challenging task to provide the support and services while maintaining the relationship at an arms length. To better outline and define the different services that are provided and used by each youth athletic association, enclosed you will find a matrix chart listing the various athletic associations, the number of participants and the services they currently receive. As you will notice, the chart points out which athletic associations are primarily self-sufficient, while others utilize many of the available services. To better identify the specific clerical services that the Park and Recreation Department provides, enclosed you will find a letter dated March, 1994, written to the athletic association Presidents from Solvei Swenson, Office Coordinator. As Ms. Swenson outlines in her letter, the Park and Recreation Department offers limited photocopying, typing and mailing services. Clerical staff also assist with late registrations in the Park and Recreation office, as well as, handle facility reservations for practices and scrimmage games. The clerical staff handle many phone calls every day from participants, parents, coaches and board members for a variety of reasons, such as, problem solving, information seeking, referrals, complaints etc. Currently, approximately 700 of all clerical staff time is spent serving youth athletic associations. The questions/issues that were discussed at the November 8, Edina Park Board were as follows: 1. Should the Park and Recreation Department continue to provide the same level of services (clerical and professional) as in the past? 2. Should youth athletic associations be charged a nominal fee for administrative services (clerical or professional)? • 3. Should the Park Board and Park and Recreation Department re -define our role in the relationship to youth athletic associations? The staff approached the athletic associations with some of these questions back in March of 1994. On March 23, 1994, there was a meeting of all Edina youth athletic association Presidents held at the Edina City Hall Council Room to discuss a variety of issues. One of the agenda items was "Park & Recreation Department services," because it was a good time to evaluate and discuss the current level of professional, clerical and maintenance services provided to Edina's youth athletic associations. The questions that were asked of each association were as follows: "Should the level or types of Park and Recreation Department services provided be any different than what it is today?" In other words: 1. Are your needs currently being met? 2. Does your organization desire more professional services? 3. Could your organization be satisfied with less professional services and/or involvement? The above questions come to mind only because the number of associations and programs continue to grow, while the amount of available governmental staff and resources remains the same or, in some cases, decreases. The response at that time was basically that every association seemed to be comfortable with the level of service provided. In addition, most associations seemed to be in support of less professional services and involvement, whereas, one requested the attendance of a professional advisor at all meetings. -7 - As for the staff's proposed administrative fee, this is in essence a philosophical issue. The Edina City Council believes strongly in user fees. The City Council also believes that there are certain services that are a "public good" which benefit the community at large, such as Police and Fire services. In addition, there are certain Park and Recreation services and programs that are partially or totally subsidized by the community at large for a variety of reasons: 1. Benefits the community at large (a "public good"). 2. If participants were charged the total cost of providing the service or program, the program would become unaffordable. 3. The fee is too difficult or too costly to collect. 4. The benefit of the program or service could not be limited to only those who pay the fee. Some examples of these "subsidized" Park and Recreation services include (but are not limited to) the use of outdoor tennis courts, park benches, walking paths, outdoor skating rinks, basketball courts, playground equipment and maintained grassy areas. Some examples of "partially or fully subsidized" Park and Recreation programs include (but are not limited to) Summer Playground program, Adaptive Recreation programs, 4th of July fireworks display, Braemar Arena participants, Art Center participants and Minnesota Splash. Each of these services and programs are partially or fully subsidized due to one or more of the four reasons listed above. It is important to note that the youth athletic associations who are currently charged a field usage fee are not paying for the full cost of maintaining the facility and, therefore, those programs are somewhat subsidized. A facility use fee is currently not charged or passed along to the participants who use the schools gymnasiums because the Edina School District currently chooses not to charge for most of the gym time used. Conclusion Of Youth Athletic Association Staff Report This staff report hopefully adequately defines the current role that the Park and Recreation Department play in relationship to these youth athletic associations. This report also hopefully defines the philosophy regarding fees and charges. The following are staff's recommendations for Park Board's consideration regarding the Edina Park Board and Edina Park and Recreation Department's role and relationship with Edina's youth athletic associations: 1. It is staff's recommendation that professional staff continue to provide the same level of services to the youth athletic associations with one exception; that professional staff attend youth athletic association monthly board meetings on an invitation basis with the request that staff and City of Edina related issues be the first on the agenda. This would make better use of professional staff time and would help improve the role and image of professional staff advisor. 2. It is staff's recommendation that the Edina Park and Recreation Department continue to provide the same clerical services to the youth athletic associations who need and/or desire the services. 3. It is staff's recommendation that the Edina Park Board first determine what should be the role/relationship with Edina's youth athletic associations. 4. It is staff's recommendation that the Edina Park Board secondly determine if the youth athletic associations should philosophically be charged for administrative (clerical and/or professional) services. If the Edina Park Board decides to charge youth athletic associations a fee for administrative services, then staff will study the actual costs incurred for each service provided before a fee strategy is adopted. • 1994 TREE REPORT EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT DUTCH ELM DISEASE CONTROL This year I marked a total of 194 Elms, infected with Dutch Elm Disease, on public and private property. Of these, 131 were on private property and 63 were on the boulevards. All diseased trees on the boulevard have been removed. There are six elms on private property to be removed. I will continue to monitor these elms to assure that they are removed before April 1, 1995. It is at this time that they will again become infectious. The spread of Dutch Elm Disease was slowed this year as a result of last winter's cold temperatures. The incidence of Dutch Elm Disease was reported down throughout the metro area. When temperatures drop to -20°F and lower for extended periods, large number of Elm Bark Beetles do not survive. From this perspective, let us hope for another long and cold winter. OAK WILT CONTROL For the last five years, the S. Kunde Company, Forestry Specialists, have operated the oak wilt control program for Edina. Services have included identifying pockets of oak wilt through field tests or lab samples. S. Kunde Co will inform residents of their obligations to control the spread of this disease, and then inspect for compliance. I have always fielded the initial calls from residents who suspect oak wilt and in many cases I have determine whether it was or not. If I was unable to determined what the problem was, I will refer it to S. Kunde Company. A separate report summarizing the activities of S. Kunde Company is prepared each year by them and should be presented soon. MISCELLANEOUS INSPECTIONS On a time permitting basis, each year I make myself available to the residents of Edina to answer other tree related questions. Question regarding pathology, insect identification, assessments of tree health, hazardous conditions of trees, tree planting advise, or any other tree concerns. To the residents, an impartial and honest evaluation is gratefully accepted before money is spent on tree care. This also gives me the opportunity to view the urban forest from extended vantage points. The more crowded urban environment creates a concern for hazardous trees. There simply are more targets for failing trees; i.e., people, homes, cars and other valuables. This year I took a day -long course on hazardous trees taught by Minnesota DNR personal. Sometimes the hazards are obvious, but this course helped me look beyond just the obvious signs. Each year I have had to condemn and order removed about five trees on city property because of the risk they pose to property or people. TREE TRIMMING Currently, I am busy supervising the boulevard tree trimming project in areas 2 and 3. I am busy determining which trees need trimming and which don't; and preparing trimming lists for the contractor. When assessing the trimming needs of these boulevard trees, I pay most attention to the safety aspect of the tress. I look closely for potential hazards, deadwood or otherwise weak branches, and any portions of tress growing lower than 16' into the street. Also, close attention is paid to branches growing below 8' along sidewalks. Of course, the trimming specifications call for balancing the trees so none of them look lopsided upon completion. I also take time to answer residents questions. They are grateful and relieved that the city takes the time to assess the needs of each tree rather than simply having a tree company show up to trim their trees, whether they need it or not. I have found throughout my last 15 years of working as a city forester, that people are extremely sensitive and vocal about their trees and the care they receive. The sentimental attachments people feel for their trees is real and cannot be ignored. At every opportunity when speaking to residents I remind the residents of their obligation to trim their own private trees near the streets or sidewalks to achieve the necessary clearance according to city ordinance. TREE P'_:.?:NTING There are far more reasons to plant trees than I have time to list in this report. For aesthetics, for the environment, for cleaning the air, cooling effects, the list could go no. I recall an interesting article I read of an interview with former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer, after he retired from city politics. He said his only regret about his time as mayor was that he didn't plant enough trees. With alother duties and responsibilities of a mayor, I thought this was a great statement to be made for the importance of trees in our environment. Mr. Latimer of course does not stand alone with his sentiments. Since I have been involved in city forestry, I am amazed at all the myriad organizations throughout the world dedicated to tl cause of trees. I am amazed to the point of no longer being surprised. Edina is committed to tree care and planting. Much has been done even with a small tree crew. Planting, transplanting, trimming storm damage and removals are done routinely each year. Other tree work is also contracted out. The city is not faltering in its responsibility to care for trees. Tree planting is as much an art as it is a science. Since the health of the trees is related to the site selection, special attention should be given so that the right trees are put in the right spots. Using carefully calculated choices will go a long way to assure healthy, low -maintenance trees. I have always believed that soil conditions are highly importance to the health of trees. Stressed trees are more susceptible to diseases. Heathy trees can protect themselves from many diseases and insect attacks. Thus, soil conditions should be a primary factor in choosing what species of tree to plant. I believe trees do better when planted in numbers of same species. Except for in tropical rain forests, where there can be 100 or more different species of trees per acre, it is natural in this region to have mono -culture forests, forests with only a handful of different species existing,. The world's largest single organism is now classified as a poplar woods in Colorado. All of the individual trees are so genetically similar, and all sharing a common root, that they are classified as .— x • a single organism. First place honors for this classification was just recently won from a giant fungus in Michigan. When considering whether or not to plant trees, consider the great amount of time and expense for turf management. Grass must be constantly cut, chemically treated with herbicides/pesticides etc. I suggest looking at certain passive areas of parks where seedlings can be planted in such a way as to take the grassy areas off the cutting routes. Aesthetically and environmentally I believe trees greatly out weigh the benefits of cut grass. CONCLUSION Thank you for bearing with me. I believe this is the most long winded annual report I have written in 15 years. The longer I am in this business, the more I learn there is to learn about trees. I have heard this from Doctors of Forestry as well. Trees are awe-inspiring natural organisms. To me, they are probably the most beneficial of our natural resources. We can use, but should not abuse them. we should learn what we need to know about them so they can best take care of themselves. We -should learn how to work with nature rather than constantly struggle to control it. I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and all the residents of Edina. Have a happy and peaceful holiday season! Respectfully submitted, Tom Horwath SUMMARY OF TREE WORK PERFORMED BY CITY PERSONNEL January 1, 1994 to November 30, 1994 Compiled and written by Mark Hill A. TREE TRM4 IING 1. Number of job orders* - 40 2. Storm damage job orders - 27 B. TREE REMOVALS 1. Removals a. Elms 40 i. Spruce 7 b. Oaks 7 j. Locust 2 c. Willows 22 k. Pines 18 d. Boxelders 7 1. Russian Olives 5 e. Poplars 4 m. Crab Apples 1 f. Ash 2 n. Hackberry 1 g. Maples 4 o. Birch 1 h. Cottonwood 4 p. Cherry 1 2. Storm Damage Removals 10 C. PLANTING 1. 28 balled and burlaped Cathedral Elms on boulevards. 2. 12 potted Little -Leaf Lindens at National Car Rental project 3. Assisted staff a Cornelia School with the planting of 10 trees of various species 4. 100 DNR seedlings of various species planted at the gun range and Van Valkenburg Park. 5. 14 various species trees purchased and planted at sites as either replacement or new plantings. 6. Two donated trees planted at Van Valkenburg Park. D. BRUSH AND FALLEN LIMBS 58 job orders (material was either picked -up with the log loader or chipped with the brush chipper). E. MISCELLANEOUS JOBS USING TREE EQUIPMENT (Log loader or bucket truck.) 25 job orders. An example of this type of job: the hanging of nets to stop golf balls at Normandale Golf Course, the job took 1'/z days. *Job orders: can include the request to trim or remove from one tree/bush or up to 20 or more. EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 1994 SERVICES TO THE YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS ATHLETIC "P. `w- Staff at - Regwfttion Scheduling 4una -F c btaang TYw�B Photo- MAIWW ASSOCIATION P'"� monlwy &' 1. BRAEMAR CITY OF LAKES 197 FIGURE SKATING CLUB 2. EDINA BASEBALL 852 ASSOCIATION 3. EDINA BASKETBALL 745 ASSOCIATION EDINA GIRLS ATI-iLETIC ASSOCIATION: 454 4. Basketball 126 5. Flag Football 6. Tennis 90 7. Volleyball 201 8. GIRLS TRAVELING 100 BASKETBALL 9. JR. OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL 32 10. EDINA HOCKEY 650 ASSOCIATION 11. EDINA SOCCER 1838 ASSOCIATION 12. EDINA FOOTBALL 473 ASSOCIATION 13. EDINA YOUTH SOFTBALL 370 ASSOCIATION 14. EDINA SWIM CLUB 250 15. EDINA GIRLS FASTPITCH 65 SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION TOTALS 16443 11 15 10 1 10 11 11 12 11 *Facilitating = games and practices take place at City of Edina owned facilities. City of Edina March, 1994 Dear Athletic Association President: I felt this would be a good opportunity to share with you the services the Park and Recreation Department is willing to provide, to better assist your programs. Please inform all board members concerned. Thank you. PHOTOCOPYING Because the Park and Recreation Department does not have exclusive use of the photocopier: *All photocopying requests, regardless of the number of copies requested, need a minimum of 2 days lead time. *Any photocopying requests over 800 copies, must be duplicated or printed elsewhere, at each association's own expense. Example: 250 copies of a 4 page document would have to be done outside of City Hall. *Coaches manuals and playbooks need to be copied at a print shop. *All photocopying must be approved by a Park and Recreation Department staff person (either John Keprios, Ed MacHolda or the new Recreation Supervisor - to be announced.) *Only association board members and their coordinators/commissioners may make photocopying requests, not coaches. TYPING *All typing requests, regardless of amount requested, need a minimum of two days lead time. *Park and Recreation secretarial staff will type minutes of board meetings if that association does not have access to a typist. *20 working days is the minimum lead time necessary to update and type coaches manuals and large documents. City Hall (612) 927-8861 4801 WEST 50TH STREET FAX (612) 927-7645 EDINA, MINNESOTA 55424-1394 TDD (612) 927-5461 MAILINGS *The Park and Recreation Department strongly recommends the use of a mailing service for Bulk mailings. (i.e. Braemar Mailing Service, Richie Resource, Action Mail, etc.) *All out -going mail from City Hall/Park Department goes at the current first class rate. There will be no charge to the association for mailings going to board members, commissioners, coaches or employees of the association. All other mailings will be billed. (Example: newsletters and registration forms would be charged). INFORMATION *We love information! As soon as you have your newsletters or program flyers ready, please give us a copy. We will be happy to share that information with residents when they call. (It works best, if you can get a copy to us before you send them to the registrants.) *We also appreciate knowing your deadlines, closing registration dates, late fees and appropriate contact people. Thank you! Sincerely, • Solvei M. Swenson Office Coordinator Edina Park and Recreation Department 0 HOW TO CLOSE A NEIGHBORHOOD RINK 1 TAKE OUT THE HOCKEY RINK SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE. (SO NO HOCKEY PLAYERS THINK OF THIS PARK TO SKATE) 2 COUNT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING THE RINK. ( WITHOUT HOCKEY) 3 CLOSE THE ENTIRE RINK FOR ONE YEAR. (SO THE PEOPLE WHO DO SKATE THERE NOW GO SOME WHERE ELSE , AND MAY NOT COME BACK UNLESS WE TELL THEM) 4 OPEN IT FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND COUNT THE PEOPLE USING RINK ( SURPRISED, NOT TO MANY SHOW UP) 5 USE THESE NUMBERS TO JUSTIFY CLOSING THE RINK 6 MAKE DECISION BASED UPON THE PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP AT MEETING ( THEY HAVE A HOCKEY RINK TO FIGHT FOR THAT THEY HAVE BEEN USING) 7 SAVE THE CITY SOME MONEY (AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEIR PARK,CAUSING PROPERTY VALUES TO DECLINE) ARE THERE NO PEOPLE LIVING NEAR THIS PARK ? IS THERE A PARK COMPETING WITH IT? IS IT TOO NOISY BY THE FREEWAY? ARE WE LETTING THE REST OF THE PARK DECAY ALSO ? NEIGHBORHOOD SAVE OUR PARK COMMITTEE CC. SUN CURRENT j�/� T �► l� e �� PARK AND REC. CITY OF EDINA. CORNELIA BRANCHES OUT Edina Park Board Meeting December 13, 1994 Develop Site and Landscape Plan School and Park Cleanup each Arbor Day Compiete Tree Planting 1994 with over 425 Trees Hold Community Picnic with 400 in Attendance in 1994 Maintain School and Park Outdoor Equipment Develop School and Park Play Structure Plan Create A "Joint Power Agreement" with Schools and Park Board Implement Park Improvements in Three Phases Maintain / Plant 40 Trees and 100 Shrubs Install (3) Trash Receptacles Install (3) Picnic Tables Install (5) Park Benches Install (2) Elementary Growing Gardens Install (6) Basket Ball Hoops, Resurface and Restripe Install Park Sign with Keystone Base and Flowers Install Soccer Goals Community work Day and Picnic and Replant Trees and. Shrubs as Necessary Install (3) Trash Receptacles Install (2) Picnic Tables Install (5) Park Benches Replace Portion of Play Structure with ADA Enhancement Rebuild 60' Baseball Field Install Sand Volley Ball Court Install Bike Racks Install Site and Pedestrian Lighting ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR PARK SHELTER BUILDING Including: Restrooms, Drinking Fountains, Warming House, Assembly Area Maintain and Replant Trees as Necessary Replace Balance of Play Structure w1ADA enhancements Rebuild Softball Field GRAND OPENING OF PARK SHELTER BUILDING