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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-17 City Council Work Session PacketAgenda City Council Work Session City of Edina, Minnesota City Hall Community Meeting Room Tuesday, October 17, 2023 5:30 PM I.Call To Order II.Roll Call III.Braemar Park Master Plan: Review and Comment on Engagement and Design Development IV.Braemar Golf Operational Update V.Adjournment The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli)cation, an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Date: October 17, 2023 Agenda Item #: III. To:Mayor and City Council Item Type: Reports / Recommendation From:Rachel Finberg, Park Planner Item Activity: Subject:Braemar Park Master Plan: Review and Comment on Engagement and Design Development Discussion CITY OF EDINA 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 www.edinamn.gov ACTION REQUESTED: Review and comment on preliminary concept presentation. INTRODUCTION: Braemar Park Project has been progressing through design refinement and components have reached the 30% design level. A staff report is attached outlining the project progress as well as our public participation plan. This report includes the content presented and reviewed by the community and their recorded feedback. Neighborhood, community, staff, stakeholders, and Parks & Recreation Commission feedback have been incorporated into revised designs being presented by SRF, our design consultant, during the work session. ATTACHMENTS: Description Braemar Park Master Plan Staff Report Braemar Park Engagement Plan and Community Comments October 17th, 2023 Mayor and City Council Members Rachel Finberg, Park Planner Braemar Park Master Plan: Review and comment on engagement and design development Information / Background: Located in the southwest corner of Edina, the 500 acre Braemar Park is the largest recreational space in the City of Edina. Home to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Golf Dome, Braemar Arena, Braemar Field, Courtney Fields, and South Metro Public Safety Training Facility, this recreation and training complex draws users from the region to participate in a wide range of activities that Edina Recreation has to offer. The Braemar Park master plan created in 2017 with the help of residents and community members utilizes even more recreational opportunities for this vivid landscape and park. City council approved the master plan on January 3rd, 2018. On November 8th, 2022 voters approved via referendum a local option sales tax to allocate $8.1 million of project funding for implementation and next phases of the Braemar Park master plan. Project planning and design efforts are moving forward for completing final design and constructing improvements in the park. Additional stakeholder and public engagement have occurred and will continue to occur during preliminary and final design to integrate comment and feedback into the design process. The approved master plan designed by SRF is now being further refined to integrate elements of master plan design as shown below. A project team led by SRF are working on trail designs and site features including but not limited to pedestrian trails, mountain biking trails, and natural resource restorations. Another project team led by WSB are working on Courtney field complex improvements. Because of the variety of project components set forth in this master plan the Parks and Recreation Department found it important to coordinate, yet separate project components in order to get the most knowledgeable consultant services. Many of these components and elements require additional design to ensure feasibility, sustainability, and overall constructability are attainable. STAFF REPORT Page 2 Project Progress and Feature Status Updates: I. Walking Trails (starting Spring 2024) a. Soft Surface Parkland Trails SRF proposed trail alignments for soft surface trails to maximize ADA accessibility. Connector loop to Hilary Lane and Courtney Fields Complex b. Boardwalk Trails (starting Summer 2024) SRF working on alignments for boardwalks and shared pedestrian pathways. Existing boardwalk system would be removed and a new boardwalk would be installed after regulatory approvals. Preliminary discussions with Nine Mile Creek and Army Corps of Engineers has taken place about trail systems within established conservation easements. c. Mixed Use Trails on Hilary Lane and Braemar Blvd (anticipated 2025) Trail designs and timeline to be coordinated with Engineering and implementation of state aide upgrades. This project is identified as the next Edina initiated state aid funded project. II. Mountain Biking Trails (starting Spring 2024) a. Proposed 7.7 miles of Trails with difficulty levels from easy to medium. b. Trail Features to increase difficulty levels at different locations throughout design. c. Designed with natural features. d. City staff exploring maintenance partnerships. III. Cross Country Ski Trails (starting Winter 2023/24) a. Proposed trail concept layouts being designed with Golf staff. Goal of trail system 5K or more of mixed used skate, ski, and potential for walking/ snowshoe b. Equipment currently being ordered that maximizes uses and flexibility. IV. Pickleball (TBD) a. Survey available on Better Together Edina to evaluate player needs. b. Site requirements and feasibility explored within 500 acre Parkland. V. Courtney Fields Baseball Complex Improvements (starting Fall 2023-Summer 2024) a. Request for Proposals out for Field Lighting package. b. Lighting Infrastructure being designed. STAFF REPORT Page 3 c. Playground location identified and playground survey available on Better Together Edina d. Netting options are being costed and considered by City and Stakeholders e. Field condition upgrades to grading and irrigation are being costed. f. Additional upgrades identified by stakeholders are being pursued and prioritized. g. Scheduled meetings with EBA and EHS representatives allow for project momentum and feedback VI. Wayfinding signs and trail connections (starting 2024-2025) a. Layouts being evaluated for connections with existing paved trails and future connections with trail systems. b. Crossings and coordination of roads and trail uses are being evaluated. Technology and innovative solutions are being pursued. c. Staff and Mountain Biking Community partnerships are being pursued to update trail conditions and both rider and pedestrian expectations. VII. Natural Resources (starting Winter 2023/24-2026) a. Resource Environmental Services (RES, formerly Applied Ecological Services, AES) is conducting a study in the northwest portion of Braemar Park to test a variety of buckthorn removal and control methods (including different cutting techniques, application of herbicide or not, and use of prescribed fire) in an effort to identify opportunities for reduced use of herbicide, better ecological response, and cost savings. See Appendix D for additional study information. b. Edina Mountain Biking and other Rider organizations have volunteered to assist in hauling cut buckthorn from identified plots. VIII. Parking and Access (TBD) a. Braemar arena NW parking lot resurfacing and lighting upgrades were completed in Spring 2023. b. Studies are currently being conducted by ISG to examine Braemar Golf Dome as well as Braemar Golf Courses parking needs. IX. Arena Improvements (TBD) a. The City is evaluating publicly solicited applicant proposals for Owners Representative for the Braemar Arena project. A staff recommendation will be made to City Council for approval. b. Additional project team members will be solicited based on timeline and advisement of Owner Representative. c. Phasing and project scope will be finalized based on vote outcome in November. Engagement Feedback: I. Public Participation The Public Participation Plan for Braemar Park and trails is attached to this report. Staff has engaged the community through multiple methods including stakeholder and neighborhood meetings, an open house, and better together Edina surveys and open comments. Attached is all community comments given during open house and open comment, as well as on Better Together Edina. A. Neighborhood Meeting 8.29.2023 A meeting was held with neighbors of Braemar Park to update them on the Master Plan and the process. Staff presented original concepts and outlined project processes. Staff and consultants answered questions and facilitated a discussion with neighbors. B. Community Open House 9.06.2023 An open house event was held at Braemar Backyard Rink. Members of the community including neighbors, stakeholder groups, and other community members were encouraged to attend and provide comments for design incorporation. Staff and consultants from all master plan disciplines were present to answer questions and engage in conversation about the project. Comments were collected on refined concepts including Courtney Fields Layout, Trails, Natural resources. C. Better Together Edina STAFF REPORT Page 4 Comments were collected on Braemar Trails and Courtney Fields concepts. Survey data is also being collected on Playground needs and Pickleball needs. II. Parks and Recreation Commission As part of workplan initiative 1.6.2 the Parks and Recreation Commission received a presentation of proposed concepts for Braemar Trails and Natural Resources as well as Courtney Fields concepts. The Commission asked questions regarding mountain biking mileage, trailheads, restroom facilities, peak hauling, mountain biking team involvement in trail designs, and the vegetative buffer. Park Planner Finberg also gave an update on Courtney Fields and the design for trails. The Commission asked questions regarding fees, internal trail work, events, and total referendum costs. The Commission asked and provided the following specific comments. Commissioner Pfuhl asked what is the total amount of mountain biking miles that are there. It was noted approximately 7.7 mile at this stage of design. Commissioner Ytterbo asked are local mountain biking teams involved in how these trails are designed. It was noted they have a representative from the Edina Mountain Biking Team who gave some of the initial input. Also, MORC is another organization that has given input as well as there is an executive team that has been giving input. They have been gathering a lot of feedback. Commissioner Ytterbo asked regarding the middle berm or boardwalk and the long prairie grass is the idea to have something natural and growing separated. It was noted that the idea is to have a vegetative buffer for multiple reasons, one to create a third corridor for you but also because that breaks up the hard surface as well so that would help them also in their permitting in going through those wetland areas. Commissioner Ytterbo asked if there would be a maintenance plan, and this should be on the same maintenance plan as the natives around it so this will all be a maintained area. They will be cognizant of what species are seeded within these strips. Most of the hiking trail will not be asphalt but will be a soft surface like a Class 5 which will lend better to the vegetation. Chair Doscotch asked on the big loop walking pedestrian trail, what is the total from connection to connection where you have a start and finish to do the loop, how long is it. It was noted there are multiple starting points and different areas to loop but it is approximately a little over 3 ½ miles. Commissioner Doscotch asked does someone have to walk 3 ½ miles to do the loop. It was noted that they do have smaller loops within the system, it would just be you need to go out and come back. It was also noted that the main reason for that is to avoid conflict between mountain bikes and pedestrians. Commissioner Ytterbo commented he is very excited that they are optimizing the land and he is thinking about the long-term side of things and asked is it being weighed as they are starting to develop the maintenance and equipment needed. He knows they’ve talked a little bit about budget and fees but how is this going to be maintained because it doesn’t look like it’s a fee generated system, how is it going to work. It was noted from general funding. It was also noted that the mountain biking community does a lot of work on trails internally whether it be Midwest Off-Road Cycling Association (MORC) or even the high school team, they are required to do so many hours of volunteer work. Also, not having the built features will help with that because they are not going to necessarily go out there and do inspections. They are going to depend a little bit more on the teams to tell them when something needs to be fixed and managed. Commissioner Welsh asked if they will be having any events or competitions. It was noted this facility will not have events and competitions but will be used for riding and practice. They are looking at what was voiced by the high school team which was skills development. Also noted there is going to be a lot of people but it’s not a destination point. They are going to allow teams to have practice and they have talked about STAFF REPORT Page 5 the aspect of identifying and acknowledging when those practice times would be and get that information to the public. Commission Pfuhl asked if there will be a liaison with MORC and Parks & Recreation. It was noted that MORC will internally give updates on their trails, but they will still need to communicate with the non- community and that is where their role will be. The person going to walk there isn’t checking the app for the mounting biking trail. Chair Doscotch asked about the feedback from the Gleason neighborhood that showed up at the open house. It was noted they had a very respectful dialog. It was more of a timing what does it look like, distances away, how are you going to be operating, etc. It was also noted that most people were excited and interested in the project and staff relayed to them their commitment to keeping them informed as they continued to move forward because there is a lot going on with it. Commissioner Ytterbo asked if this will overlap with the arena because he knows they border each other, will the plans for the arena come into play with the plans for everything else that is going on at Braemar. It was noted they are separate and won’t be contingent on each other. Chair Doscotch commented on the volume of utilization management on those trails and how that will work. It was noted that hopefully in the future people will know the busiest times of day and the quietest times. Commission Ytterbo asked how it will be enforced. It was noted they would not close the trails; no one would get exclusive use. They need to make sure that people are aware of the activity that is occurring and to choose wisely. Braemar Park Implementation Next steps The project’s trajectory and next steps in the process are to continue into the design development stage. This stage will further refine concepts into specific materials, methods, and requirements for components and features. This refinement will allow for more accurate costing and estimating to ensure the project stays within approved budget. After designs are completed, construction documents will be created for bidding. Projects will then be quoted or bid, and necessary contracts will come to council for approvals. Due to the complexity and variability of components multiple contracts and numerous vendors will be contracted. The timeline for construction will vary by component and project readiness of feature. Numerous components will possibly trigger permitting or review by building inspections, watershed, and other regulatory authorities. Action Requested: Review and provide comments at this stage of the Braemar Park master plan implementation process. Next steps for review will be construction contract approvals. Attachments: A. Proposed Braemar Trail Alignments 9.06.2023 B. Proposed Natural Resources Plan 9.06.2023 C. Proposed Courtney Field Concepts 9.06.2023 D. RES Study Summary Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 SOUTHWEST SEGMENT NORTHWEST SEGMENT BRAEMAR BLVD HWY 169 W 74TH ST W 76TH ST W 78TH ST DEWEY HILL RD SOUTH SEGMENT EAST SEGMENT 7.7 MILES OF MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS FIGURE 1: Park Context Map V A L L E Y VIE W R D HILARY LN Park Context Map Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 FIGURE 2: Northwest Segment Trail Map EXISTING BRIDGE FUTURE PARKING EXPANSION SIGNAL DETECTION AND ACTUATION FOR BIKE/ PEDESTRIAN CROSSING MTB Trail - Green MTB Trail - Blue Hiking Trail Shared Use Trail Paved Trail Paved Trail (Existing) MTB Trail Hub Trail Staging Area Trail Parking (Existing) Trail Crossing Pond / Lake Wetland 100 Year Flood Area 0 100 250 500 FT North P P BRAEMAR BLVD HWY 169 FRONTAGE RD V A L L E Y V I E W RD .75 MILE LOOP .75 MILE LOOP .35 MILE LOOP 1.9 MILES TOTAL Northwest Segment Trail Map Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 REMOVE EXISTING BOARDWALK SIGNAL DETECTION AND ACTUATION FOR BIKE/ PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FIGURE 3: Southwest Segment Trail Map EXISTING BRIDGE TEMPORARY TRAIL CLOSURE DURING HEAVY TRUCK HAULING EVENTS P BRAE M A R B L V D HWY 169 FRONTAGE RD H W Y 1 6 9 .80 MILE LOOP .30 MILE LOOP .40 MILE LOOP .30 MILE LOOP .25 MILE CONNECTOR 2.1 MILES TOTAL MTB Trail - Green MTB Trail - Blue Hiking Trail Shared Use Trail Paved Trail Paved Trail (Existing) MTB Trail Hub Trail Staging Area Trail Parking (Existing) Trail Crossing Pond / Lake Wetland 100 Year Flood Area 0 100 250 500 FT North P Southwest Segment Trail Map Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 FIGURE 4: South Segment Trail Map EXISTING BRIDGE REMOVE EXISTING BOARDWALK PROPOSED BRIDGE AND BOARDWALK CROSSING EXISTING TRAIL ACCESS EXISTING TRAIL ACCESSBRAEMAR BLVDEXISTING T R A I L N E W TRAIL .70 MILE CONNECTOR .7 MILES TOTAL WETLAND MITIGATION SITE MTB Trail - Green MTB Trail - Blue Hiking Trail Shared Use Trail Paved Trail Paved Trail (Existing) MTB Trail Hub Trail Staging Area Trail Parking (Existing) Trail Crossing Pond / Lake Wetland 100 Year Flood Area 0 100 250 500 FT North P South Segment Trail Map Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 Varies8’2’ SHOULDER HIKING TRAIL MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAIL Varies 6’ SHOULDERBUFFER South Segment Shared Use Trail on Existing Trail Corridor Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 .50 MILE LOOP SERVICE PATH CROSSING Trail Staging Area Trail Parking (Existing) Trail Crossing Pond / Lake Wetland 100 Year Flood Area FIGURE 5: East Segment Trail Map 0 100 250 500 FT North MTB Trail - Green MTB Trail - Blue Hiking Trail Shared Use Trail Paved Trail Paved Trail (Existing) MTB Trail Hub P P EXISTING TRAIL ACCESS NATIVE VEGETATION BUFFER 2.5 MILE LOOPHILARY LNJOH N H A R RIS D R GLEASON R D W 7 8 T H S T 3.0 MILES TOTAL East Segment Trail Map Braemar Park Trail Improvements Job No. 16340September 6, 2023 Oak Forest / Woodland Aspen Woodland Altered Forest / Woodland Oak Savanna / Woodland Upland Shrub-Scrub Prairie Upland Non-Native Grassland Lowland Forest / Woodland Lowland Shrub-Scrub Lowland Non-Native Grassland Emergent Marsh / Wet Meadow Open Water 100 Year Flood Area 0 1/8 1/4 MI North BRAEMAR BLVD HWY 169 W 78TH ST FIGURE 1: Plant Community Map HILARY LN Restored Restored Unrestored Unrestored OAK FOREST / WOODLAND OAK SAVANNA / WOODLAND Plant Community Map REMOVE / REDUCE PAVING IN THIS AREA TO ALLOW FOR EXPANDED GREEN SPACE / WARM UP AREA. MAINTAIN TRAIL CONNECTION TO NEIGHBORHOOD NEW FOUL / FAIR POLES ON ALL FIELDS MAINTENANCE AREA TO REMAIN. POTENTIAL FUTURE EXPANSION TO NORTH ADD TRAIL CONNECTION TO BATTING CAGES IMPROVED BACKSTOPS, TYP. PROTECTIVE NETTING IN DUGOUTS, TYP. SHADE CANOPY, TYP. VERTICAL NETTING (FOUL PROTECTION) NEW FIELD LIGHTING, TYP. VERTICAL NETTING (FOUL PROTECTION) 3 BATTING CAGES (45’ X 55’) 3 BATTING CAGES (45’ X 70’) VERTICAL NETTING (FOUL PROTECTION) FIELD MAINTENANCE TRAIL VERTICAL NETTING (FOUL PROTECTION) EXISTING TRAIL TO NEIGHBORHOOD VERTICAL NETTING EXISTING SCOREBOARD PLAY AREA APPROX. 8000 SF +/- NEW OUTFIELD FENCE SAFETY CAPS ON ALL FIELDS, TYP. OVERHEAD NETTING AREA(TO BE REPLACED- POLES AND NETTING) EXISTING TREES, TYP.EXISTING SCOREBOARD EXISTING SCOREBOARDHWY 169FRONTAGE RD.EXISTING PARKING VA L L E Y V I E W R D .BRAEMER BLVDADJUST TRAILS FOR NEW LIGHT CONFIGURATION. TYP. EXPAND LEVEL GREEN SPACE FOR WARM UP AREA EXISTING BLEACHERS TO REMAIN, TYP. - ADD DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO OUTFIELD- UPDATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM UPDATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM RELOCATED SHEDS EXISTING SCOREBOARD DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE SWALEK:\022715-000\Graphics\Courtney Fields MasterplanCourtney Fields | Master plan Edina, Minnesota August 09, 2023 | WSB Project number: 022715-000 Scale in Feet 200’0’100’50’25’ Innovation Leadership Program | Application | 1 2022 Innovation Leadership Program Project: Braemar Park 1. Goal – The goals of this research are: 1) Inform and influence RES’ approach to invasive brush removal and control, providing our contracting group with a competitive advantage in bidding, winning, and executing these types of projects. 2) Educate internal RES staff about our findings and best practices for achieving forest/woodland restoration goals efficiently, effectively, and safely, with minimal use of chemicals. This will be accomplished through regional or national presentations/webinars to RES staff and will benefit our sales, ecological planning, contracting, and safety programs. 3) Advance the science and externally promote RES’ “ecological approach” to restoration and management through conference presentations, publications, and/or other venues. Documenting and promoting approaches to ecological restoration and management that reduce reliance on chemicals will also benefit RES’ public and client relations. 2. Team Member(s) –  Kim Chapman, PhD (MN - Consulting) – Mentor  Fugui Wang, PhD (WI - Geospatial) - Experimental Design; Statistics  Doug Mensing, MS (MN - Consulting) – Project Manager  Ben Staehlin, MS (MN - Consulting) – Field Ecologist  Michael Lopez (MN - Consulting) – Field Ecologist  Matt Lasch (MN – Contracting) – Contractor Manager  Steve Salaba (MN – Contracting) – Forestry Mowing Expert  Aaron Kubichka (WI – Contracting) – Prescribed Fire in Forests/Woodlands Expert  Evan Deegan (Regional EHS&S Specialist – Safety) – Safety Advisor & Documentarian 3. Methods – Innovation Leadership Program | Application | 2 In brief, our study will evaluate the cost, effectiveness, and safety of three (3) different invasive brush removal treatments, with an emphasis on the use of fire. The City of Edina, Minnesota (a long-standing client of RES) has partnered with us in this study (see letter of support, attached). In the City’s Braemar Park we have identified an oak-dominated woodland that is severely infested with invasive common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). This 8- acre woodland (Figure 1, red outline) will be field assessed and divided into three treatment areas that are comparable in size, environmental conditions (e.g., soils, aspect, moisture regime), canopy cover, invasive shrub cover/density, and herbaceous cover. All treatment areas contain fire-dependent plant communities, and will have sufficient oak leaf litter and/or other fine fuels to carry a surface fire (Figure 2). Figure 1 shows our anticipated layout for the three treatment areas. The three treatments would consist of the following methods applied over the course of two years: A. Year 1: Hand-cut & stump-treat (herbicide); Year 2: Foliar spray (herbicide) (Conventional) B. Year 1: Forestry mow (no chemical used); Year 2: Fire (no chemical used) (Mow & Burn) C. Year 1: Fire (no chemical used); Year 2: Fire (no chemical used) (Burn Only) We will evaluate pre-treatment vegetation conditions and then conduct two post-treatment sampling visits: the growing season before the second treatment and the growing season after the second treatment. Field data will be collected in 27 permanent plots (10m x 10m), with nine plots established in each treatment area. Figure 1 illustrates one such plot (yellow square) for scale. Data collected in each plot will include:  Shrub cover (divided into invasive/non-invasive species)  Shrub stem count (by species, groupable into invasive/non-invasive species; by stem diameter size; and live/dead)  Herbaceous cover (by species, groupable into invasive/non-invasive species)  Leaf litter and/or other fine fuel (type; percent cover; and average depth/density) During implementation of the treatment methods over the course of two years, RES Contracting staff will track separately for each of the three treatments all costs (e.g., staff time, equipment, materials) and the quantity of herbicide used. This will enable us to quantify efficiency and potential cost savings among treatments. Vegetation sampling (conducted by RES Consulting staff) and subsequent statistical analysis will enable us to evaluate and quantify the ecological effectiveness of the three treatments. Observation and video documentation of a woodland prescribed burn will be conducted by Evan Deegan and narrated by Matt Lasch for sharing with other RES staff to convey safe burning practices in woodlands. The quantity of herbicide used in the study will also inform the safety of the different treatments in terms of potential human exposure and potential environmental impacts. The project’s success comes from answering several important questions, including: 1. What methods are most effective and the least expensive for restoring woodlands infested with invasive brush? This will help RES Contracting when selecting the best method of control and help increase RES’ competitiveness and profit margins. 2. What methods result in the greatest improvement in vegetation community health (measured by native species cover, diversity, and richness)? This will advance the science and result in better ecological outcomes for RES projects. 3. How susceptible to fire is invasive brush of a certain size? For instance, will 3” diameter stems of buckthorn be killed or only stressed by prescribed fire, or will fire kill all 1” stems? This will inform when and where fire may be feasible as opposed to a waste of effort. Innovation Leadership Program | Application | 3 4. Can RES’ forest/woodland restoration and management practices be adjusted to reduce chemical use and/or to increase safety? This will help address the public’s growing concern regarding herbicides and help RES to better protect our employees and the environment. 4. Schedule –The study schedule is below, organized by the six major tasks. Each task represents a project milestone, and the final report represents the primary deliverable. Other deliverables are addressed under Questions 9 and 10. 1. Pre-treatment Sampling (July/Aug 2022) In all treatment areas, document woody and herbaceous vegetation in 27 permanent plots (9 in each treatment area). 2. Treatment Effort #1 A. Hand-cut & stump-treat (dormant season, mid-Nov 2022 to mid-March 2023) B. Forestry mow (dormant season, mid-Nov 2022 to mid-March 2023) C. Prescribed fire (Fall 2022) 3. Post-treatment Sampling #1 (July/Aug 2023) 4. Treatment Effort #2 (Fall 2023) A. Foliar spray B. Fire C. Fire 5. Post-treatment Sampling #2 (July/Aug 2024) 6. Analyze Data & Prepare Report (Sept-Dec 2024) The final report will summarize the study intent, methods used, findings, and conclusions. Innovation Leadership Program | Application | 4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN I BRAEMAR MASTER PLAN I CITY OF EDINA 1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN/REPORT BRAEMAR MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION DATE: August 29, 2023 PREPARED BY: Perry Vetter, Parks Director; Rachel Finberg, Park Planner; BRAEMAR TRAILS AND COURTNEY FIELDS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT PURPOSE - Further refine and create details for features within the approved Braemar Park master plan. - Staff will update City Council at completion of schematic design with community feedback and how that has been incorporated in proposed designs. - Staff will make a request for purchase for construction contracts, City Council will decide award. TIMELINE Complete: - Master plan engagement was initiated summer of 2017 and continued through Fall or 2017 with final master plan approval January 3rd, 2018. Appendix A includes Community Engagement Log for master plan creation. Future: - Master plan implementation will include refining concepts and features laid out in approved 2017 master plan. Fall and Winter of 2023 staff will involve community in reviews and collect comments for incorporation into designs. Staff will consult the community for feedback on components for programming and features. - Implementation would occur based on identified phases starting in 2024 and extending through 2025. STAKEHOLDERS - Residents - City Council - Parks and Recreation Commission - Internal project team - Braemar Hills, Indian Trails, Prospect Knolls, Dewey Hill, and other Edina neighborhoods - Edina Baseball Association - Edina Mountain Bike Team - Mountain Biking Associations PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN I BRAEMAR MASTER PLAN I CITY OF EDINA 2 ROLES RESIDENTS Expertise in sense of place, neighborhood feel, neighborhood needs, public attitudes, community values, desired amenities. - Provide expertise on values of community and neighborhood - Review concepts - Identify and communicate questions and concerns CITY COUNCIL Decision-making body. - Share feedback received from stakeholders with the project team to allow for response and incorporation - Decide funding level and source - Define level of service - Set parameters for improvements in parks - Approve contracts PARKS AND RECREATION COMISSIONS Advisory to the City Council. Review and provide comments for design development phasing. - Encourage awareness of the project within the community - Mountain Biking and Pedestrian Trail System - Courtney Field Upgrades - Natural resource restoration development and phasing - Site Upgrades STAFF Expertise in engineering, natural resources, transportation planning and safety, street and utility construction, parks and recreation, and landscape architecture. - Develop design based on technical expertise and professional judgement - Communicate costs, values, barriers, constraints, and impacts (budget pillars and values viewfinder) - Consider and collect feedback from stakeholders - Provides timely responses to questions and inquiries - Seek direction from Council on political decisions and operate within parameters set by Council - Describe how public influences concept design - Creates, initiates, and documents engagement process and decisions - Closes the loop with the public - Implements the decisions made by Council LIST OTHER ROLES AS APPLICABLE Feedback groups will also be consulted through public engagement and outreach to provide comments and information to help staff and consultants incorporate needs as they apply to programming and use. Feedback on concepts will be collected from residents, users, parks and recreation commissioners, and council members for incorporation into final designs. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN I BRAEMAR MASTER PLAN I CITY OF EDINA 3 IN SCOPE (WHAT WE KNOW) - Approved Master Plan Components including: o Pedestrian Trail Layouts o Mountain Biking Trail Layouts o Courtney Field Playground design OUT OF SCOPE - Roadway Reconstruction elements such as street width, sanitary sewer and water improvements - Wetland and upland habitat requirements. These are set forth by DNR, Nine Mile Creek, and Army Corps of Engineers as they apply to conservation easements and regulations. - Golf course site features and playability needs. - Braemar Arena parking and site needs. - Cross Country Ski layout will be based on maintainability and Golf Course playability needs. - Courtney Field improvements. CONSIDERATIONS DRIVING DESIGN & SCOPE - Approved 2017 Master Plan - Funding approved with 2022 Referendum - Regulatory requirements - Stakeholder needs - No impacts to Golf operations - No impacts to Baseball operations - No impacts to Arena operations LEGAL OR TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Rules 2. Minnesota DNR rules 3. Requirements set forth in easements 4. City ordinances PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The City is seeking input from community members as they develop and refine features approved in the original 2017 Braemar Park Master Plan. The City anticipates the community will contribute feedback that can help define and highlight priorities that can impact phasing, specifications, and implementation. The community of users and neighbors will help integrate their needs for programming and access that will refine designs to meet and exceed these expectations. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN I BRAEMAR MASTER PLAN I CITY OF EDINA 4 OVERALL OBJECTIVES - Identify community-driven specifications and accommodations in designs - Gather information on goals and concerns of components - Utilize this feedback in design stages EXPECTATIONS - What can participants expect? o To learn about features of Braemar Park o To contribute their knowledge about park usage and identify specific needs o To acknowledge balance and tradeoffs between different needs and user groups - What can participants influence? o Participants will help to determine development direction for specific features including pedestrian trails, mountain biking trails, Courtney fields playground, and other site upgrades as identified and developed. PUBLIC PARTICIPATON LEVEL INFORM/INVOLVE INFORM - Goal: Provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problems, alternatives, and/or solutions. - Promise: Timely information will be provided. INVOLVE - Goal: Work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered. - Promise: Ensured direct reflection of concerns and issues in the alternatives developed and explanations given concerning how public input shapes choices. TECHNIQUES – INVOLVE INFORM/INVOLVE - Better Together Edina Website o Project Updates o Project Timeline o Files and Resources o Surveys o Design Feedback o Questions and Answers - Feedback Groups o Help confirm design goals o Review and comment on concepts and features - Neighborhood Meetings o Gather feedback on progress and collect concerns o Keep neighborhood informed in process and next steps - Public Open House o Collect input on design concepts o Answer community questions o Connect community and project team PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN I BRAEMAR MASTER PLAN I CITY OF EDINA 5 - Social Media o Promote events o Promote updates and engagement points o Report project milestones DECISION PROCESS Objective Meet with Stakeholders and Feedback groups to establish baseline of design Host neighborhood meeting to update on features, engagement points and answer questions Gather online and in person input and comments for incorporation into design and review by City Council. Reflect comments collected in final conceptual design including specifications, features, phasing, and implementation approach. Inform public on final designs and a construction schedule for projects. Update communications to reflect disturbance planning. Ensure Master Plan components have been developed and evaluate if any additional barriers or needs have occurred because of the project or process. Anticipated Outcome Establish needs of organizations and accessibility requirements. Establish community concerns and priorities to be incorporated in designs and phasing Incorporate comments and address concerns about accessibility, use, and barriers from community, stakeholders, and Parks and Recreation Commission. Use feedback to identify and alter conceptual components including design elements and implementation plan. Get stakeholders excited about project and process. Keep public fully informed of progress. Close the loop on project cycle and evaluate project and establish any changes or impacts needing further investigation or refinement Timeline Summer 2023 August 29, 2023 September 6 -26, 2023 October 2023 City Council Work session Winter/Spring 2023 Summer 2023 APPENDICES APPENDIX A: 2017 Public Engagement Log APPENDIX B: 2023 Public Comment Log from Open House and Better Together Edina APPENDIX C: Parks and Recreation Commission Review and Comment Minutes September 12th 2023 CLOSE THE LOOP PRESENT FINAL DESIGNS AND ACTION PLAN REFINE CONCEPTS PRESENT INITIAL CONCEPTS FOR FEEDBACK SHARE INFORMATION SET GOALS AND DESIGN OBJECTIVES City of Edina Braemar Park Master Plan City of Edina Braemar Park Master Plan142 143BRAEMAR PARK COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LOGTYPEDATE METHODDETAILSFirst community meeting promotion (July 26 meeting) 7/19/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersFirst community meeting promotion7/19/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks & Rec news list - 1,547 subscribers, 550 opensFirst community meeting promotion7/19/2017 Facebook4,025 reachSpeak Up, Edina! promotion7/21/2017 Facebook6,037 reachFirst community meeting promotion7/24/2017 Braemar Golf Facebook628 reachReminder first community meeting 7/25/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersFirst community meeting reminder7/25/2017 Facebook837 reachInaugural community meeting 7/26/2017 Meeting at Braemar Golf Clubhouse About 50 attendees provided ideas for the parkSpeak Up, Edina discussion8/1/2017SpeakUpEdina.org 68 comments received through Aug. 31First Braemar Park Survey8/4/2017 Online survey732 respondents through Aug. 31Speak Up, Edina discussion promotion8/7/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks & Rec news list - 1,547 subscribers, 535 opens; Neighborhood - 121 recipients, 69 opensSpeak Up, Edina! reminder8/7/2017 Facebook858 reachBraemar Park project page launches on EdinaMN.gov 8/8/2017EdinaMN.gov/BraemarParkMasterPlan1,084 page views as of early November 2017First survey solicit for responses8/7/2017 Facebook557 reachFirst survey website promotion8/9/2017 EdinaMN.gov and Facility sitesSurvey promotion and links added to Parks & Rec main page, pages of Facilities in Braemar ParkFirst survey solicit for responses8/9/2017 Facebook3,751 reachFirst survey solicit for responses8/10/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 Nextdoor subscribersFirst survey promotion8/10/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks, Braemar Field, Braemar Arena, Braemar Golf Course and Neighborhood lists - 2967 recipients, 1011 opensReminder first survey email8/21/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersFirst survey reminder8/23/2017 Facebook2,464 reachFirst survey reminder8/30/2017 Facebook2,231 reachSecond community meeting promotion (Sept. 18)9/8/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersSecond community meeting promotion9/8/2017 Facebook1,951 reachSecond community meeting promotion9/13/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks & Rec news list - 1,547 subscribers, 476 opens; Neighborhood - 176 receipients, 78 opensReminder second community meeting9/14/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersSecond community meeting promotion9/14/2017 Facebook1,462 reachSecond community meeting9/18/2017 Braemar Golf Clubhouse51 people signed in and gave feedback on early conceptsSecond Survey - Concept Alternatives9/29/2017 Online survey450 respondents through Oct. 18Community Engagement Log Second Survey solicit for responses10/2/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersSecond survey solicit for responses10/2/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks, Neighorhoods, BGC and Braemar Arena lists - 2792 recipients, 988 opensSecond survey solicit for responses10/2/2017 Facebook5,412 reachThird community meeting promotion (Oct. 23)10/12/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersNotice of Braemar Park and Arden Park meetings10/12/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks and Neighborhoods - 1959 recipients, 594 opensThird community meeting promotion10/23/2017 Facebook3,968 reachThird community meeting10/23/2017 Braemar Golf Clubhouse27 people signed in at meeting Third Survey - Open ended questions on Preferred Concept 10/27/2017 Online survey202 respondents through Nov. 8Third survey solicit for responses 10/30/2017 NextdoorSent to 13,839 subscribersThird survey solicit for responses 10/30/2017 Facebook3,515 reachThird survey solicit for responses 11/1/2017 City Extra direct emailSent to Parks, Neighborhoods, Braemar Arena lists - 1,941 recipients, 651 opensNote: Most Facebook posts also posted to City Twitter account, which has about 7,400 followersSurveys created by Communications staff via SurveyMonkeyCommunity meeting promotionSurvey promotionCommunity meeting Speak Up, Edina Project webpage Braemar Park Concepts Community Comments DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: berms and rollers Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: boardwalk berm Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: like Wirth along parkway Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: big fun berms Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: big wide berms Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: combo of tight and flowy berms Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: downhil hill trail with lots of berms "bobsled" Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: fun swoopy berms Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: giant high berms Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: Leb. And Lake Marion Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: mini berms, flowy trails Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: more berms! Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: well banked corkscrew berms Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Berm Turns: wood berms Open Poll BTE Comment Braemar Biking Features Not too many switchbacks- Don’t build the trail with so many switchbacks to increase mileage at the expense of speed or fun trail flow. Lone lake did a really good job with this. The Loppet trails at Theodore Wirth have too many switchbacks to maintain speed. Matt Teasdale 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: black climbs and blue/black features would be great Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: bridges or skinnies Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: create nice jump line on hill alogside 169 like flying carpe diem at Tioga Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: create very challenging sections, riders all better, lets keep challenging them! Open Poll DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: drinking fountain at trailhead to fill water bottle Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: fast sections like Elm Creek Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: give us climbs to practice Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: good clear signage Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: have a simple wooden walkway along the wetlands on south side like Duluth trail near UMD campus Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: have an easier skills park by intersection Gleason and Braemar and a harder skills park top of east ridge like Cuyuna Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: leave as many roots and rocks as possible Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: like Lebanon hills have practice loop that kids can also learn on Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: log pile filters like Lebanon, skinnies like Carver, rock line like Carver Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: make fast flowy downhills Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: make some hard lines! Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: maybe have picnic tables/bathrooms/water bottle filler at entrance Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: skill park Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?: we need a repeatable trail loop Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?:building like the trailhead at Theo Wirth Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?:encourage trails that are more challenging (with some green) riders have become stronger, trails like hawks ridge in chaska or xcel in Shakope have limited use/application Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?:make green/blue/black so every skill level can have fun on trail Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?:pump course with jumps,drops,and table tops Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Other?:skills/features among/within trail Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: avoidable doable drops Open Poll Page 2 of 8 DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Challenging drops to build up to Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Drops Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Example of desired features Cuyuna DrawPoint Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Important to see all of these on trail Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Like Lebanon Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Lots of jumps Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Make like sledgehammer at cuyuna Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Mandatory Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Monarch Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Monarch is good Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Drops: Wooden drops like Cuyuna Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: variety of features with pass option for people to avoid Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: challenging downhill rock gardens Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: doable rock gardens , challenging but not too challenging Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: double rock gardens, challenging but not too challenging Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: flat rock gardens Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: kids have gotten way better! More chal;enges! Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: like Lebanon Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: Look to Monarch for examples Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rock Gardens: mix of medium and expert/hard rock gardens Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: kids have gottem way better, more challenges yeah! Open Poll Page 3 of 8 DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: larger jumps on harder trails Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: progressive jumps Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: big downhill tabletops like southwest at Wirth Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: jumps Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: jumps like Monarch Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: Like Monarch new section Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: log jumps like at xcel Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: more rollers please! Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Features Rollers/Jumps/Table Tops: progressive height in jumps Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails *THUMBS UP* Edina MTB team Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Add Easier skills park like Lebanon here on corner of Hillary and Gleason, leave golf hole alone Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails As natural terrain as possible (like Murphy or Lebanon)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Big Berms like Theo Wirth along parkway Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Braemar Golf Parking- This parking as trail head. Create a simple wood bridge between ponds Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Bridge over Braemar Blvd Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Can area north of golf dome be a compact skills area, utilize the elevation, loops w/drops, skinnies, and table top jumps. Pump track?Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Can't wait to be this guy (rock drops rider)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Consider adding cross lights or safety thing to add safety @ crossing over braemar blvd (behind arena to training center)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Create Facebook/Instagram for trail communications Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Edina Mountain Bike Team Supports Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails I can't wait to get ENDURO!Open Comment Page 4 of 8 DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails I don't even Mountain Bike and I support!Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Make it rougher, not flowy like Murphy or parts of Lebanon hills Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Maps at trailheads Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Nice to connect all sections by bike, Good design Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails NW segment -Put easy green trail down the middle where the walking trail is now. Put blue outside ride on edge of hill then down big hill by batting cages Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Put parktool bike stations in main hubs of trail Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Recreate "Tunnel of Love" boardwalk with canopy of trees Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Simple wood ride way along wetland like Duluth Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Skills Area: Skinpies/ slow obstacles, Flat area, Dips and Jumps Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails SW Segment- Jump line like Flying Carpe Diem at Tioga Open Comment BTE Comment Braemar Biking Trails Thank you. Your proposed trail maps appear to be an excellent use of underutilized terrain. As a local resident and superannuated mountain biker I regularly ride "The Mountains of Edina" and other than the occasional off lease dog walker on the east side, I rarely meet anyone on the higher parts. Will MORC be involved with Braemar trails? Will it be managed more like Minnetonka's Lone Lake? Lone Lake is nicely designed, well used, well park/volunteer maintained, and great exercise. Smshk 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails Utilize NW segment as "skills" section pump track, dips, skinnies, using the elevation (north of Braemar Golf Dome)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Biking Trails We would love both family friendly trails and high/middle school appropriate level biking trails. Our family will use both Open Comment BTE Comment Braemar Park Comment Many trees in the north of the park (by the mark terrace drive ) have died in the past 7-8 years after the construction of valley view road. The beautiful Forrest has unfortunately turned into wet land. Can we please invest some fund to improve the wetland condition ? Evergreen BTE Comment Braemar Park Comment To help make Braemar family friendly in the winter the grounds staff should mow the hill, adjacent to the practice fairway, next to the main entrance, facing Hilary Lane in late fall so the tall weeds are not inhibiting the sliding hill when snow comes. This was a very popular sliding hill families could use up until about three years ago when the decision was made to quit mowing it for winter. This hill is not on the golf course so there would be no damage to the course. There is close, safe, off street parking. It used to be the best sliding hills in Edina with many kids and families utilizing it. John Page 5 of 8 DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Boardwalks: Nice boarwalks in boggy areas Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Boardwalks: Yes Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Boardwalks: Yes by the creek Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Other: Lighting Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Other: Lighting, Seating area: Bench+Picnic Tables, Water fountain/ fill station, bathrooms and changing station for parents with babies Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Other: Will the hiking trail be cleared in the winter? That would be great Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Overlook/ Seating: Pretty Overlooks Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Wayfinding: "You are here" style maps at intersections Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Wayfinding: Informational/ educational signage Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Features Wayfinding: Maps at Trailhead Open Poll 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails $900,000+ for walking path seems excessive, maybe walk on gravel or fix Bredeson Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails Currently great views from existing walking paths hate to lose those Open Comment BTE Comment Braemar Pedestrian Trails Disappointed to see hiking paths on east side of park disappear. Could those be retained while carving the narrower mountain bike trails?John BTE Comment Braemar Pedestrian Trails I am concerned about the elimination of the existing hiking trail that runs along the ridgeline of the hills in the Northwest and East segments of the proposed plan. The views are spectacular, and it is one of the things that makes the existing hiking trail special. The proposed plan moves the hiking trail to a lower elevation and shifts the grand views to the mountain bike trail. There are four main hills on the West and East sides of Braemar Golf Course. One hill in the NW segment, two hills in the SW segment, and one hill in the East segment. Is it fair that the mountain bike trail system would get to occupy the highest points on all four hills? I don't think so. I suggest keeping the existing hiking trail along the ridgeline on the NW and East segments and incorporating it with the proposed mountain bike trail plan. There is an opportunity to develop a new ridgeline trail for the mountain bike system on the two hills in the SW segment since there is not a main hiking trail on either hill. Lane Jorgensen BTE Comment Braemar Pedestrian Trails Improved walking path/conditions along breamar boulevard between gleason and frontage road. Gregory KoneznyPage 6 of 8 DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails Overall Really excited about this hiking trail Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails Please leave walking trails along the ridge. I ust the often and would hate to lose them to bikes Open Comment BTE Comment Braemar Pedestrian Trails Some commenters have claimed shared hiker/biker trail are unsafe. That is not accurate, as Minnesota has been doing sharing for almost 25 years in a variety of situations without issue. However, the implementation of the shared trail in the southern area is the worst possible idea: separated, but not, shared but not. Either keep the hiking trail completely separate, with a split rail fence designating the separation or share them completely in a single multi-use (hiker/biker) pathway. Both ideas (delineated separation or completely shared) have shown themselves to be workable in many other trail systems across the state. Joshua Wayne BTE Comment Braemar Pedestrian Trails Very concerned about shared mountain biking and pedestrian paths. As depicted, with a modest grass strip separating the two, it seems unsafe John 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails Very Excited for Hilary Lane walking path!! Will be safer than walking on the road Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails We would love great waking/hiking trails that connect to existing trail system Open Comment 9/6 Open House Braemar Pedestrian Trails Will there be lighting?Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment 4' Fence where possible for better spectator view Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Brick/Pad backstop w/netting going up (home plate)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Grandstand Seating like Eden Prairie HS field for Field 1 Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Locker Room for HS Teams Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Outfield Seating- Field 1 bleachers near path in right field Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Outfield Seating- Field 3 for people who cannot walk down hill Open Comment BTE Comment Courtney Fields Comment The path from the Valley View roundabout to Braemer Field walking track should be protected for walkers and plowed in the winter.Edina Mom 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Turf- Currently too many rainouts Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Comment Turf- Fundraiser if possible by baseball people Open Comment 9/6 Open House Courtney Fields Trails Plow paved trails @Courtney (someone used to do this but stopped)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Bridge by the dome Open CommentPage 7 of 8 DATE FEATURE NOTES TYPE 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Consider plowing paved golf cart paths in Braemar Golf Course in Winter Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Consider Snow shoe rentals Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Fat biking trails among XC skiing Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Hoping for well groomed skate and classic trails. Would love to see 7 KM Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Improve food service at Braemar Golf Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Improve golf facility Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Keep snowshoe trails separate from ski trails (apart from bridges)Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Many over 1,000 Edina Students on Cross country team, build in snowmaking Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update No skate in the woods, Classic only double tracked in the woods as much as possible Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Remember we have a huge ski team plus local youth ski groups and large adult ski community Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Separate XC Ski and Walking Path Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Snowshoe trail in woods not just open tracks Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Take advantage of view in SW corner by HWY 169 Open Comment 9/6 Open House Cross Country Ski Trail Update Warming house, lights for night skiing Open Comment Page 8 of 8 Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina Parks & Recreation Commission Braemar Golf Course September 12, 2023 7 p.m. I. Call to Order Chair Doscotch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. II. Roll Call Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Ites, Luangrath, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Weaver, Ytterbo and Student Commissioners DiLorenzo and Holtey Commissioner Welsh arrived at 7:14 p.m. Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson, Assistant Director Recreation & Facilities Tracy Petersen, Park Planner Rachel Finberg, General Manager Patty McGrath, Recreation Supervisor Amanda Clarke and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton III. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion made by Weaver to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Pfuhl. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion made by Weaver to approve the Aug. 8, 2023 minutes. Motion seconded by Pfuhl. Motion carried. V. Special Recognitions and Presentations A. Welcome Student Commissioners Staff Liaison Vetter introduced the new student Commissioners Alessandra DiLorenzo and Sonja Holt. VI. Community Comment None VII. Reports/Recommendations A. Edina Aquatic Center Update Assistant Director Petersen introduced General Manager Patty McGrath. General Manager McGrath shared highlights of the summer for the Edina Aquatic Center, including pop-up events, season dates, after-hours swimming event, and their continued relationship with two different swim clubs. The Aquatic Center had 118 total rescues of swimmers, ages 3-71. She updated on concessions, staffing, inspections, and entrance updates. The Commission asked questions regarding the capacity of the Aquatic Center, 2024 fees, and the history of attendance spikes. Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: B. Summer Youth and Special Event Programming Update Assistant Director Petersen introduced Recreation Supervisor Amanda Clarke. Recreation Supervisor Clarke recapped the summer programs and events, including sports, gymnastics, dance, inclusion in the traveling team program, art therapy classes, and pool classes. Programs were offered at eight different parks, and there were 5,232 visits in total. Challenges included the poor air quality days and lower participation at August camps. The Giving Garden at Lewis Park has donated 191 pounds of fresh produce to the youth so far this year. Recreation Supervisor Clarke updated on some upcoming events that are coming up for the fall season. The Commission asked questions regarding neighborhood fun nights, C. 2023 Work Plan Initiative 1.6.2: Braemar Park Implementation Review and Comment Staff Liaison Vetter introduced Park Planner Rachel Finberg, who gave a presentation to the Commission on the Braemar Park Implementation. Park Planner Finberg gave an overview of the project including the phases schematic design (SD), design development (DD), and construction document (CD) and the importance of the commissions review and comment. Park Planner Finberg gave an overview of the proposed pedestrian and bicycle trail alignments by segments as well as the Courtney Fields proposed upgrades, she then opened the floor for Commission members to comment on the proposed designs. The Commission asked questions regarding mountain biking mileage, trailheads, restroom facilities, peak hauling, mountain biking team involvement in trail designs, and the vegetative buffer. Park Planner Finberg also gave an update on Courtney Fields and the design for trails. The Commission asked questions regarding fees, internal trail work, events, and total referendum costs. The Commission asked and provided the following specific comments. Commissioner Pfuhl asked what is the total amount of mountain biking miles that are there. It was noted approximately 7.7 mile at this stage of design. Commissioner Ytterbo asked are local mountain biking teams involved in how these trails are designed. It was noted they have a representative from the Edina Mountain Biking Team who gave some of the initial input. Also, MORC is another organization that has given input as well as there is an executive team that has been giving input. They have been gathering a lot of feedback. Commissioner Ytterbo asked regarding the middle berm or boardwalk and the long prairie grass is the idea to have something natural and growing separated. It was noted that the idea is to have a vegetative buffer for multiple reasons, one to create a third corridor for you but also because that breaks up the hard surface as well so that would help them also in their permitting in going through those wetland areas. Commissioner Ytterbo asked if there would be a maintenance plan, and this should be on the same maintenance plan as the natives around it so this will all be a maintained area. They will be cognizant of what species are seeded within these strips. Most of the hiking trail will not be asphalt but will be a soft surface like a Class 5 which will lend better to the vegetation. Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: Chair Doscotch asked on the big loop walking pedestrian trail, what is the total from connection to connection where you have a start and finish to do the loop, how long is it. It was noted there are multiple starting points and different areas to loop but it is approximately a little over 3 ½ miles. Commissioner Doscotch asked does someone have to walk 3 ½ miles to do the loop. It was noted that they do have smaller loops within the system, it would just be you need to go out and come back. It was also noted that the main reason for that is to avoid conflict between mountain bikes and pedestrians. Commissioner Ytterbo commented he is very excited that they are optimizing the land and he is thinking about the long-term side of things and asked is it being weighed as they are starting to develop the maintenance and equipment needed. He knows they’ve talked a little bit about budget and fees but how is this going to be maintained because it doesn’t look like it’s a fee generated system, how is it going to work. It was noted from general funding. It was also noted that the mountain biking community does a lot of work on trails internally whether it be Midwest Off-Road Cycling Association (MORC) or even the high school team, they are required to do so many hours of volunteer work. Also, not having the built features will help with that because they are not going to necessarily go out there and do inspections. They are going to depend a little bit more on the teams to tell them when something needs to be fixed and managed. Commissioner Welsh asked if they will be having any events or competitions. It was noted this facility will not have events and competitions but will be used for riding and practice. They are looking at what was voiced by the high school team which was skills development. Also noted there is going to be a lot of people but it’s not a destination point. They are going to allow teams to have practice and they have talked about the aspect of identifying and acknowledging when those practice times would be and get that information to the public. Commission Pfuhl asked if there will be a liaison with MORC and Parks & Recreation. It was noted that MORC will internally give updates on their trails, but they will still need to communicate with the non- community and that is where their role will be. The person going to walk there isn’t checking the app for the mounting biking trail. Chair Doscotch asked about the feedback from the Gleason neighborhood that showed up at the open house. It was noted they had a very respectful dialog. It was more of a timing what does it look like, distances away, how are you going to be operating, etc. It was also noted that most people were excited and interested in the project and staff relayed to them their commitment to keeping them informed as they continued to move forward because there is a lot going on with it. Commissioner Ytterbo asked if this will overlap with the arena because he knows they border each other, will the plans for the arena come into play with the plans for everything else that is going on at Braemar. It was noted they are separate and won’t be contingent on each other. Chair Doscotch commented on the volume of utilization management on those trails and how that will work. It was noted that hopefully in the future people will know the busiest times of day and the quietest times. Commission Ytterbo asked how it will be enforced. It was noted they would not close Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: the trails; no one would get exclusive use. They need to make sure that people are aware of the activity that is occurring and to choose wisely. D. 2023 Work Plan Initiative 1.6.4: Alternative Funding Sources Review and Comment Commissioner Doscotch presented the Alternative Funding Sources report that was put together by the initiative group. He gave an overview of the main points of the report and asked that the Commission would be ready to discuss and ask questions at the next meeting. E. 2023 Commission Work Plan Initiative #1 – Support Fred Richards Park Implementation. Initiative #2 – Support Braemar Park Implementation. Nothing additional to add. Initiative #3 – Support Braemar Arena Implementation. Initiative #4 – Alternative Funding Sources. Nothing additional to add. Initiative #5 – Comparable Community Parks/Recreational Opportunities. Commissioner Pfuhl asked the Commission to email her what outside of Edina recreation Commissioners were involved in during the summer months. Initiative #6 – Parks & Recreation Presentations. Commissioner Weaver updated that he is working to find updated funding numbers and will have questions for the Commission at the next meeting. F. 2024 Work Plan Development Discussion Chair Doscotch updated on the two components that have been discussed: the curing of the first three initiatives and the development of an initiative related to the climate action plan. Commissioner Pfuhl asked if there was a way to enhance recycling efforts to enhance the park system. Chair Doscotch discussed a way to incorporate resident-user experience enhancement into an initiative, what system- wide changes to make based on quantitative information from residents, and the league issues. The four items that seem to have most interest are the three from last year plus the climate action plan. Motion: Evaluate the feasibility and ability to increase community gardens based on need and opportunity in the park system to do so. Motion made by Luangrath to approve Initiatives 1, 2, 3, plus the community garden. Motion seconded by Spanhake. Motion failed. Doscotch refined the motion to be the following: evaluate the upcoming need for shelters to evaluate actions to either standardize or not and consider potential climate-related factors that may be involved. The standardized items should be comparative and look at what other communities are doing. This would be the fifth initiative. Motion made by Luangrath to approve the five initiatives for the 2024 Work Plan. Motion seconded by Spanhake. Motion carried. Draft Minutes☒ Approved Minutes☐ Approved Date: VIII. Chair and Member Comments  Commissioner Ites asked about the update on the trails at Lewis Park. IX. Staff Comments A. Upcoming Meetings and Events  October 3, 2023 will be the presentation of 2024 Work Plan.  Monday, November 13, 2023 will be regular meeting, due to Election Day. X. Adjournment Motion made by Pfuhl to adjourn the Sept. 12, 2023 meeting at 9:29 p.m. Motion seconded by Luangrath. Meeting adjourned. Date: October 17, 2023 Agenda Item #: IV. To:Mayor and City Council Item Type: Reports / Recommendation From:Joseph Abood, General Manager Braemar Golf Item Activity: Subject:Braemar Golf Operational Update Information CITY OF EDINA 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 www.edinamn.gov ACTION REQUESTED: None, information for discussion only. INTRODUCTION: Staff will provide an informational update on Braemar Golf operations and any overlap with the Braemar Park master plan initiatives.