HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-02-01 Park Board MinutesMeeting of the Edina Park Board Parks and Recreation Advisory Council
Third Meeting with Edina Park Board
February 19 1954,. 8:00 pomp,
There was a meeting of the Edina Park Board Parks and Recreation Advisory Council
at the Wooddale School at 8 00.p.m. February l,. 195 4,,
Those pre:iE 11i vFereg
Mr. Harmann 3!,rachauer, C.zairman
Mr. W:Ll Liam Lewis
IMr. Hav ard Merriman
Mro John E. Bryan
Airs; Alan C. Charbonneau
Mr,, Raymond Clausen
Mro Richard W. Giertsen
Mrs. J,B, Gilfillan
Mr, Henry H. Gregg
Rev, Paul Keller
Mr. Bower Hawthorne
Mr. Phillip Neville
Those absent were:
Mr. Richard De Furber
Mr. E. W. Ironside
Mr, Austin D. Norton
Mrs, G. H. Patterson
Mrs. George -M. Posselt
Mrs, C. M. Webster -Substitute for Mrs,
Schol of field
Mrs. Bemis - Subo for Mrs. Patterson
Mr.. W. Claucee Stevenson, Jr.
Mr. S. S. Thorpe, Jr..
Mr. Harold C. Utley
Mr. Richard W. Whitten
Mrs. S. J. Phillippi
Mrs. James E. Scholefield
Mr. Harry K. Wrench
Mr. Strachauer called the meeting to order and a correction was made in the
heading of the last minutes of the meeting from "Edina Park Board" to above.
Phillip Neville] Temporary Chairman, took charge and called for the report from
the Nominating Committee. A letter from Samuel S, Thorpe, Jr. was introduced
submitting the following names for permanent officers of the Committee.
Mr. Bower Hawthorne, Chairman
Mr. Zd. Claude Stevenson, Vice Chairman
Mrs, Geo, M. Posselt, Sec.-Treas.
Motion was made and seconded to close the nominations.
There were no other nominations, so motion was made and seconded that the names
as submitted be accepted.
Mr. Bower Hawthorne then took over as permanent Chairman. He set out three
principle points for discussion and decision, 1. Results of Park Board meet-
ing with the Council. 2. Where do we go from here and how do we go about
obtaining approval of the Council for a Special Bond Election, and 3. The
method in which we will approach the matter of promotion, publicity, etce to
obtain approval of the Bond issue, He also briefed the Committee as to the
general purposes and aims of the Park Board, and stated that we need some con-
tinuing and constructive planning for Parks and Recreations in Edina. Mr.
Strachauer elaborated on this subject further with some general comments.
Mr. Stevenson explained that the Wooddale P.T.A. had a park project to be com-
pleted across the street from Wooddale School and had set aside $500,00 for
this project. When other Edina clubs heard, they displayed interest, partic-
ularly in how they could fit into such a picture in the Community and do their
share. The enthusiasm displayed was tremendous.
Mr. Strachauer commented further that he feels there is enough public sentiment
now to start an extensive program, and that we should try to plan on an election
the early part of June or July. Another meeting with the Council could be ob-
tained upon request, and he feels there is.much'favorable opinion on the Coun-
cil, although there has been no opinion expressed as yet as a body.
Mr. Utley felt that the Committee must have details -of costs, and where the
money is going to go. Public is entitled to know what.we propose, and where it
is going to be placed, based on bona fide bids.
Mr. Stevenson commented that perhaps some of the revenue from the liquor store
could be assigned to the Park Board program by the Council. It would lighten
the tax load considerably.
Mr. Bryan proposed that the Committee get options on property and then go to
the Council with these options and propose that we need so much money to acquire
these parcels of land.
General discussion followed.
A motion was made by Rev. Keller that the Chairman appoint a Committee to in-
vestigaTe suitable areas and bring in a report with the primary objective being
a Reservation of approximately 100 acres and other lesser properties as might
be proposed by the Park Board. Seconded by Mrs. Charbonneau.
Inquiry was made about the undeveloped land which the Park Board already owns,
and Mr. Strachauer stated that this land was acquired through tax forfeiture,
and must be returned to the State if not used within a specified time.
A motion was made by 14r. Stevenson that a Committee be appointed,to contact the
variousorganizations who have talked about Youth Recreation programs to find
out what their plans are, and help draw all these things into focus. Seconded
by Bryan.
Mr. Strachauer suggested that a joint working arrangement with the School Board
would be desirable and should be studied thoroughly.
Mr. Giertsen went on record as being opposed to the Fitzgerald Plan. He said
he was not at all convinced that this was just what was needed for our Community.
General discussion followed.
A motion was made by Rev. Keller that the Committee recommend that the Park
Boa—arc move immediately to take full advantage of the Minnesota Recreation Law
-2-
of 1937 to enter into a joint legal partnership for the operation of recreation
programs in the village and in the school district for programs and that we
negotiate with the School Board in an attempt to have them submitted to the
school voters in May. Seconded by Mr. Utley.
Motion was made by Mr. Clausen that we inform the Council of our keeping these
Yhin`gs under considerations and that we ask them if they desire any further
information; and to advise us of any decisions they may make in regard to our
proposals,
It was agreed that the function of this Committee is to merely be an Advisory
one; that each member of this Advisory Committee should look over each parcel
of land and seek to vote intelligently on these issues.
Mrs. Charbonneau was appointed Publicity Chairman.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m*
Respectfully submitted,
Thelma. B. Nelson, Recording Secretary