HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRCAgenda_95Aug14PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
August 14, 1995
7:00 p.m.
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY HALL
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER:
B. ROLL CALL: Benson Schugel Nicholson
Weinand Weisberg Kriegler
Gibson Talbot
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES OF
D. REPORTS, REQUESTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
D-1. Presentation by the Citizen Communication Task Force of
the Ramsey County Strategic Plan
D-2. "Friends of the Parks and Trails" tree program.
D-3. Falcon Heights school playground improvement project
D-4. Friends of Curtiss Field "Time-In" picnic and garment
sale
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Date: Aug. 14, 1995
Agenda Item: D - 1
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ITEM DESCRIPTION: Presentation by the Citizen Communication
Task Force of the Ramsey County Strategic Plan
SUBMITTED BY: Carol Kriegler, Parks & Recreation Director
EXPLANATION/SUMMARY: Ramsey County, under the terms of the
county's home rule charter, has. been facilitating a community-
wide strategic planning process. The goal of the process is to
improve the way local government involves citizens in planning
for the future.
Representatives of the citizen communication task force have
requested the opportunity for a brief presentation to the
commission concerning the vision for parks and open spaces. It
is anticipated that the background presentation will take about
10 minutes with 5 minutes of discussion.
Enclosed is a packet of information including a vision statement
for parks and open space. Please review the material and bring
it with you to Monday's meeting.
Meeting Date: 8/14/95
Agenda Item: D - 2
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ITEM DESCRIPTION: "Friends of the Parks and Trails" tree
program
SUBMITTED BY: Carol Kriegler, Parks & Recreation Director
EXPLANATION/SUMMARY: For several years, the "Friends of the
Parks and Trails" has conducted a tree sale with one of the
goals being the promotion of the donation of trees to parks in
Ramsey County. Both Community Park and Grove Park have
benefitted from this program with trees donated and planted in
each of these parks.
Peggy Lynch, executive director of the "Friends", has requested
the opportunity to meet with the commission and discuss the
program and how we might promote the donation of trees for parks
in Falcon Heights.
Meeting Date: 8/14/95
Agenda Item: D - 3
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ITEM DESCRIPTION: Falcon Heights School Playground Improvement
Project
SUBMITTED BY: Carol Kriegler, Parks & Recreation Director
EXPLANATION/SUMMARY: A schematic plan for the Falcon Heights
school playground was approved at the July 26th council meeting.
Since that time, MSA has developed plans and specifications for
the hardcourt play surface and request for proposals have been
sent to play equipment vendors. It is anticipated that bids for
the hardcourt construction will be obtained in the very near
future with awarding of the contract taking place at the August
23rd council meeting.
Play equipment proposals are due at noon, Monday, August 21st.
It is hoped that arrangements can be made for commission
representatives, staff and school personnel to review the
proposals and make a design selection. It is anticipated that a
play equipment contract will be awarded at the August 23rd
council meeting as well.
All commission members are invited to participate in an
evaluation of the play equipment proposals. It is suggested
that the following criteria be used in evaluating the proposals:
• General play appeal
• Aesthetics
• Number of play events
• Handicapped accessibility
• Warranty
• Material durability and required maintenance
ACTION REQUESTED: Meeting scheduled to evaluate play equipment
proposals.
Meeting Date: 8/14/95
Agenda Item: D-4
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ITEM DESCRIPTION: Friends of Curtiss Field "Time-In" picnic and
garment sale
SUBMITTED BY: Carol Kriegler, Parks & Recreation Director
EXPLANATION/SUMMARY: Again this year a picnic is planned at
Curtiss Field in celebration of a summer full of fun at the
park. Hot dogs, brats, chips and sno cones will be sold with
proceeds going to support "Time-In". A flyer detailing the
event is attached. Commission members are invited to join in
the event. Last year over 100 people attended.
In another attempt to support "Time-In", Curtiss Field T's and
sweatshirts are being offered for sale. Garments will be
available at the picnic. A flyer is attached.
•
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
JULY 10, 1995
Comer mission Members Present
Jackie Benson
Greg Schaefer
Morris Nicholson
Carol Weisberg
Carol Kriegler, Parks and Recreation Director
Others Present
Ellen Blank, F.H. School Frinciple
Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
Evelyn Hart
Paul Ciernia
Cathy Ciernia
Don Mead
Gerrie Mead
Kathleen Lustig
• -Bev Montain
Tom Montain
Lawrence Olson
Greg Galvin
Juanita WigdahI
Jack C. Walter
Lorraine Walter
Greg Schaefer, Parks and Recreation Commission member and F. H. School Site
Improvement Committee member, opened the meeting by welcoming those in
attendance and thanking them for attending. Greg gave a brief overview of the work
to date in developing a school site improvement plan by the Parks and Recreation
Commission, staff, and the school site improvement committee. Work to date has
included: 1) a needs assessment involving a written survey for residents in the F.H.
School neighborhood; 2) group discussions in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms;
and 3) committee meetings with commission members and school personnel,
It was explained that the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission have
long supported the concept of City participation in improvements to the school
• grounds. The basis for this support stems from the fact that there is no city park in
the northeast quadrant of the City. It is recognized that the school grounds serve as
• a neighborhood park to residents in this neighborhood and that there is a value in
providing quality recreational facilities and opportunities to residents in that part of
the City. Several years ago, the City budgeted $67,000.00 in the Park C.LP. for
the purpose of playground improvements.
Greg Schaefer concluded his introduction by introducing Carol Kriegler, Parks and
Recreation Director. Carol then gave a brief presentation outlining each of the
following proposed improvements:
A. Children's play equipment located on the west side of the grounds. A series of
upper body play events contained in a 40'x 50' area. Includes edging, and
ground cover of pea gravel and rubber protective surfacing.
B. Improved baseball infields. Includes construction of a "skinned" infield in the N.E.
corner.
C. Construction of a new hard court play surface. Located just north of the new
parking lot on the east side of the school, the hardcourt would be color-coated
and included basketball standards. Basketball play would be limited to this
area as existing standards would be removed. Basketball play would be
limited to one location for increased visibility and easier patrol.
• D. Installation of swing set. Swings to be located just east of the existing play
equipment. Includes edging and ground cover of pea gravel and rubber protective
surfacing.
E. Misc. site amenities. Includes the installation of park benches and waste receptacles.
F. Landscaping. Tree planting might be considered desirable and provide a buffer
for neighboring homes.
G. Signage. The placements of signs indicating playground hours, rules and regulations
is recommended.
In response to the presentation, the following comments, questions and concerns were
raised:
Will taxes be going up as a result of this project? Response was that money has
already been set aside in the park C.I.P. for this project.
Several individuals indicated an interest in basketball opportunities. There was an
expressed interest in "full-court" opportunities as well as an expressed concern
for potential nuisances related to "full-court". Although no court configuration has
. yet been determined, it was communicated that discussion with the Commission
• and school personnel indicated a desire to created shooting stations rather than a
full-court experience.
A concern was raised that the new improvements would be a cause for P.E. classes
to become free play time. Ellen Blank addressed the concern by assuring the
individual that P.E. classes are conducted in a manner consistent with the District's
curriculum.
There was considerable interest and discussion concerning whether or not the City
could establish rules for the school site. It was explained that the school ultimately
governs the use of the site, but that various issues would be discussed with the
school and made part of the agreement to make improvements. There was some
discussion about issues such as tobacco use, closing hours, golf and the walking
of dogs on the school property.
In response to discussion regarding recent vandalism to school property, neighbors
were encouraged to use the 911 system.
Folks in attendance whose homes are on Hamline Avenue indicated an interest to
maintain an opening to the school grounds from their backyard rather than a landscape
buffer.
• ACTION:
In response to positive feedback from the neighborhood residents, the Parks and
Recreation Commission voted unanimously to recommend the proposed project
proposal to the City Council.
•