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MINUTES <br />Parks & Recreation Commission <br />January 15, 2004 <br />Sackett Glaser felt that more discussion was needed on the Canadian Days request for signage. <br />Broten asked if their request was for recognition for the Committee's efforts or for advertising <br />for the event. Gray stated that he has never seen a message advertising a city festival on any <br />other city's park signs. Steinert felt that recognition was the purpose for Canadian Days' <br />request due to all the work that is involved in planning and implementing this festival. Crary <br />commented that every community has celebrations, but they don't necessarily advertise them on <br />park signs. Larson felt that the advertisement was okay since it gives a small town feel. <br />The Director stated that another item for discussion pertains to the name of the park. The <br />current sign says "Spooner Bicentennial Park." However, the park has historically always been <br />referred to as "Spooner Park." The City may have to officially change the name of the park if <br />the word "bicentennial" is to be dropped. <br />The Director suggested inviting a representative from Canadian Days to next month's meeting <br />to discuss the sign issues. He stated that he will do some research on the history of the park's <br />name and talk to the Parks Maintenance Department regarding possible maintenance issues <br />relating to the new signage. This item was tabled until next month's meeting. <br />MEMORIAL Sanders presented some plans for the Little Canada Fire Department memorial trail to be located <br />TRAIL north of Little Canada Road/Centerville Road. He stated that the trail's entrance would be off of <br />Centerville Road and it would meander along the Water Works right-of--way to connect to the <br />existing trail within Spooner Park. There would also be a connection to Little Canada Road at <br />McMenemy Road. Some grading work is necessary at Centerville. The connection at Little <br />Canada Road is very steep and would not be handicapped accessible. However, the rest of the <br />trail would be accessible. Benches and interpretive displays that talk about the Fire Department <br />would be added. Several stories of public interest could be told. These displays would be made <br />of fiberglass with aluminum backing and would contain graphics similar to the signage within <br />Gervais Mill Park. <br />The Commission favored the idea of this memorial trail. Sanders stated that financing for the <br />trail would come from park funds and the benches/signage would come from the fire <br />department. <br />The Director stated that each bench would contain a memorial for past fire chiefs starting with <br />Dick Boss, Sr. and going forward from there. The Fire Department has already purchased a <br />bench and sign for Dick Boss. Sanders felt that the Historical Society may like to be involved in <br />this project. <br />The Director stated that there is a small piece of property in between the Fire Department and <br />the Water Works right-of--way that has gone tax forfeited. Ramsey County has been trying to <br />sell this parcel, but the City has argued that the piece is nice vacant because of its close <br />proximity to Spooner Park. The County has not agreed with this argument since the Water <br />Works right-of--way is in between Spooner Park and the parcel. However, the addition of this <br />new memorial trail may make it easier to justify retaining the parcel as park property. <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />