05-05-2016 Parks & Rec minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION May 5, 2016 Chair Miller asked Sanders to speak on his pending retirement. Sanders explained he would be retiring effective July 1st so his last meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission would be the June meeting. Sanders explained he helped form the Commission in 1973 and has helped build every park in the City of Little Canada. He mentioned that when the Commission was formed there was no park land, and now the City has a flourishing park system. He explained his time as Parks Consultant has been a very rewarding experience filled with wonderful, dedicated individuals. He shared his content knowing the Commission would continue this good work. The Commission thanked Sanders for his outstanding service, which went above and beyond his duties. Horwath explained the Commission should do something to recognize Sanders retirement and his service to the community. The Director agreed and shared more on Sanders background explaining he lived in Little Canada in 1973 and helped form the Parks and Recreation Commission. Later, as a Landscape Architect, Sanders became the Parks Consultant and his company helped build all of the parks in Little Canada. Horwath noted Sanders impact has been felt outside of Little Canada, in other cities as well. The Director mentioned Sanders had helped build the Wellstone Memorial a few years ago. Sanders explained he had also recently won the Theodore Wirth Award for Excellence in Park Design. The Commission congratulated him on this fine achievement. Chair Miller reported the Commission had gone on a Park Tour before the meeting, visiting the new warming house, the Old Fire Hall and the Veterans Memorial Park. Chair Miller explained the Veterans Memorial Committee would be finishing up their work in August with a celebration. Chair Miller asked about an idea the Committee had thought of which is to build a pier near the Memorial. The Director indicated this was not in their current plans, and the project would be very costly. He suggested the Commission focus on adding aesthetic features such as park benches which are also expensive, but much more feasible. The Director asked Sanders, because of his involvement in the Committee what he thought the next step would be. Sanders thought a priority should be to create a master plan to serve as a vision for the future. He explained the document could also outline potential budget sources. Chair Miller asked if the Committee could come up with a list of features the Committee would like to see happen to the park in the future. Sanders agreed and said he would talk to them. Chair Miller suggested the Commission visit the Memorial to brainstorm ideas as well. Chu asked if the Commission could recognize the Committee’s work at the celebration in August. The Commission thought it would be a good idea to do something for the Committee. OTHER BUSINESS