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<br />Kost asked the Commission to focus on ideas regarding the facilities at <br />Pioneer Park. Darling suggested a nature based playground, like the one at <br />Tamarack Nature Center. Horwath noted Tamarack had a sign that said <br />“let your children explore,” and advised parents to allow their children to <br />test their limits and use their imagination. Darling stated the Tamarack <br />playground was filled with woodchips and had six to seven foot long <br />branches for children to play with. Horwath explained there was another <br />area in Tamarack Nature Center that has mounds of dirt children can <br />tunnel through. He stated Lake Nokomis Park also had a nature based <br />playground, but another interesting element of the park was a playground <br />featuring popular equipment used in past parks, like a rocket ship and <br />metal slides. Horwath noted branches and other materials are replaced as <br />needed. Kost suggested including a web structure or climbing wall in the <br />playground at Pioneer Park. Springer asked if a nature based playground <br />would be better suited for Spooner Park. The Commission agreed Pioneer <br />Park was better suited as a community park, while Spooner Park, despite <br />its size, attracted neighborhood visitors. The Commission thought it would <br />be best to focus on Pioneer Park for the nature based playground. <br />Councilman Fischer noted the theme and plans for Pioneer Park could <br />include long term concepts that were bigger than the playground <br />replacement. He encouraged the Commission to consider a long term <br />vision for the whole park. Kost asked if the Commission wanted to <br />incorporate a common theme throughout all of the parks. The Commission <br />agreed the theme should be unique to Pioneer Park. <br /> <br />The City Administrator explained the City may have an interest in <br />acquiring the parcel near the southwest corner of Pioneer Park. He <br />explained the area could be used for Pioneer Park, but public works was <br />also interested in the site. The City Administrator noted this would make <br />the park more uniform in size. <br /> <br />The Parks Maintenance Supervisor asked if the basketball court in Pioneer <br />Park was a full court. Springer indicated it was, but the NRPA <br />recommends two full courts for a community the size of Little Canada. <br />The Parks Maintenance Supervisor asked if this counted the Little Canada <br />Elementary school courts. Springer stated it did not, but SEH was aware of <br />the park relationship between the City and the school. She explained the <br />recommendations were just meant to provide guidance and indicate <br />potential system gaps. Springer noted another court may not be needed. <br />The City Administrator asked if the standards could include shared <br />facilities. Springer noted it would show the standard, City facilities, and <br />shared facilities, but suggested staff review the list. <br /> <br />Kost suggested an exercise course or circuit to bring out a healthy living <br />theme. Sullivan stated she would like to see a small pavilion on the