02-22-2018 Parks & Rec Commission Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP February 22, 2018 favor of sharing the City’s story about how the freeway impacted the community. Springer noted the City could apply for Safe Routes to School Funding for a pedestrian bridge over 35E. Springer stated students at the Elementary School saw a need to make a more formal connection from Little Canada Elementary School to the trail. The City Administrator explained there used to be a trail behind the ball fields, through the wooded area, to the Firefighter Memorial Trail, but the grading was rather steep and the trail had become overgrown. Chu noted input from the younger generation is important and should be adhered to. Abruzzese stated there is an existing trail near the Elementary school that met up with the trail, and if that was ADA compliant, maybe a more efficient route with stairs could be constructed for the students. Springer stated the Waterworks Trail continued behind the Old Fire Hall, and was mowed, but not paved. The Community Services Manager stated that consideration should be made in the future to make a connection to Gervais Beach by constructing a boardwalk behind Sunset Court and meeting up with the Waterworks Trail behind the Old Fire Hall. Springer stated sidewalks were also needed along Rice Street. She noted there were many gaps along the busy street, and informal trails had been created from pedestrians traveling up and down the street. The City Administrator stated Rice Street is a county road, and a sidewalk had been put in from County Road B to County Road B2. He explained the next phase the City wanted constructed was near the Marketplace, but the County was going to redo the road soon, so the City wanted to wait to construct the sidewalk. The City Administrator stated there were some challenges with the road construction project that would need to be addressed first. Springer stated another connection residents want to see is to the Gateway Trail. She explained many residents felt unsafe traveling around the lake because there isn’t enough space for a pedestrian. Kost stated the best approach may be to construct a cantilever for pedestrians, but explained the plan could call for a feasibility study to make the connection to the Gateway Trail. Abruzzese stated a visual buffer between pedestrians and cars may be enough to make people feel safer. The Community Services Manager stated residents could use the Thunder Bay Trail to connect to the Bruce Vento Trail which connects to the Gateway Trail. Springer stated the plan could suggest adding signage to make people aware of the connections. The Commission commented on descriptions of each of the parks for the Master Plan. Councilman Fischer asked if there would be clarification for DRAFT PARK DESCRIPTIONS