05-03-2018 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION May 3, 2018 adopt the plan. Darling noted that page 5, under Purpose of the Plan, referenced the City of Minneapolis and made a comparison to Little Canada. She explained the plan should not compare Minneapolis to Little Canada because they were not very similar. The Community Services Manager stated while the communities may not be similar the Commission has the same foresight and this was the same language that was used in the 2009 Parks Master Plan. Horwath explained the Minneapolis Parks System was first in the country and was a complimentary comparison. Chu suggested it be mentioned in the plan that Minneapolis Parks System is number one. Ray suggested the wording on page five be changed to add a footnote to say The City of Minneapolis is currently one of the best parks systems in the country. The Community Services Manager noted the Parks Master Planning process has been something the Commission should be proud of completing. It began in April 2017 when the Commission sent the Request for Proposals out, receiving six responses. After narrowing it down to the top four firms, the Commission, City Council, and Staff sat in on the interviews selecting SEH to write the Plan on June 7. Then each Commission member, City Council member, and other community members had an individual interview to share their thoughts. Multiple community engagement events, workshops, and special meetings followed this. A lot of time and effort was put into this document and the Community Services Manager thought that was evident by the final document. Horwath made a motion to recommend the Parks Master Plan be recommended for adoption by the City Council with a footnote on page 5 that states, “The City of Minneapolis currently has one of the best park systems in the country.” Chu seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The Community Services Manager reported the renovation is almost complete. He explained the pitching mound was reshaped, the infield and outfield were regraded to meet each other more evenly, and the fencing was being put up. The Community Services Manager shared his appreciation for the Little Canada Recreation Association’s (LCRA) funding the project. Chair Miller asked if the plaques would still be put up to thank to LCRA. The Community Services Manager stated there would be one plaque by each dugout. Chu suggested the history behind the naming of the field and Alan Gilbertson be shared on social media. GILBERTSON FIELD UPDATE