10-03-2019 Parks_Rec Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION October 3, 2019 explained the Commission would also do this with their Priority Plan next year. Abruzzese asked for an update on the Thunder Bay/Westwinds Habitat restoration, and the bike racks. The Community Services Manager stated there was an onsite meeting scheduled with Xcel Energy next week to discuss options for planting. He noted it was still too early to plant anything due to the chemical that was sprayed during the clearing process. The Community Services Manager explained he anticipated a winter planting. The Community Services Manager asked the Commission if they had any suggestions for bike rack placement. Abruzzese stated the Commission members should think about where bike rack locations in their adopted park. Darling made a motion to approve the top three Priorities for 2020 as 1. Gervais Mill Park Garden/Entrance Installation 2. Complete Pioneer Park Master Plan 3. Spooner Park Lower Shelter Update. Chu seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Don Gonyea, a Little Canada resident spoke to the Commission as an avid biker in the community. He explained that with all of the street improvements in the area, bikers now had better connections from Shoreview to Lake Phalen. Gonyea recommended two improvements for bikers using the waterworks trail. He stated there was a low spot in the trail out behind Gordie’s that needs to be fixed. Gonyea said there is also a lot of buckthorn and Canadian Thistle along the Waterworks trail. He suggested it be cut a couple more times each year to improve the space. Gonyea stated he has volunteered with the Historical Society, and in the past, they have taken care of the entrance to Gervais Mill Park. He explained the designs that showed the trail extending to complete the trail connection showed a sharp turn. Gonyea noted a bike would be unable to make that turn. He asked for the plans to consider bicycles. The Community Services Manager stated the plan didn’t accommodate bicycles, and this was due to the limited space as a result of the steep grade. He stated the plan was for bicyclists to use the striped lane along the road. The Community Services Manager stated he would ask ISG if there was another option to better include bicyclists. Abruzzese noted one of the priorities in the Parks Master Plan was trail connectivity, and there hadn’t been much discussion from the Commission yet, on this topic. The Community Services Manager stated trail connectivity was a priority especially from the Council’s perspective, and the Commission could include it on the Priority Plan. Abruzzese stated there were a few low-cost options like signage that could be included as a 2020 goal. Gonyea shared Gervais Mill Park is rich with history, and the park was a huge asset to the community. He noted more time and funding should be allocated to the park to maintain and improve it. Chu suggested a history event be held