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MINUTES <br />Parks & Recreation Commission <br />January 6, 2009 <br />OTHER PARKS/TRAILS: <br />Chair Fahey asked Sanders about the proposed park/hail around Round Lake. Sanders stated that it is <br />along term project and it will be developed once all the homes on the north side of the lake have been <br />acquired. Park dedication fees have been used to purchase the lake properties and there are three <br />remaining properties to purchase. Sanders commented that there is a historic pump house on the city <br />property now that once was a well house. It was restored by the city and is currently used for irrigation <br />purposes. Morelan stated it was a WPA project from the 1930's. <br />Sullivan asked if all the proposed trails would be made with asphalt. Sanders responded by stating that <br />most of the trails will be made with asphalt as it is cheaper to maintain, but some trails have been made <br />with wood chips to keep the natural look to the trail. Wood chips do require more maintenance. <br />Maida asked if the city would consider the porous substance such as was used in the parking lot of the <br />Ramsey/Washington County Watershed location. Sanders stated that some of those trails have not <br />been too successful in the past but some trails in the metro area were being constructed with recycled <br />materials now such as recycled rubber. He will see how successful some of those new materials work <br />out before we begin utilizing them in our hails and he thought some materials were too expensive. <br />A resident, Dave Himmelbach, 2970 Labore Road, explained his concerns about the development of <br />the Richie Place as he thinks the land should be preserved because of his rock findings on the property <br />as possibly once being an Indian settlement. He went on to say that there is a natural spring on his <br />property that links to the St. Paul chain of lakes. Himmelbach has also attended meetings with the City <br />of Maplewood in an effort to preserve the land. Sanders commented that on page 3-35 in the Comp <br />Plan there is a section on these properties called the NE Area. He also stated there has been some <br />discussion on having the city put a trail in this area. Sanders said that there is public land owned by <br />Maplewood to the south of this area and the section in Little Canada is zoned residential. He <br />commented that Himmelbach is concerned about homes being built too close to this natural water <br />spring. Morelan stated that the Park & Recreation Commission has no plans in the 10-year Comp Plan <br />to develop a park on the Richie property. Himmelbach suggested though, that if the property is found <br />to be of archeological significance, the city should preserve the area with a park and trail to protect the <br />property from future development. <br />OTHER: Morelan reported that the city has signed an agreement with St. John's Church to use their property for <br />the pleasure skating rink until such time that the city hopefully puchases the property. <br />He explained the recreation programs that are currently being held, which are hockey skills, skating <br />lessons, winter gymnastics, and adult volleyball. He also announced that there also are the <br />Marketplace Morning talks, an educational program for seniors, held monthly on the second <br />Wednesday between 9:30 am and 10:30 am. On January 14 it will feature a Silver Sneaker Fitness <br />presentation. <br />Morelan stated that the Park Comp Plan would be presented to the City Council on January 28 at a <br />6:00 pm meeting. Morelan asked Sanders to present at that meeting to answer any questions that may <br />arise. Park & Recreation Commissioners are not required to attend, but are welcome as it is a public <br />meeting. <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />