03-05-09 Parks Commission Minutes

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MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission March 5, 2009 the trail is proposed to continue on the waterworks land or use the Tri-Disri~ict School property on the other side of the railway. As it continues northward, it will go by the Waldorf School., crossing County Road B onto City of Little Canada's property. The proposed pedestrian bridge would cross over Highway 36 at this point. The trail would continue onto St. Jude's property or follow Viking Drive to connect to the Roseville Area Middle School property where there currently is a trail that extends on Jackson Sri•eet tlu•ough to Australian Avenue and extends northward to Rice Street at Highway 694. Morelan stated that St. Jude's was contacted about a possible trail along their east property edge. This finished trail connection would link St. Jude's two campuses together for easy access between the two. Maida asked if bicycle storage lockers have ever been considered along the trail in a parking lot area. Sanders thought that was a good suggestion and thought there might be a couple parking lots where that idea might work. Maida asked if there are active trains that run on the ri•ain track being proposed for part of the trail. Morelan stated there were one or two a day that still use that track. Maida asked if there were plans to add emergency phones along the trails. Sanders thought that was a good suggestion. Sanders stated that once this connection is complete the trail would extend all the way to St. Paul and the Mississippi River. In speculating, he thought the timing for the completion of the trail could be within the next five to ten years. Slain inquired as to progress and next step of this trail construction. Sanders stated a meeting will be held with representatives fiom the cities of Maplewood, Little Canada, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Roseville Area School District, The Active Living Group, and St. Jude's Medical Morelan included that we will also be having the assistance and expertise from the staff person assigned to us with the National Park Service from the grant we received. He stated they will be meeting with that person again soon to examine options to best convey the total North/South Connection Trail proposal to St. Jude and other parties involved. Sanders stated that the biggest obstacles going forward are the pedestrian bridge at Highway 36 and crossing through St. Jude's property. There was some discussion about routing the pedestrians/bikers over to the Rice Street Bridge until the pedestrian bridge was consriucted. Sanders stated that the traffic is very heavy on that bridge and is not a safe alternative. GRANT STATUS Sanders stated he is working on this grant. OTHER: Morelan distributed fliers for the MN Twins Baseball Bus Trip, Annual Casino Bus Trip, Market Place Morning Talks and the Spring/Summer Youth Activities. Page 4 of 5