11-14-2011 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Park Board Meeting — July 5, 2011 Minutes several kids registered for the other sites. Rick said this program will need to be reviewed in the future because of the budget situation. 8. REVIEW PARK DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Rick told members that last year the city was awarded a DNR Community Forest Bonding Grant in the amount of $25,000 to replace Ash Trees with native trees in city parks and on boulevards. He said he would be putting Arena Acres Park on an agenda this fall to discuss the tennis courts because they are in very bad shape. He would like to know what members would like to do with this park. He asked members to look over the Park Update and contact him if they had any questions. 8a. Skate Park Vandalism: Rick reviewed the memo that was in the members packets. He said the City Hall Skate Park (created in 2001) area continues to experience problems including vandalism to the park building, graffiti on ramps and bituminous, vehicles illegally parked on the grass, damage to trees, and trash tossed on the ground. He said the most recent incident occurred on June 7th. The park building sustained damage as a result of the siding getting kicked in several areas. Estimated repairs amount to almost $4,000. On June 22, several laminated flyers were posted at the Skate Park. The flyer states, "The City of Lino Lakes cannot continue to provide dollars to make repairs for skate park users that are not respectful of park property. Unless information is provided to the Lino Lakes Police Department (651 982 -2300) on who committed the damage to the park building the Skate Park will be permanently closed on Thursday, June 30." The Lino Lakes Police Department has not been provided any information. Staff is requesting that the Park Board consider permanently closing the Skate Park. Members had questions about the facility. They wanted to know if Lino Lakes is the only city that has graffiti problems. Rick said no, this is not unusual for this to happen. They wanted to know if the equipment should be sold. Rick said for now, it should be stored and maybe sold in the future. He isn't sure of the value of the equipment. Bill Kusterman made a motion to accept staff's recommendation to permanently close the Skate Park facility. Richard Jensen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 8b. Birch Park Building Fire: Rick told members that on February 27, 2011 the portable restroom at Birch Park was set on fire. Unfortunately, the fire spread to the Park Building causing significant damage. Approximately $42,000 in damages was incurred to the exterior and interior of the park building as well as a tractor that was being stored inside, and the portable restroom.