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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-3-2016 Park Commission Packet NOTICE OF MEETING City of Lake Elmo Park Commission 3800 Laverne Avenue North October 3, 2016 6:30 PM AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Agenda 3. Approve Minutes a) September 19, 2016 4. Savona Park 5. November Meeting Agenda 6. Staff Reports & Commission Update 7. Adjourn ***Note: Every effort will be made to accommodate person or persons that need special considerations to attend this meeting due to a health condition or disability. Please contact the Lake Elmo City Clerk if you are in need of special accommodations. Our Mission is to Provide Quality Public Services in a Fiscally Responsible Manner While Preserving the City’s Open Space Character MINUTES City of Lake Elmo Park Commission September 19, 2016 Members Present: Acting Chair Nelson, Commissioners Frick, Hartley, Neuenfeldt, Zeno, Ames Absent: Steele, Weiss, Silvernale Others Present: City Administrator Kristina Handt, City Planner Emily Becker, Jamie Colemer, Public Works and Clark Schroeder, Developer Representative, Tony Manzara, Interpretive Nature Center Presenter. The meeting was called to order by Chair Nelson at 6:30 PM. Approval of Agenda Agenda approved as presented. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Frick, seconded by Commissioner Hartley, moved to approve the June 20, 2016 minutes as amended. Motion passed 6- 0. Commissioner Frick, seconded by Commissioner Hartley, moved to approve the August 15, 2016 notes as amended. Motion passed 4-0-2. Hartley and Zeno Abstained. Sally Manzara interpretive Nature Center Tony Manzara presented a proposal to build a Nature Center in Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Park. Discussion was held to determine if the Park Commission would be in favor, and to seek advice for any changes before the Park Commission would recommend approval to the City Council. Questions arose about the septic system and drain field, which has not been decided yet, but may potentially entail a lift station or pump out tank. The details of the final plan would need to meet building code as well as City approval. Responsibilities of the Friends Organization and the City were discussed as well as details of operation including hours and staffing, programs, and ideas to generate money, such as grants and donations. Manzara presented a rough sketch of the exterior and interior of the Nature Center. The Park Commission is interested but would like more information and more detailed blueprints of how it actually will look and the materials that will be used. Royal Golf Club Development City has not received Preliminary Plat yet. Trail connectivity is a priority and the golf course may or may not be included in the park dedication fees. Clark Schroeder, Government Relations for Hollis Cavner Golf Course Development, presented a summary of the course of events from 3m selling Tartan Park to the present progress of The Royal Golf Course Development. Clark informed the Park Commission of the names and titles of the people on The Royal Golf Club Team. Clark talked about the progress and explained that they have been refining the development to try and accommodate working within the regulations of Lake Elmo. Rick Packer, President of H.C. Golf Course Development LLC, informed the Park Commission of the development details. He indicated that the park dedication paid in fee does not include public land. It would include a fitness center, swimming pool, and youth par 3 golf course. A study of traffic motion and movements would be considered in relation to putting in a trail. The Park Commission recommended that the trail extend to the east for a safe route for bikers and trail users, also they recommend the trail reach to the Oakland Jr High School. Packer reported that the streets of the development are projected to be in by the Fall of 2017 and the building of homes will then begin. There will be around three hundred homes and the development will start in the west and move east. Legends Preliminary Plat Application City Planner, Emily Becker, informed the Park Commission about the proposed preliminary plat, south of Sanctuary, and asked them to reaffirm or make additional recommendations. There is 1.084 acres of park land and the value of 6.6 acres of land will go to park land dedication. The Commission added to look at the grade to get up to Sanctuary Park, eight foot wide trail to connect to City Trails and they recommended that a continuous trail from 50th Street to connect to City Trails, as well as that the trail reach to the High School. The trail plan was created in 2005 and staff would like the Park Commission to help identify the gaps and what needs to be updated. Commissioner Ames explained that the Trails Plan was intended to be a guide, and should not be considered to be a plan. Commissioner Frick pointed out that a lot has changed in ten years and some of the trails on the guide are no longer useable. It was concluded that the trails plan would be looked at as a preliminary view and updates would need to be made. October Meeting Agenda A) Change meeting date to October 31st due to the Forum taking place on October 17, 2016 B) Savona Staff Reports Administrator Handt reported that they are seeking approval from City Council l for Lion’s Park to secure Miller Architecture, Tablyn Park scale back plan, and additional $10,000 for both the drain tile and curbing for Easton Village Park. City Planner Becker reported on Hammes Tot Lot which is newly proposed and would be association maintained, it will be located south of Goose Lake. Lake Bridge Crossing wanted to incorporate the Hammes family name for the tot lot and also for a Hammes name plate on the fishing pier for the City Park. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Patti Stucke Administrative Assistant ITEM 4 PARKS COMMISSION COMMUNICATION DATE: 10/3/2016 ITEM #: 4 AGENDA ITEM: Savona Park SUBMITTED BY: Emily Becker, City Planner REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator Stephen Wensman, Planning Director BACKGROUND: Earlier this year the Parks Commission agreed with having a smaller “pocket/neighborhood” park that serves the Savona development along with a series of trails providing connections to the Stonegate Park and other local and regional parks. On July 5, 2016, City Council directed Parks Commission to work on plans for a neighborhood park in the Savona neighborhood this fall to be built next year. The Savona Park is not currently in the Parks and Recreation 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), so its construction would require an amendment. On August 15, 2016, the Parks Commission met with residents of Savona to gain input and direction on what they would like to see in the park. Tucker Pearce, a resident of Savona, had distributed surveys to 25 residents of Savona. These survey results are attached. Savona Parkland Dedication. The Savona 1st Addition Development Agreement required a cash contribution of $209,429 in satisfaction of the City’s park dedication requirements. This charge was based on the park dedication requirements for all the areas to be platted within the Savona Preliminary Plat area. The Developer dedicated two acres for the subject Neighborhood Park and 1.74 acres of greenway and trails. The total acreage of parkland required to be dedicated was 10.80 acres, so the cash contribution was the appraised value of the remaining 7.06 acres of required dedication. ISSUE BEFORE COMMISSION: What park improvements for Savona should be planned for next year? Future phases? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Included in your packet is a proposal from the residents in Savona of what they would like to have built. They have divided the project into three phases. Staff provided very rough estimates on cost shown in green in the report. Once the Commission provides more direction on what elements to include staff can obtain direct quotes from providers. Staff’s estimate is that phase 1 would cost $100,000 or more. CIP Amendment. The Parks Commission is not being asked to recommend the amendment of their CIP at this time, as the Council, if it so chooses, may amend the CIP to include Savona Parks improvements. 2 Item 4 FISCAL IMPACT: The Parks Commission has generally used $500 per house in determining how to plan for parks in new developments. There are 309 houses planned in Savona with 88 certificates of occupancy issued as of August 22, 2016. Projected balance of Park Dedication Fund by 12/31/16 is $875,000. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Parks Commission discuss the possibility of beginning the planning process for Savona Park this fall to begin construction next year. ATTACHMENTS • Savona Park Surveys • Savona Park Proposal from residents 1.) What would you like to see incorporated into a playground Slides 92.00% 23 Swings 88.00% 22 Monkey Bars 72.00% 18 Climbing Wall 68.00% 17 Other 40.00% 10 Showing 10 responses tire swing gaga pit Climbing dome, merry go round, see saw Small splash pad Splash pad Zip line Zip line A zip line like at pebble park to appeal to wider age range Zip (like pebble park), teeter totter like structure. Bocce court 2.)Would you use a partially covered picnic area for family or neighborhood events? Yes 96.00% 24 No 4.00% 1 3.) Would you and your family utilize a basketball court with adjustable hoop Yes 76.00% 19 No 24.00% 6 4.) Would you and your family utilize a small field for soccer, flag football, frisbee, etc. Yes 88.00% 22 No 12.00% 3 5.) Depending on the park land donated to the city and the graded of the lot if a sliding hill is feasible for sledding should it be left in place? Is this important to you? Yes 80.00% 20 No 20.00% 5 6.) What would you and your family utilize more: Bocce Ball Court 45.83% 11 Horseshoes 8.33% 2 Gaga Pit 25.00% 6 Other 20.83% 5 Tennis Court Tennis court Splash pad I would just like to see play area for kids, no organized sports areas Multi-purpose court w/adjustable nets for volleyball, tennis, etc 7.) Should we try and incorporate a splash pad into the playground Yes 66.67% 16 No 16.67% 4 Other 16.67% 4 • I don't see where the money would come to build and maintain. Cheaper than a pool but still expensive. The swimming pool at the reserve is so close already. • Not sure. Concerned that may bring a lot of traffic into neighborhood • To save on cost, maybe just a small water feature that can be used by the kids • Pool 8.) Would you or your family utilize a sand Volleyball Court Yes 72.00% 18 No 28.00% 7 9.) Anything that hasn’t been mentioned that you feel Savona needs in a park • I feel a field is vital for older kids and adults. This could allow for several sports to be played. Stationary grilling stations as well. • Restroom and drinking fountain. • More as a neighborhood - a tunnel that crosses under Keats like the one on Woodbury Drive at Fox Run Road so that our neighborhood could safely connect to the trail into the park reserve. • We would love a swimming pool • Is a pool not an option at this point? • Glass backboards on basketball hoop. If u do it do it right • Bathrooms • More modern equipment that the other lake Elmo parks are lacking. Integrative play equipment like seen in the newer Minneapolis and Woodbury parks. Large swinging disc, zipline, teeter totter. A toddler area like they installed at pebble park. • Regarding picnic area: even if covered area is out of scope, at least a few picnic tables. • As far as everything listed above, a sledding hill is lowest on the priority list for our family. • If there is extra room incorporate the walking trails through the park. I would take bocce and horseshoes if there is money and space. • Frisbee golf and miniature golf course 10.) Open question you have for the parks commission regarding the park in Savona • Why does Lake Elmo want to maintain the park versus letting our association do so? Would prefer association maintains • What is the expected timeline for the park project? • It would be great to have a park I have 3 kids and they are very buzy. • Would the Lions or other civic group be willing to help fundraise for the picnic shelter like the one at Powers Lake? With such a tight budget, I don't know how there will be money for much more than playground equipment. • basketball court is #1! • When can we expect a decision on what will be built, and when ground will break. Also, is there anything else we Savonians can do to help move this forward (send emails, etc) • Will walking trails in Savona go to Stonegate Park for additional parks to access? 32 Total Responses 1.) What would you like to see incorporated into a playground Slides 93.75% 30 Swings 87.50% 28 Monkey Bars 65.63% 21 Climbing Wall 65.63% 21 Other 40.63% 13 Other 13 responses Dog Area Basketball Sport Court Water feature, splash pad Tire swing gaga pit Climbing dome, merry go round, see saw Small splash pad Splash pad Zip line Zip line A zip line like at pebble park to appeal to wider age range Zip (like pebble park), teeter totter like structure. Bocce court 2.)Would you use a partially covered picnic area for family or neighborhood events? Yes 90.63% 29 No 9.38% 3 3.) Would you and your family utilize a basketball court with adjustable hoop Yes 75.00% 24 No 25.00% 8 4.) Would you and your family utilize a small field for soccer, flag football, frisbee, etc. Yes 87.50% 28 No 12.50% 4 5.) Depending on the park land donated to the city and the graded of the lot if a sliding hill is feasible for sledding should it be left in place? Is this important to you? Yes 71.88% 23 No 28.13% 9 6.) What would you and your family utilize more: Bocce Ball Court 41.38% 12 Horseshoes 10.34% 3 Gaga Pit 27.59% 8 Other 20.69% 6 Basketball Tennis Court Tennis court Splash pad I would just like to see play area for kids, no organized sports areas Multi-purpose court w/adjustable nets for volleyball, tennis, etc 7.) Should we try and incorporate a splash pad into the playground Yes 61.29% 19 No 25.81% 8 Other 12.90% 4 • I don't see where the money would come to build and maintain. Cheaper than a pool but still expensive. The swimming pool at the reserve is so close already. • Not sure. Concerned that may bring a lot of traffic into neighborhood • To save on cost, maybe just a small water feature that can be used by the kids • Pool 8.) Would you or your family utilize a sand Volleyball Court Yes 70.97% 22 No 29.03% 9 9.) Anything that hasn’t been mentioned that you feel Savona needs in a park • Benches • Picnic tables and grill Community pool Dog park • No • A community pool would be a great addition, even if it does mean an increase in HOA fees. • I would like the design to I corporate the neighborhood • I feel a field is vital for older kids and adults. This could allow for several sports to be played. Stationary grilling stations as well. • Restroom and drinking fountain. • More as a neighborhood - a tunnel that crosses under Keats like the one on Woodbury Drive at Fox Run Road so that our neighborhood could safely connect to the trail into the park reserve. • We would love a swimming pool • Is a pool not an option at this point? • Glass backboards on basketball hoop. If u do it do it right • Bathrooms • More modern equipment that the other lake Elmo parks are lacking. Integrative play equipment like seen in the newer Minneapolis and Woodbury parks. Large swinging disc, zipline, teeter totter. A toddler area like they installed at pebble park. • Regarding picnic area: even if covered area is out of scope, at least a few picnic tables. • As far as everything listed above, a sledding hill is lowest on the priority list for our family. • If there is extra room incorporate the walking trails through the park. I would take bocce and horseshoes if there is money and space. • Frisbee golf and miniature golf course 10.) Open question you have for the parks commission regarding the park in Savona • Just want a family friendly park for all ages • Why does Lake Elmo want to maintain the park versus letting our association do so? Would prefer association maintains • What is the expected timeline for the park project? • It would be great to have a park I have 3 kids and they are very buzy. • Would the Lions or other civic group be willing to help fundraise for the picnic shelter like the one at Powers Lake? With such a tight budget, I don't know how there will be money for much more than playground equipment. • basketball court is #1! • When can we expect a decision on what will be built, and when ground will break. Also, is there anything else we Savonians can do to help move this forward (send emails, etc) • Will walking trails in Savona go to Stonegate Park for additional parks to access? A Few Notes from conversations with the Park Committee and Tucker • A bathroom is not required, if we do one it would be a port a potty • The trail can be moved, but Lennar would have to agree with it • Some neighborhoods are adding outdoor exercise equipment, the cost is low around $2,500 each • Easton Village the cost was around $75,000 • Bielenberg Splash Pad cost $500,000 • Picnic Shelter at Pebble Beach was $26,000 In Savona we would like to establish a park that can be used by kids of all ages, adults and families that may not have kids. This would be a park where people can play or gather for small events such as National Night Out, birthday parties or a picnic. It is important to us that we keep as many of the trees as possible and utilize a design that fits well into the neighborhood and Lake Elmo. Open space is needed for the kids to play Frisbee, throw a football, etc. and so it would be ideal if this can come in the first or second phase. Phase 1 1.) A playground structure for the kids to play on. ($35,000)This doesn’t have to be as large as say Easton Village but we would love to see more modern / creative equipment used like they’ve used in Woodbury and Minneapolis in recent years. If you need examples of these parks or the manufacturer we can provide them. We would like to incorporate the following into the park (these are listed in order of importance) a. At least two slides, one for older kids and one that younger kids could enjoy i. Depending on expense one of these could be added in another phase. b. At least three swings i. There should be one swing for infants/toddlers c. Monkey Bars d. A Climbing Wall i. This could be added in another phase if the cost is too high. e. Tire Swing Notes: We would prefer some type of rubber material be used for the playground but if the expense is too high we would opt for wood chips. We feel that sand and small rocks are too easy to throw and get into kids/adults eyes and we have some concerns with new studies that have come out on the negatives of using rubber mulch. 2.) Half-Court Basketball Sport Court ($25,000) a. We would like to use a sport court material that is easier on your body when you fall for safety and liability reasons. b. Adjustable hoop, again keeping with the idea of a park that is fun for kids of all ages. c. The basketball court could also be used for four square and other games; this can be worked into the design of the sport court material. Notes: Forward thinking to phase two or phase three we would like you to consider another post to connect a net to the basketball hoop post for badminton or volleyball net. We can provide examples of this if it would be helpful. If you google Sport Courts Minnesota there are some wonderful examples. 3.) A zip line, similar to the one you find at Pebble Park. ($15,000)This could be standalone somewhere in the park again for kids of all ages to enjoy 4.) A bocce ball court. ($20,000) This could be utilized by kids as well as adults while their kids are playing. Generally this is a concrete slab with artificial turf on top surrounded by some wood railroad ties. We can provide examples of what we are thinking if it would be helpful. 5.) Two to three picnic tables with the option to expand or replace them with covered ones in a later phase. 6.) Benches around the park, as few as three, as many as six depending on the cost. Some of this could be deferred to future stages. We feel areas for people to sit would be important. Phase 2 • Exercise Equipment along the walking / running trails in the park. This would be good for adults and to teach kids about exercise and healthy living. • Better Picnic tables - We understand the city is looking at standardizing picnic areas but at the cost of $26,000 plus for a picnic area we are curious if other options can be considered o At the playground in the Washington County Park Reserve opposite the swimming area they have picnic tables with small roofs. This may not block out a large storm but could be used for shade and when there is less rain. • Add on to the sport court adding a volleyball / badminton net as noted in phase one notes. • Add on to the playground. • Fit in items that are not able to be budgeted into phase 1. Phase 3 • Add a 2nd Bocce Ball Court so multiple families can play at once. Not noted above but people would have to bring their own bocce set. • Add on to the playground. • Fit in items that are not able to be budgeted into phase 1 phase 2. Notes from the committee that took the survey results and park commission visit input to create final recommendations: • We discussed the idea of stationary grills but feel due to expense, maintenance, etc. that if someone wants to grill they can bring a smaller portable grill. • We discussed a dog park but dogs really need a larger area to run, plus there are concerns with maintenance and animal waste and we felt residents could look at utilizing one of the dog parks in Stillwater or Woodbury. • We felt although a sand volleyball court would be nice it would take up a lot of room, only be usable three months of the year and were worried about the maintenance due to animal waste and other issues with the sand. We believe a better option is to incorporate this into the sport court in a 2nd or 3rd phase or bring a net to the open area and set it up when you want to use it. • A bathroom is not required; if we do add one it would be a port a potty due to the large expense of adding one with running water. However we would like to look at a creative way to add this along the tree line or add some type of fencing around it so it’s not an eye sore to those using the park and those that have to live bordering the park. • If incorporating some of what we are looking for above means moving the trail through the park to one side or the other we would like for the city to work with Lennar on this. A resident of Savona would be more than happy to talk to Lennar with you on this matter. • We discussed the idea of a pool or splash pad but with the costs (Bielenberg splash pad was approx. $500,000) we feel something like this would be better in a more central location near downtown for all residents. A pool doesn’t make sense unless it is a part of the HOA and it is too late for that. • We don’t want to see specific parking spaces but a half circle pull off for cars might be helpful if it is an option. This would allow for dropping off kids or grandparents.