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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Work PlanSTAFF REPORT DATE: January 10, 2023 DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM: Parks Commission Work Plan 2023 TO: Mayor and City Council SUBMITTED BY: Adam Swanepoel, Assistant Public Works Director Reviewed By: Marty Powers, Public Works Director BACKGROUND: At the November 2022 Park Commission meeting, members of the Park Commission agreed to attend a joint workshop session with City Council to review the 2023 Parks Commission Work Plan. Each year the Parks Commission is tasked with developing an annual work plan, which identifies a list of projects and goals for the year. The Parks Commission would have normally reviewed the plan prior to this workshop, however last month’s meeting was canceled due to a lack of quorum. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Does the Council have any questions or direction on the current Park Commission work plan? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Planning and Policy – Items in this section have been listed as a CIP item or have been identified as an item of consideration by the Parks Commission. Staff will work on planning for future updates to city ball fields as well as other future park needs. The Council and Parks Commission should review the items listed and determine the need for these items. Staff recommends removing the dog park and disk golf from the work plan and potentially the CIP due to the lack of interest over the years. Staff changed the language of the pickle ball project to include new or resurfaced courts. Development & Equipping – Changes to this section focus on trail connectivity and park projects. Specific trails in the Stonegate and Ivywood Parks have been identified to be connected to each other and are a continuation from the 2022 project. Projects for 2023 include the updates to both Tablyn and Pebble Park’s tennis courts by converting them to both tennis and pickle ball courts. Other projects include updating several parks to meet ADA compliance and design for Pebble and Demontreville playset replacement. Maintenance & Refurbishing – The majority of this section focuses on maintaining current park amenities and what we already have. Public works staff is assigned to do much of the maintenance and upgrades to park facilities as needed. Nature & Conservation – Staff continues to support the efforts of conservation programs provided at the Sally Manzara Nature Center including the buckthorn removal project. Park Awareness – Staff has used community surveys in the past to gauge needs to our park system. Surveys will continued to be used as needed. City staff has continued to make updates to the cities web page. Information will continued to be updated and posted on the parks page to keep community members updated on the park system. Finance – In June 2022 the Parks Commission approved the CIP and recommended it to City Council. Council approved the 2023- 2027 CIP in December 2022. Staff along with the Parks Commission will again review the CIP in June 2023 and make appropriate adjustments for the upcoming year. FISCAL IMPACT: TBD OPTIONS: Provide direction to staff on how to proceed. The plan can be brought to the next Parks Commission meeting with feedback from tonight and to a future council meeting for formal adoption. ATTACHMENT: • 2023 Parks Commission Work Plan 2023 Parks Commission Strategic Work Plan The City of Lake Elmo Park Commission has affirmed their overall goals to be: 1) Ensure that our parks and trail system are constructed / maintained. 2) Provide recreational amenities that will attract more users of public lands as well as property tax payers to the City. 3) Create a safe environment in all our parks. 4) Serve as a reviewing body to make sure the “open space” character development is preserved in new developments. With the broader priorities defined, the 2023 Park Commission Strategic Work Plan has been broken down into six segments: Planning & Policy; Park Development & Equipping; Maintenance & Refurbishing; Nature & Conservation; Park Awareness; and Finance. Status and Timeline (projected months in which project will be brought to Parks Commission meeting) are also indicated in order to better manage goals and objectives. Planning and Policy Assess future park needs. Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline Work with the County on implementing the Central Greenway Trail Master Plan. • Assist Washington County when necessary. • Work with Washington County on funding opportunities. • Met Council has approved the master plan Ongoing Development Review • Continue to make recommendations on development applications with a focus on proper equipping of parks and available park funding. • Have available 5 year CIP upon request Ongoing Ongoing Park use plan • Outline the needs of the City and neighborhood for amenities within the park. Apply findings to CIP. Ongoing As needed Look for Grant Opportunities • Look for grant opportunities that aide in development of parks within the City. Ongoing Ongoing Parking at Tablyn Park • Outline options for additional parking at Tablyn Recommended 2024 Sand Volleyball Courts • Provide park options for additional courts Recommended 2024 Development & Equipping Begin work on approved projects (those in the Capital Improvement Plan or have received a form of funding approval). Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline Sunfish Lake Park • Continue with buckthorn removal project • Prescribed prairie burn and weed control • Work with MORC to maintain the single track trails. In Progress 2023/2024 Dog Park • Review City Parks/Land to determine possible location In Progress 2023 or when location is identified City Trail Connectivity • Continue identifying trails within the City which can be connected to each other On Going On Going City Trail Connectivity • Connecting trail from Ivywood to Stonegate • Rebuild and asphalt trails through Stonegate, connecting to Lake Ridge Crossing • Rebuild and resurface 36th St. Trail (Gorman’s) • Connect Tapestry to Hamlet • Demontreville Wildlife Park - resurface • Hamlet on Sunfish Lake - resurface In Progress 2023 Disk Golf • Review City Parks/Land to determine possible location Ongoing 2023 or when location is identified Pebble Park Tennis court resurfacing • Resurface playing court • Update tennis courts to include pickle ball and tennis In Progress 2023 Tablyn Park – Tennis court resurfacing • Resurface playing court • Update tennis courts to include pickle ball and tennis In Progress 2023 Baseball field updates • Select from list of current fields to update. • Update fields to accommodate current need for baseball with the community In Progress 2023/2024 Demontreville Wildlife Park • Add to Ski Grant Application Ongoing 2023/2024 ADA Compliance • Make access to current parks ADA Compliant • Pilot, Firefly, Ivywood Ongoing Ongoing Pebble Park Playset replacement • Review and seek replacement piece according to CIP Recommended 2023/2024 Demontreville Playset replacement • Review and seek replacement piece according to CIP Recommended 2023/2024 Maintenance & Refurbishing Maintain and upgrading park facilities in a manner that increases park use for a relevant experience. New soccer Nets • Public Works to provide placement Recommended 2023 Garbage Can and Tree Planting • Trash Can Replacement • New Tree Planting Ongoing 2023/2024 Park needs assessment • To be completed by public works staff. Ongoing Yearly City Trails • Update City Trail maps • Tree Trimming as needed 2023 Ongoing Asphalt Trail Maintenance • Inspections • Crack fill and seal coat • Parking lot asphalt maintenance In Progress 2023/2024 Playground • Monthly inspections In Progress 2023 Ball fields • Weekly/biweekly infield maintenance • Add infield clay to ballfield In progress 2023 Nature & Conservation Mission Statement: To promote the open space character and commitment to the environment via nature observation amenities and targeted conservation programs. Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline Sunfish Lake Forest Management Plan • Continue to work and build off the existing management plan In Progress On going Sally Manzara Nature Center • Provide support as detailed in the agreement. In Progress On going Park Awareness Mission Statement: To promote the utilization of City Parks Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline Resident Survey • Survey residents on park amenities via new survey tool. As required Ongoing Resident Updates • Update parks web page on city website • Provide Social Media updates on parks Ongoing Ongoing Finance Mission Statement: To effectively spend parkland dedication funds to meet the objectives of each year’s Strategic Plan of Work while maintaining a minimum fund balance of $100,000. Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline Update Capital Improvement Plan if needed to accomplish goals outlined herein. • Reassess funding priorities as needed. As needed April/May 2023 Provide Budget Updates as necessary • Provide financials on park dedication fund upon request. As requested Ongoing