09/17/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MOUNDS VIEW PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 27, 1998 6:30 p.m. Conf. Rm. C CALL TO ORDER: Chair Silvis called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Commissioners present included Chair Silvis, Commissioners Dentz, Stevenson, Long, and Starr. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Dentz made a motion seconded by Commissioner Starr to approve the minutes of July 16, 1998. Motion passed unanimously. WOODCREST PARK PLANS: Staff reported that the City of Mounds View searched several locations for wetland mitigation to accommodate the paving of the parking lot at the Community Center. Woodcrest Park is a site that would be very accommodating for mitigation. The park would change focus from a semi- active park to a passive nature park, similar to Ardan Park. The site would remain a park, but would preserve open, natural space for people to enjoy. Woodcrest Park currently is used for summer playground location, community gardens location and has a playground structure. The park does not host any athletic activities because of the high water table and shifting turf making any playfields difficult to maintain for safe play. The water table is so high that many times parks crew staff cannot even get mowing equipment in there to cut the grass. There has been many times when mowers have sunk into the turf and had to be pulled out. Woodcrest Park has two large drainage ditches along both Woodcrest Drive and Silver Lake Road. Earlier studies have reported that expensive soil corrections would be required for development of Woodcrest Park. Additionally, Rice Creek Watershed has indicated that at one time Woodcrest Park land was the same wetland - type that is to the north of Woodcrest Park. Woodcrest Park's natural characteristics is that of a wetland. Therefore to revert Woodcrest Park back to its natural characteristics of a wetland may be the best use for Woodcrest Park. Commissioners responded to this information with concern that Woodcrest Park remain a park. Director Saarion confirmed that Woodcrest Park would remain a park but would change its focus to passive, natural activities having such amenities as trailways, sitting and swing benches and nature areas and landscaping for observation and contemplation.