Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Packet - September 27, 2007

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Kroeger thought the neighborhood meeting should still take place. Gunn stated that $55,000 was approved for 2003. Sonterre agreed but also said that the Park Dedication account could be used if necessary. Kunz stated that he does not want to take out a tennis court. Dazenski replied that in order to use the basketball court at the Community Center, the surface will need to be redone and that would cost approximately $18,000-20,000 because of its size. (It's uneven — a 6 inch drop.) This doesn't include the costs for fencing, landscaping and irrigation. Sonterre asked how many pieces does the equipment consist of? Gunn replied 7. Sonterre said that Mounds View isn't the size of Coon Rapids, should it be smaller? Keep it at a modest entry point and if growth is needed, so be it. Gunn replied that is why the committee decided on this size; it's bigger than New Brighton but not like Coon Rapids or Shoreview. Szczepanski agreed this is an entry level size park. Dazenski said that after talking with people, these size jumps, etc, are what they would want. Sonterre asked Dazenksi if the Parks Department could level off the Community Center area with blacktop? Dazenski replied yes. Sonterre asked if it should it be monitored for safety? Coon Rapids has a sign that states you are fully responsible if hurt, etc. What about having the users sign a liability waiver? Have the parents of the underage users sign it and keep on file at the Community Center. He also suggested having the users of the park to go through the lobby, past the front desk and with the camera's, that's adequate monitoring. Kroeger wants to abide by the decision to have a neighborhood meeting. Roepke asked if it would include the residents of Bronson Drive too? Kroeger replied yes. Szczepanski stated that he liked the security issue with having it close to City Hall and Police. Roepke stated that wherever we put it, the kids will come. Szczepanski would like it to be centralized in the City. The committee discussed the sizes of the proposed skate park. Kroeger stated that we could expand it if need be at the Community Center. Dazenski replied not really, there isn't a lot of room to expand. Sonterre asked how long will the skate boarding fad last? Gunn replied that's why the tennis courts at Groveland make sense because it could be put back as a tennis court. Kroeger asked where should the skate park go? Szczepanski suggested voting. Gunn replied we've already done that. Sonterre stated that whether the residents of Groveland do or do not want the skate park, the committee must make their decision on what is best for the City. In your opinion, what would be the better recommendation for the City as a whole. Gunn asked how close will the skate park be to the Community Center building? She expressed concern about the graffiti and damage to the walls. Sonterre stated that it will be televised by the camera. Dazenski said there would be nothing to vandalize at Groveland except the fence. The Community Center has block work and that would have to be sandblasted. He thinks there is a great potential for graffiti on the building. Also, there is not an existing water source, would we put in a fountain? Or should they come in the building all of the time?