HomeMy WebLinkAboutSkate Park UpdateItem No. 5
Type of Business: WK
WK: Work Session; PH: Public Hearing;
CA: Consent Agenda; CB: Council Business
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To:
From:
Item Title/Subject:
Meeting Date:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Greg Lee, Director of Public Works
Skate Park Update
April 7, 2003
Background:
For the past year, the Parks and Recreation Commission has been discussing
and researching the development of a skate park in Mounds View. The
Commission has studied the development of skate parks in other communities
and has visited several metro area sites.
Discussion:
On March 6, 2003, the Parks Commission held a public informational meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the idea of constructing a skate park
in Mounds View and to solicit concems, comments, and suggestions from the
public. There were approximately forty (40) people in attendance. Parties
attending included Council Member Stigney, four of the five Parks and
Recreation Commissioners, Mounds View Police Officer Terry Broos, former
Mayor Richard Sonterre, YMCA and City Staff, and many interested and
concerned citizens. Staff gave a presentation that was followed by a question
and answer session. A copy of the presentation outline is attached as Exhibit A.
The sign -in sheet is attached as Exhibit B, and all written comments regarding
the skate parks received before, during, and after the meeting are attached as
Exhibit C.
On March 20, 2003, the Parks and Recreation Commissioners met to summarize
the skate park meeting and to discuss a proposal to the City Council to either
support or deny the creation of a skate park within the City of Mounds View. The
Commission started by defining a proposal, should a skate park be constructed:
• Located on the east side of the Community Center on existing pavement
• Fenced in
• Budget of $55,000, derived from Park Dedication Fund: for infrastructure
improvements and equipment, including the cost to replace the basketball
courts
• Open only when the Community Center is open
Once the proposal was developed, the Commissioners voted whether to
recommend it to the Council. The vote failed, with two commissioners in favor
and two opposed. A total of five Commissioners were present, two of which were
newly appointed and sworn in that evening. One of the newly appointed
Commissioners abstained from voting due to lack of information.
The reason for not recommending a skate park at this time is that the
Commissioners want to perform a thorough evaluation of the needs of the City's
parks system before recommending an expenditure of park funds on a new item.
The Commissioners cited that the City has current financial commitments and
funding needs; the maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing park
buildings, pathways, and play equipment must be evaluated and addressed.
At the next Parks and Recreation Meeting, the Commissioners will review the
Park Dedication Fund and discuss the condition and replacement of two park
buildings: Groveland and Random.
There still remains a possibility that the Park and Recreation Commissioners may
submit a recommendation to construct a skate park at a future date. However, an
evaluation of the needs of the City and financial commitments must indicate that
a skate park is a cost-effective benefit to the City, when compared to other park
amenities.
Attached, as Exhibit D, is a Skate Park Project Update. This will be posted on the
City's web site and will be published in the May / June Mounds View Matters. It
will also be mailed to those who attended the Informational Meeting on March 6th.
Recommendation:
There are no recommendations pertaining to the stake park at this time. The
intent of this report is to provide the City Council with a status report on this
issue.
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Lee, Director of Public Works
EXHIBIT A
WHY A SKATE PARK?
❖ Popularity - Skate boarding and in -line skates has grown in popularity
❖ Community need
❖ Provide non -structured activity for teens and pre -teens
TYPES OF PARKS
❖ Tier I
❖ Tier II
PARKS VISITED
:• Centerville
d• Coon Rapids
••• Andover
CITY SITES INVESTIGATED
❖ Groveland Park
d• Hillview Park
• Silverview Park
❖ Community Center
o Back of the parking lot
o Basketball courts
❖ City Hall
RECOMMENDED SITE — COMMUNITY CENTER
❖ Good Access
❖ Good Visibility
❖ Good Security
❖ Centrally Located
PUBLIC INPUT REQUESTED
❖ Physical Characteristics
❖ Operational Characteristics
BUDGET
❖ $55,000
:• Infrastructure Improvements / Equipment Purchase
OVERALL INTENT
• Start small
❖ Determine use / success
WHAT'S NEXT?
• Evaluate and Summarize feedback
❖ Provide report and recommendation to City Council (April 7th)
EXHIBIT B
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EXHIBIT C
03/02/03
To: Greg Lee
From: Mike Kampa
Ref: Proposed Skate Park
I will be unable to attend the upcoming meeting in regards to this, so I will express my
concerns to you here. As both a resident and employee of the City of Mounds View, I
question the need for a skate park at this time. Although the Community Center is a good
location for this, I question whether the staff will be able to adequately supervise and/or
monitor the activity occurring in or around the skate park. They already seem to have a
shortage of staff to cover the existing facility and our Police calls have increased because
of it. I know the Police calls for service will increase, if this facility is constructed, not so
much from the individuals who will use it, but from the other kids it will attract. I am also
concerned about any potential liability issues, that might arise should someone get
seriously injured.
They recently raised the user fees for residents and non-residents to cover the basketball
court, but they are still low, compared to other similar facilities and don't adequately
cover the costs associated with it. I know the funds to construct the skate park will come
from Park Dedication fees, but there are always unforeseen costs for operation,
maintenance, etc. that will be passed on to the residents. Could these Park Dedication
fees be better used, to maintain our existing park facilities? With the pending budget
crunch, I can only see this costing the residents of Mounds View more money. They are
already considering freezing our salaries, as a means to save money. Although I am not
totally against the construction of the skate park, I question the timing of this facility and
the added costs that will be associated with it. Thank You!
Sincerely,
Michael . Ka' ipa
Mounds View P. D.
CC/Deputy Chief Brennan
Page 1 of 1
Lee, Greg
From: BRIAN OGDAHL [TAMLOGTOOL@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 9:51 AM
To: greg.lee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
Subject: Skate park
Dear Sir -- As Mounds View residents, we wholeheartedly support construction of a skate park in
Mounds View. My son and his friends are avid skateboarders and we regularly take them to
skateparks in the area - Shoreview, St. Anthony, Andover, New Brighton, 3rd Lair, etc. My son
wrote letters to former Mayor Coughlin years ago expressing a desire and need for this in
Mounds View. I am glad to see this interest is still alive and will support whatever we can do to
bring this idea to fruition. Thanks for all that you and your commission are doing to help with
this. We will attend the meeting on March 6 to learn more.
Sincerely,
Brian, Char & Eric Ogdahl
7370 Park View Terrace
Mounds View
3/13/2003
Page 1 of 1
Lee, Greg
From: Ortie [ortie@attbi.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2003 12:54 PM
To: greg.Iee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
Subject: Skate Park
Greg Lee:
While looking for information on what parks have open warming houses and rinks (which I was unable to find) I
came across the Mounds View page in regards to the possilbility of a skate park. The information did not
make it clear as to if this was refereing to a skate board park or a roller skating/roller blade rink or an ice
skating rink. In any case, with 2 teenage boys, I am interesting in learning more about this. It is nice when the
community offers activites that the whole family can participate in.
Any additional information you could direct me to would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Linda Stewlow
2366 Pinewood Circle
Mounds View
3/13/2003
Lee, Greg
From: Tom Kosel [TKosel@compuserve.com]
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 10:26 AM
To: greg.Iee@ci.moundsview.mn.us
Subject: skate park
We do NOT need a skate park in Mounds View. First, we cannot afford it.
With the economy as bad as it is today, you should be looking at way to cut
costs, not add to them. Second, the parks that we have don't seem to get
used. I hardly ever see anyone using them. Third, the liability for such
a park would more than likely be incredible. Fourth, given the type of
people that would use such a facility, you would definitely have to have
someone there to monitor the facilities use, again somewhat costly.
Lastly, the average type of juvenile that would make use of such a facility
is not the type of juvenile that I would want traveling through/into my
neighborhood. You can bet there would be problems!
Tom L. Kosel
(763) 786-5136
March 4, 2003
Dear City of Mounds View,
I adamantly disapprove of the proposed Skate Park, placed at the community center or
anywhere in the City of Mounds View for several reasons. I do believe I am not the only
resident that feels this way. I have compiled a list of my key objections and questions
that I feel need to be addressed before we go forward and would like them considered
during the decision making process.
• Does it make sense to put more money into an already financially troubled
community center? Why not come up with some ideas that generate revenue for the
community center without using substantial additional funds, ex. Gym night for
families with children 1-5 years of age. St. Anthony community center does this on
Wednesday evenings.
• Resolve current issues with YMCA management before adding additional
responsibilities, i.e. not enough staffing/security on teen night.
• The community center has already had several problems with graffiti and
mischievous behavior. Will this add additional responsibilities to an already busy
police force?
• Do we want to attract more non -residence patrons to the community center before
servicing residents? Maybe we should consider adding activities to the community
center that would benefit residents. Maybe something like the eagles nest (New
Brighton C.C.) or open gym for families.
• As I look through the most recent Mounds View Matters (March/ April 2003) I find
activities for children 3+, Kids through 8th grade, adult sports and things for seniors
but nothing for children under 3 or family activities or high school age children.
• I just can't believe we would take dollars from walking tails that are desperately
needed due to the recent school busing limitations and build a skate park.
• As for taking skaters off the streets and away from neighbored driveways... to be
honest it will have an opposite affect on ALL the families living around the
community center. I live near the community center with two small children and it
will only increase the amount of loitering by teenagers.
• For the claim of "Undeserved middle -school group" — There are more actives listed
in the mounds view matters for this group than any other group.
• Who is going to ensure the youth do "what is expected"? The police? The parents?
What happens if parents aren't supervising? Do we punish the parents? Do we spend
more money and hire someone to supervise?
• We seem to continue to add things to the City of Mounds View that either will be
used by non-residents or things that other cities do not want. Quite honestly, I don't
know of one Mounds View resident that uses the community center on a regular
basis, but I do know several that would like to if only it had more family activities
available.
• Sporting activities come in and out of fashion. In the 80's it was roller-skating, now
many of those rinks have closed or struggle to survive. What happens when skate
boarding is no longer in fashion? Do we end up with an empty $55,000 skate park?
• Has a cost analysis been done? How many participants of this skate park are needed
before it is deemed successful? How long will is take before a profit is made? What
will be the city's liability be when injuries occur? And they will happen.
Thanks in advance for reviewing some of my concerns. Please feel free to contact me
with any questions.
Anita Erickson
5473 Adams Street
763.786.7577
Your FEEDBACK is requested!
Please comment on any thoughts or concerns you may have regarding the creation of a skate park in
Mounds View.
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City Hall; fold and mail; or fax to 763-784-3462. E-mail comments to: greg.lee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
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Your FEEDBACK is requested!
Please comment on any thoughts or concerns you may have regarding the creation of a skate park in
Mounds View.
Should this project proceed, what issues should be addressed?
Are there any additional features or things you would change in the plan?
How did you find out about this meeting?
Mailed meeting notice o Newspaper article o Cable TV o
City Bulletin Board o i,/- 16 -
Was the notification adequate? Yes o No o If not, how could we improve it?
The following is optional. However having your name and address allows us to obtain additional
information, if necessary, to follow up on your comments.
Name v—t . r
Address Z 76 iittrk V
Phone 767 - *83 'Tn773
Zip <5S2 /.'-
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. You may leave it with any staff member; drop off at
City Hall; fold and mail; or fax to 763-784-3462. E-mail comments to: greg.lee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
Your FEEDBACK is requested!
Please comment on any thoughts or concerns you may have regarding the creation of a skate park in
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How did you find out about this meeting?
Mailed meeting notice o Newspaper article
City Bulletin Board o
Cable TV o
Was the notification adequate? Yes No o If not, how could we improve it?
The following is optional. However having your name and address allows us to obtain additional
information, if necessary, to follow up on your comments.
Name
Address
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Phone G5/1)7d9
zip k(67
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. You may leave it with any staff member; drop off at
City Hall; fold and mail; or fax to 763-784-3462. E-mail comments to: greg.lee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
Your FEEDBACK is requested!
Please comment on any thoughts or concerns you may have regarding the creation of a skate park in
Mounds View.
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How did you find out about this meeting?
Mailed meeting notice o Newspaper article
City Bulletin Board o
Cable TV o
Was the notification adequate? YesNo o If not, how could we improve it?
The following is optional. However having your name and address allows us to obtain additional
information, if necessary, to follow up on your comments.
Name
Address
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Phone
Zip
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Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. You may leave it with any staff member; drop off at
City Hall; fold and mail; or fax to 763-784-3462. E-mail comments to: greg.lee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
Your FEEDBACK is requested!
Please comment on any thoughts or concerns you may have regarding the creation of a skate park in
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The following is optional. However having your name and address allows us to obtain additional
information, if necessary, to follow up on your comments.
Name C (c-- ( C k
Address
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Phone 7 3 7 3
Zip 1'3' \ `2
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. You may leave it with any staff member; drop off at
City Hall; fold and mail; or fax to 763-784-3462. E-mail comments to: greg.lee@ci.mounds-view.mn.us
EXHIBIT D
SKATE PARK PROJECT UPDATE
The City of Mounds View will not be constructing a Skate Park during the 2003
Construction Season. At the March 20, 2003, Park and Recreation Commission
Meeting, the Commissioners voted to refrain from making a proposal to the City
Council for constructing a skate park within the City at this time. The
Commissioners want to perform a thorough evaluation of the needs of the City's
parks system before recommending an expenditure of park funds on a new item.
The Commissioners sighted that the City has current financial commitments and
funding needs; the maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing park
buildings, pathways, and play equipment must be evaluated and addressed.
For the past year, the Parks and Recreation Commission has been discussing
and researching the development of a skate park in Mounds View. The
Commission has studied the development of skate parks in other communities
and has visited several metro area sites. On March 6, 2003, the Parks
Commission held a public informational meeting, the purpose of which was to
present the idea of constructing a skate park in Mounds View and to solicit
concerns, comments, and suggestions from the public. The City received
valuable feedback from the public, both in support and criticism of the skate park.
The Commission would like to sincerely thank all those who participated and
provided input.
There still remains a possibility that the City may construct a skate park at a
future date. However, an evaluation of the needs of the City and financial
commitments must indicate that a skate park is a cost-effective benefit to the City
when compared to other park amenities.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Greg Lee Telephone Number: 763-717-
4051
Public Works Director Fax Number: 763-784-
3462
Email: greq.Iee(a�ci.mounds-view.mn.us