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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 24, 2006 Page 7 1 eventually selected by the Salvation Army to purchase the property, as they wanted to entrust the 2 land to an organization that would cherish and take good care of it and make it accessible for the 3 public to enjoy. She explained Three Rivers was established by the Legislature in 1957 for that 4 very purpose. Commissioner Franzese stated Three Rivers is very proud of its record of 5 environmental stewardship. She expressed she is very excited and extremely proud to be the 6 Commissioner for Three Rivers Park. 8 Mr. Tom McDowell, Director of Program Facility Services for Three Rivers, reported the 9 program statement for Silverwood Park called for an arts inspired park setting. He stated it is a 10 regional park system with many of the same amenities of a regional park but designed in an 11 artistic manner. Mr. McDowell stated the development of the park would be a marriage between 12 architecture and art. He pointed out that foremost in the amenities would be a center for the 13 environment and the arts. He mentioned the arts would be used as a vehicle for environmental 14 education. Mr. McDowell explained the program statement also calls for a visitor center, a 15 performing arts stage, gardens, and trails. He expressed the Center for Environment and Arts is 16 an essential amenity as part of the mission is to promote environmental stewardship and 17 education through recreation and education in a natural resources park setting. He mentioned the 18 long history of working with schools and other organizations to provide environmental 19 education. He pointed out the solid relationship that exists with the Minneapolis schools; over 20 90 percent of the Minneapolis schools have attended one of the facilities and about 40% of St. 21 Paul schools have participated. Mr. McDowell stated they plan to expand the relationship with 22 the schools by using the location of the Silverwood Park. 23 24 Mr. Don DeVeau, Development Administrator, presented an overview of the planning process, 25 stressing everything is progressing well. He stated the process was reviewed by the Three Rivers 26 Board of Commissioners, the Metropolitan Park and Open Space Commission, and the 27 Metropolitan Council. He reported Three Rivers received approval to move forward from these 28 agencies. He stated in addition to approvals, Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners 29 identified and dedicated $13 Million for Phase 1 construction. Mr. DeVeau pointed out the 30 reviewed process included the program components, the development proposals, and all 31 perceived benefits for users of the park. He stated the development plans have not changed and 32 explained the park would be include 120 acres with about half in upland area and half in the area 33 of a non - meandered lake under Silver Lake. 34 35 Mr. DeVeau reported the entrance would be from County Road E to the north; midway between 36 the property lines from Silver Lake Road to the west. He explained the entrance road would 37 come into the main visitor center site located in the center west portion of the site. He stated this 38 where most of the programming elements would occur. He restated $13 million is approved for 39 the entrance road, the visitor center, Center for Performing Arts Stage; formal and informal 40 gardens paved and turf trails, picnic areas, and a fishing pear. He pointed out resource 41 management activities would include a white oak forest, a lowland forest, and a mixed forest that 42 would be protected and reestablished. He stated a forester been involved with the forests and 43 with laying out the trail system. Mr. DeVeau reported shoreline protection, access to the island, 44 and protection of the island would be provided. 45 Mr. DeVeau explained Silverwood Park would be cooperating with the Rice Creek Water 46 District regarding improvements related to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in the area of