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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 25, 2006 Page 5 1 endangered or threatened species within Silverwood Park. The DNR does recognize the oak 2 forest and mature oak trees in general as important and unique features. Mr. DeVeau then read 3 the section on land cover present at Silverwood Park and explained that Silver Lake is the 4 dominant feature and is about 69 acres in size. It has poor water quality, is classified as 5 eutrophic, and included on the MPGA Impaired Waters list. Mr. DeVeau advised of their 6 resource management efforts and that there are no known archaeological sites within the Park. 7 He explained the white oaks are the most significant vegetative feature. 9 John Barton, Water Resources Manager, stated the Park District will implement the Best 10 Management Practices to address Silver Lake and protect the Park's resources. He advised that 11 the Park District adopted a non -degradation policy which prohibits increasing the nutrient 12 loading to any water body. So, no development can increase pollutant loading to a water body 13 and this development will also comply with that policy. In addition, the Park District rigorously 14 implements the sequencing provision of the Wetland Conservation Act and proposes to develop 15 natural area buffer zones around the wetland basin. 16 17 Michael Horn, Landscape Architect, presented an overview of Section V, Development Plan, 18 which provided an overview of the Park, location of amenities, and description of those 19 amenities. He stated it will be essential that all features of the Park contribute to the mission 20 statement and will have a nature inspired art emphasis in design, material, and appearance. He 21 explained the overall development focus for Silverwood Park is directed toward the central 22 portion of the Park. The site plan has been developed around the simple shape of circles. Mr. 23 Horn presented a building and non -building amenity overview and then described how each will 24 be developed. Amenities include a performing arts stage, garden space, visitors' center/large 25 group reservation facility, studio/classrooms, trailways and walkways, parking lots, and fishing 26 pier/bridge. 27 28 Denis Hahn, Outdoor Education Manager, stated it is believed that most of the use at Silverwood 29 Park will be self directed for use of the land, walking, bicycling, enjoying public gardens, 30 participating in large group activities, but complement that main use with educational programs. 31 That will include programs for scheduled and school groups as well as for the general public. 32 Staffing will include a site supervisor who will oversee a number of staff including educational 33 staff (naturalists and artists). The programmers will use the facilities at the park and natural 34 features to educate people and allow them to be inspired by the natural world and then produce 35 art. There will also be site events with 500 or so attendees who will participate in a nature 36 inspired activity. Occasionally they will host special large events that are attended by well over 37 1,000, such as a raptor release or art festival. The Park District intends to partner with local and 38 regional art groups, both public and private, to work to create educational programs. They also 39 intend to work with public and private schools and home schoolers, and civic organizations. The 40 other opportunity at Silverwood Park is to provide people with volunteer opportunities for 41 natural resource based programs. 42 43 Mr. DeVeau stated Silverwood Park is operated under the Park District ordinances and policies. 44 He briefly presented the ordinances the Park District has adopted that define the rules and 45 regulations of the Park District in order to provide for a safe and peaceful use of the Parks. He 46 advised that a Park Service Officer (PS®) will be assigned to Silverwood Park. He also advised 47 of maintenance services for this Park.