2016.11.09 Park Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dan Church, at 12280 Falcon Ave N, has lived in Hugo for 16 years and has small kids that share his interest in this type of park. He shared stories of using the skate park with his family. He is excited to see a park like that and said that there is a need for it. He suggested finding a place to move it where the kids can be seen. Commissioner Berger thanked him for taking time to bring his kids and share his voice. She agreed that there is a need that should be met. Jim Compton, at 6213 Egg Lake Road, said that he is okay with breaking up the property for the neighbors. He has witnessed youth spitting on cars and swearing as they are walking to the park. He supported the city getting park land and asked if there is a new type of park that would be good for the property. Chet Atkinson, resident at 5560 140th Street N, informed of his use of this park and the great memories made there as a kid riding bikes and playing. He said that nothing else is offered for kids like this in the area for ages 13-16 and they want to be able to do something. He reported that the track is the same as it always was and that it was there 10 years before him. Commissioner Berger asked if there was a way to manage it and not disturb the neighbors. Atkinson said that it has never been an issue and it was weird because it has been there longer than they have been there. He suggested fencing it in. He said he would hate to see it go and that the park means a lot to him. He said that he would be willing to pitch in. Commissioner Strub asked Sergeant Wayne Johnson, Washington County Sheriff Department, if he would like to approach the podium and give a report on the calls they have received. Sargent Wayne Johnson reported that there have been a couple calls about trash and fires. Clear cutting the property helped as there used to be ATV complaints in 2013/2014. Commissioner Strub asked what about compared to other parks. Sargent Johnson reported that a couple other passive parks that need more attention, but not much in any of the parks. Commissioner Rauschendorfer reported on some of the vandalism he has seen at Diamond Point Park and said that a camera reduced the issues occurring there. Anne Manke, at 13514 Goodview Ave N, stated that she can't deal with it anymore-driving by, having to call the cops. Lorentz, at 13545 Geneva Ave N, asked where the park land is that she was dedicated when she built her house if it's not this park. Commissioner Strub talked about the Parks and Trails Plan and said that it was not as good in the 80's as it is now,that now there are expectations and developers are willing participants. He said it's a complicated parcel so we can only learn from it for the future. Commissioner Schmid discussed that the parcel donated by the developer was an unusable piece of property never intended to be turned into a playground- it's mostly wetlands with no parking options but somehow it was accepted by the Parks Commission back then as the required dedication. She discussed options like a fence and said that a solutions is not clear. Schmid was excited to hear that a BMX park is needed.