2017.09.20 Park Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo currently has 18 parks, including: Arbre, Aspire, Clearwater Creek Preserve, Cove, Beaver Ponds, Diamond Point, Frog Hollow, Hanifl Fields, Heritage Ponds, Irish Avenue, Lions, McCollar, Oakshore, Oneka Lake, Rice Lake, Tower, Val Jean, and Victor Square. Playground equipment can last anywhere from 15 to 25 years. Staff is seeking approval from the Parks Commission to do an in-depth review of the current conditions at the parks and then bring back recommendations for improvements and upgrades to the Commission. Denaway asked the Commissioners to share with staff if they see any issues at the parks and to share any ideas that they may have for improvements at the parks. The Commissioners felt that this would be a great opportunity to refresh and enhance Hugo's existing parks. They discussed the addition of exercise equipment, new equipment, and benches to the parks, taking a look at the current landscaping at the parks, talking with the surrounding residents to see what they feel is in need of improvement at the parks, and the prioritizing and budgeting of the improvements and upgrades. 3. Updates from Staff Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway provided the Commission with numerous updates: With the closing of Withrow Elementary School, the School District has removed and sold the playground equipment that was at the site. Denaway commented that residents have shared their concern regarding the loss of the playground equipment. The outdoor movie night in the park was held on Friday, September 8, 2017 at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park with over 250 in attendance. The movie "Sing' was shown and the families enjoyed the meet and greet with the Hugo Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and all of the emergency vehicles that were on display. The Tour de Hugo bike ride is being held on Saturday, September 23, 2017. It is projected that this year's ride will be the biggest in the seven year history of this event. Denaway informed the Commission that the online survey that was created to gain a greater understating of the public's priorities for park development for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan was a success and 99 responses were received. A draft of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan will be shared with the Parks Commission, the Planning Commission, and the City Council at future meetings. After the draft is reviewed by the Commissions and the City Council it will be available to be viewed by the public at an open house. Every year the City undertakes one road reconstruction project. For 2018 the potential reconstruction project will involve Oneka Lake Boulevard; east of 147th Street to Harrow Avenue and 157th Street to 1651h Street. If the project moves forward the Parks Commission would need to decide what should be done with the trails in that area. A public meeting would be held to gather input from the surrounding residents and then those ideas would be brought back to the Parks Commission. Commissioner Tennyson added an update on the Forest Lake YMCA Community Board. Derek Otto is the new Executive Director of the Forest Lake YMCA, replacing Sharna Braucks. The splash pad is closed for the season and the annual campaign is starting soon. 4. AdjOUrnment Page 2 of 3 Parks Commission Minutes September 20, 2017