Parks Packet 07.15.20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3. Proposed Public Works Facility Public Works Director Scott Anderson gave an update on the proposed Public Works Facility that could possibly be constructed on 10 to 15 acres of the 125 acre Irish Avenue Park. Staff and Consultants have been working hard on the design of the proposed facility and now with most of the major components in place, they are looking more closely at the small details. Letters have been mailed to residents surrounding Irish Avenue Park and notices have been posted in the park notifying neighbors and park users of a Neighborhood Meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2020 with the City Council. Anderson encouraged the Commissioners to attend the meeting. Anderson shared new renderings of the proposed facility that showed various outside adjustments, including the placement of trees, the size of the asphalt drive and the location of the salt storage shed. He noted that they are leaving room for feature expansion on the site. Commissioner Clarke and Anderson met on location to walk the current trails and to discuss the placement of new trails. Anderson shared a map of the park that showed existing trails and options for new trails. Clarke said he believes that changing the placement of some of the trails, along with the addition of new trails would add enticements like varied routes, curves and shade, and some diversity for viewing trees and flowers. Commissioner Strub asked about access to the park and if it would only be from Irish Avenue or if the public would be able to use the Public Works Facility parking lot. Anderson said that the parking lot by the facility would be open to the public and have a trail that leaves the parking lot and connects to the rest of the trails in the park. The Commissioners all agreed that they would like to see a trail around the facility and stated that they liked the added trail options. 4. Clearwater Creek Preserve/JD 3 Update Parks Planner Shayla Denaway provided an update regarding the Judicial Ditch No. 3 repair project being undertaken by the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) in Clearwater Creek Preserve that was initially discussed at the February 19, 2020 Parks Commission Meeting. RCWD is moving ahead with the ditch maintenance project and will be creating a maintenance path to access the ditch for cleaning. As agreed upon in initial discussions, RCWD will construct the maintenance path in a location that will help improve the use of the park by residents. RCWD will be installing two culverts with a maintenance path on top that will also double as a trail so that pedestrians can access the park and heavy equipment will be able to access the ditch for future maintenance. This will enhance the use of the park and create opportunities for the City to construct additional walking paths. RCWD has asked for an agreement to use the main entrance of the park for access and will start the project in a couple of weeks. Commissioner Clarke mentioned that RCWD is providing a huge benefit for the City by installing the maintenance path in a manner that can double as a pedestrian path because these trails would be very expensive to construct as part of the Master Plan. 5. Recreation Program Update Parks Planer Shayla Denaway shared with the Commission that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused several recreation opportunities in Hugo to be cancelled, but with Governor Walz relaxing the Stay At Home Order some programs have been able to resume. Page 3 of 4 Parks Commission Minutes June 17, 2020