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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Parks Annual ReportPark Dedication Picks Up The City of Hugo saw an increase in housing devel- opment in 2015. The Parks Commission has the role of ensuring that the parks and trails system is strong enough to support the additional Hugo residents. Park dedication, which can be payment of a fee or a land dedication, is required with each housing development. The Commission reviewed the Park Dedication Policy at their February 11, 2015 meeting. In 2010, revisions were made to the Park Dedication Policy which included adding an appeal process, basing land dedication calculations on density, and removal of the requirement for commer- cial and industrial busi- nesses. When the revisions were approved, the City Council requested that the policy be revisited in 2015. The Parks Commission recommended no new changes to the poli- cy and that the fee and policy be reviewed again in two years. This was approved by the City Council at their March 2, 2015 meeting. Using the policy and the parks plan, the Parks Com- mission reviews all park dedication proposals. In 2015, proposals were reviewed for DigniCare Inside this issue: Sidewalks 2 Senior Programs 2 Public Works Update 3 Traffic Signals 3 Looking Ahead 4 2015 Annual Report P a r k s , R e c r e a t i o n a n d O p e n S p a c e C o m m i s s i o n Commission Members: Tom Windisch, Chair Nicole Schmid Mathew Rauschendorfer David Strub Ranell Tennyson John Pontrelli Vacancy in June and extend until mid-August. The City of Hugo continues to partner with Washing- ton County Library System, WBLAS Community Ser- vices and Recreation (including the Senior Cen- ter), the Hugo Business Association, and a variety of local organizations to cross promote programs and events for residents. The following programs were continued in 2015: Tot Time/ Family Time Volleyball & Basketball Open Gym Teen Movie Matinees Kidz N Biz Tour de Hugo Geocaching Adventure Movie Nights at Oneka Elementary School Sledding Party Nature Camp Park Play Days Highlights from the year include that the Nature Camp rapidly grew in par- ticipation and new activi- ties were incorporated in to the daily schedule of crafts, games, and hikes. TechTacToe was brought in for the first time to host Remote Control Lego Cars, and Nasa Rocket Launch Classes for youth. Park Play Days was expanded to start the second weekend Recreation Program Report Ne w Park In Fable Hills F.3 P a g e 2 Senior Programming Park Dedications (from page 1) Road Reconstruction Includes Sidewalks Commissioners have discussed the need for sidewalks in the Rice Lake Meadows Neigh- borhood for the last couple years. The opportunity came up when the neighborhood rose to the top of the road reconstruc- tion priority list. There were multi- ple neighborhood meet- ings through late 2014 and early 2015. A public hearing was held on March 2, 2015 at which the project received important approvals to move forward. Construc- tion took place in June through September by Arnt Construction Company. The project included new curb and gutter. The roadway was wide enough originally that it was possible to decrease the width of the roadway, continue to al- low on-street parking, and add a sidewalk. Sidewalks were con- structed along the north side of 145th Street and the east side of Geneva Avenue. They connect to existing sidewalks in Diamond Point East and along Oneka Lake Boule- vard. shelter with the first phase and pay fees with the remaining phases. The property was dedi- cated with Fable Hill Third Addition for a future park. The fourth addition will also include a trail connecting to those in the rest of the neighborhood, Clearwa- ter Creek Preserve Park, and the new neighbor- hood park. With Clear- water Cove, D. R. Horton Senior Living and Memory Care of Hugo, Clearwater Cove, and Fable Hill Fourth Addi- tion. Currently, the park dedication fee is $2,400 per unit, which will be paid with DignicCare. With Fable Hill Fourth Addition, Len Pratt agreed to make improve- ments to the new park in the neighborhood includ- ing grading, landscaping, and building a picnic is building and donating a new neighborhood park with a playground and shelter , in addition to paying full park dedica- tion fees. The existing scenic trail along Clear- water Creek in Victor Gardens, will be extend- ed through Clearwater Cove. With future resi- dential development, it could connect to Clear- water Creek Preserve Park and other trails. City of Hugo supports and works with local groups that offer programming and ser- vices to seniors. City- owned parks and com- munity rooms are made available to them also. These include the Hugo Senior Club, White Bear Lake Schools Senior Cen- ter, and the Consortium of Lakes Area Senior Services. The Parks Commission is aware of the changing needs of residents as it relates to seniors. One of the 2015 goals was to evaluate the recreation needs of seniors. The 2 0 1 5 Traffic Signals Installed P a g e 3P a r k s , R e c r e a t i o n a n d O p e n S p a c e C o m m i s s i o n The City of Hugo was award- ed an Active Living Partner Project, which is a grant program hosted by Washing- ton County and the Statewide Health Improvement Program. The grant was awarded in the fall of 2014. There has been concern over the speed of traffic near the entrance to Oneka Elementary off of Heritage Parkway. The cost of the signage was primarily covered by the $4,999 grant. The school contributed the remaining $800 to purchase the solar powered, flashing, programmable speed sign- age. Washington County required Oneka Elementary do have programs and distribute materials to promote walking and biking to school. The City of Hugo installed the signage this fall and will be responsible for all future maintenance. sirable behavior. The Com- mission heard complaints from the neighbors and reduced the property hours to 9am to dusk. Engineered wood fiber was added to play structures at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park, Diamond Point Park, and Oneka Ponds Park. The surfacing is designed for aesthetics, child safety, and ADA wheelchair accessibil- ity. It compacts over time and needs to be topped off. Eagle Scout candidate Peter Wicks helped Public Works install landscaping to screen the portable restrooms at Val Jean, Arbre, and Heritage Ponds Parks. A tree was planted in Frog Hollow Park in memory of Allen Bower. The classmates of Bower’s son at Oneka Elementary raised the funds for the memorial tree and bronze plaque. Bower helped name “Frog Hollow Park” when it opened. A electric remote control car track was constructed at Irish Avenue Park by local volunteers. Public Works assisted with the initial grad- ing of the former gravel pit. The City of Hugo Public Works Department main- tains 433 acres of parks, 33 miles of sidewalks & trails, and over 10 open spaces. In conjunction with regularly scheduled road mainte- nance, the trails east of Oneka Elementary were patched and seal coated. Repeated vandalism, includ- ing graffiti, was cleaned up at Diamond Point Park. Two acres of city-owned property off of Egg Lake Road is known to be used for dirt biking. Public Works Staff trimmed back the brush to increase visibility. A trash receptacle and rules sign were placed at the property in an effort to reduce unde- SHIP Grant Received Public Works Update The Parks Commission is ending the year with a vacan- cy. In the fall of 2013, the Parks Commission bylaws were amended so that the Commission had 7 members. This year, long-time volunteer Commissioner Rachel Berger stepped down and became an alternate. Two new Commissioners were appointed at the City Council meeting of May 6, 2015. One of the new Commission- ers resigned in November, creating a vacancy to be filled in the near future. A resident approached staff with an interest in the eastern side of Clearwater Creek Preserve Park. He has mapped upland on the property and studied the trees. The east side of the park is not easily accessible. How- ever, with nearby development, there may be an oppor- tunity to make it easier for people to use the entire property and have multiple access points. The Metropolitan Council recently released the System Statement which explains how the regional develop- ment plan, Thrive MSP 2040, affects Hugo. The City of Hugo can now begin the process of updating our local comprehensive plan, which must be consistent with the regional plans. Over the next couple years, the Parks Commission will review the Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan, determine what needs to be revised, and what process should be used to make changes. Hugo’s revised comprehensive plan must be submitted by December 31, 2018 to the Metropolitan Council. Hugo City Hall 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue Hugo, MN 55038 651-762-6300 Parks Commission Staff Contact: Shayla Denaway 651-762-6342 sdenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us Thank you to the Hugo Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission, who works to provide immediate and long-term strategic guidance and direction for the development of parks and recreation programming for the citizens of the City of Hugo. The nine member Commission is made up of volunteers appointed by the Hugo City Council. The Commission meets once a month on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are open to the public and held at Hugo City Hall. City of Hugo Looking Ahead: www.ci.hugo.mn.us