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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.06.11 Parks PacketAgenda Parks Commission Meeting of June 11, 2014 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 1. Approve Minutes from May 14, 2014 Meeting 7:05 pm 2. Presentation on BearPower by Alli Zomer 7:40 pm 3. Recreation Program Policy 8:00 pm 4. Lacrosse Field Needs 8:15 pm 5. Lions Park Planning 8:45 pm 8. Adjournment Background Parks Commission Meeting of June 11, 2014 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm 7:00 pnr Approve Minutes from March May 14, 2014 Meetinc Staff recommends approval of the minutes of the Parks Commission meeting of May 14, 2014. 7:05 pn Presentation on BearPower by Alli Zomer Alli Zomer, Project Manager at Health Partners/Children's Hospitals & Clinics MN, will make a presentation to the Parks Commission about BearPower. BearPower is a community -wide movement helping families eat well and be active. Partners include the White Bear Lake Area Schools, local business leaders, the YMCA, and HealthPartners. There are a few different ways that the City of Hugo could get involved in BearPower. 7-A0 pm Rp�-rp itio- Prr)nrn7— Poflq/ At the meeting of April 21, 2014, the Parks Commission discussed a draft of the Recreation Program Policy. The policy is an outcome of the joint workshop between the City Council and the Parks Commission held on April 9, 2014. Revisions have been made to the draft. Staff recommends that the Parks Commission make any needed changes to the draft and recommend approval of the Recreation Program Policy to the City Council. 8:00 pr, Lacrosse Field Needs At the meeting of May 14, 2014, the Parks Commission was presented an update from local lacrosse organizations on their field needs. Parks Commission discussion included putting lacrosse nets in parks. Staff has received an estimate of $180 plus shipping per lacrosse goal. The following parks would have room to put up a lacrosse goal (not a full field) if the Parks Commission wishes to purchase a couple nets: Lions Park Beaver Ponds Park Arbre Park Oneka Lake Park Heritage Ponds Park Val Jean Park Oak Shore Park 8:15 pm Lions Park Planning At the meeting of May 14, 2014, the Parks Commission discussed planning of Lions Park. A draft master plan for Lions Park was put together in the fall of 2012 by WSB & Associates. The plan was presented to the City Council on October 15, 2012. The City Council expressed concern over the parking and traffic flow. At that time, the Parks Commission and the City Council shared an interest in working with the developer of the properties to the west of Lions Park in anticipation of a possible park land dedication. The Lions Park Master Plan was not approved as drafted. It is likely that there will be revisions to the plan addressing parking, traffic, and the anticipated park land dedication. These revisions could be incorporated in the next phases of design development which will include cost estimates and potential phasing plans. Staff recommends that the Parks Commission continue to work with WSB & Associates to plan Lions Park and make a recommendation to the City Council. Other options include requesting proposals from consultants to do the planning work or to not plan Lions Park. 8:45 pm Adjournment Minutes Parks Commission, City of Hugo May 14, 2014 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall Call to Order Present: Joan Benner, Rachel Berger, Mat Rauschendorfer, Nicole Schmid, Dave Strub, Tom Windisch Staff Present: Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner Debi Close, Secretary Tom Windisch called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. I. Approval of Minutes from April Meeting Berger made a motion, Strub seconded to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2014 meeting. Windisch abstained. Ayes: Benner, Berger, Rauschendorfer, Schmid and Strub Motion carried. II. Update on Concession Stand Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner updated on the City Council Meeting that was held May 5, 2014. The Parks Commission had made a recommendation to hire a part time staff member to operate the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park Concession Stand. The City Council did not approve the recommendation. III. Update on Lacrosse Field Needs Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner informed contact was made with Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake Lacrosse organizations to determine if they were interested in lacrosse fields in Hugo. Parks Commission members had discussion about c in Hugo. The sports organizations that use these fields handle all operation aspects and some maintenance maintenance. Rauschendorfer made a motion, Berger seconded to direct City Staff to look into the cost for lacrosse nets to encourage the opportunity for residents to play or practice this sport in Hugo open land at Parks or Fields. All Aye. Motion Carried. IV. Update on Recreation Programs Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner informed of the upcoming recreation programs: Iron Man May 23rd, 2014 Yoga June 7th, 2014 Park Play Days June 17-315f, 2014 Nature Camp August 4 -7th, 2014 National Night Out August 51h, 2014 Skyhawk's Sport Academy August 11 -14th, 2014 Tour De Hugo September 15th, 2014 Movie Night in the Park not scheduled yet V. Update on Future Meetings and Park Tour Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner reviewed future Park Commission meetings including Irish Avenue Park public meeting, a park tour, and the Lions Park Master planning process. The Parks Commission members agreed to prioritize planning of Lions Park. VI. Trail Evaluation Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner updated that the City Council approved the Trail Development Policy at their May 5, 2014 meeting. Commissioners had discussion on priority between the following trails: -Hardwood Creek Regional Trail (between 130th Street and the southern border of Hugo) -125th Street paved shoulder (between Fox Meadows and Northern Pines) -Elmcrest Avenue (between Heritage Ponds and Highway 14) -Oneka Lake Boulevard (east of Hwy 61) Rauschendorfer made a motion, Schmid seconded to use $17,000 of the park dedication fees collected for Fox Meadows to be used to connect Highway 61 to 12511 Street N with a 3 foot bituminous shoulder addition to the roadway. Aye: Berger, Rauschendorfer and Schmid. Nay: Benner, Strub and Windisch Motion denied. Benner made a motion, Strub seconded to direct staff to pursue looking into trail feasibility and keep informed with any new options. All Ayed. Motion Carried. VII. Golden Spike Sponsorship Deb Barnes, Managing Editor of the Press Publication notified the Parks Commission of a sponsorship opportunity for the Golden Spike Hunt. Schmid made a motion, Berger seconded to allocate a $250 sponsorship for the Golden Spike Hunt. All Aye. Motion Carried. VIII. Other Tom Windish wanted to have it noted that the Parks Commission members would like to thank Jim Taylor for his years of service and dedication. VIIII. Adjournment Berger made a motion, Benner seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 pm. All ayes. Motion carried. A* a-, AV, * * aglr id* 16ii &W BearPower is a community -wide movement helping families eat well and be active. White Bear Lake parents, schools and community and business leaders are partnering with HealthPartners and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to create a healthier environment for kids. It's up to us to make changes today so that our kids can have a better tomorrow. HOW CAN KIDS GET BEARPOWERED? • 5 OR MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES • 2 HOURS OF SCREEN TIME ... OR LESS v • 1 HOUR OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY • 0 SUGARY DRINKS HOW CAN FAMILIES GET BEARPOWERED? • FOCUS ON REAL, WHOLE FOODS • EAT BALANCED MEALS TOGETHER • MOVE MORE, SIT LESS Look for BearPower in your child's school, at the YMCA and around town. V Wherever you are, we invite you to join BearPower in the movement for healthier kids and a stronger community! Want to know more, or find ways to get BearPower involved in your school or business? Contact Alli Zomer Allison.J.Zomer@HealthPartners.com 952-883-7708 vol 1 Issue 1 wHaT DO FamiLY meaLS, cReen Beans, DitmKmc waTeR, '. sKlppinG Rope anD TURnmc OFF THe TV Have In common? They are great ways to 6eT BeaRPOweReW BearPower is a community -wide movement helping families eat well and be active. It means making some changes in what we eat, drink and do ... and most importantly making those changes fun! ; White Bear Lake parents, schools and community and business leaders are joining with Health Partners and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to create a better environment for kids. We believe that by working together, we can help our kids reach their full potential in life! Does your family want to 6eT BeaRPOweReDT How can KIDS ceT BeaRPOWeReD3 asOR MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES �� ® C� J a HOURS OF O SCREEN TIME M 2 .. OR LESS s 1 HOUR OF ® PHYSICAL ACTIVITY0 DR GA How can FamlUeS ceT BeaRPOWeReD? FROM THe DOCTOR'S CORneR ,As a pediatrician, I get to work with fam- ilies every day to help kids learn to lead a healthy lifestyle. But I know that health is about more than what happens in our office. The health of our children is shaped by members of our families, peers, our cul- tural heritage and customs, and the com- munity in which we live. That's why I am thrilled to be part of BearPower. Through this movement, we can support kids in all the places they live, learn and play. Bear - Power is a way for all of us to help kids reach their full potential. BeaRPOweR helps stimulate our thinking of how we can foster the healthy growth of our children. Sometimes it is about making small changes at home or at school, and sometimes it is about making larger changes as a community. BearPower can provide the tools to help improve the health of our kids, which can yield dividends later in life. We hope that BearPower will empower FOCUS ON REAL, `(�� you and your family as you eat together, WHOLE FOODS play together and exercise together! • EAT BALANCED /� ����e Howard Stang, MD, O MEALS TOGETHER � X11• is a pediatrician '1 HealthPartnrtnersrs White Bear Lake Clinic. MOVE MORE, 0 • 1 � SIT LESS C011 munITY EVenTS Wun,r Can my w2miiY DO TO raw BeaRPnWeeene 2 seaRpoweR FammY Fun DaYS. 3 Nearly 400 kids, parents and commu- nity members joined BearPower for the first annual homecoming celebration walk/run on September 28th. We ran, walked, strolled and rolled our way to a fun and active day! The fun doesn't stop there. Every month the White Bear Area YMCA will host a BearPower Family Fun Day. In No- vember, we partnered with Tamarack Nature Center for a day of outdoor ad- venture. In December, we jumped and crawled our way through an indoor ob- stacle course at the YMCA. Want to join us at our next family day? Check out FaCeBODK.Com/BeaRPO W eR4KIDS for event announcements. Do you have a great idea for family fun in the community? Let us know! Con- tact Kevin Tocko at 651-773-2651 or kevin.tocko@ymcatwincities.org Pick one new thing to try with your family this month. comes one step at time, and you could start by deciding • Skip the soda and serve milk or water with meals. • Plan for more family meals this week. • Go for a family walk. • Play flashlight tag instead of TV and computer time. • Try one new vegetable as a family. Check out White Bear Lake Community Services and Recreation.They offer youth and family activities including sports, open gyms, cooking classes and much more. Visit them at www. whitebear.kl2.mn.us/CommunityServices/and find your favorite way to get BearPowered. Ask your child's school how they are getting BeaRPOWeReD and how you can help. Elementary schools making exciting changes this year, and they will need the support of families like yours to make them successful. 4 Stay tuned to the BearPower Press for ideas and resources. ASK YOUR CHILDRen THe FOLLOWinG QUeST1ons TO See WHAT THe1R THOUGHTS aRe OU FRUITS, VeMeS a11D aCTIVe MY: • If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be? • Name your favorite PURPLE fruit or veggie. • What do you like to eat for breakfast? • What do you like to do for fun that doesn't involve a screen? • What is your favorite way to play outside in the fall? • When you are really thirsty, what is the best thing to drink to get BearPowered? for fun recipes, tips, and activities visit Ab r- ■ . 1 P/ e4wol 1 Issue 2 a,. GeT seaRPOWeReD WITH 5 FRUIT5 & Ve6Gle5! When we get BearPowered, we strive for 5. But did you know that most kids and families are coming up short? Only about 1 out of every 5 kids in our community actually gets 5 fruits and veggies a day. We can change that... here are some ways to get a fresh start and get BearPowered with produce! C�Ili3 [•7=11 The first step to getting 5 is keeping track. Kids who participated in the yumPower School Challenge have a head start —so help keep it up at home. Try a chart on the fridge or on your phone and get the whole family tracking together. OF FRUITS a11D veawee `"� eveR7 Every meal is a chance to add fruits and veggies, all it takes is a little creativity. Sliced fruit makes a great cereal topper. Pears can add crunch to a sandwich. Pizza loaded with veggies is a good alternative to the traditional fast food meal. Just remember, it is normal for kids to be cautious eaters so keep offering new foods prepared in different ways. MBKe'em HERD TO MISS �•f� Life is busy, so make it quick and easy for everyone in your family to make good choices, even when you are on the run. Keep those yummy options visible and easy to grab. Store clean, cut veggies in clear containers so they can't be missed when the fridge door opens. Have some fun and trade in the cookie jar for a fruit bowl. For grab -and -go snacks, fill the snack cupboard with portable fruit cups or dried raisins, cranberries or apples. ADD "111visme" POWeR TO YOUR COOKIIIG You can boost the number of fruits and veggies your family eats, even without them knowing it. Just slip shredded carrots, zucchini or sweet potatoes into chili, soups, stews or pasta sauce. Try mixing chopped apples, dates or bananas into muffins or pancakes for a delicious breakfast. Or simply double the quantity of veggies in some of your favorite recipes and see what happens. 0 S9 try some of these tricks at home as you and your family strive for 5 every day! •1"1►:1J' WORDS FROM a YMCA DaD There are two reasons that I am part of Bear Power. The first and most important reason is because I am a dad. My best, most challenging and most rewarding job is to help my kids grow and develop. So although it is not always easy, I work hard to provide my kids food that will fuel their bodies and minds, and encour- age them to play and move. I know that if they learn to love good food and enjoy being active now, it will reward them for the rest of their lives. The second reason I am part of Bear - Power is because, as the Executive Direc- tor of the White Bear Area YMCA, I am committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. BearPow- er and the YMCA believe that together, our community can create change. We want our kids to have a bright future, so I hope that you will join us in trying to create a place where all of our kids can reach their full potential. Shane Hoefer Father of 2 Executive Director, White Bear Area YMCA KIDS In THe KITCHen Getting kids involved in the kitchen helps them get familiar with new foods and learn how fun and simple cooking can be. Kids are more willing to try new things when they help prepare them, so try getting your kids in the kitchen. KIDS can HeW • Wash fruits and veggies • Measure ingredients • Mix, scoop, pour or shake • Serve RoasreD RainBow veccies 2 cups chopped vegetables 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil Salt, pepper and garlic, to taste 1/2 tsp, of salt - Makes 4,1/2 cup servings Preheat oven to 400`17. BeaRPOWeR your meal! Try this recipe with veggies such as cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and parsnips. Roasting brings out the sweet flavor in veggies! For an extra boost, play around with different combina- tions of spices: dried oregano, cumin, or cayenne pepper. Wash and dry vegetables. Cut off stalks and break or cut into bite -sized pieces. Coat the vegetables lightly with extra virgin olive oil by tossing them together in a bowl. Arrange pieces in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and garlic mixture. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes; or until the vegetables turn slightly brown. Serve immediately as a delicious side to any family meal! /� Nutrition: Per serving: 40 calories; 3 g carbohydrates; 3 g fat; 150 mg sodium; 1 g fiber i.como se Dice? How Do You say..a Take a trip around the world and see if you can name these fruits and veggies Is Aubergine (French) 2e Gomba (Hungarian) 3.Oinni6n (Irish/Gaelic) 4e ArAndano (Spanish) ti S& sXtfi (Greek) Vr Kartoffel (German) 7• Blomkool (Afrikaans) ^o-1 'L'o)elod'9'anpo'S Xaaaganlq'b'uopo'E'wooagsnw y'lueldBa-1 aamoB!Inea t� PrW V Vol 1 Issue 3 LeT's GeT scReen savvy! The screens we use today help us connect in ways never before possible. We can video chat with grandparents and friends, and access information from almost anywhere. There are so many wonderful things we can see and do with our screens. But unfortunately we know that screens can also have a downside. When we are too connected to what's on our screen, we often become disconnected from the people around us. When we are focused on a screen, we are usually sitting instead of moving. What's more, we are often being bombarded with marketing for not -so - great foods. When it comes to our kids, learning healthy screen habits at a young age is more important than ever. Too much screen time is linked to lower academic achievement, poor sleep habits, lower levels of physical activity and less time spent in creative play. The the good news is your family can be screen savvy. Here are a few ideas for how to help your family conquer the screen: THe aVeRaGe SCHOOL-aGeD CHILD: • Watches 1,023 hours of TV a year, and only spends 900 hours a year in school. • Spends 7.5 hours a day on screens, but less than 25 minutes reading. • Views about 5, 500 food commercials a year — 98% of which are for foods high in fat, sugar and salt. FamaY SURVeY BearPower wants to understand the kids and families in our community. We want to know how we can make this movement strong —and that starts with you! Would you be willing to share your thoughts and ideas with us? BeaRPOWeRFa1111RYSYRVeY.ORG • Set clear limits, and keep track. The TeST YOUR SCReen AmePediatasreco my of Pediatrics recommends end KnOWLe�ce no more than 2 hours of daily screen time for kids, and no screen time for '�� By the time today's kids are 70, kids under the age of 2 how many YEARS will they have spent watching TV? • Try a screen vacation for a night or a weekend Z. Which can be found in more American households — a TV or • Have screen -free indoor plumbing? zones at home — the bedroom and dinner table 3. What percent of babies under the are great places to start age of 1 watch tv/videos for 90 minutes per day? - -%6Z'CAl'Z'saea Powell Down We scReen s GeT seaRPoweReD WITH some mDooR Fun! Have a dance party Play hide and seek • Play charades or musical chairs • Set up a mini -golf course with ping pong balls, clubs made of newspaper and your imagination • Try a yoga or fitness video "I don't like oranges, mom," said my 4 year old son. "I thought you might like to try them again, but you don't have to if you don't want to," I told him. "I think I'm going to try them first," he replied. I was shocked. I've served him oranges dozens of times and he has refused them since he was 18 months old. I wait. "I like oranges, mom, just like Beckett (his 2.5 year old brother)!" It surprised me, but it is not really surprising when I think about it. Picky eating is normal. More than one pediatrician has told me not to worry about what my kids are eating each meal, or even each day. It's more about the big picture. I try to remember this after we have sat down to eat a well-balanced meal that I worked hard to get to the table, only to have a lot of food left behind. • Use your community guest passes to Some meals are better than others, and some are total failures. Overall, I think we are the YMCA (White Bear residents) heading in the right direction. We don't have too much trouble with meat, grains, or • Try rock climbing indoors dairy. But even though they are growing to like more fruits and veggies, it is still hard • Learn to juggle with scarves or foam sometimes. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in this situation, so I thought I'd share balls I some strategies that work at our house: • Play limbo • We have a few fruits and veggies to choose from at each meal, so there is always an option. • Set up an obstacle course • I include at least one food I know they will eat. I don't cook elaborate meals, but give choices like salad, cut up fruit, or frozen veggies steamed in the microwave. • I accommodate some preferences without becoming a short order cook. One son likes everything mixed up, the other separate. One likes cooked veggies, the other raw. I try to honor these things when it is easy to do. What I don't do is make a separate meal for someone. A successful meal is one where the boys have at least a taste of all the food groups. My mantra is "everything in moderation" (includ- ing mom's nagging and treats). And, thanks to Daniel Tiger, my kids now know "you've got to try new foods because they might taste g000000d!" While it is a challenge, I try to keep it from becoming a battle. I hope you find some success too! RECREATION PROGRAM POLICY CITY OF HUGO, MN APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 1, 2014 APPROVED BY THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION MAY 1, 2014 PURPOSE As Hugo continues to grow and the needs of its residents changes, this policy will guide what role the City of Hugo will play in future recreation programming and services. GOALS PARTNER WITH LOCAL PROGRAM PROVIDERS • Support local recreation providers in their work to offer programs and services for residents. • Maintain regular communication with local program providers and work to cross promote programs. • Work to ensure that the city's programs and services do not duplicate or compete with those of other providers. • Provide facilities and fields and make them available to local program providers. • Utilize the Field Rental Policy to prioritize field use. Ensure that Hugo residents are well -served by the organizations that receive priority. ENCOURAGE USE OF HUGO PARKS, TRAILS, AND FACILITIES • Offer recreation programs that take advantage of Hugo's excellent parks and trails system. • Engage residents in the protection and improvement of the parks and natural environments in Hugo. • Provide opportunities for Hugo residents to be physically active and to lead healthy lifestyles. • Support residents in becoming active and engaged in their neighborhoods and the Hugo community through public parks and gathering places. OFFER A VARIETY OF QUALITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS • Offer programs that fulfill a need of the community and are otherwise not available to residents. • Encourage a wide variety of programs to fit the diverse recreation interests and needs within the community. • Serve all areas of Hugo by providing programs in a variety of locations. • As successful programs are established, continue to expand them and offer them on a regular basis. • Offer programs at a low cost for residents and strive to cover costs with whatever program profits are made. June 11, 2014 DRAFT �i i ffi4 tit ` — e ' x :- -- t 147TH — PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:/ _ --- °# ® _Bayilillllllr -SEE ® Parking Bay HUM • Combined City Hall/ Pad— Connect to Regional Entrance and main pdrrking area Trail System • Continuous pede8frian-way between City Hall and Park Picnic Table - typ, Bench Seating - Open Lawn Space d • Additional off street parking 'carnival' space . tYP• ;, , , — Backstop - tpra • (4) Desighated Vehicular \ •fix., ' Family picnic area p Informal batting practice Temporary Event prole up games Event Access Points Fencing - typ. t; • One ain park building General Skating Temporary U. • C Water Plaza tralized plaza space c -too x2oni Event Parking ; ' Centralized water feature • Age separated play features r Panting areas • Highly visible Basketball Concert cou� and Skate park Seating Area / • SigniiC�ant amount of open city Hall Parking space 1 or flexibility of useo — 25 spaces --' �Op� at • Closes Fitzgerald to thru-traffic • Bay PaNdng = 45 spaces A lows for continuous pedestrian- • City Hall Parking = 25 spaces Multi -Purpose way connection to park Park Building • Lions storage Temporary • Kitchen • Restrooms .•y, • Picnic shelter Event Parking i •Covered r raised stage N M 0' 40' 80' 120' GRAPHIC SCALE Vehicular Event' fl •F r ®' , cess Points - P • Concretea Parking Bay — - urb cut - UPPER 146TH Active Neighborhood Recreation / Ornamental Sculpture / Sign OBRAIJER u.ri�rvm A, 5 S&SOAsQsoAc TLEIPS.,, iLTD, i Picnic shelter Fencing _ tyP • Raised platform HUGO Multi-age play equipment •Planting area \ Co�nnect to Regionalt onal s m 5'.." mo P,.,-1#1904-390 Skate park • Basketball court Trail System a,wsa,n ocmbe,2012 Pehnna,M,,Mr Plan Age separation between facilities Bike racks, ;.g Drinking fountain, Trash receptacles +�m NIL%IP VW d 3LIS W3SY d � f {l °nNVId 311SWNW'O'JHH J(z� >iw j �z ca Owo o e:_ O rvlorvs oea.O.n.d JE z �- �sMls m°rv�do w.e °rod3da S0131� 31-IH/�'d1 a m� pO NOIldItl053O NOISIA3tl 31tl0 qMi ��� inn _ ¢ �Z 8 AL WETLAND AL AL W W W W N N N to y I W M ow zw K ¢ R az o r R \1 U V U U J o wrc FPzw� a 0 - � NZ II ztnoa �� zz o— 0< no o oNM w 0 N n Mv ¢ w w ^ n n C O W n b C• a v a M v Z 0000 N I Cl O O O LY O N S Z u°v p 6 b F S w < o W is AL WETLAND AL AL 05; rn S ¢ tz tail y Ga w to { I M ow zw ww 0 az o r \1 J o wrc FPzw� a 0 - � NZ II ztnoa �� zz o— 0< ,r y<y 416g? 6 Mv ¢ w w 10 C Z a v a o� v 0 3 I AL WETLAND AL AL i�— —w a A. a - ,e \ � `II t 1 I x„� 6 �J I \ I \\ o II F-- - AV.i�I�1Mi - DRNN j FUTURE I i 1 7 1 `'\ PROPOSED BUILDING EXPANSION ___1 �� FUTURE 2—STIXtY j 1 me•tm Nuo - a ions I I .i APARTMENT BUILDING i l 45 UNITS I \ i ao1 J1 G — MW uD N,D 'JIInPl EA3Tlchi.T,` F I �� S LOT I BLOCK ONE 2f-= iipaN R ov�an I , i I I I I I 7 I I I I I I I ----------- ----- -----� L-- —��---- —-------- ----� { I r \1 � II i�— —w a A. a - ,e \ � `II t 1 I x„� 6 �J I \ I \\ o II F-- - AV.i�I�1Mi - DRNN j FUTURE I i 1 7 1 `'\ PROPOSED BUILDING EXPANSION ___1 �� FUTURE 2—STIXtY j 1 me•tm Nuo - a ions I I .i APARTMENT BUILDING i l 45 UNITS I \ i ao1 J1 G — MW uD N,D 'JIInPl EA3Tlchi.T,` F I �� S LOT I BLOCK ONE 2f-= iipaN R ov�an I , i I I I I I 7 I I I I I I I ----------- ----- -----� L-- —��---- —-------- ----� http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_25868220/mahtomedi-schools-new-playg rou nd-no-plastic-allowed# Nature playground coming to Grant elementary school By Elizabeth Mohr emohr@pioneerpress.com Twin Cities.com-Pioneer Press Posted:Sat May 31 12:26:43 MDT 2014 TwinCities.com With each generation comes a new rendition of the "when -I -was -a -kid" tale. Play often is at the center of these recollections, by grown-ups who wear like a badge of honor the scarred knees (scraped on pavement under their playground's metal slides) and who boast of the hours spent (unsupervised) in pastures and at river's edge. Play nowadays tends to be limited to prefabricated playgrounds that have become increasingly safe and litigation -proof, limiting -- some say -- the imagination -inspiring and natural elements that kids need. But a crop of students at Wildwood Elementary in Grant is soon to get its own story -worthy playground. The play area will feature hills, trees, logs, sand, bridges, natural climbing elements, a slide built into the landscape, an amphitheater with boulders for seats, and movable pieces for building anything the kids can dream up. So what makes a natural playground so much better than a traditional one? "Kids are really learning while they're playing. They're acting out all the things they need to know about other people -- with sharing, with taking turns -- and it's not only the gross motor activities, but thinking and interacting with their world," said Jeanne Zlonis, a member of the Mahtomedi Area Green Initiative, which is raising funds for the play area's 50 -some trees. "The natural playground gives them a place that they own, that they can observe the changes of the seasons. Their senses are involved in these experiences, the wind blowing, the smell.... Balancing on a log on the ground is more challenging than standing on a preformed plastic structure." The natural play area will cost an estimated $200,000, more than $142,000 of which has come from donations. Construction is expected to begin this month. Talk of a natural play area began before the school was even constructed, Zlonis said. Wildwood Elementary, part of the Mahtomedi school district, sits just east of Mahtomedi High School and Middle School. It opened last fall to house grades K-2 and early -childhood education, replacing an aging school in Mahtomedi. The $18 million modern and tech -savvy building was built with an eye to its natural surroundings -- the Gateway State Trail, woods and wetlands. So some say the construction of a natural playground is the perfect fit. "If you've seen the setting out here, it's unbelievable," said Laura Brandt, a second-grade teacher who's been at Wildwood for 27 years. "It really melds nicely together." Brandt was part of the committee that planned the natural play area. "I looked at our kids' day and it's highly structured. And kids are structured outside of school, with sports Page 1 of 2 Jun 04, 2014 02:10:39PM MDT http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_25868220/mahtomedi-schools-new-playg rou nd-no-plastic-allowed# and music. So having a natural playground, they finally have some choices about what they're going to do," Brandt said. "Your traditional playground has equipment and that's what they play on. Period. The natural playground has structures, like a big climbing area in the middle, and areas where they can do free play. They'll have logs to do whatever, just to use their imagination." Sharon Hanifl-Lee, whose family foundation contributed $50,000 to the playground project, said the idea fits nicely with the foundation's mission statement and was something the family was very interested in. On a personal level, Hanifl-Lee said she has fond memories of playing as a kid -- even the slivers and broken bones. They were important risks that had an impact on her development and her confidence as an adult, she said. "You know, when we were young, we would roll down hills and pick up sticks and just run around. It was nice to have that," she said. "When kids don't have that feeling, they have increased anxiety and obesity and they don't do as well on tests.... Plus, when they play outdoors, they learn to love the outdoors." The play area is envisioned as more than just a recess opportunity. Over time, and as nature allows, the space will be used for outdoor learning. There are plans to connect the space to the adjoining wooded area by trails; to plant gardens that will attract migrating birds and butterflies; and to plant a variety of indigenous trees. "There have been some studies done -- and I can't quote them with the source -- that show people that get out in nature, that get their feet on the ground, that are able to be in a treed, natural setting have lower blood pressure, their tension is reduced, there is calm, they have peace," Brandt said. "So if you think about a school with 600 students (like Wildwood), if we could do that for our students, using the space we've got, wouldn't that be a great thing?" Elizabeth Mohr can be reached at 651-228-5162. Follow her at twitter.com/LizMohr. Page 2 of 2 Jun 04, 2014 02:10:39PM MDT 6/4/2014 xStarTribune Anew prescription: Eat your \eggies I Star Tribune A new prescription: Eat your veggies Article by: Jeremy Olson Star Tribune May 12, 2014 - 9:32 AM One of Minnesota's largest health care providers is going to a new extreme in its struggle to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity. It's started writing prescriptions for vegetables. For now, it's just a pilot project at HealthPartners clinics in Hugo and White Bear Lake. But if the experiment succeeds, the Bloomington -based health organization could expand the project across the Twin Cities to address the high — and rising — rate of childhood obesity. Nearly a quarter of the state's ninth -graders are overweight or obese, according to last year's Minnesota Student Survey — a trend mirrored in skyrocketing youth obesity rates nationwide. "What we're doing hasn't been working," said Dr. Thomas Kottke, HealthPartners' medical director for population health. "Obesity in kids has taken off in the last 20-25 years. And so we need to do something differently." Emily Miller was a skeptic. The Forest Lake mom tried cutting junk food and putting out healthier snacks with the only results being whining children and rotting fruit. But after her 12- and 10 -year-old daughters got their veggie prescriptions at checkups earlier this year, they demanded to go straight to the grocery store. "I didn't realize how much it would spark an interest in my girls," Miller said. Participating doctors issue the prescriptions to children ages 5 to 12 who could use healthier diets and encourage them to make their own choices and try something new; area supermarkets accept the prescriptions and track the varieties of produce purchased. The prescriptions are actually just vouchers funded by HealthPartners, rather than formal scripts billed to health insurance companies. But the idea is to make them look official so they send the message to children that good eating is good health care. In this file photo, tw o boys eat w atermelon during a summer camp for overweight children. Feed Loader, How it w orks: Participating doctors issue the "prescriptions" to kids ages 5 to 12 w ho could use healthier diets. Area markets accept the prescriptions and track purchases. Feed Loader, While braced for critics, who might object to "medical izing" diet and using health care dollars for family food budgets, health system officials think it's a sound investment. "It could save us a huge amount of money down the road in our cholesterol-lowering drugs, in our heart -saving procedures," assuming that healthy children grow into healthy adults, said Dr. Elsa Keeler, a pediatrician at the White Bear Lake clinic. http://wuwv.startribune.conVlifestyie/health/258776831.html 1/3 6/4/2014 Anew prescription: Eat your veggies I Star Tribune And those costs can be staggering. A study late last month estimated that an obese child will incur $19,000 in additional lifetime medical costs, given the elevated risks for diabetes and heart disease as adults. "Obesity ... affects our communities. It's raising our health care costs," said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota's state health commissioner. "I think physicians should be very concerned about it." Fruit pizza Miller's daughters differ in their eating habits, though both craved treats like Nutty Bars and gummy snacks as much as the next kid. Her oldest girl, Alena, is picky. She tolerates apples, though, so she used her prescription to buy multiple varieties and took a chance on spinach. Now the family uses her favorite apples in applesauce and to make a substitute for cooking oil. She even liked the spinach and soon progressed to zucchini in salads and bread. "If I had even said that before," Miller said, "it was like, `Ewwww, egh!' " Her younger daughter, Amelia, is more adventurous. She used her prescription on tropical fruits such as kiwi and papaya for a yogurt -based fruit "pizza." "I think it was [successful] because it was their thing," Miller said. "It wasn't me encouraging them to do it. It was their choice." Whether a one-time opportunity to test new fruits or vegetables will be equally transformative for other families is unclear. HealthPartners will study that question after the two clinics use up their 100 trial prescriptions. Research on the issue has been inconclusive. Last month, a British study of fruit and vegetable prescriptions for 1,184 people in a low-income neighborhood found that most were used, but that they didn't change long-term habits because people still considered fresh produce too expensive. Ehlinger said such strategies will work only in conjunction with broader efforts to make healthier choices easier. Some lower-income parents, for example, find it hard to choose fresh produce when it is more expensive than high -calorie packaged foods that fill their families up for less money. Junk food marketing and fast-food availability — compared to the scarcity of produce markets in some communities — also present challenges, he said. "We have to change the policies and systems in an environment, in a community, if we are going to get people to move and eat properly. It's not just about an individual choice." Kids' choice The prescription trial is part of Bear Power, a collaboration of HealthPartners, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, and schools and civic groups in White Bear Lake to improve community health. School "move-a-thons" and Bear Power bracelets are among the tools to spread awareness. Local grocers have already been participating in a variety of ways, such as putting healthy options in the "impulse buy" shelves next to the registers. This "is about being proactive about health," said Tom Clasen, a vice president for Knowlan's Supermarkets, which has three Festival Foods stores that accept the prescriptions. "Our medical system is so built around a reactive stance to problems." Clasen said children have used prescriptions to buy everything from cilantro to mangoes to jicama. While cost is a barrier to healthier eating, Kottke said there are other barriers that the prescription program might address. Even doctors tiptoe around subjects such as personal diet and weight with patients, so the prescriptions give them an excuse to be more direct. The prescriptions also appeal to the American desire to sample foods first, and to children's love of gifts and opportunities to pick things out for themselves "without having to put 10 bucks at risk," Kottke said. http://wuwv.startribune.conVIifesty e/health/258776831.html 2/3 6/4/2014 Anew prescription: Eat your \eggies I Star Tribune "One $10 coupon every year or two isn't going to change things," he added. "That ... is trivial to the annual grocery bill. So this is about sampling and it's about signaling the parents that we are serious about this." Miller is left with a chicken -and -egg question: Did she spur her children's junk food cravings with her own purchases, or did their cravings push her to buy foods she never really wanted? Snack times and dinners at the Miller home still aren't perfect, but they have improved. Miller's 13 -year-old son grumbled about the changes — he had no say because he didn't receive a prescription — and loathed the lack of pop in the fridge. But he was OK with the new foods on his plate. "He eats whatever is put in front of him," Miller said. "He's kind of a human garbage disposal." Jeremy Olson • 612-673-7744 ©2014 Star Tribune http://wvvw.startribune.conVIifesty e/health/258776831.html 3/3