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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016.04.28 Parks PacketAgenda Lions Park Workshop Joint meeting of the City Council and Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission April 28, 2016 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 1. Introduction 7:15 pm 2. Tour Lions Park and review existing conditions- Public Works Director Scott Anderson 7:45 pm 3. Presentations ■ Review vision and plan- Parks Planner Shayla Denaway ■ Infrastructure options- City Administrator Bryan Bear ■ Financing options- Finance Director Ron Otkin 8:15 pm 4. Discussion and direction to staff 8:45 pm 5. Adjournment HUGO LIONS PARK MASTER PLAN Master Plan Summary Vehicular Circulation: • The Preliminary Master Plan illustrates a total of approximately 170 parking stalls. • The main parking lot adjacent to City Hall has been reconfigured to allow traffic along Fitzgerald to flow straight through but with a design that makes traffic have to slow down upon entering the parking lot. The lot serves both the City Hall as well as the park area and allows City Hall to become an extension of the park space. There are approximately 60 parking stalls shown with H.C. parking stalls placed closest to the building and park areas. • The City Hall parking lot has a large internal island that contains a walkway aligned to connect the City Hall building to the Memorial space and is also aligned with the main park building. Along Upper 146th Street North, there are approximately 50 parking stalls shown with a 90 degree pull -in parking design. Traffic studies should be done prior to any parking improvements along Upper 146th to determine the impacts and safety issues related to parking design. Smaller roads with low traffic counts may be eligible for this type of parking stall design, but backing up into a traffic route can be a safety issue and will need further study. Finale Avenue is shown with the new road configuration and a curvilinear parking lot with access from Finale and 147th Street is tucked up in the NW corner of the park site with approximately 60 parking stalls shown. Pedestrian Circulation: • There are two main pedestrian circulation routes illustrated. One is an external trail route meant for pedestrians traveling through/past the park site, rather than stopping at the park, with connections to the regional trail system. The secondary route is an internal loop trail system meant for providing access to the various recreational amenities within the site. • Further design may be done to determine if there are sections where the internal and external trail systems can be combined to reduce the cost of trail implementation while still meeting the goals for proper access and connections. • Entry plaza spaces are created at the three main corners of the park site to provide a visual cue of the park space for those entering the site. • The entry plaza on the NE corner of the site along 147th and Fitzgerald is designed to accommodate truck access into the park site from this location. Stormwater Management: • There are various areas shown on the master plan that could accommodate some stormwater storage, though it is the intent of the City to utilize off-site storage in partnership with the new Lavalle Fields development where feasible. 11 Page HUGO LIONS PARK MASTER PLAN Lawn Space: • A long linear open lawn space is shown that is shaped in a manner that can accommodate large events, such as Good Neighbor Days, or it can accommodate several smaller events at once. • Open skating is shown in an area close to the fire pit location but on the side that would be more protected from cold winds. • The western section of the lawn space shows a backstop. This can be further developed to include a T -ball infield or it can remain as simple as a backstop with turf lawn space Recreational Amenities: • Memorial: o A memorial space is shown aligned with the main central walkway coming from City Hall. o Either sides of the memorial space are green spaces for either stormwater management (if necessary), or they can be landscaped islands meant to provide separation of the memorial from the more active park spaces so the memorial can be a more passive and reflective space. o An open green lawn on the west side of the memorial space will provide a gathering space for special memorial events. • Main Park Building: o The main park pavilion building is shown aligned on the same axis as the main City Hall walkway and Memorial space. o The building is set up higher so the east facing side of the building can accommodate a stage area facing the smaller lawn space. Walkways around the perimeter of the building provide a ramping system to get from the higher building elevation back down to site grades. o The main portion of the building would provide open picnic space. o The northern piece of the building would be an internal meeting room that also provides warming house space and restrooms. • Fire Pit: o North of the building, closest to the warming house area, is the central fire pit location with green turf space surrounding it. o There is a retaining wall system around the green space for seating. o The green space can be flooded in the winter as an extension of the skating area. o The fire pit can be used during all seasons. • Splash Pad: o The Splash Pad is located west of the park building. The design of this space can either be informal and natural, or it can be designed to be more formal as a type of plaza extension for the building. 21 Page HUGO LIONS PARK MASTER PLAN o Splash pad equipment can be highly variable from natural elements, custom themed elements, or plaza/ground events. o Costs for the water systems utilized for the splash pad can range significantly. • Playground: o The playground is located along the SW corner of the site coming from the entry plaza along Finale & Upper 146tH o The playground should be large enough for a community park with spaces dedicated to varying age groups. This should include pre-school, elementary, a swing area, and possibly some more challenging events geared for older teens. o A community playground should try to accommodate varying abilities with numerous ranges of challenges and events with all the proper accessibility required by ADA. o There may be options to create a Boundless Playground with almost full accessibility. • Sports Pad: o A space has been identified for a community sports pad. As needs and demands dictate, this space can include a court, such as tennis, basketball, pickleball, etc. • Skate Park: o The Skate Park is shown being relocated closest to the parking lot along City Hall for high visibility. o Some lawn space has been shown adjacent to the skate park, on the west side. The green space can remain as simple as turf lawn with shade trees for the skaters to rest and hang out in, or it can be more developed to include picnic tables, benches or even a skating themed plaza space. o The City has the option to relocate the skate park along the Community Sports Pad if this route becomes a more visible location with future development. 31 Page Lions Park Master Plan Development Guidelines Approved by the Hugo City Council November 21, 2011 INTRODUCTION Lions Park is one of the most well known parks in the City of Hugo. It is currently the location of Good Neighbor Days. The community festival is put on annually by the Hugo Lions Club. The park is used throughout the warmer months for family reunions, company picnics and other gatherings. Repairs were made to the existing tennis courts and skate equipment was installed in the summer of 2010. At that time, the City Council discussed additional improvement and future development. It was decided that a master plan should be put together to ensure that all future investments into development at Lions Park build toward the public's long term vision of the park. HISTORY OF LIONS PARK Lions Park was the only public active recreation park in Hugo for many years. There were once lit fields that attracted people from all over the metro to see baseball games in Hugo. Lions Park was home to the first playground in Hugo. The property was once the location of Hugo City Hall and a water tower. Hugo City Hall has since been re -built on property adjacent to Lions Park. At the time of creating this plan, Lions Park has the following features: ■ 2 little league baseball fields (used occasionally by White Bear Lake Community Services and Recreation) ■ A 50' by 120' fenced, concrete surface skate park ■ 2 tennis courts/pickleball courts ■ 1 basketball half -court ■ Four square game surface ■ Playground equipment ■ 3+ stall garage building used by the Lions Club for Hugo Good Neighbor Days ■ Park shelter with 10 picnic tables ■ Former Public Works Garage used by the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf GUIDING DOCUMENTS The 2030 Comprehensive Plan shall be studied in conjunction with using these design guidelines for Lions Park. Lions Park Page 1 of 5 Development Guidelines tia Parks Plan- 2030 Comprehensive Plan The City of Hugo 2030 Comprehensive Plan includes the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan. It is an update to the Parks Master Plan that was adopted in 1998. The current plan details existing and future parks, trails, and open space. The description of Lions Park outlines it as a community park, serving several neighborhoods and the community as a whole. Community parks should be easily accessed via trails and major roads. They should offer unique amenities and provide adequate parking and restroom facilities. Lions Park is described as currently serving as a community park and "continues to function as a significant central gathering area for the community and hosts large events such as Good Neighbor Days." Downtown Plan The City of Hugo Downtown Plan and Design Guidelines was approved April 10, 2007. The plan details how the downtown area, which surrounds Lions Park, will develop. The downtown plan is pedestrian oriented. Future development will include unique businesses and shops, traditional residential blocks, and mixed- use developments with office space and multi -family housing. Life -cycle housing which will be a draw to senior citizens is also anticipated to be developed. Although a community center and public library are shown adjacent to the park on the Downtown Master Plan, the park was discussed as having active park features. PLANNING PROCESS One of the 2011 goals of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission was to do concept planning for Lions Park and develop a long term vision for how the park will be used and what the park will look like. The Commission discussed hosting public planning workshops. They desired to invite residents to participate that live the neighborhood surrounding the park and all Hugo residents. Public Workshop #1 A public workshop was held on September 27, 2011. Stakeholders were invited including the Lions Club, the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf, surrounding property owners and the public. A Visual Preference Survey was conducted in which workshop participants were asked to rank fifty different images on a scale of 1 (like) to 5 (dislike). The images included a variety of park uses and features. After small group discussions, the images were narrowed down to 6 pictures of parks that they preferred. Discussions included having a multi -use park shelter that could be used year-round and serve as a focal point in Hugo. The shelter was envisioned to build community spirit and be a gathering place and used for Lions Park Page 2 of 5 Development Guidelines tia things such as performing arts, farmers markets, youth events, Hugo Good Neighbor Days, and as a covered ice skating rink. Also, the park should satisfy the needs of the nearby residents with park features such as play equipment, walking paths, open space and other neighborhood park amenities. Landscaping should be used to compliment the features and beautify the park. The following images were selected by residents at the workshop to demonstrate options for how the park may look. They are concepts only. Figure 1: Holiday Decorations Building Community Spirit Figure 2: Open Space Surrounded by Landscaping and Capped by a Performance Shelter Figure 3: Walking Paths, Benches, Landscaping and the Gazebo Accommodate Senior Citizens Figure 4: Shelter That Doubles as an Amphitheater for Youth Activities, Performances and Other Community Events Figure 5: Playgrounds, Open Spaces and Other Figure 6: Large Pavilion Used Year -Round Park Amenities Accessible by Sidewalks For Events, Athletics, and Other Community Gatherings Lions Park Page 3 of 5 Development Guidelines ltRu6 Public Workshop #2 Using the feedback gathered at the first public workshop, residents discussed guidelines for future development at a public workshop held on October 18, 2011. Goals were brainstormed, utilizing desirable park qualities described at the first meeting. Lions Park was envisioned to continue to be used for significant community events and be a highlight of the Hugo Parks System. DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES Goal 1: Ensure that Lions Park is safe and functional. Guidelines: Provide adequate parking, restrooms and lighting for park users. Utilize pedestrian lighting and minimize light pollution. Consider access points of the park when determining the layout of park features such as parking, sidewalks, trails and gathering places. Connect the park to the trails, bike paths and sidewalks to provide pedestrian access to the park. Provide connections throughout the park which offer safe, off-street pedestrian options. Take advantage of opportunities to expand the park with development and changes in the downtown area. Goal 2: Emphasize Hugo's through design of Lions Park. Guidelines: country charm and character Consider rain gardens and other natural landscaping. Provide continuity between the design of the park and the design of the downtown. Encourage master gardeners and other professionals to assist with construction and maintenance of landscaping. Encourage holiday lighting and other decorations to beautify the park in the winter. Lions Park Page 4 of 5 Development Guidelines tia Maintain picturesque view sheds. Consider construction of a gazebo or other major focal point. Goal 3: Offer unique recreation facilities and attractions to support a variety of ages, interests and seasons, fitting a community park. Guidelines: Design park amenities to be flexible in use so as to be used for different purposes in different seasons such as a skating area that may serve as the location for a flea market or a warming house that may double as a concession stand in the summer. Consider unique features such as a skating rink, large picnic pavilion with modern kitchen facilities, walking paths and band shell. Encourage use of the park for performing arts such as movies, concerts, dances and art displays. Maintain open green spaces suitable for carnivals, Good Neighbor Days and other large events. Provide a multi -use park suitable for significant community gatherings and which provides recreational amenities to the adjacent residential neighborhoods. Provide a playground for the adjacent residential neighborhood. Goal 4: Build community spirit. Guidelines: Provide and encourage use of facilities for community building events such as Hugo Good Neighbor Days, carnivals, flea markets, farmers markets, and more. Consider the park a hub; centrally located in the city and adjacent to prominent public buildings and downtown commercial district. IMPLEMENTATION The Lions Park Design Guidelines shall be used by the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission as well as the City Council and staff whenever an improvement the Park is to be made. Lions Park Page 5 of 5 Development Guidelines tia CITY OF HUGO Joint Workshop — Lions Park CELEBRATE 1D© ARS "U C u - an�u, Estimated Project Costs Low High Park Imps $3,956,250 $6,312,500 Storm Water Imps 1,121,000 1,121,000 Street Imps 862,450 1,111,500 $5,939,700 $8,545,000 Park Fund Balance at 12/31/16 $907,000 2017 Tax Levy 95,000 2018 Tax Levy 91,000 2019 Tax Levy 91,000 Balance at 12/31/19 $277,000 Street CIP Fund Balance at 12/31/16 $2,241,000 Est. Annual Revenues 1,179,000 For Park Project (2,588,000) Balance at 12/31/17 $ 832,000 Highest Priority Project $2,284,000 4/28/2016 1 Estimated Project Sources High Park Fund $ 907,000 Street CIP Funds 2,588,000 Tax Abate Bond 5,050,000 • 2019 $ 8,545,000 Tax Abatement Bonds • $5,050,000 Park Project Costs 365,000 Cap Interest (3 year max) 65,000 Cost of Issuance 60,000 Underwriter's Discount $5,540,000 Total Bond Issue 15 Years @ NIC of 2.44% 464,000 Avg. Annual Tax Levy 4/28/2016 Debt Service Levy By Year Payable • 2017 $ 606,793 • 2018 624,706 • 2019 621,245 Reduction • 2020 63,235 $558,010 • 2021 68,228 553,017 • 2022 13,235 608,010 • 2023 18,598 602,647 • 2024 18,569 602,676 $464,000/year needed for new issue Reimbursement Resolution Allows the City to use future bond proceeds (reimburse) for expenses incurred prior to issuance. 2 Vehicular Circulation & Parking Main park access off of Fitzgerald, 147th & Finale Ave. N. Fitzgerald connects all the way through with the parking lot designed to cut the flow / slow traffic. 90 Degree Parking along Upper 146th ST. N. Approximate total of 1 60-1 70 parking stalls. Pedestrian Circulation Entry plaza spaces along corners to emphasize entering the park Internal and external pedestrian loops. Park Amenities Main Park Pavilion: Picnic Space Warming House / Community Room Restrooms Community Sports Pad: Tennis Basketball Pickleball Various Open Lawn Spaces (size and location) Active recreational amenities placed along perimeter of park. PLAYGROUND EXAMPLES k/m. PAVILION EXAMPLES 1 T ENTRY TI Z D r M m Q 147TH ST N COMMUNITY SPORTS PAD as _ an SPLASH PAD EXAMPLES PLAYGROUND (APPROP IATE FOR WIDE RANGE OF AGE GROUPS AND ABILITIES) � �� 'r'A' ENTRY PLAZA SPLASH PAD / COMMUNITY PLAZA 1 T z D r M D M z OPEN SKATING °i FIRE PIT MEMORIAL �IN�23)-7 UPPER 146TH ST. N. AMPHITHEATER / — ( STAGE MIME OPEN FIELD N M 70 D :�. i m s r6R3+ rte. Z OPEN LAWN I SKATE PARK PARKING (28) PARKING (28) . q - f � lobe PARKING (27) J i 1 010f.7J�\: ENTRY PLAZA: • TRUCK ACCESS FOR GOOD NEIGHBOR DAYS • MAIN ENTRANCE TO OPEN FIELDS :ONNECTION TO REGIONAL TRAIL 0 50' too, Scale: V = 50'