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Home My WebLink About2010 Parks Annual Reportcompleted at the new Irish Avenue Park. The Parks Commis- sion also expanded recreation programs and events, started operation of its first athletic facility and marketed Hugo parks to residents. The following report pro- vides more information about these projects and more. The Parks, Recrea- tion and Open Space Commission com- pleted several major projects in 2010. This annual report recaps some of their major accomplish- ments. The Parks Commission completed three large park development projects. A shelter was built at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. Im- provements were made at Lions Park, including con- struction of Hugo’s first skate park. Also, trails and other improvements were In December 2009, the City of Hugo purchased 125 acres from the estate of Darrel Hansen. Irish Ave- nue Park, as it now called, is located off of County Road 8 and Irish Avenue. Before the purchase, resto- ration of the gravel pit and substantial trash removal and clean up was com- pleted. This summer, two miles of trails were mowed and a small parking lot was built off of Irish Avenue. This winter, the trails were groomed for cross country skiing and snowshoeing with help from the Hugo Snowmobile Club. Currently, the park is pas- sive but in the next 10-15 years the Parks Commis- sion plans to build active park uses. Irish Avenue Park may one day be home to mountain biking trails, baseball fields, soccer fields, picnic shelters and additional walking trials. Irish Avenue Park 2010 Accomplishments of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Inside this issue: Hanilf Park Shel- ter 2 Parks Marketing 2 Lions Park Im- provements 2 Recreation Pro- grams 3 Hanifl Fields Ath- letic Park 3 SHIP Grant 3 2011 Parks Goals 4 Parks Commis- sion Information 4 Gravel Pit Property Becomes Hugo’s Largest Passive Park 2010 Annual Report Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Jim Taylor, Chair Rachel Berger, Vice Chair Derek Larsen Roger Clarke Noel Schmidt Tom Windisch Kris Birch Mathew Rauschendorfer David Strub 2010 Parks Commissioners: Page 2 “I love Hugo! I love the parks and trails and use them on a regular basis.” ~Hugo Resident Park shelter at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park Residents Learn More About Hugo Parks Improvements Are Made At Lions Park A New Park Shelter is Built Thanks to a generous donation by the Hanifl Foundation, construction started years before an- ticipated at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. A groundbreaking was held in June of 2010. The park shelter features a large open air pavilion, concession stand, rest- rooms and a community gathering room. Play- ground equipment and landscaping will be com- pleted in early 2011. A sub-committee planned the design of the shelter with a north- woods character and with environmentally friendly features. The shelter has a state-of the- art water heating system, operable windows and in-floor heat. The park shelter is a beautiful and successful example of balancing environmental leadership and economic responsibility. Hugo teens asking for a skate park. After col- laboration with the Lions Club and , the surround- ing neighborhood, a con- cept plan was put to- gether to install skate equipment and repair the existing tennis courts. At their August, 2009 meeting, the Parks Com- mission heard a presentation from Lions Club members about Lions Park and discussed a letter from Local youth designed the skate park with profes- sionals. Pickle ball, four square, hopscotch and a basketball court were also added on the re- surfaced tennis courts. The grand opening was held on October 1, 2010. park in the last 12 months and 66% used a trail. 30% believe they have not received suffi- cient information about recreation programs. 90% have been to a rec- reation program offered by White Bear Lake Area Schools or community services and recreation. Of the programs that those surveyed would like to see more of, re- spondents stated that they would like addi- tional fitness or wellness classes and performing arts or concerts in the park. For more informa- tion about the survey, go to the City’s website. In January 2010, the results of the resident survey were in! Hugo residents were surveyed to learn more about the future of parks and rec- reation. 700 surveys were sent out to random residents. 48% of resi- dents responding had used a neighborhood The first skate park in Hugo is built at Lions Park ! 2010 Recreation Programs Continue to Grow Page 3 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission As the City of Hugo contin- ues to grow, so do the recrea- tional opportunities in the community. In 2010, the City of Hugo started to hold new programs including Family Game Nights, Movie Nights in Oneka Gym, the Snow Jam and the Sledding Party. Tot Time was held for the 5th year. Each of the two Movie nights had an audi- ence of approximately 300 people. The Sledding Party in Oak Shore Park brought out lots of residents to hang out at one of Hugo’s newest parks. The City of Hugo also held the Lions Den Teen Program in Li- ons Park on Monday and Wednesday afternoons for 7 weeks in the summer at Lions Park. By partnering with the 4 school districts that serve Hugo, the City is able to offer addi- tional recreation programs to its residents with minimal costs to tax-payers. cal activity was applied for from Washington County through the Statewide Health Improvement Pro- gram (SHIP). The grant will be used to produce a map and brochure of the trails, walking paths and sidewalks. Other projects in our com- munity have received SHIP A Health Sub-Committee was formed by the Parks Commission to work with local health businesses to plan a family bike ride and other healthy events. A fam- ily bike ride is planned to be held in September of 2011. A $4,000 grant to increase access to community physi- funding: Oneka Ele- mentary School is fo- cused on nutrition. The local food shelves and New Life Church have also been on im- proving access to nutri- tious foods in our com- munity with SHIP assis- tance. soccer season. Youth soccer organizations rented the fields for their local teams. The Minnesota Youth Soccer Association East District Girls Championship was held in mid-July at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park by the White Bear Soccer Club. The tournament was attended by hundreds of players from around the division. As con- struction wraps up on the shelter, the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park is likely to be- come a very popular spot for tournaments, games and practices for our local youth soccer players. One of the largest accom- plishments in 2010 for the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission was the successful first season of soc- cer games and tournaments at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. The 5 full-sized fields at Hanifl Fields were ready for play for the spring 2010 Lions Den Teen Program Hanifl Fields Athletic Park Holds Its First Soccer Tournament Statewide Health Improvement Program Grant Received A$4,000 grant was received to improve access to community physical activity in Hugo. “Better Parks equal better people.” ~Hugo Resident •Continue to look for grants. •Develop a priority list for trail developments. The Parks Commission also established goals for expand- ing existing recreation pro- The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission ap- proved 2011 goals at their De- cember 15, 2010 meeting. The following park development projects were included: •Install playground equipment and landscaping at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. •Install playground equipment at Heritage Ponds Park. •Do concept planning for Irish Avenue Park and Lions Park. •Coordinate Hardwood Creek Trail connection between 140th and 145th . grams and creating new pro- grams such as a Family Bike Ride, Soccer Camp and Skate Camp. The Parks Commission also discussed the continued opera- tion of athletic fields in the city and a concession stand at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. Marketing the parks to Hugo residents will continue in 2011 with the Parks Corners in the Citizen newspaper, using the City of Hugo facebook, the bi- annual City Newsletter and promoting businesses at ath- letic events. Hugo City Hall 14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N. Hugo, MN 55038 Phone: 651-762-63400 Fax: 5651-426-2859 www.ci.hugo.mn.us The City of Hugo has an abundance of natural resources and open space areas including a large number of lakes, wetlands, woodlands and other natural amenities that make it a prime location for outdoor activity and rec- reation. The City has made an effort to pre- serve many of these spaces as active and pas- sive parks. As Hugo continues to grow, the City will need to provide additional parks, trails and recrea- tion programs and opportunities that meet the needs of its residents. City of Hugo Looking Ahead… 2011 Park Goals The Parks Commission works to provide immediate and long-term strategic guidance and direction for the development of parks for the citizens and 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. Clearwater Creek Pre- serve Park