HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Parks Annual Reportskate camp, soccer camp, a pickleball pro-gram, walking club and family bike ride. Use of athletic facilities are expanding with tournaments and op-eration of a concession stand at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. The Parks Commission continues to find new ways to promote and expand the parks and recreation op-portunities throughout Hugo for residents. The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Com-mission completed several major projects in 2011. This annual report recaps some of their major accom-plishments. The Parks Commission completed several park development projects in 2012. Improvements were made at Hanifl Fields Ath-letic Park and Heritage Ponds Park. The Commis-sion worked on concept planning of both Lions Park and what has become known as Irish Avenue Park. The Parks Commission expanded recreation pro-gramming to include a The Parks Commission held two public workshops to put together develop-ment guidelines for Lions Park. Residents, including members of the Hugo Li-ons Club and elected offi-cials discussed how the park could be used and designed in the long-term. Development Guidelines were approved by the Parks Commission and Hugo City Council that ensure that changes are in keeping with the long-term vision of the park. Guidelines include: • Ensure Lions Park is safe and functional. • Emphasize Hugo’s country charm and char-acter through design. • Offer unique recreation facilities and attractions to support a variety of ages, interests and seasons, fit-ting a community park. • Build community spirit. The guidelines will be used to direct all future changes at Lions Park. Soccer Players 2011 Accomplishments of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Inside this issue: Hanifl Shelter Grand Opening 2 Wellness Challenge 2 Tour de Hugo 2 Heritage Ponds Park 3 Irish Ave Park Planning 3 Rec Program Successes 3 2012 Parks Goals 4 Parks Commission Info 4 Residents Plan for the Future of Lions Park 2011 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 2011 Parks Commissioners: The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Com-mission approved 2012 goals at their December 14, 2011 meeting. The following were in-cluded: • Develop vision for short-term and long-term uses at Irish Avenue Park. • Plan Lions Park. • Coordinate Hardwood Creek Trail connec-tion between 140th and 145th. • Continue to look for grants. • Develop a priority list for trail develop-ments review Trails Plan. • Develop a landscaping plan for Heritage Ponds Park. • Continue Movie Nights, Snow Jam, Volun-teer Day, Skate Camp, Tour de Hugo and Soccer Camp. • Start a Roving Recreation Program. • Hold nature programs in the Hanifl shelter. • Start a geocaching program. • Hold the Health Up and GO Wellness Challenge in 2012. • Hold a Silver Sneakers program. • Ensure the operation of the Hanifl Concession Stand. • Coordinate addi-tional tourna-ments at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. • Monitor the use of the ball fields. • Continue to pro-mote parks and programs . Hugo City Hall 14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N. Hugo, MN 55038 Phone: 651-762-6300 Fax: 651-426-2859 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 recrea-tion. The City has made an effort to preserve many of these spaces as active and passive parks. As Hugo continues to grow, the City will need to provide additional parks, trails and recreation programs and opportunities that meet the needs of its residents. City of Hugo Looking Ahead… 2012 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. Continue to explore additional uses of Irish Avenue Park.
Heritage Ponds Park Gets a Playground Page 3 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Construction of a playground at Heritage Ponds Park was a goal of the Parks Commis-sion in 2011 and capital im-provement project that was anticipated for many years. Heritage Ponds Park fea-tured a picnic shelter and paved walking path. According to the Parks Plan, the neighborhood is also served by recreation fa-cilities at Oneka Elementary School and Frog Hollow Park. As residential develop-ment continued in the area and the number of families with young children grew, the need for a playground emerged. The Parks Commis-sion invited the public to partici-pate in selecting the playground equipment at their February 9 and April 14 meetings. Feed-back from residents included a desire to have a playground that was natural in color scheme and low to the ground. The play-ground is very popular and fea-tures unique elements such as a stand-up seesaw, omni spinner and oodle swing. Trees were planted near the playground thanks to a generous donation. Hugo partnered with the White Bear Soccer Club. Over 90 youth signed up through the City of Hugo. Winter family movie nights at the Oneka Elementary gymnasium, have always been popular. In 2011, the Parks Commission wanted to Two of the largest recreation program successes of the Parks Commission of 2011 included hosting the first soccer camp and outdoor movie night at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. The Soccer Camp was held July 25th-28th. The City of to also show a movie in a park. On September 23, “Tangled” was shown at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. A screen was con-structed by Hugo Public Works which means more family movie nights in the park will continue to grow and be a huge success. tives of the neighborhood, Planning Commission , City Council and Parks Commis-sion to the sub-committee, the group met on October 5, 2011 to discuss a plan for a multi-use facility that in-cluded running trails suitable for college and high school meets and practices. Addi-tional uses included winter ski, snowshoeing and horse trails. Before the scheduled second meeting, Percival and Wilson chose to no longer pursue construction of the trails. The sub-committee contin-ues to meet and will be plan-ning the future of the park and providing additional rec-reational uses of the re-cently-purchased property. At their April 13, 2011 meet-ing, the Parks Commission heard a presentation by Gary Wilson and Dave Percival proposing to construct cross country running trails at Irish Avenue. They recom-mended to and the Council approved the formation of a sub-committee to work with Wilson and Percival. After appointments of representa-Play-ground Installed in July 2011 Irish Avenue Park Planning First Soccer Camp and Movie Night in the Park are Hugo Successes 2011 Soccer Camp Participants at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park “Better Parks equal better people.” ~Hugo Resident Page 2 “I loved getting together with other people who loved to walk!.” ~Hugo Resident and Wellness Challenge Participant Playground Equipment Installation Health Up and GO Wellness Challenge Commences First Annual Tour de Hugo Family Bike Ride Held Hanifl Shelter Grand Opening Thanks to a generous donation by the Hanifl Foundation, construction started years before an-ticipated at the Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. A grand opening was held on June 19, 2011. A sub-committee planned the design of the shelter which includes a gathering room which is available to the public to rent, concession stand, and restrooms. Outside, the shelter features an open air pavilion over-looking the 5+ soccer fields and playground. The third phase of devel-opment, which was com-pleted in 2011, included the installation of the playground and land-scaping of the area sur-rounding the shelter. The playground features slides, swings, spinners and a climbing series. Additional development of the park may be planned in the future. were supported and in-cluded rest stops. The rides started and finished at the Hanifl Fields Ath-letic Park and rode through beautiful Hugo. Following the ride, par-ticipants enjoyed a picnic lunch, bonfire, bike deco-On September 17, 2011 the City of Hugo hosted the first annual Tour de Hugo! The family bike ride featured 5 1/2, 18, and 23 mile ride options. Some routes rating contest and other activities at the park shelter. With over 50 bike riders participating in the first Tour de Hugo, the French themed fam-ily bike ride is sure to continue to be a success in future years. the summer. A walking club met every Monday at City Hall. There were free health lectures, on-going health screenings and other opportunities for participants. Two new fitness classes were offered including Tai Chi and Nia. Several local health businesses part-nered to make the Well-ness Challenge possible including Hugo Chiro-practic, Boyd’s Promos, Fairview Lakes Medical Center, Mary Silvaroli Daul, and Health East. The Wellness Challenge was funded by the State-wide Health Improve-ment Program. On April 30, 2011 a kick-off was held for the Health Up and GO Well-ness Challenge. The kickoff event included speakers, free health screenings, and many resources and health connections. The Well-ness Challenge continued for 147 days throughout 2011