HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Parks Annual Reportis significant in the Hugo parks system as it is ad-jacent to City Hall, con-nects regional trails, and will be a unique commu-nity gathering place. Planning, construction, and fundraising will take time and are likely to gain momentum in 2015. As residential development picked up in 2014, so did pro-posals for park dedication. Developers are required to dedicate park land or pay a fee so that the Commission can provide adequate parks for its growing population. The park system continues to grow. In October, 2014; land was dedicated that increased the size of Lions Park by 2.11 acres. Master planning of the park is underway and is likely to be completed in 2015. Lions Park Hugo City Hall 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue Hugo, MN 55038 651-762-6300 Parks Commission Staff Contact: Shayla Syverson 651-762-6342 ssyverson@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 A Year in Review In 2014, the Commission set strong policies that set the course for their future. This included the Trail Development Policy and Recreation Program Policy. A workshop, in partnership with the City Council, was held on April 9 to discuss what role the City of Hugo shall play in the future of recreation programs. Hugo is in a unique situa-tion with four school dis-tricts as well as local busi-nesses, organizations and clubs each offering recrea-tional options.. At the workshop, it was ultimately decided to continue to partner with others to ensure that Hugo resi-dent’s recreation needs were being met. The City shall continue to offer pro-gramming that doesn't duplicate what is already offered but supplements what is available for resi-dents. The Commission also dis-cussed hiring a staff mem-ber to operate the conces-sion stand at Hanifl Fields Athletic Fields. Ultimately, the City Council did not support the hiring of staff. They believe that field us-ers are not interested in a concession stand enough to provide volunteers, they will not support it when it is open. The City received a grant for an Active Living Inside this issue: Hardwood Creek Trail 2 Trail Develop-ment Policy 2 Public Works Update 3 Contact Info 4 Looking Ahead 4 2014 Annual Report Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission Commission Members: Tom Windisch, Chair Rachel Berger, Vice Chair Nicole Schmid Mathew Rauschendorfer David Strub Joan Benner Ranell Tennyson ship with White Bear Lake Area Schools, Story Hour will now be offered in the library at Hugo Elementary in. Also, events such as the StoryWalk, Big Fun Show, and Sing.Play.Learn, are now being held in Hugo by Washington County Li-brary. The City also began a part-nership with BearPower to support residents in lead-ing healthier lives. The City is in a position to make changes in the built environment, offer recrea-tion, and support healthy lifestyle choices. The City of Hugo contin-ues to partner with several organizations to provide additional recreation programs for residents. It takes several volunteers and a team to plan and run large events such as Kidz ‘N Biz and the Tour de Hugo. Staff continue to assist with these community events. In partnership with the White Bear Lake School District, these programs were offered in Hugo: Tot Time/ Family Time Volleyball & Basketball Open Gym at Oneka Elementary School Teen Movie Matinees Snow Jam Other recreation programs continued in 2014 include: Park Play Days Geocaching Adventure Movie Nights at Oneka Elementary School Outdoor Movie Night at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park Skyhawks Sports Camps Sledding Party Nature Camp Sponsorship of the Golden Spike Contest In 2014, the City of Hugo solidified two new partner-ships. Washington County Library programs and ser-vices were expanded in the City. In a special partner-Recreation Program Report F.1.
Page 2 Trail Development Policy Review Continued Hardwood Creek Trail Extended After several years of planning and negotia-tions, Washington Coun-ty was able to extend the Hardwood Creek Region-al Trail from the exiting stopping point at 145th Street south to 140th Street. The trail includes the paved portion and a parallel turf trail which accommodates snowmo-bilers and equestrians. The property was aban-doned by the BNSF and purchased by the Wash-ington County Regional Rail Authority. The corridor is preserved for future transit use. The County applied for and received federal funding which necessitated that the trail plans be reviewed by several organizations including the State Historical Preservation Office and Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Hardwood Creek Region-al Trail Master Plan was reviewed by the Commis-sion in April, 2013. As shown in the plan, the extension provides con-nections between Hugo neighborhoods, commer-cial areas, the existing 9.5 mile County trail, and other important regional trails. zone signage along Herit-age Parkway. Program-ming and evaluation will also be apart of the project as per the guide-lines from the County. The City’s geocaching Partner Project through Washington County and the Statewide Health Improvement Program. The grant will be matched by White Bear Lake Area Schools and used to install lit speed program is now in its third year. There were several caches required upgrades and/or replace-ments in 2014 so the popular program could continue. constructed with devel-opment or road pro-jects. There can be unique circumstances that would justify con-struction outside of the normal means. In order to determine which improvement shall take priority for limited funding, crite-ria were established in the Trail Development Policy. It includes providing connections, enhancing safety, giving priority when requested by Hugo residents, economical, and feasible. Trails and sidewalks that are identified using the criteria could be included in the Parks CIP and constructed by the City. The Commission has ongoing discussions about missing trail connections. A Trail policy was discussed and recommended by the Parks Commission before it was approved by the City Council on May 5 . Typically, improvements identi-fied in the Trail and Sidewalk Plan are 2014 Page 3 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission and pavilion at Diamond Point Park. Repairs were needed. The spring toys were replaced with spinners at Diamond Point Park and Oneka Lake Park. Engineered wood fiber was added to Frog Hollow, Oak Shore, and Heritage Ponds Parks. The surfacing is designed for aesthetics, child safety, and ADA wheelchair accessibility. It compacts over time and needs to be topped off. The City of Hugo Public Works Department main-tains all of Hugo’s parks, trails, and open spaces. This includes: 384 acres of parkland 10 play structures 22 miles of sidewalks 7 picnic shelters 1 sledding hill 2 outdoor pavilions 3 community rooms 4 ball fields 6 irrigated athletic fields 10+ open spaces 11 miles of trails The Public Works Depart-ment consists of 9 full-time workers and 6 seasonal staff overseen by Public Works Director Scott Anderson. Two of the full-time staff spe-cialize in park maintenance, but all contribute. The sea-sonal staff primarily spend their time maintaining parks. The Public Works building is located at 6900 137th Street adjacent to Hanifl Fields Athletic Park. The Public Works Depart-ment conducted several parks project in 2014 in addi-tion to their regular park maintenance. Vandals started a fire that burned the trash receptacles Public Works Update Soccer nets were replaced at Oneka Lake Park. Lacrosse goals were purchased for Heritage Ponds Park and Val Jean Park. The shelter at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park was paint-ed. The open air pavilion was re-stained. The Commission directed park maintenance staff to upgrade the screening of the portable restrooms in all neighborhood parks. ACTIVE PARKS Active parks have playgrounds, athletic fields and/or other similar facilities and activity areas. Lions Park 5524 Upper 146th Street North Beaver Ponds Park 12710 Fondant Avenue Frog Hollow Park 5945 159th Street North Victor Square Park 14650 Victor Hugo Blvd. Arbre Park 14180 Arbre Lane Oneka Lake Park 15369 Goodview Avenue Heritage Ponds Park 15541 Empress Avenue Val Jean Park 14270 Val Jean Blvd. Diamond Point East 6355 145th Sreet North Oak Shore Park 12790 Exhall Avenue Hanifl Fields Athletic Park 7032 137th Street North PASSIVE PARKS Passive parks are large natural areas or small green spaces without formal activity areas. Clearwater Creek Preserve Park 4826 Fable Hill Circle Rice Lake Park 6900 137th Street North Future Park 14420 Irish Avenue North