HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 Parks Annual ReportComprehensive Plan Updates
The Hugo City Council and
Commissions kicked of the
2040 Comprehensive Plan
process on February 22
with a SWOT analysis.
On March 22, the Parks
Commission prioritized
key issues with the
Parks, Trails, and
Open Space Chapter.
Staff heard that over-
all, the parks are
functioning well and
that there are no
major items that
need to be updated in
the plan, but that
making it easier to
use would be valua-
ble.
On April 19, a visioning
open house was held with
residents.
On June 21, the Commis-
sion reviewed the open
house feedback, changes to
Hugo’s parks system since
the 2008 plan and current
policies and trends. This
included:
The Neighborhood Park
Service Area boundaries
were updated.
The Community Park
Search Area in the north-
west corner remains.
Recreation facility needs
identified in the 2030
Comprehensive Plan were
reviewed. It was deter-
mined that a multi-use
soccer complex and an
indoor / outdoor commu-
nity park facility are being
satisfied by recent con-
struction of Hanifl Fields
and the Lions Park Master
Plan.
Research is needed on dog
parks.
On August 8, a Public
Open House specifically
focused on park planning
issues was held but was not
well attended. Two online
surveys were sent out to
gather additional input
from residents.
On August 16, a draft of the
Comprehensive Plan was
reviewed. Specifically,
feedback on the Guiding
Principles and Objectives
was given.
The Commission will
review a final draft of the
Parks, Trails, and Open
Space Chapter of 2040
Comprehensive Plan at
their December 20 meet-
ing.
Inside this
issue:
Pollinator
Habitat
2
Development
Update
2
Public Works
Update
3
YMCA
Partnership
3
Recreation
Recap
4
2017
Annual Report
P a r k s , R e c r e a t i o n a n d O p e n S p a c e C o m m i s s i o n
Commission
Members:
Dave Strub, Chair
Cathy Moore-Arcand,
Vice-Chair
John Pontrelli
Mathew
Rauschendorfer
Nicole Schmid
Ranell Tennyson
Roger Clarke
Rachel Berger,
Alternate
P a g e 2
Welcome New Residents
Pollinator Habitat Planted
The City of Hugo
was approached by
the Washington
County Chapter of
Pheasants Forever
with an interest in
planting pollinator
Habitat at Irish Avenue
Park. At the March 22
meeting, the Commission
approved the project.
Three acres were tilled
and planted with pollina-
tor supporting plants and
flowers by local volun-
teers. The pollinator hab-
itat grew in during the
summer of 2017 , making
a nice addition to the
passive uses at Irish Ave-
nue Park.
Residential development continued to grow in 2017. This brought park dedica-
tions, new parks, new trails, and several new residents to Hugo.
Adelaide Landing
At the meeting of March 22, the Commission approved a park dedication proposal
from Excelsior Group which included 7.8 acres of park land, 1.5 mile off road
trails, landscaping the future park, and a fee dedication of $1,128 per unit. A con-
cept plan had previously been reviewed by the commission for the development
which includes 319 single family residential lots on 146.2 buildable acres generally
located north of 130th Street and east of Highway 61.
Clearwater Cove
The Clearwater Cove development, approved by the Commission in 2015, is nearly
fully constructed. This includes Cove Park, which was built and then donated to
the City by the developer. This summer, the park shelter, trail connections, and
landscaping were completed. The trails throughout the development are con-
structed and are very favorably spoken of by neighborhood residents, especially
the trail adjacent to the creek.
Creekside Heights
At their October 18 meeting, the Commission reviewed a concept plan from the
Lincoln Group for 251 residential homes on 132 Acres east of Highway 61 and west
of Oneka Lake to be known as Creekside Heights. The Engineer indicated that a
combination of land and fee would be dedicated. The Commission discussed con-
nections to Oneka Lake and nearby parks and provided feedback on the plans.
Leroux Property
At their November 15 meeting, the Commission reviewed a concept plan for
Creekside Heights on the “Leroux property” by CPDC Pratt Oakwood. The concept
includes 177 residential units on 120 vacant acres generally located north of 159th
Street and east of Elmcrest Avenue. A significant park/ open space area is shown
on the east side of the development. The developer has indicated that they would
dedicate land. The Commission was pleased with the greenway trail areas shown.
2 0 1 7
Partnerships with YMCA Started
P a g e 3 P a r k s , R e c r e a t i o n a n d O p e n S p a c e C o m m i s s i o n
Since before the YMCA
was opened in Forest
Lake in the summer of
2016, opportunities to
partner to provide addi-
tional recreation options
for Hugo residents have
been discussed. In the
summer of 2017, the
YMCA hosted Park Play
Days in Hugo. Coinci-
dentally, the YMCA had a
program with the same
name of the City of Hugo’s
popular summer program.
The YMCA brought addition-
al staffing to expand the pro-
gram to be offered 9am-noon
Monday through Thursday
for two 5-week sessions at
Hanifl Fields Athletic Park
for a small fee. Participation
was low, but staff anticipate
that with better advertise-
ment the program will be
very popular in the future.
the city-owned property
along Goodview Avenue was
cleared to allow better access
and views of the property.
The final stretch of the 147th
Street trail/sidewalk was
constructed, making the con-
nection to Highway 61.
Much needed repairs were
started on the trails at Clear-
water Creek Preserve which
had significantly deteriorated
after several rainy summers.
Working collaboratively with
the developer, the trail was
improved near the west
boundary of the park includ-
ing grading and installation
of a culver. These improve-
ments should minimize
future impacts of the adja-
cent residential development
and improve access.
The City of Hugo Public
Works Department main-
tains 435 acres of parks, 33.5
miles of sidewalks & trails,
and over 10 open spaces.
With the help of Sarah
Rumppe, the City of Hugo’s
Community Development
Intern, a survey of the exist-
ing parks was completed.
Clearwater Creek Preserve,
Arbre Park, and Oneka Lake
Park were giving a spotlight
to evaluate for potential
improvements.
New concrete patio slabs
were poured at the park
pavilions at Victor Square
and Diamond Point Park.
After extensive neighbor-
hood complaints and discus-
sions regarding its mis-use,
Public Works Update
In 2017, the City of Hugo continued their partnerships
with a variety of organizations to provide Hugo resi-
dents with additional recreation options.
The year started with 3 well-attended movie nights in
the gymnasium at Oneka Elementary School. Assis-
tance was given to the Hugo Business Association as
they held Kidz ‘N Biz again this year on April 29.
The City collaborated with White Bear Lake Area
Schools to bring a variety of Tech Tac Toe (STEM) clas-
ses to Hugo.
The City’s collaboration with the Washington County
Library system and WBLAS Extended Day program
continued with Story Strolls.
Wendy’s Wiggle Jiggle Jam was held at Hanifl Fields
Athletic Park in partnership with the library and fund-
ed with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural
Heritage Fund. It is a free family concert with where
every child gets the chance to participate on stage .
The fall brought the annual Tour de Hugo bike ride
which grew significantly in participation, even with the
very warm weather on the day of the event.
Hugo City Hall
14669 Fitzgerald Avenue
Hugo, MN 55038
651-762-6300
Parks Commission Staff Contact:
Shayla Denaway
651-762-6342
sdenaway@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 seven
member Commission is made up of
volunteers appointed by the Hugo City
Council. The Commission meets once a
month on the third 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
Recreation Recap:
www.ci.hugo.mn.us