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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 Parks Annual ReportPARKS REPORT Commissioners: Roger Clarke, Chair Cathy Moore-Arcand, Vice Chair Nicole Schmid Mat Rauschendorfer Ranell Tennyson Emily McGinnity Meredith St. Pierre Relocated Play Equipment in Beaver Ponds Park Lions Park Construction Started The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission hit the ground running in 2021. At the first meeting of the year, the schematic design for Lions Park was approved following extensive public engagement in 2020. Development of the design and cost estimates were approved. Over the first few months of the year, the design of the pavilion and the park site was finalized. A workshop was held by the City Council in February to review the overall vision of the pavilion. The building car- ries the outside in with expansive windows and opening doors, a sloping roof, and continuity of grey brick and sandstone throughout the park. WSB and HCM Architects continued to refine the plans including lighting, landscaping, and the final construction details. Community Workshop Held On April 14, a workshop was held with the Parks Commission and City Council to share the final construction plans with the neighborhood and overall community. Resident questions were addressed and there was overall support of the designs. Beaver Ponds Park Playground is Replaced With the 20+ year old playground equipment in Beaver Ponds in need of replacement, and the 3 year old equipment in Lions Park being no longer needed, a re-installation was a favorable option. St. Croix Recreation was hired to re-install the equip- ment. A short 4 week construction timeline was followed for the removals, installation of new curb and drainage, equipment installation, and replacement of surfacing. The picnic tables, benches, sidewalks, and landscaping were also replaced and repaired as needed. Beaver Pond residents expressed gratitude and a positive response to their improved park. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION 2021 Park Dedication Fee Increased One of the implementation steps of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan was to review the Park Dedication Policy. The Commission reviewed the policy at their Septem- ber 15 meeting. The Commission agreed that the policy continued to provide for expansion of the parks system with development and that the policy was in keep- ing with state statues. However, the Commission asked the Council for authoriza- tion to evaluate the fee charged with residential development. The fee had not been changed since 2005 and had not been evaluated since 2010. At the October 13 meeting, the Commission reviewed research on the expense of the planned park system growth, fee comparisons to cities of a similar population and similar growth rates, as well as the park dedications received in recent years. The Commission recommended a fee increase of $1,000. The City Council approved the recommended fee increase by resolution at their November 15 meeting. The new fee of $3,400 per unit will be effective in 2022, but not applied to developments approved in 2021 or earlier. The Council asked for the fee to be reviewed again in 2022. Santa Party The City of Hugo has held very few programs since spring 2020. Programs held in partnership with the Washington County Library and YMCA shifted to be held primarily outdoors but continued to offer activity options to Hugo families. A resident offered the idea that the City hold a holiday lighting party with Santa. The Commission discussed this and brainstormed other programming ideas at their September 15 meeting. A Santa Party was held in City Hall on Wednesday, December 1. The Hugo Fire Department volunteered to assist and collected food and toys for their drive bene- fiting the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf. City Hall was lit. Goodie bags were distributed to the 20 kids who attended. Santa looks forward to visiting the new pavilion in Lions Park in 2022. Sunset Lake Property The Commission discussed concepts for the city-owned property on Sunset Lake in 2019 through early 2020. A contentious neighborhood meeting was held. Staff continued to receive complaints about fishing from the adjacent roads and lack of access to the property. At the meeting of March 17, the Com- mission requested to review the concepts and authorized “opening up of the property”. In the spring, staff removed brush and small tree growth which provided physical access and a views of Sunset Lake. Santa with the Fire Department and Councilmember Strub Sunset Lake Property Before Sunset Lake Property After Thank you Volunteers! At the February 15 meet- ing, the Commission welcomed new members Emily McGinnity and Meredith St. Pierre (Alternate). Following the retirement of Coun- cilmember Chuck Haas, Parks Chair Dave Strub was appointed to the City Council and was no long- er able to serve on the Parks Commission. St. Pierre was appointed as Commissioner. Com- missioner Roger Clarke steeped up and was appointed as Parks Chair. Trail Studies At the April 20 meeting, the Commission approved a proposal from WSB to study the feasibil- ity of a trail between Oneka Parkway, the Hardwood Creek Trail, and Lions Park on prop- erties owned by the City and WBLAS. At the meeting of Novem- ber 17, the Commission heard a presentation from Washington County with concepts for construction an extension of the Hard- wood Creek Regional Trail from 130th Street to 120th Street. Aerial of Lions Park and Downtown Street Project Lions Park Construction The final Lions Park plans were approved and bids were authorized in May. Bid openings were held in June for the three separate projects. Contracts were awarded at the Council meeting of June 21 to Peterson Companies for the storm- water project and park site/street improvement projects. All of the alternates were approved including the northwest parking lot and pedestrian lighting. Schreiber Mullaney was awarded the contract for construction of the pavilion. Council also asked for quote for the planned future phase of the playground which was initially postponed due to cost. Phase 2 was a challenge course for teens. At their meet- ing of July 19, Council approved the quote, but asked that the Parks Commission select the surfacing. The Commission selected artificial turf for phase 2 at their July 21 meeting. A ground breaking was held on July 6 and construction started the following week. Peterson Companies handled removals and began grading on the park. The grading work within the park had a dramatic appearance because material was sourced within the park for the base of the new 147th Street extension and swap- ping of materials provided substantial cost savings and improved both projects. The City Hall parking lot, downtown streets, sport courts, and more were finished in the fall. The pavilion started taking shape in November. Electrical work includ- ing street lights and bollards will continue, but construction of the rest of the park will pause over the winter. The pavilion will be under construction with a comple- tion date of April 1, 2022 after which site work will resume in the park. New 147th Street Extension, Steel Framing of the New Pavilion Contact Us (651) 762-6300 Hugo City Hall 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North Hugo, MN 55038 Staff Liaison: Shayla Denaway (651) 762-6342 Visit us on the web at www.ci.hugo.mn.us Development Projects 121st Street Subdivision At the meeting of February 17, a sketch plan was reviewed from Drengson May Enterprises for 7 new residential lots and improvement of 121st Street. Park dedi- cation fees were proposed to be paid. Oneka Lake Reserve At the April 21 meeting, which was the first Commission meeting held in-person in over a year, the Commission reviewed the Oneka Lake Reserve PUD application. The Commission approved dedication of .45 acres and fees for the 40 unit town- home development north of Oneka Lake Boulevard. The Meadows of Hugo The Commission approved a park dedication proposal for Hugo Meadows at the February 17 meeting. The development included 87 single family lots and trail connections to the future passive park to the west. Golden Valley Land Company proposed to pay fees to satisfy park dedication. The Meadows at Hugo Sketch Plan