HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.15.23 Park Minutes Minutes
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Meeting of November 15, 2023
Present: Meredith St. Pierre,Valerie Boyd, Ranell Tennyson
Absent: Emily McGinnity, Cathy Moore-Arcand, Mat Rauschendorfer,Jim Compton, Sr.,
Staff Present: Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner
Max Gort, Associate Planner
Chair St. Pierre called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Approval of Minutes from the September 20, 2023 Meeting
This action has been tabled due to the Parks Commission not having a quorum.
No motion.
2. Glacial Hills Regional Trail Open House
Parks Planner Denaway spoke about the open house held earlier in the evening on November 16, 2023.
The Glacial Hills Regional Trail (GHRT) is a planned regional trail under the jurisdiction of Washington
County to connect several destinations including Hugo, Big Marine Park Reserve, William O'Brien State
Park, and Marine on St. Croix. Denaway stated that the timeline for the GHRT's construction is at least a
decade out, since it is one of the few regional trails that does not have a master plan.The purpose of the
open house was to engage public interest in identifying the potential alignment of the trail. Originally,
CSAH 4 had been identified as the most viable alignment to connect the destinations in the trail vision,
but there has been some desire to connect the trail to more scenery. The largest group that attended
the open house was from the equestrian community, requesting that horse facilities be prioritized in the
trail planning. Denaway said she'd encourage the trail planning team to focus on having a mix of uses on
the trail corridor, similar to the multimodal characteristics of the Gateway State Trail.
3. Keystone Woods WMA
Denaway presented background on the Minnesota DNR's process of acquiring land to create the
Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA).The 1,820 acres of land, some of which is in Hugo,
was part of the Kelley Land and Cattle Company until its ownership by the Trust for Public Land, which
will donate the land to the DNR. Denaway stated that the new WMA will be a "pilot project" which is
intended to maintain the same uses as other WMAs, but also attract new user groups by enhancing the
visitor experience with amenities.The draft improvement plan includes maintaining some current farm
roads as trails and accessible paths, creating four entrances with two featuring enhanced parking lots, a
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November 15,2023
proposed fishing pier, restoration of prairie and wetlands to take place over a 10-year period, invasive
tree removal, and hardwood seeding. Chair St. Pierre stated that hunters will need to enter a lottery to
be able to hunt, similar to other popular WMAs. Whether the City of Hugo will provide a formal
response to the master plan is to be determined.
4. Updates
Denaway presented updates on several park projects, including:
121st Street Property:
The City has maintained a piece of property that extends the 1215L Street right-of-way to the shoreline of
Bald Eagle Lake, providing public walk-in lake access.The City had heard concerns from neighbors and
users about washout and erosion with the unimproved piece of land, which has since been replaced by
heavy, erosion resistant gravel.The posts that prevent vehicles and snowmobiles from driving onto the
property have also been replaced.
CSAH 8 Trail:
A trail has been constructed along CSAH 8 to connect the newly constructed Rice Lake Reserve 3rd
Addition development to the former Public Works Building near Hanifl Fields Athletic Park, creating a
much safer trail connection to the park for residents to the west.
Hardwood Creek Regional Trail:
Washington County is following up on the feasibility study for the southern connection of the Hardwood
Creek Regional Trail from 120t" Street to Falcon Court. The City of Hugo will be writing a letter of support
in their application for funding for the trail's construction.
Bernin Park
The property has been staked and flagged for tree surveying.The City is projecting construction plans
for the park to be drafted by Spring 2024.
North Star Wetland Bank and Trails
WSB is currently drafting the prospectus document for the wetland bank, and is maintaining monitoring
wells both onsite and a control in Lino Lakes. City Staff will be meeting with Tim Wald, Assistant
Superintendent for Finance and Operations at White Bear Lake Area Schools, to discuss the exchange of
the property between the school district and the City.
Santa Party
The Santa Party and Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at the Peder Pedersen Pavilion on
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Holiday Party
Denaway invited the Parks Commission to attend the City of Hugo Holiday Party on Thursday, December
7, 2023.
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S. AdjOUrnment
The meeting finished at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Max Gort
Associate Planner
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