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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 15, 2015 <br />Page 5 <br />Staff Liaison Grant indicated soccer fields and ballfields are needed at the new parks, but <br />playground equipment and half basketball courts would also be nice. Committee Member <br />Michaelson asked how many people are expected in the area and how to figure out <br />overall need. Recreational staff member Thelen referenced the figure on the map that <br />depicts how many units are expected. <br />Discussion ensued about the desire for a multi-use, full-sized soccer field as Arden Hills <br />does not currently have one. The discussion continued regarding who would use the field <br />and for what purpose, and whether or not there would be a need for parking or <br />playground equipment. Staff Liaison Grant said she will do research and report back to <br />the Committee. <br />Discussion continued regarding the community park’s amenities (next to the high density <br />town center area) that may include a full tennis/pickle ball court, picnic shelter and splash <br />pad. <br />A discussion then ensued about a potential amphitheater for movies and music in the park <br />type events, to which Council Liaison Holmes said that she believes years ago, Boston <br />Scientific wanted to build an amphitheater at Cummings Park, but the City Council did <br />not agree. Council Liaison Holmes states she does not think an amphitheater would work <br />in the town center area as it is too small and congested but could work elsewhere. <br />A discussion ensued about the hill area and whether or not two adult softball fields are <br />needed. Recreation Staff Member Thelen suggested a full size soccer field for lacrosse <br />and football use as well, but stated there would be no baseball diamond. Committee <br />Member Van Valkenburg commented on the decline of adult softball to which Staff <br />Liaison Grant said that overall interest in Minnesota has declined by 30-40%. Council <br />Liaison Holmes suggesting getting rid of the adult concept altogether to which Staff <br />Liaison Grant stated she would like to keep one youth sized softball field as there are <br />adult fields at both Perry and Hazelnut Parks. <br />Council Liaison Holmes commented that the plans have been revised multiple times and <br />feels the parks are placeholders which the developer could rearrange. <br />Discussion continued about the type of housing that will be created in the town center <br />area and whether tennis and pickle ball courts would be desired versus a basketball court. <br />Council Liaison Homes asked about tennis court use and maintenance costs to which <br />Staff Liaison Grant said resurfacing costs are nearly as much as reconstruction costs. It <br />was suggested to potentially have two courts in the town center area. <br />Acting Chair Straumann stated Ramsey County is performing a study of all hockey rinks <br />and the County’s indoor rink is used for soccer by various communities. Staff Liaison <br />Grant stated that outdoor hockey rinks can be used for broomball and also a dog park. It <br />was discussed that a hockey rink with a pleasure rink on the side and an indoor bathroom <br />is desirable.