09-15-15 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 2 Acting Chair Straumann asked if there were any additional questions or updates regarding the parks tour and action items. Staff Liaison Grant stated for their Welcome Week orientation service hours, some Bethel students performed cleanup activities at both Perry and Hazelnut Park. Staff Liaison Grant then provided an update on the gardens, stating she had spent approximately 2 ½ hours going through them with Bob Mullen the day prior to this meeting. Committee Member Van Valkenburg said that Mr. Mullen has put in an unbelievable amount of time and noted the third garden has been totally weeded, cleared, and is fabulous – people love it. Committee Member Michaelson said Mr. Mullen told him he planned to join the two gardens and create some type of walk through, and that Mr. Mullen said that since his wife died about six years ago, this is the happiest he has been. Acting Chair Straumann suggested having Mr. Mullen attend another meeting to acknowledge the great job he is doing to which Staff Liaison Grant stated she will invite him to the next PTRC meeting. The Committee Members agreed with this suggestion. Council Liaison Holmes asked about Perry Park’s hockey rink and parking. Staff Liaison Grant said the hockey rink cannot be used for a dog park because of construction equipment being stored there. She said there have been complaints about difficulties getting down to the Hazelnut dog park area because of the hill and feels having stairs would be helpful for people. Other dog park options would be Freeway or Perry Park. A short discussion then ensued about the construction project’s progress in that area and having a dog park potentially on the east side of Arden Hills versus having two on the west side as they would be close together. Committee Member Michaelson asked if Freeway Park has been completed. Staff Liaison Grant said it is still in process but curbing is complete and believes the parking area will be repaved. Committee Member Petersen asked how many parking spaces there will be to which Staff Liaison Grant indicated possibly five spaces. Staff Liaison Grant said removal of the fence at the nearby property has been discussed but this has not been done yet. Acting Chair Straumann closed the discussion about the park tour correction items by stating he assumes the maintenance stuff will get done sooner or later. B. “Bark & Rec” Day Recap of Event Staff Liaison Grant thanked Committee Member Michaelson and his wife for helping with the Bark and Rec Day event, at which 30 to 40 people and their dogs attended. Activities included making crafts and representatives from the Arden Hills/Shoreview Animal Hospital and Ramsey County canine unit were present. She said she took several pictures and everyone did a great job. It was noted Jan Messerly also helped with the event. Committee Member Van Valkenburg wanted to know if the event is moved to Perry Park next year, when would a decision need to be made. Staff Liaison Grant stated early next spring would be fine. It was then discussed that Perry Park has good parking, is accessible, has nice trails, and that past history shows there have been no problems with the dogs. Staff Liaison Grant said that the City can simply transport the fencing and create a new opening. A short discussion ensued about a timeline for creating the agenda and determining if using Perry Park as a dog park is feasible next year.