11-15-16 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Nov. 15, 2016 Page 2 have not been put in because they are waiting for the grading to take place at Rice Creek Commons. The County is also talking about plans for the area around Building 189. Paul Erickson, Mark Erickson and Paul Beggin are there to give input on their vision for the area. He continued that trails go in all directions from the area. National Sports Center Representative Paul Erickson stated the site is the best site in the metro for a ski jump and other significant amateur sports activities. As a city only resource, there would be no reason to go to the County or State for funding, but if the City doesn’t want to contribute then they would have to go to the Legislature for money. Arden Hills could partner with another city like Shoreview. He feels the site has the potential to be the best cross country skiing in the state, along with mountain biking. Council Liaison Holmes questioned the exact location that Mr. Erickson was speaking of. Mr. Erickson stated that they would work in conjunction with the National Guard for temporary access for major events. Chair Straumann asked if the area would be considered a regional attraction. Mr. Erickson said it would, but it will take a major coalition of city, County, and State but the resources in the site are there to do something special. A large plan of the proposed trails was available for viewing by the Committee. Mr. Erickson said the topography they are looking at is mostly located on AHATS land, and would need approval from them. Chair Straumann stated the next steps would be to go to the City Council with the plan at the annual joint work session, then concurrently go to Ramsey County, then Mounds View High School and sports groups and then the Army Training Center. Discussion ensued as the committee looked at the proposed plan map. Mention was made that the Army could use the trails for their own training as well. Mr. Beggin suggested the Amateur Sports Commission put a document and map together saying this is an optimum use for the resource, then have the PTRC look at it, then present to Ramsey County, then to the National Guard. Chair Straumann talked about the 7 mile tri-city loop he envisions in the area. Paul Erickson discussed his work with the Blaine Sports Center and how Mark Erickson could help with grant writing. Staff Liaison Knoll and Staff Liaison Thelen discussed a new version of a multi-use field. City Int erim Public Works Director Polka said the developer and City are still working on costs for parks in the TCAAP area.