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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 21, 2021 Page 7 Committee Member Poelzer said the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department has community service volunteers that could help direct traffic for walks. She felt all of the ideas were great. She has been counting people walking the path by her house and has been amazed at the amount of activity. Committee Member Hinton suggested outdoor yoga as another option to bring people to the parks. Council Liaison Grant felt Cummings Park would be good for music in the parks; the band could be on the soccer field and people could sit on the slope looking toward the band, and the shelter could be used to dish up ice cream. Council Liaison Grant thought the concept of a destination park could be an item added to the Committee Work Plan. Chair Van Valkenburg noted that there is an opportunity to make suggestions about where trees could be planted in the parks because there will be some available. Council Liaison Grant stated when developers remove trees they can replant or provide payment in lieu of trees. There are a number of developments that have provided money with approximately $70,000 available. He said once they compile a list of locations it could be given to the Public Works Director who could bring it to the City Council. Tree locations don’t have to be in a park. Chair Van Valkenburg mentioned that there have been a number of new benches installed from donations from the Arden Hills Foundation. Council Liaison Grant said the Arden Hills Foundation will be purchasing trash can covers for Cummings and Perry Parks. They are also looking into funding two commercial grade charcoal grills, concrete pads for the grills and charcoal receptacles to be put near the pavilions at those same parks. D. Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Chair Reports No report. 5. REPORTS Council Liaison Grant reported that the outside of the hockey rink was painted by the Arden Hills-Shoreview Rotary, the inside will be painted by staff once the road construction materials are removed. Some buckthorn removal has continued, most recently in the Chatham trails area. There are a couple of groups working alongside the County workers to help remove buckthorn. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen said Public Works purchased a new brush cutting type mower to maintain areas where buckthorn has already been cut. Residents can also schedule to have buckthorn cuttings picked up by the City.