12-14-1984 PTRC State of the Parks Report

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December 14, 1984 i Ms. Sue Schroeder Editor Town Crier 1636 Oak Avenue Arden Hills, MN 55112 Re: State of the Parks Report Dear Sue: Having received the December Town Crier in the mail today, I remembered my commitment to you to submit a report on park development in Arden Hills during 1984. Because there are many residents who may not know the history of the park development in the City, I have taken the liberty to include a brief review of the last twenty years as well as a more detailed report of the last twelve months. Feel free to edit where appropriate! "Twenty years have passed since the first park improvements were made to Freeway Park, the first parcel of land purchased for park and recreation use. Between 1965 and 1973, Floral , Perry, Ingerson and Sampson Parks were acquired and developed. • In 1973, the City Council approved a Park Dedication Ordinance and a Comprehensive Park Report. The Report eventually developed into a 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, approved in 1979, that continues to serve as the guide for park acquisition and development. By the start of 1984, the City had acquired a total of 13 park sites totalling over 150 acres and had spent approximately $400,000 in park dedication fund monies for acquisition and development. In addition, over 4 miles of trails had been established for park access, hiking and biking. During 1984, the Park and Recreation Committee, composed of 12 citizens from various parts of the City, recommended and the City Council approved the following: * Development, including installation of playground equipment, at Cummings Park. * Planting of numerous varieties of wild-flowers at the newly designated Crepeau Nature Preserve. * Installation of four tennis courts including tennis practice and basketball backboards at Cummings, Floral and Hazelnut Parks. * Grading and seeding of the City's newest park, Arden Oaks Park. • * Establishment of a Parkway Study Committee to study and evaluate a proposal for the creation of combined pedestrian/vehicular parkways within the City.