03-22-1988 PTRC Agenda - Minutes

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• Minutes of Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Page 1 shortage of tennis courts, looked for ways to get two tennis courts on the site. The only possible way would be by eliminating the informal playing field. Buckley reminded the committee that the neighbors had wanted the playing field as well as the tennis court. Speaking as a resident of the neighborhood, McClung added that the area is already used a great deal, in its unfinished state, by neighborhood youngsters for kite-flying, informal ball games, and other activities. Savings in one court instead of two is $20,000. Advertisement for Bids for the tennis court and hard surface area will be made March 9 and 16, and bid awarded at March 28 Council meeting. Deletion of the planner fees and $20,000 from the tennis court expenditure results in estimated 1988 Park Fund expenditures of $86,050. Motion was made by Gillies, seconded by McClung, that the revised 1988 Park Development Plan be approved as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Committee discussed trail development plans, and the advantages and disadvantages of blacktopping trails; general consensus was that those trails connecting parks or covering difficult terrain should probably eventually be blacktopped as funds are available -- in view of the residents' expressed desire for a good trail system -- and those in more natural areas, kept in as natural a state as possible while still being usable. Trail sections with a high priority for blacktopping would be the connection between the two sections of the Chatham trail, and the very low areas on the Cummings to Floral trail. The section of the Arden Trail from Glenpaul to Stowe is scheduled for blacktopping this year since the soil is a "salt sand" type, and terrain is difficult. Ten Year Park Development Plan Buckley presented a proposed long range development plan. Committee reviewed his proposals for 1989 and 1990 in detail, and deferred discussion of the remainder of the plan to a later meetings. Changes to his plan recommended by the committee included: - Motion was made by Messerly, seconded by Mulcahy, that the proposed blacktopping of the trail in Crepeau Park be moved to a low priority project ($10,000 proposed in 1989) and that $1,000 be allotted in 1989 for upgrading of the natural trail. Rationale is that the natural state of the park lends itself better to a natural trail. Motion carried unanimously. - Buckley had proposed closing the shelter and skating rink at Valentine Park, and adding lights and a shelter to the Mounds View High School hockey and general skating area. It was moved by McClung, seconded by Otto, that lights not be added at Mounds View, and that the Valentine Park skating rink and shelter continue to be maintained (-$6,000 in proposed 1989 development plan). Rationale - area behind Mounds View is dark and more secluded, hockey rink as part of it also makes it less safe for small children. Committee also is reluctant to install lights on school • property - Buckley will approach school authorities to encourage them to install the lights. Motion carried unanimously.