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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-13 PTRCNancy O Malley Cindy Garretson -- Jane Larson Don Messerly www.cityofardenhills.org Chuck Michaelson John Peck Harold Petersen Steve Scott Rich Straumann Matt Trites John Van Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well- infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long-standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.A.October 15, 2013 Regular Meeting Documents:OCTOBER 15, 2013 PTRC MINUTES.PDF UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3.A.Parks And Recreation Community Survey Follow Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF, ATTACHMENT B.PDF 3.B.Other Unfinished Business NEW BUSINESS 4.A.2014 Work Plan Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF 4.B.Other New Business 5.A.City Council Report Fran Holmes, Council Liaison 5.B.Public Works/Parks And Recreation Report Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager 6.A.Tuesday, December 17th A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair called the October 15, 2013, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Nancy Committee Members Phil Kramlinger, John Peck, Harold Petersen, and Matt Trites. OTHERS PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson and Council Liaison Fran Holmes. ABSENT: Committee Members Cindy Garretson (excused), Jane Larson (excused), Don Messerly (excused), Chuck Michaelson (excused), Steve Scott (excused), Rich Straumann (excused), and John Van Valkenburg (excused). 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Petersen motioned to approve the agenda seconded by Committee Member Kramlinger. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 24, 2013 Committee Member Peck pointed out that the second paragraph on page 3 under Item B. should read Committee Member Michaelson instead of Petersen and on page 5 the last sentence of paragraph 3 should read Committee Members Garretson and Van Valkenburg instead of Garretson and Larson. MOTION: Committee Member Peck motioned to approve the September 24, 2013, minutes as amended, seconded by Committee Member Petersen. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Parks and Recreation Community Survey Results Ms. Olson asked the committee how they wanted to utilize the results of the survey and how they wanted to present to Council. Chair Osuggested the committee prioritize what was commented on the most and present the Council with the full survey as well as the prioritized information. Discussion ensued on the comments which included comments about adding amenities at Royal Hills, adding drinking fountains, having splash pads at some of the parks, and the incorrect crosswalk painting in the Fox Ridge area. Ms. Olson indicated she would talk to Public Works Director Maurer about the current location of the crosswalk and whether there was a reason for that specific Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October 15, 2013 Page 2 location. She also indicated it would be expensive to add splash pads since only three of the parks have water. Council Liaison Holmes stated she felt it would be a great amenity and suggested utilizing the Arden Hills Foundation if the committee has a specific purpose for a splash pad. Ms. Olson indicated she would look into the cost of a splash pad and the cost of water hookup, but will first have the City engineer look at it since there could be an issue with water hookup. Ms. Olson asked the committee which park they had in mind for the splash pad and it was the consensus of the committee to have it at Hazelnut Park. There were also comments about adding permanent bathrooms at Hazelnut and leaving the bathrooms unlocked during the day at the parks that have pavilions. Ms. Olson indicated she felt the bathrooms would be vandalized even more if left open and there would be a maintenance issue as staff would need to hire a part time seasonal to unlock and monitor the bathrooms. Chair she felt were easy fixes. Council Liaison Holmes stated she felt the points brought up in the survey were reflective of things she has heard. She suggested that staff divide up the comments by park and that way they could focus on each park and see what the issues are and which issues would be easy fixes. It was also suggested that staff have a section on trail comments as well as comments by park. Ms. Olson indicated some of the comments were inaccurate because the residents were not aware of what actually transpired. She indicated that, for example, the comment about the resurfacing at Floral Park that did not turn out, is not accurate. Ms. Olson explained the City started to resurface Floral and found there was a coating left on the trails from a prior time that was not allowing the resurface to adhere. Therefore the resurfacing was stopped at that location and instead was done at the Elmer L. Andersen Trail. She stated that Floral was never finished as the comment indicated and staff is still looking at options for resurfacing that area. Chair Osuggested that a letter be sent to the residents explaining the resurfacing problem so they are aware of what is going on. It was the consensus of the committee that staff prepare a report for the newsletter and also provide a link to the report on the City website. Ms. Olson indicated that she felt residents, for the most part, are satisfied with the park and recreation programs the City offers and that currently there is more of a demand for preschool classes. It was suggested that a link be provided to the Shoreview and New Brighton park and recreation offerings on the City website and in the recreation guide. It was noted that there was a comment about the Night to Unite. Council Liaison Holmes indicated that most neighborhoods with a Neighborhood Watch hold a Night to Unite. It was felt the City should put an article in the newsletter informing residents how to go about having a Night to Unite. Committee Member Peck informed that Ramsey County hosts a dinner for the captains who are organizing such an event and they provide the captains with kits for planning the Neighborhood Night Out. woodchip levels being low. Ms. Olson indicated the City is on a 2-3 year replacement schedule and that the levels do Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October 15, 2013 Page 3 meet all safety standards. She indicated Public Works is currently working on replacing woodchips at Cummings Park. Ms. Olson stated that if there are any items the PTRC would like to work on, then it is something Council and staff would first need to discuss. B. Community Project Day October 26, 2013 Ms. Olson recapped that instead of having the traditional buckthorn removal day, the committee planned on soliciting help from Bethel students to paint the hockey boards at th Freeway on October 26. This week, the Bethel students went ahead and completed the painting and did a very nice job. Ms. Olson stated she would now like direction from the committee, since the painting is completed, on whether they would like to proceed with a garden clean-up day on October 26th or if they preferred to cancel the event. She indicated the committee volunteers would be responsible for raking and putting the plants/debris into the trucks after Public Works finished trimming. She informed that five or six committee members have already committed. Ms. Olson indicated the volunteers would start at 9:00 am and she will inform them of where to meet and then will provide each group with a schedule of which gardens they will be working on. C. Other Unfinished Business r Messerly asked her to provide an update on ed the six residents that live by the park. He indicated that five of the six residents stated they had no objection to a prairie garden and that one resident was against it. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Committee Member Terms and Committee Chair for 2014 Ms. Olson reported that Committee Member Peck has informed that he will not be seeking reappointment, and that Committee Members Petersen and Straumann have indicated they will seek reappointment. As of this date, she has not heard from Committee Member Larson who will need to inform Deputy Clerk Dietl by October 18. dicated she preferred not to serve as Chair in 2014, but would do so if no other member was interested. Ms. Olson indicated she would send out an e-mail to see if any other member was interested in being Chair in 2014. B. Review 2103 Work Plan Progress Ms. Olson provided the committee with the 2013 work plan to see if there were any unfinished items that needed to be completed and to begin discussion on 2104 priorities. She questioned whether the committee should be looking at the Hazelnut Picnic Shelter Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October 15, 2013 Page 4 Enhancement project which was tabled earlier in the year. Council Liaison Holmes indicated she felt the timing was not right and that this should be revisited in 2014. Ms. Olson recapped that the Off-Leash Dog Park item would go to Council at the October 21Work Session and that Committee Members Michaelson, Peck and Messerly would be presenting the proposal. C. Other New Business Committee Member Trites indicated there was a comment in the survey questioning the safety of the bidge on County Road E and he also believes there is a safety concern as the railing on the bridge is not very high. Ms. Olson informed there are plans for the bridge to be reconstructed in 2015. 5. REPORTS A.City Council Report Council Liaison Holmes thanked Ms. Olson for organizing the painting project at Freeway Park. Ms. Holmes reported that Committee Member Messerly asked her to notify the committee that he has heard there is concern about the walking trails on the south side of Country Financial if Bethel purchases the property. Presently, Country Financial allows the public to use those trails which Bethel will not when they buy the property. Ms. Olson stated that she has talked to the City Planner about this and recommends that if this goes forward, that Bethel continue to allow the public use of these trails. Council Liaison Holmes stated Superintendent and a school board member Hoverman attended the Council meeting on Monday and there was discussion about the City partnering with Mounds View for a trail from the bridge up to Mounds View High School. Superintendent Hoverman was in favor of the idea, however, the school has no funds for the project. Committee Member Peck indicated besides the Arden Hills Foundation the City could also contact the District 621 Foundation regarding a safe trail for students. Ms. Holmes informed that another Gateway sign will be placed on the corner of E2 as you turn right, by the office complex. She mentioned the foundation is also working with the City on a sign at Hwy 96 and Lexington. The committee members suggested placing the sign in the median. Ms. Holmes indicated she would check into whether this would be possible, but felt the median may be too small to accommodate the sign. Ms. Holmes stated that Council is spending a lot of time on TCAAP and has been looking at the master plan and AUAR. Council Liaison Holmes metioned that Round Lake Road, which is located behind the Holiday Gas Station, will be repaved. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October 15, 2013 Page 5 Ms. Holmes also reported that Hwy 96 and 10 will open at the end of November. Ms. Holmes informed that the Goodwill store will be going to the Planning Commission in December if all goes well. She mentioned that since they will not own the building, but will be renting, they are not tax exempt. Public Works/Parks & Recreation Report Ms. Olson reported that the trails that were reconstructed this summer/fall are almost complete. The sections that were reconstructed include a portion of Cummings Park Drive, the section from Hamline to Cummings Park that is by the pond, a section of Perry Park, and the section from where the gate was removed at Hazelnut to the play structure. She indicated that both the Floral Park and Hazelnut Park gates have been removed and that Public Works is putting in pedestrian ramps at Hamline where the new trail at Cummings goes over to Floral Park. Ms. Olson indicated that Public Works may not get all the landscaping done at Cummings until the spring. Ms. Olson informed that Public Works will be installing bike racks at Cummings, Hazelnut, Perry, and either Royal Hills or Floral Park, and will be putting in more bike racks next year. Public Works is hoping to get them installed this fall. Ms. Olson indicated that Public Works is starting to get ready for winter. They are also doing some aerating and fertilizing of the parks and installing mats at the play structures. Ms. Olson mentioned that she talked to Public Works about removing the chain attached to the stop sign at Sampson Park. She also informed that the pathway will remain open during the winter and that the bumpers will be removed. Ms. Olson advised that she is in the process of hiring ice rink attendants. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Peck moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m., seconded by Committee Member Petersen. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). NEXT MEETING th The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. site to be determined. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: November 13, 2013 TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Community Survey Results Follow Up Requested Action Staff provided the comprehensive results of the community survey for the PTRC members to review at the October meeting. The committee asked for comments to be categorized by park and brought back for further discussion in November. Background One of the work items that the PTRC requested of Council at the March 18, 2013 joint meeting was the possibility of the committee drafting a survey using Survey Monkey to seek input from the residents of Arden Hills on parks and trails. Council consensus was to move forward on posting the survey online and notifying residents by placing a small blurb in the newsletter and st as an insert to the utility bills. The survey was available on the website from July 1 through th August 16. Staff included the comprehensive results for review at the October meeting (Attachment A). The committee only had five members present, which is not a quorum. The consensus of those present was to have staff categorize the comments by specific parks and trails and bring back for further discussion (Attachment B). Staff recommends that the committee utilize the survey results to assist in preparing the 2014 work plan. The survey results could be presented to Council at the March joint session. Attachments Attachment A: Community Parks and Recreation Survey Attachment B: Community Parks and Recreation Survey organized by specific parks and trails Attachment A Park/Trail Survey Comments Arden Manor Arden Oaks Charles Perry Crepeau Crepeau Nature Preserve needs trail connections SW to the Hamline Avenue Trail and North, via Pine Tree Drive to County Road E ----local residents and also employees in the Country Financial building would benefit. It would be helpful to have garbage bins at the entrances to Crepeau Nature Reserve. Currently there are only recycling bins at the entrances and I have often seen dog poop and other garbage sitting around the recycling bins. For those of us who walk our dogs at the park, it would be great to have a place to throw dog poop when entering/leaving the park. Thanks Cummings We can walk to Cummings and enjoy the trails/playground often. In Cummings Park there is a path that goes down towards Karth Lake. There is a fort nailed into the trees down by the water with a bunch of garbage, a recliner chair in the woods. It is turning into a dumping station. Also, there is a hatchet high in the tree with a rope wrapped around it. I worry about it getting into the wrong hands. Access at Cummings is not sufficient; it is difficult to use. These parks are within walking distance but hard to access without crossing Hamline Avenue to access the sidewalk. My husband and I use thetrails for running. The kids use the playground at Cummings but are getting older. The tennis courts are good at Cummings. Use tennis courts and trails at Cummings. The trail needs some tree trimming. The park we use most often is Cummings Park.That park is fantastic, with the exception of the playground equipment. The mulch is very low and the structure, according to the stickers that are/were on the posts, are high. This height difference makes entering/exiting the structure and swings difficult. Ioften find tennis ball containers and lids on the courts. You may want to consider a trash can near that area. Cummings is somewhat better than Floral with being dismal and dark. I think the warming house should close at Cummings to save money because it is underused during the winter and I very rarely see anyone skating. Our family reunion is usually held at Cummings. The shelter and kitchen area work wonderfully for the crowd. Warming house/building at Cummings is underused. Nice building, so not sure why there aren't more groups using it except people don't know how to get to the park and parking by car --parking lot and access is HIDDEN? The trails near Cummings Park are downright dangerous; not acceptable for family use. I have one complaint about the trimming/mowing done last fall especially in Cummings. It seemed like someone simply went through and hacked down anything within 2-3 feet of the paved trail. Trees were hacked off 6-12 inched above the ground level and then simply left. Often the trees were not even sawed off evenly but splintered and shattered. There was no clean up or discrimination in the type of foliage that was taken down. I also wonder if there is any plan to deal with the proliferation of the invasive species of buckthorn and burdocks. Make Cummings Park more easily accessible from parking lot -pave a short path around the gate or get rid of gate. Floral Floral Park has a nice mixture of trails, playground, picnic shelter, ballfield and benches to just sit and enjoy the scenery. This park is well-kept with healthy looking trees and grassy areas. Floral Park is somewhat dismal and dark, even for having a ballpark. Can someone remove the fall leaves that are still around the baseball backstop? It’s August for crying outloud. [1] Also some brilliant one drove in right field and got stuck in the grass from the heavy rains. The ruts are still there and also looks terrible. I guess we’ll wait until some kid breaks an ankle. Come on they see it every time they cut the grass. Freeway See Freeway basketball court used and children playing some team sports (soccer) practice. Nice to walk through. Freeway Park, which is a gateway to Arden Hills needs work. The ice rink should be painted dark green and plants should be planted between the rink and street. That alone would be a vast improvement. Nota lot of money needs to be spent. Hazelnut I would say the tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball field and the picnic pavilion are usually being used when I'm at Hazelnut. Nice to walk thru Hazelnut. Basketball nets at Hazelnut court need to be improved. I noticed new nets were brought in, but the problem is with how they are connected to the hoops,not with the nets themselves. Need new hooks to connect or else they fall offimmediately. Hazelnut gets used for basketball almost every night of the week and it would be huge if the nets could get fixed. I would love a bathroom at Hazelnut. Basketball nets at Hazelnut are usually in tatters. Hazelnut Park needs new basketball nets and has needed them for awhile. Basketball nets @ Hazelnut -it would be an easy fix and would satisfy at least 40 different citizens I know personally who use that park. Ingerson Ingerson is basically a winter park with sledding. It is used some inthe summer. Parking at Ingerson needsimprovement. Johanna Marsh I'm not aware of facilities/amenities at Johanna Marsh. Lindey’s Put soccer nets or something at Lindey’s. Perry Perry Park is just east of us -a good place to walk or bike with a friend. Never alone! The ball fields are always in use in the summer at Perry. I cycle around Perry Park. The rink in Perry Parkrequires walking across the parking lot in your skates, which ruins your skates. Also the rink itself is starting to show its age. Royal Hills It is a nice park, but with the new neighborhood of Fox Ridge there are a lot more children. Would like to see the park expanded. We live in the new Fox Ridge community and would be grateful if the city would consider upgrading the Royal HillsPark equipment as there are over 80 kids under the age of 10 that just moved into the Fox Ridge development. Thanks so much for your consideration! At Royal Hills there is always someone at the park. Family kids there all the time. That new FoxRidgeneighborhood has a million kids! With the new Fox Ridge development, there are approximately 80 more kids using this park now and so there is need for additional or updated equipment. [2] We have over 80 new children in our development and 3/4 of those kids are not of school age. I would love to see at Royal Hills Park, a larger playground and large sandbox with diggers. It would also be nice to have more swings. I also feel the basketball hoops need to be updated. They are pretty bent. Some retractable square glass backboards would be nice. Royal Hills Park is a nice space, but the playground equipment is pretty minimal compared to other parks. There are over 50 kids under the age of 5 in the neighborhood, and it would be great to upgrade that playground equipment for them (and the older kids in the neighborhood as well!). My 2 year old is not excited about that park anymore, and we've started biking or driving to Cummings. Let's upgrade Royal Hills, I know the neighbors would use it and take excellent care of it!!!! There are 39 new homes just built by Royal Hills (Fox Ridge) with approx 80 small children who use Royal Hills regularly. We would love to see additional, upgraded playground equipment here.Thank you. Need a bigger playset for the Fox Ridge community which has over 90 children that will utilize this park and there is insufficient play area for this growing community. We would be grateful if the park equipment was upgraded at Royal Hills Park to add more swings. Royal Hills needs trails/sidewalk from 96th to Royal Hills Park so people/children with disabilities can't enjoy the parks. My husband and I would love to see a splash pad put in near our home. There are 60 plus more young children in our new neighborhood of Fox Ridge and I think the utility of it would be great. Thanks for considering Sampson Valentine Love the new Valentine Park. Thanks and great job!! Love that the park is finished and it looks great. The new Valentine Park is being used all the time. Great to see! Young families with children seem to visit the new park. My children are now high school age -nothing now to draw them to park. We have a basketball hoop at home and they play hockey. It would have been nice to have a well maintained ice rink for skating nearby. The Valentine playground is packed. I'm 25,swing sets aren't my thing anymore. I don't like the new drainage pond thing by old Hwy 10 and Lake Valentine Road.-it's ugly. If you really wantto improve that area put a run/walk/jog/bike path along the lake side of Old Hwy 10. People constantly run in my lane of traffic over there and not in appropriate reflective materials, often at dusk or night time. If you could leave all of the forest in the process though because that is part of the charm of this area. We like it dark without many street lights and woodsy. I love the new Valentine Park, I would rate it as excellent,but the other parks lower my general rating a bit. I walk through Valentine Park occasionally on my walks but it is not a destination. Wish the new Valentine Park had a little more running/open space for kids to play. Love the new bike/walking path down to Valentine Hills Park. Would be nice also to have a bike path by 96 and Old 10 when highways/streets are completed. Valentine Park looks great. Generic Comments Visit Tony Schmidt regularly and also the baseball field part right outside of Tony Schmidt Our neighborhood (Siems Court/Ridgewood Road area) does not have a neighborhood park even though, through property taxes, we support the other neighborhood parks Visit Tony Schmidt Regional Park/path system as well. Primarily use Tony Schmidt Park. Parks are well maintained –trash containers very nice and always emptied on time. We need more ballfields and the ones we have need to be upgraded. If the fields are under utilized it is because they aren’t very nice. Better playgrounds for the kids. Better upkeep of fields. When going past, rarely see anything being used. It would be nice to maintain the grass cutting and have trash containers available. [3] We drive to other cities for splash pads, would love to see that here. We also would love more parks that had big kid and little kid playground activities at the same park. The equipment is not up-to-date and too hot to play on. It needs tobe planned better so young children can actually play on them. Not enough swings or hanging areas. We just moved to the area, we live on Gramsie, across the street from Chuck Michaelson and Don Messerly. I am a stay-at-home Mom and would LOVE to be moreinvolved in the Arden Hills committee. Please let me know if there are openings as I would love to be on the Parks Board with my neighbors and work to keep the parks/trails beautiful for my children (who will grow up here) and all of their friends.I'm a long-time blogger about local events and family friendly activities and I think I could bring a unique energy to the committee. Please let me know how I can help. Jen Stephens One thing not asked for in # 12 is buckthorn control and promoting native plantings in non-park natural areas. I think the city should offer a buckthorn removal day every once in a while that requests neighbor participation. It would help out.Thanks. Visit Tony Schmidt the most. Visit Tony Schmidt Park –beach and trails. Tony Schmidt is where I spend the most time. I drive by the others and rarely use them on foot--but I love them. Equipment is seldom used when I walk by. Splash pad. Parks need to be updated. We bring kids to play in park to talk with other parents. Don’t use parks. I play broomball. Some of the trail surfaces are pretty rough in spots. We don’t use parks but feel they are great. We enjoy the natural elements, like paths, trees, animals, birds, etc. I don’t spend much time at the parks but the person that useto keep the flower beds did a great job until this year and now seems to be completely absent. I mostly use Tony Schmidt County Park because it is the closest. We don’t visit the parks regularly. We love the parks in Arden Hills. We are retired and like to bike and take long walks there. For parks I visit regularly I use tennis courts, soccer fields, skate rink, playground. Use tennis courts, walking paths, trash cans. Use tennis courts, soccer fields, skate rink, playground. Parks are clean. Tell the transportation departments, more bike lanes... I'm not an ice-skater anymore, so I don't notice much about the ice rinks in winter. I'm sure all amenities are fine.Very very proud to be in Arden Hills Parks seem to be well-maintained I especially appreciatethe landscaping.The variety of trees is not only attractive but makes the parks less susceptible to being wiped out by a single pest or disease. Water fountains at parks would be awesome! More benches. As playground equipment gets older,isit getting checked for safety? I have noticed the woodchips get below the recommended level (line on equipment). I just use parks for walking. I was disappointed to see how the Snelling-over-694 new construction doesn't allow for any pedestrian right of way. ExceptCummings, all parks seem to get regular use. We observe a variety of groups and activities at parks. The parks are great and well kept. I think all the parks have potential, but some need some tweaks to be even better. Always kept very clean and grass is cut -nice play areas. Love the fact that the parks in this city actually have a functioning water fountains and open bathrooms! I would like to help, please contact me at karin.goff@gmail.com [4] Also a drinking fountain at more parks would be nice but I realize that would take a lot more funding. Should allow powered wheelchair and segway use wherever bicycles are allowed. I have no suggestions. I do not enjoy the parks (my nature). It sounds like you are taking good care of things. We need the lakes testedfor that ameba found in Stillwater. If you add too much to the parks you wreck them, so just leave them alone. The parks and trails are great. I love them. I also like the new trees that were added to the empty space by County Road D and Fairview. The parks and trails are great -keep up the good work. If you are going to add more trees will you please plant a Red Bud Tree in Hazelnut Park. I don't have room in my yard to plant another big tree and they are so beautiful. Love living in Arden Hills and all the trails and parks. I can't wait to raise kids in the area. We need to get rid of the Buckthorn that is quickly taking over & crowding out the natural greenery in our pond, wet land, trails & parks. We are involved with and have been for 20 years playing sports at the parks and watching our children play sports. I have been at meetings for the adult softball leagues and heard the facilitator say it is okay to drink alcohol at games as long as it is in moderation. I asked her what this meant. No good answer of course. You guys post rules for the parks "No Alcohol" and "Tobacco Free Zone". What a joke. Last week the softball team we played was done with a case of beer before the game started and continued drinking during the game. We have fantastic parks and facilities now, why don't we take care of what we have and enforce the rules. Otherwise get rid of your rules. Splash pad or pool. As stated above, we're happy with the parks & trails except for the thistle "sticky burr' problem. I think you do a good job of upkeep on our trails and facilities. Keep up the good work. Get rid of buckthorn I wish theparks had drinking fountains. I love the parks and the trails,that is why I moved here 2 1/2 years ago. Not much to do at the park near my neighborhood. Funds are always needed to maximize enhancements and those continual improvements. The primary park I use for walking is Tony Schmidt. I enjoy going bya nice looking park, it makes me smile. There are a number of parks with gates or chains across the paved path into the park (Hazelnut, Cummings, Sampson, Floral).When on a bike, in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller you have to go onto the grass or dirt to get into the park.This looks uninviting and tacky, not to mention that it is a hazard for a bicycle rider.If the person in a wheelchair does not have a companion with them, they may not even be able to get into the park because it is harder to propel a wheelchair in dirt or grass. Not all the portapotties are WC accessible. My wife has MS-more restroom facilities would be needed -she does not use the trails or parks. None of the parks near ourhouse are handicapped accessible. You either have to push a wheelchair through grass and wood chips or go up steps to get to the park. I have two children with special needs and this is a huge concern for me. Never a problem, except in winter, Ingerson is not plowed in a timely manner to support the inrush of sledders., when it snows. It is a great sledding hill. Tennis courts could use minor improvements. Miscellaneous Trail Comments I would like for Arden Hills to have cross-country ski trails. I would also love to have a mountain bike trail area similar to Elm Creek. That seems like a good use of TCAAP, especially the hill. It could be developed like Elm Creek with a tubing, boarding and downhill ski area for winter use. The primary park I use for walking is Tony Schmidt County Park, sometimes going up to Perry Park. My main frustration is the lack of off-road sidewalks/trails. It is neither safe or enjoyable to have to walk on road shoulders on County and City roads constantly looking out for vehicles in order to access these parks. We love biking and running together on the trails. The community needs more off-road sidewalks/trails. Weneed to be designing/retrofitting the neighborhoods and the community with safe ways for bike and pedestrian travel. Arden Hills needs a trail system that connects our parks and allows access to other regional trails in the metro area. [5] Please create some natural-surface trails of wood chips or dirt! They are so wonderful for taking long walks or running on. Playgrounds are kind of rundown but trails are good. Some mountain biking trails in Arden Hills (in Tony Schmidt with the count) would be neat. More walking/biking trails that connect parks from neighborhoods and/or make getting around Arden Hills easier. Connections to the other trails in the area (e.g., Shoreview or Roseville) would be wonderful. Would b e great to see some trails that go around area lakes, not just to them. I would like more trails. Would love to see the trail system near me expanded. We need more trails. The way it is now it is very difficult to get to commercial facilities in anything but a car. Running on the wood chips is terrible. Nicely maintained dirt trails are preferred. I walk the trails but do not use the parks. Visit Tony Schmidt trails regularly. I walk on the trails almost every day. I do not use ballfields or children’s play areas. I’m glad you left the foot trail located before the tunnel in its natural state. Kids can see deer tracks, etc., and need to have a “wild” path to explore. Water fountains or paved paths. Poor upkeep of grass and trails. More trails. Regularly walk on trails through Floral and Cummings from my Wynridge Drive home. Arden Hills seriously needs a bicycle trail system that connects our parks and allows access to other regional trails in the metro area. We need more paths, especially paths that connect to other parks and roads. Need more trash cans along the paths. I would like to see emphasis in developing natural trails that could be used for hiking and biking by residents of all ages. I think it would be helpful to coordinate with Ramsey County since some Arden Hills neighborhoods are deeplyinterconnected with Tony Schmidt Regional Park. I would be interested in helping assist in development, creation and trail maintenance if there wasan effort with Ramsey County to develop trails. No motor vehicle signs. Like the benches on the trail, don’t use but it is good for people who are challenged. I hate all the plant destruction on trail. I understand why but think it is unnecessary. I have lived here almost 70 years without a problem of the wire coming down. It has greatly reduced the pleasure of walking, destroyed many wild flower species and reduced habitat for birds and butterflies. I think the paved trails in my area are well done (Valentine Hills to Lake Johanna). Should have walking/running/biking paths in park and connected to neighborhoods. The new path that connects Valentine Park to neighborhood behind it is a start; however, it should go further --all the way to the high school and should extend to County Road E2 path and to my neighborhood to the north. We have lived on Valentine Court for 12 years and had no off-road route to the parks or connection to any trails without riding on and crossing busy streets. Old Highway 10 is very dangerous for any pedestrian, runner or cyclist --high speed, very busy (with lots of young drivers -high school & college-age), curves and a crumbling shoulder. Lake Valentine Road, itis also a busy road which provides access to the high school (and it too has lots of inexperienced young drivers) yet there is no paved path to the school from any of the neighborhoods around it. How can we encourage our youth to walk, run or bike to school when there is no safe way for them, especially in the winter when the snow is piled and there is not even a shoulder on which to walk . What better way to incorporate healthy living than to enable our youth to rely on their own two feet to get to and from school rather than having to rely on rides and to provide safe routes for the citizens of our community to walk, bike, cycle to our neighborhood parks, rather than driving. I feel like these trails/paths should be a high priority. Really enjoy the trails and the connection to the Country Financial walkways. Would love to see an additional link to Country Financial loop from the end of the existing Hamline bike path parallel to Snelling Avenue. I'm sure there is adequate public easement to accommodate it and relatively little construction work would be needed. Trail connectivity to get from south to north. For example from the Tony Smith Regional Park to Highway96. Sometimes I walk down to the Johanna Beach on the trail and it is nice to have so much green space, parks, and trails to enjoy. I would like to see more control of poison ivy, buckthorn and no motor vehicle signs on trails. I have called a few times about this but get blown off by staff. Boo. I like that the trails are well maintained and plowed. [6] We use the trail system daily for running, but I am not sure why others aren't out more. Trails need to be trimmed back more frequently and cleaned, including along sidewalks and trails, so that tree branches don't hit the bike helmets. It should be busier at the parks and a destination for families on bikes. Low maintenance trails should still be cleaned. More running/biking trails around Johanna would begreat! With Bethel and Northwestern Colleges in the vicinity, and to promote active and healthy lifestyles for all, PLEASE start investing in safe non-motorized means of travel -for commuting, for exercise, for errands, for kids to bike or walk to a friend's house. It's not going to be any easier or cheaper in the future! More trails and better linking. Trails are not maintained well enough for in line skating. Rating primarily based upon connectivity of trails. Difficult to move from one section to another without potentially hazardous crossings. Would be nice if the trail system connecting with Tony Schmidt/Lake Johanna would be groomed for cross- country skiing for winter activities. Don't have good network. More connectivity of trails. Invest in more paths so that we connect within the city and to other regional trails. Trails are in good shape, but need many more. Love the paved trails. Wish there was more enforcement to encourage people to stop on E2. Feel very disconnected from the trails in the city. I worry about the safety of my kids enroute to the trail system as discussed above. Need more trash cans along the paths. REALLY would like tight road shoulders to be wider and more bike trails connecting schools and parks! Love what you have done sofar! The paved paths are so great, I love the existing paths but there could be more. Trails are very poor. Again, I cannot say enough, that Arden Hills seriously needs a bicycle trail system that connects our parks and allows access to other regional trails in the metro area. Would be nice if the trails connected to the others around us more, especially around the Valentine/Mounds View/Bethel area and around Lake Johanna. Seems like there are always peoplerunning/biking/walking/ rollerblading, etc.,onthose areas with no sidewalk or trail. More maps on paths would be helpful for people unfamiliar with trail system. The trails are a great improvement & can be a relaxing escape-when out of control dogs don't ruin it for others. Big issue-irresponsible dog owners that let their dogs run free, way ahead of them, and out of control when they meet other leashed dogs & people/children on the trails. These dogs scare children, when they run up to them, making for tearful situations. Owners, NOT cleaning up after their dogs on the trails & neighbor's yards next to the paths is an unpleasant issue. It's not the dogs fault that they have irresponsible, disrespectful, thoughtless owners. The sign listing the city trails rules & regulations doesn't seem to pertain to these dog owners. I am a dog owner & have been forced to stop using our beautiful trails because of the consistent, stressful confrontations of out of control dogs & their thoughtless owners. Our neighborhood streets are fine, but not as preferredas a trails. I use trails every day. I always see other residents on paved paths. We regularly walk the trails in our area. More trails!!! Natural surface would be amazing! Less street crossings, if possible. My daughters both run cross country and they wish there were long, soft trails for running near where we live. The closest right now is North Oaks' Pleasant Lake Trail. I also wish you would plow the trail between Colleen and Arden View Ct in the winter. From our house by MVHS we have no trail, sidewalk or bike lane at all for about 1/2 block going east and even further going west down Lake Valentine Road. This is an incredibly busy area and dangerous for adults and kids to be walking or biking along that part. There are many kids who walk to school along this road and I don't feel the city has provided our kids a safe walking path to get to and from school. There really needs to be a sidewalk that connects from the bridge over 35W all the way to where the sidewalk for the park begins, not only for recreation use but mainly for the safety of the students. In addition, it would be really nice to have more walking space along the Old Snelling stretch from Bethel to Lake Valentine Road. The neighborhoods in this area don't have very safe walking trails considering the speed of cars along that road. [7] It is really nice and love how it connects all the different parks. However I would love to see a trail on the west side of Snelling connecting the 96 trail to the Royal Hills Park trail and the other trail on Snelling. People are constantly walking on Snelling and it would be much safer for children and adults to have a trail. There is plenty of space for it on the west side of Snelling. The 96 trail is going to eventually connect to Long Lake Park, so this would just add another piece tothetrail system. There are occasionally some trees down on the trails that are slow to be cut. Trails arelacking some connections –however, some wide road shoulders provide current usage. The trails need to be mowed with a flail mower to clear the trail edges by 3 feet at least 2-3 times per year. Some need additional brush and tree removal. They should also be power swept 2-3 times per year. I use them daily. I feel we have plenty of trails. I use them regularly and cannot cover all the trails we have.They are never busy either. I like that. The site where the paved path ends at CountyRd E2 and Snelling/Old State Hwy 10. Are we supposed to walk along Old State Hwy 10? VERY dangerous there. I'm hoping for a paved path from Valentine Park to CountyRd E (Lindeys). Also, the path behind Chatham Avenue dumps you off in back of the Bethel tennis courts -kind of a dead end -so you have to climb over the berm to the parking lot, then there really isn't anywhere else to go. would like to help connect the parks and trails even more and to other recreation spots not owned by Arden Hills (like those owned by the county or by the school district).Also, can we get a trail all the way to Long Lake or Round Lake? Seems like we could! Off-road trails are needed up Snelling Avenue at least from Northwestern College to Bethel. Off road trails are also needed along County Road E, Lake Johanna Blvd., New Brighton Road. Ideally, trails/sidewalks should be on BOTH sides of a street -so the 8 year old, and the 80 year old, and everyone in between does not have to dodge traffic to cross a busy road to get to the trail/sidewalk. Additionally, there should be a "green" boulevard between the trails/sidewalks and the streets toact as a buffer, and to allow space for signs, mailboxes, snow removal, and to provide space for trees for shade and beauty. It would be nice if a pedestrian bridge could bridge Snelling Avenue in the vicinity of where Hamline Avenue intersects with Snelling. The area along New Brighton Road directly connecting Perry Park to the SW part of Arden Hills is currently a death trap. A trail from Stowe & New Brighton Road up to the trail on E2 would add a lot of commuter-bike safety as well as offer a safe connection to the park for those on the western side of the city. There is also no good way to bike through Arden East-West --I have friends that travel through ArdenHillsto work and it's some of the least safe biking they do. Locally, trails are good, andwhere sparse, roads are rarely busy enough to be a problem. However, crossing as a cyclist the various freeways and highways such as I-694 and Snelling can be problematic and dangerous especially in rush hour. For local improvements, extending the trail and filling the gap to Perry Park of the Elmer Anderson trail would be loved. For more "regional" cycling, the proposed underpass from Bethel under 694 would help tremendously. The Highway 96/Highway 10 underpass may help significantly; I am excited to see it completed. There are lots of ways to connect to other parks/trails, but they all involve biking on major roadways with no bike lane and fast traffic and no well marked crosswalks. Old Snelling is one example. This makes it challenging to bike with small kids/family to take advantage of the trails. You really need to drive to a location/trailhead to get onto it, and that becomes challenging without good parking in those areas. It's especially bad, specially on the bridges crossing 35W from CountyRd E and Snelling (by McDonalds). I understand this is not an easy, cheap or quick fix, but I sincerely hope that biking and walking safety throughout our neighborhood and city is a priority for city, county and state planning. The path under the railway byBethel is great -can we get one on the other side? How about on the bridge between Eagle's Nest and the high school? Since losing the AH Library -a loss that I don't think the city properly acknowledges or accepts -we need better access to the New Brighton location. If AH is working to make the CountyRd E and Lexington area more "downtown" then access needs to improve. I am encouraged by the Anderson Trail and look forward to the trail and biking options that TCAAP will bring us. Need future trail development.Link up with any and all current bike trails leading into and out of AH! Old Highway 10 has so many joggers, walkers, bikers on it, desperately need a trail there. Also bridge over Snelling feels very dangerous on a bike, need a safe bike lane there. Along Lake Johanna Blvd. would be a good place for a trail as well. [8] Need a trail over Snelling. When the suburbs were built everyone was in such a hurry to be away from the city we ended up with islands of housing. If you want to leave your island you need to take your car or take your life in your hands. We need a long term plan that connects these islands with a trail system that accommodates other forms of transportation Please make a trail over or under US 10 to connect the neighborhood on the east side of US 10 with the neighborhood on the west side of US 10 and ultimately with the neighborhoods south of 694. For over 10 years have been hearing that the bridge by McDonald's will be expanded for pedestrians/bikers. This needs to happen as traffic continues to increase. Improve the trail along Hamline/Snelling between Old Snelling and Northwestern College. Extend the middle block (section along the New Snelling) so it is continued. Trail connections along Old Snelling from E-2 to Valentine Park. On bridges over Hwy 35W and on E-2 over Hwy 51. Connection on Snelling Lexington Connectionsfrom Old Snelling from 96 to County E, County Rd E from Lindey's to Lexington, Lake Johanna Blvd to County D. Join Hazelnut to Perry without having to go to Lake Johanna. It's very hard to cross Hamline. Cars do not slow down for pedestrians. So it is hard to connect to other areas. Is there a way to ask them to stop for pedestrians. Also, there is not a sidewalk all the way from Lexington to Hamline on County Rd F Better bike trail along west side of Lake Johanna, wider shoulder and/or bike trail along New Brighton Blvd., bike trails leading to the YMCA! Very, very poorconnections. Arden Hills seriously needs a bicycle trail system that connects our parks and allows access to other regional trails in the metro area. Again, I cannot say enough, that Arden Hills seriously needs a bicycle trail system that connects our parks and allows access to other regional trails in the metro area. Given that we have Rice Creek and Snail Lake close by, we could easily have awesome improvements. We need to get one up on Shoreview-AH is way behind. Lake Johanna all the way around Valentine/Bethel/Mounds View schools connected. Connecting trails together...biking acrossCounty Road E Bridge a disaster with kids. I do go over to where Roseville has trails. I use trails in the beach area. I would like more trail development but understand that 694 reduces that. I guess it is as good as it can be. Trails that connect without street crossings or other disturbances are generally pretty short. Long, soft trails for biking and running without stopping would be so useful and appreciated. Trail connectivity to get from south to north. For example from the Tony Smith Regional Park to Highway 96. Would love to have a path that connects the Tony Schmidt Park trail to MVHS area. We've been told that this is in the works now since we moved here 8 years ago. We're still waiting... We need a trail to connect to the Ramsey County Regional Park.We need a walking/bike path across the E2 bridge that goes over Hamline/Snelling Avenue by the McDonalds. This is not a safe area to walk or bike. We would like to see safer access to Royal Hills Park from Fox Ridge Development.Specifically, it would be great if there was sidewalk access along Old Snelling Road to connect to the side streets of Fox Ridge. Cars travel very fast on Old Snelling and it would be much safer if children could ride their bikes and walk on the sidewalk when they go to Royal Hills Park. County Road F between Hamline and Lexington needs a sidewalk, Hwy 96 to Long Lake Park needs a safe walking path. Need a route to the Mounds View High School by bike that is safe from the Karth Lake area. There is an easement and we cut through a neighbor's backyard that we use to access Cummings, otherwise there isn't a safe way to get there without crossing Hamline. Need a 10 yard segment of path at Hamline and 96 to connect Karth Lake Circle to the trail to avoid kids riding their bikes on the road; the cars have poor visibility andare speeding from Hamline to eastbound 96. Getting from Karth Lake Circle to the trails requires going through a yard. While there is reportedly a right of way, it feels intrusive. It is also frequently wet. Improvement would be appreciated. CountyRoadE from Old Snelling to Brausen, Old Snelling south of E, around Lake Johanna, around Lake Valentine. Adequate for now, budget for construction and maintenance of trails on TCAAP and access across Hwy. 96. Need a walkway along old Snelling Avenue. Need a trail on County Road E bridge over Hwy 51. Redoing current Hwy 10 & 96 crossings and TCAAP will provide some needed enhancements! [9] Last year you paid someone with a brush trimmer to cut the sides of the trails. Did anyone inspect their work? They knocked done brush and cut some. They also cut intolarge trees that will now die. It looked terrible in the fall, winter and spring with all this debris lying on the sides of the trails. Also the resurfacing job on the trails, did anyone inspect that work? They peeled of the old resurface that didn’t work and pushed all off to the sides into the grass -boy that looked nice and it’s still there. Taxpayer money at work. Take the bobcat and brush attachmentand brush the trails 3-4 times a year.Remove the rotting leaves,.helicopters, cottonwood, and branches, etc., from the trails and the edges of the trails and then they will stop deteriorating and cracking along the edges if they were uncovered, just like a driveway that is overgrown on the sides. Could the lawn cutters cut the edges of the trails that have the bristles growing? They hang over the trails-I've cut a bunch myself. Could the high school kids/summer help maybe trim some of the branches hanging down over the trail. How about removing the trees that have fallen down over the trails from storms earlier this year, at least move them into the woods instead of lining the trails.These are things people see when they are walking -not the stupid flowers on 96 that everyone drives by so quickly. If I wanted to live in an area that looked like the inner city I would move there. Parks good, trails not so good. Trails need to be smooth blacktop instead of glazing for rollerblades (easier on kneesif you fall or slip)!! Sometime road kill lingers excessively on trail between E2 and TSP (Tony Schmidt Park). The last time I walked through (last Sunday?) the trails behind the Valentine Townhouses someone had thrown a couch and probably a TV and other large garbage into the bushes (well hidden) on either side of the trail. I feel like our trails are very nicely maintained and my guess is the next time I walk through there again it will no longer be there. Thank you! My main complaint/concern has to dowith the overabundance of the very large thistle weed plants that line our walking paths. The plants that have purple flowers that dry up into "sticky burrs" right at the edge of the paved paths. These are especially annoying when walking our 2 dogs every day. They get into their fur and sometimes on our clothing. Can't these be eradicated? More funds are needed to keep trails in greater shape! Let's get people out of the streets and provide safe opportunities for them to travel and recreate. Trails are hilly and often uneven, making them unsuitable for walking impaired. We need a trail around Lake Johanna. Love the trails. Only suggestion might be to have some solar lights for safety. Keep working the trails. Keep up the good work maintaining the trails and park system. Arden Hills is a great place to live. It could be greater with a more advanced trail system. The new trail that connects our neighborhood via a trail to Lake Johanna is most appreciated. Now if we could just get to other areas as well, that would be terrific. Please complete the proposed trail on Lake Johanna and New Snelling Avenue. Currently we walk on a busy road -great for safety!! (this is a high priority) Loved the buckthorn removal that cleared areas along trails near Lake Johanna/Tony Schmidt Park in 2012! Have enjoyed trails for 29 years. However, benches should present an opportunity for quiet reflection. What we don't need is to be subjected to annoying and insulting advertising while trying to connect to our natural world. Be Active! Be Green! Rethink Recycling. Can you imagine going to Key Gardens and see "Eat Responsibly, Eat Right to stay Fit"! A thought for the city next time around, might be to consider a more nature themed alternative. For example, educational placards could be placed naming local wildlife and vegetation. Each bench could have a picture of a bird, animal, tree or flower that could be found in the area. That would be more apropos to a trail system which intends to connect people to nature. We are bombarded with advertising everywhere we go. We should be able to go to nature free of this pressure. Maintain the trails we have. We need both paved and natural trails. The new benches along the trail system is a nice addition. Need more trail development. The only suggestion would be to connect more trails with other trails -if that is doable without much extra cost. We don't feel there is a need for planting more trees, having more open space, creating more trails, providing more park benches or dog parks. The running trails are amazingly underused. [10] AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: November 19, 2013 TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: 2014 Work Plan Action Requested Staff recommends the PTRC discuss potential work plan items for 2014 in order to be prepared for approval at the January meeting. Background Each year, the PTRC sets a work plan for the upcoming year. Attached is the approved plan from 2013 (Attachment A). Staff provided the approved 2013 work plan at the October 15, 2013 PTRC meeting for committee review. The consensus of the committee was to bring back the work plan for discussion in November. The results from the Parks and Recreation Community Survey can be used as a tool to help establish priorities for projects moving forward. The City Council and PTRC typically hold a joint meeting in March. This will give the PTRC the opportunity to discuss the work plan and potential projects with the Council members. Attachments Attachment A: 2013 Approved work plan and expectations Attachment A Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Workplan –2013 2013 Work Plan Priorities 1. Trail Development 2. Freeway Park Enhancement 3. Hazelnut Picnic Shelter Enhancement 4. Off Leash Dog Area JANUARY 1.Review and finalize goals and work plan 2.Prepare presentation for Council/PTRC Joint Work Session FEBRUARY: 1.Trail Priority Review 2.Prepare for Joint Meeting MARCH: CITY COUNCIL/PTRC JOINT WORK SESSION 3.Review goals and work plan with Council 4.Discuss priorities APRIL: 1.Parks and Open Space Ordinance Presentation 2.Joint Meeting Debrief/Work Plan 3.Survey Monkey Question Discussion 4.Ice Rink Season Review 5.Pick meeting locations for off-site meetings 6.Prepare for Clean Up Day at Tony Schmidt Park MAY 1.5 year CIP PreliminaryDiscussion 2.Off Leash Dog Area/Freeway ParkImprovement Discussion 3.Park Amenity Discussion 4. Survey Monkey Follow up Discussion Over JUNE 1.Park Tour 2.Valentine Park Re-Grand Opening Involvement 3.5 YearCIP Review/Recommendation JULY 1.All Committee Barbeque AUGUST NO MEETING SCHEDULED?or TRAIL WALK IN CITY? SEPTEMBER 1.Discuss details of Clean up Day 2.TBD 3.TBD OCTOBER 1.Review Recreation Activities and Statistics 2.Review Comprehensive Plan Goals/Plans NOVEMBER 1.Goal setting discussion for 2014 DECEMBER 1.Establish and recommendgoals and work plan for 2014