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Home My Public Portal About04.17.2024 Park Commission Meeting Packet POSTED AT CITY HALL: April 12, 2024 PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL (2052 County Road 24) 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes of the March 20, 2024 Regular Park Commission Meeting 4. UPDATE FROM CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS 5. REPRESENTATIVE AT NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6. STAFF REPORT 7. ANNUAL CLEAN-UP DAY DISCUSSION 8. ANNUAL PARK TOUR DISCUSSION 9. MAPLE PARK RENOVATION PLANNING DISCUSSION 10. ADJOURN CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 1 of 15 The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on March 20, 2024, at 7:00 1 p.m. 2 3 2024 Chairperson Terry Sharp presided. 4 5 1. CALL TO ORDER 6 7 2024 Chairperson Sharp called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 8 9 Present: Park Commissioners Terry Sharp, Nila Norman, Will Gunter, Troy Hutchinson, Steve 10 Webster, and Tom Mayer. Youth Park Commissioners Grace Illingworth and Ava Illingworth. 11 12 Absent: Park Commissioner Mary Morrison. 13 14 Also Present: Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Planning Director Dusty Finke, City Council 15 Park Commission Liaison Todd Albers, and Public Works Assistant Lisa DeMars. 16 17 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 18 19 There were no additions to the agenda. 20 21 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 22 23 Approval of the January 17, 2024, Regular Park Commission Meeting Minutes. 24 25 Motion made by Gunter, seconded by Norman, to approve the January 17, 2024, Park 26 Commission meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 27 28 4. UPDATE FROM CITY COUNCIL PROCEDINGS 29 30 Albers provided an update on recent City Council actions, noting the board has primarily worked 31 on consent items, as not much in new business or projects has been submitted via the planning 32 department. Albers reminded everyone in attendance about the upcoming Board of Appeal and 33 Equalization meeting on Wednesday April 3, at 6:30p.m. Albers stated that general information 34 about property taxes, and the process residents can follow to make an appeal, are available on the 35 City website. 36 37 There were no questions. 38 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 2 of 15 5. REPRESENTATIVE AT NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING 1 2 Sharp noted Hutchinson is on the roster for upcoming Council meetings, to be held on April 2 3 and/or 16; and should reach out to another Commissioner if unable to attend and provide the 4 parks update. 5 6 6. GEOCACHING PRESENTATION 7 8 Youth Park Commissioners Grace and Ava Illingworth explained geocaching is a worldwide 9 outdoor treasure hunting game, where participants use GPS to hide and seek geocaches. They 10 explained participants utilize cellphone apps to engage in the activity and make notes, and even 11 hints, if the cache is too difficult to locate. Grace and Ava informed the Commission about 12 requests received by DeMars from residents asking to hide caches in city parks; and showed an 13 example of a magnetic geocache that public works found on a street sign. They explained caches 14 can consist of exchangeable trinkets or even just a scroll, like the example, where participants 15 write their initials. They said the activity is a great way for people of any age to get out and 16 explore parks. 17 18 Norman asked if they participate in the activity with friends or family, and what the footprint 19 looks like in Medina. 20 21 Grace and Ava said they especially enjoyed this activity in 2020, during Covid, and partake with 22 both family and friends. They stated according to the data in the app on their phone, the 23 footprint in Medina is vast, with caches being added often. 24 25 The Commissioners thanked the Illingworth’s for a very informative and well put together 26 presentation. 27 28 7. STAFF REPORT 29 30 DeMars presented the staff report and noted the seasonal amenity rental application section will 31 be corrected from Lakeshore Park to Hamel Legion Park, and the packet will be updated 32 accordingly. 33 34 Sharp stated the tabletop display at Clean-up Day in 2023 was a great way to interact with 35 residents and asked the Commissioners to check their schedules for April 27, and consider being 36 available for a time slot to represent the Park Commission at the event. 37 38 DeMars stated she would plan for park participation and work with Commissioners to fill in 39 timeslots. 40 41 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 3 of 15 Norman noted after presenting the Park Commission update at the City Council meeting the 1 night before, a question was raised on whether a kayak rack could be added at Holy Name Park. 2 The Commission agreed this would be a good amenity for the park. 3 4 Scherer stated the appropriate next step would be to add the kayak rack to the CIP during the 5 next budget discussion. 6 7 DeMars stated she would remind the committee to discuss adding a kayak rack at Holy Name 8 Park during the next CIP cycle discussion. 9 10 8. MAPLE PARK RENOVATION PLANNING DISCUSSION 11 12 Scherer noted projects added to the CIP of this dollar value are brought back to the Commission 13 for direction. He referred to the suggested options presented in the memo and asked the Park 14 Commission for direction on the preferred improvements for construction or whether additional 15 research or engagement is necessary, prior to bringing information to City Council for review. 16 Scherer also noted rumors and miscommunication regarding the removal of the sledding hill and 17 baseball field, which are false, and will be cleared up by the course of this discussion. 18 19 Hutchinson asked for a construction timeline, should the council approve a recommendation in 20 one of the next meetings. 21 22 Scherer responded some estimates have been gathered and excavating will need to take place to 23 determine if soil corrections are necessary. He said depending on priorities, the project might 24 need to be outsourced, based on the workload in Public Works. Scherer said if the project was 25 started in May or June, it would be reasonable to expect completion in late summer or early fall. 26 Scherer said numerous projects, including Deer Hill Trail, the weather, unexpected streets and/or 27 water utility issues can always hinder deadlines. 28 29 Sharp asked if the court layout is similar to Hunter Lions Park. 30 31 Scherer said the suggested layouts attached to the memo in the packet were selected based on 32 how they would fit in the designated area. 33 34 Mayer asked Scherer for an estimate of how much land in the area is designated as usable for 35 courts. 36 37 Scherer referred to the northwesterly area of the park as shown on the memo attachment, which 38 still leaves the baseball field, sliding hill, and open space area intact and operational. 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 4 of 15 The Commission discussed different size court options, setbacks, topography, and loss and 1 removal of diseased ash trees. Scherer said the desired number of courts will determine the 2 footprint and will enable him and Finke to determine the specific location and drainage. 3 4 Finke noted the process would be similar to Hunter, because when in close proximity to wetland, 5 further investigation is required to ensure there is no impact. 6 7 Norman asked if the pickleball courts at Hunter Park are always at capacity, and if the addition 8 of a couple pickleball courts at Maple Park would serve Medina well. Norman questioned 9 whether the Commission should have a long-term vision for the number of pickleball courts in 10 Medina. 11 12 Staff and the Commission agreed recent history suggests there is capacity for more courts in the 13 city. Hutchinson stated four pickleball courts may attract players seeking a tournament 14 destination; whereas two courts would serve the beach area neighborhood, and those kids whose 15 parents won’t allow them to bike on CR19. 16 17 Sharp noted pickleball is becoming a competitive sport in schools such as Wayzata and is 18 working towards becoming an organized sport. 19 20 Hutchinson/Sharp asked if two pickleball courts, and one tennis court would leave enough room 21 to plant a buffer zone of trees along the west side between the courts and wetlands. 22 23 Scherer said species conducive to wetlands would do best planted in this area. 24 25 Sharp opened up the meeting for anyone from the public to approach the podium to speak, 26 starting with their name and address, and keeping comments to 3 to 5 minutes. 27 28 Don Johnston, original owner of 3160 Aspen Avenue since 1989, before Maple Park was 29 established, stated he and Kathleen are one of the four homes on the first row facing the park, 30 and are against the installation of pickleball courts at Maple Park. Johnston stated the 31 homeowners of 3120, 3140, and 3160 Aspen Avenue purchased Outlot B, which is classified as 32 vacant residential homestead land, in 1990, which was also before Maple Park was established. 33 Johnston listed lot depths, residential borders, and the irregular shapes of the out lots, noting the 34 distance of his deck is less than 377.6’ from the Maple Park west border. Johnston noted a 35 history of cooperation with previous Public Works Director Jim Dillman to resolve city issues 36 such as the widening of Maple Street in the early 1990s when excavation mitigation to offset 37 wetland damage resulted in his loss of dry land along the eastern edge of outlot B; and again 38 when the ballpark was built and contractors cut down five or more mature trees on the southern 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 5 of 15 portion of outlot B, and he accepted replacement tree plantings as compensation, to be planted on 1 city park property. Johnston said he is very aware of the impact of impervious surfaces on 2 wetlands and waters as he served as representative for Medina on the Pioneer-Sarah Creek 3 Watershed Commission from 1994 to 2014, so is very concerned about the installation of such a 4 surface so close to wetlands that drain to Lake Independence, which was added to the MPCA 5 impaired waters list in 2002, and Lake Ardmore which was added to the MPCA impaired waters 6 list in 2016. 7 8 Hutchinson asked Johnston if the wetland concerns were the sole reason for opposition for 9 pickleball courts at Maple Park and if anything could be done to mitigate his concerns. 10 11 Johnston responded noise is a concern, removal of green space and trees are concerns, and that 12 even if trees are diseased, they should be replaced, not removed. Johnston stated he is unaware 13 of any mitigation for pickleball courts at Maple Park that would stop the sound. He said when 14 sitting on his deck the park is directly across their back yards. He said a better plan is to install 15 pickleball courts on Willow and 55, which is a large piece of property that could handle many 16 pickleball courts and is distanced from wetlands and impaired lakes. 17 18 Sharp stated he represents Medina on the Elm Creek watershed, echoed Johnston’s concerns for 19 impaired lakes, and said those resources, along with City Staff, are leaned on during the process. 20 21 Webster asked if the spec for Maple Park was designated as green space when it was donated by 22 the developer. 23 24 Scherer responded that he would need to look through history files to answer the question. 25 26 Hutchinson stated parkland through dedication does not carry stipulations or restrictions. 27 28 G. Illingworth wondered if a multiuse court might be a good option in this situation. 29 30 Kathleen Luetmer, 3160 Aspen Avenue, stated she is a former Park Commissioner who reads all 31 meeting minutes. She noted her belief that pickleball courts in Maple Park was first mentioned 32 on October 17, 2023, when DeLauriers commented he supported pickleball courts at Maple Park 33 and Mayer responded to Reid’s question about Park Commission discussions on buffer zones 34 around pickleball courts. Luetmer said she is at the meeting to question whether pickleball 35 courts should be installed at Maple Park because they want to keep the park a small open green 36 space park for the neighborhood, which aligns with Medina’s 2040 comprehensive plan that 37 notes “surveys indicate a high quality of life is found when residents have visual access to green 38 spaces”. Luetmer questioned if anyone in the neighborhood asked for pickleball courts and if the 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 6 of 15 newly purchased property on Willow Drive and Hwy 55 is more suitable for courts. Luetmer 1 stated watching softball, soccer, family picnics, pet owners, bikers, runners/walkers, and sledders 2 in the winter brings her great joy. She believes wildlife would be negatively impacted by the 3 environmental noise pollution of pickleball and the inherent obnoxious noise would chase 4 neighborhood homeowners indoors. Luetmer stated the argument of building pickleball courts to 5 appease many, next to a few homeowners, should be weighed against the pickleball player going 6 back to a quiet home, while the homeowner must endure the sharp pitch and decibel level game 7 after game, seven days a week. Luetmer stated pickleball is a growing trend and growing 8 problem and we should work together for a win/win solution. 9 10 Hutchinson asked Luetmer what her thoughts are for a win/win solution. 11 12 Luetmer responded the first step would have been neighborhood engagement prior to proceeding 13 so far into a plan, and that her neighborhood only just heard about this two weeks ago. She said 14 the win/win solution is to look for solutions that work, and next to homes does not work, it 15 brings down the value of homes. Luetmer suggested installing pickleball courts at Baker Park, 16 or in an industrial area. 17 18 Hutchinson asked if Luetmer would be opposed to a basketball court at Maple Park. 19 20 Luetmer responded she would not care as much because the noise likely wouldn’t carry as far, 21 but her preference is to keep the park green space. 22 23 Carol Shields, 3155 Lakeshore Avenue, indicated her husband is and Environmental Engineer, 24 thus she respects green space, and she understands concerns about noise based on boats that fish 25 near her property. Shields is in support of pickleball courts and looks forward to 26 multigenerational exercise for grandparents and grandkids. Shields stated she has been in the 27 neighborhood for 29 years, regularly drives on Maple Street, and besides organized baseball and 28 soccer practices, rarely observes groups utilizing the area. Shields said she believes pickleball 29 courts will greatly benefit the neighborhood, that exercise and activity are as important as green 30 space, and her thought is property values will continue to increase in Independence because the 31 concept adds amenities and does not take any away. Shields embraces change and would also 32 like to see more amenities added for adults in the neighborhood. 33 34 Todd DuBord, 3140 Aspen Avenue, said he is next door the Johnson’s, so his backyard is 35 approximately 400’ away from the proposed pickleball courts. Mr. DuBord does not support the 36 sacrifice of green space for a trendy sport that may or may not be popular in five years. Mr. 37 DuBord said spending $200,000 for a court that can only be used for 3 to 4 months out of the 38 year doesn’t make sense, and would be better spent on upgrades to parks, especially when 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 7 of 15 community involvement surveys were not done, and the first he heard about this was just two 1 weeks ago. Mr. DuBord asked the Commission to consider that research suggests it is a proven 2 fact a home’s values will reduce by 20% if within 600’ of a pickleball court, and to consider this 3 would be in his backyard. Mr. DuBord stated parking is a concern as he just stopped at the 4 Maple Park lot, where he counted approximately 12 spaces, and the City claims there are 20 5 spaces. He noted lines have yet to be painted in the lot. Mr. DuBord said people park on Maple 6 Street during baseball and soccer. DuBord asked the Commission to consider $27.4M taxpayer 7 dollars was spent on the Orono Activity Center, for the community, and is a great option to play 8 pickleball year-round. DuBord noted hearing a lot of “I think” in this meeting so would like to 9 see surveys, if they are available. 10 11 Danielle DuBord, 3140 Aspen Avenue, who works from home with an office facing the park, 12 stated Maple Park is not underutilized, and asked the Park Commission what assessment 13 outreach was done within the community, and because there was no community engagement 14 about this pickleball court, is shocked to learn, just two weeks before this meeting, that courts 15 could be built only 400’ from her backyard without any notice given to her. Ms. DuBord noted 16 reading about noise mitigation problems on the pickleball courts in Hamel, and asked what 17 mitigation has been done to prevent them at Maple Park. Ms. DuBord echoed previous 18 comments of a decrease in home values, which is not the same as boats on a lake, because being 19 on a lake increases home values. Ms. DuBord said building pickleball courts would force her to 20 listen to the noise every single day, just like listening to Orono Baseball on Tuesday and 21 Thursday, or Alchemy Soccer. Ms. DuBord also questioned what would come of the baseball 22 and soccer contracts with the City if pickleball was brought to Maple Park. Ms. DuBord asked if 23 the plans were shared with the Ardmore Lake Commission and Pioneer Lake Watershed, which 24 she believes is required, and if it was taken into consideration that the park is located on the 25 FEMA 100-year flood plain. Ms. DuBord asked if a joint venture with Baker Park was 26 researched, which would benefit the Independence neighborhood. 27 28 Hutchinson noted City Administrator Scott Johnson commissioned a noise study for the 29 pickleball courts at Hunter Park in 2023, where homes are roughly half the distance from the 30 courts as in Maple Park, and the sound engineers found the level of noise was below the 31 thresholds. Hutchinson said the report noted lawnmower and road noise was louder than 32 pickleball noise. 33 34 DeMars reminded anyone wishing to speak must approach the podium, so the microphone 35 captures comments for the purpose of typing minutes. 36 37 Jeremy Barlage, 3175 Aspen Avenue, said the noise of CR19 is not comparable to the noise of 38 Hwy 55. 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 8 of 15 Hutchinson said the pickleball court uptown is on Hunter Road, not Hwy 55. 1 2 Barlage asked if there is more ambient noise uptown. 3 4 Hutchinson responded there is not more ambient noise uptown. Hutchinson also noted there are 5 days when conditions are just so, that he can hear traffic on CR19 from his yard on the lake. 6 7 Barlage stated his point is that he can hear kids on the sled hill, so he has the same concerns for 8 the noise associated with pickleball courts, and what this will do to their neighborhood. 9 10 DeMars again reminded anyone wishing to speak must approach the podium, so the microphone 11 captures comments for the purpose of typing minutes. 12 13 Johnston said the Commission should consider reasonable requests in the neighborhood and not 14 only the sound study report. 15 16 Shields asked if there was any plan to light the courts. 17 18 Sharp noted there is no plan to install lights on the courts. He noted pickleball court hours at 19 Hunter Lions Park are from 7:00a.m. to sunset. 20 21 Hutchinson stated the Commission would be open to discussing hour restrictions. 22 23 DeMars once again reminded anyone wishing to speak must approach the podium, so the 24 microphone captures comments for the purpose of typing minutes. 25 26 Luetmer stated according to recent minutes, the City has no intention of enforcing pickleball 27 hours. Luetmer said noise can be likened to neuropathy pain, where it may not be the intensity 28 as much as the nuisance of its persistency. 29 30 Sharp stated the Commission spent months working on the pickleball courts at Hunter Park in 31 2023, and the sound study commissioned by City Administrator Johnson specifically measured 32 all aspects of noise at Hunter Park, at different times of the day, over the course of a week. 33 34 DeMars insisted that anyone wishing to speak must approach the podium, so the microphone 35 captures comments for the purpose of typing minutes. 36 37 Todd DuBord asked if a specific sound study is planned for Maple Park. 38 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 9 of 15 Sharp said the data ascertained from the Hunter Park study is sufficient for the Commission to 1 proceed, primarily based on noise decrease associated with distance, and the distance from court 2 to backyard doubling at Maple Park compared to Hunter Park. 3 4 Mr DuBord asked Sharp if he would like a pickleball court 400’ from his backyard. 5 6 Sharp responded that he is less than 90’ from the golf course where maintenance crews groom 7 with lawn mowers and leaf blowers starting at 5:00a.m. every day in the summer, and groups of 8 golfers begin arriving not long after that. Sharp said he wouldn’t have a problem living next to a 9 pickleball court. 10 11 Mr. DuBord told the Commission they know this will be an issue at Maple Park, they knew it 12 was an issue at Hunter Park with noise complaints, and he will fight them tooth and nail. Mr. 13 DuBord said no survey work was done, no data was presented to show a need in the community, 14 which is the Commissions job, and he will fight tooth and nail. 15 16 Sharp said the Commission has been working on this for some time and will gather that data. 17 18 Mr. DuBord stated the beginning of the minutes will reflect that the Commissions minds are 19 made up and Sharp said the pickleball courts will be built. 20 21 Hutchinson explained the Park Commission is a recommending body of volunteers, not elected 22 officials, who serve at the pleasure of the City Council, by making recommendations on matters 23 related to park activities and park dedication funds. Hutchinson said the Park Commission 24 makes recommendations to the City Council, who then vote and make final decisions. 25 Hutchinson noted that the current Park Commission have been in their volunteer position for 26 some time now, and to suggest they don’t have a pulse on community needs is unfair. 27 28 Mr. DuBord said he has been in the neighborhood for 11 years and not once seen a survey or the 29 Park Commission. 30 31 Ms. DuBord echoed Mr. DuBord’s comments. 32 33 Note from DeMars: it was at this point in the meeting where I ceased asking people to approach 34 the podium. Fifty minutes of audio remains, I will attempt to capture all comments. 35 36 Hutchinson noted renovation discussions for Independence started with Lakeshore in the Park 37 Commission a few years ago and many survey responses were received. He said the Park 38 Commission shows up every month to serve the community at large and would not proceed with 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 10 of 15 a recommendation that he thought could negatively affect a neighbor’s property value. 1 Hutchinson said he believes park enhancements will positively affect property value. 2 3 Norman commented that the Park Commission participates in community listening, not always 4 in facts and figures survey form, but when on park tours, at the annual clean-up day event in 5 April, and at the annual Celebration Day event in September. She noted they are fellow 6 residents, who utilize the parks, are members in the community, go to the OAC, her kids play 7 sports everywhere, and she talks to people every chance she has. Norman said the Commission 8 might not always have stats readily available, but they do care about the volunteer work they are 9 doing. 10 11 Luetmer stated the Commission should be happy to know she served on the Park Commission in 12 the 1990s and it is because information was not solicited on renovations that are so important and 13 controversial, where people are so disproportionately impacted, she is at this meeting to ask the 14 Commission to consider putting pickleball on the new property at Willow and Hwy 55, or at 15 Baker Park, because the residents next to Maple Park do not want to put up with the noise every 16 single day. 17 18 Hutchinson confirmed he listened and heard his neighbors. He stated the concern with the 19 request relates to the kids in the Independence Beach area who should not be expected to walk or 20 bike and cross Hwy 55 to play tennis or pickleball. Hutchinson noted Three Rivers made it clear 21 in previous discussions that courts will not be added in Baker Park; additionally, he wouldn’t 22 approve of his own kids crossing CR19 to access Baker. 23 24 Luetmer noted reading meeting minutes arguing Hunter Park was there before the residents who 25 complained about the pickleball courts. Luetmer said she was on her property before the land 26 was dedicated for Maple Park, so because she was there first, and she does not want pickleball 27 courts at Maple Park, the City can’t have it both ways. 28 29 Ross Fairbrother, 3175 Cedar Avenue, supports improvements at Maple Park and stated noise 30 mitigation efforts could be considered to alleviate noise concerns and suggested rebranding the 31 area as a multiuse court that could even include hockey. Fairbrother noted 13 kids under the age 32 of 15 live on his street, upwards of 40 kids total, reside in the Independent Beach area, and 33 amenities are sorely lacking. Fairbrother said rebranding may detour visitors from outside the 34 neighborhood from seeking pickleball courts. 35 36 Josh Tousignant, 2882 Ardmore Avenue, supports pickleball and tennis courts at Maple Park, 37 reiterates no amenities will be lost, only gained. His kids also support the improvements, 38 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 11 of 15 especially as they are not allowed to cross CR19 without an adult. Tousignant thanked the 1 Commission for the changes they have noticed at Lakeshore Park. 2 3 Ms. DuBord asked for clarification whether the addition of funds into the capital improvement 4 plan in October 2023 means the courts are approved to go in at Maple Park without any further 5 consultations. 6 7 Scherer responded that funding is approved, however projects still go through approval 8 processes, such as the discussion tonight. 9 10 Hutchinson replied the Commission is listening, has heard everyone, the comments made tonight 11 are impactful. He recalled the Facebook comment Ms. DuBord posted 6 months ago relevant to 12 knowledge of Maple Park discussions, and noted a final recommendation has not been made to 13 City Council. Hutchinson said the Commission will weight all interests on the topic prior to 14 making a recommendation to City Council. 15 16 Ms. DuBord stated she did not post a Facebook comment 6 months ago and said the memo in the 17 Park Commission packet led her to believe the courts would go in without her neighborhood 18 being informed. Ms. DuBord stated her kids ride bikes to Baker Park without crossing CR19. 19 20 Hutchinson noted the five written submissions related to renovations at Maple Park which were 21 made part of park commission packet, post-print. One submission opposes and four submissions 22 support the pickleball courts. Hutchinson confirmed, by nod, the committee received and read 23 the add-on packet data and declined not to read each submission due to the late hour. 24 25 Sharp said the Commission will take time over the next few weeks to review Maple Park 26 renovations, including the feedback received in this meeting, and reconvene at the next park 27 meeting. 28 29 Norman suggested utilizing the tabletop park booth at the annual clean-up day to specifically 30 solicit public opinion on the addition of more pickleball courts in Medina, the Commission 31 supported this idea. 32 33 Hutchinson asked Scherer if postponing a recommendation to the City Council for a month 34 would delay the potential groundbreaking at Maple Park. 35 36 Scherer said he does not foresee this would cause a delay, he could start with soil borings and 37 such. 38 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 12 of 15 In light of the comments made tonight, Norman asked if the Commission should consider 1 soliciting feedback from the entire community, to build an overall idea for all parks, not just 2 focusing on one specific area, so the Commission could build a broader quantifiable list of 3 desired amenities, that would in turn help make informed recommendations, such as being asked 4 tonight. 5 6 Gunter asked what the mechanism would be to do a survey without a selection bias. 7 8 Norman said she recollects mailing postcards, and advertising in the City newsletter and on 9 social media, for specific parks vs. for Medina in general, and wonders if a broad survey would 10 enable the committee to backup recommendations with more than what might have been 11 perceived tonight as gut feeling. 12 13 Hutchinson said he is looking at the beach neighborhood with underutilized parks and residents 14 who have asked for play activities, not playground equipment, and the goal is to get more people 15 to actively use the parks. 16 17 Norman wondered if recent investments at Lakeshore Park are perceived as recommendations 18 made to serve all of Medina. 19 20 Sharp said the Park Commission goal is to support Medina, not necessarily one specific area. 21 22 Webster, who works for a playground manufacturer, said his business refers to properties such as 23 Lakeshore as a “pocket park”, designed for neighborhoods, whereas Maple Park, on busy CR19, 24 could be “intermediate” use, followed by Chippewa and Cates, which would be “destination” 25 areas. 26 27 Norman said understanding what the entire community wants and needs is something we should 28 solicit broader feedback on, even if the Commission decides to solicit feedback from pocket 29 groups. Norman said the broader feedback will enable the committee to stitch together a vision 30 for a multi-year plan. 31 32 Finke supported Norman’s comments, referring to the “Chippewa” and “Cates” properties on 33 Hwy 55, where he envisions community engagement to plan for their uses. 34 35 DeMars recalled planning for renovations in the Independence Beach area started in 2021, with 36 Lakeshore Park. She remembered survey results coming in all over the place, however the 37 general theme was that more outside activities for kids was desired. DeMars said the concept 38 plan WSB presented included a multi-use court at Lakeshore, which was ultimately removed, 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 13 of 15 mostly for lack of usable acreage. She said she remembered discussion about resurfacing the 1 basketball court at Walnut, but building courts there was determined unfeasible because it is a 2 drainage field. DeMars said in the end, we started working towards the phased plan with the 3 kayak racks, decks, pavilion, basketball upgrade, stormwater project to rename Walnut, and then 4 finally, the courts at Maple Park, which would still give the beach area more amenities. 5 6 Hutchinson recalled other requested amenities such as a skateboard or mountain bike park, a 7 pump track, or even a hockey rink since the one at Walnut doesn’t work. 8 9 Webster asked Finke how quickly we could solicit input in a newsletter. 10 11 Finke said he envisioned this taking place later in the year in conjunction with the newly 12 acquired property. 13 14 Norman asked the Commission how they want to handle making a recommendation for 15 pickleball at Maple Park. 16 17 Sharp said we will use the next couple of weeks to look at options, if any. 18 19 Norman said before we make a call on Maple Park it would be nice to have context, so we don’t, 20 for example, rush to build courts only to discover later the community wants them on the new 21 parkland. Norman clarified she doesn’t mean a rush decision for Maple Park, which we have 22 been working on for some time, but more to bring clarity to what our plan is for parks, and how 23 to serve the broad community, and what amenities we want to bring forward. 24 25 Sharp said the goal is still to utilize the assets we have and bring people into the parks. 26 27 Hutchinson said historically the Commission has worked on projects on an ad hoc basis, for 28 example when we made improvements at Hamel, or Morningside, or in Hunter, or Holy Name. 29 30 Webster said it is important to understand the general feedback of the neighborhood now and is 31 in support of soliciting input from the beach area. 32 33 Finke clarified that engagement specific to the Independence Beach neighborhood, which is 34 different than what Norman is talking about, could be arranged relatively quickly. 35 36 Sharp stated he will work with Staff on a survey or comment period for the neighborhood, along 37 with Hutchinson, Steward of Independence Beach area, over the next weeks; but at this time, we 38 need to move on to the next agenda item. 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 14 of 15 Hutchinson added that any comments from residents should be emailed to DeMars in Public 1 Works, who will send to the Park Commission. He asked those opposed to pickleball to provide 2 ideas for other amenities to improve Maple Park and said they will consider another open forum 3 at the next park meeting in April. 4 5 Luetmer stated they don’t dislike pickleball, they just don’t want the noise in their residential 6 area. 7 8 Mr. DuBord asked why the Commission doesn’t put a court in Walnut Park. 9 10 Hutchinson said courts cannot be built at Walnut Park because it is a water retention area, not a 11 park, and part of the planned phased changes are to reclassify it as a stormwater project. 12 13 Mr. DuBord (inaudible, not at podium) 14 15 Scherer echoed Hutchinson, to confirm Walnut Park is a rain garden purposefully designed to 16 absorb runoff with drain tile to purify waters prior to draining into the lake, which DeMars has 17 on a list intended for a volunteer scout seeking merit. It is also why the area does not work as an 18 ice rink. 19 20 Finke clarified the Park Commission intends to discuss the topic again on April 17, and is 21 instructing Staff to advertise as much as possible. 22 23 The Commission agreed with Finke’s clarification. 24 25 9. PARK ASSET INVENTORY REVIEW 26 27 Finke walked through the memo and the current asset inventory spreadsheet including 28 approximate replacement costs for the existing park and trail improvements within the city, and 29 projected what these costs would correlate to on an annual basis. Finke showed the analysis 30 suggests that the replacement costs of existing improvements significantly exceeds the amount of 31 revenue currently being allocated annually to the municipal park fund. 32 33 Gunter questioned the asset value column on the spreadsheet, noting numerous amenity values 34 and replacement costs seem underassessed. 35 36 Finke asked the Commissioners to forward updates to him; and stated the existing document, 37 with current asset values as printed in the packet, is still a work in process. Finke said Staff 38 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes March 30, 2024 Page 15 of 15 intends to present this information to the City Council in connection with broader annual budget 1 discussions. 2 3 Sharp said requesting an increase seems unavoidable since the number of parks and trails 4 continues to increase, and we didn’t have an inflation factor defined. 5 6 Albers guided Scherer and Finke to use a 3-1/2% inflation number formula in the spreadsheet. 7 8 Sharp reminded the Commissioners to use the spreadsheet to visit their assigned parks and 9 ensure all assets are indeed captured. 10 11 Motion made by Gunter, seconded by Mayer, to recommend that the City Council consider 12 increases for the municipal park fund levy based upon the asset inventory analysis. The motion 13 passed unanimously. 14 15 10. ADJOURN 16 17 Motion made by Gunter, seconded by Webster, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was 18 adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Minutes prepared by Lisa DeMars. 19 1 MEMORANDUM To: Medina Park Commission From: Lisa DeMars, Public Works Assistant Date: April 11, 2024 Meeting: April 17, 2024 Subject: Park Commission Meeting Report 2. Additions to the Agenda If any Park Commissioner wishes to add an item to the agenda after the agenda has already been posted, the agenda item must be proposed at this point in the meeting. The Park Commission must agree to add the item by motion. No attachments for this item. 4. Update from City Council Proceedings This is a reoccurring agenda item to have the City Council Liaison to the Park Commission give an update at each meeting on what is happening at the Council level. City Council member Todd Albers has been appointed as the Liaison to the Park Commission for 2024. No attachments for this item. 5. Representative at Next City Council Meeting Commissioner attendance at council meetings provides a park resource and communication liaison between the Park Commission and other City government bodies. If you have a schedule conflict, please arrange a trade with another Park Commissioner. Steve Webster is on the roster to provide an update at the next council meeting on May 7 or 21. No attachments for this item. 7. Annual Clean-Up Day Discussion Compliant with Minn. R. 7090 and Medina’s MS4 (stormwater permit), Public Works is on track to host clean-up day on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Please come prepared to discuss ideas for content to have available at the Park Commission tabletop ‘booth’. Historically we hand out park brochures and maps, along with other environment related literature. Last year we solicited input for desired amenities on Chippewa Road. What else would you like to see displayed? If you plan to staff the booth, please come prepared to designate a time slot for when you can work. No attachments for this item. Recommended Action: Agree on literature and assign time slots for volunteers to staff the Park Commission Booth. 8. Park Tour Discussion Please come prepared to discuss your assigned park(s) and if there is a need for the full Park Commission to visit your specific park(s) on the annual tour. Park assignments are as follows: Agenda Item 6 2 See attached May 2023 Park Commission Agenda for reference/example. Recommended Action: Create agenda of which parks to tour on the May 15 Park Tour. 9. Maple Park Renovation Planning Last year pickleball courts were added to the 2024 park capital improvement plan at Maple Park. The Park Commission heard from residents at the March 20 meeting and decided to complete additional public engagement for discussion in April. Commissioners should review Public Works Director Scherer’s memo and provide input on preferred construction improvements at Maple Park. See attached report. Recommended Action: Make recommendation to City Council on preferred construction improvements and renovation options at Maple Park. Staff Report Upcoming Events. Annual City Clean-up Day, Saturday, April 27, 8:00a.m. to noon. FYI: Matt Stasica, Hennepin County Public Works, will be hosting a Land Protection and Habitat Restoration Programs Booth next to the Parks Booth. Park Activity Update. Medina Lake Preserve: the Senate and House bills for the grant proposal submitted on our behalf by Great River Greening for Medina Lake Preserve was introduced and referred to the Legacy Finance Committee in March; we expect an update this month. Hunter Park: Received email complaint with photo for dog on pickleball court from resident on 02/13/24, 03/01/24, 03/02/24, 03/06/24 and 03/23/24. Hamel Legion Park: the Wayzata Youth (Boys) Lacrosse Team rented open space on Monday and Wednesday evenings for practices from April 15 to June 5. The Hamel Athletic Club funded, by donation, irrigation on Paul Fortin Field. Walnut Park: we have an Eagle Scout candidate interested in taking on the project to correctly redesignate this area as a raingarden/stormwater pond. Lakeshore Park: The seasonal lottery for watercraft storage closed on March 31 with a total of 10 applicants seeking 15 spaces. Racks were assigned to the 8 winners, and Steve and I are exploring plans for adding a second rack. We have an Eagle Scout candidate who is interested in taking on a project to earn her badge, is the Commission ready to begin planning for the pavilion? General Items. This is a reoccurring agenda item for Park Commissioners or Staff to give a verbal update on any other general park items. Staff representation at the April 17, 2024, Park Commission meeting will be Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Public Works Assistant Lisa DeMars, and Planning Director Dusty Finke. POSTED AT CITY HALL: May 16, 2023 PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 5:00 P.M. STARTS AT CITY HALL (2052 County Road 24) 1)Call to Order •Park Commissioners will meet at City Hall at 4:45 p.m., bus departs at 5:00 p.m. 2)Annual Tour of Parks •A bus will be waiting to take us to each of the stops listed below. Park stops and timing subject to change. a. Lakeshore Park, Walnut Park, Maple Park (5:05-5:45) b.Medina Lake Preserve, Chippewa Road land (5:50-6:30) c.Hamel Legion Park (stop for picnic dinner) (6:35-7:05) d.Hunter Lions Park (7:10-7:55) 3) Adjourn EXA M P L E 2024 PARK COMMISSION GOALS Page 1 of 2 April 10, 2024 1. Planned Events in 2024 • January 17 - Annual Goal Setting Session • April 27 - Participate in Annual City Clean-up Day (discuss in March) • May 15 - Annual Park Commission Park Tour • June 20 - Capital Improvement Plan Review (Thursday meeting due to holiday) • August 6 - Night to Unite Neighborhood Celebrations (Police Event, for awareness) • September 21 - Participate in Annual Celebration Day (discuss in August) 2. Grant Opportunity Research. All Commissioners should always be on the lookout for, and review, grant opportunities as they become available. 3. Asset Inventory Update inventory, estimate/determine life of assets, replacement year, and needed funds for future replacement. 4. Goals and Planned Improvements Trails • Deer Hill Preserve Trail • Hackamore Trail • Townline Road Trail Hunter Lions Park • Continue implementing phased park improvements o Evaluate old tennis courts to consider converting to basketball court • Subcommittee: Gunter, Scherer Lakeshore Park • Continue implementing phased park improvements o Stabilization, overlook deck/seating area, shelter/pavilion Walnut Park • Resurface basketball court • Designate Raingarden/update signage (stormwater education opportunity, boy/girl scout project) Medina Lake Preserve • Clean-up/development of woods (dependent upon Great River Greening grant decision) • Trail head and pavilion 2024 PARK COMMISSION GOALS Page 2 of 2 April 10, 2024 Hamel Legion Park • Tee ball Fields Ground Repair (HAC project, funded fully via donation) Maple Park • Evaluate area to determine if appropriate for pickleball courts o Subcommittee: Scherer, Hutchinson Chippewa Road park land • Broaden planning design / concept process to consider newly acquired Cates property. o Subcommittee: Morrison, Sharp, Scherer • Plant additional nursery stock 2024 PARK COMMISSION PARK ASSIGNMENTS (periodically visit assigned properties, consider soliciting feedback from park goers about their experience at the amenity, take notes with purpose to update the asset inventory spreadsheet) PARK / PROPERTY NAME STEWARD Holy Name Park / City Hall Nila Norman Hamel Legion Park / Rainwater Nature Area Nila Norman, Steve Scherer Hunter Lions Park / Enclave (Harriet’s Woods) Will Gunter, Tom Mayer, Stever Scherer Medina Morningside Park Mary Morrison Lakeshore Park / Walnut Park / Maple Park Troy Hutchinson Tomann Preserve Nila Norman, Grace Illingworth, Ava Illingworth Medina Lake Preserve Steve Webster The Park at Fields of Medina Terry Sharp Shawnee Woods Terry Sharp 1 MEMORANDUM To: Medina Park Commission From: Steve Scherer, Public Works Director Date: April 11, 2024 Revised April 16, 2024 Meeting: April 17, 2024 Subject: Maple Park Improvements Background Last year the City Council accepted the Park Commission recommendation to add pickleball to the 2024 capital improvement plan, and funding was approved in December 2023. Staff presented information regarding potential improvements for discussion at the March 20 Park Commission meeting. Several residents of the Independence Beach area attended and expressed concerns about adding pickleball courts, while several other residents expressed support. The Park Commission decided to postpone making a recommendation to Council so they could re- review previous community feedback and directed staff to complete additional community engagement for discussion at the April 17 Park Commission meeting. Staff created a simple survey which went-live on the city website March 28, was published on the city Facebook page on April 3, and was advertised in the newsletter delivered to residents on April 8. Results received to date are tallied on page two and attached with comments. Staff will continue to collect data and make available at the meeting on April 17. Potential Action Staff requests direction from the Park Commission on the preferred improvements in Maple Park. Staff would then bring the information to City Council for review. Attachments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Email correspondence received after March 20 Park Commission Meeting Agenda Item 9 2 Maple Park Feedback • 48 responses as of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 • 38 of 48 responses were from Independence Beach area • 22 additional responses as of 6:00 pm Tuesday, April 16 • 21 out of 22 responses were from Independence Beach area • As of noon on Thursday, April 11 the City received 26 responses. • Seventeen out of the 26 responses were from the Independence Beach area Revised April 16, 2024 Independence Beach Other All Responses Nothing/Leave as-is 15 0 15 Pickleball 9 7 16 Dog Park 6 1 7 Pollinator garden/native plantings 5 0 5 Sport Courts 4 0 4 Gagaball 2 0 2 Pump Track 2 0 2 Community Gardens 0 3 3 Picnic Area 2 0 2 Exercise/Challenge Course 4 0 4 Tennis 0 2 2 Hockey Rink 1 0 1 Firepit 2 0 2 Skatepark 1 0 1 Climbing Wall 1 0 1 Play structures 1 0 1 Bleachers at baseball field 1 0 1 Basketball 1 0 1 3 4/11/2024 through 4/16/2024 Results Independence Beach Other Total Nothing/Leave as-is 8 0 8 Pickleball 3 1 4 Dog Park 2 0 2 Pollinator garden/native plantings 5 0 5 Sport Courts 3 0 3 Gagaball 2 0 2 Pump Track 2 0 2 Community Gardens 0 0 0 Picnic Area 0 0 0 Exercise/Challenge Course 2 0 2 Tennis 0 0 0 Hockey Rink 0 0 0 Firepit 2 0 2 Skatepark 1 0 1 Climbing Wall 1 0 1 Play structures 1 0 1 Bleachers at baseball field 1 0 1 Basketball 1 0 1 April 11, 2024 Results All Responses Independence Beach Pickleball 12 6 No Improvements 7 7 Dog park 5 4 Gardens 3 0 Picnic Area 2 2 Exercise/Challenge Course 2 2 Tennis 2 0 Sport Court 1 1 Hockey Rink 1 1 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2867 Lakeshore Avenue, Medina 55359 NO PICKLE BALL Courts at Maple Park! Keep the green space and peaceful park, please!! What a bad idea it is to add more hard surface area to this park, for a number of reasons: 1)The proposed courts will be adjacent to wetlands that drain to Lake Ardmore and subsequently to Lake Independence. These lakes are already highly impaired due to hard surface runoff, much of which comes from cty road 19 just up the hill, and thus the runoff contains heavy metals and other toxins, not to mention nutrients. The grassy area existing now is a natural filter for these harmful chemicals. 2)Pickle ball games are noisy. How disrespectful to the neighbors who live near that currently peaceful park. 3)The grassy lawn is the only non‐hard surface in the area where one can walk a dog on a leash, which is especially important during the many months of the year when there is much salt on the roads (ie, salt is painful to dog paws). 3135 Birch Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Pickleball Court(s) It would be great to have a pickle ball court at this location for use seasonally. Talking with neighbors in the Independence Beach and Lakeshore area, there seems to be a lot of interest in having a court within walking distance. Thank you for your consideration. 3026 lakeshore ave Pickleball court Pickleball court Pickleball courts would be a great addition to maple park,for any age level. 3026 Lakeshore Ave Maple Plain, Mn Pickleball courts Pickleball courts would be a good addition. Useable by all ages There would still be room for soccer and baseball and sliding. 3155 Birch. Ave If improvements are approved. There needs to be additional parking and facilities. Also safety turning onto Maple Street and onto CR 19 needs to be considered. Maple Street has become a free for all for speeders. Additional traffic is a concern. 3155 Lakeshore Ave Pickleball Courts Adult Exercise Features 4642 Brook St Sport court None I feel a sport court would be a good draw to the youth in the area. 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Page 1 of 4 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results 3120 Aspen Ave. Medina, MN 55359 Plant new trees and leave as open green space Hockey rink in connection with Orono Youth Hockey Association I am opposed to the addition of any number of pickleball courts at that location for a number of reasons. 1.Close proximity to not only my home, and my neighborâ€™s homes, but also to the wetland next to Maple Park that is privately owned. 2.Noise concerns â€“ the sound from rackets hitting the pickleball travels much further than other park sounds. Also, the proposed location of the pickleball courts (replacing the ash trees) is in a valley, thus noise will travel even further into the neighborhood. 3.Parking concerns â€“ there are only 20 parking stalls at Maple Park. We already experience parking issues on nights when there is soccer and baseball taking place at the park. Also, Maple Park is a hub to many accessing the Three Rivers Park District trails. 4.Hours concerns â€“ during the summer months sun up is very early in the morning and sunset is later in the evening. The noise will likely impact residentsâ€™ ability to sleep and enjoy their property. 5.Availability of other loca ons that will not directly nega vely impact residents. The City just purchased over 60 acres of land at the intersection of Willow Drive and Highway 55, using over $2.7 million taxpayer dollars for this investment. The City should look at using a portion of this land for pickleball courts next to existing commercial space rather than another residential area. If you are interested in getting more people to utilize Maple Park might I suggest putting in playground equipment for children to use. Like the playground equipment at Lakeshore Park, there are plenty of children on this side of the neighborhood who would benefit from this addition. 4595 Balsam St Pickleball 3120 Cedar Ave, Medina, MN Outdoor exercise and challenge course Larger shaded canopy for picnickers Install the multi‐use athletic courts and fields on the recently acquired Cates property. Please do not install these fields in Maple Park as the noise will interfere with the peaceful tranquility of the environment. Please install a street light near the sliding hill for winter sliding. SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!! Please work with Henn. Cty to reduce speed at Maple Street and County Rd 19 and well as install a cross walk. Along with 100's of locals from the nearby neighborhoods, many other bikers and walkers park at Maple Park and access the trails. I have seen multiple individuals nearly hit by cars as they try to cross over the road to the bike/hike trail!!!!!! Page 2 of 4 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results 3175 birch ave Leave the park the way it is! All potential amenities will bring a lot of noise to a very quiet neighborhood. Find somewhere else or get ready for daily noise complaints. 4672 Walnut Street, Medina, MN 55359 I would prefer that no additional amenities were placed in this location. Rather, use the funds to continue to maintain the other parks nearby. The current green space is a great amenity by itself for the many families and kids in the area. 3105 Lake Shre Ave ‐ Medina, MN I would love to see a dog park go into that area! We have so many dogs in our neighborhood that would utilize this and a lot of our homes it's too hard to put up a fence. Thank you 3105 Lake Shore Ave. Medina MN 55359 Dog park for off leash resident use. Many residents walk dogs past here and would be a good community gatherings. Providing dog bags for proper waste cleanup Fire Pits and BBQ equipment for resident family gatherings I agree this is an underutilized space. But would opt to also keep it quiet and offer an activity that could be utilized in a way to where it is located in proximity to residents. Higher activity parks are typically in the center of a neighborhood and this is on the edge of the neighborhood along a primary walking route 4651 Walnut Street Leave green space Dog play area 3087 Lakeshore Ave Leave it as a natural space Off lease dog area ‐ fenced in. The area is currently used by neighbors to run their dogs., There are several neighbors that have dogs in the Independence Beach area. I greatly oppose any idea that would reuquire trees be cut down. I have also seen this area set up for soccer practice, respit for walkers under the trees. It is a very nice open space that if we must develop should be done with the least amount of disturbance. This is not a place for hardcover! 3155 Lakeshore Ave PICKLEBALL COURTS It would be wonderful to see this beautiful piece of property utilized more. Pickleball is the #1 growing sport in the US. We need more adult parks promoting family, neighbors, and friend activities. Thank you for the work you do for the Medina Parks! 3470 Pioneer Trail Pickleball Pickleball Page 3 of 4 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Medina, MN Organic Community Gardening Pollinator Garden I think Pickleball is a fad, and the noise for the neighbors is not nice. Please support our bees and promote organic Gardening or an environmentally friendly Pollinator garden. 2930 Parkview Drive Native Garden Community Garden 4274 Fairway drive Pickle ball Walking ttracks 3390 Elm Creek Dr Hamel Pickle Ball Courts Tennis courts With living next door to the Hunter Park & see what a hit these are at this park I know we need more! t 4555 pioneer trail Pickleball courts 2625 Pioneer Trail Medina Needs A Dog Park! Plymouth, Orono, and Greenfield have a dog park. Don't know if this is the right location or size.. certainly have to surrender the baseball field which you already have in Lorretto. Everytime I drive by nobody is using this park. How often is there going to be baseball certainly not in winter. Medina has always been rural and dog friendly never even thought of needing a dog park ...but as it grows it would be stupid not to plan for a dog park. A number of Medina residence from Morningside use the Orono Dog Park. Including myself pass number 560. Met Joe Cav at dog park. A number of park goers talk about it being the only social refuge during covid. Its more people social then you realize. You may find upwards to 25 cars in the evening. Orono plans on expanding parking lot. It would pay for Dusty, Steve and the Park Commission to check out Orono Dog Park (Susan Lurton). Medina does not have to be that fancy. The baseball field is going to be under utilized compared to a dog park. It would also maybe to our unliking draw Lorretto residence. Whatever your thinking ... Medina should plan on a dog park in the city if not this park. Pickel ball is a fad. Dogs won't go away. And Medina becoming more dense 2.5 units per acre. Scary. 3700 Chippewa Road Pickleball courts Ggardens, a. Trails, etc , 3975 Chippewa Circle, Medina Pickle ball Tennis Page 4 of 4 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2837 Ardmore Ave green Open space Replacemement of ash Trees if they are dead Want to register no support for moving forward with multi‐use athletic courts and fields. To add impermeable surfaces to this area seems unnecessary at a time when preservation of green space should be a priority and the planting of trees a more desirable option. Please do not move forward with this plan. 2915 W 43rd Street, Apt 2, Minneapolis, MN 55410 NO PICKLEBALL Courts at Maple Park â€“ KEEP the parkâ€™s open green space; KEEP the Parkâ€™s trees; REPLACE diseased ash trees with healthy trees! Organic Community Garden along with Pollinator Habitats; Fire Pits for Family and Community Gatherings; Low‐Impact Lawn Games; Adult Obstacle / Challenge / Fitness Course My parents moved to Medina when I was an infant. I cherished the location of my home opposite Maple Park. I loved my visual access to uninterrupted green space, wetlands, and Big Woods as well as my audible access to the multitude of birdsong. It is important to me that Maple Park remains the green open space still enjoyed by my parents and green open space that will one day be enjoyed by their grandchildren. It breaks my heart that my retired parents might shortly be forced indoors to avoid the continual highly impulsive noise of pickleball play. 1)A community garden is signiﬁcantly cheaper than pickleball courts. A garden creates and maintains an inspira onal outdoor space for reﬂec on. It provides a great ac vity for parents to share with their children as well as opportunities to educate children about stewardship of the environment. Itâ€™s a great way to meet neighbors. During the dreary days of COVID, I was grateful for my community garden plot; the hands‐on activity was good for my soul. 2)Baker Park does NOT provide ﬁre rings for picnickers. During COVID, I scoured the metro and surrounding areas for ﬁre pits where my friends and I could gather for safe social visiting. They were not to be found. Fire pits can also be used year‐round. 3)As a licensed architect with a second Masters in Sustainable Design, I passionately advocate for a sustainable healthy environment. Please, do NOT remove trees. Please, do NOT Install Pickleball Courts or any other Impervious Athletic or Multi‐Use Athletic Courts at Maple Park. Impervious surfaces will have a detrimental impact on the abutting propertyâ€™s wetlands that drain into Lake Ardmore and Lake Independence (MPCA listed Impaired Waters). The abundant wildlife will be negatively impacted by the persistent noise of continual pickleball play. Picnickers and other passive utilizers of the park will no longer enjoy the peace of a quiet park. Parking lot capacity will become an issue as spots become unavailable for those folks who currently use the parking lot as an access point to the Three Rivers Park Regional Trail. 3120 Aspen Ave. Medina, MN 55359 Plant new trees and leave as open green space Hockey rink in connection with Orono Youth Hockey Association I am opposed to the addition of any number of pickleball courts at that location for a number of reasons. 1.Close proximity to not only my home, and my neighborâ€™s homes, but also to the wetland next to Maple Park that is privately owned. 2.Noise concerns â€“ the sound from rackets hitting the pickleball travels much further than other park sounds. Also, the proposed location of the pickleball courts (replacing the ash trees) is in a valley, thus noise will travel even further into the neighborhood. 3.Parking concerns â€“ there are only 20 parking stalls at Maple Park. We already experience parking issues on nights when there is soccer and baseball taking place at the park. Also, Maple Park is a hub to many accessing the Three Rivers Park District trails. 4.Hours concerns â€“ during the summer months sun up is very early in the morning and sunset is later in the evening. The noise will likely impact residentsâ€™ ability to sleep and enjoy their property. 5.Availability of other loca ons that will not directly nega vely impact residents. The City just purchased over 60 acres of land at the intersec on of Willow Drive and Highway 55, using over $2.7 million taxpayer dollars for this investment. The City should look at using a portion of this land for pickleball courts next to existing commercial space rather than another residential area. If you are interested in getting more people to utilize Maple Park might I suggest putting in playground equipment for children to use. Like the playground equipment at Lakeshore Park, there are plenty of children on this side of the neighborhood who would benefit from this addition. 3140 Aspen Ave Leave as is Leave as is I have shared my concerns via email to the city council and parks commission. 3140 aspen ave gaga pit climbing wall I am henry i am 7 year old i live next to the park. 3140 Aspen Ave New trees better suited for wetland areas Small Sport Court or Gaga Ball Pit With the layout of the park, parking needs to be considered an impediment to any large amenity in the park. Already with various sports, people frequently park on the grass as the lot is not large enough to accommodate more than a dozen cars. The neighborhood already has oodles of amenities ‐ two lakes, three parks, playground, kayak racks, baseball/soccer field, ice rink/basketball at Walnut park and direct access to Baker Park, adjacent to our neighborhood. With all we have in our neighborhood, I question what more is even needed for our small neighborhood. I think we should do more to fix up what we currently have, maintain the commitment the parks commission has already made, then continuously add new. Lakeshore's boat launch is terrible. The playground equipment needs to be upgraded (and many people on the commission/in the neighborhood actually work for a playground company). Be good stewards to what we have and consider the current commitment to our neighbors before we just continuously 'add new'. 3140 Aspen Ave Nothing Nothing I like hammocking in the park. Do not add anything else. If you cut down the trees, they should be replaced with new trees. 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results sorted by address Page 1 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.16.24 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results 3160 Aspen Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Keep Park as Is ‐ Green Open Space; Replace Ash Trees with Healthy Trees when necessary Organic Community Garden as well as Pollinator Habitats; Fire Pits for Family and Neighborhood Gatherings; Lawn Games; Adult Obstacle / Challenge / Exercise Course 1)Leave As Is (with a few upgrades): Maintain (aerate, roll, top dress, seed, irrigate) the soccer ﬁeld to resolve soccer teamsâ€™ complaints that the fields are too lumpy for soccer. Provide Handicap accessibility to the lower areas of Maple Park. Add a bike rack and dog tethering posts. 2)Enhance the Picnicking Experience at Maple Park: Strategically place ﬁre rings (and sea ng) within the northwest quadrant of the park. (Include a handicap accessible ﬁre ring; perhaps an elevated wood burning fire pit table.) Design an overarching concept plan that includes Maple Park and the 18.3‐acre Lake Ardmore Nature Area. The Northeast Quadrant of the Nature Area is contiguous with and accessible from Maple Park. Create trails through the Nature Area with access to Lake Ardmore. Install seating decks along Lake Ardmoreâ€™s East Shoreline (like those at Lakeshore Park). These seating decks would provide places of serenity and thoughtful reflection for the trail walkers and picnickers. Create permanent buffer areas and pollinator habitats within the Nature Area. Place Interpretive Trail Signs along the trails to educate children about the ecosystem and to help them identify wildlife and native plant species. Challenge pods could be situated just off‐trail in the Nature Area (scrabbling walls / hanging nets). These trails might also allow snowshoeing and cross‐country skiing during the winter. 3)A garden would require the installa on of a well, but that well would service other ameni es as well. Water would be available to irrigate the soccer ﬁeld. Picnickers (and their dogs) would have access to water. 4)Adult Obstacle / Challenge / Fitness Course: 5)Please declare a moratorium on all new park renova ons un l a concept plan is designed for the newly acquired $2.7 million, 67‐acre Cates property AND un l an evalua on is done on all Medina Parks with an overarching design inclusive of all parks. 3160 Aspen Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Keep Maple Park as Open Green Space Community Garden and Pollinator Habitats; Fire Rings; Lawn Games (Horseshoes, Extreme Croquet); Youth Single‐ Track Bike Trails; Adult Exercise Pods and/or Obstacle / Challenge Course 1)Organic Community Garden: Installa on of a well, a bit of landscaping, and several loads of black dirt â€“ for a reasonable cost and a reasonable amount of effort, the city can provide its Medina citizens their first community garden. Iâ€™d sign up for a plot. 2)Fire Pits (preferably more than one): An outdoor gathering is a fantas c way (during COVID the only way) to enjoy me with friends and family. It is also a terriﬁc way to host par es when oneâ€™s house is too small for a gathering of any size. Natural rock seating around the pits would be an attractive feature as well as available wood for purchase. (Locate a small shed for wood storage next to the outhouse and garbage cans.) 3)Youth Single‐Track Bike Trails: Take Advantage of both the 2.5‐acre Maple Park and the 18.3‐acre Lake Ardmore Nature Area. Create single track â€˜trainingâ€™ trails for young kids who aspire to bike the numerous more difficult single‐track trails in the metro area and Northern Minnesota. The Nature Area includes parcels of land on both the East and West side of Lake Ardmore. The East parcels are accessible from Maple Park. The West parcels are accessible via Walnut Street (at the cityâ€™s well location). Unfortunately, the East and West parcels are not contiguous for a long single‐track trail. But two separate shorter single‐track trails utilizing the East and West parcels of the Nature Area would still offer a training opportunity for young bikers. I am a single‐track biker; we need more single‐track trails designed for kids. 4)Adult Obstacle / Challenge Courses: Like many adults, I get my cardio exercise, but I fail to achieve a desirable level of strength training. An adult ﬁtness course would be a great and fun outdoors venue to complement a personâ€™s cardio regime. Unlike an exercise gym, one can experience the great outdoors while working out. The person cooped up in an office all day will quickly de‐stress in this outdoors gym. 5)No Pickleball, No Impervious Courts, please!! 3175 Aspen Ave Multiuse sport court Play structure My first choice would be to improve the playground, basketball court and boat launch in the neighborhood because they all are lacking and function poorly. If adding to maple park is something the city must do Iâ€™d suggest a sport court that can function for multi purpose activities. Making it specific for tennis or pickleball would be a waste, but having an open court allows people to play what they want. It also keeps the space open and usable without taking away from the openness of the field. Personally Iâ€™d like a playground that is more of an obstacle course to encourage play in older kids and teens, even adults since the current play structure in the neighborhood is really only useful for small children. Thing ninja warrior course type of a set up so adults could even use it for exercise. 3175 aspen Iâ€™m not opposed to making changes to the existing park as long as they donâ€™t have a negative impact on the noise and traffic levels in the surrounding area. The marsh and surrounding areas are home to a wide variety of wildlife and is a rookery/nesting area for many kinds of migratory birds including Sandhill cranes. Making changes to move the area farther from natural will result in these species vacating the area. Increased traffic to the park, with its limited spaces for parking, will result in more people attempting to make u turns at the intersection of maple and aspen. Unfortunately the city plows canâ€™t even seem to keep from driving through my yard at that intersection, so Iâ€™m not hopeful others will be considerate either. Forcing change to something many consider to be an amenity already seems silly when the greatest amenity the neighborhood has (boat launch) is severely lacking. Thank you. sorted by address Page 2 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.16.24 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results 3180 Aspen Avenue Leave as is ‐ kids sled in the winter, people train their dogs for retrieving, dogs run and play, and young kids play soccer. The space gets used year‐ round as it is currently designed. Build upon the natural resources ‐ do some prairie or other native plantings adjacent to the wetland area. I am very disappointed in the city's approach to potential park changes and engagement. This does not appear to be well thought‐out as there is nothing to look at, no descriptions of potential amenities, and no explanation/thought behind the amenities under consideration. I have no idea what really is being considered for the site. I am asked to rank my amenity without knowing what the possibilities are or where we are in the planning and implementation process. This is the first I have been made aware of potential changes. I am a planner by trade, and the city's approach is lacking. Normally there would be a study, options would be presented and described, and you would notify people of a meeting on changes or provide more information on your website so people actually knew what input you are looking for and what choices are out there. The way this was put together, it is clear you are not actually looking for input. Be honest and transparent instead of pretending to seek input. It is very disingenuous. What choices do we have? The flyer says pickleball or basketball or tennis. Is there demand for these activities? Did you read the SCORP to get ideas? Did you do a real survey that actually lists potential/real options for the site available? Are ideas consistent with the city's open space plan? How thoroughly have the ideas been vetted to identify potential demand for the neighborhood? What would improvements look like? There are no drawings/renderings provided, no layouts showing how things would fit on the site, etc. There are a number of young children in the neighborhood ‐ what about a tot play area for them? 4585 Balsam Street None None Thank you for the opportunity to give feedback. As residents of Independence Beach neighborhood, we are not in favor of the proposal for pickleball courts at Maple Park. First, installing a plot of pavement doesn't set well. Residents in the neighborhood are encouraged and in some cases required to adhere to practices that support drainage, permeable surfaces and take the presence of nearby lakes into consideration. So why does the City get a pass and get to come in and start paving over open space? Even if the specifics of the lake protection rules allow for it, itâ€™s bad optics. Second, our neighborhood has a rural feel and weâ€™re in a section of Medina lacking density ‐ do we think people are driving out here to play pickleball? Doubt it. Are we doing this for the immediate Independence Beach neighborhood? Pass. The park is fine just as it is. 4595 Balsam St Pickleball 3135 Birch Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Pickleball Court(s) It would be great to have a pickle ball court at this location for use seasonally. Talking with neighbors in the Independence Beach and Lakeshore area, there seems to be a lot of interest in having a court within walking distance. Thank you for your consideration. 3155 Birch. Ave If improvements are approved. There needs to be additional parking and facilities. Also safety turning onto Maple Street and onto CR 19 needs to be considered. Maple Street has become a free for all for speeders. Additional traffic is a concern. 3175 birch ave Leave the park the way it is! All potential amenities will bring a lot of noise to a very quiet neighborhood. Find somewhere else or get ready for daily noise complaints. 4642 Brook St Sport court None I feel a sport court would be a good draw to the youth in the area. 3120 Cedar Ave, Medina, MN Outdoor exercise and challenge course Larger shaded canopy for picnickers Install the multi‐use athletic courts and fields on the recently acquired Cates property. Please do not install these fields in Maple Park as the noise will interfere with the peaceful tranquility of the environment. Please install a street light near the sliding hill for winter sliding. SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!! Please work with Henn. Cty to reduce speed at Maple Street and County Rd 19 and well as install a cross walk. Along with 100's of locals from the nearby neighborhoods, many other bikers and walkers park at Maple Park and access the trails. I have seen multiple individuals nearly hit by cars as they try to cross over the road to the bike/hike trail!!!!!! 3700 Chippewa Road Pickleball courts Ggardens, a. Trails, etc , 3975 Chippewa Circle, Medina Pickle ball Tennis 2725 Cty Rd 19 Pickle ball court Basketball net/backboard 2785 County Road 19 I don't think that any of the amenity choices are a good idea for that space. I do not live in that section of the neighborhood, but I would be very upset if I did. The noise and extra cars will definitely disrupt the peace and quiet. I vote to keep the area a green space. 3390 Elm Creek Dr Hamel Pickle Ball Courts Tennis courts With living next door to the Hunter Park & see what a hit these are at this park I know we need more! T 4274 Fairway drive Pickle ball Walking ttracks 4650 Fern St Pickleball court My children love playing pickleball, as do I. A pair of courts if space allows would be beneficial to the health and well being of my loved ones sorted by address Page 3 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.16.24 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results 4685 Fern St, Medina 55359 Pickleball Pumptrack I love the idea of having this space provide more opportunity for our children to play close to home. We as a family love to play pickleball and ride mountain bikes. Any improvements to the space would be greatly appreciated. Pickleball would be my first choice but I understand the battle it will be with neighbors close to courts worried about noise. If your looking for more information on pump tracks check out https://velosolutions.com/asphalt‐pump‐tracks/ These are a great use of space and wheels of all kind can play on them since they are paved (roller blades, skateboards, scooters, bikes, strider bikes etc). These are being built in many cities across the US and can be used by a wide variety of users. Its a silet sport and the maintenance if very minimal. 2865 Lakeshore A ve Bleacher seating near current ball field. drinking water faucet . Replace. the Ash trees If deseased and add picnic tables and fire pits. I currently serve on the Long Lake Trinity Church Council. Tewnty years ago we added an edtition to provide a gym for the local youth to use for basketball and vollyball. since then Orono added the community center which has provided the much needed gym space for the youth. In the last few years adault plickle ball has become very popular and they have taken over the use of the gym The resulting noise has reached the leval that we need to restrict the usage. The Medina City Council Minutes reecently recorded complaints from neighbors living near the pockle ball courts that were built by the community center. I'm concerned that the noise may be disturbing to other park users and near neighbors. 2867 Lakeshore Avenue, Medina 55359 NO PICKLE BALL Courts at Maple Park! Keep the green space and peaceful park, please!! What a bad idea it is to add more hard surface area to this park, for a number of reasons: 1) The proposed courts will be adjacent to wetlands that drain to Lake Ardmore and subsequently to Lake Independence. These lakes are already highly impaired due to hard surface runoff, much of which comes from cty road 19 just up the hill, and thus the runoff contains heavy metals and other toxins, not to mention nutrients. The grassy area existing now is a natural filter for these harmful chemicals. 2) Pickle ball games are noisy. How disrespectful to the neighbors who live near that currently peaceful park. 3) The grassy lawn is the only non‐hard surface in the area where one can walk a dog on a leash, which is especially important during the many months of the year when there is much salt on the roads (ie, salt is painful to dog paws). 2867 Lakeshore Ave pollinator habitat fire pits I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANY HARD SURFACES ADDED TO THIS GREEN PARK AREA. THE LAKE INDEPENDENCE AREA OF MEDINA AND INDEPENDENCE ARE DEVELOPING FAST AND MORE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREAS ARE NOT NEEDED. VAST NEW GREEN LAWNS OF MEGA‐HOUSES ARE REPLACING POLLINATOR HABITAT. LET THE PICKLE BALL COURTS BE NEAR MORE DEVELOPED AREAS OF MEDINA ‐ LIKE NEAR THE VAST COVERED AUTO DEVELOPMENT UP ON 55!!! THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ALREADY HAS THE BURDEN OF NOISE FROM HWY 19. PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO THAT WITH THIS PICKLEBALL COURT. 3026 lakeshore ave Pickleball court Pickleball court Pickleball courts would be a great addition to maple park,for any age level. 3026 Lakeshore Ave Maple Plain, Mn Pickleball courts Pickleball courts would be a good addition. Useable by all ages There would still be room for soccer and baseball and sliding. 3050 lake shore avenue Multi‐use sport Court Batting cage This park has very little use in the summer months. There are 180 households in close proximity that would greatly benefit with a usable Park as opposed to just a green space admired by a few families. We greatly appreciate the city of Medina finally addressing the parks in this neighborhood. If there are noise concerns it would be beneficial to alleviate those on the initial build and design. However noise concerns should not block development of a public space. If the public is using it there will be public noise and that's a good thing. Our community coming together. 3087 Lakeshore Ave Leave it as a natural space Off lease dog area ‐ fenced in. The area is currently used by neighbors to run their dogs., There are several neighbors that have dogs in the Independence Beach area. I greatly oppose any idea that would reuquire trees be cut down. I have also seen this area set up for soccer practice, respit for walkers under the trees. It is a very nice open space that if we must develop should be done with the least amount of disturbance. This is not a place for hardcover! 3105 Lake Shre Ave ‐ Medina, MN I would love to see a dog park go into that area! We have so many dogs in our neighborhood that would utilize this and a lot of our homes it's too hard to put up a fence. Thank you 3105 Lake Shore Ave. Medina MN 55359 Dog park for off leash resident use. Many residents walk dogs past here and would be a good community gatherings. Providing dog bags for proper waste cleanup Fire Pits and BBQ equipment for resident family gatherings I agree this is an underutilized space. But would opt to also keep it quiet and offer an activity that could be utilized in a way to where it is located in proximity to residents. Higher activity parks are typically in the center of a neighborhood and this is on the edge of the neighborhood along a primary walking route 3155 Lakeshore Ave Pickleball Courts Adult Exercise Features sorted by address Page 4 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.16.24 Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results 3155 Lakeshore Ave PICKLEBALL COURTS It would be wonderful to see this beautiful piece of property utilized more. Pickleball is the #1 growing sport in the US. We need more adult parks promoting family, neighbors, and friend activities. Thank you for the work you do for the Medina Parks! 1255 Medina Rd Pickleball Skateboard park Have you ever considered just leaving it a green space ?I always drive by and see soccer practice going on and people using the hill in the winter for sledding. Medina, MN (2930 Parkview Drive) Organic Community Gardening Pollinator Garden I think Pickleball is a fad, and the noise for the neighbors is not nice. Please support our bees and promote organic Gardening or an environmentally friendly Pollinator garden. 2930 Parkview Drive Native Garden Community Garden 4560 Pine St, Medina MN Dog park Please donâ€™t cut down healthy trees! 2625 Pioneer Trail Medina Needs A Dog Park! Plymouth, Orono, and Greenfield have a dog park. Don't know if this is the right location or size.. certainly have to surrender the baseball field which you already have in Lorretto. Everytime I drive by nobody is using this park. How often is there going to be baseball certainly not in winter. Medina has always been rural and dog friendly never even thought of needing a dog park ...but as it grows it would be stupid not to plan for a dog park. A number of Medina residence from Morningside use the Orono Dog Park. Including myself pass number 560. Met Joe Cav at dog park. A number of park goers talk about it being the only social refuge during covid. Its more people social then you realize. You may find upwards to 25 cars in the evening. Orono plans on expanding parking lot. It would pay for Dusty, Steve and the Park Commission to check out Orono Dog Park (Susan Lurton). Medina does not have to be that fancy. The baseball field is going to be under utilized compared to a dog park. It would also maybe to our unliking draw Lorretto residence. Whatever your thinking ... Medina should plan on a dog park in the city if not this park. Pickel ball is a fad. Dogs won't go away. And Medina becoming more dense 2.5 units per acre. Scary. 3470 Pioneer Trail Pickleball Pickleball 4555 pioneer trail Pickleball courts 4642 Walnut St Enclosed dog park/run Keep it green A lot of people in the neighborhood have dogs. Would be a fun spot for the dogs and humans to socialize. It could also be used year round. 4651 Walnut Street Leave green space Dog play area 4672 Walnut Street, Medina, MN 55359 I would prefer that no additional amenities were placed in this location. Rather, use the funds to continue to maintain the other parks nearby. The current green space is a great amenity by itself for the many families and kids in the area. sorted by address Page 5 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.16.24 Created Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Additional Comments Enjoy as is, in the short time I've lived here, 112yrs 11, we have seen soccer games and practices, softball and baseball practices, dogs playing and exercising I'd say improve upon whats currently there. Some I am an avid pickleballer and feel l have more than adequate choices within a very short distance. All inside of course and l 1m learning there and the funnest of all, sledding in the new trees, maybe some park benches or tables for is a good reason for that, its loud I We have a world class park "Baker" within our confines of Medina. If they so choose to add these 2024-04-17 09:43 CDT 3120 Birch Ave winter! picnics etc. amenities in the future, thats where they belong. 2024-04-1713:11 CDT 810 Tower Drive, Medina MN 55376 Pickleball courtsl Very popular and hits older demographic I do not want pickle ball courts, tennis courts, hockey rinks. My neighborhood enjoys the park just as it is now. The kids in the community use it as a sledding hill. Many youth baseball & soccer groups utllize the space. This is also a favorite spot for dog owners to bring their dog and let them run. There are many other cons to changins from the current use, but I will leave it at that. 2024-04-1716:40 CDT 3155 Aspen Ave Leave it just like it is! Please leave the park "as is" because we like it that way. I would love to see a pickleball court in that space, I think tpickleball is the only option worth while, and what people would actually use. If pickleball is not an option, I§€™d prefer the space be left alone. I actually use the space now almost every day to play wlth my dog, and 2024-04-17 17:30 CDT 4685 Fern Street Pickleball Leave as grass really enjoy it. NOTE: BELOW COMMENTS RECEIVED ON 4-17-2024, HARD COPY PROVIDED TO PARK COMMISSION AT MEETING. 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2837 Ardmore Ave green Open space Replacemement of ash Trees if they are dead Want to register no support for moving forward with multi‐use athletic courts and fields. To add impermeable surfaces to this area seems unnecessary at a time when preservation of green space should be a priority and the planting of trees a more desirable option. Please do not move forward with this plan. 3120 Aspen Ave. Medina, MN 55359 Plant new trees and leave as open green space Hockey rink in connection with Orono Youth Hockey Association I am opposed to the addition of any number of pickleball courts at that location for a number of reasons. 1.Close proximity to not only my home, and my neighborâ€™s homes, but also to the wetland next to Maple Park that is privately owned. 2.Noise concerns â€“ the sound from rackets hitting the pickleball travels much further than other park sounds. Also, the proposed location of the pickleball courts (replacing the ash trees) is in a valley, thus noise will travel even further into the neighborhood. 3.Parking concerns â€“ there are only 20 parking stalls at Maple Park. We already experience parking issues on nights when there is soccer and baseball taking place at the park. Also, Maple Park is a hub to many accessing the Three Rivers Park District trails. 4.Hours concerns â€“ during the summer months sun up is very early in the morning and sunset is later in the evening. The noise will likely impact residentsâ€™ ability to sleep and enjoy their property. 5.Availability of other loca ons that will not directly nega vely impact residents. The City just purchased over 60 acres of land at the intersec on of Willow Drive and Highway 55, using over $2.7 million taxpayer dollars for this investment. The City should look at using a portion of this land for pickleball courts next to existing commercial space rather than another residential area. If you are interested in getting more people to utilize Maple Park might I suggest putting in playground equipment for children to use. Like the playground equipment at Lakeshore Park, there are plenty of children on this side of the neighborhood who would benefit from this addition. 2915 W 43rd Street, Apt 2, Minneapolis, MN 55410 NO PICKLEBALL Courts at Maple Park â€“ KEEP the parkâ€™s open green space; KEEP the Parkâ€™s trees; REPLACE diseased ash trees with healthy trees! Organic Community Garden along with Pollinator Habitats; Fire Pits for Family and Community Gatherings; Low‐ Impact Lawn Games; Adult Obstacle / Challenge / Fitness Course My parents moved to Medina when I was an infant. I cherished the location of my home opposite Maple Park. I loved my visual access to uninterrupted green space, wetlands, and Big Woods as well as my audible access to the multitude of birdsong. It is important to me that Maple Park remains the green open space still enjoyed by my parents and green open space that will one day be enjoyed by their grandchildren. It breaks my heart that my retired parents might shortly be forced indoors to avoid the continual highly impulsive noise of pickleball play. 1)A community garden is signiﬁcantly cheaper than pickleball courts. A garden creates and maintains an inspira onal outdoor space for reﬂec on. It provides a great ac vity for parents to share with their children as well as opportunities to educate children about stewardship of the environment. Itâ€™s a great way to meet neighbors. During the dreary days of COVID, I was grateful for my community garden plot; the hands‐on activity was good for my soul. 2)Baker Park does NOT provide ﬁre rings for picnickers. During COVID, I scoured the metro and surrounding areas for ﬁre pits where my friends and I could gather for safe social visiting. They were not to be found. Fire pits can also be used year‐round. 3)As a licensed architect with a second Masters in Sustainable Design, I passionately advocate for a sustainable healthy environment. Please, do NOT remove trees. Please, do NOT Install Pickleball Courts or any other Impervious Athletic or Multi‐Use Athletic Courts at Maple Park. Impervious surfaces will have a detrimental impact on the abutting propertyâ€™s wetlands that drain into Lake Ardmore and Lake Independence (MPCA listed Impaired Waters). The abundant wildlife will be negatively impacted by the persistent noise of continual pickleball play. Picnickers and other passive utilizers of the park will no longer enjoy the peace of a quiet park. Parking lot capacity will become an issue as spots become unavailable for those folks who currently use the parking lot as an access point to the Three Rivers Park Regional Trail. 3140 Aspen Ave Leave as is Leave as is I have shared my concerns via email to the city council and parks commission. 3140 aspen ave gaga pit climbing wall I am henry i am 7 year old i live next to the park. 3140 Aspen Ave New trees better suited for wetland areas Small Sport Court or Gaga Ball Pit With the layout of the park, parking needs to be considered an impediment to any large amenity in the park. Already with various sports, people frequently park on the grass as the lot is not large enough to accommodate more than a dozen cars. The neighborhood already has oodles of amenities ‐ two lakes, three parks, playground, kayak racks, baseball/soccer field, ice rink/basketball at Walnut park and direct access to Baker Park, adjacent to our neighborhood. With all we have in our neighborhood, I question what more is even needed for our small neighborhood. I think we should do more to fix up what we currently have, maintain the commitment the parks commission has already made, then continuously add new. Lakeshore's boat launch is terrible. The playground equipment needs to be upgraded (and many people on the commission/in the neighborhood actually work for a playground company). Be good stewards to what we have and consider the current commitment to our neighbors before we just continuously 'add new'. 3140 Aspen Ave Nothing Nothing I like hammocking in the park. Do not add anything else. If you cut down the trees, they should be replaced with new trees. 3155 Aspen Ave Leave it just like it is! I do not want pickle ball courts, tennis courts, hockey rinks. My neighborhood enjoys the park just as it is now. The kids in the community use it as a sledding hill. Many youth baseball & soccer groups utilize the space. This is also a favorite spot for dog owners to bring their dog and let them run. There are many other cons to changing from the current use, but I will leave it at that. Please leave the park "as is" because we like it that way. sorted by address Page 1 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.17.24 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 3160 Aspen Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Keep Park as Is ‐ Green Open Space; Replace Ash Trees with Healthy Trees when necessary Organic Community Garden as well as Pollinator Habitats; Fire Pits for Family and Neighborhood Gatherings; Lawn Games; Adult Obstacle / Challenge / Exercise Course 1)Leave As Is (with a few upgrades): Maintain (aerate, roll, top dress, seed, irrigate) the soccer ﬁeld to resolve soccer teamsâ€™ complaints that the fields are too lumpy for soccer. Provide Handicap accessibility to the lower areas of Maple Park. Add a bike rack and dog tethering posts. 2)Enhance the Picnicking Experience at Maple Park: Strategically place ﬁre rings (and sea ng) within the northwest quadrant of the park. (Include a handicap accessible ﬁre ring; perhaps an elevated wood burning fire pit table.) Design an overarching concept plan that includes Maple Park and the 18.3‐acre Lake Ardmore Nature Area. The Northeast Quadrant of the Nature Area is contiguous with and accessible from Maple Park. Create trails through the Nature Area with access to Lake Ardmore. Install seating decks along Lake Ardmoreâ€™s East Shoreline (like those at Lakeshore Park). These seating decks would provide places of serenity and thoughtful reflection for the trail walkers and picnickers. Create permanent buffer areas and pollinator habitats within the Nature Area. Place Interpretive Trail Signs along the trails to educate children about the ecosystem and to help them identify wildlife and native plant species. Challenge pods could be situated just off‐trail in the Nature Area (scrabbling walls / hanging nets). These trails might also allow snowshoeing and cross‐country skiing during the winter. 3)A garden would require the installa on of a well, but that well would service other ameni es as well. Water would be available to irrigate the soccer ﬁeld. Picnickers (and their dogs) would have access to water. 4)Adult Obstacle / Challenge / Fitness Course: 5)Please declare a moratorium on all new park renova ons un l a concept plan is designed for the newly acquired $2.7 million, 67‐acre Cates property AND un l an evalua on is done on all Medina Parks with an overarching design inclusive of all parks. 3160 Aspen Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Keep Maple Park as Open Green Space Community Garden and Pollinator Habitats; Fire Rings; Lawn Games (Horseshoes, Extreme Croquet); Youth Single‐Track Bike Trails; Adult Exercise Pods and/or Obstacle / Challenge Course 1)Organic Community Garden: Installa on of a well, a bit of landscaping, and several loads of black dirt â€“ for a reasonable cost and a reasonable amount of effort, the city can provide its Medina citizens their first community garden. Iâ€™d sign up for a plot. 2)Fire Pits (preferably more than one): An outdoor gathering is a fantas c way (during COVID the only way) to enjoy me with friends and family. It is also a terriﬁc way to host parties when oneâ€™s house is too small for a gathering of any size. Natural rock seating around the pits would be an attractive feature as well as available wood for purchase. (Locate a small shed for wood storage next to the outhouse and garbage cans.) 3)Youth Single‐Track Bike Trails: Take Advantage of both the 2.5‐acre Maple Park and the 18.3‐acre Lake Ardmore Nature Area. Create single track â€˜trainingâ€™ trails for young kids who aspire to bike the numerous more difficult single‐track trails in the metro area and Northern Minnesota. The Nature Area includes parcels of land on both the East and West side of Lake Ardmore. The East parcels are accessible from Maple Park. The West parcels are accessible via Walnut Street (at the cityâ€™s well location). Unfortunately, the East and West parcels are not contiguous for a long single‐track trail. But two separate shorter single‐track trails utilizing the East and West parcels of the Nature Area would still offer a training opportunity for young bikers. I am a single‐track biker; we need more single‐track trails designed for kids. 4)Adult Obstacle / Challenge Courses: Like many adults, I get my cardio exercise, but I fail to achieve a desirable level of strength training. An adult ﬁtness course would be a great and fun outdoors venue to complement a personâ€™s cardio regime. Unlike an exercise gym, one can experience the great outdoors while working out. The person cooped up in an office all day will quickly de‐stress in this outdoors gym. 5)No Pickleball, No Impervious Courts, please!! 3175 aspen Iâ€™m not opposed to making changes to the existing park as long as they donâ€™t have a negative impact on the noise and traffic levels in the surrounding area. The marsh and surrounding areas are home to a wide variety of wildlife and is a rookery/nesting area for many kinds of migratory birds including Sandhill cranes. Making changes to move the area farther from natural will result in these species vacating the area. Increased traffic to the park, with its limited spaces for parking, will result in more people attempting to make u turns at the intersection of maple and aspen. Unfortunately the city plows canâ€™t even seem to keep from driving through my yard at that intersection, so Iâ€™m not hopeful others will be considerate either. Forcing change to something many consider to be an amenity already seems silly when the greatest amenity the neighborhood has (boat launch) is severely lacking. Thank you. 3175 Aspen Ave Multiuse sport court Play structure My first choice would be to improve the playground, basketball court and boat launch in the neighborhood because they all are lacking and function poorly. If adding to maple park is something the city must do Iâ€™d suggest a sport court that can function for multi purpose activities. Making it specific for tennis or pickleball would be a waste, but having an open court allows people to play what they want. It also keeps the space open and usable without taking away from the openness of the field. Personally Iâ€™d like a playground that is more of an obstacle course to encourage play in older kids and teens, even adults since the current play structure in the neighborhood is really only useful for small children. Thing ninja warrior course type of a set up so adults could even use it for exercise. sorted by address Page 2 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.17.24 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 3180 Aspen Avenue Leave as is ‐ kids sled in the winter, people train their dogs for retrieving, dogs run and play, and young kids play soccer. The space gets used year‐round as it is currently designed. Build upon the natural resources ‐ do some prairie or other native plantings adjacent to the wetland area. I am very disappointed in the city's approach to potential park changes and engagement. This does not appear to be well thought‐out as there is nothing to look at, no descriptions of potential amenities, and no explanation/thought behind the amenities under consideration. I have no idea what really is being considered for the site. I am asked to rank my amenity without knowing what the possibilities are or where we are in the planning and implementation process. This is the first I have been made aware of potential changes. I am a planner by trade, and the city's approach is lacking. Normally there would be a study, options would be presented and described, and you would notify people of a meeting on changes or provide more information on your website so people actually knew what input you are looking for and what choices are out there. The way this was put together, it is clear you are not actually looking for input. Be honest and transparent instead of pretending to seek input. It is very disingenuous. What choices do we have? The flyer says pickleball or basketball or tennis. Is there demand for these activities? Did you read the SCORP to get ideas? Did you do a real survey that actually lists potential/real options for the site available? Are ideas consistent with the city's open space plan? How thoroughly have the ideas been vetted to identify potential demand for the neighborhood? What would improvements look like? There are no drawings/renderings provided, no layouts showing how things would fit on the site, etc. There are a number of young children in the neighborhood ‐ what about a tot play area for them? 4585 Balsam Street None None Thank you for the opportunity to give feedback. As residents of Independence Beach neighborhood, we are not in favor of the proposal for pickleball courts at Maple Park. First, installing a plot of pavement doesn't set well. Residents in the neighborhood are encouraged and in some cases required to adhere to practices that support drainage, permeable surfaces and take the presence of nearby lakes into consideration. So why does the City get a pass and get to come in and start paving over open space? Even if the specifics of the lake protection rules allow for it, itâ€™s bad optics. Second, our neighborhood has a rural feel and weâ€™re in a section of Medina lacking density ‐ do we think people are driving out here to play pickleball? Doubt it. Are we doing this for the immediate Independence Beach neighborhood? Pass. The park is fine just as it is. 4595 Balsam St Pickleball 3120 Birch Ave Enjoy as is, in the short time I've lived here, "2yrs", we have seen soccer games and practices, softball and baseball practices, dogs playing and exercising and the funnest of all, sledding in the winter! I'd say improve upon whats currently there. Some new trees, maybe some park benches or tables for picnics etc. I am an avid pickleballer and feel I have more than adequate choices within a very short distance. All inside of course and I'm learning there is a good reason for that, its loud! We have a world class park "Baker" within our confines of Medina. If they so choose to add these amenities in the future, thats where they belong. 3135 Birch Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Pickleball Court(s) It would be great to have a pickle ball court at this location for use seasonally. Talking with neighbors in the Independence Beach and Lakeshore area, there seems to be a lot of interest in having a court within walking distance. Thank you for your consideration. 3155 Birch. Ave If improvements are approved. There needs to be additional parking and facilities. Also safety turning onto Maple Street and onto CR 19 needs to be considered. Maple Street has become a free for all for speeders. Additional traffic is a concern. 3175 birch ave Leave the park the way it is! All potential amenities will bring a lot of noise to a very quiet neighborhood. Find somewhere else or get ready for daily noise complaints. 4642 Brook St Sport court None I feel a sport court would be a good draw to the youth in the area. 3120 Cedar Ave, Medina, MN Outdoor exercise and challenge course Larger shaded canopy for picnickers Install the multi‐use athletic courts and fields on the recently acquired Cates property. Please do not install these fields in Maple Park as the noise will interfere with the peaceful tranquility of the environment. Please install a street light near the sliding hill for winter sliding. SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!! Please work with Henn. Cty to reduce speed at Maple Street and County Rd 19 and well as install a cross walk. Along with 100's of locals from the nearby neighborhoods, many other bikers and walkers park at Maple Park and access the trails. I have seen multiple individuals nearly hit by cars as they try to cross over the road to the bike/hike trail!!!!!! 3700 Chippewa Road Pickleball courts Ggardens, a. Trails, etc , 3975 Chippewa Circle, Medina Pickle ball Tennis 2725 Cty Rd 19 Pickle ball court Basketball net/backboard sorted by address Page 3 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.17.24 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 2785 County Road 19 I don't think that any of the amenity choices are a good idea for that space. I do not live in that section of the neighborhood, but I would be very upset if I did. The noise and extra cars will definitely disrupt the peace and quiet. I vote to keep the area a green space. 3390 Elm Creek Dr Hamel Pickle Ball Courts Tennis courts With living next door to the Hunter Park & see what a hit these are at this park I know we need more! t 4274 Fairway drive Pickle ball Walking ttracks 4650 Fern St Pickleball court My children love playing pickleball, as do I. A pair of courts if space allows would be beneficial to the health and well being of my loved ones 4685 Fern Street Pickleball Leave as grass I would love to see a pickleball court in that space, I think Ipickleball is the only option worth while, and what people would actually use. If pickleball is not an option, Iâ€™d prefer the space be left alone. I actually use the space now almost every day to play with my dog, and really enjoy it. 4685 Fern St, Medina 55359 Pickleball Pumptrack I love the idea of having this space provide more opportunity for our children to play close to home. We as a family love to play pickleball and ride mountain bikes. Any improvements to the space would be greatly appreciated. Pickleball would be my first choice but I understand the battle it will be with neighbors close to courts worried about noise. If your looking for more information on pump tracks check out https://velosolutions.com/asphalt‐pump‐tracks/ These are a great use of space and wheels of all kind can play on them since they are paved (roller blades, skateboards, scooters, bikes, strider bikes etc). These are being built in many cities across the US and can be used by a wide variety of users. Its a silet sport and the maintenance if very minimal. 2865 Lakeshore A ve Bleacher seating near current ball field. drinking water faucet . Replace. the Ash trees If deseased and add picnic tables and fire pits. I currently serve on the Long Lake Trinity Church Council. Tewnty years ago we added an edtition to provide a gym for the local youth to use for basketball and vollyball. since then Orono added the community center which has provided the much needed gym space for the youth. In the last few years adault plickle ball has become very popular and they have taken over the use of the gym The resulting noise has reached the leval that we need to restrict the usage. The Medina City Council Minutes reecently recorded complaints from neighbors living near the pockle ball courts that were built by the community center. I'm concerned that the noise may be disturbing to other park users and near neighbors. 2867 Lakeshore Avenue, Medina 55359 NO PICKLE BALL Courts at Maple Park! Keep the green space and peaceful park, please!! What a bad idea it is to add more hard surface area to this park, for a number of reasons: 1) The proposed courts will be adjacent to wetlands that drain to Lake Ardmore and subsequently to Lake Independence. These lakes are already highly impaired due to hard surface runoff, much of which comes from cty road 19 just up the hill, and thus the runoff contains heavy metals and other toxins, not to mention nutrients. The grassy area existing now is a natural filter for these harmful chemicals. 2) Pickle ball games are noisy. How disrespectful to the neighbors who live near that currently peaceful park. 3) The grassy lawn is the only non‐hard surface in the area where one can walk a dog on a leash, which is especially important during the many months of the year when there is much salt on the roads (ie, salt is painful to dog paws). 2867 Lakeshore Ave pollinator habitat fire pits I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANY HARD SURFACES ADDED TO THIS GREEN PARK AREA. THE LAKE INDEPENDENCE AREA OF MEDINA AND INDEPENDENCE ARE DEVELOPING FAST AND MORE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREAS ARE NOT NEEDED. VAST NEW GREEN LAWNS OF MEGA‐HOUSES ARE REPLACING POLLINATOR HABITAT. LET THE PICKLE BALL COURTS BE NEAR MORE DEVELOPED AREAS OF MEDINA ‐ LIKE NEAR THE VAST COVERED AUTO DEVELOPMENT UP ON 55!!! THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ALREADY HAS THE BURDEN OF NOISE FROM HWY 19. PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO THAT WITH THIS PICKLEBALL COURT. 3026 lakeshore ave Pickleball court Pickleball court Pickleball courts would be a great addition to maple park,for any age level. 3026 Lakeshore Ave Maple Plain, Mn Pickleball courts Pickleball courts would be a good addition. Useable by all ages There would still be room for soccer and baseball and sliding. 3050 lake shore avenue Multi‐use sport Court Batting cage This park has very little use in the summer months. There are 180 households in close proximity that would greatly benefit with a usable Park as opposed to just a green space admired by a few families. We greatly appreciate the city of Medina finally addressing the parks in this neighborhood. If there are noise concerns it would be beneficial to alleviate those on the initial build and design. However noise concerns should not block development of a public space. If the public is using it there will be public noise and that's a good thing. Our community coming together. 3087 Lakeshore Ave Leave it as a natural space Off lease dog area ‐ fenced in. The area is currently used by neighbors to run their dogs., There are several neighbors that have dogs in the Independence Beach area. I greatly oppose any idea that would reuquire trees be cut down. I have also seen this area set up for soccer practice, respit for walkers under the trees. It is a very nice open space that if we must develop should be done with the least amount of disturbance. This is not a place for hardcover! 3105 Lake Shre Ave ‐ Medina, MN I would love to see a dog park go into that area! We have so many dogs in our neighborhood that would utilize this and a lot of our homes it's too hard to put up a fence. Thank you sorted by address Page 4 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.17.24 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Address Amenity 1 Amenity 2 Comments 3105 Lake Shore Ave. Medina MN 55359 Dog park for off leash resident use. Many residents walk dogs past here and would be a good community gatherings. Providing dog bags for proper waste cleanup Fire Pits and BBQ equipment for resident family gatherings I agree this is an underutilized space. But would opt to also keep it quiet and offer an activity that could be utilized in a way to where it is located in proximity to residents. Higher activity parks are typically in the center of a neighborhood and this is on the edge of the neighborhood along a primary walking route 3155 Lakeshore Ave Pickleball Courts Adult Exercise Features 3155 Lakeshore Ave PICKLEBALL COURTS It would be wonderful to see this beautiful piece of property utilized more. Pickleball is the #1 growing sport in the US. We need more adult parks promoting family, neighbors, and friend activities. Thank you for the work you do for the Medina Parks! 1255 Medina Rd Pickleball Skateboard park Have you ever considered just leaving it a green space ?I always drive by and see soccer practice going on and people using the hill in the winter for sledding. Medina, MN (2930 Parkview Drive) Organic Community Gardening Pollinator Garden I think Pickleball is a fad, and the noise for the neighbors is not nice. Please support our bees and promote organic Gardening or an environmentally friendly Pollinator garden. 2930 Parkview Drive Native Garden Community Garden 4560 Pine St, Medina MN Dog park Please donâ€™t cut down healthy trees! 2625 Pioneer Trail Medina Needs A Dog Park! Plymouth, Orono, and Greenfield have a dog park. Don't know if this is the right location or size.. certainly have to surrender the baseball field which you already have in Lorretto. Everytime I drive by nobody is using this park. How often is there going to be baseball certainly not in winter. Medina has always been rural and dog friendly never even thought of needing a dog park ...but as it grows it would be stupid not to plan for a dog park. A number of Medina residence from Morningside use the Orono Dog Park. Including myself pass number 560. Met Joe Cav at dog park. A number of park goers talk about it being the only social refuge during covid. Its more people social then you realize. You may find upwards to 25 cars in the evening. Orono plans on expanding parking lot. It would pay for Dusty, Steve and the Park Commission to check out Orono Dog Park (Susan Lurton). Medina does not have to be that fancy. The baseball field is going to be under utilized compared to a dog park. It would also maybe to our unliking draw Lorretto residence. Whatever your thinking ... Medina should plan on a dog park in the city if not this park. Pickel ball is a fad. Dogs won't go away. And Medina becoming more dense 2.5 units per acre. Scary. 3470 Pioneer Trail Pickleball Pickleball 4555 pioneer trail Pickleball courts 810 Tower Drive, Medina MN 55376 Pickleball courts! Very popular and hits older demographic 4642 Walnut St Enclosed dog park/run Keep it green A lot of people in the neighborhood have dogs. Would be a fun spot for the dogs and humans to socialize. It could also be used year round. 4651 Walnut Street Leave green space Dog play area 4672 Walnut Street, Medina, MN 55359 I would prefer that no additional amenities were placed in this location. Rather, use the funds to continue to maintain the other parks nearby. The current green space is a great amenity by itself for the many families and kids in the area. sorted by address Page 5 of 5 addt'l comments as of 4.17.24 From: To: Subject: Date: Lisa DeMars Terry Sharp; Will Gunter; nilanorman; Will Gunter; Troy Hutchinson; Mary Morrison; Steve Webster; Tom Mayer; Grace; Ava ; Dusty Finke FW: Park Commission 3/20 Recap Notes Friday, March 22, 2024 3:31:00 PM Greetings Park Commission, please see below. Thank you, Lisa From: Lisa DeMars Sent: Friday, March 22, 2024 3:25 PM To: Todd DuBord <> Cc: Steve Scherer <steve.scherer@medinamn.gov> Subject: RE: Park Commission 3/20 Recap Notes Hi Todd, I will get below comments in front of the Park Commission. Thank you, Lisa From: Todd DuBord <> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2024 2:56 PM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov> Subject: Park Commission 3/20 Recap Notes Hi Lisa, Here is my recap that I would like to share with the Park Commission that I spoke at on 3/20 regarding agenda item 8: Maple Park Renovation planning discussion a. Tennis and/or Pickleball Courts. Arguments against the installation of pickleball/tennis courts at Maple Park Todd DuBord (3140 Aspen Ave) Development of green space Sacrificing green spaces for a trendy sport doesn’t align with the City of Medina’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, when making decisions they need to align with this. When it’s gone it’s gone, it take years for spaces to mature but a rash decision wipes out years of progress. It can only be used 5 months a year for a $200,000 investment What’s the impact on the Pioneer-Sarah watershed? Why are we not spending the money on developing lakeshore park Specifically the boat launch and dock Research suggests that residences within 600 ft from courts are impacted negatively with noise and house values Put your self in the shoes of the homeowners close or bordering the proposed space It will absolutely have an impact on the resale value of my house Parking concerns Currently when there is soccer or baseball people are parking in the grass which is a violation It causes a safety issue for pedestrians and traffic exiting or entering Maple Road The OAC was built for the community add additional courts there that can be used year around $27.4M dollar investment for tax payers for activities like pickleball that is accessible year around Community Surveys Nonexistent, there is no quantifiable data to back anything being purposed. I find it baffling how this can get approved by the I heard a lot of Maple Park is “Under Utilized” or pickleball courts are what everyone wants That’s an opinion from one person conducting an actual study with data cuts through people’s personal opinions Lakeshore estate is a small percentage of the population when you look at Medina we have 3 parks and a regional park all within walking distance how does that align with other areas in the community A comment was made about collaborating with Baker Park, record will show that commissioner Hutchinson stated he has tried I reached out to Boe Carlson yesterday who is the superintendent for Three Rivers Park District he has never been contacted by the Parks Commission From: Bcc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Lisa DeMars Steve Scherer; Dusty Finke; Mary Morrison; nila; Troy Hutchinson; Steve Webster; Will Gunter; Tom Mayer; Grace; Ava; Terry Sharp; FW: 2024MAR20 Comments 3160 Aspen Ave Homeowners Tuesday, March 26, 2024 11:18:00 AM To Lisa_Kathleen"s Comments Park Commission 2024MAR20 Re Pickleball Courts.pdf To Lisa_Don"s Comments Park Commission 2024MAR20 Re Pickleball Courts.pdf To Park Commission, please see below/attached. Thanks, Lisa From: Lisa DeMars Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 11:13 AM To: Kathleen Luetmer <> Cc: Donald C Johnston <> Subject: RE: 2024MAR20 Comments 3160 Aspen Ave Homeowners Hello Kathleen, Donald, I have added your name for Park Comm agenda notices and will get both documents (comments) in front of the Park Commission. Email addresses to contact the City Council are available on our website, here is a link: Elected Officials (medinamn.us). Please use these email addresses to send your comments now, or when the Park Comm makes their recommendation to Council and the topic is added to the City Council agenda. Thank you, Lisa From: Kathleen Luetmer <> Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:30 AM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov> Cc: Donald C Johnston <> Subject: 2024MAR20 Comments 3160 Aspen Ave Homeowners Lisa, Attached are the comments that Don and I made at the 2024MAR20 Park Commission Meeting. Please share with the City Council. Also I'd like to have my name entered to the mailing list for the Park Commission Meeting Minutes. Kathleen Luetmer Donald Johnston 3160 Aspen Ave, Medina, MN 55359 Kathleen Luetmer (3160 Aspen Ave) I am against the installation of pickleball courts at Maple Park. 1) I believe the first mention made of the Maple Park pickleball courts was in the City Council Meeting Notes for OCT17, 2023. DesLauriers commented that he would like to see the pickleball courts for Maple Park moved forward, as those are shown in 2026. Reid wondered if a mandatory buffer zone would be needed around the pickleball courts. She said the problems that arose relating to noise were due to the proximity of the homes. Mayer said that this issue has been a part of the Commission’s pickleball court discussions. Today, we are asking to be brought into the discussion as to whether these proposed pickleball courts should even be installed?” 1) We wish to keep Maple Park as a small neighborhood ‘open green space’ vs a concrete park of tennis and/or pickleball courts. This wish aligns with Medina’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. To stay under 3 minutes, I skipped the Chapter 2 & 5 Comments (blue font); however, the ‘yellow hi-lighted’ sentence I verbalized later during the mee ng. Chapter 2: Vision, Goals, & Strategies (Community Goals) • Preserve rural vistas, open spaces, and wetlands in all parts of the community to promote the rural character of Medina. • Protect and enhance the environment and natural resources throughout the community. Chapter 5: Land Use & Growth …The community has made conscious choices to preserve and protect the natural areas and to improve their quality…it is cri cal for the city to educate residents about the importance of maintaining healthy wetlands, woodlands and lakes…the natural areas will be a cri cal element of every decision-making process…the city of Medina strives to promote and protect its open spaces and natural environment…encourage open spaces, parks and trails in all neighborhood developments…Surveys indicate that a high quality of life is found when residents have visual access to green spaces…Preserve natural resources throughout the community and provide educa onal opportuni es to residents to help them understand the value of natural areas. 2) Did anyone in the neighborhood ask for a pickleball court? 3) Why not put the pickleball court(s) on the city’s newly purchased 60 acres at the Willow Drive / Hwy 55 intersec on? 4) Maple Park is a fully u lized neighborhood park. During the winter, the hill is packed with kids (and o en their dads) sliding down the hill. During the nonwinter months, dads and coaches and kids play so ball and soccer. Families enjoy quiet picnics. Pet owners bring their dogs to the park to run and fetch. Bikers, runners, and walkers use the Park as an access point to the Three Rivers Park District trails. And I experience great joy as I sit on my deck or watch from inside the All-American Old-Fashioned play that takes place year-round at Maple Park. 5) The abundant wildlife (turkeys, sandhill cranes, ducks, songbirds, turtles, frogs…) would be nega vely impacted by the noise and environmental pollu on of the pickleball courts. 6) People who advocate for pickleball courts make the ’Numbers’ argument – that there are more people who will beneﬁt by having these outdoor pickleball courts available to them than there are people who will be nega vely and dispropor onately impacted by these outdoor courts. While the ‘numbers’ argument is true, is it a fair argument? It is not a straight ‘numbers’ game; there should be an ‘impact’ mul plier involved in the equa on. Instead, every player should ask him or herself, “Is it more important for me to play this game of pickleball on this court than for the homeowner to enjoy his property?” My pickleball game, with its inherent obnoxious noise, is chasing neighborhood homeowners back indoors, preven ng the homeowners from enjoying me on their decks, putzing in their gardens, si ng around the ﬁrepit…and, even once indoors, forcing the homeowners to close their windows against the noise. The pickleball player walks away from the court when he’s ﬁnished with the game. But the homeowner…well there’s another game and then another and yet another from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. 7) The noise from pickleball can reach 70 decibels up to 100 feet away. Noice above 55 decibels is generally considered a nuisance. Our deck is less than 375’ from the ac vity; the noise we’d hear is likely 58 dBA – above the nuisance level. 8) Some advocates for pickleball make the argument that the noise of a pickleball court across the street meets the statutory limits for a residen al loca on. But It is NOT just the volume of pickleball that is problema c…it is the repe ve sharp pitch, the pace, and the ongoing ac vity of the games. One might compare the nuisance noise of pickleball to the nuisance pain of neuropathy – not so much intense as simply persistent. Pickleball – A Growing Trend; A Growing Problem! Let’s work together and come up with a ‘Win / Win’ solution! THANK YOU! PARK COMMISSION AGENDA, WED, MARCH 20, 2024, 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL (2052 County Road 24) Agenda Item 8: MAPLE PARK RENOVATION PLANNING DISCUSSION a. Tennis and/or Pickleball Courts I am Don Johnston. My home, 3160 Aspen Ave, is one of the four homes on the ﬁrst row facing Maple Park. I am against the Installa on of the Pickleball Courts at Maple Park 1) The 20 houses of Independence Estates were built BEFORE Maple Park was established. Kathleen and I are the original owners of our 3160 Aspen Ave home. We moved into our home, DEC 31. 1989. 2) Outlot B of Independence Estates was purchased BEFORE Maple Park was established. The homeowners of 3120, 3140, & 3160 Aspen Ave purchased Outlot B from Daniel Bartus DEC 31, 1990. Outlot B is classiﬁed as Vacant Land – RESIDENTIAL; HOMESTEAD…essen ally an extension of our backyards! 3) Pickleball Courts would be within feet of the land owned by the 3120 & 3160 Aspen Ave homeowners. 4) Pickleball Courts would be within 375 feet of the back deck of the 3160 Aspen Ave homestead. * Outlet A (Maple Park) borders Outlot B Outlot A (2.54 Acres): 320’ Deep (East to West) at the North Border; 205’ Deep at the South Border Outlot B (2.82 Acres): 301’ Deep (East to West) at North Border 3160 Aspen Ave Residen al Lot (2nd house in from Maple St): 170’ Deep 3160 Residence Set Back from Street (West Border) – 31.4’ 3160 House Depth: 36’; 3160 Deck Depth: 26’ (31.4’+36’+26’ = 93.4’) 170’ – 93.4’ = 76.6’ Distance of the back deck from the East 3160 Residen al Border 76.6’ + 301’ = 377.6’ Distance of the back deck from Outlot A (Maple Park) West Border In reality, given the irregular shapes of Outlots A & B, the distance of the 3160 Aspen Ave deck is LESS THAN 377.6’ from the Maple Park West Border. ** * Update: Per conversa on with Megan Kuhl-Stennes (MPCA; 651-757-2455), noise is NOT measured from the deck as stated by the Park Commission members. Rather, it is measured from the property boundary closest to the noise…as a property owner u lizes his en re yard. Megan also stated that “the noise standards do NOT, by themselves, iden fy the limi ng levels of impulsive noise needed for the preserva on of public health and welfare”. (MN Administra ve Rules 7030.0040). Megan indicated noise standards are in the process of being updated but that the process is unfortunately long – perhaps 4 years out. ** 3160 Aspen Ave property boundary is LESS THAN 301’ from the Maple Park West border. 5) The Owners of Outlot B have had a coopera ve history with the City of Medina and several mes have worked with former Public Works Director Jim Dillman to resolve City issues. a) In the early 1990s, the City of Medina widened Maple Street. This required ﬁlling in wetlands. To oﬀset the wetland damage, the owners of Outlot B were asked if mi ga on excava on could be done within the borders of Outlot B. We allowed the city to do the en re mi ga on within Outlot B (a 10 to 15’ wide excava on running along pre y much the en re length of the eastern edge of Outlot B) – losing for ourselves what was dry land. b) When the City of Medina installed the ballpark on the Southern por on of Maple Park, the contractors cut down ﬁve or more fully mature Maple trees that were on Outlot B . We were gracious and accepted as compensa on the city’s plan ng of ‘replacement’ trees…which were planted in the park. 6) Finally, as Medina’s representa ve on the Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Commission from 1994 to 2014, I became very aware of the impact of impervious surfaces on wetland and waters. I am very concerned about the installa on of an impervious surface (whether asphalt or concrete) so close to this wetland – a wetland that drains into Lake Ardmore and Lake Independence – especially since both lakes are on the MPCA’s Impaired Waters List . Lake Independence was added to the List in 2002 Lake Ardmore was added to the List in 2016. From: Bcc: Subject: Date: Lisa DeMars Mary Morrison; Terry Sharp; Nila Norman; Troy Hutchinson; Steve Webster; Will Gunter; Thomas Mayer; Grace; Ava; Steve Scherer; Dusty Finke 03.26.2024 Note from Three Rivers on pickleball (aka recreational facilities) at Regional Parks Tuesday, March 26, 2024 4:51:00 PM Hello Park Commission, I’m sharing below for awareness to all Park Commissioners: Thanks, Lisa Begin forwarded message: From: "Carlson, Boe" <Boe.Carlson@threeriversparks.org> Date: March 26, 2024 at 4:07:57 PM EDT To: Troy Hutchinson <> Subject: RE: Medina Park Commission Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. DuBord called to ask if I had spoken to anyone regarding pickleball. I told him I had not however someone on our staff may have been contacted that I was unaware of. We have no plan to build pickleball courts at Baker Park Reserve. As a regional parks agency focused on natural resources, we do not build recreational facilities such as tennis, pickleball, ball fields or basketball courts. Those amenities would not be consistent with the regional parks policy plan through the Met. Council. Boe Carlson Superintendent Three Rivers Park District (763)559-6761 From: Troy Hutchinson <> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2024 3:44 PM To: Carlson, Boe <Boe.Carlson@threeriversparks.org> Subject: Medina Park Commission Dear Mr. Carlson, I am reaching out on behalf of the Medina Park Commission. Mr. DuBord represents in his email below that he spoke to you yesterday. Is it true that Three Rivers is interested in building pickleball courts within Baker Park? If so, that’s great news. Can you share where in Baker Park the courts would be built and when? This is great to hear because we have been told in the past that Baker Park will not be adding any hardcover, mountain biking trails, or other amenities at Baker. Thanks in advance, Troy Hutchinson From: Todd DuBord <> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2024 2:56 PM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov> Subject: Park Commission 3/20 Recap Notes Hi Lisa, Here is my recap that I would like to share with the Park Commission that I spoke at on 3/20 regarding agenda item 8: Maple Park Renovation planning discussion a. Tennis and/or Pickleball Courts. Arguments against the installation of pickleball/tennis courts at Maple Park Todd DuBord (3140 Aspen Ave) 1. Development of green space 1. Sacrificing green spaces for a trendy sport doesn’t align with the City of Medina’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, when making decisions they need to align with this. 2. When it’s gone it’s gone, it take years for spaces to mature but a rash decision wipes out years of progress. 3. It can only be used 5 months a year for a $200,000 investment 4. What’s the impact on the Pioneer-Sarah watershed? 2. Why are we not spending the money on developing lakeshore park 1. Specifically the boat launch and dock 3. Research suggests that residences within 600 ft from courts are impacted negatively with noise and house values 1. Put your self in the shoes of the homeowners close or bordering the proposed space 2. It will absolutely have an impact on the resale value of my house 4. Parking concerns 1. Currently when there is soccer or baseball people are parking in the grass which is a violation 2. It causes a safety issue for pedestrians and traffic exiting or entering Maple Road 5. The OAC was built for the community add additional courts there that can be used year around 1. $27.4M dollar investment for tax payers for activities like pickleball that is accessible year around 6. Community Surveys 1. Nonexistent, there is no quantifiable data to back anything being purposed. I find it baffling how this can get approved by the 2. I heard a lot of Maple Park is “Under Utilized” or pickleball courts are what everyone wants 1. That’s an opinion from one person conducting an actual study with data cuts through people’s personal opinions 3. Lakeshore estate is a small percentage of the population when you look at Medina we have 3 parks and a regional park all within walking distance how does that align with other areas in the community 7. A comment was made about collaborating with Baker Park, record will show that commissioner Hutchinson stated he has tried 1. I reached out to Boe Carlson yesterday who is the superintendent for Three Rivers Park District he has never been contacted by the Parks Commission From: Bcc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Lisa DeMars Terry Sharp; Nila Norman; Will Gunter; Mary Morrison; Troy Hutchinson; Steve Webster; Tom Mayer; Grace ; Ava FW: Copy of Comments Made to City Hall 2024APR02 Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:14:00 AM Comments to City Council 2024APR02.pdf Greetings Park Commission, see below/attached. Thanks, Lisa From: Scott Johnson <scott.johnson@medinamn.gov> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 7:34 AM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov> Subject: FW: Copy of Comments Made to City Hall 2024APR02 Hi Lisa, The property owners also provided a copy of their comments from the April 2nd Council Meeting. Please share this information with the rest of the information to the Park Commission. Thanks Scott From: Kathleen Martin <kathleen.martin@medinamn.gov> Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 9:18 PM To: Kathleen Luetmer <>; Dino Deslauriers <dino.deslauriers@medinamn.gov>; Todd Albers <todd.albers@medinamn.gov>; Robin Reid <robin.reid@medinamn.gov>; Joseph Cavanaugh <joseph.cavanaugh@medinamn.gov> Cc: Donald C Johnston <>; Scott Johnson <scott.johnson@medinamn.gov>; Dusty Finke <dusty.finke@medinamn.gov>; Steve Scherer <steve.scherer@medinamn.gov> Subject: RE: Copy of Comments Made to City Hall 2024APR02 Thank you, Kathleen. Please include Scott Johnson, Dusty Finke and Steve Scherer on all further communications. I have copied them here, and reattached your comments. From: Kathleen Luetmer <kathleen.luetmer@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 5:40 PM To: Kathleen Martin <kathleen.martin@medinamn.gov>; Dino Deslauriers <dino.deslauriers@medinamn.gov>; Todd Albers <todd.albers@medinamn.gov>; Robin Reid <robin.reid@medinamn.gov>; Joseph Cavanaugh <joseph.cavanaugh@medinamn.gov> Cc: Donald C Johnston <> Subject: Copy of Comments Made to City Hall 2024APR02 Mayor Kathleen Martin Council Members Dino DesLauriers, Todd Albers, Robin Reid, and Joseph Cavanaugh, Thank you for listening so graciously to our comments during the 'Citizens' Comments' portion of your Council Meeting, April 2nd, 2024. We've attached to this email a copy of our comments. Regrettably, we feel a bit 'Behind the Eight Ball' as we make our case to keep Maple Park as green open space and that amenities, if any, are low-impact amenities. The City Council Meeting Minutes of March 19th, 2024 reports, "Park Commissioner Norman stated that the Commission will meet the following evening and items on the agenda include the park asset inventory, a geocaching presentation and Maple Park renovation planning for pickleball courts." We offered our comments regarding pickleball courts at both the March 20th Park Commission Meeting and the April 2nd City Council Meeting, but it is hard to make our case with 3" presentations. It is also hard to make our case when we've just learned that there are plans for pickleball courts at Maple Park!. It would have been a 'level playing field' had we been able to offer our suggestions at the front end any utilization plans for Maple Park. Never-the-less,we have offered alternative amenities such as pollinator habitats, organic community gardens, fire pits for family / community gatherings, etc. We hope our suggestions are taken seriously...as we feel these activities align beautifully with Medina's Comprehensive Plan and that these low-impact activities do not negatively impact the environment. Again thank you. Kathleen Luetmer Don Johnston Medina City Council Mee ng - 2024APR02 Kathleen Luetmer / Don Johnston – 3160 Aspen Avenue Our home is one of the homes whose proper es abut Maple Park. We are the second house South from Maple Street. We built and moved into our home in 1989 – 35 years ago. In 1990, we purchased, with our ‘3120 & 3140 Aspen Ave’ neighbors, Outlet B. Outlet B (classiﬁed ‘Residen al Homestead’) is the 2.82-acre parcel of land con guous to our homes – the purchase of which essen ally extended our backyards to the western bo rder of Maple Park. We moved to Medina for its rural character, for its rural vistas, its open spaces, and its wetlands. We put down permanent roots because we put faith in Medina’s Comprehensive Plan – its Community Goals to preserve Medina’s rural character and to protect and enhance the environment and natural resources. We don’t want to be here tonight. But we need to put ‘faces’ to those homeowners who are reques ng that Maple Park remain green open space and that added ameni es, if any, are low-impact ameni es that preserve the rural environment valued by the ci zens of Medina. We need to put ‘faces’ to those homeowners who will be dispropor onately and nega vely impacted by the installa on of these pickleball courts. We want to extend an invita on to you – if you are in the neighborhood, knock on our door. We’ll bring you out to our deck; we’ll walk, with you, our backyard as well as the extended acreage of our backyard. We invite you to experience our viewpoint…to enjoy ‘visual access to green space’ (2040 Comprehensive Plan, Page 5-4) This morning, we woke up to the sound of birds in the wetlands. Our windows were closed. If indoors, we can hear birds chirping, we WILL hear the highly impulsive noise of pickleball play. Seasonally, we hear the incessant croaking of frogs. It is the sound of nature. We love it. Not the case with pickleball. We recognize pickleball is currently the popular court game; 40 years ago, it was racquetball. A homeowners’ biggest investment is his home…a 30-year mortgage and the blood, sweat, and tears of home maintenance. The pickleball player’s investment is a pickleball paddle, a ball, and a passion to play the game. But no one can argue that the pickleball player’s passion for the sport is greater than the passion of the homeowner to enjoy his property! During the Pandemic ALL outdoor ac vi es became extremely popular. The BWCA experience is a case in point. Avid canoeists must now be on their computers January 31 at 9:00 am (Opening Day and Minute) to reserve BWCA permits and even then, they won’t necessarily get their choice entry points or dates. We know! Don managed to reserve a trip, but it was not his ﬁrst choice! (Ironically, the number of permits for each entry point and entry date has been cut back to protect the BWCA from the huge inﬂux of canoeists wan ng to experience the BWCA.) Likewise, reserva ons for MN State Park camping and many Na onal Park experiences must be made well in advance – the rapidly increasing numbers of outdoor enthusiasts have made spontaneous random outdoor adventure trips a thing of the past. Folks graciously accept the fact that these recrea onal venues are limited, and that everyone must wait in line, take their turn. Yet, for whatever reason, there is an expecta on that pickleball players should have suﬃcient courts immediately installed so that there is no shortage of availability nor inconvenient length of travel…and that they should have the op on of outdoor courts if that is their preference! No ma er the environmental consequences; no ma er the noise. If a dog’s bark was plainly audible from within my property and if that dog barked for a con nuous period greater than 3 minutes, more than once per hour, it would be considered a nuisance by Medina’s City Code 330. I could lodge a complaint. But neighboring households can do nothing about the highly annoying impulsive noise of pickleball. We ask that outdoor pickleball court loca ons be carefully selected to avoid public nuisance noise to neighboring households. The City of Medina’s recently acquired Cats property (67 acres classiﬁed ‘Farm Non-Homestead’) is an excellent loca on for outdoor mul -use athle c courts. Installa on of courts on this property would not adversely aﬀect any neighboring households. From:Steve Scherer To:Scott Johnson; Lisa DeMars; Kathleen Luetmer; Donald C Johnston Subject:RE: Newsletter Delivery Question Date:Tuesday, April 9, 2024 2:51:12 PM Attachments:image001.png Hi Kathleen and Don, staff is looking for any kind of suggestions, when you open the survey it simply asks for your number one and two choices is what I remember , at the meeting most of the conversations did revolve around Pickleball, basketball, hockey ,even mountain biking ,and your suggestion of open field. As far as the cleanup day article saying come vote, it is for all parks, we do it every year, the commission sets up a table at cleanup day, and celebration day to ask residents what they would like to see in there parks. Cleanup day is also after the Maple Park discussion meeting . I hope this helps Steve Scherer From: Scott Johnson <> Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 1:47 PM To: Steve Scherer <steve.scherer@medinamn.gov>; Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov>; Kathleen Luetmer <>; Donald C Johnston <> Subject: FW: Newsletter Delivery Question Hi Kathleen and Don, Thank you for your email and feedback. Staff is working through the strategic goals for 2024. In Q2 of 2024 we are working on contacting consultants to put together a process for engagement, evaluation, planning and implementation for the properties on Willow Drive and Chippewa Road per the goals. Park amenities will be part of the discussions. We are currently in the process of contacting consultants. Steve and Lisa – please respond to the questions below from Kathleen Luetmer and provide information on the Park Commission’s process/planning for Maple Park. Scott Johnson City of Medina From: Kathleen Luetmer <> Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 1:11 PM To: Scott Johnson <scott.johnson@medinamn.gov> Cc: Donald Johnston <> Subject: Re: Newsletter Delivery Question Thank you, Scott. We received the newsletter. We were very disappointed with the verbiage, "The City is requesting feedback on the preferred type of amenity. Preliminary discussions were for pickleball courts, but other options could be tennis, basketball, or other improvements." This verbiage puts an emphasis on court games...the City might have used a little more imagination to provide other low-impact amenities. Then later, in the 'Clean-Up Day' section of the newsletter, the Medina's Park Commission booth was mentioned...where it stated, "Vote on amenities you'd like to see added." This is NOT a vote. It should have stated something softer - like 'Rank or check off your preferred preferences'. Also when will Medina citizens be made aware of the $2,732,146 purchase of the Cates' property? The Medina Multi-Year Strategic Plan as of February 6, 2014 includes the following, "Engage with stakeholders on vision for future use of the property. In addition to other stakeholders...engage with...review possible future City of Medina campus and Park Commission to determine desired park programming, park size, and location. Again, when will Medina citizens be told that they should keep in mind the Cates property when determining what amenities they might want? Yet, the City will have citizens vote on amenities for Maple Park with NO knowledge that there is an existing property for such amenities and that perhaps Maple Park plans as well as all plans for existing parks should take place IN CONTEXT with the CATES property. We are so frustrated. Maple Park is more than 2.5 times the size of Lakeshore Park. Consultants were brought in to develop a concept plan for Lakeshore Park. Lakeshore Park had a REAL survey that allowed much better feedback than that allowed by the Maple Park Feedback 'text' box provided on Medina's webpage. The Lakeshore Park improvements were developed and implemented over a couple of years. But Maple Park improvements are done 'piecemeal', with no warning, and no timeline of any significance Procedurally this is being done all wrong. Is this accepted protocol? Again thanks for keeping us in the loop. Kathleen and Don On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 7:59 AM Scott Johnson <scott.johnson@medinamn.gov> wrote: Hi Kathleen and Don, The newsletter for Medina was delivered yesterday with the information on Maple Park. The Park Commission plans to discuss this topic at their 7 PM April 17th meeting. Please let me know if you have further questions. Scott Johnson City of Medina From: Cc: Bcc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Lisa DeMars Steve Scherer; Dusty Finke; Todd Albers Terry Sharp; Mary Morrison; nilanorman; Troy Hutchinson; Will Gunter; Steve Webster; Thomas Mayer; Grace Illingworth; Ava Illingworth FW: Maple Park Thursday, April 18, 2024 7:09:00 AM image001.png Greetings Park Commission, This email is being sent on BCC, to all Park Commissioners, to avoid reply-all correspondence among all members (or a quorum of members) just so there is less chance of running up against the Open Meeting Law – and necessitate more record keeping! Thanks, Lisa From: Lisa DeMars Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 7:06 AM To: 'ross_fairbrother' <>; steve.sherer@medinamn.gov Subject: RE: Maple Park Good Morning Ross, I’m sorry that I did not see this message until just now. I will get your comments in front of the Park Commission. Thank you, Lisa From: ross_fairbrother <> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 4:37 PM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov>; steve.sherer@medinamn.gov Subject: Maple Park Hello Lisa and Steve. This is Ross Fairbrother, 3175 Cedar Please find attached a photo of a sketch I quickly produced for the portion of Maple Park designated for possible development. I spoke briefly at your last meeting with unprepared comments, but took notes. I wish to provide further observation as follows: ***Themes presented, in short: * Noise/usage concerns * Ash tree considerations * Environmental, wetland discussion * Neighborhood input - development timeliness * Others Noise/usage It was determined that studies suggested that the noise was not going to be a factor. Distance was the prevailing factor, with proximity and wind direction also contributing factors. Existing tree and screen materials Considerations of tree removal was of concern. No determination was made of existing disease concerns, though removal seemed a foregone conclusion. Resident wished for them to remain. Also, significant and effective herbaceous material does exist effectively working to minimize both audio and visual impacts. Environmental/wetland discussions Concerns regarding open space, flood plain, wildlife and others were introduced. Neighborhood input/development timeliness Of concern was a perceived lack of input sought from the greater neighborhood. Other issues discussed were land value impacts, amenity "ownership" perceptions, quick development turnarounds, and the like. *** Design concept (in brief) From my perspective (Landscape Architect/Park Planner), amongst the appropriate uses of the space in question, could include a sport-court activity zone. Sufficient space provided could effectively make use of existing trees for shade. A multi-use, concrete pad of sufficient scale could accommodate both basketball and pickleball-sized courts, as marked. I would not, provide permanent nets, but would include low-height fencing around strategic portions of the perimeter. *Nets can be easily provided by users, helping to keep usage to a minimum and eliminating parking concerns. A gravel frame surrounds the paving accommodating for drainage management and hardscape seating provision. Finally, the pavement and sriping could be painted green to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Sport-court Thanks for your efforts on this matter. Doing nothing, brings to mind further concerns of park viability within the neighborhood proper; if no development can be pursued due to NIMBY concerns, then park designations themselves could be reconsidered. Occasional use by private soccer entities, with the availability of sledding, and accessed by limited parking that also doubles as access to a regional bike trail, brings to light a poignant question; who's space is this after all? Sincerely, Ross Fairbrother (see attached) Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device From: Cc: Bcc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Lisa DeMars Steve Scherer; Dusty Finke; Todd Albers Terry Sharp; Mary Morrison; nilanorman; Troy Hutchinson; Steve Webster; Will Gunter; Thomas Mayer; Grace; Ava FW: 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:50:00 AM Binder1.pdf SCOM-PW Pri24041809340.pdf Greetings Park Commission, For awareness, I forwarded the additional comments, as mentioned below & will update the electronic packet for record-retention purposes. In hindsight, I should have had copies available for anyone in the public, I could have just set them on the table next to the sign-in and comment card. Going forward I’ll be sure to do this. This email is being sent on BCC, to all Park Commissioners, to avoid reply-all correspondence among all members (or a quorum of members) just so there is less chance of running up against the Open Meeting Law – and necessitate more record keeping! Thanks, Lisa From: Lisa DeMars Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:33 AM To: Kathleen Luetmer < Cc: Donald C Johnston < >; Steve Scherer <steve.scherer@medinamn.gov> Subject: RE: 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Kathleen, Don, The first attachment is the revised memo and all-combined feedback comments. The second attachment are an additional four comments. The Park Commission received the additional feedback in hard copy (paper) form at the meeting. I am working on updating the electronic packet and hope to have it done yet this morning. I will let you know when the electronic file is updated (I missed an email that came in prior to the meeting that I also will include). Thanks, Lisa From: Kathleen Luetmer < > Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 7:29 AM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov> Cc: Donald C Johnston < > Subject: 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results Ms. Lisa DeMars, Would you please provide us with a copy of the 2024 Maple Park Community Survey Results. The results included with the Park Commission Meeting Packet for April 17th, 2024 were only the 26 responses 'As of noon on Thursday, April 11th'. We repeatedly checked Medina's website for survey updates - including Wednesday, April 17, at 6:35 pm prior to leaving for Medina's Park Commission Meeting at 7:00. There were no updates of the survey results posted to the Park Commission Meeting Packet for April 17th, 2024. We expected to be updated at the meeting per the bulleted comment introducing the survey results on Medina's website (Park Commission Meeting Packet_April 17th, Page 23) which stated, "Staff will report on additional responses received prior to/at the Park Commission meeting." At the meeting, Mr. Scherer told the Park Commissioners that they had been provided the additional survey results. We kept expecting to hear the results of the survey at the Park Commission Meeting. When that didn't happen, Todd DuBord asked (just as the Park Commission was about to put forward their recommendation), "What about the survey results?" He was told, "It was not a survey, it was feedback." Despite the request for the survey/feedback results, results were not provided. Please reply to this email, with an attachment of the survey/feedback results that includes all responses as of COB April 17th. Thank you. Kathleen Luetmer 3160 Aspen Ave Don Johnston 3160 Aspen Ave From:Lisa DeMars To:Todd DuBord Cc:Danielle DuBord Subject:RE: Maple Park Survey Results Date:Thursday, April 18, 2024 9:10:00 AM Attachments:Binder1.pdf SCOM-PW Pri24041809340.pdf Good Morning Todd, Danielle, The first attachment is the revised memo and all-combined feedback comments – the Park Comm received this data first via email on 16Apr at 8:36pm, and in hard copy (paper) form at the meeting. The second attachment are an additional four comments. The Park Commission received this additional feedback in hard copy (paper) form at the meeting. I am working on updating the electronic packet and hope to have it done yet this morning, I will note your comments. I will let you know when the electronic file is updated (I missed another email that came in prior to the meeting that I also will include). Thanks, Lisa From: Todd DuBord <> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:50 AM To: Lisa DeMars <lisa.deMars@medinamn.gov> Cc: Danielle DuBord <> Subject: Maple Park Survey Results Hi Lisa, Can you please share the survey results that was collected online for Maple Park. I call it a survey vs a feedback form and would like that noted from last nights meeting as that what the 04.17.2024 Park Commission Meeting Packet page 23 states it as. Please consider the environment before printing this email.