HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.02.2007, special Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2007
Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 3
The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on May 2, 2007 at 6:03 p.m.
in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Ann Thies presided.
I. Call to Order
Commissioners present: Ben Benson, Madeleine Linck, Bob Pastor, Ann Thies,
Brian Kingsley, and Galen Bruer
Commissioners absent: Gerry Dykhoff
Also present: Chad Adams, Jodi Wunsch, Carolyn Smith, and Steve Scherer
II. Additions to the Agenda: None
III. Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None
IV. Comprehensive Plan Review
Chad Adams gave the Park Commission an overview of where the City is at in the
comprehensive plan process. The City is still waiting on a few pieces of data such as the
wetland inventory. Engineers and other consultants continue to move forward. We are
tentatively planning on having an open house in June and the public hearings are
scheduled for July at the Planning Commission and August at City Council. The Park
Commission should have their part of the plan completed by the end of June.
IV. Work Session: 2010 — 2030 Comprehensive Plan
The work session began with open conversation regarding creating a flexible trail plan
which could include a corridor or lines from one point to another. The question is weather
this type of plan would hold up legally. There was a general consensus that the
comprehensive plan could reference the Medina Park Commission's CIP and Trail Study,
which would both hold up legally.
A. Trail Origin/Destination Discussion
The Park Commission reviewed the draft destination/origination list as a way to start
brain storming where trails and parks should connect. They included a few additional
destinations to the list such as Hennepin County Public Works, surrounding schools
(Orono H.S. & Wayzata H.S.), and Highway 55 & County Road 19 retail district.
When looking at the connection of Medina trails to areas outside the city, it is important
to know what surrounding cities are doing on their trail plans. Jodi Wunsch will look into
getting copies of the comprehensive trail plans for the cities of Orono, Plymouth,
Corcoran, Independence, and Maple Plain.
Medina Resident Michael Fine, 550 Navajo Road, commented on the city's easement
through his property. He requested that it not be turned into a trail because it would not
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2007
Medina City Hall
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be the most efficient route to get from Hunter Lions Park to Hamel Legion Park. Steve
Scherer commented that the easement through his property is an old street bed for Navajo
Road. It was also discussed how Tuckborough Farms residents do not want a trail in their
neighborhood, but outside of the neighborhood on Medina Road and Hunter Drive would
be alright. It was also brought up that even though the trail would not go through
Tuckborough, it would still be in someone's backyard.
Carolyn Smith suggested educating people through some type of study showing residents
that trails increase their property and do not bring "riffraff' to the neighborhood.
There was a general consensus not to use neighborhoods as origins, but to connect public
facilities to parks and parks to parks. It was also suggested to talk to each neighborhood
to find out what their opinions are of trails through their neighborhoods.
B. Inventory of Existing Trails, Surfaces, and Parks
The City of Medina will have two summer interns which will be helping to collect an
accurate inventory of all existing trails and parks. This part of the plan does not need to
be done by June.
The Park Commission circled all the existing parks on a map and then began looking for
possible future active parks.
C. Future Trails and Parks
Steve suggested connecting Pinto to Meadowwoods to Cherokee to Tamarack for a future
trail. Ann Thies commented that all the proposed trails on our current map are on the
roads. She suggested at looking at off road trails. One idea for off road trail connections
was creating a trail to Wolsfeld Woods. Other off road trails were discussed.
Chad Adams explained the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel's proposed future land
use map and pointed out the locations of various concept plans that have been submitted
to the city. He then suggested putting circles around areas in the city that the park
commission would like to consider as a possible future active park. These circles could
be labeled "park study area". A number of possible active parks were suggested
including:
• Hennepin County Public Works
• Jubert Property
• Borman Property
• Wilfred Cavanaugh Property (North of Hwy 55 and West of Arrowhead Dr.)
• Park at Bridgewater (proposed name: Medina Marsh Preserve) — it was suggested
for its location, but the general consensus was to leave it as a passive park.
Chad Adams mentioned the City of Medina's TMDL for cleaning up Lake Independence
and how it would help to convert Walnut Park into a restoration, planting, filtration
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2007
Medina City Hall
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natural area. It could be designed to still incorporate a skating rink. This could be another
example on how to create a rain garden. There was a general consensus that this was a
good project.
III. Adjournment
A motion was made by Galen Bruer, seconded by Ann Thies and passed unanimously to adjourn
the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Wunsch