HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.07.2008, park tour MinutesMay 7, 2008 (Annual Park Tour)
Medina Park Commission
Meeting Minutes for May 7, 2008
Special Meeting: Annual Park Tour
1. Call to Order: Chair Thies called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
Role Call
Present: Ann Thies, Madeleine Linck, Ben Benson, Brian Kingsley, Galen Bruer, Beth Nielsen
Absent: Peter Lecy
Also Present: City Council member Carolyn Smith, Mayor Tom Crosby, Planning
Commissioner Jeff Pederson, Planning Commissioner Victoria Reid, Public Works
Superintendent Steve Scherer, Assistant to City Administrator Jodi Wunsch, Assistant to
Public Works Linda Lane, Gerald Dykhoff, and Kellan & Craig Passow.
2. Annual Park Tour
Hamel Legion Park
Entrance Plaza Fountain: Ben Benson brought in pictures from a company out of Buffalo
Minnesota that creates bubbling boulders. There was some interest from the Park Commission to
continue working with this company to get a quote for a bubbling boulder that would be raised
off the ground to serve as the fountain at the entrance plaza.
Steve Scherer recommended that the shrubs/plantings be wrapped around the back east corner of
the plaza so that the fountain could be centered amongst the shrubs/plants. Several
commissioners also mentioned the need to screen the fire hydrant, at least on the side that faces
the entrance plaza with a plant or shrub.
Gerry Dykhoff mentioned that he would like to see a 38 inch square table in the entrance plaza.
This table has already been paid for by the Hamel Lions in honor of Donny DesLauriers. Since
the table will be smaller, Steve stated that he would like to see a second table of the same size in
the future.
Gerry Dykhoff announced that his family would be planting the tree (a Rubrum Maple) that the
Park Commission donated in memory of Rosie Dykhoff tomorrow evening. The tree will be
centered along the west edge of the Entrance Plaza. The Park Commission will continue to
discuss options for identifying that the tree is in memory of Rosie Dykhoff.
Utility Screening: There was some discussion on how to screen the utilities around the park. The
main utility that needed screening was Xcel Energy's Transformer. There was a general
consensus to use cedar fencing to hide the transformer. Another idea was to plant ivy on the
fence.
Fire Pit: The Park Commission recommended putting two benches on 2009 C.I.P. for the fire
pit. There was also discussion on safety, because there is no cover or screen over the pit and it
would be easy to step into it by accident.
May 7, 2008 (Annual Park Tour)
Playground: Steve mentioned that he was working on finding a round table for under the
canopy. There was a general consensus that a number of benches were also needed near the trail
around the playground equipment for parents/guardians to sit while watching the kids play.
Other Items:
• Posting Rules: It was suggested to post rules in front of the basketball court and tennis
courts. The rules should include "No Rollerbladers or Skateboarders".
• Park Signs: There should be two street signs on Brockton Lane, one from the north and
one from the south, directing people to the parking lot for Hamel Legion Park.
• Concession Stand: The Park Commission walked to the proposed location of the new
concession stand. There was a general consensus that a 50 x 50 foot building was too
large for that location.
Rainwater Nature Area
The Park Commissioners all received a copy of the design plan for Rainwater Nature Area that
was created by Fortin Consulting. Everyone walked the park to visualize what it will look like. A
suggestion was made that the extra dirt which would be removed when lowering the berm should
be used on the back side of the hill to level off the slope to increase the sitting area.
Holy Name Lake / Park
Steve Scherer explained the plans for Holy Name Park. A parking area will be created at the top
of the park and the drive down to the water would be removed. Dirt would have to be moved
from both sides of the current drive and placed in the middle to make the surface level. The park
will also feature a rain garden and shoreline restoration. The Park Commission requested that we
discuss at our next meeting drafting a letter to Mayor Crosby regarding the right of way across
County Road 24 in the North Ridge Farms development. It was also suggested that we notify the
public in the next Medina Message that Holy Name Park would be closed beginning in June for
construction.
Walnut Park
Steve Scherer asked the Park Commission for suggestions for this park. It is in a low area and
floods every time there is a large rain. This area could be used as another demonstration area
with the right plantings so that it could function as a rain garden. A few other suggestions were
made:
• Paint the poles used for volleyball.
• Sealcoat the basketball court.
• Paint the basketball pole and install a new backboard.
• Paint the benches and/or replace the bench boards.
• Need garbage can & recycle bins.
May 7, 2008 (Annual Park Tour)
The Park Commission also requested getting the neighborhoods feedback on what they would
like to see in this space. A suggestion was also made to put dog signs in all the parks with dog
waste bags.
3. Adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
Submitted by:
Jodi Wunsch