HomeMy Public PortalAbout08.19.2009, special Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Special Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2009
Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 3
The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on August 19, 2009 at 6:00
p.m. at the Hamel Community Building. Park Commission Vice Chair Ben Benson presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners present:
Paul Jaeb (6:40 p.m.)
Commissioners absent:
Also present:
Ben Benson, Bill Waytas, Chris Hilberg, Janet White and
Madeleine Linck and Ann Thies
Steve Scherer, Jodi Gallup, Carolyn Smith, and Landscape
Architect Consultant Jeff McDowell
2) Hamel Legion Park Master Plan Open House
Benson welcomed everyone to the open house and explained that the Park Commission
sought to create a master plan of Hamel Legion Park to better determine what types of
trees and landscaping to use and where to place donations such as trees, benches, and
tables in the park in the future. He reminded everyone that this plan would not all happen
right away, but would be implemented over time as funds were available or items were
donated.
McDowell explained that he had previously met with a sub -committee of the Park
Commission to discuss various areas of the park and to get their ideas on paper. From
there he consulted other Landscape Architects in his office and put together a draft plan.
McDowell explained in detail various areas of the draft plan and received a number of
comments back from the audience.
McDowell stated that he wanted the city to think of this park as an arboretum with many
types of trees.
McDowell suggested small "human scale" trees such as Ironwood and Sienna Glen
Maple trees be planted in dense pockets around the parking lot by the ball fields. This
would allow players and spectators to find shade in between games.
Discussion occurred on whether to plant Blue Spruce trees to screen the batting eye (ball
field backboard). There was a concern that it would take 20 plus years for the trees to be
tall enough to block the sun. It was determined that a sunscreen would be placed on the
fence until the trees were tall enough.
The plan showed a dense hedge of Blackhills Spruce along the west side of the four-plex
to separate the open field from the four-plex. There was concern from members of the
Athletic Association that there needed to be an opening in the dense hedge to allow a path
for the T-ball players in the open field to get to the center of the four-plex where the
concession building would be located.
Medina Park Commission Special Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2009
Medina City Hall
Page 2 of 3
McDowell suggested either installing an architectural element such as an awning or
planting Pagoda Dogwood to provide shade to the south side of the Hamel Community
Building. There was some concern that Pagoda Dogwood is a wetland tree and it would
not withstand the hot sun on the south side of the building. McDowell stated that he
picked the Pagoda Dogwood because it is a hearty and ornamental tree that will provide
shade to the building.
McDowell explained that he had picked Snow Drift Crab Apple trees to be planted along
the trail because they are a nice ornament tree that are airy feeling so people will still be
able to enjoy the open space in the park. The trees also flower which provides beauty to
the park. There was a general consensus from the audience that they did not want trees
that bare fruit in the park. People were concerned with kids eating the fruit, attracting
wasps, and figuring out who would be responsible for cleaning up the fallen fruit.
McDowell explained his design at the entrance of the park off Mill Drive. He talked
about making a layering effect by planting shrubs around the monument entrance sign,
planting small ornamental trees behind the shrubs, and planting larger trees behind the
smaller trees.
McDowell talked about planting a row of trees to create a nice future focal point looking
into the park from the pavilion and back doors on the backside of the Hamel Community
building. The focal point could be anything from a stone to a piece of art at the end of the
trail.
Discussion occurred on creating a north woods feel by the skating rink by planting
Northwood Red Maple trees. Scherer was concerned with the leaves falling really late in
the fall/winter onto the ice. Waytas stated that sometime there is a strong northwest wind
and wondered if there was a tree that could be planted to block the wind. McDowell
suggested planting coniferous trees such as a White Pine.
There was some concern about snow melting off the top of the sledding hill too fast, and
it was asked if a tree could be planted to block the heat of the sun on the top of the hill.
Discussion occurred and it was decided that the tree would not survive because of the
wind burn and that it would be too hard to water a tree on top of the hill.
Discussion occurred on the need for more parking by the ball fields. It was suggested that
some of the proposed pockets of shaded trees be turned into small parking areas. It was
determined that it would be too hard to get vehicles in and out of those small pocket
areas. Smith stated that the City Council is already looking into acquiring more land in
Uptown Hamel for municipal parking.
The last fifteen minutes of the open house were spent mingling and reviewing the plans
up close.
Medina Park Commission Special Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2009
Medina City Hall
Page 3 of 3
3) Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.