08-06-07olden galley
OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
Meeting Agenda
Brookview Community Center
Monday, August 6, 2007
7:00 p.m.
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
Roger Bergman
Bob Mattison
Jerry Sandler, Chair
IV.
Comprehensive Plan Discussion
Adjournment
Jim Johnson
Roger McConico
Jim Vaughan, Vice Chair
Kelly Kuebelbeck
Anne Saffert
Tom Zins
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72 -hour request. Please call
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Comments from Golden Valley Joint Commission Meeting
July 23, 2007
Mission Statement
■ Mention `wellness' in addition to or in place of `leisure.'
■ Reference `non -motorized transportation.
■ Mention Golden Valley's aging population and what role it will have on parks.
■ Should parks and park programs become more geared toward senior citizens?
■ Trail system — reference its importance of providing both beauty and
transportation options.
■ Mention `corporate citizens' and how they use parks during the work day.
Land Acquisition, Facility Development, and Maintenance
■ In general, re -word the phrase `continue to...' to something more powerful and
action -oriented.
■ Change `citizens' to `community' to include corporate citizens and other people
who frequent, but do not live in, Golden Valley.
■ Goal #7 - Include a protection element. For example, provide ways to not lose
park -related resources to development or other factors.
■ Mention somewhere in this section the wish of the City to connect trails to and
through the Western Avenue Marsh. (The Western Avenue Marsh currently has
no through trails.) Possible connections could be made through Brookview Park.
■ Consider rewording `obtain' to `acquire', etc. (As in `acquire easements, land,
etc.')
■ `Other agencies or groups' should be made more specific. List actual group
names, such as Golden Valley Senior Club, etc.
■ Possibly include the number of acres of parkland per resident as a goal. (See
Fridley's park plan for an example.)
■ Include an element of overall parkland acreage replacement if parks are used for
development. (Similar to wetland mitigation or the concept of `no net loss.')
Transportation
A thought — if we move trails and pathways to the Transportation Plan, would we
lose focus on keeping them aesthetically pleasing and `natural?'
■ Is it possible to keep trails in both the Parks and Open Space Plan and the
Transportation Plan? If so, should we emphasize only trails used within park
boundaries in the Parks Plan?
■ Make trail goals and objectives consistent between plans. Provide statements the
reference the Transportation Plan.
Natural Resources
■ Define `open space.'
■ Include elements of improving usage among natural features. For example,
possibly canoeing down Bassett Creek.
Recreation
■ Goal 4 — Soften the language of the sentence. For example, change `participants
paid' to `possible user fees.'
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
PARK SECTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission............................................................................................. 1
Introduction...................................................................................... 1
Background....................................................................................... 2
Park Systems Classification........................................................ 2
Park Locations and Acreage....................................................... 3
UrbanTrails............................................................................. 6
Parks & Recreation: Goals and Policies ................................................ 7
Land Acquisition, Facility Development and Maintenance ............. 7
Recreation................................................................................ 8
TrailSystem............................................................................. 9
Natural Resources.................................................................... 11
Exhibit A — Parks & Open Space Map ................................................. 14
Exhibit B — Priority Items.................................................................. 15
Exhibit C — Park Facility Information .................................................. 16
Updated 7/11/07
MISSION
The mission of the Golden Valley Park & Recreation Department"a'�rrarrbezv is to build
community through people, parks and programs. Our goal is to provide and maintain
strffident, attractive parks and scenic areas for the beauty and leisure time activities of
the community, and to provide wholesome recreation for the entire family. Consistent
with this mission, every opportunity shall be afforded, with within financial limits, to
plan, procure, develop and maintain parks and recreation resources.
INTRODUCTION
Parks, playgrounds and other public and semi-public open spaces in Golden Valley must
be continually assessed, maintained and upgraded if the City is to retain its image as an
attractive and pleasant suburban community.
Along with providing adequate and convenient recreational opportunities for all
residents and corporate citizens, parks furnish visual contrasts within the more densely
built-up sectors and can help to better define the image and form of developing and
redeveloping areas as well. Parks can provide a measure of relief from the monotony of
buildings, industrial areas, parking lots, shops, streets and other urban features,
thereby imparting a psychological uplift to its surroundings — a value which is often
difficult to express in terms of dollars.
Well -kept parks with attractive facilities and open space areas act as positive influences
to preserve the character of the community and to help deterrep vent any deteriorating
influences.
Parkland and open space provide an ecological function for wildlife habitat and native
plant species which add to the quality of life in Golden Valley.
Parkland and open spaces with connecting bikeways, walkways and trails help promote
a healthy urban lifestyle.
Therefore, it can be concluded that parks and open space serve as essential resources
in communities by keeping property values high, preserving certain areas for scenic and
utilitarian qualities, maintaining a certain image for the areas and providing varied
recreational experiences and opportunities.
BACKGROUND
A. PARK SYSTEMS CLASSIFICATION
Under the general heading of park systems, various types of public recreation
areas are normally established to provide for the two principle forms of activities
— active use in community/neighborhood parks, and passive use in open
space/nature areas.
In evaluating the recreation facilities in Golden Valley, the following
classifications have been utilized.
Neighborhood Parks: an active area designed for intensive use by children and
family groups close to home and affording opportunities for informal recreation
and possibly some scheduled activities for all ages.
Community Parks: a larger, active play area providing for a greater variety of
play experiences and activities.
Open Space/Nature Areas: land set aside for preservation of natural resources,
remnant landscapes and visual aesthetics/buffering which may include areas for
trails and other passive recreation uses.
Regional Parks: a large park area providing broad expanses of natural scenery
and capable of accommodating large numbers of people. It often includes special
facilities of area -wide interest.
Pi
Special Use Facilities: includes such facilities as play lots, squares and plazas,
public beaches, swimming pools, parkway systems, golf course facilities,
greenbelts, drainageways, trails, and any other facilities of a special nature for
which standards are difficult to formulate and whose number, location and
distribution is dependent upon a number of factors such as physical conditions,
natural amenities, opportunities for acquisition and public demand.
B. PARK LOCATIONS AND ACREAGE
Golden Valley's park system was developed with the neighborhood in mind.
Attractive park facilities (community and neighborhood parks) and nature areas
are scattered throughout the City in order that the maximum number of
residents are provided with close proximity to the nearest recreational area.
The following list describes the existing park system in the City. This includes a
park's classification, location and size. Generally, the City's community parks are
larger than the neighborhood park facilities. Each facility is geographically
located on the map, Exhibit A.
CommunityParks ...............
Location ........................................... Acres
Brookview Park ..................
Winnetka Ave. & Brookview Pkwy ............ 33.0
GeartyPark ............................
3101 Regent...........................................4.7
Hampshire Park ......................
Olympia & Louisiana ...............................11.0
Lakeview Park
Olympia & Hillsboro.................................5.0
........................
Lions Park..............................
Harold & Glenwood ................................ 20.0
Medley Hills Park ....................
Ensign & 23rd Ave ................................... 11.0
Schaper Park ..........................
Hwy. 55 and Ottawa ............................... 14.0
Scheid Park ............................
Duluth & Toledo .....................................11.4
Wesley Park
Wesley Dr. & Orkla .................................19.0
..........
3
Neighborhood Parks
2500 Unity .........................................19.0
Glenview Terrace Park ............
Zenith & Manor Dr...................................5.0
Golden Oaks Park ...................
Valders & Plymouth.................................2.0
Natchez Park ..........................
201 Natchez ............................................
6.0
North Tyrol Park .....................
4300 Sunset Ridge..................................9.4
15.2
Seeman Park ..........................1101
Florida Ave .....................................
4.6
South Tyrol Park.....................1501
Kaltern Lane...................................2.9
Stockman Park .......................
Adell & Major..........................................1.3
14.2
Wildwood Park .......................
Duluth & Pennsylvania.............................5.0
Yosemite Park ........................
351 Yosemite..........................................1.2
22.6
St. Croix .................................
5850 St. Croix Ave ...................................
1.0
Special Use Facilities
Brookview Golf Course ................100 Brookview Parkway .....................146.7
Honeywell Little League Area....... 6600 Sandburg Road ..........................11.0
Open Space/Nature Areas
Adeline Lane Nature Area ............ Adeline Ln & Angelo Dr........................1.2
Bassett Creek Nature Area ..........2130 Zane Ave....................................7.6
Briarwood Wildlife/Bird Sanct......
2500 Unity .........................................19.0
General Mills Nature Preserve......
Hwy 169 & Betty Crocker Dr................27.0
Golden Ridge Nature Area ...........
Earl St & Flag Ave N .............................1.6
Honeywell Pond ..........................1800
Douglas Dr ..................................
3.6
Laurel Avenue Ponds ..................7100
Laurel Ave .................................
15.2
Laurel Avenue (Kings Creek) .......6200
Laurel Ave..................................2.0
South Cortlawn ...........................6600
Laurel Ave. S..............................17.3
Mary Hills Park............................Golden
Valley Rd. & Bonnie Lane.........
14.2
Outlot #1 ...................................2301
Noble Ave. N...............................2.9
Pennsylvania Woods ...................23rd
& Rhode Island ............................
22.6
Rice Lake Nature Area.................4120
Bassett Creek Dr. ........................ 9.3
4
St. Croix Nature Area ..................5850 St. Croix Ave ............................... 1.0
Tree Farm .................................. Plymouth Ave. and Orkla Dr. ................ 2.0
Western Avenue Marsh ............... Western & Winnetka ........................... 21.0
In terms of acreage, it would appear that the City of Golden Valley is amply
provided for in total amounts of dedicated park and open space land. Of the
established parks, nature areas and special use facilities owned and operated by
the City of Golden Valley, there are a total of 462 acres. Of this, 166.5 acres are
in community and neighborhood parks, 137.7 acres in nature areas, and 158
acres in Brookview Golf Course and the Honeywell Little League area, special use
facilities.
In addition to the city -owned open space and park facilities, Golden Valley
residents have many other park acres in the municipality for their use. Theodore
Wirth Park (owned and maintained by the Minneapolis Park Board but largely
located in the City of Golden Valley), has 517 acres in Golden Valley. Also, the
City of Golden Valley has agreements with General Mills, Independent School
District #281,Breck School and the State Arts School, which add another 100
acres for resident use. In total, public park property totals approximately 1,068
acres. In Golden Valley, the total acreage of nature areas, community and
neighborhood parks is 304 acres, or about 14.5 acres per 1,000 residents. This
does not include the 158 acres of special use facilities for Brookview Golf Course
and the Honeywell Little League area.
Many of the small sites are located within 'A mile of residential areas, while all
are within 1/z mile of a municipal site. However, not all sites are within easy
accessibility of many small neighborhoods due to numerous barriers.
Within the Golden Valley park system Whole the park and reffeatien-aeFeage
appeaFS sufficient, there still are Fengain a nufflbeF4 opportunities to add to and
enhance the system by further acquisitions, particularly as related to the
5
environmental or preservative type of park holdings and through an active park
development program.
1) The community park at Brookview is seemingly large enough, but since
this represents the one and only community -wide special use facility,
every effort should be made to enhance it within designated and logical
directions. The 21 -acre City -owned tract east of Winnetka and north of
Western Avenue (known as the Western Avenue Marsh) forms a logical
extension potential for combining the active site with the passive.
2) Augmenting the public recreation sites are a number of private or semi -
privately maintained areas which tend to serve a segment of the
population needs. The largest facility is the 152 -acre Golden Valley
Country Club to the east of the Civic Center. Others include the various
facilities provided by the public and private schools alike. Other
specialized facilities are available at the Brookview Recreation Area,
including the Brookview Community Center, an 18 -hole golf course, Par
3 golf course, driving range, pro shop and grill. Every effort should be
made to cooperate with other agencies in order to perpetuate
maximum recreational services.
C. URBAN TRAILS (See Transportation Plan)
The City of Golden Valley will continue is n the development of
a comprehensive 59 -Mile urban trail system. (The pFesen system links various
neighborhoods with parks, schools, and the Civic Center areal and other
community amenities.
iel
- - -
iel
(For further discussion on urban trails, see the Transportation Plan.)
-:-
:. - :.-
-
. .:- :7-19-
:-.
(For further discussion on urban trails, see the Transportation Plan.)
GOLDEN VALLEY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Parks and Recreation: GOALS and Policies
I. LAND ACQUISITION, FACILITY DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
GOALS
1. To develop appropriate park and recreation areas and facilities to serve the existing
and future needs of e-ltizens community members.
2. Eent4Hie-te Implement an excellent maintenance system that maximizes the
available resources and provides for high quality parks and facilities.
3. No net -loss of park and open space acreage.
4. To pursue and acquire additional open space, park land and trail systems.
POLICIES
The City will:
1. strove-te foster efforts torep serve retain historically significant elements within the
community.
2. eentifee provide input,
CIA— IF
, coordinate and cooperate
with adjacent communities, Three Rivers Park District
PaF'( Distr0" t, the State of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council and other related
agencies in park planning, programming, and development efforts.
3. eentif ze evaluate the acquisition and development of neighborhood parks in
order that each neighborhood seiviee area as illustrated en the eity fnap, is
adequately served with appropriate recreational facilities.
4,eentinue pursue grants from regional, state, and federal
agencies to obtain funding assistance for park and recreation planning,
administration, acquisition, physical development, and programming efforts.
8
5.^}fes look for opportunities to provide special use recreational facilities for
broad community use. sueh as a slwimFnilng Peel,
and e .}F
6 strove te fflaiR a4 ,Rd acquire properties that provide connections between existing
open spaces and parks.
7. een e-te maintain, re-evaluate and improve Brookview Golf Course to provide an
excellent golfing facility for the public.
8, preserve and enhance parks and open space areas
paHdemos in accordance with the City of Golden Valley Capital
Improvement Plan.
9. acquire land or expand existing land for parks where it is deemed beneficial (e,_—
Wesley, Lakeview, Scheid).
10. work cooperatively with the school districts and other agencies or businesses in
order to maximize the joint use of facilities.
11. The City of Golden Valley shall maintain a no net-loss policy of its par ksand open
spaces areas.
OB7ECTIVES
The City will:
1. continue to develop park and recreation facilities which minimize the maintenance
demands on the City as much as possible through appropriate planning, use of
durable, quality materials, and labor-saving devices and practices, while
maintaining high standards of quality of appearance and conditions.
2. continue to provide a public golf course facility to include an 18 -hole regulation
course, 9 -hole par three course, driving range, putting/chipping-sand/green areas
for warm-up, concessions, pro -shop and all other amenities considered appropriate
for the operation of a full scale golf facility.
6
II. RECREATION
GOALS
1. To provide a balance of recreation and leisure opportunities to meet the diverse
needs of the community, including all age groups and ability levels.
2. To deliver a variety of recreation and leisure programs in a flexible manner that is
responsive to the changing needs, interests, and circumstances of the community.
POLICIES
The City will:
1. continue to cooperate with the school districts in promoting community use of
school facilities (i.e. swimming pools, playfields, gymnasiums, and theaters).
2. continue to collaborate with other agencies in the provision of recreation and
leisure programs for special populations.
3. periodically monitor user satisfaction and solicit new program ideas through
participant evaluations.
4. undertake entrepreneurial recreation program activities whenever feasible.
5. cooperate with public and private entities to provide recreation and leisure
opportunities and utilize, to the fullest extent possible, the recreational facilities
located within Golden Valley.
6. develop recreation program budget priorities that ensures quality leisure
opportunities.
7. provide an excellent golfing opportunity for the public in a flexible manner that is
responsive to the changing needs of the consumers of this leisure activity.
OBJECTIVES
The City will:
1. continue to provide direct recreational services while at the same time encourage
and enable programs provided by other agencies and groups.
2. continue to recruit and utilize seasonal part-time employees and volunteers in order
to assist in implementing the city's recreation programs.
10
III. TRAIL SYSTEM
GOALS
1. To strive for a citywide interconnected trail system that meets the recreational and
transportational needs of the citizens of Golden Valley in a safe and environmentally
sensitive manner.
2. To provide a citywide trail system that provides access to possible state and county
trails, as well as trails in surrounding communities.
POLICIES
The City will:
1. continue to work toward the development of a citywide trail system to serve as a
recreation facility and provide for alternative modes of transportation within the
City.
2. encourage development of trail linkages to provide safe and convenient access to
and between parks, schools, neighborhoods, commercial areas, and other
destinations.
3. continue to review development proposals for conformance with adopted policies
pertaining to trails and make recommendations consistent with the needs of the
community.
4. cooperate with adjacent communities to coordinate trail system connections
between the communities (i.e., Hwy. 100 overpass between Duluth Street and 36tH
Avenue North).
5. cooperate with state, regional, and county agencies in the formulation of a
comprehensive trail system that enhances access to facilities both inside and
outside the city, and avoids duplication.
6. continue to work with Hennepin County to provide trails along the major arterials
within the community.
7. work with the appropriate authorities to identify and utilize railroad and utility
rights-of-way for trail purposes when opportunities arise.
11
8. periodically review its trail design and maintenance practices to ensure that they
remain consistent with accepted designs that accommodate user needs.
9. periodically analyze the need for additional signals, signage, or special crossing
facilities to enhance trail safety at high-volume traffic intersections (i.e., Hwy. 55
and Rhode Island, Douglas Drive and Ottawa Avenue).
OBJECTIVES
1. The City will continue to improve its trail signage and public information program
pertaining to the citywide trail system for safe use of the trails.
IV. NATURAL RESOURCES
GOALS
1. To strive for adequate protection, preservation, enhancement and development of
natural resources within the City such as water bodies, wetlands, swimming
beaches, public water accesses, scenic views, woodlands, prairies, and wildlife
habitats.
2. To expand knowledge and understanding of the City's natural resources and eco-
system in order to protect them from detrimental impacts.
POLICIES
The City will:
1. continue to review development proposals for conformance with adopted
ordinances regarding tree preservation, water quality, wetland protection and
mitigation, and shoreland protection.
2. work with developers to provide permanent open space areas or cash in lieu of
land in development plans.
3. encourage private property owners to protect and maintain natural resources on
their property, emphasizing an educational approach where possible and effective.
4. work to protect its parks and open space areas from unnecessary encroachment or
destruction from neighboring properties.
12
5. utilize site planning, construction and maintenance techniques on public parklands
to minimize negative impacts on the natural environment.
6. utilize or specify native plant materials in projects on City property to the extent
possible.
7. search for and, when appropriate, take advantage of opportunities to acquire tax
forfeit properties to add to the City's inventory of natural resource-based open
space as appropriate.
8. continue to identify and acquire, when feasible, significant habitat areas and areas
of unique plant and animal species to ensure their preservation.
9. support efforts of the Metropolitan Parks Commission, Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve
endangered and threatened species and their natural habitat.
10. The City recognizes the importance of wetlands for wildlife habitat, open space,
storm water management and aesthetics, and will work toward the policy of no
net loss of wetlands within its jurisdictional limits through administration of the
Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act.
11. increase its emphasis on minimizing runoff volumes through implementation of
filtration and other practices that are environmentally acceptable technically and
financially feasible.
12. continue to take a pro -active approach in efforts to identify and treat diseased
trees in a timely manner through implementation of the City's shade tree disease
program.
13. work with private property owners and developers to encourage preservation of
significant vegetation and reforestation.
14. The City is committed to both working under its own initiative and with other
organizational units to develop and test new techniques that will improve the
effectiveness of natural resource management efforts.
15. The City should work to provide, maintain, search for and develop public access
parks and areas on water bodies in the City of Golden Valley. Development may
include, but is not limited to, public beaches, public boat accesses, fishing docks,
13
lakeshore parks, picnic areas and scenic shore open space (i.e. Sweeney Lake and
Twin Lake).
16. work to protect, and properly manage large open space areas within the City.
17. strive to maintain and/or develop natural corridors to foster eco -system continuity.
OBJECTIVES
The City will:
1. continue to strive to maintain existing natural corridors connecting parks and open
space.
2. continue to work with the school districts to expand school based environmental
education programs.
3. continue to initiate inventories and analyses of its natural resources.
14
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - PARK SECTION
PARK & OPEN SPACE MAP
EXHIBIT A
15
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN — PARK SECTION
PRIORITY ITEMS
EXHIBIT B
The following list of projects has been selected by the Open Space and Recreation
Commission as priority items to be considered in the City's Long Range Plan.
♦ Major park at Sweeney Lake
♦ Purchase of underdeveloped and undeveloped land
♦ Multi -use community center
♦ Indoor multi -use soccer facility
♦ Mini -outdoor concert area
♦ Soccer field with lights
♦ Archery range
♦ Environmental education facility
♦ Expanded city-wide trail network
♦ Purchase of General Mills land
♦ Tunnel under Winnetka Avenue from Area B along creek
♦ Indoor community theater
♦ Expand volunteer recognition
♦ Access trail under railroad between Schaper Park and city -owned lot on Sweeney
Lake
♦ Commuter trail
♦ Expanded golf opportunities
♦ Aggressive skate park
♦ Periodically review parkland dedication requirements to ensure that they are
consistent with current land values and acreage factors
16
Golden Valley Park Information
L =Lighted
F = Fall Use
• Recreation Building
restrooms are open
seasonally.
PARKS/ACTNITY;AREAS
iii
W
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ACTIVITIES
AMENITIES
GENERAL
SPORTS
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Brookview Park
33
X
X X
L
X
1
2/41-
X
2
Brookview Golf Course
147
X
X
Gearty Park
4.7
L
X
X
X
1
1F
1L
L
L
X
Glenview Terrace Park
5.0
X
X
X
2L
Golden Oaks Park
2.0
L
X
X
1
Hampshire Park
11.0
L
X
L
X
2
L
L
X
Honeywell Little League Fields
11.0
1 L
Lakeview Park
5.0
L
X
L
X
1
L
X
X
Lions Park
20.0
L
X
L
X
2
1/1F
2
L
L X
X
Medley Park
11.0
L
X
L
X
2
3L
L
L
X
Natchez Park
6.0
L
X
L
X
1
North Tyrol Park
9.4
X
X
X
1
X
Perpich Ctr. for Arts Soccer Field
1.5
1
Sandburg Ballfields
20.0
2
3
St. Croix Park
1.0
X
X
Schaper Park
14.0
X
X
2L
X
Scheid Park
11.4
X
X
L
1
X
1
1 F
2L
L
L X
X
Seeman Park
4.6
L
X
X
1
X
2
South Tyrol Park
2.9
L
X
X
X
1
L
Stockman Park
1.3
L
X
X
1
Sweeney Lake Park
.5
X
X
Wesley Park
19.0
L
X
L
1
X
2
1/1F
3L
L
L X
X
Wildwood Park
5.0
X
X
X
X
2
2
X
Wirth Park (Mpls. Park Board)
517
X
X
X
X
2
X X
X
X
Yosemite Park
1.2
L
X
X
X
1
L
NATURE AREAS
Bassett Creek
7.6
X
Briarwood Bird Sanctuary
19.0
X
General Mills Headquarters
29
X
General Mills Research
57.0
X
Laurel Avenue Greenbelt
34.5
X
Mary Hills
14.2
X
Pennsylvania Woods
22.6
X
Rice Lake
9.3
X
Western Avenue Marsh
21.0
X
YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS SURVEY — PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
1. All associations are happy with the city support and generally satisfied with the
facilities.
2. RAYBA (youth baseball) is adequately served in other communities and with use
of Sandburg fields and Wesley — do not anticipate any large growth or demand for
facilities
3. Girls' fastpitch is growing slowly, uses facilities in other communities, and is not
strongly tied to GV. Gearty adequate for foreseeable future.
4. Little League
a. Anticipates future growth, may be limited in fields
b. Honeywell is adequate
c. Would like to expand Honeywell
d. Would like to upgrade Sheid
e. With a new Honeywell, an upgraded Sheid, and use of other parks for
practice and minor league games, would be set for the foreseeable future
5. The major growth organizations, and the ones feeling the most facility pressure
right now, are Phoenix Soccer (GVPS) and Girls' Softball (GVGS). Both
organizations very large and growing. 800 in soccer, 500+ in softball.
6. Soccer needs/wants:
a. At least one more full-size field (only has one now — Arts School)
b. Lighted field if possible
c. Turf/dome field for year-round use
7. Softball needs/wants:
a. More access to quality fields
i. Medley too small, ground uneven
ii. Sandburg has bad surface — almost dangerous
iii. Lions, Wesley (one field for seniors) and Hampshire are good
8. Possible solutions:
a. Soccer fields at Sandburg — there is room for at least two full-size fields;
turf/dome a possibility in cooperation with 281. Upgrade ball field on
NW corner of Sandburg for softball and/or Little League.
b. Soccer field at Medley — there is room for one full-size field.
c. Use Lions for softball; possibly add another softball field in NE corner of
park. With 5 fields at Lion, plus Wesley and Hampshire, softball would
have adequate facilities for foreseeable future. Further needs could be met
by playing some junior games at smaller fields — Gearty (when open),
Stockman, Hampshire 2, Natchez.
d. Upgrade Sheid — there is room for 2 Little League fields, one high-grade,
the other adequate for developmental level play.
N