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6-22-1998OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION June 22, 1998 Members present: Jim Johnson, Jim Vaughan, Tom Zins, Roger McConico, Linda Loomis, Chuck Cahill, Tom Zins. Also present were Greg Ingraham — Comprehensive Plan Facilitator, Rick Birno, Rick Jacobson and Sharyl Thompson. There were no agenda changes or additions. MINUTES A motion was made by Jim Johnson and seconded by Roger McConico to approve the minutes of April 27, 1998. Motion carried. LONG RANGE PLAN Rick Jacobson introduced Greg Ingraham to the Commission. Greg was invited by the Commission to facilitate a discussion on long range planning. The first step was for the Commission to list trends that are developing that will affect Golden Valley. This list included: Baby boomers aging Diversity Increased costs Younger families moving in Increased demand for trails Changes in adult softball participation More active senior programs Increase in girls sports (hockey, etc.) More interest in preservation of natural areas Increased technology Gated communities Multi -seasonal use put pressure on facilities Then, issues facing Golden Valley were listed: Single parent families Difficulty finding staff Programming for very young children Facilities for summer evening programs Amphitheater Changing neighborhoods Privatization Increased citizen input Lack of federal funds Increase in biking and walking Soccer boom Increase in co-rec activities Increase in golf Partnerships Less informal open space More legal issues in recreation More rental housing Dual income families Need for a gymnasium Swimming pool Hennepin County trail connections Resistance to capital funding Environmental programs i i 1 i From there, the Commission made a wish list: Additional soccer field with lights Archery range Major park at Sweeney Lake Roller hockey rink Pedestrian trail connection (under railroad between Sweeney & Schaper) Tunnel under Winnetka from Area B to the east along Bassett Creek Multi -use community center with aquatic park and 2 sheets of ice Purchasing remaining under -developed and undeveloped land (such as near Scheid, Wesley & Lakeview Parks) More golf opportunities Purchase of General Mills or Honeywell land Expand volunteer recognition Aggressive skate park Amphitheater Environmental education area Commuter trail indoor multi-use/soccer facility Indoor theater City-wide trail network The Commission then rated these by individual priority. The results are as follows: 10 Major park at Sweeney Lake 8 purchase of underdeveloped and undeveloped land 7 multi -use community center 6 indoor soccer field 4 amphitheater 4 soccer field with lights 3 archery range 3 environmental education facility 2 city-wide trail network 2 purchase of General Mills or Honeywell land 2 tunnel under Winnetka Avenue 1 Indoor community theater 1 Expand volunteer recognition 1 Trail under railroad between Sweeney & Schaper Park Commuter trail Roller hockey rink Golf course Aggressive skate park The Commission would like each of these items mentioned in the long range plan. SCHAPER PARK UPDATE Rick Jacobson reported that Schaper Park opened on June 15a'. Things are going well so far. Roger McConico requested that an American flag be placed at the park. He will contact the VFW to ask for a flag donation.. NORTH HENNEPIN REGIONAL TRAIL City Council has approved the North Hennepin Regional Trail through Golden Valley. The section of trail along Calvary Cooperative will be divided with barriers for bikes and in-line skaters in one lane and walkers in another. SOCCER FIELD — MINNESOTA STATE ARTS SCHOOL Construction is progressing for the soccer field at the Minnesota State Arts School. A twenty year lease was signed. Grass should be seeded by August 1s' and play will begin in the spring of 1999. OLD BUSINESS Park & Recreation Department Receptionist Rick Jacobson reported that Gloria Odegaard has been hired as the receptionist in the Park & Recreation office. Auressive Skate Park The aggressive skate park will be located in Golden Valley from July 10 — August 9. Currently it is being run very successfully in Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Roger McConico and seconded by Chuck Cahill to adjourn. Motion carried. 1 1 J