05-22-17 Open Space & Recreation CommissionGOLDEN VALLEY OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2017
1. Call to Order
Cornelius called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
2. Roll Call
Present: Commissioners: Roger Bergman, Andy Bukowski, Kelly Kuebelbeck, Bob Mattison, Gillian
Rosenquist, and Kimberly Sanberg. Staff. Rick Birno, Director of Parks and Recreation.
Absent: Cindy Carow-Schiebe, John Cornelius, and Dawn Speltz.
3. Agenda Changes or Additions
None.
4. Approval of Minutes - April 24, 2017
MOTION: Moved by Bergman and seconded by Sanberg to approve the April 24, 2017 meeting
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Reappoint Chair and Vice -Chair
MOTION: Moved by Bergman and seconded by Kuebelbeck to reappoint Cornelius as Chair and
Rosenquist as Vice -Chair. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Community Garden Planning Session
Commission members discussed options and amenities to define a Community Garden for Golden
Valley. After thoughtful discussion on options and key aspects, the Open Space and Recreation
Commission is recommending the following parameters:
• A Community Garden should be approximately .5-2 acres in size.
• A Community Garden area should have 12 to 24 gardens plots.
• Garden plots should be a minimum of 10' by 10' and no larger than 15' by 15'.
• Soil should be tested for lead, salts, and other elements that may pose an issue for gardening.
• Annual rental fee for a garden plot should be $30 (market rate - comparable to adjoining
communities).
• A Community Garden should have a 4'to 6' fence around the entire garden with a gardener
access gate and a larger maintenance gate.
• Access trail must be added to the entrance gate and be ADA appropriate.
• Individual gardeners will be responsible for fencing off their garden plot areas within the
fenced Community Garden.
• Neighborhoods should be notified of potential new Community Garden additions as they are
generally considered unsightly.
• Five foot wood chip pathways should be maintained within the garden area.
• A city water supply needs to be provided. It is too difficult to haul water in and the water barrel
system is too labor intensive for staff.
• Locations for Community Gardens should have close off-street parking available. On -street
parking can work if it is in close proximity to the garden area.
• Generally, a lottery system will be utilized annually for garden plots. If there is not high
demand for limited garden plots, historical use patterns will be honored.
• Garden plot rental would be a priority use for Golden Valley residents and cannot be sublet. If
plots are still available after all resident requests, non-residents would then be eligible.
• Community Gardens do require a sizable initial investment in infrastructure and require
annual and weekly maintenance. Examples of maintenance needs include: formal marking of
garden plots, weed composting collection, garbage collection, weed trimming around the
fence, and garden areas not in use. Wood chips will need to be purchased on a regular basis
and spread on garden paths. Garden areas will need to be tilled each spring and fall. Water
Open Space & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 22, 2017
Page 2
access installed, hoses supplied, and water system winterized annually. Fresh soil added as
needed and general fence/gate maintenance.
Commission members then focused discussion on potential locations in Golden Valley for Community
Gardens and also discussed options for off -leash pet exercise areas. All locations discussed have been
identified in the Comprehensive Park Plan. Park areas for consideration included: Gearty, Glenview
Terrace, Medley, Isaacson (south end), Tree Farm (Orkla open space), Wildwood Park, Yosemite, and
South Wesley Parks. Additional non -park areas were also discussed including: the City Hall campus,
open space at Dahlberg, southwest corner of Xenia, parcels along Highway 100, and the HRA parcel
on Turners Crossroad. After review of the potential non -park areas, commission members thought
there was not a good option for a Community Garden location. Issues included no off-street parking,
parcels too small for investment, difficult water access, difficult gardener access, irregular shape, and
grade issues.
After careful review and consideration, the Open Space and Recreation Commission recommended
the following areas for improvements in priority order:
Medley Park: Develop community garden in location of the failing tennis court area with the
parameters set above. Medley Park tennis courts should be maintained until the expanded
tennis courts at Wesley Park are complete and available for resident use. Staff noted the Wesley
tennis court project should be completed by June of 2018. Medley tennis courts would then be
removed fall of 2018 and construction of the new community garden would begin assuming
City Council approval. The new community garden area at Medley Park would be available for
resident use spring of 2019. Commission members also recommended adding an off -leash pet
exercise area on the Medley Park property referred to as ball field #2, which is no longer playable
and offers a large open space for a pet exercise area. Staff noted there are funds identified in the
2020 Park CIP for the addition of a pet exercise area. Commission members would like staff to
work with the Engineering department to explore storm water and clean water opportunities
with the pond area in the northwest corner of Medley Park.
Glenview Terrace Park: Develop second community garden and reconstruct small parking lot
when funding is available. Commission would also like to see a small sun shelter added close to
the playground area.
Valley View Park: Explore a partnership with Minneapolis Park Board to construct an off -leash
pet exercise area if the Theodore Wirth proposal does not come to fruition.
South Wesley Park: If private property can be obtained for public use, consider location for a
community garden or off -leash pet exercise area.
Tree Farm (Orkla open space): Consider area for a community garden. This area may also be a
good property to sell for private lots and use proceeds to purchase property next to South
Wesley Park which is larger, and would not have as much neighborhood impact and is adjacent
to off-street parking.
7. Commission and Staff Updates
• Board and Commission Dinner - To be held on May 30 at 6:30 pm at Brookview.
• Brookview Construction Project - Birno said the Brookview project is picking up momentum
with completion of concrete work, completion of roof, and most HVAC equipment is in place.
• Schaper Park Approval - Birno said the project has been finalized and is moving to the City
Council for approval.
• Run The Valley - Birno said the race had wonderful weather and excellent attendance.
• Isaacson Park Improvement - Birno said the new LED field lights at Isaacson are close to
complete and dugout reconstruction on field #1 begins late July.
Open Space&Recreation Commission Minutes
May 22,2017
Page 3
8. Adjournment
MOTION: Moved by Bergman and seconded by Sanberg to adjourn at 8:20 pm.Motion carried
unanimously.
ATTEST: (1( , ' , Jo Cornelius,Chair
Sheila Van Sloun,Administrative Assistant