Parks & Recreation Commission

REGULAR MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City of Oakdale October 17, 2023 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair Meyer at 7 PM. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chair: Steve Meyer Commissioners: Glen Bearth Jan Cunningham Mark Giannini Kari Moore Jen Schorr Also Present: Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Andy Morcomb, City Council Absent: Glen Giacoletto, Vice Chair Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes, September 19, 2023 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GIANNINI, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 AS PRESENTED. 4 AYES 0 NAYS WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS – Steve Meyer Chair Meyer welcomed new Commissioners Kari Moore and Jen Schorr. OAKDALE PICKLEBALL CLUB PRESENTATION – Sara Scott Sara Scott introduced herself as an Oakdale resident since 2006 and member of the Oakdale Pickleball Club since it started in 2013 with 29 members. Membership is now 192 members, and pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in America with 4.8 million Americans playing. Courts PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 17, 2023 Page 2 hold four players and at the club’s current location at Tanners Lake Park, 20 can play simultaneously when including the tennis court. Oakdale Pickleball Club’s requests are to accommodate growth and active players, resurface the bubbling/cracking, replace tennis with two pickleball courts, and install a lockable storage container (for brooms, squeegees, and balls). With the understanding that the 2024 City budget is finalized, they are requesting a priority for 2025. The club is willing to pay for the storage container with City approval of the container type and placement. Blue pickleball lines that have faded on the tennis courts should be repainted for when play begins in spring of 2024. The club also requests a City representative to contact about improvements and updates. Leda Newman introduced herself as a pickleball player and resident since 1995. Many requests have been made with little change. While the club is happy to move off the Walton hockey rink to the paved Tanners Lake courts, the sport is experiencing growth and popularity, so there is the hope that improvements will be considered. If more than four courts are installed in Willowbrooke, the club could possibly play there. Residents play in Oakdale, and club members that don’t reside in Oakdale support the City through visiting businesses. Kathleen Schmidt, Oakdale Pickleball Club member, suggested that since Walton Park only offers tennis, that Tanners Lake could be exclusively pickleball. Vicki Sarner, Oakdale Pickleball Club member, informed that there are more clubs playing at the court, lessons are being offered, and the courts are heavily used. Scott Renstrom, Oakdale Pickleball Club member living near Eastside Park in Oakdale, noticed that the two tennis courts at Eastside are seldom used, in bad shape, and could be lined for pickleball. When he visited today, the courts were being used by pickleball players. If courts at Tanners Park are resurfaced, he suggested that Eastside’s courts get resurfaced too. Sara Scott replied to questions made by Commissioner Moore. 31% of Oakdale Pickleball Club members are residents. It may be possible for pickleball to create lines on both sides of the tennis court and put up temporary nets. Chair Meyer recommended Northern Tool + Equipment metal equipment boxes similar to what the Oakdale Athletic Association put at Walton and Eastside Parks. Parks Superintendent Koesling warned that the job box located at the backstop at Tanners was cut out of the concrete (with a sawzall through six 5/8” bolts) and stolen at the same time as the one located at Horseshoe Park within the last six years. Three have been stolen at Tanners, at a cost of around $1,250 each box. The park does not face residential homes and suffers graffiti and vandalism. Heavier job boxes have been selected for being anti-theft. Because a pitching machine was stolen, now the only items stored at Tanners are bases, and the box has been untouched for four years. He warned that a cheaper box may be broken into. Superintendent Koesling continued that the fading of the blue stripes needs to be redone, unless tennis is being replaced by pickleball. A sealer was put over the tennis green and white lines, and blue striping did not receive a sealer. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 17, 2023 Page 3 Mr. Koesling replied to Commissioner Cunningham’s question about pickleball in Willowbrooke. He said the park currently being programmed is the Willowbrooke Commons Park. There will be four new parks possibly within three to four years, with three at Willowbrooke and one at the 4th Street Transit development. The parks are proposed with nothing concrete in their design. Rita Perkins identified herself as an Oakdale resident since 1998. She warned that play at Tanners Park will result in injury if the surface is not fixed. Stillwater and Woodbury have resurfaced their courts two or three times within the last eight years while Tanners Park in Oakdale has kept the same surface. Mr. Koesling did not observe any trip hazards on the pickleball courts when he toured Tanners Park with the Council and Mayor two hours ago. He acknowledged a couple cracks on the tennis court side but otherwise maintained that any surface imperfections were cosmetic, if any. Resurfacing is not planned. Chair Meyer also visited Tanners Park at 4:30 PM. Four pickleball players were there and commented that the court is really nice, and Chair Meyer agreed. He acknowledged the blue stripes had faded on the tennis court. Oakdale Pickleball Club Leader Chuck Scott described that rain causes the surface to bubble and when stepped on, chips off. The pock marks on the north side are playable, but as winter progresses will cause more flaking. While there are not tripping hazards, depressions alter the direction of the ball. Membership will decline if balls misbehave due to surface pockets when competing with Stillwater and Woodbury. Mr. Koesling appreciated the feedback while stressing that Oakdale has 29 other parks, so the City can’t focus the budget on one park, and improvements have to be budgeted. He replied to Vince Grehmer, an Oakdale resident of 35 plus years, that there are plans to patch the courts, addressed in regular maintenance and not a budget item. Sara Scott detailed the club play times for Commissioner Schorr. Oakdale Pickleball Club plays on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday from 4 to 6, or 5 to 7 PM, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9 AM. The Oakland Pickleball Club (used to play at Oakland Junior High in Lake Elmo) plays on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 9 AM. There are also lessons and skill building offered in the afternoons. Replying to Commissioner Cunningham’s question about use of school courts, Chuck Scott had approached Tartan High School in the past and the club was allowed use of the courts but denied established play times. Being limited to weekend play is not enough time for the club. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GIANNINI, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOORE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RELINING PICKLEBALL AT THE TANNERS PARK TENNIS COURTS FOR 2025. 6 AYES 0 NAYS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 17, 2023 Page 4 Commissioner Giannini noted that Willowbrooke park planning may impact what improvements are made at Tanners Park. Chair Meyer expanded that the Commission is interested in Tanners Park as a priority for improvements due to the location on the water. Recreation Superintendent Williams replied to Commissioner Schorr’s question about investigating whether to charge for pickleball use similar to adult softball. She said staff can research what surrounding cities are doing. PARKS UPDATE – Jeff Koesling Winterizing – Irrigation systems and buildings are being winterized. Fall Sports – Fall sports are starting to wrap up. Wet fields are not drying well with cold temperatures and last weekend fields were closed. Soccer is supposed to end this week with football having another week left. Fields – Fields are being aerated and over seeded. Fields 5 through 8 were completed today. Fall Clean Up – Fall cleanup will start after the leaves fall, hopefully before snow. It is an odd year with the leaves still being green at this time. Snow Plow Training – Staff were in St. Cloud for training the prior week and will be going through training next week. Warming Houses – The Satellite temporary warming houses arrive for their third winter on November 15 at Walton and Eastside Parks. They were underused last year due to poor weather and ice. There is a permanent warming house at Northdale Park. RECREATION UPDATE – Julie Williams Farmers Market – Wednesday, October 11 was a busy market to wrap up the season. Mr. Egg Roll was a new food truck addition. Amped Up Entertainment – This Thursday from 10 to 11 AM, the RAD Zoo Radical Reptile Adventure will be at Oakdale Discovery Center for a new, free program offered over MEA break. Red Cross Blood Drive – Wellness 50+ and the Maplewood Oakdale Lions are bringing a blood drive to the Oakdale Discovery Center on Friday, October 20. Openings are posted on redcrossblood.org to sign up. Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt – There are around 25 openings remaining for the popular event on Thursday, October 26 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Discovery Center. There will be balloon twisting, a dance party, games, pumpkin decorating, make your own slime and bonfire. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 17, 2023 Page 5 Pumpkin Carving Contest – Pumpkin entries are displayed at the Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt where attendees vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded for three categories; best, spookiest, and bumpkin pumpkin (under 12 years). Artist of the Month – Painters Susan Solomon and Mandy Madsen are featured through November at the Discovery Center Art Gallery. Courage Kenny selected Susan Solomon’s painting of a snow covered bench in the Oakdale Nature Preserve as their 2023 Holiday Card. Sales of artwork through an online fundraiser support the Spinal Cord Society. Art Discovery Fair – The Art Fair will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 10 AM to 3 PM. The event is full with 21 artists. The Two Sisters will perform live music from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. Paintings, cards, plushies, jewelry, clay creations, candles and more will be for sale. Indoor Market – The Indoor Market begins on November 11 and there will be nine markets through March 23. Rink Attendants – Applications are being taken through November 20 for eight to ten positions. The season hopes to run December through February. Discovery Center Display Room – Hands on kids’ activities will be replacing some of the taxidermy during the fall makeover. Commission Work Plan – The plan was to meet with Council for a November dinner however the date has been postponed to February and will be shared when determined. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Maplewood Oakdale Lions Club – Commissioner Bearth reported that the Lions social media coordinators who did an amazing job taking control of the Oakdale Citywide Garage Sales are offering a new Halloween House Decorating Contest with more information online through Facebook. Wellness 50+ – Commissioner Cunningham shared that line dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” will take place on Halloween at the Discovery Center from 1 to 3:30 PM. The popular event is full with a wait list. Commission Outreach – Chair Meyer and Councilmember Morcomb coordinated a visit with boy scouts to learn what they’d like to see in parks. Suggestions included natural and paved biking trails, volleyball, pickleball, maps of parks, and lakeside trails. He suggested a Commission rink tour as winter approaches, or possibly a ‘Commission at the Rinks’ night where members are assigned to the rink locations from 7 to 8 PM and invite the public. City Website – Commissioner Schorr would like a more user-friendly online map to discover which parks have a playground. Golfview Park – Commissioner Cunningham noticed a resident in the chambers and invited her to speak. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 17, 2023 Page 6 The resident attended the meeting with interest in Golfview Park. She believes the park is underutilized, remembering a skating rink when it was created, believing that a gazebo was to be added later, and possibly tennis courts. There is a nice structure for kids to play and a huge Hmong community plays volleyball all summer. It would be a great space for kids to play football or soccer. She is concerned about the City losing or relocating the park. She noted seeing a possible sand volleyball court on the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2027. Chair Meyer visited Golfview Park and would like to prioritize it in the CIP for improvements. Councilmember Morcomb noted that no permits or development plans are in the works for developing the old golf course. A number of residents are aware of the owner’s interest and attempts in the past to develop. Commissioner Giannini said the Oakdale Athletic Association used Golfview Park for soccer and likely will play t-ball there in the spring. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE – Andy Morcomb Oakdale Pickleball Club – After tonight, Councilmember Morcomb feels that pickleball would have good use after seeing how many people are involved and want to have a place in Oakdale. Conversation helps guide decision making, and is timely as Willowbrooke is still in the concept phase. The worst thing is funding a park that goes unused. Development in Oakdale – The site plan revision that includes an Aldi, coffee shop and other buildings, has been approved for north of Highway 14 in front of 4Front. Tanners Park Tour – Council wanted a holistic view of the park as it is an underused gem in the City. Playground equipment, the building, and courts were looked at. Feedback on how to draw people to the site is being sought. Councilmember Morcomb would like to know the cost of restriping a tennis court or converting it to two pickleball courts, for budgeting and planning. Chair Meyer would like to have an on-site Commission meeting to get feedback, and start at Tanners Park. Councilmember Morcomb replied to Commissioner Cunningham that there is a 1994 plaque on the wall aging the building at about 30 years old. It is usable structurally but has security concerns due to poor lighting and safety. A nonprofit, business, or other user could use the space if they are a good fit in partnership with the City, and Parks and Recreation departments. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SCHORR TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DATED OCTOBER 17, 2023, AT 8:06 PM. 6 AYES 0 NAYS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 17, 2023 Page 7 Respectfully submitted, Laura Linzmeyer