Parks & Natural Resources Commission

Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Agenda December 7, 2021 | 7 p.m. Ash North/South Conference Rooms City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road Please note: Due to COVID-19, the December 7, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting is taking place virtually and at City Hall in the Ash North and South Conference Rooms. Members of the public may attend the meeting, but will be required to comply with social distancing parameters as determined by the City. Members of the public may also join the meeting using a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device. Public comments will be accepted during the meeting by using the link to the virtual meeting to join the meeting and then submit your questions via the online Q&A feature within the meeting. * Please note that all agenda times are estimates. 7:00* 1. Call to Order 7:05 2. Open Forum 7:10 3. Approval of the Minutes – November 5, 2021 7:15 4. Angel of Hope – Memorandum No. 21 - 28 7:30 5. Climate Action Planning 101 – Memorandum No. 21 – 29 – Jennifer McLoughlin 8:10 6. Update on 2022 Community Development Block Grant Project – Shawnee Park Memorandum No. 21 – 30 – Karl Batalden, Josh Kinney 8:30 7. Final Concept Approval for Valley Creek Park Phase II – Memorandum No. 21 – 31 – Josh Kinney 8:45 8. Discussion Items – (Identify/Discuss any Recent Changes) A. Current Projects • Central Park • Highcroft Park • Briarcroft Park • Fair Haven Park • Summerlin Park • Arbor Ridge Park • Bridlewood Park • Harvest Park at Orville Commons – Hargis Pkwy. and Radio Dr. • Valley Creek Park 9:00 9. Monthly Update – Memorandum No. 21 – 32 9:10 10. Council Report – Councilmember Morris 9:25 11. Announcements/Miscellaneous 9:30 12. Adjourn Parks and Natural Resources Commission - Agenda December 7, 2021 Page 2 If a Commission member cannot attend this meeting, please contact Belinda Reed at 651-714-3584 by Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. Thank you. The City of Woodbury is subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The City is committed to full implementation of the Act to our services, programs, and activities. Information regarding the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the City Administrator's office at 651-714-3500. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 72 hours in advance of an event. Please call the ADA Coordinator, at 651-714-3500 (TDD 651-714-3568) to make arrangements.  City of Woodbury Woodbury City Hall 8301 Valley Creek Road Woodbury, MN 55125 651-714-3583 Minutes of Parks and Natural Resources Commission Regular Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 Commission Members Present: Greta Bjerkness (Chair), Timothy Brewington, II, Isaac Eikenberry, Arin Kurttila, Bruce Montgomery, Deborah Musser, Rachel Nelson Commission Member(s) Absent: Commissioners Freymann, Sayers Commission Member Virtual: None Councilmember Present: Councilmember Steve Morris Staff Present: Michelle Okada, Parks and Recreation Director Josh Kinney, Parks Planner Belinda Reed, Administrative Assistant Reed Smidt, Recreation Manager Staff Virtual: Robert James, ICT Director Jodi Sauro, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Call to Order Chair Bjerkness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Open Forum Mr. Jeffery Rageth, 3438 Churchill Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125. Mr. Rageth, along with a few other Woodbury community members, shared information on the Angel of Hope organization and identified communities in the state that have existing Angel of Hope memorials, including Duluth, Chanhassen and Maple Grove, with approximately 150 memorials around the country. Mr. Rageth would like to see Woodbury included in that number. The memorials serve as a beacon of hope and a place of peaceful remembrance for parents and families grieving the loss of a child or loved one. Mr. Rageth noted that initial conversations have taken place with the Woodbury Mayor, Community Foundation and city staff. Mr. Ryan Stempski, 4857 Sonoma Court, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129, provided the Commission with a Citizen Petition for the Highcroft Park project. The petitioners are requesting that the park plan be rejected as submitted, and that more active components referenced in an earlier Highcroft Park concept plan, be considered for inclusion in the park. Mr. Peter Schensted, 4543 Silverado Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129, Mr. Schensted requested an updated plan to include pickleball courts and asked that the fishing pier be reevaluated. Mr. Nate Somers, 4881 Sonoma Court, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129. Mr. Somers noted there are not very many parks around the Highcroft Development without biking some distance. Mr. Somers Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes November 3, 2021 Page 2 mentioned the importance of the playground and spoke about children with special needs having safe access to a play area. Mr. Derek Labar, 9913 Arrowwood Trail, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129. Mr. Labar noted he is in support of the proposal to stop the park project from moving forward, noting his biggest concern is that during the 2020 neighborhood engagement, there were only roughly 50 percent of the homes built at the time. Referring to the recent neighborhood photo, included in the Citizen Petition, Mr. Labar suggested conducting additional surveys and communications to get more of the park components back into the plan. Referring to an earlier concept plan, Mr. Labar noted that there was a tot park shown, in addition to a larger playground. Dr. Syud Ahmed, 9978 Arrowwood Trail, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129. Mr. Ahmed noted there are a number of families, with children, in the Highcroft development, including those in the villa homes, as well as children in other communities neighboring the Highcroft development. Mr. Ahmed spoke about having a safe space and the ability to connect and build the community. Mr. Ahmed also commented on the difficulties of crossing Woodbury Drive and mentioned having a memorial bench lakeside. Mr. Chad Pederson, 9973 Arrowwood Trail, Woodbury, Minnesota 55129, reiterated concerns with children crossing Highway 19 to access the larger park being proposed in the Briarcroft development, and noted there is a disparity between the park sizes, when comparing the number of homes in Highcroft, with the number of homes in Briarcroft. Mr. Pederson noted that from a budgetary standpoint, park dedication fees are much more supported in Highcroft Park than they are in Briarcroft Park. Mr. Pederson also stated that he supports rejecting the park plan, as proposed, to allow more time to work on the plan. Additional comments from Highcroft residents viewing the meeting virtually, were noted as supporting the above in-person speakers. Action Items A. October 5, 2021, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Chair Bjerkness asked for the approval of the Minutes of the October 5, 2021, meeting of the Parks and Natural Resources Commission. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Brewington, to approve the October 5, 2021, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes. Vote: In favor All In-person Against None Absent Commissioners Freymann, Sayers B. Final Concept Approval for Highcroft Park (Revised) - Memorandum No. 21 - 25 Ms. Okada noted the presentation provides background for any adjustments having been made to the current concept plan when compared with the previous initial draft conceptual plan, as well as discuss the planning process as it relates to building new parks in the Phase II developments. The November 2020, communication to the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, resulted in feedback on the initial draft concept plan. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes November 3, 2021 Page 3 Recognizing that new residents had moved into the development since the original neighborhood communication and park survey, staff mailed out a second Highcroft Park communication to the same mailing list as the November 2020 mailing. The Commissioners were previously provided email responses received in response to the second communication notification dated October 27, 2021, sent to residential addresses of the Highcroft and Briarcroft developments. Mr. Kinney noted that the design process begins with a space exercise and concludes with actual park construction. In between steps, there is an exercise to list additional improvements to be considered, and when possible including soliciting and gathering feedback from the community to help identify amenities for further consideration. Mr. Kinney noted that items in original draft conceptual plans are there to help provide ideas and start conversations. One of the steps in the process is to determine possibilities, taking into account physical site conditions, including topography, natural resources, storm water requirements, any type of infrastructure such as utility restrictions, and in this case, above ground electrical utilities, private amenities in the neighboring community and how other amenities are distributed throughout the entirety of the Woodbury park system. When possible, the process also includes a site visit with the Parks and Natural Resources Commission (PNRC) and a review and discussion of the updated concept, followed by revising and refining of a final concept plan, the development of construction documents, bidding out the project and finally construction of the park. Ms. Okada provided a review of the diversity of amenities located in the parks south of Bailey Road in the Phase II development area and noted that there are a number of four-lane roadways throughout the city, that definitely are taken into consideration, but the city tries to create neighborhood parks with amenities that fit spatially in the open space and complement the park system. The possibility of tunneling under Highway 19 to connect Highcroft and Briarcroft developments was discussed. Mr. Smidt noted that staff reached out to the Engineering Department about any future crossing opportunities related to County Road 19. Washington County currently has no plans for additional crossing beyond the current roundabout. Ms. Okada noted that to continue connectivity of the area, there is a leg of a future trail consideration from Dorchester to the north, and down to Dale Road to the south, along the eastern side of Bailey Lake, which is currently private property. The property has been identified as a preferred acquisition. Mr. Kinney identified the design elements for Highcroft Park in the revised concept plan: seating, trees, restoration, picnicking, playground, active open play field, along with bid alternates: picnic table(s) and bench(es) to bring a picnicking opportunity closer to the water. It was noted that there have been inquiries about adding a fishing pier. However, it was pointed out that Bailey Lake is a wetland/storm water holding pond and is not monitored or stocked with fish by the DNR, the water level is regulated and at any point in time the pond could go dry. It was also noted that when providing amenities, such as fishing piers, which potentially draw substantial activity, it is important to include adequate access. Ms. Okada noted there is not a parking lot associated with the Highcroft Park. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes November 3, 2021 Page 4 A discussion took place about having two separate playgrounds: one for tot’s ages 0-5 and another for older children ages 5-12. Ms. Okada noted that having heard comments from families, rather than having two playground structures in separate areas of the park, the preference is to have a combined playground in one container, so families are not separated and child(ren) of different ages, are in one location. It was noted that feedback was received from other residents in the Highcroft and Salem Meadows neighborhoods that did not desire to have active features such as tennis or pickleball in the park. It was also noted that courts, along with the playground container and future trail surface would require additional storm water management and space and budget constraints make this difficult. A discussion took place about a possible boardwalk to span Bailey Lake. It was noted that this is not off the table for future consideration, but a substantial investment would be necessary. Such a span would involve a few government agencies and the cost could exceed $1m. Chair Bjerkness asked for the approval of the Final Concept Plan for Highcroft Park, with Design Elements: seating, trees, restoration, picnicking and playground, and Bid Alternates: lake view area with picnic table(s) and bench(es) – Memorandum No. 21 – 25. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Bjerkness, seconded by Commissioner Kurttila, to approve the Final Concept Plan for Highcroft Park, with Design Elements: seating, trees, restoration, picnicking and playground, and Bid Alternates: lake view area with picnic table(s) and bench(es) – Memorandum No. 21 – 25. Vote: In favor All In-person Against None Absent Commissioners Freymann, Sayers A. Final Concept Approval for Briarcroft Park - Memorandum No. 21 - 26 Mr. Kinney provided a review of the Briarcroft Park design elements. Ms. Okada noted that the Briarcroft Park (park name is pending), will serve not only the Briarcroft development, but Canvas area, the proposed Air Lake neighborhood, and additional future neighborhoods to the south. Ms. Okada noted that as part of the development agreement with the Air Lake development, located to the east of the Briarcroft Park location, the developer will build the entrance road and parking lot and necessary storm water management. Having the ability to get ahead of the development, the park project incorporates the necessary storm water required ahead of building the courts, fields, parking lot, play structures and trails. This also allows for planning to accommodate bid alternates, such as full tennis and full basketball courts. Mr. Kinney noted that staff was able to craft the bid alternates so if the bid is favorable, the strategy will be maneuverable to mix and match additional components. Chair Bjerkness asked for the approval of the Final Concept Plan for Briarcroft Park, with Design Elements: basketball court (half), pickleball court, softball field, seating, trees, restoration, athletic field, picnicking and playground, with Bid Alternates: tennis/pickleball combo court, additional pickle ball courts, full basketball court (other half); and picnic shelter and leaving the discretion to staff based on the budget and alternates proposed to fit in what staff believes is the most useful use of the space and needs of our citizens – Memorandum No. 21 – 26. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes November 3, 2021 Page 5 Motion: Moved by Commissioner Bjerkness, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery, to approve the Final Concept Plan for Briarcroft Park, with Design Elements: basketball court (half), pickleball court, softball field, seating, trees, athletic field, restoration, picnicking and playground, and Bid Alternates: tennis/pickleball combo court, additional pickleball courts, full basketball court (other half); and picnic shelter and leaving the discretion to staff based on the budget and alternates proposed to fit in what staff believes is the most useful use of the space and needs of our citizens – Memorandum No. 21 – 26. Vote: In favor All In-person Against None Absent Commissioners Freymann, Sayers D. Discussion Items Aside from the projects highlighted in the Monthly Update, Ms. Okada noted that Parks Planner, Josh Kinney will continue to provide brief updates on the various projects. Mr. Kinney provided the following updates: Central Park – Ms. Okada noted that the project scope changed, from the county’s perspective. The funding agreement, consultant contracts and budget amendment will go before the City Council in December. The Central Park project was awarded a Minnesota Legislative House tour, in support of the Central Park bonding request for $15m. Due to COVID-19 and time restrictions, requesting groups will be meeting at gathering locations throughout the state. The Central Park Project will be presented on November 18, at Inver Hills Community College. The 5-minute presentation will include an introduction by Mayor Burt, followed by the bill authors Representatives Xiong and Sandell, who will speak on behalf of the bond request. Ms. Okada will wrap up the presentation Fair Haven Park – The park is substantially complete with the exception of tennis court fencing, which has been delayed as a result of a global shortage of fencing mesh; however, it is anticipated that this fencing installation may take place around Thanksgiving time, along with the park sign. The basketball and tennis court lines will be painted in the spring of 2022. Summerlin Park – The park is 100 percent complete. Valley Creek Park – The site development is nearly complete with the exception of the second lift of the entry drive and parking lot bituminous surface, which will be held off until the installation of the large playground equipment and construction of the trail loop in Phase II, are completed next year. Mr. Kinney noted that the Miller Barn is nearly complete with some shingle work left to be completed. Ms. Okada shared a few photos taken of the Miller Barn in Valley Creek Park. The barn color was selected by the historical architect, as being most representative of the period when the barn was built, with the replacement wood being approximately 100-year-old barn wood. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes November 3, 2021 Page 6 Ms. Okada noted that staff is working on the design for the Phase II portion of the project for the northern portion of Valley Creek Park and anticipate presenting plans to the PNRC at the December 7, meeting. D. Monthly Update – Memorandum No. 21 – 27 Ms. Okada noted that Eagle Valley Golf Course reached over 44,000 rounds of golf for the season. Mr. Smidt noted that the Recreation staff are working on the winter/spring 2021/22 brochure with registration to begin Wednesday, Dec. 1. Council Report – Councilmember Morris Councilmember Morris noted the City Council has two meetings and one workshop scheduled to the end of the year, with five public hearings to be held at the December 8, meeting as well as finalizing the 2022 Budget and the biannual community survey questions that will be going out in January 2022, with results anticipated in April 2022. Announcements/Miscellaneous Ms. Okada highlighted the city’s new website: woodburymn.gov, which was launched on Wednesday, Nov. 3. It was also noted that the public has been solicited for park naming of the new park to be located in the Briarcroft Development. For those interested in submitting a name for consideration, visit the city’s website: woodburymn.gov. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________ Belinda Reed Administrative Assistant Approved by the Parks and Natural Resources Commission on December 7, 2021.  City of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 21 – 28 December 7, 2021 Parks and Natural Resources Commission Members: Subject: Request for Angel of Hope Statue in Woodbury Summary At the November 3, 2021, Parks and Natural Resources Commission meeting, Mr. Jeffery Rageth, along with a few other Woodbury community members, shared information on the Angel of Hope organization and identified communities in the state that have existing Angel of Hope memorials, including Duluth, Chanhassen, and Maple Grove, with approximately 150 such memorials around the country. The memorials serve as a beacon of hope and a place of peaceful remembrance for parents and families grieving the loss of a child. Mr. Rageth requested that Woodbury consider a partnership to add an Angle of Hope in one of the parks or open spaces. Mr. Rageth engaged with the Woodbury Community Foundation with regard to a partnership and financial support for the proposed project. Recommendation Staff requests the Commission discuss this request and provide staff feedback. Respectfully Submitted, /s/ Michelle Okada Parks and Recreation Director Attachment: Angel of Hope description provided by Mr. Rageth  City Of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 21 - 29 December 7, 2021 Parks and Natural Resources Commission Members: Subject: Climate Action Plan 101 As part of our continued effort to review the opportunities for an environmental stewardship plan, this is to provide you with climate action information. City staff is participating in the Sustainable States Network’s Climate Planning Technical Assistance Cohort as part of the Community Energy Challenge. This year’s cohort includes Minnesota cities, in addition to cities from Connecticut and New Jersey. Technical assistance is provided by staff at the Great Plains Institute (GPI), led by Abby Finis. GPI is an energy non-profit organization in Minneapolis. Woodbury has selected to host a Climate Action 101 presentation as part of this offering. More details on the program and what to expect from the presentation are provided herein. The Sustainable States Network (SSN) brings together state-level sustainability, clean energy, and climate programs to share strategies, resources, and best practices. These programs are similar to Minnesota GreenStep Cities. There are currently 15 state programs participating in the network. The Community Energy Challenge is a grant-funded program delivered by SSN, the Great Plains Institute, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and five member states, including Minnesota. The program is in its second year and is offering direct technical assistance to 40 cities to advance electric vehicle adoption, sustainable building policies, or climate action. Woodbury is participating in the climate action technical assistance cohort and has requested a presentation to cover: • Climate action planning 101 including: o Elements of plans o Different plan types o Examples of climate action plans • Highlights of climate action from metro cities • Overview of the Metropolitan Council Climate Stats program and what to expect • Minnesota cities climate emergency declaration The last bullet point refers to an effort by Minnesota cities to simultaneously declare a climate emergency in early 2022. This effort comes from the City Climate Caucus, and informal group of elected leaders who meet monthly to discuss advancing local climate action, led by St. Louis Park Council Member, Larry Kraft. Cities that have already declared a climate emergency include: Duluth, Crystal Bay, and Minneapolis. Although Woodbury is not participating in the Climate Caucus, staff thought it timely for commissioners to hear about the effort prior to the declaration by other cities. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Jennifer McLoughlin Sustainability Specialist  City Of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 21 - 30 December 7, 2021 Parks and Natural Resources Commission Members: Subject: Shawnee Park Rehabilitation Project The City will be investing a portion of its annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2022 to undertake a range of capital improvements within Shawnee Park. Typically, the amount of CDBG funds available for these types of public facility improvements is significantly less and, as such, they have not come before PNRC for review in the past. However, with the ability to invest more than $500,000 of federal funds into the project, the City is undertaking broader community input and commission review process than typical. The attached “Location Map for Shawnee Park CDBG Project 2022” identifies general, preliminary, and macro-level details of the project’s scope of work being considered. These include, but are not limited to, improvements to the hockey rink, sound abatement at the pickleball courts, playground, picnic shelter, supporting infrastructure, accessibility and more. The ultimate scope of work for the project will be finalized through the community engagement and bidding and procurement process in early 2022. The CDBG program has a national objective of assisting low- and moderate-income households. Public facility upgrades in certain Census Tract Block Groups meet this national objective, known as the Low/Mod Area Benefit test or “LMA”. The attached location map highlights that Shawnee Park is within one of these Census Tract Block Groups to meet the federal LMA test. CDBG-funded projects may not focus on maintenance and as such the scope of work focuses on larger capital items and the infrastructure work needed to support them. Previous CDBG-funded public facility projects have occurred in Woodbury within Garbe Park, Carver Lake Park, Evergreen West Park, Windwood Passage Park, Ojibway Park, Potawatomi Park, and Menomini Park, as well as the 2010 land acquisition to expand Cree Park. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Karl Batalden Community Development Coordinator Attachment(s): Location map with preliminary scope of work considerations Location map including LMA-eligible areas Shawnee Park Project Community Open House Letter  Project Location Shawnee Park Shawnee Park Woodbury Census Tract Block Groups for LMA Shawnee Park Census Tract Block Groups Park and Open Space Document Path: \\fp3\gis$\Depts\CommunityDev\Maps\Woodbury Census Tract Block Groups 2021.mxd Map Date: 03/04/20 [daa]  City Of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 21 - 31 December 7, 2021 Parks and Natural Resources Commission Members: Subject: Final Concept Approval for Valley Creek Park Phase II Summary The Valley Creek Park Master Plan (Project) concept was approved by the City Council in July 2020. The improvements address community identified feedback including retaining and enhancing the natural resources, stabilizing and preserving the Miller Barn, implementing an adventure/nature play feature and increasing recreational opportunities by making the park more accessible. Priority improvements identified included a paved trail loop into the wooded portions of the park to the north and east (Phase II). As the concept continued to develop, staff reviewed and carefully considered the scope of the Project in relation to the current cost estimates. At the time staff recommended splitting the project into a subsequent project Phase II to provide flexibility within the bidding and award of the Project. On April 22, 2021, bids were opened for the first phase of the Project. Favorable bids were received leaving sufficient funds available for Phase II to move forward. Staff has continued the effort to provide the Project identified priority improvements and is nearing completion of the revised Phase II concept plan. The current concept plan has evolved from the Project identified conceptual alignment to better compensate for onsite conditions related to storm water management and more desirable trail slopes. Recommendation Staff recommends the Parks and Natural Resources Commission approve the concept plan for Phase II of the Valley Creek Park Project as presented. Background Valley Creek Park was an undeveloped 70-acre community park in Woodbury and is part of a larger area known as the Fish Lake Greenway Corridor. This property is part of a larger collection of City-owned open space and park parcels that were acquired through a City open space referendum in 1998, Park Dedication from development, a State Metro Greenways Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and a Land and Water Legacy Grant from Washington County. The open space is a mixture of oak woodland, coniferous tree plantation and retired agricultural fields. Significant investment has been made since 2006, regarding the active vegetation management of this area with prairie and oak savannah restoration. A primary goal of the Valley Creek Park Project was to provide public access with no loss in the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of the existing wetlands and provide protection for the headwaters of the Valley Creek trout stream. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum No. 21 – 31 December 7, 2021 Page 2 of 2 Public Process Key Milestone Project Dates August 21-23, 2019 City staff at Woodbury Days gathering public input on project October 15, 2019 Neighborhood meeting November 12, 2019 Parks and Natural Resources Commission (PNRC) provides recommendations to staff on initial concept plan November 19, 2019 Revised Concept Plan presented at second neighborhood meeting May 26-28, 2020 Site tours of park held with PNRC and City Council members June 2, 2020 PNRC provides top priorities and recommendations to City Council June 17, 2020 Council Workshop to review concept plan July 15, 2020 Council approved concept plan and direction to utilize Legacy Grant for Option 1-Maintain Miller Barn as a fixture on the landscape April 2021 Finalize Memorandum of Understanding with Woodbury Heritage Society April 2021 Council Award of Bid for Phase I of Valley Creek Park Project November 2021 Updated concept of Phase II mailed to nearby property owners Timeline and Next Steps Fall 2021 Project completion construction Phase I – Site Improvements Fall 2021 Project completion construction Phase I – Miller Barn Fall 2021 PNRC considers concept approval for Phase II Winter 2022 Council considers Award of Construction for Phase II Spring 2022 Playground installation Summer 2022 Anticipated project completion Respectfully submitted, /s/ Josh Kinney Parks Planner Attachment: Updated Phase II Concept Plan  City of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 21 – 32 December 7, 2021 Eagle Valley Golf Course (EVGC) – Dan Moris The amazing 2021 golf season is in the books. There are very few words to describe how incredible the past 10 months have been. Thanks to all the patrons that frequented Eagle Valley, the course set so many records included total rounds played at 44,679. All outdoor maintenance activities have been completed and now the course just needs some snow cover so folks can start enjoying their winter activities. Staff has made the transition into winter mode and is currently preparing for the upcoming season. We are excited for what 2022 might bring and want to be prepared in the hope it will look something like this past season. HealthEast Sports Center (HSC) – Katie Ryden The month of November seemed to fly by here at HSC as we kicked off the high school hockey season and the youth hockey and teams began their district games. The Woodbury High School boys’ hockey team hosted a tournament Thanksgiving weekend, which is always our “unofficial” kickoff to the winter hockey season. December will be one for the books as HSC will host 2 youth hockey tournaments and will average 3-4 high school hockey games each week until winter break. We have seen an increase in our open program attendance; specifically the Open Stick and Puck and Adult Open Hockey programs. The field house has seen a big uptick in use as the youth soccer associations have started their winter session and league games. We have been getting rentals for other uses as well, such as football, ultimate Frisbee and have had inquiries about using the field house for a cricket league. With the dropping temperatures, the Open Walk program has been popular and the majority of our customers are choosing to purchase an annual walking pass, which is good through August 31, 2022. We have added additional field house open programs, such as Open Baseball/Softball, Open Lacrosse, Open Field and we have also added additional youth and adult Open Soccer times especially during winter break. Staffing levels are beginning to improve at HSC; our new staff are getting more comfortable in their roles and are putting their training to good use. To date, we have hired and trained 25 part-time staff and we have a few more we are still hoping to hire. Our open positions are currently posted and will remain open through December 12 or until filled. Recreation Division – Reed Smidt Adult volleyball leagues have been on pause for the past 18-months due to limited school facility access during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2021, we received approval to use school facilities again to our normal capacity. We were very excited to bring back adult volleyball leagues to the Woodbury community. The leagues were sorely missed and it showed by having 27 teams register this fall. Pickleball nets at Shawnee Park and Pioneer Park are still in place with plenty of use. This is the second year in a row we have been able to keep pickleball courts open into December. Facility and Project Updates - Josh Kinney • Highcroft and Briarcroft Parks – Design development is currently being completed. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 21 – 32 December 7, 2021 Page 2 of 2 • Fair Haven/Summerlin Parks - Construction is substantially complete. Fair Haven court coloring will take place as soon as weather allows in May of 2022. • Park Monument and Wayfinding – Park maps, rules, and wayfinding signage for the Tamarack Nature Preserve, Ojibway Park, and Carver Lake Park are nearing completion. Park monument signs are slightly delayed due to supply chain challenges with metal materials. • Valley Creek Park and Miller Barn – Both project are substantially complete. Playground installation will take place in spring of 2022. Park final completion, including final pavement placement, is anticipated in July 2022. • Valley Creek Park Phase II Trails – Project design is underway with bidding anticipated in January 2022. Trail completion is anticipated in July 2022. • Bridlewood and Arbor Ridge Parks – Theses projects are planned to commence in early 2022. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Michelle Okada Parks and Recreation Director