Parks & Natural Resources Commission

Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Agenda November 1, 2022 | 7 p.m. M Health Fairview Sports Center Upper Level Conference Room 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129 Please note: The November 1, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting is taking place in-person only, at M Health Fairview Sports Center, Upper Level Conference Room and will not be available virtually. Members of the public may attend the meeting, but will be required to comply with social distancing parameters as determined by the City. 6:15 1. M Health Fairview Sports Center Tour (Gather in the west entrance first-floor lobby) * Please note that all agenda times are estimates. 7:00* 1. Call to Order 7:05 2. Open Forum 7:15 3. Approval of the Minutes – October 4, 2022 7:20 4. Turnberry Park Project Concept Plan Update – Memorandum No. 22 - 28 7:30 5. Discussion Items i A. Goose Management Program Update B. Current Projects – Status Update 7:45 6. Monthly Update – Memorandum No. 22 - 29 7:50 7. Council Report – Councilmember Morris 7:55 8. Announcements/Miscellaneous 8:00 9. Adjourn If a Commission member cannot attend this meeting, please contact Belinda Reed at 651-714-3584 by Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. 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. i Items under comments and updates are intended to be informational or of brief updates. More substantial discussion of matters under status updates and miscellaneous should be scheduled for a future agenda.  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 Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 Commission Members Present: Greta Bjerkness, Chair, Bruce Montgomery, Deborah Musser, Rachel Nelson, Wallace Wadd, Brandon Mersch Commission Member(s) Absent: Timothy Brewington, II, Arin Kurttila, Co-Chair, Emerson Siefken Councilmember Absent: Councilmember Steve Morris Staff Present: Michelle Okada, Parks and Recreation Director Joshua Kinney, Parks Planner Belinda Reed, Recording Secretary Reed Smidt, Recreation Manager Staff Virtual: Jodi Sauro, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Call to Order Chair Bjerkness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Open Forum Mr. Rich Ryan, 10436 Lancaster Lane, and Mr. Quinn Foley, 1883 Lochaven Drive, were present. Mr. Foley, requested that the city consider installing outdoor 3-wall handball courts in the park system. A discussion ensued as to handball court dimensions. The court was described as similar to a racquetball court, minus the back wall and played without a racquet. With regard to the number of Woodbury players interested in handball, Mr. Foley noted there are currently 15 or so, not including the approximate 40-50 racquetball players that currently frequent private indoor fitness facilities. Chair Bjerkness thanked Messrs. Ryan and Foley for joining the Commission during the Open Forum segment. Action Items A. September 6, 2022, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Chair Bjerkness asked for the approval of the Minutes of the September 6, 2022, meeting of the Parks and Natural Resources Commission. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes October 4, 2022 Page 2 Motion: Moved by Commissioner Montgomery, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the September 6, 2022, Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes. Vote: In favor All present Against None Absent Commissioners Brewington, Kurttila and Siefken B. Turnberry Park Project – Memorandum No. 22 - 24 Mr. Kinney noted that Turnberry Park, as outlined in the memorandum, has remained in a natural state since 2002. At the time the Turnberry Development was being proposed and within that plat approval, it was clear that once the properties to the north and east were to be developed, improvements to the 10-acre Turnberry Park site would take place. Mr. Kinney noted that with the north and east area now under development, staff embarked on the design process, which included a space and site topography exercise, identifications of all the tree resources and a wetland delineation, in order to identify what could potentially fit in the park space. Subsequent to the design process, Mr. Kinney noted that the overall parkland area became smaller once the tree resources and wetland areas were subtracted out of the total park area. Mr. Kinney noted that public engagement included a meeting with a focus group, consisting of residents of the Legends of Woodbury, and an informational mailing to 170 property owners in the vicinity of the park space, with a separate public open house held. Staff noted that there is a logical trail connection to the park space for the neighborhoods to the south, with access off of Addison Alcove. Of the 170 survey letters mailed to immediate area property owners, staff received 33 survey responses. Of the potential amenities listed in the survey, the top three amenities identified were: connections to Legends of Woodbury, seating, and a pollinator habitat. Others also shared that they would like to see some connections and modest improvements, such as gathering node and connections throughout the site, while providing some resting opportunities to observe nature. Mr. Kinney noted that during the development of the Legends of Woodbury 10 years ago, an oak stand had been planted. In order to avoid disturbing this oak stand, the planned northern trail will be moved further to the north. Mr. Kinney noted that the trails constructed would be bituminous, allowing access to the park for individuals with mobility issues for year-round access. A discussion ensued with regard to the onsite wetland which Mr. Kinney noted experiences intermittent water levels, depending on rainfall, and which water levels are recorded throughout the year. It was noted that the access to the park off of Addison Alcove would be through an area the size of two building lots. If the trail connection from Addison Alcove is not initially added, and a “cow path” of community traffic results in erosion, a paved trail connection could be added at a future date. The Commission inquired as to why there was opposition to the trail connection from Addison Alcove. It was noted that responses voiced during the community engagement, included concerns with traffic and the perception that access could bring crime into the neighborhood; however; staff pointed out that traffic from the alcove may likely be from the local neighborhoods, as there is no parking lot, and the park is more of a neighborhood park; not a destination park. It was also noted Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes October 4, 2022 Page 3 that a mowed trail could provide access from Addison Alcove; however it was noted that if the overall benefit to the community is such, then a connection outweighs the opposition. The city’s Comprehensive Plan, along with the Planning and Parks and Recreation Commission’s Staff Reports were cited. With the two lot opening adjacent to the Addison Alcove cul de sac, and opening to the park, staff noted that it would be odd not to add the trail connection. The Commission noted they liked the concept plan, including the realignment of the trail to avoid the existing tree segments. The consensus was to put a pause on the potential trail segment south to Addison Alcove, which connection could be added at a later date. Staff indicated they would further review previous planning documents and gather more information and bring that back should staff recommend a different approach. Ms. Okada thanked the PNRC for their feedback. Staff will post information on the City’s website park project page with updates, timeline and next steps. C. Discussion Items Ms. Okada polled the Commission as to their preference with regard to being provided a listing all the projects, or if they prefer a brief update with no memorandum. There was consensus that having the park projects listing is helpful and being provided a brief update each meeting is welcomed; however, a memorandum is not necessary. A discussion ensued with regard to the completed Bridlewood Farms Park. Staff noted that the park is very busy following the dinner hour and that user feedback has been that the fence and bushes look great and that the park is aesthetically pleasing. D. Monthly Update – Memorandum No. 22 – 25 Mr. Smidt noted that the annual Big Truck Day event was again a success and that if anyone has a connection with a monster truck or combine for next year’s event, to connect with staff. Mr. Smidt noted that registration for the winter/spring recreation brochure begins Wednesday, Nov. 30. Ms. Okada noted that the change to a smaller print brochure mailed to Woodbury households, with the full brochure available on the city’s website, has not affected registration. Council Report – Councilmember Morris None Announcements/Miscellaneous There was consensus to hold the November 1, PNRC meeting at M Health Fairview Sports Center, in the upper level conference room, to be convened at 7:00 p.m. Prior to the meeting, a tour of the facility will be organized to begin at 6:15 p.m. (It was noted that the meeting will be held in-person; no live/virtual technology will be available at the site.) There was also consensus to hold the December 6, PNRC meeting at the Central Park Facility. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Minutes October 4, 2022 Page 4 Mr. Smidt noted that following a staff member transfer to the Parks Division, the Recreation Division recently welcomed Recreation Program Specialist, Joseph Vaughan to the Recreation team. Mr. Vaughan will be focusing on adaptive recreation. Mr. Smidt also noted that Recreation Program Specialist, Elizabeth Owens, will be working with a senior focus group, to provide feedback and identify what additional programming might fit with the design spaces being considered at Central Park. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________ Belinda Reed Administrative Assistant Approved by the Parks and Natural Resources Commission on November 1, 2022.  City Of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 22 - 28 November 1, 2022 Parks and Natural Resources Commission Members: Subject: Turnberry Park Project Concept Plan Update As staff indicated at the October PNRC meeting, more research was needed to evaluate adding the trail connection from Addison Alcove into Turnberry Park. After additional review, staff confirmed that the development, as it was built, included a west side sidewalk connection along Addison Alcove terminating at the entrance to the park and a gap of two developable lots, presumably to provide access to the park and parking along the open frontage. Also, the trail would provide connectivity to the greater city trail network and direct access to destinations (the park) as outlined in the adopted City of Woodbury Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, August 2022. Subsequently, the additional review staff recommends the trail be implemented at this project stage if the budget will allow it. Engagement Summary Review Public engagement for the project included a resident letter, an online survey, a focus group held with the Legends of Woodbury, and a Community Open House. The online survey included a list of possible amenities for which respondents were asked to indicate their top three choices. The top highest-ranked amenities included prairie restoration/pollinator habitat, connection to Legends of Woodbury, seating, and connection to Addison Alcove. The online survey also allowed for providing additional comments. While the connection to Addison Alcove provides increased access to the park and was ranked as one of the high preferences in the online survey, this option received unfavorable responses within the online survey comments and by approximately five residents attending the project open house. Recommendation Staff recommends the Parks and Natural Resources Commission further consider the Turnberry Park project as presented, including the Addison Alcove trail connection to be included at the time of the bid. Staff will post the park design on the website for resident review and return the design for formal approval at the December 2022, PNRC meeting. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Josh Kinney Parks Planner Attachment: Turnberry Park Concept Design October 4, 2022 Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 22 – 28 November 1, 2022 Page | 2 Turnberry Park Concept Design October 4, 2022  City of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 22 – 29 November 1, 2022 Eagle Valley Golf Course (EVGC) – Dan Moris Eagle Valley has definitely experienced an above average fall golf season. Other than the lack of rain over the past couple of months, the golf course is in excellent shape and rounds have been very strong. The month of October was more volatile from a weather perspective. Don’t let the first image from October 14, fool you, it only lasted a day and the temperatures rebounded nicely. The second image is from two weeks later and shows the clubhouse and surrounding area on a beautiful fall morning. Based on the current trend, rounds played through October will be over 41,000. Depending on the weather pattern for November, Eagle Valley has an outside chance of reaching 42,000 rounds, which would be another fantastic season. The maintenance crew continues to work through the tasks to prepare the course for winter. Native areas have been mowed, some on-course amenities have been removed and the irrigation blow- out is scheduled to take place on November 1. Later in the month snow mold applications will go down and the staff will remove the remaining items from the course. Staff continues to hope for some substantial rain prior to the ground freezing this winter, to give the turf some much needed moisture and fill some of the ponds which are extremely low. Recreation Division – Reed Smidt The 4th annual Halloween Hoopla took place Saturday, Oct. 15, at Ojibway Park. A record- breaking 200 youth participated in Halloween carnival games, pumpkin searching and decorating, a trick-or-treat trail and a Halloween craft. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 22 – 29 November 1, 2022 Page 2 of 3 The Tamarack Nature Preserve now has a geo-coded audio tour available for visitors on site, to learn more about the Tamarack Nature Preserve as they walk through the park. The tour is prompted by your location in the park, and will provide information specific to your location along the tour route. Local Woodbury Boy Scout, Domnic David, created the audio in partnership with Woodbury Parks and Recreation. A sign was installed near the main parking lot and the audio tour is accessible using QR codes to download the phone app and audio tour. Domnic earned his Eagle Scout award by creating the audio tour. The project is very unique and provides valuable information on the Tamarack Nature Preserve. M Health Fairview Sports Center (MHFVSC) – Katie Ryden MHFVSC field house was home to several events this fall, ranging from a craft show to cultural celebrations, to Special Olympics bocce and flag football tournaments. Upcoming field house events in November include the Special Olympics State Bocce Tournament and the Minnesota High School Coaches Association Senior Classic games. The youth associations begin their winter seasons on November 1, and from that point until the end of April 2023, the field house is almost entirely booked with very few open time slots available. Tryouts are now complete for the youth hockey association teams and league games begin November 6. The high school girls’ hockey season began October 31, with the boys’ season starting November 14. Parks and Natural Resources Commission Memorandum 22 – 29 November 1, 2022 Page 3 of 3 The Woodbury Figure Skating Club’s annual skating competition took place October 28 and 29, with multiple upcoming events including WHS and ERHS girls’ hockey games and the annual WHS Boys Thanksgiving invitational hockey tournament. As with the field house, the rinks are also almost entirely booked – most evenings, ice is reserved until 11:00 p.m. or later and very few time slots remain. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Michelle Okada Parks and Recreation Director