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PRM 08/04/2014 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – AUGUST 4, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Solberg called the August 4, 2014 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Fridley Municipal Center. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Tim Solberg, Michele Barrett, Dave Kondrick, Mike Heintz, and Greg Ackerman Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Mike Maher, Director of Springbrook Nature Center Malcolm Mitchell, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Chairperson Annette Mitchell, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Ed Meyer, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Scott Lund, Mayor – City of Fridley Pushkar Vaidya, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Dolores Varichak, Councilmember Ward 2 Chris Lee, Split Rock Studios Maggie Schmidt, Split Rock Studios Anna Kling, Split Rock Studios Colin Cook, Split Rock Studios APPROVAL OF JUNE 2, 2014 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2014 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR AUGUST 4, 2014 MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the agenda for the August 4, 2014 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update is a summary of the various activities and programs operated by the Parks and Recreation Department during the past couple of months. The summer programs have been going well and we are nearing the end for many of the activities. The summer ROCKS program has been averaging about 42 participants each week, about the same numbers as last summer. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 4, 2014 Page 2 Mr. Kirk stated that the annual Safety Camp was held at Commons Park in June for students that have just completed grades 2 and 3. About 150 participants learned about good safety practices during this two day event. Mr. Kirk stated that the Recreation Division conducted the annual Wet and Wild Water th Party on July 9 and had 220 participants. There were many water related activities for the children and the event was a big success. th Mr. Kirk further stated that Moore Lake beach opened for the season on June 14 and will be open for swimming daily through mid- August. Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation Department is very involved in the Fridley 49er Days each year and conducts activities for the senior citizens and for children. A new activity this year was the Fridley Music and Art Festival. A concert on Friday was well attended, but Mother Nature disrupted the Saturday activities at the Medtronic campus with an abrupt storm. The activities were moved indoors to Fridley High School Auditorium. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that this report has been submitted by Operations Manager for Streets and Parks Jeff Jensen and it indicates the work of the Park Maintenance division over the past two months. The Parks Department has been working on all the athletic fields, landscaping projects, mowing the many park areas, and chipping trails at the Springbrook Nature Center. They have been very busy taking care of many maintenance projects in the park. A complete copy of the written report is included in the agenda packet. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Report has been submitted by Nature Center Director Mike Maher to keep the Commission members informed of nature center happenings this summer. Mr. Kirk further stated that work continues related to the SPRING project as staff has worked on updating the business plan and the project budget. Nature Center Director Maher, SNC Foundation Chair Malcolm Mitchell and Mr. Kirk have been conducting site visits to other nature center facilities to gather information on building designs and features. The SNC Foundation is working with Fox Advancement Company to conduct a feasibility study for fundraising the additional $2.6M needed to fully complete the SPRING project. Mr. Kirk stated that as part of the $190,000 Legacy Grant to improve the habitat area of the nature center, Minnesota Native Landscapes returned this summer to apply an herbicide to kill off buckthorn at the roots. Additional controlled burns will be conducted this fall and next spring as additional work to control the buckthorn. A plan for future management is being developed by Great River Greening as part of this project. Mr. Kirk stated that Tree Trust, a local non-profit job training organization has had a work crew at Springbrook this summer replacing a bridge over the beaver pond area. Work on the bridge should be completed at the end of this month. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 4, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Kirk further stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation held their annual th Saturday in the Park event on July 26 with an estimated 100 people participating. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Presentation of Schematic Design of Springbrook Nature Center Exhibits by Split Rock Studios Mr. Kirk stated that in preparation for the remodeling and expansion of the Springbrook Nature Center Interpretive building, the City entered into an agreement with Split Rock Studios to provide a schematic design for new exhibits in the facility. We have a team from Split Rock Studios at the meeting and they will tell you about their company, their work and some ideas for the exhibits at our nature center. Ms. Anna Kling stated she wanted to tell the Commission a little about Split Rock Studios. They design and build exhibits that you find in museums and nature centers. They have done exhibits all over the country including Ford’s Theater in Washington and Denali National Park in Alaska. They tell stories and create experiences through their exhibits. In 2013, Split Rock Studios won five national awards for their exhibit work. Ms. Maggie Schmidt stated that one of her roles as an exhibit developer is to advocate for different learning styles. Everybody learns in a different way, so we want to accommodate the different learning styles as people go through the nature center exhibits. They like to try and engage the five senses in the exhibit learning. Mr. Chris Lee stated that the first step they take in the schematic design process is listening. That is what they did with the Springbrook project. They then create a rough framework for the exhibits and a script of what people will learn and where they will learn in the exhibit area. They use a multi-sensory approach in an attempt to reach people who learn in multiple ways. He then starts to create drawings which are the first renderings of what the new exhibits might look like. Mr. Lee stated that once they have some of that initial information in place, an overarching schedule can be put together. With that information, they can then start to get a rough idea of budget for the project. They work with the client, in this case the City of Fridley, to determine the amount of money expected to be available. They look at how the resources should be divided among the various topic areas for the exhibits. Mr. Lee stated that they also look at how the exhibit area relates to other rooms and amenities in the facility, and how traffic flow might happen. They answer what will these exhibits will be about and how the various pieces belong next to each other. This is done so that as people flow through the exhibit area, it will create the best experience possible for them. Mr. Lee stated that as far as the actual exhibits being planned for Springbrook Nature Center, there is an entrance sculpture that they are proposing. From there, people will move into the lobby space where they introduced to the overall nature center opportunities and the exhibit themes they will encounter in the interpretive center. Mapping and pictures will orientate people to what they can do in the building and also in the greater outdoor park area. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 4, 2014 Page 4 Mr. Lee stated that the themes they propose for the exhibits are (1) Nature is Diverse, (2) Nature is changing, and (3) Nature is in your hands. Ms. Schmidt stated that one of the specific exhibits they wanted to point out to the Commission and guests was the large soil cube. The native prairie is a very important story for visitors to understand, so they are proposing to magnify a square inch or square foot of the native prairie soil to show what it is like. Children would able to crawl through the soil cube and see the earthworms and other animals that live in there. Mr. Lee stated that one thing that interactive and engaging exhibits can do is change people’s perspectives. Ms. Schmidt stated that including animals and habitat from the diverse habitat areas that are part of the Springbrook Park could be displayed in some dramatic vertical habitat casework. Existing taxidermy and new creations would help visitors see and learn interesting facts about the species and habitats displayed. Mr. Lee stated another exhibit idea for promoting open ended curiosity among the nature center visitors would be the wildlife viewing log. It extends from inside the exhibit area out into the nature viewing area outside the exhibit area windows. Children will be able to crawl inside the log and view nature on the outside through the window. The log’s structure will be durable and have features found in nature for the visitors to explore and learn about. Mr. Lee stated that the next step in the process after this schematic representation would be design development. That is where they take the ideas of the schematics and provide more detailed design work so you can get a more complete idea of how the exhibits will look and function. Ms. Kling thanked the City of Fridley, Springbrook Nature Center and the Exhibit Design Committee for the opportunity to work them on this project. They are excited about the SPRING project moving forward and would like to continue working with us to create these new exhibits for the interpretive center. Mr. Kirk asked the Split Rock representatives if they could elaborate on some more of the exhibits that they specifically have planned for Springbrook. Mr. Lee stated that they have talked about the diversity of nature that is present and how much is going on in the park. They looked for a way to illustrate that graphically and found a metaphor in mosaics. They have tried to carry some of this mosaic theme throughout the exhibit areas in the interpretive center. The floor tile mosaic represents a brook flowing to and into the entrance area. Mr. Lee stated they are proposing a large map of the nature center grounds to help orientate people to the park. Nature photography from the park would be displayed adjacent to the map to give the visitor an indication of the variety of habitat and animal life that make this area home. Mr. Lee passed around the schematic design II package booklet that was presented to the exhibit design committee in their meeting at Split Rock Studios. He stated that booklet contains more of the proposed exhibits for Springbrook. Mr. Solberg asked if any of the exhibits would be using technology to provide sounds of nature. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 4, 2014 Page 5 Ms. Schmidt stated that she would like to see that incorporated into the learning that takes place from these exhibits. They would like to integrate any features that would optimize the learning that can take place. Mr. Solberg asked if the design consultants relied on the input of the naturalists for the nature center exhibit designs or do any of the consultants have a nature interpretation background. Mr. Lee stated that they have and do both. They take input from the naturalists, but he had previous training and a career in wildlife management before going into the exhibit design work. Ms. Schmidt stated that she has a background in museum studies, which is extremely valuable in developing exhibits because you are aware of how to address multiple learning styles. Ms. Kling stated that those backgrounds help to bring information into an exhibit in a real way and addresses everything that the naturalists want to talk about. Mayor Lund asked how they would recommend interchanging some of the exhibits over time to keep the exhibits fresh and interesting. He would like to see some exhibits that can be switched out with the seasons or can show environmental changes over time. Mr. Lee stated that have been thinking that way from the outset and would like to see some flexibility in the exhibits, especially with some of the photography and images that would be involved. Changing graphics with the seasons is a great way to address this issue. Mr. Ackerman stated that he wanted to say that a large benefit of dealing with a design firm like Split Rock Studios is that they are local and have a great national reputation. Having the design firm nearby is huge when dealing with a custom project like this. Councilmember Varichak asked if they are proposing different languages with the signage and exhibits to reach the diversity that makes up our community. Ms. Schmidt stated that is something that came up during our initial meeting on the Springbrook project and different languages on the exhibits can be accomplished. It may require shortening some of the text, but it can be an effective way to reach more people. Mr. Solberg stated the exhibits being proposed show some terrific detailed work, but most are going to be static. Are there any plans to have more interactive exhibits that may use technology such as an I-pad? Ms. Schmidt stated that one of the ideas that they pitched to the exhibit design committee was to have a photo phenology monitor. That would invite the public to go out into the preserve and take nature pictures. The pictures would then be submitted to staff and those pictures would then be part of a display in the interpretive building. Mr. Solberg stated that we all realize the impact that the tornado had on the Springbrook environment. He asked if the exhibits would provide information on the before and after landscape. Mr. Lee stated that they know the tornado exhibit exists now in the interpretive center and that tornado story is something they would anticipate including in the new exhibit area. They have worked on how to present that in the facility. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 4, 2014 Page 6 Mr. Maher stated that staff has a copy of the schematic design II package in digital format, so if any of the Commission members or others attending tonight’s meeting would like to review it, just let him know and he would e-mail it to them. Mr. Kirk stated that the exhibit schematic design was a good process and he is pleased with the product provided by Split Rock Studios. The exhibit design committee was made up of City staff, including the nature center Director and naturalists, representatives of the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation, and representatives of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The plan is to use the schematic design of the new exhibits to help guide the detailed design of the work to be completed on the renovated and enlarged interpretive building. We want the new building to have some very special exhibits. Mr. Kirk further stated that this presentation tonight by Split Rock Studios was to give the Commission members and others in attendance an idea of the exhibit design being planned for the new Springbrook facility. The Commission members thanked the representatives from Split Rock Studios for their presentation this evening. b.Adult Winter Athletic League Fees 2014 - 2015 . Mr. Kirk stated that each season, the staff brings recommended athletic league fees to the Parks and Recreation Commission for approval. At tonight’s meeting, we have the staff recommended fees for the winter adult athletic leagues. We try to keep the fees competitive with what other communities charge for similar league programs. The fees will cover all of our direct costs associated with these athletic leagues. The staff recommended fees for the 2014 – 2015 winter adult athletic fees are as follows: Wednesday Mens D Basketball ........... $499 Thursday Fun Basketball ..................... $499 Co-Rec Volleyball ................................ $155 Co-Rec Broomball ............................... $265 Mens Broomball…………………………$265 Boot Hockey ........................................ $305 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the staff recommended 2014-2015 Adult Winter Athletic League Fees. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c.Skating Locations 2014 - 15 . Mr. Kirk stated that staff is recommending the same skating and hockey rink locations for this upcoming skating season, with one exception. The Principal at Stevenson Elementary School has suggested that we consider removing the hockey rink at the school site and only install a general skating rink. The hockey rink has not gotten much use the past several years and takes up valuable space on the limited school site. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 4, 2014 Page 7 Mr. Kirk further stated that the staff recommended plan would include hockey and general rinks at Flanery Park, Hayes Elementary, and Madsen Park. There would be two hockey rinks and the skating oval at Commons Park. Commons would also be the only warming house location. There would be general skating rinks only at Briardale, Hackmann, Logan, Ruth Circle, Summit Square, Stevenson Elementary School and Sylvan Hills Parks. Mr. Kirk stated that the rinks generally open mid to late December and run for about a thth two month season. The rinks normally close around the 15 to 17 of February. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Barrett to support staff recommended skating locations for the 2014 – 2015 season. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT 4. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to adjourn the August 4, 2014 meeting at 8:55 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 4, 2014 MEETING ADJOURNED.