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06-05-2023 Park Commission Meeting (Work Session) June 5, 2023 6:00 PM st Locke Park, 840 71 Avenue NE, Fridley MN 55432 Minutes Call to Order Chair Borman called the Parks and Recreation Commission work session to order at 6:00 p.m. Present EB Graham Peter Borman Tim Kirk Suad Maow Ken Schultz Don Whalen Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Approve Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes for April 3, 2023 Motion by Commissioner Graham to approve the May 1, 2023 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Whalen. The motion passed unanimously. Approve Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda for June 5, 2023 Motion by Commissioner Schultz to approve the June 5, 2023 meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Graham. The motion passed unanimously. New Business 1. Locke Park Walking Tour The Commissioners and Staff walked through the developed portion of Locke Park to discuss ideas for improvements and changes to the property once the City of Fridley assumes operation of the park in November of 2023. Ideas for Park Features and Amenities:  Exercise stations  9-hole disc golf course  Possible community gardens  Sand volleyball Park Commission 5/1/2023 Minutes Page 2  Expansion of dog park to include designated small dog area  Singletrack mountain bike trail system  Horseshoe pits Trails  Groom or plow trails in winter  Create a loop on the south side of the creek Natural Resource Management:  Clear and maintain water trail on Rice Creek  Clear and maintain invasive buckthorn Signage and Wayfinding:  Include “Civic Campus Playground” in Locke Park and install park sign  Install directional signage along trails  Consider interpretive signs along trails for nature education, invasive species, etc.  Improve signage on University Ave and University Ave frontage road Community Events, Education and Recreation:  Concerts in the Park  Movies in the Park  Bounce house event  Winterfest  General encouragement for community events throughout year to increase awareness of park Maintenance and Operations:  Remove dumpster by dog park entrance  Install irrigation around shelter 1 to improve and maintain turf grass  Bathroom patrol  Foot or bike patrol  Spray for mosquitoes Other Ideas and Notes:  Promote park in City Newsletter  Consider bike fleet programs in Locke Park and Rice Creek Trail  Develop community survey  Install benches along trail by creek  Maintain geocaches in park 2. Parks and Recreation Commission 2023 Goals and Workplan Review Parks and Recreation Director Mike Maher reviewed the 2023 Commission work plan with the Commission. Commissioners were invited to attend and participate in a series of four community engagement events to be held at parks to be improved in 2024. Events will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 pm. and event dates will be July 12 at Logan Park, July 27 at Plymouth Square Park, August th 10 at Edgewater Gardens Park and August 24 at Sylvan Hills Park. Two items were suggested for addition to the work plan including development of a disposition policy for park buildings and furnishings and to review/refine the development concept plan for Commons Park. Old Business Staff Reports 2. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Maher presented the Springbrook Nature Center report. 3. Fridley Parks and Recreation Division Report Mr. Maher provided details on program enrollments, recent events, and staffing for the Recreation Division. 4. Park Maintenance and Construction Report Mr. Maher presented the park maintenance and construction report. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Chair Borman at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mike Maher Parks and Recreation Director, City of Fridley