1l. Rec Center Lions Playground & Patio: Authorize Preparation of Plans & Specs.I MEMORANDUM
CITY OF /,60
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 AM 6yi City Administrator
6idors D 4c) 4
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
' FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
I DATE: September 4, 1996
lodifie
Date Submitted to Commissiog
Date Submitted to Council
9 -9- 96
SUBJ: Authorize Preparation of Plans and Specifications, Chanhassen Recreation Center, Lions
' Playground and Patio
In 1994, the Chanhassen Lions Club escrowed $11,000 with the Park & Recreation Department. They
' did so with the anticipation of investing this money in a future project at the new Chanhassen Recreation
Center. In 1995, the city, in concert with the Lions Club membership, selected a "Lions" playground as
their community project at this site. In September of 1995, Mayor Chmiel wrote the Chanhassen Lions to
' seek a second contribution for this project. Again, this solicitation was well received and resulted in a
second contribution of $15,000 towards this project. We now have in escrow $26,000 in Chanhassen
Lions Club contributions to fund playground equipment at the Recreation Center.
Due to the generosity of the Chanhassen Lions Club and the leadership of Mayor Chmiel and the city
council, we are now poised to commence final planning for a Chanhassen Lions Club community
playground at the Chanhassen Recreation Center.
The Chanhassen Park & Recreation Commission has selected the "front lawn" of the Recreation Center
as the recommended future home of the Lions community playground. The commission studied two sites
prior to selecting this location. Constructing the playground at this location will require relocation of the
open skating rink which was maintained here during the 1995/96 season. Open skating would be moved
to the aggregate infield of ballfield #3. The use of this aggregate area for ice surfacing will minimize the
amount of turf which needs repairing and reseeding each spring.
In anticipation of the construction of a community playground at the Recreation Center, a variety of
improvements will be required. Preparation of the site would include the following elements:
• Site grading;
• Installation of concrete walk;
• Installation of concrete patio;
• Installation of modular block playground border;
• Sodding and minor landscaping;
• Planting bed materials;
• Benches;
• Picnic tables.
Mr. Don Ashworth
September 4, 1996
Page 2
The cost of these improvements is estimated at $20,000 425,000. In consultation with City Manager
Ashworth, it is his recommendation that these improvements be financed with a portion of the city's
contingency previously authorized for the overall school /city project.
The theme driving this plan is the construction of an inviting front lawn, patio area, and children's
playground. An open lawn bordered with perennials would greet patrons. Sidewalks would then lead
guests to a patio with shaded picnic tables and benches overlooking the Lions playground.
Original hopes would have seen this project kicked off earlier in 1996. However, Bor -Son, Inc., the
general contractor of the school and recreation center, has maintained control of this site over the entire
summer of 1996. Bor -Son is attempting to complete their punch listed items prior to vacating the site.
Initiating the playground project simultaneous to this work would have resulted in some confusion on
site.
RECOMMENDATION
In anticipation of the future construction of a Chanhassen Lions playground at the Recreation Center, it is
recommended that the city council take the following action:
1. Approve the project.
2. Authorize the preparation of plans and specifications for improvements which will ready the site for
installation. of the playground. Said improvements not to exceed $25,000 in cost.
3. Appoint the Park & Recreation Director to work with the Chanhassen Lions Club in selecting a
design for the "Chanhassen Lions Community Playground" (an additional $26,000 investment).
Construction activity could commence in the spring of 1997.
ATTACI IMENTS
1. Sketch Plan
2. Letter to the Chanhassen Lions dated September 29, 1995
3. Letter to the Chanhassen Lions dated July 18, 1995.
c: Earl Erickson, President, Chanhassen Lions Club
Park & Recreation Commission
Patty Dexter, Recreation Supervisor
Dale Gregory, Park Supervisor
Recreation Center Supervisors
G: \park \th \lionsplayrecctr.e
■ e 7 l , 'S�' '
. 1 •
i T44 V.F �T �r 3$•G i
5W 9,.a BW 1 ?.D i lt1
Play Area _ Fx 1 i N6
i
IL �' Mod. 61ock
F--t wan --�
l io ' C4
fF9 osco
0
Picnic Pavilion �1 1 1
' Relocated Grabs CHANHASSEN RECREATION
1 ; CENTE& LIONS PLAYGROUND
Coin unity Center
1
`
NORTH
.
10 A. W. 5pir
Existing Parking
_
'
TW9;.9 Tw 9;
Bw 47. y r 5w
97 8
1 - 0 f OF W A u, O N3 50 bo
+
99.9 aa.e +
t E ft,vs r1
W/ f
'
3
Patio (s tact{
' Relocated Grabs CHANHASSEN RECREATION
1 ; CENTE& LIONS PLAYGROUND
Coin unity Center
1
September 29, 1995
CITY OF
zGi �
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
Mr. Roman Roos, President
Chanhassen Lions Club
1727 Green Crest Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
Dear Mr. s:
� p AV
�e f J///
0
0,0
eloN /
Todd Hoffman, Director of Parks & Recreation and I recently discussed your 1994 contribution
to the Chanhassen Park & Recreation Department. My understanding is that at the time of your
commitment of S 17,000, the Chanhassen Athletic Association was to receive 56,000 and the
remaining $11,000 was to be invested at the Chanhassen Recreation Center.
As you know, the Athletic Association used your donation to help finance a new 3 bay permanent
batting cage at Lake Ann Park. With encouragement from Lions member Bob Siegal. the ci
would like to commit to the construction of a Chanhassen Lions playground at the city new
ecreation Center. This project wo require a mu t1 -year investment and will need additional
o ars to be initiated in the spring of 1996. To assist in the programming of this project, please
let me know if the Lions would contemplate pledging additional dollars to this project. A
complete playground, including surfacing, border material and installation, costs $30,000 to
550,000.
Upon hearing from you, I will instruct the Park & Recreation Department to solicit design work
on this project The Chanhassen Lions exemplify what a service organization is all about. Please
accept my sincere recognition of your investments in our community.
Sincerely,
P
i
Donal J. Chn;iiel
Mayor
c: Park & Recreation Department
Don Ashworth, City Manager
Chanhassen Villager
Scott Molencamp, President, CAA, 8137 Dakota Lane, Chanhassen, MN 55317
fl
7
r
r
J
Chanhassen Lions Club
c/o Gary Boyle
7214 Frontier Trail
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dear Members:
CITY
CHAKHASSEK�4 ij4
: OULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
On behalf of the City of Chanhassen, I would like to extend our deep appreciation to the
Lions organization in recognition of your recent donation of $17,000 to the Chanhassen Park
and Recreation Department. This money will be placed in an escrow account for future use
in completing park and recreation projects. It is understood that of the $17,000, $11,000 will
be used to assist in the "outfitting" of the new Chanhassen Recreation Cent t o he 'InentP
adjacent to a new Chanhassen Elementary School, with the remaining $6,000 to be used on
a project selected by the Chanhassen Athletic Association. The Chanhassen City Council and
Park and Recreation Commission are very grateful to have been considered as recipients of
this money. We are well aware that there are many other worthy causes which the Lions
organization could have considered for this gift. Please be assured that the entire $17,000
will be invested in recreation equipment which will benefit all of Chanhassen, especially our
youth. I would have preferred to have been present the evening the City Council accepted
your contribution; however, I was out of town on Monday, July 11. Please accept my sincere
apology in this regard.
We look forward to the Chanhassen Lions continued involvement in the community and are
excited about your upcoming contributions to the SeptemberFest celebration. Again, thank
you very much for your generosity.
' Sincerely,
' Todd Hoffman
Park and Recreation Director
' pc: Mayor and City Council
Park and Recreation Commission
Jack Jensen, CAA President
July 18, 1994