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5. Roundhouse Park Master Park Plan.IMEMORANDUM iTO: ' FROM: DATE: SUBJ: I CITY OF S_ CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 Don Ashworth, City Manager Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director September 5, 1996 AWN Fy C" 7f *Myft EndorsedL"Ll � Nodiffed Rejecter Date Date Submitted to Commissiotl Date Submitted to Council y-y-f6 Approval of Park Master Plan, Roundhouse Park, Proposed Roundhouse (Northwest Intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road) On August 27, 1996, the Park & Recreation Commission received the recommendations of the Minnewashta Parkway/Kings Road Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group. Specific information regarding this presentation is detailed in the attached report addressed to the Park & Recreation Commission and dated August 21, 1996. ' Many residents residing in the Minnewashta west neighborhood presented their viewpoints to the commission on the evening of August 27. The majority of testimony that evening focused on the proposed beach area. The vast majority of those who referenced the beach spoke in favor of this amenity. Six letters which were received that evening are attached. One additional letter received after the meeting from Mr. Jim Hofer, 7098 Red Cedar Cove, is also attached. ' Following public input and commission deliberation that evening, the commission made the following motion: ' Berg moved, Scott seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend to City Council the following components be included in a proposed master park plan: lakeshore beach, playground phases 1 and 2, landscaping, picnic area, an area where two non -illuminated tennis courts and basketball hoops may be placed, open skating area, one illuminated hockey and inline skating rink, a sand volleyball area, fishing pier, an open play field, bike rack, water fountain, parking and trail network. All ' voted in favor and the motion carried. A sketch of the proposed park master plan is attached. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the city council affirm the action taken by the Park & Recreation Commission on August 27, 1996 regarding the proposed Roundhouse Park located at the northwest intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. Furthermore it is recommended that the city council authorize final authoring of the park's master plan and commencement of a public improvement project to construct the entry road, parking lot, and hard surfaced trails. These improvements to be funded by the balance remaining in the $70,000 1996 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) account established for this park (approximately $62,000 remains on account). ATTACHMENTS 1. Proposed Roundhouse Park Master Plan. 2. Report to the Park & Recreation Commission dated August 21, 1996, including all attachments. 3. Park & Recreation Commission minutes dated August 27, 1996. 4. Letter from Peter and Delores Jacobson, 4040 Lake Ridge Road. 5. Letter from the Lemkes, 7591 Minnewashta Parkway. 6. Letter from Michael & Cindy Wenner, 3801 Red Cedar Point. 7. Letter from Jim and Deb Hofer, 7098 Red Cedar Point. 8. Letter from Bill and Theresa Thompson, 7396 Ridge Hill Road. 9. Letter from Arlene Hurden, 3750 Red Cedar Point Drive. 10. Letter from Jim Hofer, 7098 Red Cedar Cove. c: Park & Recreation Commission Neighborhood Focus Group Dale Gregory, Park Superintendent Kate Aanenson, Planning Director Bruce Chamberlain, HGKI Charles Folch, City Engineer I g.\parkUh\roundhsmstrplan.e I OOA= FBCE AREA OPEN PLAY FELD P 2 PAD FOR FUTURE TENNIS Kings Road Cross -Section a Minnewashta Parkway Round House Park City of Chanhassen, Minnesota it PICNIC A BEACH Lake OPEN SKATM 'ALLS M i n n e w a s h t a FOJND HOUSE H OCKEY 0 FSFW4G PER 9A � FOCE ENTRY PLAZA 7-1-77 0 40 80 180 floisington Ko,,glir Group Inc. SHEET log Layout Plan ff CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 MEMORANDUM TO: Park & Recreation Commission ' FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director ' DATE: August 21, 1996 ' SUBJ: Receive Recommendations of Neighborhood Focus Group; Minnewashta Parkway/ Kings Road Parkland , In December of 1995, the City of Chanhassen closed a real estate transaction acquiring land for a park at the northwest intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. This transaction marked the close of over two years of effort by the Park & Recreation Commission and City Council. On February 13, 1996, the Park & Recreation Commission hosted a neighborhood meeting to initiate the process of developing this property. Funding for initial improvements is to be derived from a $70,000 allocation which had been earmarked in the 1996 Park Acquisition and Development Capital Improvement Program. Following the neighborhood meeting, a "focus group" comprised of residents of the Minnewashta Parkway area was established. The focus group held their initial meeting on April 9, 1996. Subsequent meetings were held on July 2 and August 5, 1996. Major areas of ' accountability for the focus group included; extent of park development, elements of park development, parking, and pedestrian movement. Of particular concern was the extent of lake front development. The issue of whether or not a beach front with a sand blanket should be maintained remains unsolved. The group also set a goal of naming the park and determining the fate of the round house. Naming the Park: A part of the focus group's work was the design, distribution and analysis of , a neighborhood -survey. One question asked for suggestions for a name for the park. The resulting suggestions are listed on Attachment # 9. The word "round house" was included in 12 suggestions. The word king(s) or kingdom was included in 23 suggestions. When it came down to the final vote, "round house" won by a vast majority. Recommendation: It is recommended that the park be named "Round House Park." I 7 I Park & Recreation Commission August 21, 1996 Page 2 Parking & Pedestrian Movement: The intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road and the pedestrian crosswalk which exists there were topics of considerable discussion. The group considered the safety of park users, residents, and others using this intersection to be paramount. At the direction of the group, Jim Benshoof of Benshoof & Associates was retained to study the dynamics of this intersection. Mr. Benshoof s firm specializes in transportation engineering and planning. The consultant's final report is attached and is organized in three sections: 1) Analysis of Traffic Control; 2) Analysis of Pedestrian Movements Across Minnewashta Parkway; and 3) Conclusions. They conclude that: • The existing traffic control at the Kings Road/Minnewashta Parkway intersection, which consists of a stop sign on Kings Road, is appropriate and will continue to be the proper form of traffic control to serve the anticipated residential and park development. Volumes do not come close to justifying all way stop sign control. • A primary recommendation is to have a single pedestrian crosswalk. Retaining the existing crosswalk at Kings Road and enhancing it with new lighting is an effective plan. • Landscaping and park usage should be designed to encourage pedestrians to cross Minnewashta Parkway at the crosswalk located at the Kings Road intersection. These findings were accepted by the focus group. Parking is not permitted on Minnewashta Parkway. Overflow parking can be accommodated on the newly constructed Kings Road. Some members of the focus group do not desire to see this parking allowed. Recommendation: It is recommended that the conclusions of Benshoof and Associates be affirmed and that on -street parking be maintained on Kings Road. (The new road was designed to accommodate on -street parking). If in the future on -street parking presents problems, this issue can be revisited. "Extent of and "Elements of" Development: The focus group utilized park concept plans prepared by Bruce Chamberlain, Park Planner of Hoisington Koegler Group, to facilitate discussion in these two areas. On July 8, 1996, a neighborhood survey was distributed to 456 households in the Minnewashta neighborhood. Ms. Nancy Wenzel, focus group member, authored the survey and tabulated the results of the 146 that were returned. The initial mailing inadvertently omitted 46 households. A second mailing was performed to reach these members of the neighborhood. A rank was then given to each "element" on the concept plan. The ranking was based upon a point system with a 1 being a first priority and a 5 being assigned when the respondent thought the park does not need an element. The results of the survey led to the highest ranking being assigned to play area phase 2 (2.35 average) and the Park & Recreation Commission August 21, 1996 Page 3 lowest being assigned to volleyball court (3.71 average). These averages closely correspond with a ranking of "very important" for the play area and "low priority" for the volleyball court. The complete results are tabulated on Attachment #9. On August 5, ten members of the neighborhood representing both individuals who had participated in all or a portion of previous meetings and those who had not met to formulate a recommended park plan. Those present included: Nancy Wenzel, 6900 Minnewashta Parkway David Headla, 6870 Minnewashta Parkway Jill Lidstone, 3991 Country Oaks Road Greg Datillo, 7201 Juniper Avenue Susan Morgan, 4031 Kings Road ' Janet Carlson, 4141 Kings road Michelle Clark, 3841 Red Cedar Point Drive Tom Paradise, 3755 Red Cedar Point Drive Pam Prinsen, 4040 Glendale Drive Jim Hofer, 7098 Red Cedar Cove present were Bruce Chamberlain of Hoisin ton Koe ler Group ' Also pres g g p and me. Recommendation: This neighborhood group recommends that the following components be included on a proposed "master" park plan: playground phases 1 & 2, landscaping, picnic area, two non -illuminated tennis courts, basketball hoops at the edge of the tennis courts (the courts would serve a dual purpose under this plan, tennis play preempts basketball play), open skating area, one illuminated hockey/inline skating rink, fishing pier, an open play field, bike rack, water fountain, parking and trail network. I Items excluded from the master plan include a ballfield with aggregate infield and backstop, an "official' soccer field, and sand volleyball. One item, the lake front beach, was tabled for further study. Upon receiving confirmation and/or amendment of the recommendations brought forth in this , memorandum, this issue will be scheduled for city council action on September 9, 1996. c: Neighborhood Focus Group Members Mayor -and City Council Don Ashworth, City Manager Kate Aanenson, Planning Director Charles Folch, City Engineer Scott Harr, Public Safety Director , I Park & Recreation Commission August 21, 1996 Page 4 �I Attachments: 1. Park Concept Plan dated October 16, 1995. 2. Park Concept Plan dated May 6, 1996. 3. Tentative Park Project Schedule. 4. Resident Information Letter dated August 19, 1996. 5. Letter from Susan Morgan, 4031 Kings Road. 6. Agenda, august 5, 1996, Focus Group Meeting. 7. Draft Minutes of August 5, 1996, Focus Group Meeting. 8. Memo to Focus Group dated August 1, 1996. 9. Tabulation of Neighborhood Questionnaires dated July 31, 1996. 10. Report from Benshoof & Associates dated July 29, 1996. 11. Memo to Focus Group dated July 25, 1996. 12. Letter to Nancy Wenzel dated July 17, 1996. 13. Letter from Sue Morgan dated July 16, 1996. 14. Neighborhood Mailing dated July 8, 1996. 15. Meeting Notice/Agenda dated July 2, 1996. 16. Memo to Focus Group dated May 21, 1996. 17. Memo from Bruce Chamberlain, Park Planning Consultant, dated May 2, 1996. 18. Agenda, April 9, 1996, Focus Group Meeting. 19. Issues/Questions generated at Park & Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting of February 13, 1996 and Responses. 20. Copy of letter distributed to those who signed up at the February 13, 1996 Neighborhood Meeting to be on the Focus Group. 21. Agenda, February 13, 1996, Park & Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting, West Lake Minnewashta Parkland. GApark\th\focusrec..doe Minnewashta/Kings Road Park Concept Plan May 6.1996 `frail Soccer ay� Open Field 1 I'l+ p f is 'c Area 1 grounds Trail Trail Ballfield Vr1lcy- e I I , Open Skating� ball '� . as bal • i Hockey 1 IT Parking i Kings Road Fishing Pier Beach 1 NORM 77-.�� Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. ©® 0 50 100 200 U `� Trail ` Soccer Play- Open Field I i Picnic �` ground i 1 Area Trai I : Tennis V Ilc - �� I Balifield i y I Qa �� ball I ia-- — -+ Minnewaohta/Kings Road Park Concept Plan October 16, 1995 1 as e I iHockey i Open . .................�I I Skating Parkin � Beach Fishing Pier Kings Road NO[fH 7L-7�7' [MIN 0 e0 100 200 Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. ©® • Minnewashta Parkway/Kings Road Tentative Park Project Schedule August 5,1996 Finalize Park Concept Plan. August 27,1996 Present Park Concept Plan and Project Specifications to Park & Recreation Commission September 9,1996 Present Park Concept Plan to City Council. Authorize Plans and Specifications for contractual Work. September 20, 1996 Complete seeding. (week of) October 1, 1996 Award Contract for Parking Lots and Trails. November 29, 1996 Close of Construction Season. G:Npark\th\tnwstakingsschedule j I CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 August 20, 1996 Dear Resident: On Tuesday, August 27, the Minnewashta Parkway/Kings Road Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group will be presenting their findings to the Chanhassen Park & Recreation Commission. A copy of the agenda for the evening is enclosed. The basic components of the group's recommendation are: 1. The park shall be named "Roundhouse" Park. The round house will be renovated, most likely serving as a skating warming house and summer park shelter. 2. Based on the prepared "concept" plans, the following components shall be included on a proposed "master" park plan: playground phases 1 & 2, landscaping, picnic area, two non - illuminated tennis courts, basketball hoops at the edge of the tennis courts (the courts would serve a dual purpose under this plan, tennis play pre-empts basketball play), open skating area, one illuminated hockey/inline skating rink, fishing pier, an open play field, bike rack, water fountain, parking, and trail network. Items excluded from the master plan include a ballfield with aggregate infield and backstop, an "official" soccer field, and sand volleyball. One item, the lake front beach, was tabled for further study. Additionally, it was the finding of Benshoof and Associates, Inc., Transportation Engineers and Planners, that the pedestrian crosswalk currently existing at the Kings Road intersection should be maintained (in lieu of moving it to the north). They also report that this crosswalk will facilitate pedestrian movement between the two areas of the park which are bisected by Minnewashta Parkway. Furthermore, it is their finding through actual traffic counts and study - that a three way stop at the intersection of Kings Road and Minnewashta Parkway is not merited. These findings were reviewed and accepted by the Neighborhood Focus Group. Upon review of this information by the Park & Recreation Commission, it is the hope of the focus group that the commission will order the publishing of a "master" park plan. In turn, this master plan would be presented to the city council on September 9, 1996. August 20, 1996 Page 2 If this schedule is met, it is the intention of the Park & Recreation Department to finish grade and seed the park this fall. Additionally, assuming this schedule is met, it is our hope that the city council will award a contract for initial improvements (parking lots and trails) by October 1, 1996. If the bidding climate for this fall work is found to be unfavorable, this work will be postponed until 1997. The full report on this item which will be presented to the Park & Recreation Commission will be available on Thursday, August 22, 1996. If you are interested in receiving a copy prior to the commission meeting on the 271h, please contact Karen Engelhardt at 937-1900 ext. 104. If you have questions regarding the development of this park, or if you would like to volunteer as a "Round House" renovator, please contact me at 937-1900 ext. 121. Sincerely, Todd Hoffman, CLP Park & Recreation Director TH:k c: Mayor and City Council Don Ashworth, City Manager Kate Aanenson, Planning Director Charles Polch, City Engineer Scott Harr, Public Safety Director Dale Gregory, Park Superintendent Bruce Chamberlain, HKGI Z-- p—kkh%mwstafocus.e 1 n !J Susan E. Morgan 4031 Kings Road Excelsior, Mn 55331 8/6/96 IDear Chanhassen Park and Rec Commissioners, The Round House Park Concept Plan will be presented to you on August 27. Round House Park is the neighborhood park at the corner of Kings Road and Minnewashta Parkway. There is one main area of concern, that I would like to address with the Commission and the City Council. The main issue is the aura or atmosphere of the park. The initial concept by the park commission and the developer promoted the park as a neighborhood park, befitting the environment in which it would be constructed. Within the last 2-3 years, the residents have been presented with a sketch of the park which contains almost every park amenity available. The sketch has been mailed to most residents in the area. The limited community feedback has indicated that those who responded, believe that most amenities illustrated are appropriate and the want "the biggest bang for the buck." "biggest Unfortunately, the bang for the buck", changes the status of the park from neighborhood park to the appearance of a recreational center. The proposed layout shows the park consisting of wall-to-wall asphalt extending almost 3/4 of the length of the southern half of the park. The proposal includes a 210' x 100' asphalt hockey rink with tall lights on the corner of Kings Road and Minnewashta Parkway. This commercial high -impact facility is not apprc�riate for an almost rural, pastoral neighborhood --across from.a natural environment lake. There are currently 2 of these —rinks 3-4 miles from Minnewashta at the Chanhassen Rec Cen-t'er :"In addition, the Cathcart Park rink has been renovated. A hockey rink of this "grandeur" is not appropriate. Skating is a wonderful activity shared by all ages, and should be incorporated into our park -plans, however, the commercial nature of a huge asnhalt rink with 15' lights is inappropriate, RECEIVED AUG 0 81996 CITY OF CHANHASSEN (2) The other amenities shown are acceptable and can be presented in manner that is in keeping with the neighborhood atmosphere. I am confident you will give this matter very serious consideration, and I hope you will agree that the hockey rink structure is inappropriate and inconsistent with a neighborhood park. Sincerely, m � Susan E. Morgan AGENDA MINNEWASHTA PARKLAND NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS GROUP AUGUST 5,1996 7:00 P.M. COURTYARD CONFERENCE ROOM CHANHASSEN CITY HALL 7:00 p.m. Call to Order 1. Approval of Agenda 2. Review Final Traffic and Pedestrian Concept Plan for the Minnewashta Parkway/Kings Road Park 3. Review Survey Results 4. Finalize Park Concept Plan 5. Other Business TE UN-EDID Minnewashta Park Focus Team, Minutes 8/5/96 Attending the meeting David Headla, Nancy Wen -el, Jim Hofer, Sue Morgan, Fam Wenzel, Janet Carlson, Bruce Chamberlain, 'Greg Latillo, Jill Lidstone, Tom Paradise, Michelle Clark, Todd Hoffman. Told Hoffman opened the meeting with a statement that the concept plan is a blank: sheet and it was up to us to fill it in. Some members made initial statements that implied we were trying to include too many activities in the park: for the available space. We then started discussing the amenities that were noted on the survey: Play Area Phase 2 Recommended with nc+ discussion F'lav Area Phase 1 �-:rco,T mended with no discu-zsion Landscaping Recommended with no discussion Picnic Facilities Recommended with no discLIssion Skimming Beach ;YC Rejected of ter much di.scus'_.ion. The small area + ti i av°=ilah e, the possibi?i='y of many "out of neighnorhocd users, the potential saT=WSJ p{C=+1CITt=, Va:l:_'ilir✓ CP otl:Cr nearU'�=.!dri== C.rld t~le rl�(.t_i\.= e Crie-{[="a �;+ samnilar neaches were -.ome of the many i--sLl="�• him *e �,1 + '�F P� the - ! _ -- item imi _ sC 4_nerat � h -� �t'i' MMIPMo-c t r_ 4 m=+_L -=�v, ve CC f If t _ Clrf ifc=L!rVc;:. tta eCi�iC+n tl�s t r� twin more zrlt=+r;TatiClrf iGr nn+ s—'=ie rECori_i==ra.tion at a i=.t=r H_.++_, tennis Courts/BasE.etball r,_ _v _ `c= _ _.==:rr,e di=_LL.'=- $uli Field an open, m=a�='� tield suitable for a f .rut,': b E r C'T a-ctivities. 'ioOld stared that F• !_-;G �a it arF::s grid _cr-- t ax lc.w it to !� l t 1� .t iC t l•�o� 1U rl�t fiC :.:_� ��+r �.�nLi.f'Ij �.pi_r is t,Li't1 �_�. ', l.i; (__� r_'.. l_• FishingFier F'= �GJ a---er i=-L , -=or:.,ien�_u �. _ � __ (_Sion; goat park:irlg �•ail� not ++� al -!Owed. Round House Renovation RrCo ,`I=nt .e,4; a. n'+.;Tiber cr-cn, __,iL a Lts=s Uaere wl.th no final cecisirons other -h.-=n E_ a wa-minc '-fo .'_.e during ice skating - = G, c'= L� = C ie L t rf dt_t `4' a ('d �= L! .::_ f'; i ` -1: 1 _ - - °'- - ' r i rl i ¢ J sz ;. _. �.la;.,._._isigrf e:°pia.. f :y �_=tclrica. signify r-� Hockey Rink:/Asphalt/Lights -,=ccm,'-', Wnd, after extensive discussion and Tom_ r_G, f..Pl i_G- =- t - - a. tee, -r --ti ' 1 c+ter n. :_ __�_ glare �s-- -ice._ _.. _ i._.r- e p_,-r, r,en_ s_ uC _:r-e a;i� _rc_'i �tii the ='Cmi-rL%ra.l a riiCs�+`i re y - n ` r T - + t sest .fc_�d• . `frees a _h= c_c _ }}-- t !!Ei L;{:L=EDrs LL1_ d -i r: .J��Li ton tot ihiv am:tTf. 1_ �°e=.= ¢Gni-� \�� J� j y'C r �'rr- i ly a Cite: that light__ , WOO' d not Je C=erable after ' :g:'N• Volley ball Court ;ejected, due to anticipated minimal use. Dther recommendations: Pike Racks . Fs' -ter s=ountain Dt.her Discussion: .. .... _.._ . '..�Y�-.ems. 1cda� ripo Ed that twenty two parking spaces are planned. Team members recommended that parking not be permitted on k::ings Road or the Farkway. Todd was asked if the large amount of asphalt would cause drainage problems and he sn=a.ered that he did not believe it would. r''e, ue tJ limit access irom the park: to trie Parkway through plantings and ' t:-a,y1 plaCeUire=nt. Fecestria.n and nik:e traffic would be directed to i:`ing_. Road and he crosswalk: at the int_rsecticin of 11"ings ;goad and the Parkway. It was Bugge_ted that la.nd_:capint, �+e specifically designed to 1=amou.flage/hfia-e the :1LCtey r: r1 Y: and par-k.ilgt:Jt T �•_ ' 2St _ b(n i ttad if_ 1_ �- was - .,Lieijed and voted an. "Round I -ID SEe I 'L{r I':" :'ice.s tine ,-E v. pDr'ul Gr Next Steps: Todd will have our recommendations incorporated into a concept plan and mailed to us before they are presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on August 227. The results of that meeting will go to the City Council about September 9. Assuming that both groups agree, seeding and parking lot asphalt surfacing will proceed this fall. The Focus Team will need to meet again to resolve open issues and recommend the sequence of construction activities Park & Recreation Director's Notes: Minutes submitted by Jim Hofer, 7098 Red Cedar Cove. • This document has not been reviewed and accepted by the Neighborhood Focus Group. • It is my recollection that the swimming beach was not rejected, but tabled. �c • After discussion with Bruce Chamberlain, Park Planning Consultant, it was determined that awaiting Park & Recreation Commission direction prior to generating additional park plans would be prudent. TH J /f i - i 1 CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. SOX 147 i CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 MEMORANDUM TO: Minnewashta Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group FROM: Todd Koffman, Park and Recreation Director DATE: August 1, 1996 SUBJ: Next Meeting/Agenda First, I would like to thank Nancy Wenzel for her dedication to this planning process. The work she has done on compiling the surveys and her level of participation in the focus group has been outstanding. We are quickly closing in on our September 15, 1996, "seeding" goal with a good deal of preparatory work left to complete. We may be forced to grade and "dormant" seed the park late this fall. To keep things moving along, please arrive with your thoughts in order and your sleeves rolled -up on Monday night. Note: Peter Moe will be out of town on Monday, but called to give the "green light" to the project. The following agenda and project schedule are proposed. g:\park\th\mwshtapkfocusgrpagenaugS July 31, 1996 To the (as yet unnamed) Park Focus Committee Notes from Nancy: While compiling the results of 146 questionnaires (32% response), I have had considerable amount of time to ponder the varied personalities and viewpoints making up our "neighborhood". Also in this time frame I have been reading the Chanhassen Centennial book and have come to the conclusion that in 100 years, really not much has changed! I do feel strongly, that each of the opinions noted here deserve the same consideration as yours or mine and that we will all have to compromise to make this work. I am wondering if we are so busy filling this park land with amenities that we are missing the need in all of us for space, maybe even some undeveloped space. Are we planning too much? Are we crowding things into this area? Please take time to look at the land and try to visualize the park as outlined before our next meeting. Listed below are the comments regarding the park. I have numbered each response and in the left hand column are the corresponding numbers. The first group consists of miscellaneous comments, including many who said "thank you" to all of us for our work. The rest are organized by item, plus the addition of new suggestions, some of them really good ideas! If a preference was listed for the October Plan or May Plan, I have indicated their choice. And last, but not least, the suggestions for names. If you have any questions, please call me (474-3610). Hope you enjoy these comments and name suggestions as much as I did. See you at our August 5th meeting. The results are as follows: Play Area Phase 2 2.35 Play Area Phase 1 2.39 Landscaping 2.50 Picnic -'Facilities 2.77 Swimming Beach 2.84 Tennis Courts/Basketball 2.86 Ball Field 3.11 Fishing Pier 3.31 Round House Renovation 3.50 Hockey Rink/Asphalt/Lights 3.55 Volley Ball Court 3.71 7 U L'DmTS REGARDING PARK 3 'T}3Ai1K YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE ON PARK PLANNING COMMITTEE. GLAD TO SEE FACILITIES FOR TEENS AS THEY ARE SELDOM CONSIDERED IN PARKS AND WE HAVE LOTS OF TEENS ON THE PARKWAY. 431= WELL PUNNED 44 MORE FOCUS 01 'FAMILY', NOT A TEEN HANGOUT. APPRECIATE THE LAKE AND AREA. 53 FANTASTIC PROD 111 67 THANKS FOR YOUR HELP121 E7 THIS LAKE IS ALREADY TOO BUSY ,2 WE CA1'T AFFORD ALL EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS. NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT NEED OR WANT THEM. .3 THESE PLAYS ARE TOO CRUM AND SEEM TO MISLEAD PEOPLE INTO EXPECTING PARK TO ENCOMPASS EVERYTHING .3 YHERE DOES SURFACE MATEY RUX? THERE IS NO HOLDING POND ON ST JOE FOR THIS 6 WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CHANHASSEN GOLF COURSE 4 'TRYING TO DO TOO no. CUT BACK! 3 72M FM DOING WORK ON THIS COMMITTEE! I BALL FIELD: VE HAVE ENOUGH '8 BALL FIELD: WILL BRING A LOT OF TRAFIC TO OUR QUIET STREETS - PLEASE LEAVE OUT. 9 BALL FIELD: BATTING CAGE 3 BALL FIELD: J1O LIGHTS PLEASE 3 BASKETBALL BOOPS: ADD TO HOCKEY RINK ASPHALT 8 BASKETBALL: DO NOT COMBINE WITH TENNIS 2 WKE All HOOPS: 1)0 NOT BELONG ON TENNIS COURTS/CONFLICT OF INTERESTS. 1 BEACH: 'NOT YECESSARY 3 BEACH: ALREADY HAVE ACROSS LAKE B BEACH: LOCATE TO NORTH 3 BEACH: DON'T NEED BECAUSE OF ONE AT MINNEWASHTA PARK/WITH LIFEGUARDS 1 BEACH : YACOXIA - 216 PROBLEMS WITH BEACH/ROAD/PARXING LOT 7 BEACH: EACH AREA IS NOT VERY LARGE AND WITH ACCESS ONLY BY FOOT ACROSS THE PARKWAY, IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. THERE IS ALREADY A PUBLIC BEACH IN MINNEWASHTA PARK (ACROSS LAKE). BY PUTTING A BEACH I1 WITH PARKING ACROSS THE STREET, YOU ARE CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I BEACH: ALREADY ONE PUBLIC BEACH 01 LAKE I EACH: TO CREATE ANOTHER LAKE WACONIA SITUATION IS ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS. THE CARVER COUNTY BOARD HAS SAID NUMEROUS TIMES THAT SUCH A SITUATION IS A SAFETY HAZAARD AND THEY WANT TO ABANDON IT. WHY ARE WE SPENDING MONEY TO CREATE THE SAME SITUATION? ? BEAM: COMPETING WITH COUNTY? 3 BEACH: YE ARE VERY CONCERTED ABOUT USING THE NARROW STRIP ON LAKE FOR BEACH OR FISHING. DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN CROSSING RD 2 BEACH WILL INTERFERE WITH EXISTING MARINA AT RCC 3 BEACH: PARK/REC SAID THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH LAKE SHORE TO ALLOY THIS ACTIVITY 3 BEACH: THE IS ALREADY A GREAT SWIMMING BEACH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE. TOO DANGEROUS HAVING KIDS CROSS PKWY. BEACH: DRUG USE - CORNER HAS BEEN USED FOR THAT - WILL BEACH L PARK RESULT IN MORE? BEACH: ZEEP AS MUCH NATURAL VEGETATION ALONG LAKE AS POSSIBLE 1 BENCHES: vm VIEW BID 1.1. 9 71'171,.x 1.11 ..'1 i FISHING PIER: HAVE ACROSS THE LAKE ! FISHING PIER: WEEDS TO BE LONG ERM TO GET OUTSIDE OF MILFOIL!11 FISHING PIER: TO BE WORTHWHILE MOULD RAVE TO EXTEND 158, OUT IN LAKE TO GET BEYOND WEEDS FISHING PIER: PILL DRAW FISHERMEN FORM OUTSIDE OF CHANHASSEN - DO YOU REALLY WANT THIS? :FISHING PIER: PILL HAVE BOATS DOCKING HERE - BE AWARE! nSHINS PIER PILL ATTRACT OUT OF TOWNERS Fj 1 J RISK: ASPHALT SURFACE IS WASTE OF HONEY )ERIKK: RINK: PILL BRIM A LOT OF TRAFFIC TO OUR QUIET STREETS - PLEASE LEAVE OUT. WHAT ABOUT BLUFF CREEK? 41 HOCK£Y I TE100 ARE VERY EKPENSIVE FACILITIES USED BY A MINORITY OF RESIDELTS. 41ORSE SHOE PITS 3 IXG: THICK EYERGREEXS TO BIDE PARKING LOTS 411AIDSCAPING: COULD BE DONE BY VOLUNTEERS EX FIELD ARK RULES: CONCERNING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 1 NG: DELETE PARKING - NEIBHBORS CAX WALK OR BIKE TO PARK, MAKE THIS PARK l SAFE PLACE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES 85 PARKING: MAKE CLEAR 'NO PARKING ON I PKWY' 13WMIXG: NO PARKIN6 ON KINGS ROAD LIMITING USE TO LOCAL RESIDENCES THUS DISCOJRAGING USE BY OTHERS. 10 PARKING ON KING'S RD. DON'T CRAM EVERYTHING IN LIKE YOU HAVE. 42 JCIM : £P COULD BE INSTALLED VOLUNTEERS 1 40 REStROOMS/BEACH HOUSE I lrRllls 3 MW ROUSE: BUILD NEW HOUSE: REPLACE WITH MORE SPACIOUS/USABLE BUILDING ROUSE: WHY IS THIS BLDG STILL HERE? 9 WISE: ROM L I CAN STILL SWING A PRETTY MEAN HAMMER, IF THAT WOULD HELP. RON 6 CHRIS PEPLINSKI 470-4144 7 ROUXD HOUSE: THIS IS AX EYESORE 8� HDlSE: THIS IS lX EYESORE. ESTIMATE TO RENOVATE WILL BE LOW 5 SW VOLLEYBALL COURT: 'I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYONE USE FREEMAM'S, EXCEPT CATS. 31CCER FIELD: NEEDED AS MUCH AS BALL FIELD ? TING: WEED OPEN SKATING RINK 3 TING: ONE AT WIN i 5 SELDOM USED. (DRIVES BY DAILY ON THE WAY HOME - TIME OF DAY?) 9 TING: IS 11 NEED 9 SKATING: IS 11 5 1": CAA TOU PLEASE GET AN ICE RINK BY THIS WINTER? WARMING HOUSE? 7 STOP SIGN ON PRWY P KINGS -ma,- MOST IMPORTA�IT.,TO-DO. > SIGN WOULD BE HELPIL FUL DO IM WEED PARK - TAXES ARE HIGH ENOUGH I COURTS: CALL EMT DUNK. I THINK HE WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE (SEE 58) Ies S: TENXIS/BASKETBALL - WITH LIGHTS 7MIS COEM- I.= IT 1=: CONCERNS REGARDING TRAFFIC/PARK OVER USE BY PEOPLE NOT FROM THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC: IF THIS IS A 'DRIVE TO' PARK AS PROPOSED, PARKWAY WILL BECOME TOO BUSY - DO YOU REALLY WANT MORE TRAFIC GENERATED? I 35 TP.AIL: FROM NORTH NEIGHBORHOODS TO PARKWAY ' 19 UNDERPASS SO CHILM DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS PARKWAY TO BEACH , L 9 TOLUKIEER: 'MR I I CAN STILL SWING A PRETTY MEAN HAM192, IF IT WOULD ELP'. ' BB VADIXG POOL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN 98 WADING POOi. 7B VALKINB TRAILS: LESS MONEY AND MAINTENANCE 77 VATER FOUNTAIN FOR DRINKING 11 WATER FOUNTAIN/LAVATORIES 1 PLAN DCT: PREFER THIS PLAN WITH NO BEACH 1 PLAR BAT: PREFER THIS PLAN. BEACH NOT SEC£SSARY 10 PLAN MAY: PICNIC CLOSER TO ROAD AND PLAY GROUNDS FARTHER FROM ROAD 45 PLAN MAY: LIKE THIS PLAN WITH NO DRIVEWAY TO CROSS FOOTPATH INSIDE PARK, ALSO ALLOWS EASIER SKAKING ACCESS TO FAX HOUSE. E2 PLAN MAY: USE PLAN WITH PARKING AREAS LOCATED ON KINGS ROAD ' 65 PLAN BAY: BUCH,BUCH BETTER THAN OCT PLAN 68 PLAN BAY: PREFER THE MAY CONCEPT - BETTER TO KEEP THE TRAFIC FROM CROSSING THE TRAIL (WALK/BIKE PATH) 20 PLAN BAY: NO ENTRY ON PM 25 PLAN MAY: ENTRY ON KINGS ROAD 32 PLAN MAY: BOTH PARKING E ENTRY ON KINGS RD FOR SAFETY 19D AmRN BILL BEA GEMLO 6780 COUNTRY OAKS ROAD - =1 474-0737 25 BAYVIEV PARK LISA BRAFF 7410 MINNEWASHTA PARKWAY 20 BLUE BIRD PARS LINDA SANDER 18 CEDAR PARK MICHELE L KEVIN CLARK 3921 LINDEN CIRCLE - 55331 3841 RED CEDAR PT DRIVE - 553331 , 69 CHAI LAKES PARK PON & CHRIS PEPLINSKI 6236 FIR TREE 470-4144 al CLEARVATER PARS BARB SCOULER 474-8587 14 COTTONWOOD PARK 7 BURSINGER PARS ADELAIDE M PRILLAMAN 7064 RED CEDAR COVE - 55331 a2 JOE'S PARK 3 JDU57ERS COURT 39 KING CARLSON PARK 32 1116 PARK ZAKS 33 KING WASHTA MARY BLUE 6%0 COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE - EP 55346 15 KINGDOM PARS DAVID TERPSTRA 6581 JOSHUA CIRCLE - 55331 45 KINGDOM PARS 6 KINGMINN PARS WILLIAM t KAREN GLEASON 6210 BARBERRY CIRCLE - 55331 a4 ENO COURTYARD 32 KINGS GLEN ROBERT BLUE 6778 COUNTRY OAKS ROAD - =1 1 RINGS PAS - 13 KINGS PARS 15 KINGS PARS DAVID TERPSTRA 6581 JOSHUA CIRCLE - 55331 ' 16 KINGS PARS 62 KINGS PAU PAUL LIDSTONE 3991 COUNTRY OAKS DRIVE - 55331 470-6346 5 KINGS PARK 13 KINGS PARS SUE MORGAN 4031 KINGS ROAD - 55331 ' 10 KINGS POINT PARS 2 KINGS ROAD PARK 3 KINGS ROAD PARS 15 KINGS ROAD PARK 8 KINGS ROAD PM LIBBY SCHEELE 3920 LEM CURVE - 55MI 470-9362 I 62 nM ROUNDHOUSE PARK PAUL LIDSTORE 3991 COURTRY OAKS DRIVE - 55331 470-6346 9WMLMI Pax HG'S VIEW PARK lu 1fIHNEVASHTI PIKE �6 LAKE MINKEVASHTI PIKE 411: PIRK EY PARE CARRS 3911 MAPLE SHORES DRIVE - 55331 25 LAKEVIEW PARK LISA BRAFF 7410 MIRHEWASHTA PKVY CH MEMORIAL ON MINREYASHTI CH PARK 38 LEACH'S PM DICK HANSOM 3241 DARTMOUTH - 55331 474-7687 TILE JOE PARE 8 TTLE KING'S PARK DAVE HOELKE 470-6871 7 RI PARK 98 MINI-11MG PARE 211I}t)l£ifASHTA ROUND -HOUSE PARK BOh-AIE LABATT 3931 STRATFORD RIDGE - 55331 474-0853 NNEWASHTI COMMUNITY PARK 54 MINNEVASHTI COMMUNITY PARK 4NCMASTA FAMILY PARK 4 NNEVASHTA FAMILY PARK RUSS TUBES (?) 73 INNEYASHTA FAMILY PARK 40 INNEWASHTA FUN PARK E NNEVASHTA KINGDOM PARK LIN FICHUK RNEVASHTA NEIGHBORHOOD PARK S BAINBRIDGE 7351 MINNEYASHTA PKWY - 501 91 XImASHTA OARS FAMILY PARK THE ARDERSONS 7507 77TH STREET - 55318 474-5003 [NMAMA PARK CARNS 3911 MAPLE SHORES DRIVE - 55331 MoLml PARK 7 MINIEVISHTI PARE ASHTA PARK HARRY CAMPBELL RREYASH 1 PART 4 RNEV/SHTA PARKWAY PARE 0 MINNEYASHTA PlMlY PARK 1)DOLMA PLAYLAND TODD 6 SUSAN SCHILLING 3911 LESLEE CURVE - 55MI RNEWASHTA PRAIRIE PARK 67 1SIMASHTI RIVIERIA PARK ROU)&HOUSE ACTIVITY CENTER BONNIE LABATT 3981 STRATFORD RIDGE - 55331 474-M TNNEWASHTA MASHTA SHORES PARK BART WELLS 4700 STRATFORD RIDGE - 55331 8 1fINNEVISHTA SPORTS L ACTIVITY CENTER RONNIE ST. ANGELO 4000 GLENDALE DRIVE - 55331 RN 7 19TA TOYER PARK BONNIE LABATT 3981 STRATFORD RIDGE - 55MI 474-OM NREVASHTA•S KINGS PARK BONNIE LABATT 3981 STRATFORD RIDGE - 501 474-OM 9 KNE-JOE PARE ROBT JOSEPHS 6701 MIRHEYASHTA PKVY - 55331 8 MINNE-WASH-TA-PK HARRY DUNK 474-9765 6 NN-KING PARK MARY J. HOW 3231 DARTMOUTH DRIVE - 55331-8844 511=TO COVE 5 MOSQUITO RIDGE 5&K PARK OMM ROUND ROUSE 1 MBSW ACRES PARE 5&D CEDAR PARE LISA BRAFF 7410 MINHEVASHTA PKVY 2USORT PARE 5 RESORT PARK E PUITGROURD ARNIE HED 3860 LONE CEDAR 474-5182 4 ROUND HOUSE PARK GREFE-RELLER 4020 GLENDALE - 55MI lowLE HOPARE JIM & SUSAN GULSTRAND 470-0261 5 EOUSE PARK 3 ROUNII HOUSE PIRE JEFF ADAM 3960 STRATFORD RIDGE - 55331 470-9209 ' *3D .ROUSE PARK 9b ROUND HOUSE PARR .9 MD HOUSE PARK LINDA SCOTT 4031 KINGS ROAD - 55331 6 RDUND HOUSE PARE 93 ROUND HOUSE PARE ON bINNEWASHTA 14 ROUND HOUSE PARE b BEACH ANY HAUSER 6570 KIRJ:WOOD CIRCLE - 55331 23 ROUND HOUSE PLAYbOT SEGAL 3901 MAPLE SHORES DRIVE - 55331 17 THE END (THIS M?) GORDON FOSTER 6240 CYPRESS DR 474-7588 20 THE NEADOW LINDA SANDER 3921 LINDEN CIRCLE - 55331 .0 THE PARKWAY PLAYGROUND LINDSEY KARTIN 474-3083 :4 TRUNBLE PARE 5 WARTA RESORT PARK (FROM LEACH'S) ANN CATHCART 3895 LORE CEDAR CIRCLE - 55318-%53 474-8899 1 WARTA WEST COMMUNITY PARK ALAN b CHRISTIIE AHO 3890 FOREST RIDGE CIRCLE - 55318 7 'WARTA CONMUNITY PARK 2 'WASHTA PINES COMMUNITY PARK '5 'WARTA WAY RON b ANN OLSON 6720 COUNTRY OAKS RD - 55331-7731 5 'WARTA WAY WHARF RON b ANN OLSON 6720 COUNTRY OAKS RD - 55331-7731 5 'WARTA WHARF RON b ANN OLSON 6720 COUNTRY OAKS RD - 5231-7731 1 BENSHOOF & ASSOCIATES, INC. iTRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS 7301 OHMS LANE, SUITE 500 / EDINA, MN 55439 / (612) 832-9858 / FAX (612) 832-9564 ' July 29, 1996 REFER TO FILE: 96-40 MEMORANDUM RECEIVEP AUG 0 9 1996 TO: Todd Hoffman, ,CCi of Chanhassen n CITY OF GhNNNASSLf FROM: James A. Bens hdOf and Peter A. Hultgren Yt� RE: Traffic and Pedestrian Concept Plan for the Minnewashta Parkway/Kings Road Park iPURPOSE AND BACKGROUND This memorandum presents a traffic and pedestrian plan intended to be utilized by City of Chanhassen staff and Hoisington Koegler staff in developing an overall plan for a proposed park located at the intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road in ' Chanhassen. The intersection consists of three legs, with Minnewashta Parkway being a through north - south roadway and with a stop sign on the Kings Road approach. Adequate sight distance is available at this intersection. A pedestrian crosswalk is located on the north leg of the intersection. This crosswalk is marked on the pavement with zebra stripes which have ' faded considerably. Advance warning signs and signs at the crosswalk alert drivers to the crosswalk. ' Presently there are nine homes along the length of Kings Road. A residential development of 67 single family homes on land adjacent to the park has been proposed. Figure 1 on the ' next page indicates the location of the proposed park and residential developments. This memorandum is organized in the following three sections: 1) Analysis of Traffic Control 2) Analysis of Pedestrian -Movements Across Minnewashta Parkway 3) Conclusions N APPROXIMATE SCALE 0 .8.00, CITY OF CHANHASSEN TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN FIGURE 1 FOR PROPOSED BENSHOOF&ASSOCIATES,INC. MINNEWASHTAPARKWAY/ SITE LOCATION TRANSPORTATIONENGINEERSANDPLANNERS KINGS ROAD PARK L 17 L r- Mr. Todd Hoffman -3- July 29, 1996 ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL Residents of the neighborhood have expressed an interest in installing all way stop control at the intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. Accordingly, our analysis focused on the question of whether upgrading the stop control from the present one way stop on Kings Road to all way stop control is warranted. For the purpose of this analysis, the forecast year 2000 was chosen for investigation into this matter. It is expected that the park and residential units will be fully developed by 2000. Benshoof & Associates staff collected hourly traffic counts for a 48 hour period on Minnewashta Parkway on both the northbound and southbound approaches of the intersection at Kings Road. These counts yielded an average hourly traffic volume for each hour of the day. The volume on Kings Road was not counted because this roadway was under construction. Instead, the hourly traffic volumes on Kings Road were estimated for the existing nine homes along the road using daily trip rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers and typical hourly distributions as observed at other residential neighborhoods. The growth rate in through traffic along Minnewashta Parkway was calculated from historical traffic count data obtained from the City of Chanhassen. This growth rate was applied to determine the forecast baseline volumes for 2000 without development of either the park or the residential units. The table on the next page indicates the total number of vehicles on all approaches entering the intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road by hour of day under three scenarios. The three scenarios offered are the present conditions, the 2000 conditions with the residential development fully completed but no park built, and the 2000 conditions with both the residential and park developments fully completed. In the first scenario, the present traffic conditions are a result of the counts collected and an estimation of the Kings Road traffic based on the existing nine homes along Kings Road as described previously. In the second scenario, that portion of the traffic generated by the 67 homes in the residential development using the intersection was added to the baseline 2000 counts. In the third scenario, the traffic generated by the park was added to the traffic of the second scenario. Park traffic was estimated for a condition on a pleasant summer day. Hoisington Koegler staff estimate that the proposed fishing pier will accommodate a maximum of 12 persons and the proposed beach will accommodate a maximum of 50 persons_ Using these projections, expectations for use of other facilities in the park, and a vehicle occupancy rate of three persons per vehicle, we projected the number of vehicles that would arrive at the park and the number that would leave by hour of day. A comparison between the second and third scenarios shown in the table indicates that the number of vehicle trips through the intersection, which are generated by the park, would vary by hour of day, with the maximum being 54 vehicles. Mr. Todd Hoffman -4- July 29, 1996 1 Total Vehicle Volumes On All Approaches Entering ' the Intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road by Hour of Day Hour of Day Existin 2000 With Residential Development 2000 With Residential and Park Development 12 midnight - 1 a.m. 10 29 29 1 a.m. - 2 a.m. 4 10 10 2 a.m. - 3 a.m. 1 3 3 3 a.m. - 4 a.m. 0 1 1 4 a.m. - 5 a.m. 3 9 9 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. 16 45 45 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. 68 176 186 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. 112 278 292 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. 118 292 302 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 112 272 280 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. 102 248 266 11 a.m. - 12 noon 79 196 230 12 noon - 1 p.m. 105 257 309 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ill 270 324 2 p.m.-3 p.m. 100 249 297 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. 103 262 306 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. 117 286 328 5 p.m.-6 p.m. 123 335 385 6 p m. - 7 p.m. 108 293 347 7 p.m.-8 p.m. 84 228 256 8 p.m.-9 p.m. 64 180 188 9 P.M.-10 P.M. 60 162 162 10 P.M.-11 P.M. 37 100 100 11 p.m. - 12 midnight 16 45 45 1 FI L Allaocalagencies in Minnesota should comply with guidelines published in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) when installing traffic control ' devices. The NBMCD has established a minimum vehicular volume warrant that must be satisfied before installing all way stop control at an intersection. This minimum volume is 500 vehicles entering the intersection during any eight hours of a typical day. As readily ' seen in the table above, the total hourly approach volume does not come close to 500 vehicles per hour at this intersection under any of the three scenarios. Therefore, the current stop control just on Kings Road is adequate under all three scenarios. ' Mr. Todd Hoffman -5- July 29, 1996 ANALYSIS OF PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS ACROSS MINNEWASHTA PARKWAY Two concept plans for the NEnnewashta Parkway/Kings Road park have been proposed ' by the Hoisington Koegler Group, dated May 6, 1996. A brief description of each plan follows. ' The first plan includes the location of one parking lot on Kings Road and another parking lot on Mnnewashta Parkway. In this plan the fishing pier is located near the intersection of Nfinnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. The beach is located farther north, directly across Minnewashta from the parking lot. A pedestrian trail system connects the parking lots to a trail that crosses Mnnewashta Parkway at a mid -block location just south of the parking lot vehicle access. Separate trails lead to the fishing pier and beach on the east side of Mnnewashta Parkway. The second plan includes the location of two parking lots on Kings Road. In this plan the beach is located near the intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. The fishing pier is located farther north. A pedestrian trail system connects the parking lots to ' an existing trail along the west side of Nlinnewashta Parkway that leads south to the crosswalk at its present location on the north leg of the intersection. A trail along the east side of Mnnewashta Parkway is provided between the fishing pier and beach. I In selecting a preferred concept plan, our first determination is that a single crosswalk between the park and lake shore is preferable to more than one crosswalk. There are several reasons for this determination. Research indicates that the proliferation of crosswalks reduces the effectiveness of each crosswalk, resulting in a reduction of motorist compliance with traffic laws regarding pedestrian crosswalks.' From a safety standpoint, motorists observing an advance warning sign will likely assume only one crosswalk is ahead; thus, they may not approach other crosswalks in the area with proper vigilance after encountering the first crosswalk. The enforcement of traffic laws is more easily accomplished if only one crosswalk needs monitoring. Generally, crosswalks should only be established where there is sufficient pedestrian volume to justify installation. Using too many crosswalks results in pedestrian volumes that fall below the threshold volumes for installation.2 For each of the two previously referenced concept plans for the park prepared by Hoisington Koegler, we developed suggestions for accommodating pedestrian crossings of Mnnewashta Parkway. For the first concept plan, we suggested that a single new crosswalk be established mid -block between the park and the beach and that the existing crosswalk at Kings Road be eliminated. For the second concept plan, we suggested that the existing crosswalk be retained in its present location at Kings Road. ' Smith and Knoblauch, "Guidelines for the Installation of Crosswalk Markings", Transportation Research Record No. 1141, 15-21. 2 Ibid. Mr. Todd Roffman -6- , July 29, 1996 It is our understanding that City staff prefer to retain the existing crosswalk at Kings Road , and to complete plans for the park in a manner that would focus on this crosswalk. In light of this, we have the following five recommendations: a 1. The orientation of paths in the park should lead pedestrians to the path along the north side of Kings Road. Pedestrians wishing to cross Minnewashta , Parkway are then naturally led to the crosswalk at the north leg of the intersection of Kings Road and Minnewashta Parkway. , 2. All parking lot access should be along Kings Road. This will orient park users to the crosswalk at Kings Road. 3. Appropriate landscape treatments should be included in park plans on the west , side of Minnewashta Parkway to discourage nud-block pedestrian crossings of Minnewashta Parkway. ' 4. Park uses on the east side of Minnewashta Parkway should be planned and designed to encourage pedestrians to cross Minnewashta Parkway at the Kings Road crosswalk. 5. Lighting should be installed at the crosswalk to enhance pedestrian safety. , Pedestrians currently using the existing path along Nnnewashta Parkway will continue to cross at the Kings Road crosswalk they currently use and future park users will cross at this crosswalk. Pedestrian activity will be well focused at this location. CONCLUSIONS ' Three conclusions previously expressed are: • The existing traffic control at the Kings Road/Minnewashta Parkway ' intersection, which consists of a stop sign on Kings Road, is appropriate and will continue to be the proper form of traffic control to serve the anticipated ' residential and park development. Volumes do not come close to justifying all way stop sign control. • A primary recommendation is to have a single pedestrian crosswalk. Retaining ' the existing crosswalk at Kings Road and enhancing it with new lighting is an effective plan. _._• Landscaping and park usage should be designed to encourage pedestrians to cross Minnewashta Parkway at the crosswalk located at the Dings Road ' intersection. In addition to the protection provided by the crosswalk signing and striping used by the ' City and by the proposed crosswalk lighting, safety for pedestrians crossing Minnewashta Parkway will be further strengthened by recent changes to State law. Under the old law, motorists only had to slow down for pedestrians. Effective September 1, 1996, motorists must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Stiffer penalties for violations and a program to inform motorists of these changes are also mandated. I7 L Y�c� Icy C I TY O F` CHANHASSEN mow- x 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 f (612) 937-1900 • FAX (612) 937-5739 MEMORANDUM TO: Minnewashta Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director DATE: July 25, 1996 SUBJ: Next Meeting The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 1996 at Chanhassen City Hall in the Courtyard Conference Room. The meeting time will be 7:00 p.m. An agenda including a tabulation of the results of the neighborhood surveys will be mailed on August 1, 1996 If you have questions, please call Nancy Wenzel at 474-3610 or me at 937-1900, extension 121. ktm \\cfs I \vo12\park\th\focusmem.doc Ms. Jill Lidstone 3991 Country Oaks Rd. Excelsior, MN 55331 470-6346 Ms. Liz Micelc 3900 Stratford Ridge Excelsior, MN 55331 470 5259 Wk. Todd Hoffman, Park & Rec. Director City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 Phone: 937-1900 ext. 121 Fax: 937-5739 Tom Paradise 3755 Red Cedar Point Drive Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0492 Craig Anderson 7507 77`h Street West Chaska, MN 55318 Mrs. Nancy Wenzel 6900 Minnewashta Parkway Excelsior, MN 55331 474-3610 Mr. Greg Dattilo 7201 Juniper Avenue Excelsior, MN 55331 474-0190 Ms. Michelle Clark 3 841 Red Cedar Point Drive Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0137 Pam Prinsen 4040 Glendale Drive Excelsior, MN 55331 474-3630 Dick Hanson 3241 Dartmouth Drive Excelsior, MN 55331 Mr. David Headla 6870 Minnewashta Parkway Excelsior, MN 55331 474-7269 ' Mr. Bruce Chamberlain Hoisington-Koegler Group, Inc. 7300 Metro Boulevard, Suite 525 ' Minneapolis, MN 55439 835-9960 Peter Moe 7161 Minnewashta Parkway Excelsior, MN 55331 474-2236 Jim Hofer 7098 Red Cedar Cove Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0960 Joe & Paula Epping 7508 77`h Street West Chaska, MN 55318 Diane Zamjahn Mwsta. Park 7506 771h Street West g:\park\th\mwsta.lbl Chaska, MN 55318 CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 July 17, 1996 Ms. Nancy Wenzel Minnewashta Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group 6900 Minnewashta Parkway Excelsior, MN 55331 Dear Nancy: Enclosed is the latest "set" of surveys. I will continue to forward them to you as they are received. I can provide you the following updates/responses at this time. 1. Assembly of Neighborhood Focus Group: I will contact the three people who expressed a desire to serve on the focus group both by phone and in written correspondence. I will forward copies of this correspondence to you. 2. Neighborhood Mailing of Surveys: The mailing list assembled using the city's ArcView data base was both incomplete and inaccurate to some degree. Based on preliminary indications, I feel a 90% accuracy rate has been reached at this time. I am in the process of cross referencing the ArcView data base with the utility billing data base. A second mailing reaching all of those who were omitted the first time will be distributed by Friday, July 19. The submittal date will be extended appropriately. The ArcView system is based on parcel identification which defaults to a current resident label format. This format was maintained to cover those parcels which have "new" owners and to avoid the task of programming the system to print "named" address labels. 3. Postage: The postage rate on this mailing is 32 cents. The city's postage machine was inspected and found to be faulty. Our clerical staff questioned the 55 cent rate (two envelopes and 3 sheets of paper seemed to be light enough for 32 cents) and rechecked the machine three times. At the time of this mailing, the machine maintained the 55 cent rate and the envelopes were run. Anything else? Just let me know. Thanks for all your work. Sincerely, Todd Hoffman ✓ Park & Recreation Director TH:k � 1ti �/mac c: Focus Group Members i RECEIVED Susan E. Morgan JUL 18 REn 4031 Kings Road CITY OF CHANHASSE Excelsior, Mn 55331 IV 7116/96 Dear Lake Minnewashta Park Focus Group, Your efforts in helping to coordinate the new park in our area are commendable, however, your group has left out an important segment of the Minnewashta community; the residents who live along Kings Road. We would appreciate being included in your correspondence and activities. We, too, pay assessments on Minnewashta Parkway for the trail, etc. The park will directly affect the amount of traffic on our road;, as well as affect our property values. We would like to have some input in the park's development. Below are our addresses for any future correspondence. We hope this will truly be a "neighborhood" park effort. Sincerely, The Kings Road residents Susan E Morgan Linda Scott 4031 Kings Road Excelsior, Mn. 55331 Lowell and Janet Carlson 4141 Kings Road Excelsior, Mn. 55331 cc: Todd Hoffman Chanhassen Park and Rec Margie and David Borris 4071 Kings Road Excelsior, Mn. 553,31 1 1 1 1 1 1 July 8, 1996 r CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 Dear Neighbor: As you may be aware, the City of Chanhassen was successful in acquiring land for a neighborhood park at the northwest corner of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. This eight acre site contains 500 feet of shoreline on Lake Minnewashta, provides ample room for park amenities, and offers excellent views of Lake Minnewashta and Lake St. Joe. Investments made in the property to date total approximately $350,000. These costs include land, public improvements (road, storm sewer, water, sanitary sewer), legal and consulting costs. 1 The estimated cost to complete the park totals $380,000. Please continue to be aware that this estimate includes $128,000 for an ice/inline skating rink with lights, a double tennis court (not lighted), and a ballfield. These amenities are not typically installed in "neighborhood" parks and 1 there is no guarantee that the Park and Recreation Commission will approve their installation at the Minnewashta site. Additionally, the fishing pier ($20,000) is eligible for a Department of Natural Resources grant. 1 The Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission has allocated $70,000 for capital improvements at the site in 1996. These dollars will be applied to site grading, parking lot and trail construction, and seeding. (Phase I Development) The estimated cost to complete this work on a contractual basis is $99,000. By dedicating in-house labor to the grading and seeding work, it is hoped that Phase I Development can be completed within the 70,000 budget. This work will commence this summer, concluding with the seeding of the park in mid to late September. To allow construction to begin, a master park plan must be formalized. Upon meeting with the Chanhassen Park & Recreation Commission on February 13, 1996, a group of neighbors volunteered to serve on a focus group to guide the initial development of the park. We would like to hear from you and every one of your neighbors during this process. Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and drop it in the mail by July 15, 1996. If you would like to discuss the park punning process with one of us, please feel free to call. July 8, 1996 Page 2 This new park is an amenity that we should all be proud of. It will act as a neighborhood focal point, provide needed recreation services, and protect our property values. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, LAKE MINNEWASHTA PART{ FOCUS GROUP Jill Lidstone 3991 Country Oaks Road Excelsior, MN 55331 474-6346 Michelle Clark 3841 Red Cedar Point Dr Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0137 Tom Paradise 3755 Red Cedar Point Dr Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0492 g:lpark%th\mwsta.pk Nancy Wenzel 6900 Minnewashta Pkwy Excelsior, MN 55331 474-3610 Greg Dattilo 7201 Juniper Ave. Excelsior, MN 55331 474-0190 Liz Micek 3900 Stratford Ridge Excelsior, MN 55331 David Headla 6870 Minnewashta Pkwy Excelsior, MN 55331 474-7269 Peter Moe 7161 Minnewashta Pkwy Excelsior, MN 55331 474-2236 = m m m m = = = i m = m m m= m! = m Minnewashta/Kings Road Park Concept Plan �T May 6,1996 Kings Road NORM 0 50 100 200 Fishing Pier Beach t ©© Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. ©® Minnewa5hta/Kings Road Park Concept Plan October 16,1995 Trail ` Soccer flay- f Beach _ 1 . Open Field I Picnic ground 1 Area 1•�; r \ I Tennis V Ilc - I � 13allfield o y i e a ball I 9' +- — -+ Piro Idg. r H5 (ockey Open \ e -�-•� ► i I I Skating \ ` Fishing Pier Parking i_-- -- A. _ J T m- Kinoo Road Not" WIN Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. On 0 50 Boo zoo = M M i = ilk r r We would like to have you, our neighbors, plan and name the park. Please complete this questionnaire and return it in the enclosed envelope to Nancy Wenzel. Name the Park Contest ' Your Name for the Park: Prizes are: 40 Punch Card for Chanhassen Recreation Center ($52 value) 2 1996 and 1997 Vehicle Passes to Lake Ann Park ($20 value) Plan the Park Scheduled for Summer 1996: iSite Grading (accounts for construction of open skate area) $45,000 Seeding $12,000 Parking Lot(s) $28,000 ' Asphalt Trail $14,000 Please Rate Your Interest in Each of the Park Improvements Listed Below: 1. First Priority - Must Have. 2. Very Important. 3. Somewhat Important. t 4. Low Priority. 5. Forget - Do Not Need. Round House Renovation Fishing Pier Swimming Beach Ball Field Play Area Phase I (ages 6-12) Play Area Phase II (ages 3-5) Picnic Facilities Sand Volleyball Court Hockink w/Asphalt Surface w/Lights Double Tennis Court w/Basketball Hoops Landscaping Other Comments: $40,000 $20,000 $10,000 $15,000 $25,000 $25,000 $ 5,000 $ 3,000 $ 75,000 $38,000 $25,000 IRETURN BY MONDAY, JULY 15, 1996 (IN RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED) CITY OF -� '�12�11 CHANHASSEN v. 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 937-1900 •FAX (612) 937-5739 '(612) MEMORANDUM ' TO: Minnewashta Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director June 7, 1996 DATE: SUBJ: Meeting Notice ' Thank you to all of you for calling Nancy and me with your comments on the neighborhood survey. Moving forward, I am calling a meeting to be held Tuesday, July 2, 1996, at 7:00 p.m. We will meet at City Hall in the Courtyard Conference Room. The action plan for this ' meeting is detailed in the following agenda: AGENDA. JULY 2, 1996 7:00 P.M. COURTYARD CONF. ROOM Call to Order 1. Finalize Concept Plan. 2. Receive Report on Pedestrian and Vehicle Traffic; Benshoof & Associates. 3. Finalize Distribution Map. ' 4. _ Assign Survey Distribution Routes. :'5 Handout Questionaires I look forward to seeing all of you on the 2°d. GApark\,th\mnwashta u 1 CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 MEMORANDUM TO: Minnewashta Parkland Neighborhood Focus Group FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation DirectorIt-ear DATE: May 21, 1996 SUBJ: Proof Copy of Neighborhood Letter and Questionnaire Please find enclosed a proof copy of the neighborhood letter and questionnaire. Nancy Wenzel and I have prepared these documents for the group. Also, enclosed are two versions of the Park Concept Plan. Please call Nancy Wenzel or me by May 31 with your comments or questions. Which concept plan should we include with the mailing? Please refer to the survey boundary map, does it include everybody? Upon receiving all comments, final copies of the letter packet will be printed and delivered to Nancy. Each focus group member will then be assigned a delivery route. Thanks Nancy Wenzel 474-3610 Todd Hoffman �. 937711900 ext. 121 Ig:\park\th\mnwhsta CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 May 13, 1996 Dear Neighbor - As you may be aware, the City of Chanhassen was successful in acquiring land for a neighborhood park at the northwest corner of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road. This eight acre site contains 500 feet of shoreline on Lake Minnewashta, provides ample room for park amenities, and offers excellent views of Lake Minnewashta and Lake St. Joe. Investments made in the property to date total approximately $250,000.' These costs include land, public improvements (road, storm sewer, water, sanitaiy sewer), legal and consulting costs. The estimated cost to complete the park totals $380,000 Please continue to be aware that this estimate includes $128,000 for an ice/inline skating rink with lights, a double tennis court (not lighted), and a ballfield. These amenities are not typically installed in "neighborhood" parks and there is no guarantee that the Park and Recreation Commission will approve their installation at the Minnewashta site. Additionally, the fishing pier ($20,000) is eligible for a Department of Natural Resources grant. The Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission has allocated $70,000 for capital improvements at the site in 1996. These dollars will be applied to site grading, parking lot and trail construction, and"seeding.This work will commence this summer, concluding with the seeding of the park m mid to late September To'allow "construction to begin, a master park plan must be formalized. p..H Upon meeting with the Chanhassen Park & Recreation Commission 6fi February 13, 1996, a = group of -neighbors volunteered to serve on a focus ,group to guide the initial development of the park. We would like to hear from you and everyone of your neighbors (see survey boundary map) during this process. Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and drop it in the mail by June 21, 1996. If you would like to discuss the park planning process with one of us, please feel free to call. - Il 1 May 13, 1996 Page 2 This new park is an amenity that we should all be proud of. It will act as a neighborhood focal point, provide needed recreation services, and protect our property values. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, LAKE MINNEWASHTA PARK FOCUS GROUP Jill Lidstone 3991 Country Oaks Road Excelsior, MN 55331 474-6346 Michelle Clark 3841 Red Cedar Point Dr. Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0137 Nancy Wenzel 6900 Minnewashta Pkwy Excelsior, MN 55331 474-3610 -0 00' Greg Dati-lia 7201 Juniper Ave. Excelsior, MN 55331 474-0190 Tom Paradise Liz Micek 3755 Red Cedar Point Dr. 3900 Stratford Ridge 1 Excelsior, MN 55331 Excelsior, MN 55331 470-0492 470-5259 David Headla 6870 Minnewashta Pkwy Excelsior, MN 55331 474-7269 Peter Moe 7161 Minnewashta Pkwy Excelsior, MN 55331 474-2236 L 05/13ZI996 13:27 FROM LARRY WENZEL & ASSOC. TO 9375739 P.02 We would like to have you, our neighbors plan and name the park. Please complete this questionnaire and return it in the enclosed envelope to Nancy Wenzel. HAKE THE PARK CONTEST Name of Park Prizes arem 40 Punch Card for Chanhassen Recreation Center (552 Value) 2 Vehicle Passes to Lake Ann Park (Valued @ $5 each) PLAN THE PARK Scheduled for Summer 1996: Site Grading $45,000 Seeding $12,000 Parking Lot/s $28,000 Asphalt Trail 514, 000 Please rate your interest in the part improvements 1 - First Priority - Must have. 2 - 3 - 4 5 - Forget - Do not need. Round House Renovation $40,000 Fishing Pier t,20,000 Swimming Beach S10,000 Ball Field $15,000 Play Area Phase 1 (Ages 6-12) 025,000 Play area Phase 2 (Ages 3-5) $25,000 Picnic Facilities S 50,000 Sand Volleyball Court . S 3,000 ..Hflckey. Rink w/Asphalt Surface W/Lights 75,000 Double Tennis Court w/Basketball Hoops 538,000 Landscaping S25,000 Other Comments: V Creative Solutions for Land Planning and Design Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. Memo May 2, 1996 To: Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director City of Chanhassen From: Bruce Chamberlain 4 A_j Park Planning Consultant V Re: Cost estimate for park improvements at the Minnewashta/Kings Road park site. Based on our discussion and further calculation, the following prices can be assigned to the elements anticipated to be in the park. • Site Grading $45,000 • Seeding $12,000 • Parking Lot/s $28,000 • Round House Renovation $40,000 • Fishing Pier $20,000 • Beach $10,000 • Hockey Rink w/Asphalt Surface $75,000 • Play Area: 2 phases, $25,000/phase $50,000 • Picnic Facilities $5,000 • Sand Volleyball Court $3,000 • Double Tennis Court w/Basketball Hoops $38,000 • Ball Field $15,000 • Asphalt Trail $14,000 • Landscaping $25,000 Total $380,000 Obviously, because it is very early in the planning stages, these numbers are conservative and can be furtherrefined_as construction draws near. If you have any questions comments, please give me a call M.WHANHA"5-MINGCOST:MEM ' NF) MAY 0 3 1996 CITY OF Ch { 641.E ISEN 7300 Metro Boulevard, Suite 525, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439 (612) 835-9960 Fax (612) 835-3160 i AGENDA MINNEWASHTA PARKWAY PARKLAND NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS GROUP MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 9,1996, 8:00 - 9:00 P.M. COURTYARD CONFERENCE ROOM CHANHASSEN CITY HALL, 690 COULTER DRIVE I 1. Introductions. 2. Identification of Potential Park Names. 3. Resolution of Issues Identified in Initial Meeting (see attached 4is'q. 4. Confirmation of Park Concept Plan. 5. Identify Components of Phase I Development (Summer/Fall of 1996570,000). 6. Other Issues. 7. Adjournment. • MINNEWASHTA PARKLAND NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING FEBRUARY 139 1996 Issues/Questions. • Trail crossing of parkway is safety concern. Apedestrian cross walk will be maintained at Kings Roam • Buffer to north is important. Agreed. • Beach may be best located toward south side. Further evaluation required • Dock could cause potential problems with boating. Problems are not insurmountable. Some boat parking may be desirable. • Stop sign at Kings Road is desirable. Whether or not a stop sign is installed at this location will be resolved as we move forward. • How is access controlled onto private property? With vegetation buffers and fending where necessary. • Round house is a nice amenity, but it needs work. Agreed. • Benches along lake. Good idea. Install in 1996 • Larger playground may be desirable. To be resolved as we move forward, i , CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 April 1, 1996 ! Uti'� y illA Ms. Liz Micek /� G 3900 Stratford Ridge Q Excelsior, MN 55331 Dear Ms. Micek: Thank you for volunteering to serve on the focus group which will guide the initial development of the new Minnewashta Parkway parkland. I would'like to call a meeting of our group on Tuesday, April 9, 1996 at 8:00 p.m. We will meet inthe Courtyard Conference Room located on the upper level of City Hall. Bruce Chamberlain; a landscape architect with Hoisington Koegler Group, and I will host the meeting. An agenda is attached. Please call if you are unable to attend. A roster of group members is attached. Sincerely, tTodd Hoffman, CLP Park & Recreation Director Y c: ;,mark & Recreation Commission- Bruce Chamberlain, Hoisington KoeglerGroup �' a i ' Ms. Till Lidstone t3991 Country Oaks Rd. Excelsior, MN 55331 470-6346 Ms. Liz Micek 3900 Stratford Ridge Excelsior, MN 55331 470-5259 Mr. Todd Hoffman, Park & Rec. Director City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 Phone: 937-1900 ext. 121 Fax: 937-5739 Mrs. Nancy Wenzel 6900 Minnewashta Parkway Excelsior, MN 55331 474-3610 Mr. Greg Datillo 7201 Juniper Avenue Excelsior, MN 55331 474-0190 Mwsta. Park g:\park\th\mwsta.lbl Mr. David Headla 6870 Minnewashta Parkway Excelsior, MN 55331 474-7269 Mr. Bruce Chamberlain Hoisington-Koegler Group, Inc. 7300 Metro Boulevard, Suite 525 Minneapolis, MN 55439 835-9960 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING CHANHASSEN PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13,1996, 7:00 P.M. CHANHASSEN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 8:00 p.m. West Lake Minnewashta Parkland: Welcome - Jan Lash, Commission Vice -Chair iIntroduction of Commissioners and Staff Fred Berg; Ron Roeser; Jim Manders; Frank Scott; Jane Meger; Jan Lash,Vice Chair; Jim Andrews, Chair; Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director; Bruce Chamberlain, Consulting Landscape Architect, Hoisington-Koegler Group. 8:05 p.m. Brief history of acquisition - Todd Hoffman. 8:10 P.M. Brief overview of existing conditions - Bruce Chamberlain. 8:15 p.m. Explanation of existing park rules and policies - Jan Lash. The commission maintains the following park rules: Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Motorized vehicles are restricted to roadways and parking areas only. Glass containers are prohibited. Alcoholic beverages are restricted to can beer only. No pets are allowed in any city parks except along designated trailways. Snowmobiling is allowed on designated trails only. The commission does not advocate the construction of tennis courts or hockey rinks in every neighborhood park. It is their preference to group these facilities in community locations such as City Center Park or the Bluff Creek Elementary/ Chanhassen Recreation site. Exceptions to this policy have been made in cases where a neighborhood is geographically isolated and sufficient land area is available to accommodate such facilities. 8:20 p.m. Neighborhood input. We would like to hear from you! The Commission's 1996 park and trail acquisition and development fund includes an allocation of,$70,000 for initial site preparation. This work will include activities such as minimal clearing, site preparation and installation of some hard surfaces. The commission has developed a concept park plan for the park. What would you like to see done at this site? - IWhat issues or concerns do you have? n Is there someone who would like to chair a neighborhood group to review park playground designs and forward a purchasing recommendation to the Park &z Recreation Commission? What would you like to name the park? What are your ideas for potential use of the "round house?" do you want to keep it at all? How would you like to see the shoreline utilized? Other questions and comments are welcome. 8:55 p.m. Closing Remarks - Jan Lash, Park & Recreation Commission Minutes dated August 27, 1996 1 RECEIVE RECOMMENDATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS GROUP, MINNEWASHTA PARKWAY/KINGS ROAD PARKLAND. Public Present: Name Address Jon Fogelberg 3821 Red Cedar Point Art Allerman 3821 Red Cedar Point Margaret Parsons 3732 Red Cedar Point Dorothy Downing 7200 Juniper Road Dave Deadla 6870 Minnewashta Parkway Larry & Nancy Wenzel 6900 Minnewashta Parkway Jim Hofer 7098 Red Cedar Cove Debbie Rude 4080 Lake Ridge Road Lisa Braff 7410 Minnewashta Parkway Roy Bredholt Jr. 7386 Ridgehill Road Peter Moe 7161 Minnewashta Parkway Janet Carlson 4141 Dings Road Craig Anderson 7507 West 77th Street Joe Epping 7508 West 77th Street Don Roper 7509 West 771h Street Patty Tauscher 4000 Lakeridge Road Greg Dattilo 7201 Juniper Avenue Tom Paradise 3755 Red Cedar Point Road Michael M. Clark 3841 Red Cedar Point Todd Hoffman presented the staff report on this item. Lash: Are there questions or comments for staff? Okay, we'll open this up for comments. , Larry Wenzel: Larry Wenzel, 6900 Minnewashta Parkway. We border the north side of the park and unlike my good friend Jim Hofer, I don't mind a hockey rink. I'll probably be one of the few guys on Social Security down there hacking it up with 5 year olds. I do think though that we've got some major consideration and thinking to do though in respect to the lake front usage and that is how the little people get from Point A to Point B without getting run over. For myself, getting the mail every day and crossing the road, I know how fast those cars come. And I've had cars have to switch from the right hand lane and the left hand lane, heading north up towards Highway 7 from Highway 5 because I'm crossing and don't have time to either retreat or make it across that road. One of my 3 or 4 year old grand kids isn't going to have the same kind of reactions that I'm going to have trying to cross that road getting to the beach, and they're not focused. They're not thinking about that. They're running for the water or running for the car and some poor old guy coming or some young kid that hasn't had a lot of experience or doesn't know that it's there, we're looking for a problem. When that problem happens the thing is that they're going to be at our house, banging on our door to call 911 because it's their youngster A that's hit. And I think you've got to think about that. I think what we're got to do, I'm in favor of the beach and I'm in favor of the pier but I think it's, we've got to figure out a way to protect those people getting across that road, whether it's fencing. Whether it's stop lights. Whether it's an overhead bridge. Whatever it is to protect those people because you're going to have a problem. I think you've got to look at that real hard. Roeser: What's the speed limit on that? Larry Wenzel: 30. And the surveys say that the average speed is something like 29. But if you live there, there are a lot of them that go a whole hell of a lot faster than that. And they come screeching around pretty good sometimes. And that's an area where you've got some turns and some visibility problems because of the trees. Berg: Well two things. What about the possibility of a warning sign, like a flashing sign saying pedestrian crossing? So first of all so people aren't, people are aware that there's something coming up. And is it reasonable to assume that if a 3 or 4 year old is going to be going to the beach, that they're going to be accompanied by an adult to help. Larry Wenzel: Number one, anything you do, whether it's flashing lights or anything is a positive. Number two, my tummy tells me that a 3 year old with a mother is heading for the water or heading for the car, and mother might or might not be busy and I'm not, you know I don't want to risk that. I don't want her coming up to my house and screaming that she needs help because she had a problem and couldn't watch. And it's not fair. It's not fair to us to make that decision. We've got to figure out how to do it right and that's the key thing and that's all I have. Lash: Okay. Thanks Larry. Any other public comments? Peter Moe: My name is Peter Moe. I live at 7161 Minnewashta Parkway. I was a member of the park focus group but was unable to attend the last meeting because I was on vacation but I'd like to speak. I am strongly in favor of a beach. There's a number of people that live along Minnewashta Parkway that don't have lake access currently and it's not reasonable to use the beach at the other park on the other side of the lake because kids cannot go there on bikes. It's state highways to get there. The safety issue is certainly our concern. That's why the group decided to hire to have a traffic survey done. There is a crosswalk there. I think the parents should be responsible for their kids. The kids are crossing streets to get to nearly every park in the city, and I'm not saying that's not an important issue but parents need to be responsible. ( Swimming is a dangerous issue by itself. Parents shouldn't let their kids swim unless they're watching or they're old enough to take care of themselves too and have lessons and things... everyone swims. It's a good family activity. It's a nice sandy area there. I've swum there since the city has owned the property and I think it's a really something that should be added. I would like also to read a letter from one of my neighbors who wasn't able to come. Arlene Herman at 3750 Red Cedar Point Drive. Please accept this letter as my family's support of the proposed public swimming beach and park on Minnewashta Parkway. As 8 year residents of the area, we have long enjoyed the area while at the same time —missing the enjoyment that access to the lake 2 that many of our lakefront neighbors enjoy. It would be difficult to stress the degree from which we are felt ... such access. While neighbors have at times invited us to use their lakefront, I strongly support the proposal so that my children and I can visit the beach at will in full enjoyment for the short summer season. Also the proposed ice skating rink and round house would be greatly appreciated and often utilized by us as well. We're very excited about these additions to our area and strongly recommend passage of these proposals. Lash: Thank you. Any other comments? Jon Fogelberg: My name is Jon Fogelberg, 3821 Red Cedar Point. I'm in favor of the swimming beach. We don't have any lake access and I like to swim. It'd be nice to have a place to swim. Lash: Thank you. Nancy Wenzel: I'm Nancy Wenzel, also next to the park. I have been, well first I'd like to point out that after reading the survey it was fairly obvious that the most controversial item on the survey was the swimming beach. We have a lot of people in favor of it, but there were a lot of comments, a good number of them concerned with the safety. I have taken it upon myself to check into problems that Waconia's had in the past. I don't know how many... I know that at one point it was so bad that they actually barricaded the road. Then the next year they had so many complaints about the barricade, that they had to take that out ... a stop sign that is similar to a railroad stop sign. It's kind of flourescent and also a flashing light on top of that. Now this road doesn't even have an intersection. It's just a straight road. We don't have the traffic maybe on such a scale that they do but I think we're creating the same problem. And I would like to try and look into this a little more before we make a decision on the beach. I'm not saying don't have the beach. I'm just saying let's be careful. Lash: Can you just get a little more specific about what some of the problems are that they're having. Nancy Wenzel: In Waconia? Lash: Yes. Nancy Wenzel: I can't. Up to this point I've only gone through newspaper files. I haven't talked with the park people or the County ... but I intend to do that. Lash: Okay. I Roeser: But you must remember, that's Waconia city beach too. It's not a neighborhood beach, right? It's for the entire town. Nancy Wenzel: I think it's Carver County isn't it? Roeser: Yes, which draws a lot more people than a neighborhood beach would on Minnewashta. P Nancy Wenzel: I've been by there several times lately and I haven't seen that number of people there. But I do know that they have had problems there. That we're creating the same situation on Minnewashta Parkway on a smaller scale. And your speed limit also is not fast. So I just think we need to be careful. Lash: Thank you. Art Allerman: My name is Art Allerman and I live at 3821 Red Cedar Point. I'm in favor of the beach. I've lived in this area for about 30 years. I used to swim at the beach at the resort when it was there. For the last 10 years I've not been able to swim in the lake because I'm not going to go way across the way to the swimming beach so I'm in favor of the beach. I do agree with the safety issues but I know that things can be done to get this thing accomplished, and I think we need it out there. Thank you. Lash: Thank you. Craig Anderson: Hi, I'm Craig Anderson. I live at 7507 77`h Street. I've got a couple of comments regarding first of all the neighborhood. We were not aware of the process on the park to begin with. We were somehow neglected from the list. I am in favor of the beach also. We have a lot of little kids in our neighborhood and they are in need of a place to swim and the beach would be good. A suggestion as far as safety goes. Since our summer is about 3 weeks long, maybe there could be a temporary kind of safety devices that could be up during the swimming season and then taken down in the off season. Thank you. Lash: I do have a mailing list of all the people who received or were mailed information and it does appear to me that your neighborhood was on the list. Craig Anderson: We received the information for the meeting of August 5`h. That was the first... Lash: Okay. Thank you. Jim Hofer: Jim Hofer, 7098 Red Cedar Cove. I was at the focus group meeting in August and there were a number of comments brought up, not just negative but also positive but some of the concerns were the size of the area. We're talking about a neighborhood beach but we all know that a neighborhood beach will draw people from outside the neighborhood. There have been problems with other beaches. Waconia was mentioned. I know that the City Council has had complaints from neighbors about the Lotus Lake beach. Currently if people do swim at the site of the new Minnewashta Park, even though it's not a beach, there are people, neighbors who do swim there. And I think the closest neighbors have a lot of concern about the beach and the focus group did agree to take a look through a majority vote. So at this point I think that that should be accepted and let the focus team get on with further discussion about the beach, even though there seems to be some interest in moving ahead with that at this point. Lash: Thank you. I Roy Bredholt: Hi. I'm Roy Bredholt. I'm at 7386 Ridgehill Road and I simply wanted to come tonight and tell you that my family and I are very much in favor of the beach. I have young children, ages 4 and 7 and we would go up the parkway, use the beach —probably use the beach as much as any other aspect of the proposed park and we would very much like to have it. I also , have a letter from my neighbors across the street. Peter and Delores Jacobson at 4040 Lake Ridge Road. They say, to whom it may concern. We were pleased to hear that the City of Chanhassen is committed to establishing a small park on Minnewashta Parkway near our new home. If possible we would very much appreciate it if the park could include a small beach on Lake Minnewashta where our children could go and swim. We would be glad to walk to the new park. Perhaps the City could control access by limiting the number of parking spaces or even forbidding parking. Such a restriction should reassure homeowners rightfully concerned any change in this beautiful area. Sincerely yours, Peter R. Jacobson and Delores G. Jacobson. Thank you very much. Lash: Thank you. i Rude: Good evening. M name is Debbie Rude and I'm probably one of the least... Debbie g y people here tonight. I'm at 4080 Lake Ridge Road in the Highlands development. I'm here tonight to voice my support for not only the park but also the beach. But my primary comment really has probably more to do with us new homeowners quickly approaching that area. As most of you are aware, parks development is obviously growing but so is the development behind Kings Road and I believe there will be something like 80 plus homes going up in the very near future. My anticipation would be those people will also have children and be able to utilize it, probably support the park. But as I see in the very brief time that I've had to look at the memos and to really ask some of the things that have gone on the last year, I see a cross list problem in communicating with not only the folks who have been in the community for a while, but for the folks coming into the neighborhood. As an example I was just approached this morning at the doorstep with a flier that had been circulated that there would be a vote tonight on this. ...only two publications that came out from the office. I didn't feel prepared to come unless I spent the afternoon making some phone calls and trying to get some history on the issues so I could come and speak intelligently about this. Unfortunately that's the way it goes in trying to keep up with issues and trying to communicate to everyone. I realize that people are going to be missed. However, something so important that includes something so important as our children, their activities, and the aesthetics of our neighborhood, perhaps we need to take, as has been mentioned, a little more time and a lot less move it along and continue. I think that these issues are important. I would be in favor of holding off doing anything until everybody, or a majority felt more comfortable... safety issues and would hope that we do more to get information, like this packet tonight should have been distributed... to the 46 that were missed. The others that received them. And those that are moving in, because I didn't appreciate having my afternoon turned upside down but ... Thank you. Lash: Would you like to address that comment quickly. Hoffman: Yes I would. First of all to back up. I do apologize for the error in the original mailing that went out, which distributed the survey. The City of Chanhassen is inbetween technology... way in performing mailing lists on a GIS... Craig and Vicky Anderson were included on the July 24t mailing, which I asked them to accept my apologies for the error in the first mailing at 7507 771h Street but they should have received a packet. At least it was mailed from City Hall to the post office. In regard to the report which was distributed at this meeting this evening, the letter dated August 19th which went out and explaining the process that would take place this evening, as we continue forward, was mailed on the 19th. The staff report was not prepared completely until the end of that week ... report would be available after August 22°d . If they would be interested in receiving it, they should contact Karen Engelhardt at our office to receive that report. My office has done everything within it's power, has spent many, many hours on this mailing list and we've worked with three post offices. Both at Chanhassen, Excelsior and Chaska to make sure that the mail is distributed. Again I'm ... tell you that they were inot... communication but I can say that in any of our neighborhood park and city processes, this has been one of the most, or the most comprehensive in my 11 years with here with the City of Chanhassen. Never before have we attempted to involve 400, over 450 residents in a process, and never before have we involved a neighborhood focus group to this extent in a neighborhood park development process. ILash: Okay, thanks. Lisa Braff: Hi. I'm Lisa Braff. I'm at 7410 Minnewashta Parkway and my husband and I have lived there for 15 years. We have three boys who are just looking forward to having a beach to swim in and we are all for it. Of course safety is the concern but I know that there are three and four associations along the parkway. Three that I know of, that have an issue with people crossing back and forth and the Linden Circle one has, it's very well marked. Has a better sight line but there are lots of paint saying pedestrian crossway and you just have to watch where you're driving and parental supervision is so important that I can't imagine not being there with my kids and crossing with my kids... Even if there isn't a beach there, what's going to keep kids from jumping into the lake anyhow. I figure if they're going to do that, let's make it a safe beach 1 and I think if they're having no park there anyways, there would have been some kind of an association push to be put there anyhow because it's such a beautiful piece of land for a beach. And I think if you do limit parking, you'll limit the outside traffic... beach so I know at Carver Park over on Lotus Lake, there are very few places to park and so I used to go there but I have no desire to go there anyways...it's really for the neighborhood over there too so I think that's something to think about. And I have a note here from Pastor Lemke and his wife from Faith Lutheran Church at the very end of the parkway on TH 5. Dear Chanhassen City Hall. We are extremely disappointed that the public beach planned for Minnewashta Parkway could be left out of the planned park. We have lived on Minnewashta Parkway for 22 years and used to use Leech's Resort. We need a beach within walking or biking distance. That beach is a great location that allows residents on the parkway who don't live on the lake. Please don't remove ' the beach from the park. Thank you. Margaret Parsons: This is the first I've heard of this. My name is Margaret Parsons, 3732 Hickory. I'm one of the fortunate ones. My family learned to swim with the Leech family... The children all learned to swim and I can't endorse this too much. It took me until I was 60 to go to the YWCA and learn to swim. My kids have swam across that lake all summer. I didn't know... but they all swim and they swim like fish and there couldn't be any better exercise because when you're as old as I am, it's one of the best exercises and it's a lot to do in the morning. , Michele M. Clark: Hi. I'm Michele... Clark and my address is 3841 Red Cedar Point. I'm a member of the focus group but I'm here tonight to speak as a mother of one of the little people and I am really excited that we are initiating a park where we are. The fact that a park is on the lake cannot be ignored and while some people have been worried about the potential problems, I am worried that we are going to forget about a wonderful resource which is right next door, the lake. I think what we need is just a small beach. It doesn't have to be big and fancy. One where I can meet other families and sort of increase my community. I've lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years and I've wanted a beach for just as long. While the lake property owners have been very generous, if I need to, I can also go swimming. It would be so nice to just say, come on son, let's go swimming. Just for half an hour and don't have to ask or call. We can just go. To address the safety concerns that some have about the beach, like Lisa mentioned, there are two other private beaches in which the users must cross the street, Minnewashta Parkway, and in my 10 years there, I haven't heard of an accident. Once again I just want to tell you I'm looking forward to using the park with my family and meeting other families. I feel a beach is a necessary item since the park is on the lake. And ... beach opportunity out of fear, I think the additional of a public beach would be a pro -active response and encourage community building. i Thank you. Lash: Thank you. I Don Roper: Hi. My name is Don Roper. I live at 7509 West 77`h Street. I'm just here to express support for the beach and want you guys to think about the little kids. That's what's so great about, my wife and I are new to the neighborhood and we have a young child and it's nice to take him down. We went down there yesterday as a matter of fact and even nicer if you had a little beach to sit down and enjoy it all. We realize safety is a big issue and get some experts that can look at that and can help you with it. If the locals can't hammer it out, get the experts in, and that's sounds like what you're doing, but again I'd just like to express my support for the beach. Lash: Thank you. Janet Carlson: Hi. I'm Janet Carlson. I live on Kings Road. I'm against the hockey rink. That is something I would just as soon see forget. And I'm with the safety measure for the kids. And then the other thing is, parking on Kings Road. Is there going to be parking on both sides of Kings Road? Hoffman: Currently the street would be not signed no parking on either side. , Janet Carlson: On either side? 7 h Hoffman: Correct. Janet Carlson: Then you're going to run into problems on that. Because even on Minnewashta Parkway there has been, even with the no parking signs, there has been times where people that live along there have had parties and you have people parking on both sides and it's just about impossible to meet any traffic there whatsoever. And I don't care if they're going to park on one side, that's fine but I don't want to see parking on both sides. It's just not commendable I don't think at all whatsoever. I would be very much opposed to parking on both sides. Berg: Can I ask you a question Mrs. Carlson? Janet Carlson: Yes. Berg: What is your opposition specifically to the hockey rink? Janet Carlson: I don't know, I just don't want a hockey rink there. With the lights and everything, this is just kind of like a community park. I just don't, I don't know, I just would as soon not. With the lights there, and of course I know they've got control of hours on it and 1 everything but there's just two or three more of them that just opened up in Chanhassen now didn't they? Within the last short time ... in the paper. P Lash: Yeah. How many did we put in at Bluff Creek, two? Hoffman: Two. Roeser: These are neighborhood hockey rinks though you know. They would be used by kids living in the neighborhood. Rather than have them go up to Bluff Creek. They can pickup their skates and walk to the rink.... And the lights, you almost need the lights in the winter time. You know 6:00 it's dark. Lash: Even if we just have open skating. An open skating pond, which I think most people would want eventually. There would have to be a light because otherwise nobody'd be able to use it. Janet Carlson: I just do not want to see a hockey rink there ... I would greatly oppose. Thank you. Berg: We're not, when we talk lights and a hockey rink, we're not talking the large array of lights are we Todd? Are we talking one light? Hoffman: A hockey rink, you would need two poles. North Lotus has two poles on opposite corners. There are areas where the foot candles are not there that we have at the community parks... N. LJ Lash: An the hours, what time to do they go out, 9:00? 1 Hoffman: 9:00. 1 Berg: This is areal dumb question but it's a technical question. With these lights, how much illumination is there away from the hockey area? , Hoffman: That issue has been debated at length in every community in the state. How I like to characterize it is that you'll see the lights. It doesn't matter where you're at, you'll see the lights. With the spillover impact in fact is a very technical question and the city actually... city ordinance which restricts the amount of spill in the amount of illumination at the edge of the street, or at certain distance in feet away from the rink so you would have to just meet the city ordinance for those lighting restrictions. Tom Paradise: Hi. I'm Tom Paradise. I live at 3755 Red Cedar Point. I wrote and I am in support of the beach also, along with my family. I also have a letter here from a neighbor of mine. Dear Chanhassen City Council members. On behalf of our family, we strongly support a beach on the west side of Minnewashta. With a home on Red Cedar Point here I would miss the opportunity to have access to a community beach or belong to an association... people living around the lake. The new park is a wonderful idea for all the people of Chanhassen. The City to have a beach in combination with a park shows great foresight and consideration for generations to come. Please say yes. Thank you. Lash: Can you tell us who that's from. Tom Paradise: Mike and Cindy Winter. 3841 Red Cedar Point. I Lash: Thank you. Any other comments? Greg Dattilo: Hi. I'm Greg Dattilo, 7201 Juniper Avenue. I would like to thank the Park Board , for putting in our parkway. Our walkway parkway and making a large investment in that park so far and thinking of throwing in some more money for the improvements. I had the privilege of going through all the surveys last night and as you know there was 146 surveys and I was going through, what I wanted to do was categorize the number one priority. The survey was rated 1 through 5. 1 being first priority. Must have. So going through the 11 items, volleyball at 10. Hockey had 17. Round house had 19. Ballfield had 23. Fishing pier and tennis and basketball courts both had 25. Picnic area had 31. Playground, 6 to 12. 41 people chose that to be their number one thing. Beach, was 45. The only other one that had more than beach was the playground 3 to 5. That's one-third, approximately one-third of that in returns of surveys had the beach as their number one priority. Now there was a comment on ... that came back out of 96 so 40 negatives, 14 were on the beach. But out of the 40 total negatives, 35% of the 40 negative comments came from 5 people. 3 %2% of the total amount of respondents voiced 35% of the negative. Berg: I guess, I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt. I thought you were finished. 9 Greg Dattilo: Fishing pier. This one's kind of fun. Let the small fish grow up. I thought that ' was kind of fun. The same survey, the same person, swimming beach. Don't need that much noise at our dock and beach. So those were the negatives that were coming back was you know, on the swimming beach. It's like, don't need that noise at our dock and beach. Well, that would ' have to be a dock or beach that's very close to that property so here, I just want to let everybody know what the rest of the survey had as being the number two top priority was the swimming beach. Thank you. Meger: I'm just curious, could you go the opposite way and count how many five's? Greg Dattilo: Five's. I did on three things. Beach, ballfield and volleyball. Those three things were ... and also were the three things that well, I'd better take a look at to see what all the surveys had. The beach, it had 45 number one's and it had 26 number five's, okay. Now if you go to the ballfield, you had 23 number one's. And you had 19 number five's. So it was a much more even spread, you know between the ballfield and the volleyball was the opposite. We had 10 yes's, or 10 one's and you had 30 five's. I mean that was something that the focus group ' agreed on with the volleyball was, it was basically... and that really fit in with the neighborhood response. With the volleyball and the ballfield. But it really surprised, because that was the first thing I did because I saw a beach, it had 45 one's. Ballfield had 23 and volleyball had 10. I kind of went wow. That's a lot. Why don't I take a look at the other eight projects to see how many one's they had because actually in the survey, and how it was tallied, which is the way I would have done it too. All the numbers were added up and divided by the total number of respondents and came up with a number... because there was a large number of five's that downgraded the one. I get all statistical and you're probably confused but here I just wanted to point out that the ' only one that had more number one's was the playground for the 3 to 5 year olds. Thank you. Resident: I did a little bit on a grid. I added the total of the one's and two's together and I added all of the four's and five's together and left the three's in the middle. And that way it came out with 63% for the play area phase two. 64.7 for phase one. 54.7 for landscaping. 46.7 for picnic and 49.3... By the same token there were very few negative percentages on the list. The beach ' had 26 and the picnic 25. Greg Dattilo: Is that percentages? Resident: Those are percentages. I would be happy to leave this with you if you would like it. ' Resident: ...this is from Bill and Theresa Thompson at 7396 Ridgehill Road. We're interested in the development of a public beach on Lake Minnewashta. We are unable to attend the meeting this evening and would like this letter to be our voice and our representation for a beach/public at Minnewashta. We would like to know about future development of the project. Sincerely... Lash: Can you leave that letter? Thank you. 10 Hoffman: The remaining... like to make those a part of the public record, we do have verbatim i Minutes on tape that would be easy to include them and have the hard copies so. Lash: So when this segment's over if you can leave those letters. ' Dave Headla: Dave Headla, 6870 Minnewashta Parkway. I think I'm the second closest house to the park. Wenzel's being the first. You're going to hear, if you haven't ... we were a rural area , until 95% of the people here moved out. We're now city people. We have street lights, curb, gutter, fire hydrants so I look at it... I'd like to talk first about the swimming beach, and this park and swimming beach, outside of the parkway system, or the trail system on the parkway, that's been debated quite a bit at our house between our friends and neighbors. When we get around the kitchen table and we hash it out pretty hard. On the swimming beach, listening to the focus group, I think there's two what I'd say very valid concerns... safety. And one is the kids crossing the street and the other, people come out ... I saw it again this last weekend. People come out. Families come out. Swim there. Go out on their air mattresses. They do get out into what could be road traffic. It happens at Pleasant Acres, in that area. People in their air mattresses go out there too. So the first one is just crossing the road... shrubbery along the west side of the road. I think that can be effective. I think what can be a lot more effective, compliment that is to have like a split rail fence. A... foot garden or something with a plastic chainlink around it on the east side of the road. So when kids come across, they've got a barrier to begin with, or gets them on the trail. They look across the road and dog gone it, there's a barrier there. There's an obstacle. ' It isn't going to stop them 100%. Particularly small kids I think it's going to be very effective and they're going to go around. I would really like to encourage I want a beach, and I'll tell you more about it, but I would really like to encourage some type of obstacle on the east side of the road. And then this air mattresses going out. I think that's very serious. I was driving a powerboat and I was pulling some kids tubing and you have to keep an eye on them. I don't know what can be done to control that but if we have a beach, I think you can put rules up there and not everybody's going to obey them but I think you have some clout there then and I wouldn't hesitate at all to go out and tell those people about that rule. I just think that's probably the best way to control that type of situation. It isn't safe. I don't know... And then, there's well over 100 homes that do not have any access to the beach within walking distance of this park. I really wonder, I think they should all have access to the lake, and this is just an excellent place. And the reason I'm pushing this so much ... I grew up Lake Minnetonka... and we would swim up ' to three times a day. I found it a very important part of my life and this year I just had a 50`" High School Anniversary... from California. We grew up together. At breakfast and what did we talk ' about. We talked about swimming in the summer times. The screwy things we did. The fun times we had and so I still swim three times a week and it just made a tremendous impact on me. But it was within an unorganized swimming beach that we did all this. We created our own , pond. Now I'd like to talk about the hockey rink. There have been suggestions and Janet brought it up tonight. Janet Carlson on the lights. And Sue Morgan... I've been thinking about it and I've looked at Cathcart and then I start thinking, there is a light post ... out at Winsted... probably 30 years ago... It doesn't have to be a tall light. It isn't a parking lot light or anything but it is effective... You could use that type of light post and when the hockey season's over, you can either tip it at the base, tip it down or take it and put it away. I understand it's not ' too difficult to do that type of thing. I guess I would like to have you consider. I do not know the 11 I- 1 r- U pi �I cost... I think hockey, neighborhood hockey is very important. You hear all this stuff about organized baseball, organized hockey and I was part of organized hockey and it really was great but I also think... Let the...walk to the skating rink... Let them have a place they can walk to and play hockey in the afternoon. Have pick-up games or if they want to just skate. But let's have some place that's unorganized. Cathcart is unacceptable. You've got to cross Highway 7. My kids, my grandson, I don't let them walk across Highway 7 in the late afternoon. It's too darn dangerous. No other place available. We aren't going to drive over to Cathcart or Badger. The... are unacceptable to get on there. Especially trying to get on at 5:00 or 6:00 at night. I just really would like to see that hockey there, and in line skate. I think those young fellows tonight that talked about in line skating, it's very healthy for them. I think it's a good thing, like they said, rather than getting into trouble, they're out there working... The only other thing I had to say is, I would like to see you reconsider the volleyball court... The volleyball court really isn't much of a problem. And I asked Todd about it's use. He felt ... thank you. Lash: Thanks. Anyone else? Okay. It looks like we're ready for commissioner comments. Questions. Would you like to start Mike? I'll start at your end. Howe: I just think as far as the hockey rink, there's been a lot of good points made about the lights and maybe the crowds or the noise. I mean as far as the lights, what are we talking, 3 months a year on the lights? December to March maybe. In a good year. How long is that really going to be a problem? It won't be used in the summer. ...so we're talking two months. 2 %2 months maybe. And the beach, it seems like most folks seem to want the beach. It seems like an integral part of this park. I've seen a lot of support for that. I do agree, I have two little boys. I try to watch them as best I can, so does their mother. There are times when they can slip away. And I can see the point about slowing cars down and maybe just a sign warning of a crosswalk or a beach crossing or one of those children playground present. Something like that just to warn people what they're coming into because they may not be used to it initially and as that neighborhood grows and those houses going in there, there will be more traffic. I know that study indicates that but those would be my points. Lash: Okay, thanks Mike. Jane. Meger: I guess I'd like to specifically address the safety issues as well. I think there were a lot of good recommendations for signage. Blinking signs. I like the idea of some type of barrier that prohibits kids from just being able to sprint across any old portion of the park. Shrubs are always a nice amenity. It can provide some shade as well. And as far as once they're in the water and floating out further, at Carver Beach I know we have some ropes that kind of give them an area to stay within, which I think would be another good idea for safety reasons. You get people out there but I'd ... it's nice to see such a large group of people coming in and expressing their ideas, concerns and I'm a mother too so it's nice to hear the concerns of the children as well. The last point about volleyball I think is one that we should make note of. When we visited the site tonight we talked a little bit about if there was an open skate area, that usually you have to reseed after that and that might be a nice place to put up a volleyball court that could go in in the summer at a relatively low cost. I think that's something for the group to consider. Those I guess are my main thoughts at this point. I think it sounds like the beach is something that people are certainly interested in. Perhaps I know that somewhere it talked about that being 12 U tabled and you hate to move too quickly ahead but maybe it's something that if the focus group really wants to talk about, how we can make it safe. What precautions do we really think are going to be necessary to make it safe to get across that street. ...I think as a commission, one of the things that we thought of when we wanted that piece of property was the lake access and that's obviously what made it so much something that we wanted so we would like to leave that open to as many as people as we can. And again, I think the idea of limiting parking, I have had the same experience trying to go swimming at Carver Beach. I don't live right in that neighborhood but I know it's there and I have had occasion where I've been able to park and I've had occasion where I've had to drive away too because there's limited parking there. I think that's... Lash: Frank. Scott: Yeah, on the safety issues, if they're not getting traffic coming in on the parkway, I would think that they could barriers very effectively to just keep people from crossing except where you want them to. That is a big problem. Especially with kids and a swimming beach. I've got a question of Todd. These two letters, one of them says there's $350,000.00 invested already and the other one says $250,000.00. Do you which one of those is right? Koffman: $250,000.00 invested in the land area and then the additional $100,000.00 was the road improvements that were put in... Scott: That's all. Lash: Okay. I'd like to congratulate you all too on all the work and the time you've put into this. It's wonderful to see this neighborhood input and we certainly appreciate it. This park has been a goal of the Park and Rec Commission for as long as I've been on and that's 7 years we've worked hard to try and get this site and we really want to get it going and I hope that through this process that this park will bring your neighborhood together and not everybody's going to agree on the final product and how it should turn out but I hope that the ultimate product will be that you all come together and enjoy this park for the beauty... It is going to be a wonderful, I think it's going to be one of the most beautiful neighborhood parks in this city. I have a couple of comments about specific things. One on the parking on Kings Road. I would agree with staffs recommendation that we begin without signage. If we monitor it. If the residents see it as a problem in the future, I would certainly direct that to Public Safety as far as signage would go in the future. I would like to find out specifically with the lighting for hockey and open skating. Well first of all I guess I had a question if it would be possible on the plan to flip the hockey, open skate so the hockey was more in the center of the park. Maybe it wouldn't be as invasive to the neighbors on Kings Road. I don't know if that's a possibility. And then also just to find out specifically, did you say that the lighting would be on either end of the hockey rink? Koffman: At opposite corners. Lash: Okay. And then for open skate there would be a separate light pole for that? 13 P �J Hoffman: Depending on the configuration. It's close enough where we'd put it off the back side of one of the other poles that separate... Lash: And like Jane said, I'll just explain that even a little further with the volleyball. We looked at that, I looked at areas where there's open skating as an example City Center, and you have skating in the winter and then in the spring it's like, it's a mess because there's no grass there and you have to see it and it takes, you know how long that takes. We just looked at the volleyball as a summer usage of property instead of having to put the money and time and labor ' into reseeding it and having it be a mess for most of the year anyway. Just turn it into volleyball in the summer. Open skating in the winter and then at least it looks like it's a finished product all the time instead of something that's always in transition. And it is very inexpensive for us to put ' in, and you may find that when you have neighborhood picnics, or family things where the people would use it. And I'd be interested from Todd in the priority of these things that we've kind of looked at. With the budget that we have for next year and in the future, how far we're igoing to get into this and how long it will take us to. The big ticket items are the tennis and the hockey, right? And if one of those is in one of the first phases, it's going to eat up all the money really fast so you know when you're prioritizing, you might want to be looking at a time line of well, would you rather have the majority of things done right away and hold off on tennis and or would you rather have tennis right away and hold off on everything else. I know how I would feel but it's your park. I would be interested in seeing, and I'm sure there's phone service to the ' round house now, is there not? Hoffinan: Yes. Lash: And us installing a pay phone in case there were safety emergencies there that someone could call 911 without a coin. That could help for the Wenzel's. That way you wouldn't have people knocking on your door. They could use the pay phone. I'd also like to look at the trail configuration because on this newest plan, it goes out to Minnewashta Parkway and I think I would prefer to see it go around the round house to the parking lot. I think the trail going to the parkway at least. People to the parkway and not the crosswalk. And I agree with the barrier on the east side. I think that's the end of my comments or suggestions on this but maybe when we're done we could find out from Todd what you think, how far we could get with what we have budgeted. Do you have a .budget tonight? ' Hoffman: I have some estimates for you. First in response to the hockey question. Their current location was shown and according to Bruce Chamberlain, our park planning consultant, is the only reasonable location. And concerning the budget. If you'll recall, somewhere ' in ... $60,000.00 you've got left. $65,000.00 approximately left for development. Slightly less than that. Consulting charges for the traffic study. The park planning to date and then the lease on the ... which placed the material... ' There is a break in the discussion at this point and jumping ahead to the motion portion of the ( p J meeting.) 14 Lash: With that I guess I'd be looking for a motion from a commissioner who'd like to try and pull this together as much as possible. Berg: Do you want separate motions or one for the whole thing? Lash: What would make it easier for you Todd? Broken down? Why don't we just go through the staff recommendation one at a time. That way we don't have to go back and make a lot of... Berg: I move that the area on Minnewashta Parkway and Dings Road parkland be designated as ' Round House Park. Lash: Is there a second? , Howe: Second. Howe seconded that the area on Minnewashta Parkway Berg moved, o Y and Kings Road parkland be designated as Round House Park. All voted in favor and the motion carried. � Lash: Do you want to keep going with it. Berg: Yeah. I think we have to amend this one a little bit from what the recommendation was. I guess we don't really. I move to accept staff s recommendation to recommend the conclusions of the Benshoof and Associates and that's what I wanted to change isn't it. I want to get something in here about the safety issue. ...that their conclusions be affirmed with the addition of signage to indicate that there is a pedestrian crosswalk. Signage to indicate that there is a pedestrian crosswalk. Preferably a light, or some sort of sign that is very visible to people coming from both directions, north and south I believe. Further move that there be some sort of natural barrier put on both sides of Minnewashta to discourage anyone from crossing other than at the crosswalk. And that there be, I didn't see it tonight, maybe it's there, that there be a clear crosswalk painted onto Minnewashta so that everyone can see exactly where it is. And that we also accept the recommendation that there be no parking on Minnewashta but that it would be maintained on Kings Road. Lash: And revisited? ' Berg: Right, and revisited after 6 months. Meger: Second. ' Berg moved, Meger seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend that the conclusions of Benshoof and Associates be affirmed with the following additions: That very visible signage with possibly a light be installed to indicate that there is a pedestrian crosswalk to people coming from both directions, north and south. Further that there be some sort of natural barrier put on both sides of Minnewashta to discourage anyone from ' crossing other than at the crosswalk. And that there be a clear crosswalk painted onto 1 15 LJ H ' Minnewashta so that everyone can see exactly where it is. And also to accept the recommendation that there be no parking on Minnewashta Parkway but parking would be ' permitted on Kings Road with the item being revisited after one year. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Hoffman: And when does the 6 months start? Lash: I think it should go through a summer season. ' Berg: 6 months is too short. Let's make it a year. Lash: Anyone opposed to that amendment? Okay. Next recommendation. ' Berg: I guess I'd like to hear some figures first. In terms of what we're talking about in terms of what we can officially hopefully give them. Lash: Actually what we need to do is look at, do we want to go forward with this master plan or have we made suggestions that drastic changes that we want to see it again, or have we not? The only suggestion I had is that the trail not lead out to Minnewashta Parkway. And that possibly the volleyball and open skating be combined into one area. Other than that, does anyone have any other? Manders: Tennis to me is an open question that I don't think is necessarily a given that it should be put in. And I would hold it out until a future date, if it's going to be put in. I wouldn't say that the space wouldn't be there if need be but I wouldn't commit to putting it in. ' Lash: What did the tennis rate in the survey? Does anybody happen to know? Hoffman: 26 I believe. Right in the middle of the packet. Bruce Chamberlain: It was tied for fifth. What you have was combined with the tennis and the basketball court and you don't know if they were voting for a basketball court or tennis court. Hoffinan: I would recommend that your decision to instruct staff as to the components which you would like to see in a master plan. If you desire that the space for the tennis court be left intact but the tennis court be taken off of the plan, that should be a part of your motion. And if you desire to see this priority submitted to Council, we can have it prepared in a week to 10 days. Distribute it to the commission and if you would speak with either Chair Lash or Vice Chair Berg if you have opposition they can communicate to me whether or not you want to table it from the September 91h City Council agenda to have it presented at a future meeting here. If you have ' great concerns over that proposed master plan. Lash: Do we further down the line in the budget, what's the next time that we have any money budgeted for this site? Do you know? 16 t Hoffman: In the project CIP? Lash: Yes. Hoffman: I don't recall if you put another block of money in there for '98 I believe... I think it's also worth mentioning as we discussed this evening, that the park referendum task force and Commissioner Scott's a member of that task force. Commissioner Manders is as well. And they are considering including a block of improvements in their referendum proposal for a vote next spring. They've still not made that decision but they could set aside, put capital of $100,000.00 in improvements for this park site as a part of that referendum... so they are taking a look at that. Lash: And how much would we be looking at for the tennis? Tennis -basketball combination, and hockey. Those two combined rough estimate. Hoffman: Rough estimate would be about $100,000.00... for hockey, basketball with the lights on and then about $30,000.00 for... Lash: So Jim what, how would you like to move forward with this? Manders: I guess. Lash: Could we make it into a phase one development master plan that would show the things that. Manders: I guess the question that's being asked tonight is, do we leave a space there. I mean we don't have to decide about putting it in. Do we just leave the space for a tennis courts. And not knowing necessarily how the neighborhood feels on that issue conclusively, I think we almost have to leave the space for it in. And for that matter in the same way, you leave the space there and deal with the actual development at a future date. Lash: I agree. So how will we move forward with the recommendation? Manders: So what's left is basically defining the contents of the park, I mean in terms of amenities? Hoffman: Correct. What you want to see in it. A master plan is a public docment which speaks a great deal about what you're thinking should be developed on a particular site. What we're asking of you this evening is to direct the City Council, or ask the City Council to approve a master plan, proposed master plan with the amenities that you desire to see on the site. Manders: I guess maybe one other point that I know I had read or I don't know if it was spoken to tonight but there was some thought about too many things being pushed into this small space and what things could be backed off and things that I'm hearing that rank low are volleyball but that is maybe a transitional item between open skating and winter and volleyball in the summer. So I don't see that as a real issue. Tennis I do. I mean that's a thing that maybe there isn't a I 1 F 11 17 ' demand and it could lessen the compactness or usage demand on that area so I guess I'm still kind of riding the rail on whether we want to put it in or not. ' Berg: Let me give it a try and see what you think and I'll accept a friendly amendment. I move that we recommend to City Council the following components be included in a proposed master ' park plan. Playground phases 1 and 2, landscaping, picnic area, an area where two non - illuminated tennis courts and basketball hoops may be placed, open skating area, one illuminated hockey and inline skating rink, and inconjunction with that a sand volleyball area, fishing pier, an open play field, bike rack, water fountain, parking and trail network. That trail to go not along Minnewashta but into the proposed parking area. ' Lash: I want to just question on the water fountain. Is that something we're going to be able to do? Is that because of the round house? Hoffman: Yeah. The round house has utilities in there and. ' Lash: I just know when we looked at it for Kurver the costs were. Hoffman: Yeah... ' Lash: Okay. Is there a second to that? ' Scott: Second. Lash: Any discussion or questions? ' Howe: Is the beach included in that? Did you get the beach in there? ' Lash: Probably not. Manders: That was mentioned earlier. ' Berg: The beach is included in the landscaping. ' Lash: Yeah, but the beach itself was not included so you'd have to put the beach in. Berg: And the beach area. The lakefront beach. Thank you. ' Lash: An other friendly amendments or questions on that? Is there a second on that? Y Y ' Scott: I seconded it. Berg moved, Scott seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend to City Council the following components be included in a proposed master park plan: Lakeshore beach, playground phases 1 and 2, landscaping, picnic area, an area where two non- 18 illuminated tennis courts and basketball hoops may be placed, open skating area, one illuminated hockey and inline skating rink, and inconjunction with that a sand volleyball area, fishing pier, an open play field, bike rack, water fountain, parking and trail network. That trail to go not along Minnewashta but into the proposed parking area. All voted in favor and the motion carried, Lash: Goodjob Fred. That's it? Okay. Hoffman: Your guidance as far as how you would like to process...? Lash: Well I believe this recommendation with the master plan would go onto City Council September 91". Hoffman: And you would like to see ... prior to being presented to Council, correct? Lash: Is there anyone who feels strongly that they need to see a revised plan before the meeting? Roeser: Are you going to handle thee..? Hoffman: You bets Lash: And I feel confident with the minor changes that were made that I really don't have to go out. Need to see it. Hoffman: It wasn't included in the mailing to the neighborhood. Lash: And will everyone on the mailing list receive, they all came to this meeting with what's happened. Hoffman: Yeah, the motion.. put it in the report. Manders: In terms of follow-up and as far as the park association out there I guess, I'm wondering what other kinds of input are planned? Is there further work? Hoffman: Well discussions of this meeting obviously revolve around the beach. I think it would be appropriate to invite comments from the members of that committee if they feel they have... Manders: Kind of where I'm heading with this is, and maybe I should be more clear when I ask the question but is pertaining to the referendum. The commission that I'm working on, or the park task force and as Todd has indicated, there's some discussion about including a block of funds in that referendum that would address for the needs in this park and I would welcome comment or input from that group regarding application of those funds. 1 1 19 r Peter and Dolores Jacobson , 4040 Lake Ridge Road Excelsior, AN 55331 August 27`h, 1996 1 To whom it may concern: ' We were pleased to hear that the City of Chanhassen is committed to establishing a small park on Minnewashta Parkway, near our new home. If possible, we would very much appreciate if the park could include a small beach r on Lake Minnewashta where our children could go and swim. We would be glad to walk to the new park. Perhaps the City could control access ' by limiting the number of parking spaces, or even forbidding parking. Such a restriction should reassure homeowners, rightly concerned about any change ' in this beautiful area. r Sincerely yours, r )C� /-I ),;t -- Peter M. obson ' � ' L Dolores . Jacobson r 1 r r r r r cl,f x ML//) 6° lVe, /MUD hoed o-n / N iw6lsl,24 , Qse- c(� Q b&L-cA mil_ f "% l'rt lvC� l�l irk a r,d-, bikily Jrs�a-nc.4-, TA&c L is �- preccl- �o c�.��'d �C(- /7) 0 s / O � re S I'd e h c e- to e li z-rl wQ. glecoLcj\ 71-A Q� 7o,�L�A 10 /1,1, vi", , )- p < ""' U1;� vry = = m = = m i = r m The Wenner Family August 26, 1996 Dear Chanhassen Council Members: On behalf of our family, we strongly support a beach on the west side of Lake Minnewashta. With a home on Red Cedar Point Drive, we miss the opportunity to have access to a community beach or belong to an association like many of the people living around the lake. The new park is a wonderful idea for all the people of Chanhassen! The decision to add a beach in combination with this park shows great foresightand consideration for generations to come. Please say yes! Very truly yours, Michael &Cindy Wenner 3801 Red Cedar Point P . S .: we also have two sons; Paul -age 10 and Excelsior; MN 55331 John- age 7 who are excited about the future! 612.470.8419 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I. ' Parks and Recreation Commission Chanhassen Dear Commissioners; As a member of the Minnewashta (Roundhouse) Park Focus Team, I helped to create the recommendations that are being placed before you tonight. As a close neighbor (Red Cedar Cove) of the proposed park, I encourage you to modify those recommendations. The proposed lighted hockey/in-line skate rink is the last thing ' this neighborhood needs. There are several established hockey rinks within a couple miles of the proposed park. Cathcart Park, the new Recreation Center, and downtown all have existing hockey rinks. This park addition will ruin the pleasant rural atmosphere and quiet ' environment that now exists. The neighbors would much rather see empty space, grass or even weeds, than the lights and fence (and noise) of a hockey rink. In addition, the proposal to allow overflow parking on Kings Road was not approved at the focus team meeting. The only comments concerning parking were about limiting parking availability and not allowing overflow parking on Kings Road. A neighborhood park should not require overflow parking. A large parking area and on -street parking encourages visitor use that should be discouraged for this park. The regional park off highway 41 should be where people are encouraged to go, not Minnewashta. ' I urge you to take into account the existing environment that you noted on your visit this evening and imagine how that would be destroyed with an almost professional hockey ' facility and nearly unlimited parking. A neighborhood park does not need to be jammed full of amenities. It will be more enjoyable as an open area where families can make and enjoy their own activities. Sincerely, Ilk- -Jim and Deb Hofer 7098 Red Cedar Cove L� 1 August 27, 1996 ' Park & Recreation Board City of Chanhassen IRe: Minnewashta Parkway Public Swimming Beach & Park Please accept this letter as my family's support of the proposed public swimming beach and park on Minnewashta Parkway. As eight - year residents of the area, we have long enjoyed the area, while at the same time starkly missing the enjoyment of access to the lake so many of our "lakefront" neighbors enjoy. It would be difficult to stress the degree to which we have felt the void of such access. 'While neighbors have at times invited us to use their lakefront, I strongly support the proposal so that my children and I can ' visit the beach at will and have full enjoyment of the short summ. er season. Also, the proposed ice skating rink and "roundhouse" would be greatly appreciated and often -utilized by us as well. We're 77ERY excited about these additions to our area, and ' strongly recommend passage of these proposals. Sincerely, Arlene Herndon 3750 Red Cedar Point Drive (612) 470-0158 SEP 3 7 6 10 35AM ROLLINS HUDIG HALL Chanhassen City Council August 28, 1996 Dear City Council; I am a member of the Minnewashta Park (now Roundhouse Park) Focus Team. I am very disappointed in the way our work was received by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Our recommendations apparently did not meet the desires of the Commission and were therefore disregarded. The Focus Team discussed the potential problems of a swimming beach at some length and agreed to table it for further study and later action. One team member was not satisfied with the outcome and mobilized some residents to attend the commission meeting and ask for a beach. The Commission quickly caved in to these residents without due consideration to the potential negatives. We believe that there are several problems that need to be resolved before the -beach can become a reality. • Safety: The narrow beach site combined with the busy parkway, where speed is not well controlled, has a high potential for safety problems- We have heard of similar problems at Waconia Beach which is also bordered by a road. The Parks'Cominission and consultants believe that a four-way stop sign is not warranted or recommended. • Size: The narrow beach site is not suitable for a large number of users. Parking should be limited to reduce the number of potential users. Residents of Lotus Lake have complained to Council about heavy use of the Lotus Lake Beach causing parking and other problems. Instead the Commission is recommending the use of Kings Road for overflow parking. • Beach Availability: The beach at the County Park across the lake is an excellent facility that can easily be used by residents on this side of the'lake. • Ecology. This area is the last "wrild" and unused section of shoreline on this side of the lake. The water in this area has a wide variety of weeds and reeds regularly frequented by herons and other birds. Creating the public beach and swimming area will destroy these features. • Neighbors: Neighbors on both sides of the proposed beach oppose it. Boat traffic at the Red Cedar Cove boat docks will pose additional safety problems for swimmers. In addition the Focus Team was told repeatedly that park costs would be borne by Trail Fees, not tms. At the Parks Commission meeting we learned that a referendum is being planned which would finance the park development (as well as other items). This is in direct opposition to what we were told by Todd on several instances. The possibility of resident financing may also dramatically change our recommendations. If the park is not being paid for out of Trail Fees, I suggest the issue be given back to the focus team for further consideration, Sincerely, Jinx Hofer 7098 Red Cedar Cove L 11 CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 0 FAX (612) 937-5739 September 5, 1996 Dear Resident: tAs you are aware, the Chanhassen Park & Recreation Commission received the recommendations of the Minnewashta Neighborhood Park Focus Group on August 27, 1996. These recommendations dealt specifically with the future development of an eight acre neighborhood park at the northwest intersection of Minnewashta Parkway and Kings Road (the proposed "Roundhouse Park"). A good number of residents were present on the evening of t August 271h. Many elected to present their viewpoints regarding the park proposal. Six letters were also received that evening. ' Following the receipt of public comment and commissioner discussion, the following motion was made: ' Berg moved, Scott seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend to City Council the following components be included in a proposed master park plan: lakeshore beach, playground phases 1 and 2, landscaping, picnic area, an area where two non - illuminated tennis courts and basketball hoops may be placed, open skating area, one illuminated hockey and inline skating rink, a sand volleyball area, fishing pier, an open play field, bike rack, water fountain, parking and trail network. All voted in favor and the motion carried. As you are aware, this recommendation will be presented to the Chanhassen City Council on ' Monday evening, September 9, 1996. I anticipate the item to be heard after 7:45 p.m. A sketch of the proposed park master plan is enclosed for your information. ' Certain members of the neighborhood focus group have voiced their displeasure with the action taken by the Park & Recreation Commission on August 27. In their motion, the commission confirmed twelve of thirteen amenities recommended by the focus group. The one exception being a double tennis court, which by policy, is not typically constructed in neighborhood parks. However, the commission did direct staff to include the land area necessary for a tennis court should it be constructed in the future. Additionally,the focus group had requested that the beachfront issue be tabled to allow for �' P q further discussion and study to occur. However, upon hearing the overwhelming support for the beach on the evening of the 27`h and after deliberation, commission members chose to unanimously support the beach. Lastly, the commissioners elected to retain the sand volleyball court which had been omitted by the focus group. September 5, 1996 Page 2 Misconceptions over the financing of park improvements have arisen. Each year the Park & Recreation Commission recommends the expenditure of approximately $200,000 in "park fee" dollars for a variety of projects throughout the city. Upon reviewing this annual recommendation, the city council either affirms, denies, or modifies the work of the commission. Roundhouse Park is scheduled to receive $70,000 in park fee dollars in 1996 and $50,000 in 1997. Beyond 1997, the five year park acquisition and development capital improvement program identifies a potential contribution of $50,000 in 1998. Park fee dollars are collected at the time new commercial, industrial, and residential construction occurs throughout the city. Approximately $250,000 is collected annually. I should note that the final investment of park fee dollars in Roundhouse Park will far exceed the contributions in park fees generated in the west Minnewashta neighborhood. Utilizing park fee dollars will result in progress at the park, but five to ten years, or more, are certain to pass prior to final development being realized. To expedite the improvement process, the Park Referendum Task Force has offered to include a $100,0004150,000 allocation for Roundhouse Park in their referendum proposal. A city-wide referendum vote is proposed to occur in April or May of 1997. A total of $5 million to $6 million in park and trail acquisition and development projects will be included in the referendum. If the referendum passes, every household and business in Chanhassen would share in the cost of financing these park improvements. The Referendum Task Force is simply asking the residents of the west Minnewashta area if they would like their "piece of the pie" included in the referendum. I encourage you to attend next Monday night's city council meeting. The council is interested in hearing your input prior to affirming or modifying the recommendation of the Park & Recreation Commission regarding Roundhouse Park. If you have questions or comments, I can be reached at 937-1900 ext. 121. Sincerely, Todd Hoffman, CLP Park & Recreation Director c: Mayor and City Council Park & Recreation Commission Don Ashworth, City Manager Kate Aanenson, Planning Director Charles Folch, City Engineer Scott Harr, Public Safety Director Alison Blackowiak, Park Referendum Task Force Co -Chair Nancy Mancino, Park Referendum Task Force Co -Chair Bruce Chamberlain, Hoisington-Koegler Group g:\park\th\roundhouse.e 1