1 Prairie Knoll Park PresentCITY OF
690 COULTER DRIVE · P.O. BOX 147 · CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 · FAX (612) 937-5739
May30,1996
Mr. Robert L. Schnese
641 Lake Susan Hills Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dear Bob:
Thank you for your letter of May 28, 1996 regarding Prairie Knoll Park. I enjoyed our follow-up phone
conversation and look forward to working with you on future planning for this park site. At your request,
have scheduled you for a presentation at the June 25 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. As
promised, I will also inquire with Greg Roy of BRW regarding potential grading for a sliding hill as a
component of the Powers Boulevard project.
Bob, in my assessment, the stage is set to transform Prairie Knoll Park from an open grass field into a
neighborhood park with minimal site work and seeding. A nice area can be created to accommodate a
playground. The park trail is akeady scheduled for completion, What is needed is a commitment by the
Park and Recreation Commission and City Council to finance the purchase of the playground equipment.
Park and Recreation Commission Chairwoman Lash asked that I relay some information regarding the
allocations of your property tax dollar. As you may be aware, the City receives 16 cents of each $1.00 you
pay in property tax. Your school district garners 50 cents on the dollar, the county 30 cents, and special
taxing districts 4 cents. The city's park and recreation administration, operating and maintenance budgets
which total $1,048, ! 10 in 1996, receives funding from general property tax. However, not a single penny
of property tax money is designated for capital improvements in the City's park and trail systems.
These improvements are f'manced through park and trail fees. A precious commodity with annual revenues
of approximately $250,000. Park and trail fees are also a resource which must be budgeted over a number
of years. When building activity decreases this revenue source will begin to dry up. The commission does
not wish to be caught Offguard. -¥
Again, thank you for your efforts in improving the Chanhassen park and trail systems. I look forward to
seeing you on June 25, 1996.
Sincerely,
Todd Hoffman, CLP
Park and Recreation Director
TH:ns
pc:
Park and Recreation Commission
Dale Gregory, Park Superintendent
May 28, 1996
Mr. Todd Hoffman, CLP
Director of Parks & Recreation
ClTY OF CHANHASSEN
690 Coulter Drive
P. O. Box 147
Chanhasscn. MN 55317
Dear Mr. Hoflh~an:
I wanted to thank you for allowing mc to appear before the Park & Recreation Commission at the
meeting on May 2 I. I appreciated thc opportunity to speak to you about our neighborhood and the
need for a private access park. As I stated in my remarks, I an~ one of many concerned home
owners in thc Lake Susan Hills subdivision who are interested in the Prairie Knoll Park "concept
plan." Currently, mad construction (Powers Blvd. expansion) is affecting our neighborhood. Our
children need a safe. private access location that awfids crossing major roadways, such as Powers
Blvd. (4 lanes) when il is completed. At present. Lake Susan Park is the location that we have for
our neighborhood. This is a very nice park, however, being a regional park it is one that gets a lot
of use by many Carver County residents. Even folks from Eden Prairie, Shorewood and Excelsior
come here to usc this I~cilily. Thc park is very crowded during peak hours of the evening and on
weekends. Add to thai, the presence of many young (high school aged) adult patrons who may not
always be aware of thc young eyes and ears that are present in this park. Overall, it is what it was
intended to be, a regional park for all Carver County residents.
I realize that new parks cost money. Thc "concept plan" calls fi)r a play area, sliding hill and some
landscaping to be done. 1 ¢1o not know what price has been assigned to this plan. However, this
seems to be a relatively modest endeavor. The Lake Susan Hills residents are not asking for a lot.
In fact, many have expressed an interest in helping to provide our own labor if it would speed up
the process. The proposed site has already been procured by Chanhassen. The Powers Blvd.
constmclinn is taking place where the park is to be located. It only makes sense to take advantage
of this time lo complclc thc Prairie Knoll Park.
Mr. Todd Hofflnan
May 28, 1996
Page - 2
In closing, we are a concerned neightx)rhood who only desires a modest park with private access.
We want a safe place fi~r our children to play in our neighborhood. Please believe me when I say
that we arc as concerned about property taxes as anyone. We are all contributing substantially to
the continuing impn~vcmcnt of Chanhassen and Carver County. All we ask is that some of the
improvements go into our own neighborhood. Please give serious consideration to allocating the
money and/or resources to make Prairie Knoll a Park, not a Plan! I would be pleased to answer any
questions that you may have at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Roberl L. Schncse
641 Lake Susm~ Hills Drive
906-9670 (H) / 942-3552 (W)
cc: Bob Spcweik
Park & Recreation Commission
CITY OF
690 COULTER DRIVE · P.O. BOX 147 · CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 · FAX (612) 937-5739
April 26, 1996
?
Mr. Bob ~(teweik
659 Lake Susan Hills Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dear Mr. Steweik:
Thank you for your inquiry into Prairie Knoll Park. A copy of the Park Concept Plan dated
September 6, 1989 is enclosed. I have scheduled you for a visitor presentation with the Park and
Recreation Commission at 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 21, 1996. The Commission meets in the
City Council Chambers, in the lower level of City Hall.
If you would like to present a written request to the Commission, please deliver it to City Hall by
Wednesday, May 15. You may also present materials to the Commission on the evening of the
21st.
Again, thank you for your interest in Chanhassen's Parks.
Sincerely,
Todd Hoffman, C[P
Director of ParkS~nd Recreation
TH:gmb
pc: ~'Park and Recreation Commission
g:\park\th\steweik
Note: The trail has been realigned to follow the contour of
the h/Il. The region marked "fill site" received 1-5 feet of fill.
These two conditions prohibit the maintenance of a sliding
hill as designated.
TH (6-15-96)