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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 15, 1973 \, -- J , " ) MINUTES OF GROW TOWNSHIP PARK/RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD FEBRUARY l5, 1973 J Meeting was called to order by Marvin Christenson, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, at eight o'clock p~m. . Members present: Britton, Griswold, Heidelberger, Hulegaard, Kappelhoff, Oslund, and Sloth. Members excused: Carlson, Schneider, P & Z member Guests: Rick and Teresa Dahlman, 429 W. Idaho Avenue, St. Paul Marvin Christenson, Robert Rither Because this was the organizational meeting there were no prior minutes. Mr. Christenson read the Resolution Board meeting on February l3, 1973. appointed by Christenson and Rither as adopted at the Township Terms of office were. as follows: "\ Three years - Britton, Griswold, Schneider Two years.- Heidelberger, Oslund, Sloth One year - Carlson, Hulegaard, Kappelhoff, P & Z member. Mr. Christenson then asked for volunteers for positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Britton volunteered for Secretary and was accepted. Griswold volunteered for Vice- Chairman and was accepted.' Hulegaard was nominated and unanimously elected Chairman of the group. Mr. Christenson then turned the . meeting over to Chairman Hulegaard. j / Place of meetings was discussed. Britton stated that since the meetings were open.~o the public it would be wise to hold them either at a school if at the Building Inspector's office rather than in private homes. It was unanimously agreed that regular meetings will be held at Crooked Lake School. It was unanimously agreed that regular meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Methods of meeting notification were discussed. Rither suggested using postcards and including the agenda as part of the notification, Since we are ona limited budget, it was agreed that we should, for the time being, notify by phone. The secretary will call each member one day prior to the regular meeting as a reminder. Britton passed out sample questionnaires used by Fridley Parks and Recreation Department as a means of gathering ideas and feelings of the citizens toward their park program. It was agreed that we should adept it for our use, either as a handout at the Annual Meeting or as part of the Grow Township Newsletter for the same purpose. Finances were discussed. Mr. Christenson stated that small amounts should be paid by the members and then reimbursed by the Township Treasurer, using a claim form, and large amounts should be billed directly to the Township after approval has been obtained for the expenditure. ') , --./ ~ ,.-, i '-J /~ ) \ / \ < ) MINUTES - FEBRUARY 15, 1973 Page 2 At this point, Chairman Hulegaard suggested we set our goals for the coming year. Art Sloth pointed out that our highest priority should be land acquisition. The following areas were discussed: # The two acre tract in the Nordeen addition - Bruce Johnson has the deed. # Crooked Lake access acquisition - All that is required now is the seller's signature, approval of citizens of Grow Township, and it will belong to Grow Township. The present structure on the lot will have to be razed and there will be some lake cleanup to do. # The fifteen acre Birch Ridge Estates Tract - Lyle Bradley will follow up with Lary Carlson to obtain the deed for Grow Township. The following is necessary: Draw up legal description (no survey necessary), pay any costs involved in bringing abstract up to date, pay current taxes. Britton stated that there may be restrictions on the parcel that it be left as a wildlife and nature area as requested by Lary Carlson. Britton related to the group that Lary Carlson would like the Board to walk over the property located near his home and choose, with his permission, an area for park and recreation purposes to be donated to the Township. Lyle Bradley suggested the possibility of the Township selling their present acreage and purchasing something a little closer to the more populated areas or a more centralized area. # # # The Ward Lake area is a possible site for future acquisition. # It was suggested by Lyle Bradley that Ed Fields be contacted for a possible donation of park land. # Lyle Bradley mentioned that another parcel for possible acquisition is a 125 acre tract owned by Mr. Ike Barstow located near the Rum River with river access. # The Round Lake Project (300 acres) was discussed at length. The site is located at the north end of Round Lake and contains much of historical value - such as Indian burial grounds, clay pits, buildings which could be made into biological laboratories, possible area for an outdoor theatre, library (historical), nature trails, snowmobile area, park area and much more. Mr. Bradley pointed out the uniqueness of the Lake itself - the fact that loons nest there, whistling swans are seen there, etc. Chairman Hulegaard is going to check with Mr. Menkveld as to plans for a lake in the Green Acres area. # , \ ., j , \ I '. / :.J MINUTES - FEBRUARY 15, 1973 Page 3 Britton suggested that we set up special interest groups within the advisory board. The following volunteered to work on land acquisition: Art Sloth, Dean Oslund, and Jim Griswold. The following will work on development of park facilities: Cecil Heidelberger, Jim Kappelhoff, Sylvia Britton. The land acquisition group will concentrate attention on the Round Lake Project because there are others interested in the Project as well, such as Anoka County, City of Coon Rapids, etc., and a concentrated effort may bring about the desired results - get it now before we lose it entirely! The development group will concentrate on tot lots, skating rinks, ballfields, etc., for the coming year. Jim Kappelhoff suggested we set up a model park such as the one he built in Anoka. He suggested we have the University of Minnesota Recreation Areas and Surveys group conduct a study, at no cost to us, as to feasibility of certain parks in certain area. The Model Park area was chosen to be Red Oak Manor/Northwood Addition/Green Acres area. Jim will report at the next meeting on the outcome of his request. Some miscellaneous items discussed were: ~ Christenson lauded Cecil Heidelberger for the idea of acquiring the Crooked Lake access lot. The Anoka County Parks program was discussed in conjunction with Township programs. The land acquisition group will contact Mr. Torkildson on the above. Christenson drew our attention to the fact that any area in the Township platted after 8/25/72 must have 7% of gross area sub- divised designated as park property, to be approved by the Advisory Board, or cash in lieu of property. Lyle Bradley mentioned that the signs for the parks have been completed. They are made from 2 x 12 planks. The word "PARK" is written across the bottom of each sign so we can name the particular park if desired. Regarding financing land acquisitions, Lyle Bradley stated that we can go into the general revenue fund if we have to, but it is easier if we get it into the original park budget. Regarding the Round Lake Project, it may be financed in the following ways: Some land donated, donation from Nature Conservancy Group, other monetary donations, Municipalities (Anoka, Coon Rapids), School District, possibly government funding if reinstated. ,'\ ,J \ ; ) \ ~ / MINUTES - FEBRUARY 15, 1973 Page 4 Q Lyle Bradley stated that if NSP won their case on the current easement controversy, we may be able to get many concessions from them in the form of plantings, paved trails, etc. The Annual Meeting was discussed. It was decided that we would try to gather as much information as possible to present at the Meeting in the form of pictures, typed budget requests, etc., and show them using an overhead projector. It was agreed that we continue this meeting at a later date, bringing all possible information to that meeting to prepare for the presentation. Motion made by Griswold, seconded by Oslund that we continue the meeting on March 1, 1973 at the Building Inspector's office at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried. S. Britton Secretary 8 ~ ~J