Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan and Park Improvements

Transcription

1 Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan and Park Improvements Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Workshop #1 Project Initiation and Needs Assessment MEETING SUMMARY HELD Thursday, May 15, :30 8:30 PM Nokomis Community Center 2401 E. Minnehaha Pkwy Minneapolis, MN Meeting Purpose: Discuss the role of Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park as an amenity for regional and local users. Understand the current planning process and schedule for the regional park master plan and phase 1 play area improvements. Work in small groups to discuss needs/opportunities that will shape the master plan s short term and long term objectives and visual preferences for play area improvements at 54 th Street Triangle Park. CAC Attendees: Sandy Colvin Roy (Chair), Kevin Schaekel, Chris Lautenschlager, Patricia Amo, Bob Fine, Dave Michael Kornecki, Amy Greeley, Bryan Barnes, Luis Morales, Erin Lauderman, Kyle Werremeyer, George Jelatis, Daren Nyquist, Ryan Holweger, Cammie Kimmes, Mary Lynn Kadrie, Shannon Korrer, Richard Chantry, Robert Srichai Consultants: Lil Leatham (HKGi), Bryan Harjes (HKGi), Jennifer Cater (HKGi), Kevin Biehn (EOR), Derek Lash (EOR). MPRB Staff: Adam Arvidson (Project Manager), Cliff Swenson (Director of Design and Construction) Approximately 20 members of the general public were in attendance The meeting was opened by Sandy Colvin Roy who welcomed attendees and began with reviewing the purpose of the CAC and role of Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park. Adam Arvidson (MPRB) then reviewed the project currently at hand and described the three sub projects (or tracks ) and the current focus on first two: the regional park master plan and the phase 1 play area improvements. Consultants from HKGi were hired to facilitate the planning and design for the project with EOR as water resource experts. HKGi led review of the two project areas as summarized in the topics below. Attendees (both public and CAC) were separated into small groups to facilitate discussion around identified questions. Adam Regn Arvidson, Design Project Manager Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis MN AArvidson@minneapolisparks.org

2 REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN Regional Park Master Plan Process Overview Lil Leatham (HKGi) described the regional park system and the general role Nokomis Hiawatha needs to play in that system. She also talked about the history of the park and the need for completing a master plan. A regional park master plan will set a vision for the next 20+ years and will recommend short term and long term capital improvements and operations in the park. The Metropolitan Council requires a regional master plan to facilitate regional park funding for park improvements. Small Group Discussion Points 1. What works well at Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park today? Trails used all the time for running, walking, biking Sandcastle Boating/boat launch Athletic fields for multiple sports Free parking around all the lakes Trail width/dual paths Other comments included: Park police, Community centers are well utilized, View of downtown from the cut of brush, Swimming across the lake during summer with dedicated lifeguards, Cooking out, Swim platform, Kite skiing, Garbage and parking clearing removal, Pond hatchery, South ends of both lakes more natural, Cross country skiing, Beaches, Growing outreach programs, like Monarch Festival, wetland restoration, native plantings, Quality tennis courts, Access, Variety of activities, Races/events, Spacious open space, Well used but less busy than other lakes/parks, Long term plan to pull Nokomis off Minnehaha Creek drainage 2. What are the most important activities for Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park to provide its users? Running, walking, biking, rollerblading Swimming Picnic facilities and amenities Fishing Family gathering; park as a family center Birding Other comments included: Recreation / activities for teens, Water sports, Outdoor sports, Programs at the community center, Trails, Sports, Boating, Major events pond hockey, triathlons, Garbage/cleanliness/maintenance, Athletic fields, Nature photography 3. What is in need of improvement/what is lacking? Skateboard area/skate park Better markings/signage or divisions for biking/walking Better water quality Better crossings at Cedar Ave (south end lacks bike path crossing) Connect cross country ski trails to between lakes and golf course Page 2 of 5

3 Wider bike/walk paths Need more activities for teens (not in team sports) More covered areas / areas for shade Other comments included: Community center has limited hours, No pickleball courts, Willow on south side of Lake Nokomis is tall (concern for danger/lack of visibility), More signage on paths, Cyclists no following stop sign at Minnehaha Parkway/22 nd St, Additional water access on south side of Nokomis (only 1 access today), Include bike/walk path on west side of Hiawatha Park, More trash bins needed, Exercise equipment, Dog parks, Multilingual signage, Level athletic fields, Bathrooms, Picnic tables, More benches, Full access around Hiawatha, Disc golf, Clear division for areas of park and areas of wild, Opportunities for birding, Hardscape in golf course interferes with cross country skiing, Signs for arboretum, Beach house bathrooms, Vita course, Pavement (bad for rollerblading), Right turn lane on Nokomis Pkwy and Cedar, Sign for Triangle Park 4. Looking forward 20+ years, what are the primary goals and desires for Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park? Improve water quality / Pristine water Skateboard area added Concert pavilion / multi use performance space Other comments included: More outdoor sports area added, More opportunity for environmental education, Accommodate all ages, Continue to serve youth, Communication avenues with people in park about amenities and what to do there, Better public spaces, Better traffic flow on Cedar Ave, Improvements to smaller beach, Better use of land near Triangle Park, Improvements to ball fields, Dog park, Balance recreation and natural resource, Remove Cedar Ave Bridge, Farmers Market, Bathrooms, water, amenities, Better connections between lakes/parks and to other lakes, Plan for climate change PHASE 1 PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS Play Area Improvements Overview Bryan Harjes (HKGi) reviewed the need for play area improvements at the 54 th Street Triangle Park and accessibility improvements at the Main Beach. Accessibility improvements would allow users of all abilities to use play equipment there and possibly to access the water. Bryan discussed the schedule and important dates for design and construction. Small Group Discussion Points 1. How do you use the 54 th Street Triangle Park today? Neighborhood park and playground; Playground equipment School group at Hale uses it the most Age group of playground is about 5 10yrs old (not safe for toddlers; boring for kids over 10) Other comments included: Bocce ball, Biking and canoeing in nearby areas, Not used Page 3 of 5

4 2. What would you like to see change? What s missing? What can be added? New equipment for small kids (toddlers), separate from older kids Added paths on perimeter and connection to park trails Use lawn areas for infrastructure / activities (wet areas) More/bigger picnic area Amenities / bathroom building Improve visibility Add signage for area Other comments included: Water fountain, Stop signs on 54th Street, Sidewalk repaved, More seating, Remove stairs on one end so strollers can access, Add crosswalk on Edgewater and 54 th Street, Add shelter area 3. Please provide some ideas for improving accessibility at the Main Beach play area. Add swings that area accessible Path to beach Foam/soft surface for access to water OPEN COMMENT TIME 15 minutes was dedicated to general comments where the following remarks were made: Don t divide age groups keep the park and lakes for everyone. There needs to be more drinking water, facilities and bike parking. We need to resolve the conflicts between bike, pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Don t forget Lake Hiawatha. Add multi lingual signage. Engage diverse communities. Provide more accommodation for seniors. Don t be afraid of major landscape changes. The meeting adjourned promptly at 8.30pm. Page 4 of 5

5 NEXT STEPS An online questionnaire will be available on the MPRB project website the week of May > Current Projects > Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan and Park Improvements CAC Workshop #2 Thursday, May 29, 2014 (6:30 PM 8:30 PM) Where: Nokomis Community Center 2401 E. Minnehaha Pkwy Minneapolis, MN Meeting Focus: Play area improvements concept design and update of master plan needs assessment Community Event #1 Open House Thursday, June 12, 2014 (6:30 PM 8:30 PM) Where: Nokomis Community Center 2401 E. Minnehaha Pkwy Minneapolis, MN Meeting Focus: Play area improvement plan presentation and input on needs assessment for regional park master plan Page 5 of 5