07-21-20 Parks & Rec PacketPARKS
Recreation
otsegoparksrec.com
Call to Order
Roll Call:
1. Open Forum.
PARKS AND RECREATION AGENDA
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
6:00 PM
Prairie Center
NOTES/ACTION 7/21/2020
2. Consider Agenda For Approval.
3. Consider the Minutes:
3.1 June 16, 2020 Regular Meeting.
4. Unfinished Business.
5. New Business
5.1 Otsego Lions Park Project Ga -Ga Pit
5.2 Improving River Access
6. Parks and Recreation Update.
7. City Council Reports.
8. Adjourn.
The next regular Parks and Recreation Meeting will be
August 18, 2020 at Prairie Center at 6:OOPM
"OTSEGOPARKSANDRECREATION, THROUGH ITS EMPLOYEESAND
VOLUNTEERS, IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING HERITAGE WHILE
PROVIDING QUALITYAND INNOVATIVE SERVICES, PARKS, AND
PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTSAND VISITORS, "
ITEM 3.1
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
Prairie Center
June 16, 2020
6:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Angie Dehn called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Angie Dehn; Commissioners: Matt Killam, Kitty Baltos Doug Cassady (*),
Angela Hilde(*), Jim Breitbach(*), Liz Benoit(*)
City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp(*)
Staff: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Director.
This meeting is proceeding under MN State Statute 13D.021 allowing members to
appear by telephone or video conference due to the ongoing health pandemic and state
of emergency. For the record, the chair, other commissioners and staff were present in-
person. Those indicated with a (*) attended via video conference.
1. Open Forum.
2. Consider Agenda Approval.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant requested to add ITEM 5.2 Review Splash
Pad Quote to the agenda. Commissioner Baltos motioned to approve the
amended agenda. Seconded by Chair Dehn. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Consider Meeting Minutes.
3.1 May 19, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to recommend to the City Council to
approve all meeting minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner
Killam. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Unfinished Business,
5. New Business.
5.1 Wayfinding Signages.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant presented memo.
Chair Dehn questioned if the city had designated trail heads. Demant stated not
at this point but that could be implemented during the planning stage.
Commissioner Killam questioned smaller directional signs within the parks.
Demant stated implementation of these signs would work well at Prairie Park.
Commissioners Baltos and Dehn recommended trail and loop signs and Demant
agreed it was a good idea to list the distances of the park trail loops.
ITEM 3.1
Chair Dehn motioned to recommend to the City Council to approve park
wayfinding signage including small directional signs in Prairie Park,
trail loop signage in city park/trails and other park signs for the 2021
Capital Improvement Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Killam. All in
favor. Motion carried.
5.2 Review Quote of Splash Pad.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant presented memo. Demant reviewed history,
maintenance issues, budget and features of the splash pad.
After discussion, the commissioners decided to proceed with the recommended features
except the Alto toddler feature.
Commissioner Killam motioned to recommend to the City Council to
proceed with the updates and recommended features, except the
(Alto) toddler feature to the splash pad. Seconded by Commissioner
Baltos. All in favor. Motion carried.
6. Parks and Recreation Update.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant presented report. Demant discussed the opening
of the splash pad, farmers market, recreation programs, Prairie Center flooring and the
new city round abouts.
7. City Council Reports.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp presented City Council Report.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Killam motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Chair Dehn. All
in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 7:28P.M.
Written by Connie Schwecke, Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant
CITY OF OTSEGO
PARKS 80
Recreation
olsegoparksrec.com
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Parks and Recreation Director Demant
DATE: July 16, 2020
RE: Otsego Lions Club Project Proposal- Ga -Ga Pit
Background:
Item 5.1
Otsego Lions Club are the Pride in the Parks volunteer group for Prairie Park. As part of their
responsibilities, they continually look for ways to improve the park experience for park users. As
part of this process, the Lions Club has approached Staff with the idea of building a Ga-ga Pit at
Prairie Park.
Ga-ga is a fast -paced, dodgeball-style game played in a fenced -in court (often hexagonal or
octagonal) with a single ball and two or more players. Like dodgeball, the object of the game is
to knock out your opponents by hitting them with the ball. Unlike dodgeball, however, the ball
can only be hit with open hands and is in almost constant motion. Players strike, jump, and run
to avoid being hit and are eliminated only when struck on or below the knee. GaGa actually
translates from Hebrew as "touch -touch" and is a variation on dodgeball. To some it is known as
Israeli Dodgeball, Octo-Ball, or Panda Ball. It is commonly believed that the game was brought
to the US Jewish summer camps by Israeli camp counselors
The pit is octagon and is typically 20 feet across with the section dimensions measuring at 3'x8'.
The pit entry point is typically lower to allow participants to step over the boards in order to enter
the play area. Staff is proposing placing the pit between the basketball court and sail structure
shelter located south of the splash pad.
The Lions Club has filled out a project request form which contains information regarding how
the Ga-ga pit would enhance the park system and how it would be maintained.
Requested Action:
Staff is requesting that Commissioners review the information included in this memo and
provide a recommendation to the City Council on how to provide with the installation of the Ga-
ga Pit at Prairie Park.
Enclosures:
Project Proposal Worksheet for Ga-ga Pit
Item 5.1
A= 20ft.
B 8ft
v. A=-20ft.
Rmlltt.
B 8ft
v. A=-20ft.
Item 5.1
Ite)n 5.1
------------ GAGA PIT -----------------
DIFFICULTY: COMPLEX
irla 4 VOLUNTEERS 1. Sort all materials into piles by like items to ❑
6 HOURS
1.
ensure you have materials needed to complete
V
project.
MATERIALS
2.
Take every 2x12x16ft boards. Cut each into (2)
❑
96" pieces, for total of (24) 2x12x96" pieces.
PREP
Pencil
2�
(12) 2xl2xl6ft boards
3.
Take (5) of the Ix6xI2ft boards. Cut each into
❑
(6)1x6xl2ft boards
(4) 36" pieces, for total of (20) Ix6x36" pieces.
safetygiasses
BUILD
(24) 20206"beveled
4.
Take the remaining 1x6x12ft board. Cut into (1)
❑
pieces
36" piece and 3.
(3) lx6x24" pieces
5.
Beveled Edge Cuts Take all (24) the
(21)1x6x34' pieces
2x12x96"pieces cut in step 2. Beveve! both
❑
(16) 3' hinges
3.
ends with the saw set at 22.50 to make (24)
2Ib2"deckscrews
2x12x96" beveled trapezoid pieces.
.. BUILD LIST
PREP
1.
Sort all materials into piles by like items to
Miter saw
ensure you have materials needed to complete
❑
Circular saw (optional)
project. If there is grass in the gaga pit space,
Tape measure
remove it.
Pencil
2�
Assemble the eight sides. 7 of them will have
carpenter's square
(3) 2x1206' pieces laid next to each other.
safetygiasses
Use the 1x6x34" straps to attach together.
❑
BUILD
There will be (3) straps per side, one in center
Level
and one on each side 10" from the edge.
Pencil
3.
Assemble the final (acrd 8th) side using 2 of the
saletygiasses
242x%'pieces, and the (3)1x6x24'" pieces
❑
Tamp
(this will be the entry in,/out of Gaga Pit for
Tape measure
smaller children).
Will
Screwdriver bit
4.
Connect sides together forming an octagon
using two hinges per corner. One hinge will
r--,
connect the top 2x12s and otherconnects
lul
bottom 2xl2s. There will not be a hinge on the
center 2x12s.
5.
Finish the octagon and prepare the bottom.
It can be asphalt, concrete, limestone, de-
composed granite, sand, or packed down dirt.
kaboorri
Make sure your Gaga Court is actually an
octagon and doesn't resemble an egg -shape.
C!
CITY OF C
PARKS
Recreation
o[segoparksrec.com
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Parks and Recreation Director Demant
DATE: July 16, 2020
RE: Improving River Access
Background:
Item 5.2
At the May, 2020 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, Commissioners assigned
prioritized 8 initiatives identified in the masterplan. Those eight are:
1. Wayfinding (Park Signage)
2. Improve River Access
3. Partner with School District to Improve Athletic Fields
4. Prairie Center Improvements
5. Classify City Owned Open Spaces as Greenways or Natural Areas
6. Athletic Field Improvements
7. Highlands of River Pointe Improvements
8. Develop New Neighborhood Parks
The Parks and Recreation Commission provided a recommendation on wayfinding at
the June meeting. The next initiative to review is improving river access. The
masterplan lists improving Nashua and Carrick's Landings with accessible non -
motorized boat landings, parking areas and add signage. Also, add paddle port
facilities at two points in Otsego, potentially at Norin Landing and Carrick's Landing.
Finally, work with adjacent communities to determine best local paddling routes. Map
river kayak and canoe routes and provide information online (distance, time, and access
points).
River Access and Recreation
With over twelve miles of river frontage, there are many opportunities for river recreation
in Otsego. Current river access is provided at Norin Landing and Nashua Landing.
Carrick's Landing has parkland adjacent to the river, but does not provide formalized
access. The Mississippi River through Otsego is classified as a Recreational Wild and
Scenic River by the MN DNR.
Potential improvements and recreation facilities include:
Item 5.2
• Paddle Launches gradually sloped aggregate or paved area located at a river's
edge should be in an area where there is not a swift current should be close to
parking for loading/unloading canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards could include
rental kiosks with paddling equipment signage should indicate paddling routes,
maps, and general safety guidelines.
• Overlooks should be in areas with desirable viewsheds and prominence of site
lines facilities could include boardwalks or piers over the edge of the river
interpretive signage should describe the view and importance of the area should
be close to parking lot or trail access selective tree clearing should be utilized to
open up views.
• Beaches should be located in areas where there are natural sandy beaches
ensure that current is not swift, and if so, identify with signage selective tree
clearing should open up views benches, picnic tables, and natural play features
(boulders, logs, etc.) should be located on high ground parking lot or trail access
should be nearby.
• Fishing piers should be located in areas of shallow water where fish gather
should be designed to be ADA accessible with walkways from parking areas or
trails railings should be designed to facilitate fishing pole access and protect user
from slipping into the water.
Requested Action:
Staff is requesting that Commissioners review the information included in this memo and
provide a recommendation to incorporate improving river access into the CIP discussions.