07-19-93 PRCity of Otsego
Parks and Recreat i o:i Committee
Minutes of 7/19/93
Members present:
Tom Constant Roche Martin
Floyd Roden (Council) Darlene Solberg
Tom Bail largeon (Chair) Kris Niebler
Carl Swanson
Jeff Asfahl attending as District 728 Park and Recreation Director
Tom Bai I largeon called the meeting to order at 7:37 P.M.
1. Welcomed new park member Kris N i eb l er.
2. Minutes- Roche M. moved and second by Tom C. to approve the May
minutes. Passed.
3. Budgets- Floyd R. reported that $600 had been spent to seed new city
park. We Had also received a bill of $3200 from Marlin Otto, the landscape
engineer, which is still being negotiated.
4. Jeff Asfahl reported and discussed with the commission programs the
Recreation department can do in Otsego.
Some gu i de I i nes wou I d be 1) uses f ee or i ented; 2) doesn't step on any
other groups toes; 3) User friendly; 4) No particular ages, but must be age
appropriate.
Jeff needs to know by mid-August what kinds of activities our park
commission would I ike the Recreation department to help with.
Some suggested ideas included: 1) Bird houses (blue bird and duck); 2)
Nature studies of trees/birds/bugs or plants; 3) Information meeting on
park; 4) Volleyball; 5) crafts (such as basket making.) A suggestion, was
made of an activity called 'Nature's Walk Start to Finish.' Winter activites
could possibly include: 1) Cross Country skiing; 2) Snow shoeing; 3) Ice
skating. Tom B. talked about new grant application that is being applied
for and referring to our parks as an "Environmental Learning Center/Trail.'
It was also discussed about what different sport organizations might
want to use the park. Jef f A. gave a red f I ag warn i ng about i ndependent
associations using the fields. How they treat them and who pays for any
damages that might occur. Do organizations pay for use of fields?
The 728 Recreat i on i nvo i ces groups at the end of season for use of f i e I ds.
Taken by percentage of participation. Also Maintenance issue.
Discussion of where to put the pond.
What do we want to do? Moved by Darlene S. and second by Tom C. that
we try to have an activity this fal I on Orientation to Trees/Plants.
Passed. Possible other suggestion of a footbal I clinic, such as a run, pass
and punt competition.
S. Report on s i gn and p i ctures of new c i ty he 11. Tom C. took p i ctures of
h i gh I i ghts of Otsego. Tom C. and Dar I ene S. w i I I get together to� make
display of the pictures for the City Hal I Open House.
No news on park sign (Randy DeRoiser?).
6. C i ty He I I Open House- Make d i sp I ay w i th name suggest i ons f or park, and
also give citizens a chance to make suggestions. Darlene wi I I have forms
available for people to make suggestions. Sheets will be available for
people to give suggestions for activities they would like to see the park
commission sponsor.
7. Wish book- Darlene brought wish book that is ready to be used with
suggestions for the park. Keep in the Park Commission file cabinet.
8. Adopt-A-Tree. Roche showed the layout for trees. Citizens may either
donate a tree or money. Information will be available at open house.
9. Historical Sites- Carl S. reported that his wife Joy (who is a member
of the Otsego Historical Committee) talked to the state preservation
office. The local preservation commission has to be separate from any
other groups. It has to be a local ordinance approved by the city count i I.
10. Brush c I ear i ng- Car I S. reported that th i s has been progressing. The
group 'Sentence to Serve,' has been here three times. Maintenance people
have also been very helpful. It takes about nine days, they've done six so
far. Maintenance needs to be continued.
11. Review of grant applications. First grant application turned down,
applying again this fall. The biggest problem was our readiness to go.
New application- $50,000 application to get tra i Is in parks.
12. Layout committee of park (Floyd, Tom C., Carl S., Tom B.)
The park has been scaled out. Discussion of all original trails. Also
keep softball fields rather than baseball (check with Jeff A.?)
Next step is to start staking it out.
13. Articles for the Otsego View- Darlene S. and Kris N. will work on this.
14. Other? Open House- July 31 st.
15. Darlene S. moved and Carl S. second to adjourn. Passed.
Parks and Recreation Commission, Secretary
Darlene Solberg