08-09-06 PRNORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC.
4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Telephone: 763.231.2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 planners-' nacplanning.com
MEMORANDUM
TO: Otsego Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Annie Rexine / Daniel Licht, AICP
DATE: July 26, 2006
RE: Otsego — Prairie Park; Build -out concepts
NAC FILE: 176.08 - 06.06
At the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting held on July 12, 2006 our office
presented concept sketches for full buildout of Prairie Park to include baseball fields on
the western portions of the existing park, interim soccer fields on the west portion of the
public works property north of 90th Street and additional off-street parking.
After discussion with Commission members and a local soccer organization
representative, further concept refinement was suggested. These enhancements
included expansion of the four new ball field base pads to three hundred (300) feet,
adjustment of the size and number of soccer fields, and investigation into a proposed
linear parking lot between the current ball fields and the proposed ball fields to the west.
The linear parking lot arrangement was considered in preparing the initial concepts and
we have reviewed this issue again. It is our office's recommendation not to use a linear
parking lot between the ball fields due to space constraints and poor circulation. As
shown on sheet 2 of 2, the distance for parking between the ball fields would be
approximately fifty (50) feet with only one inlet/outlet. This arrangement thus limits the
potential number of parking stalls and would create significant congestion for vehicles
entering/exit or turning around within the parking area. It was also suggested at the City
Council meeting on 24 July 2006 that the City pursue acquisition of additional land
south of the existing park to additional fields and parking. This would be an opportunity,
but the City would have to acquire a much larger parcel than the undeveloped 16.5 acre
outlot of Prairie Park given the slopes that run between the properties and significant
grading would be required to develop the expanded park.
The area for the conceptual improvements is on land which the City Council does not
consider to be public park. The City Council designated the land upon which the
existing park and baseball fields are on as permanent park land based on transfer of
park dedication fees to purchase the land from the City at the same price as the City
acquired land north of 91 st Street for the public works facility. The areas identified for
expansion of park facilities at Prairie Park are identified below along with a calculation of
potential funds transfer amounts:
South of 91St Street = 16.77ac. x $30,000/ac. _ $503,100
North of 91St Street = 11.56ac. x $30,000/ac. = $346,800
TOTAL = $849,900
Attached for reference are revised concepts that include the following:
Baseball Fields.
■ Four (4) ball fields with 300' base pad dimensions in a wheel orientation, best
suited for tournament play.
2. Soccer Fields.
■ Three (3) U-12 soccer fields - 50 yds. x 90 yds. (Additional forth field is
optional if soccer field parking is not needed)
■ Four (4) U-10 soccer fields - 35 yds. x 45 yds.
3. Off -Street Parking Expansion
■
City Hall. Seventy four (74) parking stalls which measure 9 feet x 20 feet.
■ Ball Fields. One hundred seventy one (171) parking stalls that measure 9
feet x 20 feet at the northwest corner of the Prairie Park site.
■ Soccer Fields. One hundred twenty eight (128) parking stalls that measure 9
feet by 20 feet.
The Parks and Recreation Commission should review the concept drawings at their
meeting on August 14, 2006 and provide direction on whether to proceed to the next
step of having SRF, Inc. and/or the City Engineer refine the drawings and provide cost -
estimates for each of the projects.
cc. Jessica Stockcamp, City Council
Mark Thorsted, City Council
Mike Robertson, City Administrator
2
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Ch L=6.76
146.49
35.25
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O
I T
OTSEGO PRAIRIE PARK CONCEPT
DRAFT 7/24/06
I1jJU.b 1
DRAINAGE AND UTILITY
EASEIIEN/$ ARE SfWMN Tf1U5:
Prepared by Northwest Associated Consultants
SHEET 2 OF 2 SHEETS