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06-12-13 PRITEM 5.1 O t�e F 0 MINNESOTA TO: Otsego Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Manager DATE: June 6, 2013 RE: Pickle Ball Background: What is Pickleball? Pickleball is a fast -paced, mini -tennis game played by 2 or 4 people on a badminton - sized court using wood paddle racquets and a plastic baseball with holes. Pickleball can be played on any hard surface and is ideal for small spaces. It has become particularly popular with seniors. Pickleball was created during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island - a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. The original purpose of the game was to provide a sport for the entire family, according to its co -inventors. Initially, families played Pickleball in their backyards on a hard surface, on driveways, and on residential dead-end streets. Since the mid -1970's, Pickleball has grown and expanded from a family activity game to a paddle court sport with formalized rules. How did Pickleball get its name? Pickles was the family dog that would chase after the errant balls and then hide in the bushes, thus Pickle's ball which was later shortened to the namesake of Pickleball. About the Court The court dimensions are identical to a doubles badminton court. The court dimensions are 20' x 44' for both doubles and singles. The net is hung 36" on each end of the net and 34" in the middle. A non -volley zone extends 7' on each side of the net. Conversion There are two paths to converting existing courts to pickleball courts: shared use and dedicated use. With shared use simply add pickleball lines to an existing court and players of both sports can use the facility. This may cause some initial confusion, but players quickly get accustomed to the lines. The simplest way to add one pickleball court is to just lower the tennis net to 34" in the center. Lines can be chalked, taped or painted on the court for pickleball. Hold-down arrangements can be used at the ends of the net to bring the net down to the correct height for pickleball (34 inches in the center, 36 inches at the sidelines). Alternatively, a center strap could be used to bring the net down to 34 inches in the center. If the tension on the net cord is very tight, the tension might have to be loosened slightly by adjusting the ratchet on the net post. x-20 --1 if T The diagram on the left shows 2 pickleball courts laid out on a tennis court. A standard tennis court pad is 60'x120'. The minimum recommended size for a pickleball court is 30'x60'. That is exactly one fourth the size of a standard tennis court pad. Therefore, it is possible to put 4 pickleball courts in the space of a tennis court except for the possible existence of angled corners that are on some tennis courts. a T If the corners are angled, then two courts can fit very nicely as Ishown. If the conversion is temporary or it is desired to be able T I* to continue to use the court for tennis, then portable net stands T can be used for the pickleball courts and the tennis net can be left in place as a backstop for the two pickleball courts. One thing to consider is that when the ball hits the racket there is more of a "pop" then there is with tennis. Because of that, City staff recommends putting the courts in a park that is not directly surrounded by houses. In 2014, staff will be proposing resurfacing several courts tennis courts and could include pickleball stripping in the estimate. An approximate cost of adding two pickleball courts to an existing tennis court is $1,000, this includes the netting and painting the lines. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Vonberg will also be presenting information on to the commission at the June meeting about pickleball. 2 Action Requested: To review the information about pickle ball and make a recommendation to the City Council on pickleball use in the City of Otsego. ITEM 5_2 0 tsTeFMISOTA TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Manager DATE: June 6, 2013 RE: Prairie Park Master Plan Background: In February 2012, the Parks and Recreation Commission worked on a Master Plan for Prairie Park. The Master Plan included existing amenities and the construction of future amenities. Although elements of the Master Plan were incorporated as part of the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the Master Plan itself was never formally approved by the City Council. With the addition of the soccer field complex, City staff would like to recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission again look at the Prairie Park Master Plan and bring forward a recommendation to the City Council. And with the revitalization of home construction in Otsego, City staff would like to further recommend that the Commission also look at how the City determines which amenities to include in future neighborhood parks that are to be constructed. Included with this memo are the Prairie Park Master Plan Concept and the City's Park Classification system and Future Parks and Trails Map from the Comprehensive Plan. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with both documents to aid in the discussion of park designs and classifications at our meeting. City staff would recommend that the goal of this meeting is to continue the master plan process for Prairie Park, expand the Commission's knowledge of the Park Classification System and how it is set up to identify amenities of future parks. Park Classification System Otsego's existing and future parks and trails system is comprised of a variety of parks, open spaces, trails and facilities that are defined by a functional hierarchy according to use, size, and facility development. The classification of park facilities assists in planning a comprehensive system that responds to the community's needs, existing and planned land use patterns and densities and the physical character of the City. The classifications established for the Otsego parks and trails system are based on nationally recognized park characteristics with modifications intended to reflect local needs and conditions. It is a tool to guide Otsego's decision makers in determining park locations, area and facilities. Specific standards and criteria are recommended for each type of park facility, although some flexibility may be anticipated based on specific circumstances that may arise. These standards and criteria should be used as: • An expression of minimum acceptable facilities. • A guideline to determine land requirements. • A basis to relate recreation needs and spatial analysis to a community wide parks and trails system. • To define a major element of the desired land use pattern. • A means to justify the need for parks and trails facilities in relation to continued development. 1 Community Parks Community parks are defined as the largest and most comprehensive facilities within the City's overall parks and trails system intended to be large destination oriented facilities that offer a wide variety of uses. Community parks should have a minimum area of 25 acres with facilities intended to be used by the entire community. The location of community parks should capitalize on areas of high natural amenity such as rivers, forested areas, watercourses, etc., that appeal to larger groups and provide for community access. Facilities within community parks are to be developed to accommodate large crowds and special events such as a community festival or holidays. Activities typically include walking, picnicking (family and large groups), passive and organized sports and community events. • Service Area: Community wide • Per Capita Standard: 5 to 8 acres per 1,000 population • Desirable Area: 25 acres minimum / 50 to 100 acres desired • Primary Function: Extensive area for community -wide use that may provide active, passive, educational, cultural, or programmed functions for all age groups. • Design Characteristics: Community parks should integrate attractive natural features, have good vehicular access from a collector or arterial street as well as trail connections and provide ample off-street parking facilities. • Typical Facilities: Multiple Use Trails Volleyball, horseshoes, court games Play structures Picnic facilities Baseball/softball fields Soccer/Football/Lacrosse Ice stating Scenic views Fishing Restrooms/parking/signage/trash collection Water features Disc golf FN Community Playfields Community playfields are targeted towards organized adult and youth play on a city- wide basis. These facilities should respond to needs for softball fields, baseball fields, soccer/football fields, lacrosse fields, multiple tennis courts, swimming pools, and ice sheets. Site lighting and irrigation are likely desired to allow for extended hours required for league competition and tournaments. Community playfields serve populations up to 25,000 persons. However, the facility design is related primarily to the needs of user organizations and must be coordinated with the City. Joint use of facilities with elementary, middle or high school facilities can also be considered where schedules and maintenance requirements agree. The majority of the users for these facilities will come from beyond walking distance making adequate access from collector or arterial streets, off-street parking and convenience facilities important. • Service Area: Community -wide • Per Capita Standard: 2.0 to 2.5 acres per 1,000 population • Desirable Area: 20 acre minimum / 30 acres desired • Primary Function: Participants in athletic activities that may be organized or informal. • Locations: Facilities must be located with access to collector or arterial streets on a relatively flat site. Proximity to school facilities may be desirable. • Typical Facilities: Baseball Softball Soccer Football Lacrosse Tennis Hockey/Free Skating Swimming pools Play structures Spectator seating Picnic facilities Trail connections Off-street parking Restrooms/concessions/storage facilities 3 Neighborhood Parks Otsego's neighborhood parks are the fundamental building blocks of the City's parks and trail system and the focus for individual neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks are to be distributed through the City's residential areas and are intended to provide equal facilities and access. Optimum service areas for neighborhood parks should be within a one-half mile radius unobstructed by major roadways or physical barriers. The population served by individual parks should not exceed 5,000 persons. Neighborhood parks should be a minimum of five acres and up to 20 acres in area to allow for a mix of active and passive uses. Sites selected for neighborhood parks should possess physical features that accommodate basic recreational programming. In some cases, combined use of an elementary or middle school site should be considered to minimize duplication of facilities. Characteristics of neighborhood park sites include gently rolling to level terrain with well drained soils, partially wooded areas, a regular geometric shape and convenient street access and site visibility. Water features or wetlands are acceptable and may be desirable provided that soil or drainage conflicts are avoided. ■ Service Area: One-half mile radius uninterrupted by physical barriers. • Per Capita Standard: 2.5 to 3.5 developed acres per 1,000 persons • Desirable Area: 5 to 20 acres with 5 to 10 acres of active use. • Primary Function: Neighborhood parks are to provide informal neighborhood open space with provisions for active recreational uses that responds to neighborhood needs. Primary users will be children and families rather than organized athletic functions. • Locations: Centrally located within a service area or defined neighborhood, the park may be adjacent to elementary or middle school facilities or other park elements. Primary access should occur by walking or bicycle and neighborhood parks should be connected to the community trail system. Secondary access should include street access and vehicle parking facilities. Adjacent land uses should be residential, school grounds, collector streets or community open space. Natural characteristics should include generally flat topography and soils compatible with facility development. Vegetation should be representative of the neighborhood with partially wooded sites preferred. Visibility should allow good sight lines into the parcel to encourage use and ensure security. Water features such as ponds, creeks, or wetland should be included only if they are compatible with the facility design and do not create safety issues. 4 ■ Typical Facilities: Informal softball/baseball fields Play fields for soccer/football/lacrosse Multiple Use Trails Volleyball, horseshoes, court games Play structures for varying ages. Picnic facilities Benches Skating (pleasure and hockey) Sledding Picnic shelter for larger sites. Picnic tables Restrooms Landscaping Trash collection On or off-street parking (20 stall minimum) W�illm ,, .• \NDN qU•==I�PO�p��Er� .■ &�n Im L•