HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-17 Parks and Trails Minutes1
Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes
October 17, 2024 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on October 17, 2024, at City Hall in Corcoran, MN.
Present were Commissioners Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler.
Present at City Hall was Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Chair Christenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Christenson invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Agenda Approval
Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Nybo, to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler.
(Motion carried 5:0)
4. Minutes
a. Minutes – September 19, 2024, Meeting
Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Strehler, to approve the minutes as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler.
(Motion carried 5:0)
5. Open Forum
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted no attendance in the audience.
6. Presentations – None
7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business
a. Historical Overview of City Park Development
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck updated the Commission on the conversation about the history
and development of City Park with Frank and Catherine Meister, Denise Haechrel, Commissioner Nybo,
and Commissioner Strehler. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted dirt work and excavation
by Willie Snyder, and Larry Jordan having helped with the backstop for Snyder Field. Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck noted Frank Meister mowed the park, installed the first playground at the park, fenced
around the ballfields, ran concessions in the warming house, and updated the warming house with
assistance from Denny Jobes, thus having Meister Field named after him. Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck noted the assistance from the Northwest Area Jaycees through funding for the pavilion
and current playground at City Park. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck included that Commissioner
Nybo was noted in the City Council minutes as attending the meeting to request a new playground at City
Park with George Gmach. Commissioner Nybo noted that the old playground, located by where the current
t-ball fields are now, was hit by tornado debris and needed to be replaced. Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck noted assistance from the Corcoran Lions for field lighting, tennis courts, and Lions Field.
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted the City Council minutes from 1997-2000 with Parks
and Trails related items including hockey rinks, fields, and the playgrounds at City Park. Recreation
Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted changes to City Park shown on Hennepin County GIS from 1969
to 2024 through a timeline of aerial screenshots of City Park. Commissioners noted the western portion of
the park originally belonged to the Rockford School District until 2018 or 2019. Commissioners noted that
sometime between 2002-2004 the Parks and Trails Commission formed and began meeting.
Commissioners expressed interest in learning more about the Corcoran Athletic Association and their inputs
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into City Park. Commissioner Nybo noted there appeared to be 25-year lifecycle for playgrounds, to which
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted that vendors say 8-10 years, but data shows they can last
up to 10-20 years. Commissioner Anderson noted park shelters that he remembered from his childhood in
Minneapolis that were wood and lasted approximately 30 years, but the replacement buildings were
cinderblock buildings that still exist.
b. Bark in the Park Survey
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted the Bark in the Park event that took place on Friday,
September 6, 2024, where 17 survey responses were received regarding input on dog amenities within the
City. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck requested Commissioners review the survey questions and
consider directing staff to proceed with a dog amenity survey to the public. Commissioner Anderson noted
that the seating and shading at the park should be considered at all parks within the City as a standard.
Chair Christenson inquired about collecting emails with the survey, to which Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck advised against it to allow anonymity. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed
the Commission that there is a Parks and Recreation email list for those that have agreed to be on it.
Commissioner Anderson inquired about if the option to opt into the email list was on the Tree Giveaway
form, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted that it was not but could be added.
Commissioners were in consensus for Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck to proceed with collecting
additional information through an online survey.
9. Reports/Information
a. Planning Project Update – Information Only
Commissioner Nybo inquired about the trucking company located off of County Road 101.
b. Parks, Recreation, and Trails Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted items that she had been working on since the last Parks and
Trails Commission meeting, including park planning, City Park engagement, policy updates, park history,
youth athletics, and Parks and Trails Commission items.
Vice-Chair Friedrich recalled the November Parks and Trails Commission meeting being moved to Tuesday
November 19, 2024, to which the Commission agreed that Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 7:00 pm would
work for the meeting date and time.
Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Nybo, to approve the November Parks and Trails Commission
Meeting take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 7:00 pm, to coincide with the open house from
5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Vice-Chair Friedrich inquired about offering flag football, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck
noted how heavily the fields are used with current program offerings and noted potential to re-evaluate
following City Park updates. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted the Holiday Toy and Food Drive
was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, with open registration for interested
neighborhoods. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted items at City Council since the September
Parks and Trails Commission meeting including a grant application for a new lawn mower and an upcoming
meeting to include the City Park remaster.
10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. Garden Club Report
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted that she reached out to the Department of Agriculture
regarding the Nursery Stock Dealer Certificate that is required for the annual Tree Giveaway and was
informed it would still be required.
b. Park Dedication Fund
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the City Council approved an
agreement with ABDO to serve as the finance manager role for the City which would allow for the Park
Dedication Fund to be updated more regularly.
11. Other Business/Announcements
Commissioner Anderson noted the South Fork of the Rush Creek Stream Restoration in Maple Grove and
inquired if the Commission would be interested in hearing more about it from their project manager.
Commissioners expressed interest in having the project manager attend a future meeting where there is not
planned City Park project discussion. Commissioner Anderson noted that the October 24, 2024, City
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Council meeting would be where Ken Guenthner, Watershed Commissioner, would be receiving his
outgoing recognition for his service. Commissioner Anderson noted his role as the alternate for the
Watershed Commission but that the City is still looking for a Watershed Commissioner.
12. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Strehler, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, and Strehler.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Supervisor