10. PRSR 01-09-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NEIGHBORS: SPOTLIGHT ON ARDEN HILLS Parks plan ready for public input More trails, renovations are part of resident-driven proposal BY NANCY NGO Pioneer Press In the next 10 years, Arden Hills could become a city woven with connecting trails,separated pedestri- an walkways, bicycle crossings, four-season skating rinks and a nine-hole disc golf course. It's all part of a master parks,trail and open-space plan city officials and a citizen committee have been drafting. The blueprint is up for public review and input from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1245 W. Highway 96. The plan, put together by a 13-person committee composed of residents, city staff and a City Council liaison,is a product of residents'ideas from a planning survey and four community meetings held this year "What's neat is this is an entirely resident-driven PARKS PLAN,2E Park could be replaced by a parking nity soccer fields. Parks plan Park The city needs to find parking Residents also had expressed space after the Fair Isaac's company interest in an indoor recreational (continued) expands its property, eliminating facility. However, planners reasoned parking spots that park visitors use. it would not be cost-effective, since process,"said Tom Moore,parks and •Tennis courts would be removed the New Brighton Family Service recreation director. at Floral Park to make way for a full Center and Shoreview Community While residents were generally basketball court. Center were both less than one mile satisfied with the city's parks, trails • Freeway Park would get a new away. and recreation programs, they want- warming house and a paved hockey Moore said the committee plans to ed to see more trails,nature preserves rink for year-round use. see how satisfied residents are with and park renovations. •At the suggestion of residents, a the blueprint and decide if adjust- The master plan would connect all nine-hole disc golf course would be ments need to be made. Then, the 15 parks in the city by trails,including created for Frisbee golf. The hillside committee plans to develop cost esti- Ramsey County's Tony Schmidt Park park is heavily used in the winter for mates for the projects and submit the and Crepeau Park nature preserve. sledding, but residents indicated proposal to the City Council. The paths also would be coordinated there should be an option to attract with Ramsey County's trail plan, visitors during the summer months. Nancy Ngo,who covers north suburban which the city hopes would connect •Round Lake Park would be land- communities,can be reached at Arden Hills to routes stretching from scaped with gardens. The city is also nngo @pioneerpress.com or(651) New Brighton to White Bear Lake. considering acquiring more land to 228-2149. Many of the parks would receive add soccer fields. additional landscaping, benches, •A tennis court would be added to parking and picnic areas. Some of the Royal Hills Park. UP FOR REVIEW park-and-recreation upgrades would •The basketball court at Sampson require the acquisition of adjacent Park would be removed for a trail parkland. addition. The blueprint for the Arden Hills Among the recommendations are: •Valentine Park would get a new master parks plan is up for public •A new warming house at Charles warming house and picnic shelter. review and input from 6 to 7 p.m. Perry Park placed closer to the skat- • Land could be acquired at Tuesday at City Hall, 1245 W. ing rink. The skating rink would be Charles Perry Park to minimize light Highway 96. For more information paved over for an in-line skating and noise disturbance from expansion about the plan, contact Tom option and a half-court basketball of the park. Moore, parks and recreation court. • Open land west of Round Lake director, at(651) 634-5120 or go to • The tennis court at Cummings Park could be acquired to add commu- Www-ci.arden-hills.mn.us + 21 C MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2001 • ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS