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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes May 10,2000 Page 5 . After discussion, the Commission and staff felt 15 acres per 1,000 residents for heavier park uses, and 25 acres per 1,000 for natural areas/open space were appropriate figures to use in determining park needs. Based on this information, approximately 1 ,250 acres would be needed to meet future requirements for open space. Taking into account the existing 700 acres of open space park land, approximately 550 more acres are needed. Discussion then centered around the minimum size requirements for parcels to be considered for area-wide parks. The Commissioners and staff were in agreement that a figure of 50 plus acres would be a minimum. The St. Louis Park Gun Club was discussed as a site the Commission felt strongly about preserving indefinitely as open space, because of its beauty and natural amenities. The club is located west of County Road 1 at roughly the 205th A venue alignment. Staff will contact the DNR regarding possible negotiations they are having with the Club. Commissioner Dave Anderson felt that the use of the gun club site would be extremely limited due to the sensitivity of the area. Michele McPherson pointed out several parcels adjacent to the gun club which would bridge the gun club with Woodland Trails Park. Commissioner Dave Anderson felt that preservation of the Tamarack swamp which is located on the David Thompson, Judith and Richard Thompson, and Bloomdahl and Carl Thompson properties. The Commissioners were in agreement that this was a desirable site to preserve as open space. . The West Twin Lake area was considered next. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that there was some interest in the area as a community park, but they did not feel the site would be large enough to consider as an area-wide park. Commissioner Peterson raised the question of how Anoka County would feel about Elk River connecting a park with their park. It was suggested that the area might be well-suited for ball fields, since it is relatively flat with limited wooded area. Some conversation was then given to the Weldon Schulz farm located off Monroe Street. It was suggested that a portion of this property would make an excellent area-wide park. Due to the time, Chair Kuester called a special meeting for June 28, 2000, at 7:00 p.m., to continue the discussion of area wide parks. 10. Information/Uodate Items (No discussion or presentation unless reauested) Information or updates were provided in the Commissioners' packets for the following issues: Land Use Cases: 1. Park in Trout Brook Farms 2. Status of Charest Mississippi Parcel .