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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes May 14, 2003 Page 7 e 9.C.1. Park/Trail Development Issues: Consider Revised Maintenance Plan - Oak Savannah Park Ms. McPherson stated that on Monday, Apri114, Councilmember Dietz, Mayor Klinzing and Park and Recreation Commissioners Anderson, Nystrom, and Peterson met with several representatives of the Country Crossing neighborhood regarding the maintenance of Oak Savannah Park. The neighbors were concerned about the overall appearance of the park, the lack of bituminous walking trails, and the habitat for mosquitoes created by the detention ponds. There was no consensus for a solution regarding the park. Ms. McPherson indicated that staff has since met on site to discuss an alternative maintenance plan. Staff is proposing prairie restoration, woodland restoration, and areas to be mowed and maintained as in other parks. The plan includes maintaining the woodchip trails with a 5 foot mowed area on either side and a 3 foot mowed area along the back of the sidewalks adjacent to Orono Parkway. In addition, staff is proposing to establish woodland restoration area adjacent to the residential homes, which would be comprised of native shrubs such as gray dogwood, hazelwood, chokecherry, and other similar species and the introduction of native flowering woodland plants such as mayapple, bloodroot, trilliums, etc. Ms. McPherson also indicated that there is an Eagle Scout that is interested in working with staff to develop a planting plan, budget, and installation schedule for the woodland restoration areas. e Staff requested Commission direction regarding the revised maintenance plan for Oak Savannah Park. The plan should meet the desires of most of the adjacent residents. Once approved, the maintenance plan would be sent to the adjacent neighborhood and work would begin immediately on refurbishing the trails and establishing the mowed areas. Chair Peterson questioned why the plan calls for 5 feet to be mowed on each side of the trail and only 3 feet by the sidewalk. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that the idea was that the prairie plants would grow over the path if an ample amount was not mowed. It was the consensus of the Commission to mow 3 feet on each side of the trail and to implement the revised maintenance program. 10. Information/Update items (No discussion or presentation unless requested) A. Land Use Cases - None B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. Elk River B:MX 2003 Race Schedule 3. YMCA Information 4. Woodland Trails Park Dedications 11. Update on Apri121. 2003. City Council Meeting Commissioner Nystrom provided an update on the Apri121, 2003, City Council meeting. 12. Update on Apri122. 2003. Planning Commission Meeting e Commissioner Peterson was not in attendance at the Apri122, 2003, meeting because there was nothing that pertained to the Park and Recreation Commission on the agenda.