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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 <br />May 8, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to approve the <br />Healing is Possible 5K walk at Orono Park. Motion carried 4-0 <br /> <br /> <br />8.1 Hillside Beginners Area Proposal <br /> <br />Derek Burchill, 14481 Iodine Street in Ramsey, is the MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists) trail <br />steward for Hillside Park. MORC would like to put in a beginner’s area at Hillside for younger and <br />inexperienced riders to gain experience and confidence to feel out mountain biking before getting out <br />on the trails in the woods. <br /> <br />Mr. Burchill shared that mountain biking can be intimidating if never done before. Beginner’s areas <br />are rare in Twin Cities areas so it would be nice to have one in the northern metro area. The area right <br />off the parking lot near the picnic table and bench is grassy and not very viable for parking or adding <br />onto an existing trail. Total trail mileage would be about a mile and the kids would be visible for the <br />entire loop allowing parents to watch from their car or a bench. <br /> <br />The trail design includes an outer loop that is easier and an inner loop that would progress to more <br />difficult. The trail would be built with volunteer labor and possibly some dirt and lumber from the <br />City of Elk River. Mr. Stremcha asked for clarification for the Commission on the parking lot <br />boundary and how the new trail would affect that. Mr. Churchill pointed out that the boulders along <br />the side of the parking lot would be the boundary. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson expressed that he would like to see a budget for the project. He said the <br />commissioners ideally plan things a year in advance. Mr. Stremcha said that a dollar amount could be <br />put together within the next month for the project and that Mr. Churchill is collaborating with staff <br />on the project. <br /> <br />Mr. Churchill said he would not need much from the city this year to get the initial trail in. Mr. <br />Stremcha explained that a new paved parking lot is included in the 2025 capital outlay plan. Chair <br />Anderson said he would like this trail plan laid over the parking lot plan for the next meeting. <br /> <br />The commission asked if Mr. Churchill believed the parking lot would need to be bigger. He said he <br />did not think so and that right now as just a dirt circle it is rarely full. Mr. Stremcha said he believes it <br />would be finished as a rectangle. <br /> <br />Mr. Churchill explained that he designed the trail to go around the kiosk. They discussed the trail <br />going further into the forest, but Mr. Churchill said moving the existing trail in the woods is not a <br />good option. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson asked if there is a current trail map. Mr. Churchill shared that the blue lined trail map <br />off Trailforks website is current but not the one on the kiosk. Mr. Stremcha said moving forward with <br />the trail now would be a suitable time to update the trail maps on everything. <br /> <br />Page 4 of 27