06/14/1994 - City Council SpecialAGENDA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday
June 14, 1994
5:00 p.m.
Eagan Municipal Center Building
I. ROLL CALL & ADOPTION OF AGENDA
II. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
III. DISCUSSION OF 1993 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
IV. PARKS SYSTEM PLAN
V. OTHER BUSINESS
VI. ADJOURNMENT
city of eagan
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES
DATE: JUNE 10, 1994
SUBJECT: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING /TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1994
At a recent meeting of the City Council, a Special City Council meeting was scheduled
for Tuesday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Director of Community Development Reichert will provide a brief update on current
community development projects.
DISCUSSION OF 1993 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The City has recently completed preparation of its Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report for the year ended December 31, 1993. The City Administrator and Director of
Finance would like an opportunity to review the document in more detail with the City
Council. Staff will be meeting with representatives of the auditing firm, Deloitte & Touche,
on Monday, June 13, to review the audit in advance of the Special City Council meeting.
Deloitte & Touche will make a brief formal presentation to the City Council at a regular
meeting but will not be present at the workshop.
Enclosed without page number is a copy of the financial report and two (2) letters (inside
the front cover) from Deloitte & Touche covering the audit. While the report is lengthy
and detailed, the transmittal letter on pages ix through xxviii provides a good overview and
is reasonably user friendly.
Please bring the report to the meeting on Tuesday as it will be the basis for the financial
review.
PARKS SYSTEM PLAN
The Advisory Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission will be available
between 6:30 -6:45 p.m. to meet with the City Council in regard to the next section of the
Parks System Plan. Attached without page number for Council review is Chapter Ten;
Land Acquisition & Facility Development. The APRNRC reviewed a previous draft at its
work session on June 6 and gave direction for revisions to this document.
MEMO
Following the consultant's review and clarification for the City Council, additional text will
be presented to discuss the context for investment within the park system. Comparisons
of how much to spend, system benefits, funding criteria, and potential financial resources
will be reviewed. Although these items were discussed by the Advisory Commission at
their June 6 workshop, they will be reviewing the text for the first time, as will the Council.
OTHER BUSINESS
There are no items under Other Business at this time.
/S/ Thomas L. Hedges
City Administrator
TLH /vmd
40 0. MEMO
— clty of eagan
DATE: JUNE 10, 1994
TO: TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Id/
SUBJECT: JOINT COUNCIL/COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 14, 1994
The Advisory Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission will be available
between 6:30 PM and 6:45 PM to meet with the City Council in regards to the next
section of the Parks System Plan. Attached for the Council's review is Chapter Ten; Land
Acquisition & Facility Development. The Advisory Commission reviewed a previous draft
at its work session on June 6th and gave direction for revisions to this document.
Following the consultant's review and clarification for the City Council, additional text will
be presented to discuss the context for investment within the park system. Comparisons
of spending, system benefits, funding criteria, and potential financial resources will be
reviewed. Although these items were discussed by the Advisory Commission at their
June 6 workshop, they will be reviewing the text for the first time with the Council.
KV:cm
CHAPTER 10
LAND ACQUISITION AND FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
REVISED June 9, 1994
jrtroduction
As Eagan nears the year 2000, the park system will be challenged by three capital
intensive aspects. These include:
• Land acquisition for active and passive uses and open space
• New facility development
• Redevelopment or renovation of existing facilities
Each of these needs is important to Eagan's residents given continued community growth,
increasing facility needs, land absorption trends, and aging park facilities within mature
neighborhoods.
This chapter provides an overview of potential land acquisition, anticipated facility
development, and a continued response to park redevelopment. In tandem with
Chapter 11, Financing, the chapter summarizes the general timing and financial
implications of m park system improvements.
The justification and rationale for these recommendations occurs earlier in this park
system plan. Chapters dealing with Needs and Demands Analysis, Recreation Programs
Review and Analysis, Natural Resource Assessment and Trail System Planning should be
consulted to provide more depth regarding parcel and facility locations, the potential
timing of facilities, and community need, both present and future.
Land Acquisition
Future land acquisition needs are driven by a variety of factors reflecting both active and
passive recreation demands. A summary of the influencing factors follows. Refer to
Table 10.1 and Figure 10.1.
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!MARY") Page 2 of 2
'igure 10.1)
Comments
Site and acreage are not determined;
joint opportunities exist
Site and acreage are not determined;
explore city /school development
Linkage between Windcreet and II
Patrick Eagan
Linkage between Barbara Curry and I
Patrick Eagan
Develop looping trails, preserve pond II
edges
Trail connection to Lakeside Park II
11 puel ;a,N punoae (teal Outdoor'
Potential public/private partnership 11
Trail connections in Lebanon Hills II
Trail link between Ohmann and
Lebanon Hills
Operating historic farm site II
aanlea3 puellant anaaeatd
Complements elementary school site;
joint city /school development
Priority for Acquisition
Long Term
(2003 -2010)
•
•
L( Mid -Term
1998 -2002)
•
•
•
Near Term
(1994 -1997)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Purpose/Function
Neighborhood common or neighborhood park
Neighborhood common or neighborhood park,
potential school site athletic fields
Linear park, alternative neighborhood park
Linear park
Open apace, linear park
Linear park
aoeda uad0 I
Open space or historic farm/historical site
Open apace or linear park, addition to
Walden Heights Park
Linear park or G. Ohmann expansion
Historic farm site
aoede uadO
Neighborhood park site
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1. Neighborhood Service Area Demands -- Chapter 5, Needs and Demands
Analysis, identified five neighborhood areas where acquisition will be required for
neighborhood common or neighborhood park development. These include Areas 15,
18, 21, 22, and 36E. Each neighborhood is described more fully later in this
chapter.
2. Community Parks -- Acquisition of parcels for community park purposes is needed
to meet future population demands (refer to Table 5.5 in Chapter 5). Existing
community park active area acreage meets current population levels. However,
anticipated community growth will likely generate demand beyond current
capacities. This need is also apparent due to the lack of existing community park
acreage in Eagan's northeast quadrant.
3. Community Athletic Fields - -Land acquisition may be required for a future youth
baseball complex, girls softball fields, and youth soccer. The exact need is
contingent upon timing of community growth, participation rates, and community
demographics.
4. Linear Parks -- Chapter 8, Community Trail System, identifies linear park
corridors as a component of the off -road recreation trail system's continued
development. Eagan has made a commitment to several off -road corridors.
Additional acquisition would infill missing links and greatly enhance the
usefulness of shared use with MnDNR and Dakota County Parks.
5. Passive Open Space - -A detailed summary of remaining community open space is
described in Chapter 7, Natural Resources. Priority parcels for preservation were
identified, of which select parcels should be purchased. Non - acquisition methods
may also be employed to preserve other parcels' resource character.
Table 10.1 summarizes potential parcels for acquisition and their future role within the
system. Alternative sites are noted where appropriate. Additional detail regarding parcel
needs, related facility development, and project intent follows.
10 -2
Penland for Land Acauisition and Facilities
This section provides a summary of those facilities or park system components for which
land acquisition or facility development must occur. Included in this summary are active
facilities, passive elements, and special use components.
Active Facilities
Quantitative and qualitative measures exist within the Needs and Demands Analysis
chapter that have identified the need for active park facilities, primarily in response to
athletic service demands and organized activities. Existing or future needs are likely to
exist for the following facilities or system components:
1. Adult Softball Complex -- Development of Lexington- Diflley Park as an adult
softball complex has been initiated. This facility will be comprised of a minimum
of six softball fields designed to meet and surpass official softball regulations.
Support facilities including parking, comfort buildings, storage, maintenance, and
other amenities will be incorporated into the park's development. Layout and
design of the complex should accommodate future ballfield lighting to maximize the
facility's use and capacity. Lighting of both softball and soccer fields should occur
by the year 2000.
2. Northview Park Lighting Improvements -- Maximum use of the Northview
ballfields should be obtained by adding field lighting. This improvement will
extend the playability of these fields into the evening hours, thereby maximizing
their efficiency and increasing overall capacity. Lighting should be completed by
the year 2000 and in conjunction with Lexington- Diffley lighting to obtain the
lowest installation cost.
3. Youth Baseball Complex -- Population growth and changing demographics may
continue to pose facility needs for youth baseball activities. In response, a four- to
six -field complex should be constructed if adequate user demand exists comprised
of fields rated for each of the various age categories and activity groupings.
Ideally, this facility would be best developed as a joint use complex with a school
10 -3
district. Joint development would maximize the facility's use, produce efficiencies
for both development and operation costs, and likely obtain a location convenient to
the user groups. The key to such a solution, however, is obtaining adequate land
at a location agreeable to both the City and school district. Blackhawk Middle
School in Section 21 would serve as a candidate site for joint development. A City -
owned site could occur at other locations including Parcels 2, 9D, and 11B /12A.
This facility would include ballfields of flexible design, responding to varying age
groups for both existing and future populations. Ballfields would not be lighted
initially. Support facilities including bleachers, storage, parking, and restrooms
should be considered.
The following measures could be considered to delay or take the place of a youth
baseball complex:
A. Alternative game scheduling could occur that extends field use into
afternoon or weekend hours currently not utilized.
B. Extending the season of play could also be considered. This approach would
produce additional capacity from existing facilities and allow for "early
summer" and "late summer" leagues.
C. An alternate approach to extending the capacity of existing facilities would
be the lighting of middle school and/or high school facilities. This approach
could benefit both student programs and community recreation programs.
Funding between the school district and the city could be prorated based
upon use.
4. Softball (Girls) -- Additional softball fields for girls' use may ultimately be
required. Existing and near -term needs may be met at Rahn Park once adult
softball uses are redirected toward Lexington-Diffley. However, ultimate
community needs may require two to four additional softball fields for girls' use.
Once again, the most efficient solution may be a joint use facility at a middle or
high school site. Current school construction programming should address this
10 -4
issue. City and school district staff should cooperate in obtaining adequate land
area as a part of school development to allow for future girls' softball field
construction. Eight to 16 acres may be required assuming joint use of existing
school parking.
5. Soccer Facilities -- Near -term soccer facility demand will likely be met by informal
open space within the City. Near -term soccer field use should be accommodated at
the Lexington-Diffley Athletic Complex including three full -size and one overlay
field. Soccer fields or overlay fields should be considered within the Blackhawk
Middle School complex meeting near -term to mid -term needs. Alternate sites
include Ridgecliff and Wescott Station Parks.
Long -term soccer needs are contingent upon soccer participation rates. Increased
participation and an increasing population may pose the need for additional full -
size fields. These fields should ideally be incorporated into an athletic complex
such as the youth baseball complex. Independent fields are desirable rather than
overlay fields due to lengthy and variable soccer seasons conflicting with ballfield
use.
6. Facility Distribution -- Specific active use facilities such as hockey and tennis
have traditionally been dispersed through the community to achieve uniform
neighborhood access and service. Standards and needs discussed earlier in this
system plan examine the location of these facilities and areas where additional
development may be required. A discussion of the primary activities follows:
A. Ice Hockey -- Standards suggest hockey rink distribution within the commu-
nity with a 10- to 15- minute service area. Placement normally would occur
within a neighborhood park, and potentially be located in pairs to reduce
maintenance costs. As diagrammed in Figure 5.21, a substantial portion of
Eagan is adequately serviced, however, the central and southeast neighbor-
hoods should have improved access. This may be accommodated by:
• An exterior hockey rink adjacent the proposed civic arena (Service
Area 22) or inclusion of a hockey rink in a future Service Area 15
neighborhood park.
• Development of a future neighborhood park in Service Area 36E
adjacent the proposed elementary school.
B. Pleasure Skating -- Distribution patterns and service area standards (3/4 to
1 1/4 miles) are similar to ice hockey. Eagan's central and southeast
neighborhoods are currently inadequately serviced. Future pleasure skating
facilities should coincide with new hockey facilities to maximize
maintenance efficiency and obtain uniform service. A free - standing
pleasure rink in the South Oaks Park area should be considered.
C. In-Line Hockey -- Current trends and excitement for in -line hockey will
require on -going monitoring by staff. If in -line hockey is a long -term
interest, then Eagan must determine whether a public response is needed or
if the demand can be met by private enterprise. If public actions are
appropriate, initial rinks should be centrally located such as the future civic
arena. Paving of one hockey rink would test community demand. Future
locations could include Rahn, Skyhill, Bridle Ridge, and Goathill Parks.
D. Tennis -- Eagan's standards suggest tennis court distribution for a 3/4 to
1 1/4 -mile service area or one court per 2,000 residents. Figure 5.20
illustrates current court distribution and voids within the central
community and southeast the southeast corner. Future courts could be
considered in future park facilities adjacent the:
• Blackhawk Middle School (Service Area 21)
• Elementary School (Service Area 36E)
E. Volleyball -- Revised volleyball standards suggest a minimum of one court per
5,000 residents. Actual sand court volleyball use within the City varies
10 -6
somewhat due in part to user leadership and spirit for the activity. Future
volleyball sand courts should be added, if adequate demand exists, at
Lexington/Diffley, Northview, and the future youth ballfield complex.
F. Unique Activities -- Requests for space to conduct unique or unusual
recreational activities are regularly received by staff. Model airplaning, dog
trials, and off -road mountain biking are examples of such activities. City
ordinance prevents uses such as model airplaning from City parks. Other
uses such as dog trials may conflict with other traditional park activities.
Real demand for space to host these activities will not justify a separate,
designated parcel. Staff should monitor requests and gauge the actual
demand. Once real needs for space and facilities become apparent,
opportunities for these activities should be identified and time slots should
be designated. For example, model airplaning could be conducted during
those weekend hours when youth ballfields are not scheduled. Other
activities such as off -road mountain biking could be directed to single -use
sites such as former gravel borrow pits that can tolerate additional
environmental impact.
G. Other Fields -- Demands for football and rugby play should be met by school
district facilities or shared use with other traditional field activities such as
soccer.
Community Park Development
Need for community park development occurs due to the lack of facilities in the
community's north - central and northeast portions and continued population growth. This
need could be met by the development of a north- central or northeast park facility. These
facilities would provide additional community park space and further distribute
community uses to those areas of the community lacking larger community park
elements.
Northern Tier Community Park
The need for another community park, based upon the needs analysis, population growth,
and community desires, will likely become apparent in the near to mid -term.
Additionally, opportunities for necessary land acquisition are quickly diminishing as
private development consumes potential candidate parcels. Community park location
criteria should include the following items:
• Location within a portion of the community currently underserved by other
community park facilities.
• Location where future population or employment is likely to increase.
• Proximity of attractive resource base including water basin or wetland areas,
woodland cover, topographic relief, or other natural amenities.
• Convenient access and proximity to nonresidential roadways.
• Parcel size 25 to 60 acres. This size may be increased if a youth ballfield
component is included.
The most probable community park candidates include (refer to Figure 10.1) Parcels 1,
11A, and 11B /12A. These parcels have been carefully reviewed by the Commission in
light of existing development trends and ongoing development proposals. Commission
priority for a community park has been established as site 11B /12A.
Neighborhood Park Development
Options and conclusions contained within Chapter 5, Needs and Demands Analysis,
examine park service areas that will likely require future neighborhood facilities. These
neighborhoods include Service Areas 15, 18, 21, 22, and 36E. Future residential develop-
ment and changing land uses will almost certainly require neighborhood park develop-
ment within these areas. However, exact solutions to location and facility development
10 -8
cannot be prescribed at this time. Land development patterns, land use changes, roadway
and infrastructure development, and timing each pose critical influences for the most
preferred solution. In each of these service areas, land acquisition is likely to complement
existing parcels or to provide for neighborhood park development. Facility development
should respond to individual design solutions and park classification, that being a neigh-
borhood common or a neighborhood park. Classifications contained within the Needs and
Demands Analysis depict the facility development associated with each category.
A summary of each service area follows with a depiction of likely land acquisition or
facility development.
Moonshine Park Expansion -- Surrounding neighborhood needs are currently met by
Moonshine Park. Lying adjacent LeMay Lake is a 4.9 -acre parcel (9D -- Figure 10.1) that
could serve as an initial building block that transforms the existing undeveloped
neighborhood park into a special use facility /neighborhood park. Opportunities for
expansion exist east and south of Moonshine Park in the vicinity of I -35E. The expansion
parcel has limited woodland with the dominant area previously used for agricultural
purposes. Future facilities could include:
• Access and parking
• Trails
• Lake exposure and access for non - motorized watercraft
• Fishing piers
• Picnic facilities
• Restroom and maintenance/storage
• Play apparatus
• Looping trails
Landscaping and earthen berms may be necessary to buffer noise intrusion from I -35E.
However, LeMay Lake provides one of the few opportunities in the north- central portion
of Eagan incorporating natural resources, open space, and park expansion opportunities
for park development.
10 -9
Service Area 15-- Resolution of Service Area 15's neighborhood park requirements will
primarily be determined by the area's future development configuration. Park dedication
requirements should be directed toward parcels adjacent the existing water basin and to
interconnect existing parks and planned parcels for acquisition. Six to ten acres should
be sought within Service Area 15 for future development with traditional neighborhood
park amenities and winter activity facilities. Interconnecting trails between Barbara
Curry, Fish Lake, and O'Leary should be developed to the greatest extent possible,
thereby providing an open space network with a variety of park activities.
Park dedication and acquisition should maximize the opportunity for interconnections
with adjacent parks, to preserve water basin edges for public access, to maintain
woodland cover, and provide an open area for active park uses.
Service Area 18-- Potential redevelopment opportunities, changing land use, and
development infill will determine the future need for neighborhood park facilities within
this service area. For example, a significant increase in multifamily units would heighten
the need for neighborhood park facilities. On the other hand, nonresidential uses would
pose moderate requirements.
This service area's substantial variables pose difficulties for resolving at this time the
exact facilities and park parcels required. Park and Recreation staff should closely
monitor private development activities and those of Community Development studies to
determine future park needs. Opportunities for shared use or a public/private venture
should be considered.
Service Area 21-- Ultimate park development within Service Area 21 will be determined
by future development configuration, land use, roadway layout, and the design of
Blackhawk/Deerwood Schools. Many of these variables will become more apparent with
the resolution of current litigation.
Shared use or joint partnership with the school district should be strived for to maximize
active parcels and neighborhood park facilities within the service area. Resolution of
Johnnycake Road and Thomas Lake Road alignments must take into consideration future
park opportunities. For example, alignments swinging to the west would create the
10 -10
greatest opportunity for park parcels that abut school district property. Consolidating
parcels could provide space for neighborhood park and athletic facilities. Additional
school district acquisition will likely be required to meet school facility needs.
A neighborhood common or small neighborhood park should also be pursued in the
vicinity of the fire administration building. Although parcel space is limited, this location
would increase access to the northern service area and future multiple family. Four to six
acres would be desirable for the park development.
Service Area 22-- Tremendous opportunity exists for interconnection of existing and
future public facilities within Service Area 22. Park sites, the elementary school, public
library, civic complex, and future civic arena would all benefit from interconnection by
trails and linear parks. Park dedication should seek to preserve these opportunities in
developing a system strengthened by the collective public parcels. Existing undeveloped
parcels located within the central, north- central, and southeast portions of the service
area will determine actual park needs. While park acreage within this service area
appears abundant, it is difficult to uniformly service the area's residential neighborhoods
due to their distribution and difficult access. Therefore, additional acquisition and facility
development within the service area should:
• Rely on interconnecting trails for convenient access to neighborhood facilities.
• Maximize opportunities for shared recreational use including Glacier Hills
Elementary.
• Minimize duplication of facilities but strive for equal distribution within the
service area.
• Utilize open areas for active recreation rather than impacting woodland and sloped
areas.
Service Area 36E -- Proposed elementary school development within Service Area 36E
holds the key for neighborhood park facilities. Twelve to 13 acres will be acquired by the
10 -11
school district for site development. An additional two to four acres should be acquired
through park dedication in the Pine Ridge Addition to complement school district
property. This shared use venture can meet the area's neighborhood park requirements
in the most effective manner while providing a centrally located facility. Joint facilities of
the city and school district should meet the intent of Eagan's neighborhood park standard
(refer to Chapter 4). Winter activity facilities should be incorporated to meet the
community's southeast skating/hockey needs.
Special Use Facilities
A survey of City Council members, Park, Recreation, and Natural Resource Commission
members, and Park and Recreation senior staff conducted during the planning process in
April 1994 identified general needs regarding community special use facilities. The
survey format queried participants regarding the importance to the community of
numerous activities or facilities and subsequently asked them to establish comparative
ratings regarding the community's current ability to meet that facility's intent. For each
facility, participants were asked to identify that element's importance to the park system
on a numeric rating from 1 to 10. Qualitative ratings of excellent, good, fair, and poor
were used to evaluate Eagan's ability in meeting that facility or activity's need.
Responses of the three survey groups were somewhat varied. However, distinct
conclusions could be drawn regarding several specific activities or facilities that
participants felt were important to Eagan's park system and yet poorly met in terms of
existing facilities. Specific facilities of high importance included a nature or interpretive
center, nature trails, outdoor amphitheater, historical or operating farm, swimming,
fishing facilities, arboreta, public golf course, community center, community gardens,
BMX/off -road biking, and community bandshell. Several other elements were also
identified, but to a more moderate extent including a community historical museum,
small craft water access, skateboarding facilities, recreation trails, group picnicking, cross -
country skiing, trails around lakes, football, in -line skating, and gymnasium space.
The vast majority of these items are specific facilities necessary for select activities. For
example, bocce courts and frisbee golf are tailored to specific activities rather than free-
10 -12
standing park components. These facilities are generally located within community parks
and, as a result, may not require additional land acquisition.
Other facilities such as a historical farm and public golf course are unique, individual
park components and would necessitate land acquisition in addition to facility
development to meet the activity needs. A summary of the desired or important elements
according to survey response is found in Table 10.2.
Prior to special use facility development, the City of Eagan should undertake a broader
survey of the community to verify the desire and need for facility development. Select
special use facilities may require minimal expenditures for development. These include
frisbee golf, fishing, and community gardens. However, other special use facilities may
require substantial investments such as the public golf course or community center.
Revenue bonds should be considered for special use facilities where user fees are used to
pay for or offset development costs incurred.
Prioritization of Land Acquisition and Facility Development
Contained within Table 10.1 is an initial prioritization suggesting timing for land
acquisition. Numerous factors contribute to the timing of actual acquisition and facility
development. Such factors include community activity demands for facilities, recreation
programming, available grants and funding, and private sector development pressure. Of
these criteria, the greatest variable may be private sector development timing as it relates
to land acquisition. Eagan's opportunities for additional park and open space parcel
acquisition are rapidly diminishing as continued private sector development occurs.
Pending residential and commercial development continues to absorb existing community
open space in rapid fashion. It is critical that the City continue to concentrate its efforts
on land acquisition if it is to meet future activities and programming while preserving key
open space and natural resource parcels. This prioritization should be reflected in the
department five -year capital improvement program (CIP).
10 -13
Long -Range Facility Maintenance/Renlacement
Eagan's park system's rapid growth and development has focused available resources
toward land acquisition and development of new facilities. However, many of the park
facilities are at an age where their long -term maintenance and replacement must be
anticipated and provided for. This need will increase as the system ages and matures.
In April 1991, staff prepared a "Long -Range Facility Maintenance and Replacement
Program" that provides a systematic approach to maintaining facility integrity and
anticipates the "capital" investment necessary in the future. The most recent update to
the plan covers the years 1995 - 2016.
Elements contained within this program are those with a life expectancy set by material
quality, maintenance, or necessary replacement. Specific items addressed include park
lighting, backstops, hockey rinks and fencing, park buildings, play structures, foot bridges,
and irrigation systems. Life expectancy of these items and necessary replacement or
substantial rehabilitation is identified based upon manufacturer information, staff
experience, level of use, and material construction and composition. However, other
factors contribute to facility life span including environmental conditions, vandalism, and
changes in use or activities. The program does not address items such as grills or park
benches due to their relatively short life span and low capital investment. A summary of
each major item follows.
1. Bituminous Maintenance -- Bituminous surfaces, parking lots and trails, are to be
seal coated five years after installation and then five to six years after each seal
coating. Overlays may be necessary for parking lots and trails every eight to ten
years. Tennis courts and hard courts have similar maintenance requirements.
However, color coating and striping is applied four to six years after installation
and then four to six years thereafter. Court overlays occur every eight to ten
years.
2. Park Buildings -- Maintenance is required for items prone to wear including
carpeting, roofing, furnace, water heater, and so on.
10 -14
TABLE 10.2
SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL SPECIAL USE FACILITIES (1)
Comments
Refer to Chapter 7-- Natural Resources 11
Volunteer assistance is required;
rehabilitation of farm building
Refer to Chapter 8 -- Community Trails for
locations
Flexible facility for small to large groups 11
Multiuse site 11
Site varies contingent upon manmade
versus natural basin
Environmental programs 11
Incorporate fishing pier and non -
motorized access, shoreline fishing
Outdoor pool and/or wave tank
Visible, accessible site; incorporate into
historic farm
1 satltlp lu
11 Slmau3 anbiun
Incorporate rugby and other field games
Public or public/private venture
Acquisition required
Consider gymnasium and indoor pool
Annual plot rental, consider historic farm
site
Alternative to amphitheater
Potential Location
vud uu2uJ 3ta?alud'
Historical farm site, i.e., Holz site
Dispersed sites
Community park(s) -1
Holtz Farm site -1
Free - standing, civic campus or community park
uu2uJ )aulud ao )jnnutpjaujg-- )Fed iCliununuoD
,clijiau3 asn iepads ao Maud Xliunummo
Civic area or community park
klijiau3 asn juiaads ao Naud Spunuiu op
Community park or public open space
Community park
alts loogas jo asn lutor
Civic arena in civic complex
Existing private course
Free - standing, civic complex
Remnant open space
I I
Community park
Activity/Facility
11 Nature/Interpretive Center
Community Historical Museum
Nature Trails/Trails Around
Lakes
1 Amphitheater
11 Historical Farm
Swimming (Outdoor)
dump Xucji1
Fishing
Juiuiucimg
Arboreta
Small Craft Water Access
1 Skateboarding
Football
[Hockey (Indoor)
1 Public Golf Course
Community Center
Community Gardens
1 Community Bandshell
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3. Fencing -- Tennis and athletic field fencing is anticipated to last 30 to 40 years
prior to replacement. Backstop fencing will require replacement within 7 to 20
years depending upon activities and amount of use. Athletic complex backstops
will require replacement more frequently than typical neighborhood parks.
4. Foot Bridge -- Prefabricated metal and wood foot bridges are anticipated to last 20
to 25 years; with wood planking, 10 to 15 years. Regular structural inspections are
needed to identify potential failures and minimize liability.
5. Hockey Rinks /Fencing -- Tentative life span for hockey rinks and fencing is 10
years. This time frame varies with use and amount of activity.
6. Irrigation Systems -- System maintenance and replacement is contingent upon the
various components from which it is comprised. Valves and pumps are expected to
have a 10 to 14 -year life span, while piping and controllers will generally last 15 to
17 years. Incremental replacement will occur to maintain system quality.
7. Park Lighting -- Security lighting is generally the responsibility of Dakota Electric
with the exception of poles, which are to be maintained by the City, and the
system should last approximately 40 years. Activity and athletic field lighting is
the City's responsibility. Fixtures for hockey and tennis will likely last 15 to 20
years, whereas ballfield fixtures may last 20 to 30 years.
8. Play Structures - -Life expectancy for play structures is 10 to 15 years based upon
levels of use, ongoing maintenance, and weather conditions. Actual replacement,
however, may be shortened depending upon safety criteria and specific designs.
The preceding summaries provide a concise description of those elements requiring
regular maintenance and replacement or rehabilitation. The "Long -Range Facility
Maintenance and Replacement Program" should be consulted for additional detail (refer to
appendix). In addition, the program anticipates capital investments necessary to
maintain element integrity and the likely timing of these reinvestments.
10 -15
Special use facilities will be added to the park system as it matures and when adequate
demand exists. These facilities, such as swimming pools and indoor hockey facilities, will
require a different level of maintenance and replacement. Capital necessary to maintain
their quality will also increase and must be anticipated prior to their development.
Ongoing facility maintenance and replacement is a critical component to Eagan's park,
recreation, and open space system. Deterioration of the system will decrease usage and
the ability to service Eagan residents. Delaying maintenance or facility replacement will
likely increase related costs and may require total facility replacement or redevelopment
rather than corrective maintenance.
Adoption of Facilities for Other Purposes
Eagan's park and open space system has made a commitment of facilities to meet the
recreation and programmic demands asserted by its population. Existing programs reflect
the popularity of existing activities in terms of facility type, capacity, and quality.
However, the composition and capacity of these facilities may change over time due to
recreation trends, changing per capita interest and participation, and new products or
activities that evolve over time. In addition, the community's demographics will evolve
and change the demands from one facility type to another. For instance, softball
participation among Eagan's adults has increased over the past decade and stabilized in
the early 1990s. As a result, the City has made continued investments in athletic
complexes and fields to meet this demand. It is not known whether the community's
population and aging demographics will continue to support the need for additional
expansion of these facilities. The advent of in -line skating has rapidly increased and may
also challenge community leaders for special trails or in -line hockey rinks necessary to
meet this demand. Their long -term popularity and resulting facility commitment cannot
be determined at this time.
It is extremely difficult to predict with accuracy the demand and capacity for specific
facilities within the next decade and certainly for any period of time beyond 2005.
Limited land, facility, and capital resources will challenge community decision- makers to
maximize the usability of existing facilities while meeting community demands.
10 -16
Therefore, facility flexibility may be paramount to successfully meeting future facility and
activity demands.
The following approaches to facility flexibility should be considered to enable reuse or
adoption and maximize facility flexibility:
1. Park Layout -- Future park layout should take into consideration uses other than
those currently programmed for. Space allocation, circulation, access, and parcel
geometry pose opportunities or constrictions for adapting parks to changing uses.
2. Engineering and Construction Practices -- Traditional engineering applications
normally take into consideration a single use or activity. For example, hockey
rinks and tennis courts are designed for their respective activities rather than to
accommodate other events. Flexibility might be sought in the types of hard
surface, removable fencing, and relocatable athletic goals. Bituminous cross -
section design and other standard details should also be examined for their
compatibility with other activities.
3. Infrastructure -- Grading, drainage, and utility design for parks should anticipate
future uses. In select cases, sleeving for future utilities such as irrigation might be
considered during initial park construction to preserve park flexibility and
minimize future cost expenditures.
4. Standards -- Important for park design and development, however, they can also
curtail creativity in adapting park facilities for alternative uses. Standards should
be reviewed and revised recognizing that parks and their facilities may evolve over
time and host alternative activities.
Timing and Financing
This chapter has recognized the primary land acquisition and facility development aspects
of Eagan's future park system. The timing and financing of these improvements are dealt
with in Chapter 11, which should be consulted for supplementary information.
10 -17