HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-15 NAC Memorandum Re Brekke Park Conceptual Plan •
Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc.
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C O M M U N I T Y P L A N N I N G • D E S I G N • M A R K E T R E S E A R C H
MEMORANDUM
TO: Oak Park Heights Parks Commission
FROM: Dan Sjordal /Scott Richards
DATE: 15 May 1996
RE: Oak Park Heights - Brekke Park Conceptual Plan
FILE NO: 798.04 - 96.06
The Park Commission and City Council's requested changes to the Brekke Park
Conceptual Plan have been completed and are attached. Additional changes were made
from the result of the site inspection /walk through with Carol Karen of Bonestroo, Rosene,
Anderlik and Associates and field measurements taken on 8 May 1996.
EAST BREKKE PARK PLAY AREA
The Park Commission and City Council requested that the existing swing set should not
be relocated. Measurements made during the site inspection revealed that a 10 foot wide
"tricycle raceway" could not be located between the existing slide and swing set due to
safety zone requirements. The pathway was relocated to the east of the swing set safety
zone and between the existing play structure and slide. The new layout required that the
bridge and sand play area were eliminated.
The new play equipment has been located on the plan including the toddler swing set, the
Aladdin Cave Slide, and the access ramp to the train. A five foot wide walkway has been
added to access the ramp and also to contain the hardwood mulch or sand that will be
used as a resilient surface.
5775 Wayzata Blvd. • Suite 555 • St. Louis Park, MN 55416 • (612) 595- 9636•Fax. 595 -9837
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The new design shows areas that should be "naturalized" and become low maintenance
areas . Various volunteer groups could participate in the installation of shrub massing and
re- created woods. Small bare root plant material could be utilized for a minimum cost.
The "prairie hill" was relocated within the low maintenance area. The land form would
provide a sunny place to sit, and the prairie flowers and grasses could become an
educational aspect of the park.
The maze garden was enlarged and a raised platform added to the center as requested.
Large deciduous trees were added to provide shade and provide an entry into the park to
break up the open expanse that is felt with the present layout. The existing play structure
has been left without the circular curbing that was shown on the first plan to lower costs
and to allow the area to expand as may be needed in the future.
EAST -WEST TRAIL CONNECTION
As requested, the trailway has been shown to move around the steps, hydrant and
plantings on the north side of the park shelter. There will be a loss of parking area and
cost for curbing and paving, but the change will allow for a continuous trail from east to
west and also provide a more prominent entry for the park.
The first conceptual design only included a proposed trailway connection to the west play
area and access point along the north side of the park (Option A). A proposed trailway
connection (labeled Option B) was added because the site inspection revealed that this
route may be the preferred route for a connection trail. There is an existing foot path that
leads between the baseball diamonds and it appears that minimal tree removal would be
required if the trail was located to the south. Other advantages include providing a direct
path to the ballfields, location away from residential areas and nearer to possible future
trails on the DNR land and the installation of a trail with retaining walls would help
eliminate some of the erosion problems that are occurring at the present time. The
negative aspects involve the greater costs that would be required with this option (walls
and additional length required to provide paving to the neighborhood access from 55th
Street North), and the original intent of the trail has been to provide park access from the
neighborhood access point.
It was determined that an eight foot or larger walkway could not be installed between the
existing trees that run along the north side of the park and the residential chain link fences
without removing the trees, or creating drainage problems. The proposed trailway
connection to the north (Option A) would need to be located on the south side of the
existing trees which would likely reduce the playing area of the ballfields. Although the
size of fields can be variable, the following minimums for the length of the foul line (home
plate to the fence) are guidelines found in "Timesaver Standards for Landscape
Architecture" by Harris and Dines:
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Foul Line
Softball 16' slow pitch 250'
12" fast pitch 275'
12" slow pitch 225'
Baseball Little league 200'
Bronco league 175'
Pony league 250'
Babe Ruth league 350'
Colt League' 300'
NCAA 330'
The positive aspects of Option A include Tess cost, ease of connection to the neighborhood
access, and ease of construction.
Both of the alternatives have been included on the plat as options, not to show preferences
for either but to suggest that both connections should be explored further when the final
design documents are prepared.
We suggest that you and the Park Commission review the revised plans and comment on
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the trail options. Please call with any questions, comments or revisions that are
necessary.
pc: Janet Robert
Mike Robertson
3
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N NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS
I N C 5 7 7 5 W AYZ ATA BOULEVARD , SUITE 5 5 5
ST.LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 554 16
TRANSMITTAL PHONE (6 1 2)595-9636
DATE: 16 May 1996 NUMBER
O F PAGES
TO: Janet Robert I N C L U D I N G
351 - 7411 COVER:
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FROM: Dan Sjordal
QUANTITY: MATERIAL /DESCRIPTION: DATED:
1 Brekke Park Memorandum 15 May 1996
VIA: REMARKS:
MAIL Instead of faxing you the "foul line" lengths, I
added it into the report. Scott is dropping off the
original at Oak Park Heights.
FAX
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PROJECT: Oak Park Heights - Brekke Park Concept Plan
JOB NUMBER: 798.04 - 96.06