West Calhoun Neighborhood Council

Update on Park Board Projects

In September 2008, the Executive Committee of the West Calhoun Neighborhood Council met with Alexander Zachary, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board Planner for our area.  We discussed a number of issues that have been of concern in the neighborhood in recent years.

Traffic Calming  
This summer, WCNC, working with the Park Police, looked into the possibility of installing a permanent speed radar sign on West Calhoun Parkway.  Speed radar signs have been proven to reduce traffic speeds.  Ultimately, the Park Board had significant concerns about the ongoing maintenance of the sign, which seemed to make it an impractical solution to the problem.  Our traffic calming concerns remain.  The key issues that the neighborhood would like to address are: 1) The fact that there is no traffic calming for over one mile from Xerxes to Excelsior Boulevard, which creates dangerous conditions for pedestrians and 2) There are dangerous pedestrian crossings at the Lake Calhoun Executive Center and West 32nd Street.  Alexander Zachary agreed to work on different options – either the speed radar sign or a better solution to control traffic speeds and the crossings noted.

Tree Planting and Stump Removal
Alexander Zachary advocates strongly for spending NRP funds on reforestation.  The Board supported the idea of using WCNC funds on tree planting and stump removal.  To that end, Paul Domholt of the Minneapolis Park Board Forestry Division developed a tree planting and stump removal plan for the neighborhood for $20,000.  The plan for Spring is to plant 34 trees and remove 81 stumps in the neighborhood.  Funds not spent in Spring 2009, will be carried over to subsequent years.  Stump removal should begin this Fall.

To help address the issue of adequate watering for the new trees on public lands, the Park Board will use  “gator bags” on trees that are planted along the lake, in the park.  The bags are quickly filled, but allow water to be slowly dispersed to the tree.  Other trees will require supplemental watering next summer by the adjacent residents or business owners.  

Shoreline Restoration  
The Park Board does not have funding for shoreline restoration.  The estimate for shoreline restoration at Lake Calhoun is approximately $350,000 to make a difference.  WCNC asked Alexander Zachary to be sure that West Calhoun stays in the queue for potential state funding for shoreline restoration.
 
Fishing Pier  
MPRB Lakes District Manager Paul Hokeness estimates that a fishing pier to replace the pier removed several years ago would cost $15,000.   Alexander Zachary will keep us apprised of options to apply for grant funding either with the Park Board or independently.

If you have questions or feedback about this article, please contact us at 612-928-3511 or at info@westcalhoun.org.