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Edina City Lake Proposal Expected to be Discussed by Edina City Council at May Meeting – VIDEO + Proposal

This story is featured in the May 9, 2018 edition of The Edina Sentinel. Scroll down to view the presentation to the Edina City Council and read the full proposal.

A proposal was brought to the Edina City Council on March 12, 2018, by Phillip Spory concerning the Edina City Lake property. The six page proposal highlights a plethora of possibilities for developing the property into a family friendly activity area with options for camping areas, baseball diamonds, walking trails, swimming areas and more was given to five Edina Aldermen and past Mayor Eric Hunolt.

Since the proposal was introduced, it was passed out to attendees of the newly formed group Grow Knox County and again to the newest members of the Edina City Council during the April meeting.

Several paper copies have been made available at various locations throughout Edina, though distribution has remained limited.

“Leisure and recreational resources are severely limited. These ideas can be implemented over time. I hope that the City Council will give me the opportunity to take the next step and search for grants and funding sources on their behalf,” said Spory. “I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from the community. I’m looking forward to meeting with the Council in May.”

Spory, 35, of Edina has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Missouri Columbia in Parks Recreation and Tourism with an emphasis in Natural Resource Recreation Management. He donated his time an energy to work on the Edina City Lake proposal, which began nearly one year ago in the summer of 2017.

Watch Spory’s presentation to the Edina City Council below:

Spory’s entire proposal is included below:

Recreational Complex Proposal for the City of Edina County Club & Golf Course

This proposal is to turn the current property of the former City of Edina Country Club and Golf Course into a recreational complex.  The area is in prime location and has attributes that will make it a unique recreational experience in Northeast Missouri.   As described below are suggestions for utilizing the former country club and golf course.  Not only will the City of Edina see income from this recreational venture, but the County of Knox could benefit as well.  People will be driving to our county to use the recreational complex or ball fields and while they are here or before they depart, they may visit one of our restaurants or fill the gas tank on their car.  This will create more money being spent in the county and generate dollars for our community.  The ball fields will be able to accommodate traveling team play and also an area for them to enjoy while waiting between games.

The trees located along the fairway and around the lake will have to be removed.  A certain number of the trees located to the west of the clubhouse will remain.  The ground on the east side of the lake will need to be leveled to allow for flat surfaces for athletic fields.  Drainage tile will need to be installed so that water does not stand on the property.   Electric and water lines will have to be installed in certain areas of the park.  The City of Edina will save money in that it already possesses some of the equipment needed to construct some of the recreational stations and maintain the grounds.

  1. South Property Line That Adjoins Residence:

Plant Eastern White Pine, (Pinus strobes) trees along the property line.  This is a fast growing tree, growing up to 24” per year.  These trees reach a height of 50’- 80’ and a spread of 20’- 40’ at maturity.  This makes the Eastern White Pine an excellent border tree.  The tree can grow in a variety of soil and sun conditions.  Planting Eastern White Pine trees along the southern border of the country club property would allow the neighboring residence to have privacy while patrons are enjoying the recreation areas.

  1. Open Recreation Field

The open recreational field will be located on the south section of the country club grounds.  The open recreation field will measure 120 yards or 360 feet running north and south and 80 yards or 240 feet running east and west.  These are the dimensions for a Fédération Internationale de Football Association, (FIFA) World Cup soccer field that will double as a football field.  A standard football field is 120 yards or 360 feet long and 53 1/3 yards or 160 feet wide.   The soccer goal and the football upright constructed as one unit and will be located at the same place on each end of the field.  The goal could be constructed by the shop at the high school; (they are always looking for projects).

  1. Pavilion

Construct a pavilion on the south side of the parking area south of the clubhouse.  A 20’ x 30’ pavilion would allow a space for family gatherings, reunions, birthday parties, baseball/softball team meals etc.

  1. Storage Sheds

After inspecting the cart storage sheds, it is determined they are not in stable condition and should be removed from the property.  The remaining sheds could remain on site for storage of landscaping equipment and paddle boats for winter storage.  In conjunction with the storage shed area, construct a water fill station and a waste storage tank for patrons who use pull-behind campers.  The convenience would generate supplemental income for the facility.

  1. Boat Ramp

Construct a concrete or paved boat ramp on the south side of the club house.  The boat ramp could measure 40 feet long by 18 feet wide with switch back sidewalks (to assist handicap individuals down the ramp safely) located on the north side of the boat ramp.  The boat ramp will double as an access point for people to access the floating handicap accessible dock.  The floating dock will allow boaters to tie up their boat while they park the vehicle and boat trailers.

  1. Floating Dock

An American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant covered floating dock will be adjacent to the boat ramp.  The floating dock will be accessed by ADA compliant sidewalks and ramps.

  1. Miniature Golf Course

The miniature golf course could be located on the west and northwest side of the clubhouse.  Miniature golf courses are fairly inexpensive to build, takes minimal staff and maintenance, and can recoup their costs in as little as 3-5 years.

  1. Clubhouse

The clubhouse would be the house office for administration, concessions, equipment and camping rental, restroom and showers.  The top floor of the clubhouse can be divided into three different areas: the first area can be an office for park administration, the second area can be devoted to concessions, which would allow patrons to the Edina Lake property refreshments, and the third area could be a welcome counter that will have information at hand for visitors to the property.  The welcome counter will take reservations for the shelter houses and camping areas, rental for paddle boats, fee for miniature golf, and deposits for volleyballs, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, and shuffleboard equipment.

The deck on the south side of the clubhouse could be revamped to allow for tables and chairs for persons to sit and leisure.  The north side of the clubhouse could allow for a 52’x 40’ patio area with tables, chairs, and loungers to allow people to relax and enjoy the view or wait for others to finish a game of miniature golf, wait their turn at a paddle boat, or wait their turn at the shuffleboard court.

  1. Shuffleboard Court

On the north side of the clubhouse patio, a shuffleboard court would be a nice leisurely recreational activity.  The official shuffleboard court size is 39’x 6’.  Two shuffleboard courts would allow more people to enjoy the experience at once.  Allowing an area 50’x 20’ for two courts will permit ample room for players to move around without being in other player’s way.

  1. Paddle Boats and Floating Dock

A smaller floating dock could be located north of the clubhouse on the south bank of the cove.  Paddle boats are relatively inexpensive to purchase, it shouldn’t take long to recoup costs and begin to turn a profit from renting paddle boats.

  1. Nature Trail

The construction of a 12’ wide nature trail would allow ample room for multiple patrons to enjoy the trail at the same time.  If the trail was constructed 12’ wide, it would allow emergency personnel to utilize the trail should they be needed.  The trail head could begin adjacent to the clubhouse and the pavilion and continue north along the beaches, through the campground area and along the lake.  The trail could have different areas that loop back around to the trail head if patrons do not desire to walk the whole loop.  The nature tail could employ different attributes along the trail to educate the public.  At designated spots along the trail path native trees or plants could be planted with a description to inform visitors, or exercise stations could be installed for a fit trail.

  1. Park Access Road

A park access road would allow visitors to the park to safely drive for one end to the other on a predetermined path.  The roadway could start at the existing parking lot accessed by the main entrance and travel north along the property line a safe distance parallel to Highway15.  The park access road could cross the lake on the east side and make a loop in the camping area and finish at the parking area associated with the ball fields.  The road way should be 24’ wide, the same width as an actual road to allow traffic to meet and pass safely.

  1. Pavilion

Construct a pavilion located northeast of the clubhouse, approximately where the apple tree is located.  A 30’ x 40’ pavilion would allow space for family gatherings, reunions, birthday parties, baseball/softball team meals etc.

  1. Basketball Court

Constructing a high school regulation basketball court measuring 84’ x 50’ to the east of the pavilion would allow for a full court game.  Placing 4 more basketball goals on the sides of the court would allow for two smaller games to take place at the same time. The basketball court being positioned here would allow the park staff to monitor play from the clubhouse.

  1. Sand Volleyball Court

The area located north of the clubhouse and west of the pavilion would be an excellent spot for a volleyball court.  The court being positioned here would allow the park staff to monitor play from the clubhouse.  A regulation size sand volleyball court 29’ 6” x 59’.

  1. Beach Area

A sand beach area along the north and south sides of the cove, measuring 25’ x100’, this area will be viewable by management staff from the clubhouse.  Two shelter pavilions on each beach area would allow for patrons a place to picnic or have a place to sit in the shade.  The pavilions could measure 12’ x 15’, this is ample room for a picnic table and a built-in bench.   The beach area can be partitioned off by constructing a fence or barricade system to keep vehicles off the sand area and keep patrons safe while enjoying the beach.

  1. Camping Area

The area located north of the cove would be an ideal setting for camping.  Camping sites could be accessed by using a gravel roadway.  The campground could be divided into different areas, allowing for primitive (tent) camping and areas for pull-behind campers.  Camp sites would have a firm base that would allow for safe and secure placement of pull-behind campers.  The camping sites could have electric meters and the patron would pay when checking out of the park.  The camping area could potentially be used the majority of the calendar year.  Patrons could camp for recreation, hunting seasons, or even contractors working on projects in the area.  The campground area could also have space for a parking area that would accommodate extra vehicles from patrons at the ball fields.

  1. Ball Fields

Ball fields could be constructed on the north side of the property.  The ball fields could be accessed by either constructing a drive way entrance on the north side of the property or by using the park access road that comes in at the main park entrance and travels through the park, along the beach areas, through the campgrounds to the parking lot associated with the ball fields.  Rough estimates have been made in securing two baseball fields for the 14 and under division and one softball field for the 14 and under division.

  1. Softball Field

The softball field could be constructed as the furthest south of the 3 fields.  Home plate could be to the southeast side of the field making the outfield to the west and the north.  The softball field measured 250’ to the foul poles from Home Plate.  Spectator seating could be along the south and east areas of the field.  Since the softball field is joining the baseball field in the outfield area, a buffer of 100’ has been allowed between fields for player safety and to allow patrons to pass through to access other areas of the park.

  1. Baseball Fields

The two baseball fields could be constructed north of the softball field with Home Plates butting up to each other.  The middle baseball field could have Home Plate at the northeast side of the field making the outfield west and south.  Both baseball fields measured 300’ to the foul poles from Home Plate.  Spectator seating could be along the east and north sides of the baseball field.  Since the baseball fields are butting up to one another, a 50’ buffer has been allowed between the fields for player’s safety, spectator seating, and access to other areas of the park.  The second baseball field could be constructed north of the middle ball field.  The north baseball field could have Home Plate at the southeast side of the field making the outfield the west and north.  Spectator seating could be along the south and east areas of the field.

  1. Parking Area

A gravel parking area could be established on the northeast side of the property along Highway 15 to allow for players and patrons a place to park their cars.  The parking area could be accessed by either constructing a drive way entrance on the north side of the property or by using the park access road that comes in at the main park entrance and travels through the park, along the beach areas, through the campgrounds to the gravel area associated with the ball fields.

  1. Ball Field Convenience Building

A convenience building could be constructed in the vicinity of the ball fields.  This structure could be a 30’ x 30’ building that could house a concession stand and restroom facilities.  The building will need to have electric and water, and a water storage tank could be placed for brown water to be pumped out at later times.  The front of the building could have a 20’ x 30’ pavilion structure with picnic tables to allow patrons a place to eat and enjoy visiting with others.

  1. North Property Line That Adjoins Residence:

Plant Eastern White Pine, (Pinus strobes) trees along the property line.  This is a fast growing tree, growing up to 24” per year.  These trees reach a height of 50’- 80’ and a spread of 20’- 40’ at maturity.  This makes the Eastern White Pine an excellent border tree.  The tree can grow in a variety of soil and sun conditions.  Planting Eastern White Pine trees along the northern border of the country club property would allow the neighboring residence to have privacy while patrons are enjoying the recreation areas.

24.  Open Space Wildlife Area

            The open space wildlife area located on the northwest corner of the property is isolated and not accessible by road.  This makes the area ideal for applying for a grant for the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund offered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  Another way for the City of Edina to generate supplemental income for the facility would be to allow archery (bow) hunting on the open space wildlife area.  The City could issue a certain number of hunting permits for a nominal fee.