Minutes of the May 18, 2009
Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails
Attendees: Rich Burton, Tom Krinke, Judy Rydeen, Michele McNulty, Karen Schik, Carol Seefeldt, Mike White, Tom Triplett. Absent: Mike Harnetty, Matt Rasmussen, Stephen Ledo.
1. Minutes from April 8 meeting were approved.
2. Introductions around the table revealed that our board members include Scandia residents who have lived here between 3 and 55 years, and with a wealth of experience and historical knowledge.
3. Reports
a. Wind in the Pines Clean up was very successful. Four Parks committee members and two Friends volunteers removed a large amount of surface debris.
b. Offer of picnic tables. Four heavy-duty metal picnic tables have been offered as a donation to Scandia. Possible locations were discussed: Lilleskogen park, Bone Lake, Log Cabin Landing, Goose Lake, the old Rasmussen house site, and the Community center. Once city approval is obtained, Tom will follow-up with arrangements for delivery and hopes to find volunteers to help transport.
c. Gateway Trail. Ric Ahern (Parks and Trails Council of MN) informed Tom that progress is nearly done on land/easement acquisition for the trail between Wm O'Brien Park and Scandia Trail. There is also good progress southward to Pine Point. The next goal is to hook up with the Immigrants Trail which will run between Chisago City and Taylors Falls to the north.
d. Birding trip. Two people participated in the hike, but none of the registered attendees made it, likely due to the very cold weather (38 degrees). Several interesting species were seen, but overall count was very low. The group felt this was an important activity to have, and we should do it annually.
4. Financial Report, membership
There is $1,660 in the bank, but Tom T still needs to be paid for the brochures and legal filing (totaling $381.03). Membership dues will be coming up again in the fall. The board will decide at a future meeting how to proceed with reminders. A suggestion was made to see if subscription might be able to include the Parks and Trails Council magazine. Tom T will check into it.
5. Activity priorities for this summer.
Tom T suggested a summer membership gathering/picnic/fundraiser. Locations suggested included Hay Lake Lions Park, Wm O'Brien Park, Big Marine Park, and the Vets Camp. Big Marine was favored slightly, but would be contingent on free admission. Carol will check into it. Hay Lake would be the back up. A general timeframe would be a Thursday eve in late July or early Aug.
Boat landing clean up: This is no longer a priority event as it has been reported to us that clean up is not needed at the landings.
Trail construction at Wind in Pines: Help will be needed for trail construction, but we don't know yet when it will be. Karen will keep the group posted. Michele reported that there was no recorded archeological significance for the park. Mike W. reported there may have been a property boundary infringement. Judy will find the property deed.
Invasive species removal: This will be needed primarily at Lilleskogen, but also at Wind in the Pines. Fall was the suggested time for that type of work. Michele suggested that we host an invasive species training workshop - identification, how to manage etc. Nothing was decided but all were in favor of that and more educational activities.
The Friends will again have a booth at Taco Daze for member recruitment. Members also suggested that the booth might have educational materials - e.g. relating to invasive species.
Next meeting: June 22, 7 pm. Organization of the summer picnic will be the main agenda.
Adjourned: 8:15 pm
Respectfully submitted by Karen Schik in the absence of Stephen Ledo, Secretary