Loren Thompson Park improvements planned

BAXTER - Loren Thompson Park is in line for improvements.

The Baxter City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved moving the pond hockey program to Oscar Kristofferson Park for the winter to allow for city and Sentence to Serve crews to clear brush and trees for a future parking lot. The city plans to spend about $26,000 from its park dedication funds to complete a bituminous parking lot in 2010.

The city sought parking improvements at the park because of overcrowding in the current parking lot and on Parkwood Drive.

The improvements were part of a Loren Thompson Park long-range master plan approved by the council Tuesday. Future improvements in the plan include relocating the recreational skating area and the skating trail loop, and connecting trails; doing concrete work around the existing restroom/concession building; connecting trails between the restroom/concession building and the softball field to the parking lots; and a looped bike and pedestrian trail through the south wooded area.

The council didn't approve other improvements in the long-range plan.

In other action, the council:

Met as a work session before its regular council meeting to discuss future city projects. Though 11 projects were on the agenda, the council's discussion was limited to two projects - Fairview Road/Elder Drive and Highway 210 area improvements and Isle Drive area improvements - because of limited time.

Staff suggested the workshop to allow for council discussion in setting priorities and give directives.

"We want to try and plow through these tonight and have you leave with an understanding of what they are," city Administrator Gordon Heitke said.

The Fairview Road/Elder Drive and Highway 210 area improvements include possible connections of Fairview Road to Excelsior Drive, moving the stop light from Knollwood Drive to Inglewood Drive and improving Inglewood Drive.

The Isle Road area improvement project includes connecting Isle Drive to Crow Wing County Road 48, along with connecting several other smaller roads in the area.

No decisions were made Tuesday. The council set a another workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.

City initiated projects on the agenda but not discussed were Cypress Drive, Highway 210 and Excelsior area improvements; Cypress Drive railroad crossing improvements; a new water tower and water main trunk line; West Clearwater Road improvements from Memorywood Drive to Welton Road; North Lynndale area improvements;

Developer initiated projects on the agenda but not discussed were Dellwood/Novotny area improvements; Potlatch industrial area improvements; Good Shepherd Senior Housing project, where the developer is requesting public assistance; and a veteran's home project by the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs.

Set a council 2010 budget workshop at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16 at city hall.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.