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In the near term,there are a number of low-cost initiatives that the City can undertake to improve the <br /> value of Trailside Park.Those include the following(numbering corresponds to locations on Exhibit A): <br /> 1. Install medium-height(4-6 feet)shrubs to provide a buffer between the trail and the parking lot. <br /> 2. Install low-height(2-4 feet)shrubs to provide an edge buffer between the trail and the parking <br /> area.The buffer should create a perceived barrier but not block the sightlines between the park <br /> and Government Drive businesses. <br /> 3. Move trees closer to the parking lot and remove remaining trees and shrubs so as to make this <br /> an open and more active area within the park.The idea is to have the picnic shelter open up into <br /> a bigger"room"to the north that would allow activities (frisbee, playing catch, etc...) in <br /> conjunction with utilizing the shelter. <br /> 4. These shrubs have been poorly maintained and should be pruned back by 80%or more or <br /> removed altogether.They currently block the views and create a confusing tunnel effect that <br /> makes it appear as if the trail simply stops. Some edging on the east side may be beneficial, but <br /> it should be low-height shrubs (2-4 feet) so that the view of Government Drive is not impeded. <br /> On the west side of the trail,there should not be anything in this area limiting direct interaction <br /> with the park space. <br /> 5. There is a need to enhance the buffer in this area as a backdrop to the peaceful garden area <br /> we're trying to create.Some deciduous trees should be planted here of a variety that can be <br /> trimmed at the bottom but will provide a full canopy(maple, for example). Plantings here will be <br /> in deference to a long-term project as we're not recommending planting mature trees. <br /> 6. The garden itself should be a reflective area of solitude. Currently,there is too much activity <br /> flowing into this area from the trail and adjacent park area, which impacts the serene nature of <br /> this garden. Rearranging the vegetation around the park to form a natural (but permeable) <br /> barrier will create a gentle "room" effect that will help isolate the area around the garden and <br /> tie the space together.While the garden has a natural, somewhat wild,feel to it,the benches <br /> should be arranged symmetrical to the axis of the garden.A pair of short,subtle wood chip trails <br /> off of the Paul Bunyan trail will guide people through the enhanced buffering and into the <br /> garden area. <br /> 7. The topography in this area provides a natural overlook to the garden below. Moving the trees <br /> out of the way will enhance this view.There needs to be a vegetative buffer created along the <br /> south side of the picnic shelter(and all trash containers and other unsightly items need to be <br /> moved to the north or west side)to not distract from this area.The benches should be placed at <br /> the top of the hill in a pattern slightly skew from the trail yet clearly focusing on the garden <br /> below.Vegetation should be added on the south side of this area to further frame the view on <br /> the garden area. <br /> 8. The entire veteran's memorial is well-intentioned, but the design and layout is subtly <br /> discomforting, thereby doing a disservice to the hard work and resources that have done into <br /> creating this monument. Some changes to the site could enhance its grandeur and import within <br /> the park and focus due attention on the efforts of veterans. <br /> Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated December 2011 18 <br />