HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARC Agenda Packet 8-4-25CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA August 4, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: B. ROLL CALL: Joe Morseth_____ Eric Brenton_____ Tom Faust_____ Bob Haight_____ Wesley Goldberg_____ Erin Williams_____Jerry Buckridge_____ COUNCIL LIAISON:
James Wassenberg ____
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson____
C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. June 2, 2025– Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes E. AGENDA:
1. 2025 Park Audit and 2026 Budget Planning 2. Fall/Winter Programming 3. Ice Rink Discussion F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT G. ADJOURNMENT:
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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES June 2, 2025
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:32 PM B. ROLL CALL:
Joe Morseth__X___ Eric Brenton__X___Tom Faust__X__ Bob Haight__X___ Wesley Goldberg_____ Erin Williams__X___ Jerry Buckridge__X__ COUNCIL LIAISON: James Wassenberg ____
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X__ C. PRESENTATION: N/A D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. May 5, 2025 – Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes Haight motions to approve the Park minutes; approved 6-0
E. AGENDA:
1. Finalize Community Park Playground Color Scheme Commissioners review four versions of the Sunny Days color scheme and discuss which one they prefer. Option 2 receives several votes.
Brenton prefers Option 2 vs. Option 1, for example, because yellow is used as an accent color. In Option 1, it is used in all of the railings.
Williams wonders if a different canopy color is desired and points out the orientation of the swings. She asks if they can be flipped around so that caregivers can see out into the playground when pushing someone on the swings.
Commissioners favor Option 2 and direct Nelson to ask about minor changes such as green or aqua canopies and whether the merry-go-round can be done in orange with a green accent (reverse of how it is shown).
2. City Event Planning
Commissioners discuss the two upcoming City events, Ice Cream Social and Fall Fest.
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Fall Fest will be held on October 11 but Brenton suggests moving it up from 1:00 to 4:00 rather than 2:00 to 5:00.
Faust mentions an event he recently attended at Rice Park and said the balloon animal artist was very popular.
Haight adds that he enjoyed the dance performance last year at Ice Cream Social and the resource fair, too.
Williams suggests having temporary tattoos.
Information/Announcement
1.Upcoming Park AuditNo action is needed from the commissioners. Nelson wants to provide an overview of the park
audit process since the commission is welcoming two new commissioners tonight.Commissioners will conduct individual park audits next month in lieu of a regular commissionmeeting. The findings allow the commission to make a list of improvements and amenities to be
done under next year’s budget.
G.ADJOURNMENT: 8:02 P.M.
Faust motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 6-0
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REQUEST FOR ACTION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item 2025 Audit of Parks for 2026 Budget Planning
Description The PARC did not have a commission meeting on July 7, 2025, and opted to
use the time to conduct park audits, individually, throughout the month
instead.
The purpose of the audits is to compile a list of improvements to be considered
in 2026 and to allow Staff to budget appropriately, with such improvements in
mind.
Budget Impact TBD
Attachment(s) Commissioners’ Individual Audit Reports
Action(s) Requested Staff recommends commission members further discuss audit findings to
compile a final list of suggested improvements to be made under 2026 budget
consideration.
Meeting Date August 4, 2025
Agenda Item E1
Attachment Park Audit Findings
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Deputy Clerk / Admin.
Services Director
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Curtiss Field Audit
Audit:
1.Grass is in good condition. Weeds are mostly absent from grass and surrounding
grounds. Grass was recently mowed, and bushes along fence lines were trimmed. Grass
field is a little bit worn (dirt spots showing) where the hockey rink is set up in winter.
2.Grounds are clean and free of debris. Mulch bedding in the playground is adequate. Two
permanent trash receptacles are clean.
3.Playground equipment and park amenities are present and in good condition, including
four swings, two slides, jungle gym, teeter totter, basketball court, three picnic tables,
portable ADA bathroom and regular bathroom, 1 BBQ grill (needs cleaning), four benches
near playground and one bench near BB court, one tetherball pole (needs ball), two soccer
nets, little free library.
4.New concrete path connecting the parking lot and perimeter path looks great!
5.Basketball court surface is painted, free of cracks, and clean. BB nets look good.
6.Gazebo has two benches and is free of trash and debris.
Needs:
1.Tetherball
2.Clean the BBQ grill
3.Add a reservation sign-up for park use to the bulletin board near the picnic tables
4.Drinking fountain
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Curtis Park
“Rotting “ tree by playground is hanging in there
Dead tree standing - next to sidewalk on south end of park where sidewalk curves.
Ash trees (weed trees) growing out of shrubs by trash can along sidewalk - SW corner
Garbage around gazebo - people there every day lately.
Some paint coming off basketball markings on south end.
No tether ball.
Little library nearly empty. (Usually is empty)
Outhouses smell bad. Could they be placed on the south side of the sidewalk that runs
from the parking lot to the brick utilities building?
Weed trees (mulberry and silver maple) getting pretty large along fence near gray storage
shed.
Rules sign doesn’t include the “no tobacco” sign.
Community Park
Vegetable Gardens looked great!
Dead tree near trail, NW end of pond.
Dead ash trees on south end of pond along path.
“Station 1” bed cracked. Beds kat all stations in rough shape.
Dead ash trees in far SW corner near greenhouse.
Has a “no tobacco use” sign - no signs regarding out or drugs. Wood bench along east path
needs wood replaced.
One bad net at basketball court.
Some weeds in playground mulch.
Chipping paint on playground.
Underside of shade structure at playground is rusting and needs professional painting.
There is a little graffiti on one of the columns.
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Tennis courts are in good condition.
Grove
Chipping paint on playground.
Replace boards on bench by playground.
Rubber guard on turnbuckle of donut swing is torn. Slight risk that someone could hurt a
finger if messing around.
Basketball court in good condition.
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Park Name: Curtiss Field
Date of Audit: 7/20/24
Auditor: Eric Brenton
Landscaping / Grounds
1. Are weeds absent from grass and surrounding grounds (mulch beds, playground,
courts, etc.)? Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments:
2. Is grass is in good condition (no excessive wear, brown spots, wet spots, no
scalping, no ruts, etc.)? Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: some wear in normal places like under basketball hoops
3. Is grass properly maintained (grass is cut, has been edged recently, and is
trimmed along fence lines, curbs and trees)? Yes x_______ No _______
N/A _______
Comments:
4. Are grounds clean and free of debris (no trash, pine needles, leaves, or other
debris)?
Yes _______ No x_______ N/A _______
Comments: some small trash around, paper scraps, but nothing major
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Concrete and Pathways
1. Are concrete pathways and curbs, along with pathways in good condition (no excessive
cracking or heaving, no significant damage or wear and tear)? Yes x_______ No
_______ N/A _______
Comments:
2. Are trails and pathways properly maintained (pathways are clean - no trash or
debris, no washout, no graffiti along walkway, etc.)? Yes x_______ No
_______ N/A _______
Comments:
Playground
1. Is surface material in playground area well maintained, clear of debris and in good
condition?
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments:
2. Is playground equipment in good and working condition?
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Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: tetherball came back! Tetherball could use an inflation and a shorter rope
Park Facilities
1. Is equipment and are all amenities, as outlined in this packet, accounted for and in good
condition? Items to inspect and report on include picnic tables, grills, etc.
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: soccer nets are a little disheveled and displaced but all here.
2. Are courts free of debris and in good condition? Look for cracks in the court, paint flaking,
and check condition of nets.
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments:
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Park Name: Grove Park
Date of Audit: 7/21/24
Auditor: Eric Brenton
Landscaping / Grounds
1. Are weeds absent from grass and surrounding grounds (mulch beds, playground,
courts, etc.)? Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: some weed growth on edges of playground
2. Is grass is in good condition (no excessive wear, brown spots, wet spots, no
scalping, no ruts, etc.)? Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: some wear in normal places like under basketball hoops
3. Is grass properly maintained (grass is cut, has been edged recently, and is
trimmed along fence lines, curbs and trees)? Yes x_______ No _______
N/A _______
Comments:
4. Are grounds clean and free of debris (no trash, pine needles, leaves, or other
debris)?
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: no noticeable trash
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Concrete and Pathways
1. Are concrete pathways and curbs, along with pathways in good condition (no excessive
cracking or heaving, no significant damage or wear and tear)? Yes x_______ No
_______ N/A _______
Comments:
2. Are trails and pathways properly maintained (pathways are clean - no trash or
debris, no washout, no graffiti along walkway, etc.)? Yes x_______ No
_______ N/A _______
Comments:
Playground
1. Is surface material in playground area well maintained, clear of debris and in good
condition?
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments:
2. Is playground equipment in good and working condition?
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Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments: mostly good, plastic edging on playground areas is worn and broken in places
Wooden benches could use a power washer cleaning and trimming away of brush
Park Facilities
1. Is equipment and are all amenities, as outlined in this packet, accounted for and in good
condition? Items to inspect and report on include picnic tables, grills, etc.
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments:
2. Are courts free of debris and in good condition? Look for cracks in the court, paint flaking,
and check condition of nets.
Yes x_______ No _______ N/A _______
Comments:
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REQUEST FOR ACTION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item 2025 Fall Programming Discussion
Description
Fall Programming History from 2023 to Today: During the June 5, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Commissioners advised Staff to look into different fall programming options. One option was to reach out to the St. Paul Blackhawks to ask if they would offer soccer programming to
Falcon Heights youth in some capacity, whether as a series of classes or as a one-day soccer clinic at Community Park. Staff did not hear back from Blackhawks in time for 2023 fall programming and the Commission moved away from this idea in 2024. Staff can reach out to the Blackhawks again for future consideration if the Commission supports this option in 2026.
Staff also reached out to Roseville’s Parks and Recreation Director to see if they would be able and willing to provide reciprocity to Falcon Heights residents registering for Roseville programming. And, if they needed additional facilities, then the City would be open to discussing use of ours as part of the agreement. Roseville said that they
face similar challenges to ours (staff already overextended or having just enough staff for current enrollment numbers) but they said they’d be willing to discuss further with the City at a TBD time and date. Staff asked to discuss further, but no further discussion occurred. The commission then discussed the idea of a recreation scholarship and implemented this idea in early 2025, to reimburse families signing up
for recreational programs in surrounding areas.
Since 2024, the Parks Commission has discussed hosting game nights and/or movie nights in the future.
Commissioners should discuss what programming they would like to see offered in the
fall/winter so Staff can prepare for it and it can be publicized in the fall biannual newsletter.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s)
Meeting Date August 4, 2025
Agenda Item E2
Attachment
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Deputy Clerk / Admin.
Services Director
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Action(s) Requested The Commission should discuss how to proceed with fall programming.
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ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item Ice Rink Decision for 2025-2026 Season at Curtiss Field and The Grove Ice
Rinks
Description The City offers two skating areas to residents. The first is a pleasure rink at
The Grove and the other is a skating rink at Curtiss Field, which has also
featured a staffed warming house in past years. During the 2020-2021 and
2022-2023 ice skating seasons, Warming House Attendants tracked the daily
usage at Curtiss Field so that the PARC commission could use the information
to shape decisions for the upcoming year.
In the fall of 2024, it was discovered that a costly electrical repair would need
to be made in order to have a warming house at Curtiss Field for the 2024-2025
season. This, coupled with the very low usage of the warming house and poor
weather conditions creating remarkably short skating seasons, caused
commissioners to vote to move away from having a warming house onsite at
Curtiss Field, and to offer skating without attendants present. The
Commission recommended purchasing a liner to improve ice quality and
extend the skating season.
Because no skating attendants were present to track usage, the commission
does not have that data this year to use in its decision-making. However,
reports of improved ice quality were noted by skaters.
The Parks Commission should make determinations for the 2025-2026 skating
season so that Staff can prepare for it.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) N/A
Action(s)
Requested
The Commission should make decisions for the 2025-2026 skating season.
Meeting Date August 4, 2025
Agenda Item E3
Attachment N/A
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Administrative Services Director/Deputy Clerk
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