HomeMy WebLinkAbout 8.4.25 Park & Rec Minutes1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES August 4, 2025
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:32 PM B. ROLL CALL:
Joe Morseth__X___ Eric Brenton__X___Tom Faust__X__ Bob Haight_____ Wesley Goldberg__X___ Erin Williams__X___ Jerry Buckridge__X__ COUNCIL LIAISON: James Wassenberg _X___
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X__ C. PRESENTATION: N/A D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. June 2, 2025 – Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes Williams motions to approve the Park minutes; approved 6-0
E. AGENDA:
1. 2025 Park Audit and 2026 Budget Planning Commissioners discuss their individual park audits and share their findings. Buckridge mentions that the mulch is compacted under the swings at Curtiss Field and wonders
if we need to budget for mulch in 2026. He also shares that residents at 1666 Coffman have restored the Little Library that will be returned to The Grove soon.
Faust says that the Little Library at Curtiss Field is often empty. Williams mentions the gap underneath the fence surrounding the tennis courts at Community
Park. Brenton suggests using 2x4 boards, which Wassenberg adds should be treated lumber. Williams states that adding drinking water at Curtiss Field is still a priority. Faust noticed that the picnic shelter near the playground at Community Park is rusting. Nelson says that she will ask Public Works if it is something that they can sandblast and restore.
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Buckridge mentions algae growth in the southwest picnic pavilion at Community Park and says power-washing and a new coat of stain would help it.
Nelson reminds commissioners of the electrical issue that prevented there being a warming house at Curtiss Field last winter. Wassenberg does not feel that the warming house is necessary. Faust mentions the workout bench at Community Park that he thinks Public Works may have restored. He wonders if others like it could be refreshed also. Williams adds that several are rusting. Buckridge says that a garbage can could be added near the BBQ area at Curtiss Field.
Faust reminds the commission of a drainage issue near the basketball court at Curtiss Field, which is wearing away the paint under the smaller hoop. Wassenberg says that tending to the drainage issue should probably be something we do sooner
than later. Williams mentions buckthorn in Community Park.
Nelson says that Public Works did a lot of weed and brush removal earlier in the summer, but that the city has not had a controlled burn in a few years and is due for one, which would also help further control overgrowth. The commissioners conclude that 2026 might be a year for smaller projects at Curtiss and the Grove as Community Park is renovated. Then, this time next year, Phase 2 items may be identified at Community Park and other areas identified to be budgeted for in 2027. 2. Fall/Winter Programming
Nelson shares a summary of how programming has been in a downward tailspin since before the pandemic and has not really come back. Commissioners have discussed this topic at length and have tried a variety of things to no avail. It has been hard to find programming that residents respond to beyond the classes currently offered at City Hall. Williams asks if a poll can be done to rank the top three activities that residents would like to see. Goldberg mentions the pros/cons to doing concerts and movies in the park. Commissioners decide that they would like to try holding a Friday night activity in early to mid-November at City Hall, where attendees can learn to play various card games. Nelson will ask the Falconeers group if they would be willing to volunteer to instruct various games.
The evening can be promoted in the fall newsletter and at the fall festival. And, if it goes well, it can be done again in the winter.
2. Ice Rink Discussion
Brenton felt like the liner was a good addition to the ice rink at Curtiss Field last year and should be repeated again.
The commissioners are in agreement that a warming house is not needed, but that they would like a liner again under the ice this winter.
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Wassenberg reminds Public Works to use a leaf blower before flooding to achieve the best ice
possible. Information/Announcement Nelson shares that 450 ice cream treats were handed out at Ice Cream Social. Although some attendees maybe had seconds, attendance probably was close to 300. After a recent call with the MN DNR, the timeline for the Community Park playground construction became clearer. Construction will likely not begin until spring 2026 now.
Nelson lets commissioners know that she applied for park benches at The Grove through Be Active! Be Green! and the city will receive three new benches to be installed before next summer.
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:07 P.M. Buckridge motions to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 6-0