HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.1.25 Park & Rec Minutes1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES December 1, 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 _X___
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X__ C. PRESENTATION: N/A D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. November 3, 2025 – Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes Buckridge motions to approve the Park minutes; approved 6-0 E. AGENDA:
1. Continuation of 2026 Goal Setting At the November 3, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, commissioners identified the following commission goals for 2026.
1. Hold three annual events (Ice Cream Social, Fall Fest and a TBD event at The Grove). 2. Share annual goals with other commissions to foster collaboration and support common goals.
3. Assess the current ice-skating season and finalize a plan for 2026-2027 ice skating facilities for all three parks. 4. Identify partners for outsourcing programming and track participation.
5. Make recommendations for amenities and improvements of all parks through annual park audits. 6. Support the completion of a new picnic shelter with concessions and outdoor restrooms and a playground area at Community Park. 7. Conduct a feasibility study for Community Garden expansion. This was an opportunity to continue discussion before adopting the goals in January.
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Haight asks about goal #4, which prompts a brief discussion from commissioners about summer programming.
Williams asks if Haight is thinking of offering free programming. Wassenberg believes families like to stack camps or have all-day care. Williams asks if there is a way to fully financially support those registering. Haight thinks we would pay an institution/entity. Williams says that most community ed instructors are independent contractors and we could probably hire some to lead classes here.
The commissioners then make slight revisions to their 2026 goals, landing on the following list:
1. Hold three annual events (Ice Cream Social, Fall Fest and a TBD event at The Grove). 2. Share annual goals with other commissions to foster collaboration and support common goals.
a. Work with Environment Commission for Community Garden expansion 3. Assess the current ice-skating season and finalize a plan for 2026-2027 ice skating facilities for all three parks. 4. Identify partners to help increase programming participation and class offerings. 5. Make recommendations for amenities and improvements of all parks through annual park audits. 6. Support the completion of a new picnic shelter with concessions and outdoor restrooms, and a playground area at Community Park. And look ahead to Phase 2 improvements. 7. Conduct a feasibility study for Community Garden expansion. Implement and monitor a Community Garden Steering Committee
2. Winter Programming The commissioners discuss the success of a recent game night at City Hall and look towards programming this winter. Although the City did not find success with an open park concept, Wassenberg says that an open gym model may be more successful because people can go to a park whenever; the park as a location may have less value then. Haight mentions utilizing the Philando Castile Peace Garden as another park or green space
within the City. Wassenberg wonders if the Lions Club does an Easter egg hunt.
Commissioners continue to discuss and land on the following three ideas for upcoming free events from City Hall this winter. The first would be another board game night on Friday, January 16. The next would be a pre-game “Big Game” non-alcoholic tailgate style party, where attendees can bring apps or Crockpot items to share as they watch pre-game coverage. The event would end before the start of the game. This would occur from 3:00 to 5:00 PM (tentatively) on Sunday, February 8.
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Lastly, commissioners recommend either a craft night on March 27 or an open gym at Falcon Heights Elementary during the middle of spring break, if it works for the school then.
Information/Announcement G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:13 P.M. Faust motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 6-0