HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2, 2026 Park & Rec Joint Meeting Minutes1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Joint Meeting
Parks & Recreation Commission Environment Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 2, 2026 at 6:30 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:34 PM B. ROLL CALL: Eric Brenton (Chair)__X___Tom Faust (Vice-Chair) _____Joe Morseth (Secretary)__X___ Robert Haight__X___ Jerry Buckridge__X___Naomi Loud Heinsch__X___ Adam Keester (Chair) __X_ John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) __X__ Nuz Sanidad (Secretary) __X__ Beth Mercer-Taylor__X__ David Smith __X__ Monika Chandler__X__Erica Bjelland__X__ Mercer-Taylor arrived just after roll call
COUNCIL LIAISON: Randy Gustafson X___
Georgiana May __X__ STAFF PRESENT:
Kelly Nelson__X__ Hannah Lynch _X__ C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. January 5, 2026 - Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Morseth motions to approve the minutes; approved 5-0
E. AGENDA: 1. In Common Commission Goals a. Community Garden Expansion
Parks and Rec Staff Liaison Nelson explains that the goal of this joint meeting is to foster partnership and discuss common goals between the two commissions, namely the potential for expanding community garden plots. She explains that currently there are 38 garden plots; 20 plots are gardened by Falcon Heights residents, 16 are gardened by non-residents, and two are currently unassigned. Previously, a wait list was used for open plots, but this year, the City will be moving to a lottery system that will open on February 4. Keester believes there is a demand to support additional plots.
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Commissioners discussed the cost to support the current plots, the cost of adding a water line to Curtiss Field (currently budgeted at $10,000, specifically for a water fountain), the potential of
adding plots at City Hall, and ensuring those without yard space have access to plots. Staff Liaison Lynch adds that Curtiss Field does make some sense for future expansion due to its proximity to apartments. Gustafson gives an overview of how the Community Garden plots first began. Issues were brought up around Curtiss Field flooding and the potential of taking away from the existing recreational area. May wonders how much green space is actually available at Curtiss Field.
Haight adds that there are pluses and minuses at each possible location.
Mercer-Taylor is hesitant to add garden plots at Curtiss Field due to previous flooding issues. Haight says that the commissions should address whether they are trying to support their
neighboring communities with garden plots or determine what the goal is by adding more. Staff Liaison Lynch explains that the Environment Commission completed a Climate Action Plan last year. One goal of the Climate Action Plan is to “Increase production of local food, particularly serving low-income and food-insecure individuals.” Two action items for this goal include, “Identify and map potential sites for community gardens or farms, prioritizing underserved populations and food-insecure areas. Include parks and public lands, and collaborate with parters to implement garden locations,” and “Establish a ‘Grow Falcon Heights’ program to expand community garden plots and create a market garden that offers youth training and internships.”
The Commissions discussed forming a subcommittee to focus on the location, need, and goals for additional plots, pending the results of how many lottery submissions are received. Gustafson adds that it may take a period of time to look at the need/demands in order to make a future recommendation and to implement.
Loud-Heinsch wonders if the earliness of the plot lottery may not garner the same interest it would if it were closer to the planting season; it may not reflect true interest. May suggests informing residents that garden plots are available through a lottery. Staff Liaison Nelson says that they will include the garden plot lottery in the weekly newsletter(s) and will update both commissions after the lottery submission period has closed at the end of February to then inform them of current demand. The Parks and Recreation Commission and the Environment Commission break
apart at 7:41 PM to continue discussing their commission’s additional agenda item(s) separately.
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2. Community Park Phase 2 Discussion Staff Liaison Nelson says that no decisions are needed tonight, but it would be helpful for the commission to begin discussing their vision for Phase 2 of renovations at Community Park. This will allow Staff to research and budget in the future. Buckridge feels like the basketball court will eventually become a liability if the cracked pavement is not addressed. Haight mentions that the Falcon Heights / Lauderdale Lions Club may need storage. Loud-Heinsch wonders if it makes sense to leave the existing playground, at least for now. Or, to
not spend the money on having it removed so that money can be used elsewhere. She adds that she rarely sees people playing baseball.
Brenton says that resurfacing the basketball court and/or replacing the exercise equipment around the perimeter of the park might both be worthwhile upgrades.
Morseth points out that the current, cracked basketball court will only look worse right next to our other new amenities being installed in Phase One. The commission will continue to discuss and eventually form a wish list as both the budget and timeline for Phase 2 are firmed up. In addition, they discuss the idea of a tree museum at Community Park as a low-cost activity for park users to self-explore. F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:38 PM
Buckridge motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 5-0