HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.6. 2026 Park & Rec Minutes1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES April 6, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:36 PM B. ROLL CALL:
Eric Brenton (Chair)__X___Tom Faust (Vice-Chair) __X___Joe Morseth (Secretary)_____ Robert Haight_____ Jerry Buckridge__X___Naomi Loud-Heinsch__X___Chuck Long_____ COUNCIL LIAISON: Randy Gustafson __X__
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X___ C. PRESENTATION: N/A D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. March 2, 2026 – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Faust motions to approve the minutes; approved 4-0 E. AGENDA: 1. 2025/2026 Ice Rink Discussion Nelson shares a report from the Public Works Director, Colin Callahan, about the maintenance
and installation of the ice rink liner. Loud-Heinsch wonders if other cities use similar liners.
Brenton explains that the commission began requesting a liner two years ago because a prior commissioner had a rink in his yard and recommended one to improve the ice quality.
Faust believes the reasoning is really considerate and the information and response given is thoughtful. He did not know there were water tanks under the ground that added a variable to the equation in terms of ice quality. Gustafson explains the history of flooding in the park and the water tanks. Faust recommends that the commission respect Callahan’s analysis and that the commission
should not insist up on a liner. But, the commission would like to discuss the potential of putting the rink somewhere else. And, if there is no other place for it, then it could remain at Curtiss without a liner.
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Commissioners discuss how a really nice rink also brings leagues and then maybe residents wouldn’t get the use of it the way they would like to.
Faust wonders if Curtiss Field is just a poor location for the rink because of the tanks underground and we’re just seeing that year after year. He also wonders if minimizing the effort and work to establish a rink at Community Park by not doing boards is an option. Commissioners mention that a relatively small number of users enjoy the ice rinks in Falcon Heights. Whether that is due to the quality of the ice or if the community has a low desire to have ice rinks, they are not certain. Nelson asks the commission if it would be helpful to know how frequently and heavily Lauderdale’s rink is used and they say that it would be. Nelson will gather information and also
find a time for Callahan to an upcoming meeting for further discussion. 2. 2026 City Events Discussion Nelson updates commissioners on tasks that have been completed, what’s in progress, and asks commissioners if they would like to make any additional suggestions related to various upcoming
City events (Ice Cream Social, an upcoming Grove event, and Fall Fest). Regarding the event planned for The Grove, Buckridge will let Nelson know if the June date works or if it will conflict with the concert series in St. Anthony Park. If June 11 is a conflict, then commissioners support Nelson moving it to June 9, or another suitable date. Brenton says that it might be worth exploring a kid-friendly band or DJ for the Fall Fest. Last year, staff just played music on a Bluetooth speaker. Information/Announcement
Faust mentions adding an item to the May agenda for the commission to discuss various projects or ideas to then present to the Lions to be funded by their donation for Community Park renovations. In addition, Faust shares a swing that he would like to see added at Curtiss Field in the future, and suggests tying in into the fundraising discussion the commission will also have in May.
Nelson provides an update on the playground installation at Community Park and says that the DNR must first receive approval from the National Park System. Once that happens, the DNR can then provide the City with its grant agreement to sign and the project can begin. The City had originally been told the contract would be available in November or December, but it is taking longer and the installation timeline of June/July may be delayed. Loud-Heinsch mentions that on a recent nice day, she saw thirteen kids enjoying Community Park. Gustafson shares updates that will be on the Council’s agenda on Wednesday and encourages commissioners to bring forward any comments, concerns, or topics for Council to consider in the
future. G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:10 P.M. Buckridge motions to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 4-0