HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Rec Agenda Packet 11-2-26CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA November 2, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
A.CALL TO ORDER:
B.ROLL CALL:
Chuck Long (Chair)____ Robert Haight (Vice Chair)____ Jerry Buckridge (Secretary)_____
Tom Faust ____Katie Merriam _____Kia Moua _____ Naomi Loud - Heinsch_____
COUNCIL LIAISON:
Randy Gustafson ____
STAFF PRESENT:
Kelly Nelson_____
C.PRESENTATION:
D.APPROVAL OF MINUTES:1.October 5, 2026 – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
E.AGENDA:
1.CAC Update from Naomi Loud-Heinsch on Les Bolstad Golf Course
2.Finalize Vision Statement and Values for Future Parkland at Les Bolstad
3.Begin Identifying Commission Goals for 2027
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 October 5, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M. B. ROLL CALL: Chuck Long (Chair) _X_ Robert Haight (Vice Chair)_X_ Jerry Buckridge (Secretary)_X_
Katie Merriam __X__Kia Moua __X__ Naomi Loud - Heinsch__X__ COUNCIL LIAISON:
Randy Gustafson __X__ STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X___ C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. October 5, 2026 – Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Haight motioned to approve the minutes; approved 7-0
E. AGENDA: 1. Introduction of Anna Springer of Bolton & Menk 2. Continued Discussion Regarding the Vision of Future Parkland at Les Bolstad Development 1. Introduction of Anna Springer of Bolton & Menk Anna Springer of Bolton & Menk is introduced and shares that she has a master's in landscape architecture and extensive park planning experience. Springer walked commissioners through a PowerPoint presentation, which showed amenity mapping and noted which park amenities lie within Falcon Heights as well as those in adjacent areas to better understand what residents have access to. Springer shared NRPA Agency Performance Review statistics, which score park and recreation agencies. Falcon Heights is categorized in the under 20,000 population group. For cities with a population of under 20,000, the NRPA estimates the median national average is approximately
1,062 residents per park. Falcon Heights has approximately 1,789 residents per park. The national average amount of parkland per 1,000 residents is 12.6 acres, whereas Falcon Heights has 4.6 acres.
Haight asked how Falcon Heights compares to Minneapolis and St. Paul in these statistics.
Springer said she is unsure of how they rank, but that they consistently rank highly for parkland.
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Haight requested this data to compare Falcon Heights to them.
Haight asked Springer if watershed is counted as green space. Springer shared a park project that is underway in Hopkins and said that it’s an example of “above and beyond,” where the watershed really partnered with the city to find funding. Springer then presented current park trends, which included multi-generation use, access to multi-use trails, topography as a site structure (gave example in Excelsior), and event space. This item was for discussion purposes, and no motion was needed.
. 2. Continued Discussion Regarding the Vision of Future Parkland at Les Bolstad Development
Commissioners then discussed their park values to find similarities and themes in common. Common values identified included: sustainability, equity, accessibility, inclusivity and stewardship. Equity Buckridge said that equity is equal access with regard to connectivity. Moua described a park constructed in her hometown that was designed by kids for kids. Merriam shared that the size of Community Park allows for equity because there are activities for all users.
Moua mentioned being on tribal land, and that equity also meant honoring cultures. Stewardship
Faust suggested that it includes recognition of the unique attributes of the land (i.e. trolley path, oak trees, etc.). Faust specifically envisions expanding The Grove to the oak trees and hill on
hole one of the golf courses. Moua felt it means responsibility. Loud-Heinsch thought of it as trying to preserve the topography and wildlife that are part of Les Bolstad to allow some previous traditions to be kept such as snowshoeing and sledding. Merriam encouraged preserving the hills and trees. Buckridge recognized the existing wildlife corridor and its stewardship.
Nelson shared a summarized description from a combination of commissioners’ ideas: “Caring for the land and its unique attributes (i.e. topography, wildlife, oak trees, and trolley path) and actively encouraging its preservation.”
Shortened further, “Caring for and preserving the land and its unique attributes.”
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Connectivity
Merriam said she wants access to be safe. So, connectivity to her is taking into consideration how to walk to the redevelopment safely, navigating busy roads. Commissioners say that connectivity should consider within, to, and visually. Sustainability A statement of “Committing to protecting natural resources, supporting biodiversity, and using environmentally friendly practices” was suggested. Social Gathering and Community Building
Commissioners summarized that “Parks should offer places where residents can meet, connect, celebrate and build relationships through events, amenities, and thoughtfully designed and visible public spaces.
Springer said the value “collaborative” came up multiple times as well. She recommended to commissioners that they discuss design principles at a future meeting.
Due to the lateness of the meeting, Chair Long and Staff Liaison Nelson agreed to meet to combine all ideas shared under the identified values and produce short descriptions for each, which they will present to the commission during the November meeting to finalize. This item was for discussion purposes, and no motion was needed. Information/Announcement Nelson reminded commissioners that Fall Fest was this coming Saturday at Falcon Heights
Elementary.
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:43 P.M. Moua motioned to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 7-0
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REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item Les Bolstad Redevelopment Project – CAC Update
Description The Community Advisory Committee for the Les Bolstad Redevelopment
Project last held a meeting on October 21, 2026 to hear from various presenters
on the topics of soils, stormwater, topography, etc. And, to prepare for two
upcoming public engagement events to be held in November.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) N/A
Action(s)
Requested
Staff request that the Parks and Recreation Commission representative,
Naomi Loud-Heinsch, provide an update on the CAC’s last meeting and
future steps.
Meeting Date November 2, 2026
Agenda Item E1
Attachment N/A
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Deputy Clerk / Admin. Services Director
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REQUEST FOR ACTION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item Continued Discussion Regarding the Vision of Future Parkland at Les Bolstad Development
Description
As the City looks ahead to the development of the Les Bolstad Golf Course site,
the Parks and Recreation Commission began to outline their basic vision, goals,
priorities and wants during the August 3, 2026 meeting so that they may be
conveyed to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) when holding a
future meeting to discuss the parks with the developer.
Because the development itself is not finalized and many variables are still
unknown (i.e. the location, size, and quantity of the devoted parkland with the
parcel), the August 3rd meeting was a high-level discussion intended to become
more fine-tuned at detailed as time passes.
At the conclusion of the August 3, 2026 commission meeting, commissioners
were asked to create a mission statement to be shared with fellow
commissioners during the September 2, 2026 meeting to continue to fine-tune
the commission’s vision and to create a finalized vision statement to share with
the CAC at one of their TBD upcoming meetings.
At the conclusion of the September 2, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting, with guidance from Andrew Dresdner from Bolton & Menk,
commissioners were asked to do homework and begin to identify values…at a
high level… the commission’s bullet-pointed “musts” and “must nots” for the
parkland to then work towards a vision statement.
Anna Springer, an Urban Design Landscape Architect Project Manager at
Bolton and Menk then attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
on October 5, 2026 to help facilitate discussion to lead to a list of defined values
and vision statement that can be shared with the Community Advisory
Committee (CAC).
At the conclusion of the October 5, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting, the Commission Chair, Chuck Long, and staff member Nelson were
directed to meet, review notes, and produce a polished list of values and a
Meeting Date November 2, 2026
Agenda Item E2
Attachment See below
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Deputy Clerk / Admin.
Services Director
proposed vision statement for the Commission to consider as final during the
November 2, 2026 meeting.
Budget Impact TBD
Attachment(s) Values and Vision Statement
Action(s) Requested Staff recommends that commission members discuss the proposed final values
and vision statement for the future parkland within the Les Bolstad
development and propose any changes so that they may then be shared with
the CAC.
Values and Vision Statement
Equity
Providing access for all, recognizing and honoring the wide diversity of all park users.
Connectivity
Connecting within, to, socially, physically, and visually, so all park users may safely access
parks.
Sustainability
Committing to protecting natural resources, supporting biodiversity, and using
environmentally friendly practices.
Stewardship
Responsibly caring for the existing land and preserving its unique trees, animals, and
topography.
Balance
A mixture of active and passive recreational opportunities, both natural and purposeful.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to create city-owned and maintained parks that are: equitable, connected,
and sustainable; welcoming to all; foster meaningful connections; and balance active
recreation with natural respite.
Through responsible stewardship, we honor the unique landscapes, trees, and wildlife that
make our parks vibrant, resilient, and enduring community assets.
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REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item 2027 PARC Goals/Priorities
Description
Using the 2026 goals as a starting point, the Parks Commission should begin
discussing and forming 2027 commission goals during this November 2, 2026 meeting. The commission will then continue work on the goals list to finalize them at the December meeting so that they may be accepted during the first meeting in 2027.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) 2026 Parks and Recreation Goals
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommends reviewing the 2026 goals and propose any changes before the goals
are finalized in 2027.
Meeting Date November 2, 2026
Agenda Item E3
Attachment 2027 PARC Goals
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Administrative Services
Director/Deputy Clerk
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. Conduct a feasibility study for Community Garden
expansion. Implement and monitor a Community
Garden Steering Committee
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. Assess the current ice skating season and finalize a plan
for 2026-2027 ice skating facilities for all three parks
2026
Parks and Rec Commission
GOALS (Final)
Adopted 1.5.26