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City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Minutes <br />20 October 2025 <br />Members Present: Chair Hank Hoelscher, Vice Chair Ellen Esch, Commissioners; Pat Barrett, Giovanni Bloyer, Peter Kastler, <br />Tracy Petersen and Tammy Sturtz <br />Absent: None <br />Staff Present: Public Works Assistant Director Adam Swanepoel <br />The meeting was called to order by Hoelscher at 6:30PM. <br />Approval of Meeting Minutes: <br />16 June 2025 Park Commission meeting minutes; Correction, Commissioner Barrett was present; Motion <br />approved 6-0 <br />21 July 2025 Park Commission meeting; Motion approved 6-0 <br />18 August 2025 Park Commission meeting minutes; Motion approved 6-0 <br />Ridge Park Concept Design <br />Goal is to improve the park and playground to best fit the communities’ growing needs. Survey conducted with three <br />communities; Ridge Pine, Torre Pines, Parkview Estates regarding the use of amenities at Ridge Park. Including <br />playground, walking paths, ballfield, pavilion structure/shade structure, additional amenities requested in the survey <br />were pickleball, basketball and tennis courts. <br />Concept A: includes soccer field, baseball field, full basketball court (possible lining on the court for pickleball), <br />playground, parking, shelter, asphalt path, gravel trail, mowed trail and Auto Access off Inwood Ave. <br />Concept B: Above listed but No auto access off of Inwood Ave, more interior parking spaces and larger walking <br />trail. <br />Public comments: <br />Mr. Warman: 1668 Ivory Ave North – Concerns; pickleball court noise and Inwood Ave access. Does not believe the <br />paved path would be a benefit. Baseball field would be moved too close to homes causing possible damage to homes. <br />Scheduling of baseball field will need to be considered. <br />Mr. Bert Schnieder: Lives behind proposed soccer field - Field and park is often muddy and unused. Concerned <br />about noise and privacy. Traffic is becoming dangerous, leaving Inwood as it is now, increased traffic will only be <br />cause for more concern. <br />Mr. Eric Bandi, 1694 Ivory Ave North - Agrees with previous comments on noise. Traffic is a constant noise, can <br />hear the gun club as well. Adding to the noise floor will only degrade living in the neighborhood. Suggested a larger <br />scale survey be taken for a more accurate poll. <br />Additional discussion between Councilmembers. Hoelscher requests the residents send emails to him with ideas, <br />concerns and suggestions on the Park Ridge design. <br />Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends Donation <br />The Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends has offered to donate several items to the pickleball courts in Pebble Park. Jenifer <br />Watters recently reached out to the city with a suggestion to donate several items handmade by members of the <br />pickleball club. The items include two wooden benches, paddle rack, drink rack and a portable fence to divide the <br />north and south courts. <br />Public Works staff recommendation is not to accept donations because these items are not permanent and would need <br />upkeep. The group is allowed to utilize the items but would need to be removed after they play. <br />Bloyer motioned to accept the paddle rack and drink holder and reject the other and have give comments to <br />the donors. Hoelscher seconded the motion.