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City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Minutes <br />14 January 2026 <br />Members Present: Chair Hank Hoelscher, Vice Chair Ellen Esch, Commissioners; Giovanni Bloyer, Peter Kastler, <br />Tracy Petersen and Tammy Sturtz <br />Absent: Pat Barrett <br />Staff Present: Public Works Interim Director, Adam Swanepoel <br />The meeting was called to order by Hoelscher at 6:30PM. <br />Petersen moved to accept the agenda, Kastler seconded. Motion passed 6-0. <br />Approval of December Meeting Minutes <br />The noted approval of the November meeting, stated: “Sturtz suggested including attachments”. Correction; Sturtz <br />suggested including amendments. <br />Esch moved to accept the December minutes. Sturtz seconded. Motion passed 6-0. <br />Election of Officer <br />Hoelscher nominated Esch for Chair of Parks Commission, Sturtz seconded. Motion passed 6-0 <br />Hoelscher nominated Peterson for Vice Chair of Parks Commission, Kastler seconded. Motion passed 6-0 <br />Future Playground Replacement <br />Swanepoel, Public Works Interim Director, gave background information. Council asked commissioners review and <br />assess the amenities and playgrounds at each park. The life cycle of most playground equipment is 25 years. <br />Assessment recommended looking at these parks a year prior to end of their lifespan. Lake Elmo has15 playground <br />total, 5 slated for replacement in the next 8 years. How would Park Commission like to prioritize or review the <br />playground replacement? <br />Esch recommends looking at each park on the CIP followed by general discussion. Swanepoel recommends having <br />agreed upon criteria outlined for each park. (accessibility, usage, demographics, trail access) <br />Agreed upon criteria <br />Does the park classification merit a play feature? Current or proposed classification. <br />Is the play feature redundant? <br />Is there a nearby playground that is accessible(location)/suitable if said playground was removed? If so, are <br />there suitable alternative amenities that would be a good fit? <br />What is the community feedback? Is the park being used and is neighborhood anticipated to change soon? <br />(demographics/population, etc.) <br />Considering the new sports complex <br />Agreed upon process <br />Starting with document listing criteria. <br />Look at each park separately. <br />Recommend to Council findings <br />Discussion between Tablyn Park (community park) and Ridge Park (neighborhood park). Esch requests Swanepoel <br />gather community feedback from above criteria. <br />Communications/Updates <br />Ice rink conditions have been poor due to warm weather. PW has and will be adding layer of water in the <br />next few days with the colder weather coming back. <br />Grooming operations – done twice this year, due to lack of snow. <br />Thank you for attending the Parks and City Council workshop. We hope to continue these meetings in the <br />future, as they foster strong communication and collaboration.