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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-25 Parks Commission Meeting PacketParks Commission Meeting 3880 Laverne Avenue North August 18, 2025 6:30 p.m. AGENDA Call To Order Pledge Of Allegiance Approve Agenda Approval Of Minutes 6 -16 -25 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes 6 -16 -25 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES.PDF 7 -21 -25 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes 7 -21 -25 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES.PDF Public Comment Lions Park Playground Replacement LIONS PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT.DOCX Pickleball Noise PICKLEBALL NOISE.DOCX Parks Service Level Discussion PARKS SERVICE LEVEL DISCUSSION.DOCX Communications/Updates Adjourn Our Mission is to Provide Quality Public Services in a Fiscally Responsible Manner in Partnership with our Community. 1. 2. 3. 4. a. Documents: b. Documents: 5. 6. Documents: 7. Documents: 8. Documents: 9. 10. Parks Commission Meeting3880 Laverne Avenue NorthAugust 18, 20256:30 p.m.AGENDACall To OrderPledge Of AllegianceApprove AgendaApproval Of Minutes6-16 -25 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes6-16 -25 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES.PDF7-21 -25 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes7-21 -25 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES.PDFPublic CommentLions Park Playground ReplacementLIONS PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT.DOCXPickleball NoisePICKLEBALL NOISE.DOCXParks Service Level Discussion PARKS SERVICE LEVEL DISCUSSION.DOCX Communications/Updates Adjourn Our Mission is to Provide Quality Public Services in a Fiscally Responsible Manner in Partnership with our Community. 1.2.3.4.a.Documents:b.Documents:5.6.Documents:7.Documents:8.Documents: 9. 10. City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Minutes June 16, 2025 Members Present: Chair Hoelscher; Commissioners Esch, Kastler, Petersen and Sturtz. Absent: Commissioner Barrett Staff Present: Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel The meeting was called to order by Hoelscher at 6:30 PM. Chair Hoelscher welcomed new member Tracy Petersen. Approval of Agenda Agenda approved by consensus; no discussion. Approval of Minutes Minutes were not available for review. Public Comments None Park Reservation Policy Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel presented an overview of the current reservation policy and demand for reservations. Discussion was held regarding limiting court reservations to fifty percent of the courts and increasing the deposit amount. Discussion was also held regarding current options for reservations for pickleball, baseball and volleyball and related issues that arise. Esch motioned to recommend to City Council to the changes to the Lake Elmo Reservation Policy as present by staff with an increase in the deposit amount to $100 and to add volleyball courts to the list of reservable amenities with the court rules as proposed. Kastler provided a second. Motion passed 5-0. Tana Ridge Park Review Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel reviewed the amenities and features of Tana Ridge Park and noted recent upgrades. Commissioners discussed the need for additional signage and noted difficulty with accessing the park. Communications a)Kleis Park playgoumd installation is complete b)Sunfish Lake Park parking lot expansion is complete c)Pebble Park Parking lot expansion is complete d)Asphalt trails to playground equipment at Kleis, Demontreville and Pebble parks is nearing completion Hoelscher adjourned the meeting at 7:37 PM Respectfully Submitted Julie Johnson, City Clerk City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Minutes July 21, 2025 Members Present: Chair Hoelscher; Commissioners Bloyer, Esch, Kastler, Petersen and Sturtz. Absent: Commissioner Barrett Staff Present: Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel The meeting was called to order by Hoelscher at 6:30 PM. Approval of Agenda Sturtz motioned to approve the agenda. Petersen provided a second. Motion passed 6-0. Approval of Minutes Esch motioned to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2025 meeting. Kastler provided a second. Motion passed 6-0. Petersen motioned to approve the minute of the May 19, 2025 meeting. Esch provided a second. Motion passed 5-1-0. (Kastler – abstain) Public Comments None Lions Park Pavilion Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel reviewed planned updates to Lions Park as planned in the city’s CIP. Director Swanepoel asked for the Commission’s input on installing a shade structure at Lions Park while other improvements are being made. Discussion was held regarding size and layout of other amenities and size of the proposed shade structure. Kastler motioned to recommend staff seek proposals for a shade structure at Lions Park for installation in 2026. Petersen provided a second. Motion passed 6-0. Lions Park Playground Replacement Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel noted that the Lions Park playground is heavily used by a variety of ages and asked for input on the replacement of the playground equipment. Discussion was held regarding items that could be included such as water fountain, benches, playground surface and other details. Commissioners indicated they would like to see a water fountain installed and playground equipment that would appeal to a wide variety of ages. Esch motioned to recommend city staff gather proposals to update the playset at Lions Park using the recommendations provided. Sturtz provided a second. Motion passed 6-0. Star Gazing Event 2025 Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel noted that the Sally Manzara Nature Center provides programming in Sunfish Lake Park that included a stargazing event in 2024. Verity Davis, Nature Center program manager, provided information on the event held in 2024 and requested permission to hold an event this year. Petersen motioned to recommend to the City Council the request to extend Sunfish Lake Park hours until 10:30pm on Oct. 11, 2025 to host a star gazing event. Bloyer provided a second. Motion passed 5-0. Communications a)Park trails have been added to playgrounds in Pebble, Kleis and Demontreville parks. b)Construction has begun in Schiltgen Park c)Trail mowing is in progress d)Reid Park parking lot upgrade preparation e)Ridge Park planning has started with outreach to HOAs in the area f)Park service level – reminder that input is needed g)Upcoming park walk though – Carriage Station Kastler motioned to adjourn the meeting; Sturtz provided a second. Motion passed 6-0. Hoelscher adjourned the meeting at 7:22 PM Respectfully Submitted Julie Johnson, City Clerk STAFF REPORT DATE:08/18/2025 Motion TO: PARKS COMMISSION FROM: Assistant Public Works Director – Adam Swanepoel AGENDA ITEM: Lions Park Playground Replacement CORE STRATEGIES: ☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services ☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future ☒ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure BACKGROUND: The Lions Park playground, installed in 2000, has surpassed its lifespan and is slated for future replacement, as discussed in the 2024 and 2025 capital improvement plans. Survey results from the Parks Master Plan in 2024 showed 58% of those surveyed visited Lions Park. Lions Park was also listed as the #1 park most often visited by users. Survey results also showed playground use was the 2nd most common activity people used the park for. At the July Parks Commission meeting, commissioners agreed to move forward with the planning and design of a new play set. Recommendations for the playset were to design a park to serve kids ages 5-12+, incorporate an active play, add benches and offer items that would be suitable for teens. ISSUE BEFORE PARKS COMMISSION: Would the Parks Commission like to recommend to City Council the replacement of the Lions Park playset with one of the options proposed? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Flagship Recreation and St. Croix Recreation have both provided options for the playset which incorporates the recommendations made by the Parks Commission. Option 1: Offers a single tower structure with three slides. An additional structure is attached by means of a cargo net. This second structure also provides a sliding option and a shade canopy and, in addition, a merry-go-round, Topsy Turny Spinner and a swing with six seating options. The area is expanded to incorporate additional equipment including a Flex Swing and Rhapsody Vibra Chimes. This option provides a Poured in Place rubber surfacing on approximately 2300sq ft., allowing access to equipment and swings. The remining area is filled with safety chips. Total equipment cost for this project is $176,958 with a total installed price of $298,723.62. Option 2: Offers a double tower with two slides connected by a Flex Climber. An additional Folio Balance Climber and Fox Den serve as a continued place to hang out and explore. A seesaw and two saddle spinners are offset from a merry go round. This option also offers a swing with six options as well as two ziplines. This playset does offer many ADA components including adaptable swings and poured in place rubber surfacing. The total equipment cost for this option is $192,289, with a total installed price of $297,705.05 Option 3: Offers a double tower with two slides, the tallest slide being 12 feet tall. Both towers are connected by means of an elevated tunnel. This structure offers a number of climbing options to access the tower in addition to a separate Forge Climber. A zipline, six swings, and multiple spinners add play features for active kids while the Fox Den provides a place for users to lay and relax. Several sensory features are incorporated throughout the site as well. Four benches are installed throughout the area for additional seating for parents or visitors. The total equipment cost for this option is $223,068, with a total installed price of $298,092.27 Option 4: Similar to option three with the tower structure and slides, this option offers a separate Crab Trap climbing structure which has multiple access points and challenges. This structure is ADA compliant and has multiple climbing routes. Additional Music Chimes offer a means of sensory play while seesaw, Topsy spinner and six seat swing offer means of active play. Three benches are installed around the play structure in this option for parents and visitors. The total equipment cost for this option is $234,197.00, with a total price of $315,400.39. Option 5: Offered by St. Croix Recreation is a 24’ high double tower with seven slides. The towers are connected by an elevated rope tunnel. A four-placement swing set fits into the current swing location and offers a child swing and adaptive swing for users. Multiple access points to this structure offer means of active play and maze options. Equipment cost for this option is $227,493 with a total project cost of $300,000. On 08/5/2025 the Public Works Department surveyed families that attended the National Night Out Event in Lake Elmo. Visitors were able to see all 5 options and voted on their favorite playset. With nearly 120 votes from the evening, option three was the most popular followed by options two and five. Options 1-4 did expand the play area using a smaller concrete border. The play area would extend up to the future trail near the parking lot. As an oversite, the property lot lines in this area do not follow the current landscape. The city would need to update an easement and maintenance agreement if any of these options were pursued. The contractor has noted that a change in the equipment placement and adjusting the concrete border could keep all structures on city property. FISCAL IMPACT: Fiscal impacts are outlined in the 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). CIP items are funded though the Parks Dedication Fund while Operations and Maintenance items are funded through the Public Works Budget. The current CIP has $300,000 allotted to the replacement of the playground set at Lions Park. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the following motion: “Move to recommend to City Council the request to purchase and install a new playground set at Lions Park and to recommend Option “___” not to exceed $300,000. STAFF REPORT DATE:08/18/2025 Motion TO: PARKS COMMISSION FROM: Assistant Public Works Director – Adam Swanepoel AGENDA ITEM: Pickleball Noise Complaints CORE STRATEGIES: ☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services ☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future ☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure BACKGROUND: City staff has received two complaints over the last four years regarding the noise from pickleball. These complaints came from the areas of Ivywood Park and Pebble Park. Both complaints were from neighboring homes, which are less than the newly recommended 600 ft distance from a court. In 2023, the City Council approved the reconstruction of tennis courts at Pebble and Tablyn Parks to accommodate both sports and recommended measuring noise levels to determine the need for a sound barrier. Staff monitored the noise levels from Pebble Park on two separate occasions when the courts were full. The average noise decibel at the property line was between 47-53. Current city ordinance restricts noise that exceeds 6 decibels above the ambient noise levels as designated by Minn. R. ch.. 7030 , which is 60 decibels during park hours. ISSUE BEFORE PARKS COMMISSION: Would the Parks Commission like to recommend to City Council a change to the existing use of the pickleball courts if less than 600 Ft of a residential home? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: The Lake Elmo Park system has four parks with courts designed for pickleball. Each of these courts fall under the most recent Parks Master Plan recommendation of 600ft. from a residential home. Courts approximate distance from the closest residential property: Lions – 216 Ft Pebble – 184 Ft Tablyn – 297 Ft Ivywood – 120 Ft If the Parks Commission would like to recommend a change to one pickleball court, would they also like to consider it for all pickleball courts or address changes based off complaints? If consideration is to remove the pickleball courts less than 600 feet from a resident, suggestions for these areas could be basketball courts, volleyball courts and ice rinks. The current plan is to update the pickleball courts at Lions Park in 2026. If the Parks commission recommends following the 600 ft. recommendation, the future of this area should be discussed with a recommendation for staff to consider. Noise barriers at Pebble Park have been considered in the past. No further action had been taken after finding the noise ordinance was not broken. The cost for noise barriers at that time was roughly $36,000 to complete two sides of the fencing. Staff is not confident the sound mitigating blankets will resolve the complaints for the resident after discussion indicated they didn’t want more people in the park. Also to consider is the routine replacement cost of the noise reducing blankets since they have a short life expectancy of 3-5 years. This type of barrier would reduce the visibility of the courts and would likely increase vandalism within the park. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no financial obligation at this time, if the commission recommends to move the courts to a new location in the future, the construction of replacement courts should be considered as a new CIP item. OPTIONS: 1)Recommend removing individual pickleball courts and search for an area that would meet the 600ft distance. 2)Make a recommendation to reduce the distance to accommodate all existing courts. 3)Install Noise Reducing Blankets on an individual bases. 4)Adjust playing hours to allow more quiet time early in morning and late evenings. 5)Do nothing RECOMMENDATION: With the minimum number of complaints the city has received regarding the pickleball noise in our parks and the decibel levels not exceeding the ordinance, staff would recommend considering an adjustment of the playing hours on one or more courts based off complaints. Traditionally these adjustments could be based off complaints from one resident or through a petition process of the abutting neighbors or neighbors within 600 feet. The ability to enforce this is unknown at this time. STAFF REPORT DATE:08/18/2025 Discussion TO: PARKS COMMISSION FROM: Assistant Public Works Director – Adam Swanepoel REVIEWED BY: Public Works Director – Marty Powers AGENDA ITEM: Workshop -Parks Service Level Discussion CORE STRATEGIES: ☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services ☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future ☒ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure BACKGROUND: The parks master plan was completed in 2024 with the first priority being, add a Parks Director Position. As part of the 2025 work plan, the Parks Commission added it as an item to review and implement in 2025. This workplan was presented and reviewed with City Council at a joint workshop and was approved in February 2025. In June 2025, staff asked the Park Commission to discuss the service level and staffing needs currently being provided. Commissioners were asked to submit items they feel the park system is lacking in addition to any services that are not being fulfilled. ISSUE BEFORE PARKS COMMISSION: What items are missing from our parks service level the Parks Commission would like to bring to the Council Workshop? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: City staff is holding another joint workshop with City Council to discuss the service level our city parks needs in our community. Commissioners were asked to discuss and put together a list of 4- 5 times they believe are most important to the community to help improve our service level. Recreational Programming and Community Engagement - Community / recreational / education programming - (kids,adults, seniors, etc.) promoting outdoor activities and use of park system. Grant Writing - Explore & secure additional funding sources, mechanisms and partners, Identifying, applying for and securing park funding via various means. Increase community communication- parks/trails through website, additional opportunities, events and volunteer opportunities. Long-range strategic planning, park improvements, expansions, and new facilities. Coordinating, developing and implementing a city trail network including greater interconnectivity and year-round accessibility. Environmental Stewardship – Managing sustainability initiatives, conservation efforts, and urban forestry programs. RECOMMENDATION: Discuss any changes or amendments to the key items that will be shared with City Council on 09/09/2025.