Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNR Commission - 06/02/2025AGENDA PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025 6:30 P.M. Tour of Maintenance Facility (optional) 7:00 P.M. Eden Prairie Maintenance Facility 15150 Technology Drive, EP PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Pedro Curry, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Jennifer Meyer, Kirk Spresser, Shanti Shah, Sana Elassar, Lisa Nichols, Giridhar Kuppili CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks & Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks & Natural Resources Manager Gamiel Hall, Community Center Manager RECORDING SECRETARY: Sarah Resemius **Welcome and introductions of new commissioners** I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – April 7, 2025 III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS I. REPORTS OF COMMISSION & STAFF A. City Manager/Parks and Recreation Director 1. Quality of Life Survey Results 2. Staffing Update 3. July Parks Tour B. Recreation Services Manager 1. C. Community Center Manager 1. D. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. Parks Maintenance and Natural Resources Overview E. Parks & Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. VIII. NEXT MEETING PRNR: July 7, Parks Tour, meet at City Center IX. ADJOURNMENT PRNR Commission Purpose Statement: PRNR COMMISSION PURPOSE STATEMENT Act in an advisory capacity to the City on matters of leisure services, recreation programming, and development and use of parks and recreation facilities supported by the general public. • Enlist the support of organizations and individuals in providing City parks and recreation facilities and activities. • Provide input to staff in the promotion of awareness and use of recreation facilities and activities by community organizations and individuals. • Provide input to staff on park plans including the site development and facility modifications and/or improvement program. • Provide input to staff on park and recreation facility use. • Provide input to staff on leisure programs and activities. • Provide input to staff to ensure the inventory, preservation, and management of natural resources. UNAPPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025 6:30 P.M. Tour of Outdoor Center (optional) 7:00 P.M. Eden Prairie Outdoor Center 13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, EP PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Pedro Curry, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Jennifer Meyer, Kirk Spresser, Shanti Shah, Sana Elassar, Lisa Nichols, Giridhar Kuppili PRNR STUDENT REPRES.: Richa Raja, Tavin Koenig, Tessa Plourde, Jack Petrin, Noelle Fitzgerald, Sophia Hoffelt, Haricharan Neelamegam, Arya Mehta CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks & Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks & Natural Resources Manager Vacant, Community Center Manager Max Melby, Outdoor Center Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Sarah Resemius Parks & Recreation Director Markle called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM. Commission Member Klodd was absent. Student Representatives Raja, Plourde, Petrin, Fitzgerald, Hoffelt, and Mehta were absent. Director Markle introduced new Commissioners Lisa Nichols, Giridhar Kuppili, and Sana Elassar. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commissioner Shah moved, seconded by Commissioner Cervantes, to approve the agenda with no amendments. Motion carried 6-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – March 3, 2025 Motion: Commissioner Hookom moved, seconded by Commissioner Curry, to approve the March 3, 2025 Commission Minutes. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle met with the City Council on March 4th and March 18th about off-road cycling, as was discussed in last month’s Commission meeting. Director Markle stated that they presented to the City Council a work session on adding off-road cycling to our parks system at Cedar Hills Park, as well as a bike skills park. At the City Council meetings, Markle presented information on the basics of what off-road cycling and a bike skills park would entail, as well as a proposed project budget and timeline. The City Council was excited and supportive of the proposal. Since the proposal, the City has received positive feedback from the community on this topic, including many unsolicited emails in favor of off-road cycling. City Manager Rick Getschow and Director Markle met with the Airport Commission, who were supportive and excited. The City will continue conversations with the Airport Commission, and Director Markle anticipates reaching an agreement before the end of April. With this agreement, we would be able to move forward with a mountain bike trail in Cedar Hills Park. Cedar Hills Park is a permanent leased piece of land to the City of Eden Prairie as a park. The City would also like to have a bike skills park component. Director Markle stated that the City brought into conversation with both the City Council and the Airport Commission the topic of the land across the street east of there. The airport has a little over 60 acres of largely undevelopable land there. That location is where we could potentially look at Phase 2, where the City may lease or utilize some of this land. Once the project gets going, Director Markle anticipates looking at Phase 2 at a later time, perhaps involving the FAA. At the regular Council meeting on March 4th, we met with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux. They are the contractor the City works with that grinds up and hauls away wood material. There are only a few contractors that do this, so we are fortunate to work with them. As a result of emerald ash borers, Eden Prairie and other cities face a high volume of excess wood. At the March 18th City Council meeting, the City was a part of a proclamation supporting our Polar Plunge event. The event raises money for the Special Olympics. Director Markle recognized the team for all their work associated with the event, as it has raised a lot of money for 18 years for Special Olympics. Bear Path Swim & Dive Club donated $4000 sponsoring one of the diving blocks at our Aquatics Center. This was the last of the diving blocks to be sponsored. The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department also presented on all of the donations they have received this quarter. The City has an approximately $30,000 waterline contract for Franlo Park. The City is sealing the well the park previously used, and the park is now hooked up to city water. A drinking fountain will be added to the park. All these changes will be made this spring. Commissioner Spresser inquired as to whether the airport’s plan to construct new runways will affect Eden Prairie’s parks and recreation. Director Markle responded that it will not affect parks and recreation, as we have a solid commitment for the next decade. The only thing that may change in the next decade is the lacrosse fields. We could lose the lacrosse fields in 2-3 years, or not at all. The airport could potentially utilize that space at any time. Commissioner Curry asked if Eden Prairie’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department is being impacted by cuts to federal funding. Director Markle responded that federal funding cuts have not yet trickled down to our local level. The City is aware and paying attention. The main federal grant the City has is for public safety, and that is being watched closely. There is a small portion of the remodel that will include a police station, which could be affected. Otherwise, we anticipate the remodel continuing as planned. Commissioner Nichols asked Director Markle to reiterate the name of the City’s wood grinding contractor. Director Markle shared that the contractor’s name is the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux. This contractor has a very large compost site, one of the two largest in the metro. Commissioner Spresser asked how this contractor deals with buckthorn, and Commissioner Nichols asked if the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux would be able to interface directly with community members looking to remove buckthorn from their properties. Director Markle responded that they do not know an answer offhand, and that the wood may need to be a certain quality so that the contractor can make wood by- products like wood chips. Parks & Natural Resources Manager Bourne responded that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux do make wood chips with the wood that they grind for the City. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Parks & Natural Resources Manager Bourne stated that there is no new Planning Commission business to report. Chair Erickson asked Manager Bourne to give a brief explanation of what the Planning Commission does for the new Commissioners. Manager Bourne stated that it is the City Planner, City Engineer, and Manager Bourne on the Commission. The Planning Commission deals with any kind of site development. We did not have any meetings in March. Usually, it is the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS I. REPORTS OF COMMISSION & STAFF Outdoor Center Supervisor Max Melby gave a presentation on the past, present, and future of the Outdoor Center. Supervisor Melby shared that they started at the City of Eden Prairie as a naturalist. In their current role as Outdoor Center Supervisor, they get to do some teaching, as well as administrative work and overall programming. They came from a school background, where they worked as a science teacher and administrator, and ran a private school. 1. History of the Outdoor Center a. The Outdoor Center building was initially constructed in 1935 for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the National Youth Administration (NYA). Both organizations were formed as a part of the New Deal. This building was built in Camp Savage as a Transient Youth Home. This Transient Youth Home would house older children and young adults. The logs that make up the building are northern white cedar, harvested as a part of the effort to modernize the state of Minnesota. b. WPA/NYA camps were shut down by 1940 as the Great Depression was largely resolved. The building first became a homeless men’s camp, and soon after was acquired by the War Department. It then became a military training installation until 1944. After 1944, the training that took place here was transferred to Fort Snelling. c. In the mid-1940s-1950s, all the buildings located on Camp Savage’s 132 acres were put up for public auction or razed. The Outdoor Center building was purchased by Clarence C. Bush of Northrup, King & Co. and moved to Eden Prairie as a summer residence. The cabin was sold to another private individual in 1957. The City of Eden Prairie acquired the building in 1973 and turned it into a senior center. 2. What Happens Out Here? a) Park Visitors/Passive Users • Walking, running and hiking trails • Nature-inspired play area • Picnic tables • Birding & wildlife viewing • Fishing b) Public Programs & Active Users • Parent/child program twice weekly September-May • Drop-off preschool program • Gardening program • Family and all ages programming, such as: o Apple cider and maple syrup making o Naturalist hikes – daytime and nighttime o Seasonal activities • Adults Only Programming o Nature night o Crafting night o Astronomy o Canoeing o Kayaking • Staring Lake Observatory o 40-50 programs a year, public and private o Individual sessions o Season passes  Individuals can pay at a significantly discounted rate to pay for a whole season  Numbers have gone up since we implemented the use of season passes this year • Adventure and Outdoor Recreation o Skiing o Adaptive Recreation  The City is currently trying to buy more adaptive kayaking equipment  Commissioner Hookom inquired as to whether adaptive kayaking equipment allows individuals in wheelchairs to transfer from the wheelchair to the kayak. Supervisor Melby confirmed this. • Walk-In Programs o Supervisor Melby introduced a new annual fall event: Coffee, Canoeing and Crafts  Coffee vendors, crafts for kids, and free canoe rentals  Last year, 200 people turned out for this event. This year, the City will try to do it again but bigger. o January-March  Open house in the morning  Free snow equipment rentals in the afternoon o April-May  Open house o June-August  Free canoe rentals • Group & School Programming o Scouts o Birthday Parties o Private Programs o Facility Rentals • Field Trips and School Visits o 2022-2023 school year: 660 students o 2023-2024 school year: 650 students o 2024-2025 school year: 1200 students projected o Supervisor Melby stated that they have been doing direct outreach with teachers, which has helped to bring out more students. The challenge will be to keep those numbers up next year, and we are looking at ways to do that. • School Partnership o In the 2025-2026 school year, we are starting a partnership with Eden Prairie Schools Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) for a parent-child program here at the Outdoor Center. o Commissioner Spresser asked how many kids are anticipated to attend. Supervisor Melby answered that we do not have an estimate yet. We are anticipating at least 5-10 students. • Summer Camp o The City of Eden Prairie is offering 35 summer camps in summer 2025. o Commissioner Spresser asked how this compares to last year’s summer camp offerings. Supervisor Melby answered that in 2025 we are offering 15% more summer camps than in previous years. The City has eliminated or reduced low enrollment camps, and added new camps. I am interested in how many kids we do serve, and how many kids we should serve. o Summer Camp Growth (in capacity)  2022: 268  2023: 333  2024: 431  2025: 440 o Commissioner Nichols asked what the current summer camp ratio is of supervising adults to kids. Supervisor Melby answered that the ratio is 1:6. 3. Opportunity Areas c) Continuing to grow field trips and school partnerships. Schools are predictable and reliable returning customers. d) Data-driven program development – using data to see what our community members are looking for. e) Connecting with new demographics – this past year, we made an effort to connect with adults. In the future, we would like to connect with communities of color, such as the Somali community, and teenagers. f) Scale physical infrastructure to match and facilitate growth • There are some ideas that have already been brought forward for construction/new development at the Outdoor Center, such as constructing new trails, building an entrance gateway or arch, etc. • Commissioner Spresser asked, out of the current ideas listed above, what Supervisor Melby would like to enhance most. Melby stated that when they started, they initially asked for new windows. The windows currently in place at the Outdoor Center are 80 years old. We discussed what it is reasonable to do on such an old building (with ideas such as entirely new windows, or replacing one pane only) in order for us to improve the space while preserving the historical nature of the building. The arch Capital Improvement Project is exciting. • Current Capital Improvement Projects under discussion include constructing a new boardwalk trail that runs along the lake. Commissioner Spresser asked what a small boardwalk costs. Director Markle responded that a ½ mile boardwalk costs around $185,000. A smaller one, depending on material, could cost around $50,000. Markle also stated that the arch is something we hope will entice and welcome people in. Adding a bathroom and sink to the Outdoor Center were a big previous CIP. These current projects that are ongoing will give Supervisor Melby time to build more plans for the future. Commissioner Meyer expressed that Supervisor Melby didn’t mention any corporate partnerships or teams of adults and asked if that is an opportunity the Outdoor Center could explore in the future. Supervisor Melby responded that corporate groups have come through to volunteer for buckthorn removal. The Outdoor Center has not participated in corporate team building in the past. Meyer responded that corporate team building could be a new target market, and there is a need for that type of outdoor programming. Commissioner Meyer asked if there is any demand for outdoor skills training classes. Supervisor Melby responded that there is a push and pull between creatively what we would like to pursue, and what the data shows people have registered for in the past. This summer, we would like to build a norm around seasonal naturalists and naturalists assistants. Commissioner Nichols asked if we have ever thought about doing demonstration or sustainable gardens. Nichols stated that they have personally found this experience valuable in the past. Supervisor Melby responded that we do have the presence of several biomes (wetlands, lakes and hardwood) on this property. Commissioner Nichols asked if we have signage indicating the biomes. Melby answered that we do not currently. Director Markle stated that we may be able to partner with the DNR. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we could ask them to host their I Can Fish, and similar classes, at Staring Lake. Parks & Recreation Director Markle asked the Student Commissioners what programming would interest young adults. Student Representative Koenig answered that fishing and outdoorsy activities would be appealing. Koenig stated that further outreach to people in their age group would be helpful (for example, via student news programs at school). Student Representative Neelamegam stated that not many students their age know about the Outdoor Center, so getting the information out there and letting students know what activities occur here would be helpful. Commissioner Hookom asked if a ropes course would be interesting for young adults. Koenig answered that it would. Commissioner Spresser asked if the Staring Lake Observatory would be interesting for young adults. Koenig answered that it would. Director Markle stated that one potential way to get more high schoolers out to this location is through service-based learning and volunteering. Markle asked the Student Representatives to let their peers know about the location of the Outdoor Center and the activities available through the Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department. Commissioner Meyer asked how Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources measures success: for example, whether it is by number of attendees or by dollar figure. Supervisor Melby responded that there are a lot of potential answers, including meeting budgetary goals. Melby stated that for themselves, they like to generate seasonal reports for how many people attended how many events in a specific time period and compare it to past years during the same time period. If the number goes up, that’s great. If it goes down, we look into why that is. The two biggest drivers are budget and number of participants. Recreation Manager Brink stated that they feel very strongly that, in the Eden Prairie community, we can keep programming for the yes voters (individuals who already know and enjoy the programming, can afford it, and have transportation to get to said programming), or we can set some stretch goals and say we would really like to see new faces here, reach new people, and develop metrics on how many segments of the community we are able to get out to programming. An important part of success is whether we are helping new people find us and love us. Supervisor Melby stated that this type of growth can be facilitated by walk-in style events. These events cost money, but they also drive a high amount of exposure- to the tune of hundreds of people. Director Markle stated that success can be tough to quantify. Qualitative things can be hard to measure. For example, last year Markle stated that they had their daughter in camps. She gained a large amount of knowledge about dragonflies and made new social connections. The joy, the wonderment, the time off screens, the positive impacts of being in nature and being outdoors are valuable but can be difficult to measure quantitatively. Commissioner Nichols shared that the connectedness to nature scale from Oberland could be used to measure these positive impacts. Chair Erickson asked Supervisor Melby if they have talked to the CMS high school and principals. Supervisor Melby responded that they do not reach out to principals, and instead reach out directly to teachers. Recreation Manager Brink stated that since covid, CMS hasn’t been doing as many off-site field trips. Prior to covid, there was an honors science class learning about runoff, water pollution, and water quality. Students canoed to where the storm drains enter into Staring Lake and saw the effects for themselves. We want to position this place as Eden Prairie’s outdoor classroom. Commissioner Elassar asked if the City has collaborated with the MN DNR’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) program. Elassar shared that the BOW program is free, and that it may be helpful to collaborate with them. Commissioner Elassar shared that they participated in some of the BOW programming in Finland, Minnesota and southern Minnesota. Elassar stated that there is hesitancy for women participating in outdoor activities. To reach that group, it may be helpful to have some specific programming. Supervisor Melby shared that the Outdoor Center does have one outdoors girls-only camp. Commissioner Elassar shared that the BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities group helps individuals from underrepresented groups participate in outdoor activities. Elassar shared that, on a personal note, they donated a wood duck house they built during Outdoor Center programming themselves, and that it was when they participated in this programming that opened up the knowledge and opportunity they needed to do so. Elassar volunteered that they would be happy to help if Melby is looking for assistance making those connections. All the members of the Commission offered their thanks and applause to Melby for the presentation. B. Recreation Services Manager 1. Outdoor Center Discussion C. Community Center Manager 1. N/A D. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. Project Updates • Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne offered some updates. They shared that we are starting to get our first set of concepts and plans for the Homeward Hills playground. Hopefully by the next Commission meeting, we should have some designs and plans to get feedback on. • The City will be working on the Franlo Road trail, which will be completely reconstructed this year. Bids are going out for this soon. • Round Lake parking lots will be reconstructed this year. In the parking lot between the hockey rinks, we are hoping to construct some badminton rinks, due to minimal use of the parking lot. Chair Erickson asked whether Round Lake reconstruction will occur after the 4th. Manager Bourne answered that is correct. We did not want to risk having it torn up before the big event. • Carmel Park tennis and basketball courts will be redone. We had some issues a number of years ago, so we put a plastic tile down. The plastic tile has started to have some issues, so we are looking at replacing it. • Commissioner Spresser stated that our winters have been changing and asked if we have thought about analyzing the usage on our outdoor ice rinks over the past few years to see if we want to change what we are doing with the space. Recreation Manager Brink answered that we do track attendance at our rinks. City employees and/or volunteers keep track of the temperature, and attendance at the rinks. Director Markle stated that they can follow up at the next meeting with some more data. E. Parks and Recreation Director 1. Staffing Update • Director Markle shared that the City experienced the resignation of our Community Center Manager. We are in the process of hiring a new Community Center Manager. We went through the interview process the last few weeks. Our hope is to have someone onboard April 28th. We are looking forward to having the Community Center fully staffed. • Recreation Manager Brink has put in her retirement notice. We are going to do something more unconventional and have a longer transition period. Our goal is to have someone start in mid-June. We are hoping this will allow for more time for training and crossover. 2. Mountain Biking Project Next Steps • Director Markle shared that they are very hopeful to move forward with the mountain biking project. Their guess is once we get a green light from the Airport Commission, they will be pulling together a small committee of residents who will meet as needed throughout the project to vet, discuss, and promote the project to the community. At the next Commission meeting, Markle will have more information on what this will look like. Director Markle stated that they would like to have at least one Commissioner in the group. • Commissioner Elassar asked if the City has to do an environmental impact assessment for the mountain biking project. Director Markle answered that the City does have to do an environmental impact assessment, and that they will send it to Commissioner Elassar. F. Parks & Recreation Experiences Chair Erickson shared that the Arbor Day Tree Sale is ending this week. There are still some trees available. Commissioner Cervantes asked where the trees are available for purchase. Chair Erickson answered that they are available online. They had some different varieties of this year. Commissioner Hookom shared that they got some trees last year and the trees are doing great. Commissioner Hookom shared that they went to the invasive species class in Riley Purgatory Creek. After learning about invasive species removal methods at the class, Commissioner Hookom was curious as to whether the City of Eden Prairie uses goat invasive species removal crews. Manager Bourne answered that we do not have one as of now. Commissioner Hookom said that the invasive species class was a great learning experience. It was very informative as to what to remove, and what to replace it with. Commissioner Nichols asked how Hookom found the class. Hookom stated that the information can be found on Facebook, or the Friday City Manager email. Commissioner Spresser stated that if you go to the City website, you can sign up for emails. Recreation Manager Brink shared the following link to follow what is going on at the City of Eden Prairie: EdenPrairie.org/subscribe Commissioner Nichols offered a shoutout for the Community Center. The technology there was so self-explanatory. Commissioner Kuppili stated that Staring Lake Park is the park that they use the most. Kuppili stated that they have come here at all hours, but they had never been inside the Outdoor Center before. So, it is a personal milestone for them to see the inside of the building. Kuppili thanked the group for the information on the history of the building. VIII. NEXT MEETING PRNR: May Meeting Cancelled Board and Commission Banquet, May 22, 6pm, City Center IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Spresser moved, seconded by Commissioner Hookom, to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0.