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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 09/08/2025APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 7:00 p.m. Eden Prairie Senior Center 8950 Eden Prairie Road 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.: Jack Dennison, Seth Gilligan, Simone Kauna, Allison Schuessler, Everett Gilligan, Daniel Siegert, Ani Dirks, Rose Wicks, Affan Syed, Gwendolyn Glasrud, Ella Brazil CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks & Recreation Director Jana Graczyk, Recreation Services Manager Matt Bourne, Parks & Natural Resources Manager Gamiel Hall, Community Center Manager Sue Bohnsack, Senior Center Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Sarah Resemius Director Markle introduced the new Student Representatives. Vice Chair Curry welcomed and thanked the Student Representatives. Vice Chair Curry called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. Chair Erickson, Commissioner Cervantes, Commissioner Klodd, Commissioner Spresser, Commissioner Elassar, and Commissioner Nichols were absent. Student Representative Syed was absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commissioner Shah moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to approve the agenda with no amendments. Motion carried 6-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – June 2 and August 4, 2025 Motion: Commissioner Hookom moved to approve June 2nd, 2025 minutes, seconded by Commissioner Shah. Motion carried 6-0. Commissioner Hookom moved to approve the August 4, 2025 minutes, seconded by Commissioner Meyer. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION There have been 2 City Council meetings since our last PRNR Commissioner meeting on August 4, 2025. At the August 12th, 2025 City Council meeting, the following was discussed. The trail in Franlo Park will be rehabilitated, as it has been rough shape in recent years . We will be adding an administrative fee to the 2 cemeteries we manage: Eden Prairie Cemetery, and Pleasant Hills. There was a retaining wall at Holasek Park that was approved. In addition, a contract for native turf conversion was approved. This entails taking a space that has been lawn, and converting it to native plantings, which includes many pollinator plants and no-mow areas. You will see these no-mow areas in Riley Park and other parks. In these areas, there is big bluestem, black-eyed susans, and other pollinator-friendly plants. At the September 2nd, 2025 City Council meeting, the following was discussed. There was a work session with Public Safety on the topic of e-bikes. We will be bringing that to a future PRNR Commission meeting, where we look forward to getting feedback from Student Representatives on e-bike safety for children and teenagers aged 10-15. The Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR) will be presenting further to the Eden Prairie City Council in the future on this topic, with regards to potential future safety ordinances. The Eden Prairie PRNR made a presentation to the City Council in order to celebrate a $2500 donation from the Hopkins VFW. The Hopkins VFW recently participated in a service day at Birch Island Park removing invasive buckthorn. Afterwards, the Hopkins VFW provided this donation with the intention to provide the City equipment for future invasive species pulls and related PRNR activities (i.e., gloves, glasses, clippers). IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION N/A V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION N/A VI. NEW BUSINESS N/A VII. OLD BUSINESS N/A VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION & STAFF A. City Manager/Parks and Recreation Director 1. Change commissioner requirements to include service • Based on discussion at the last PRNR Commission meeting, there was a suggestion that each Commissioner must attend or volunteer at 2 PRNR events each year. It is currently a requirement of Student Representatives on the PRNR Commission that they must attend or volunteer at 2 events each year. In the future, we are considering that when we send out the PRNR Commission minutes, of listing upcoming events/opportunities for Commissioners and Student Representatives to attend. Our goal is that when we solicit Commissioners’ opinions on Parks & Recreation Experiences, that this will provide them more experiences to share each month. Director Markle shared that they would like to have the full Commission available for a vote on this, so that further discussion and a vote on this potential requirement on this topic may be tabled to the October 2025 meeting of the PRNR Commission. Vice Chair Curry said that the Commissioners would appreciate having that list available every month. Director Markle and Vice Chair Curry expressed that they would like to wait to vote on this matter officially until the October PRNR Commission meeting, to have the most Commissioners possible available for that discussion and vote. Commissioner Nichols asked what volunteering experiences at PRNR events would look like for Commissioners. Director Markle answered that volunteer experience can be a part of the discussion. Director Markle encouraged Commissioners to attend as many PRNR Commission meetings as they can, as well to attend and/or volunteer at PRNR events. B. Recreation Services Manager 1. Senior Center overview and tour • Manager Graczyk introduced Sue Bohnsack, the Recreation Supervisor of the Eden Prairie Senior Center. Supervisor Bohnsack gave a presentation about the Eden Prairie Senior Center. o Supervisor Bohnsack has worked with seniors for their entire career. They started working in long-term care, and have worked at the Eden Prairie Senior Center for 17 years. o The Senior Center have 2 full-time staff, Sue Bohnsack and Rick Rotherham. Additionally, the Senior Center is staffed by over 60 volunteers. These volunteers are invaluable to Senior Center programming. o Senior Center Mission Statement  To provide for the social, recreational, educational, and physical needs of older adults  To enhance the visibility of older adults  To promote older adult participation in all aspects of community life o Achievements  In Supervisor Bohnsack’s 17 years as the Recreation Supervisor, the Senior Center has increased programming from 8,000 yearly visits to over 20,000 visits a year.  A pillar in the community providing valuable resources for senior networking, needs, and activity.  Meeting the needs of the community physically, recreationally, emotionally, educationally, and socially. o Highlights  Trips outside of the Senior Center. In the past, excursions have included the Jason Show, the Southwest Transit community trolley, and a boat tour.  A puzzle contest.  Bingo.  For the last 15 years, we have offered a shred truck on-site for local seniors to destroy important documents that would not be safe to recycle. This service costs roughly $800, which is paid for by community partners and is offered for free to community seniors. At one past shred truck event, 235 cars participated. o Support the Eden Prairie Senior Center  Word of mouth  Rental opportunities • Supervisor Bohnsack explained that the Eden Prairie Senior Center is available to rent. When it is rented out, community members can bring their own food and alcohol if desired. Vice Chair Curry asked if it is necessary for community members to be seniors in order to rent out the Senior Center. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that they do not.  Grants and contributions • The Senior Center has a sponsorship program that is used for all special events. Community members who sponsor programs at the Senior Center are able to advertise services they provide, and the Senior Center is provided financial support for its programming. In this way, the sponsorship program is a win-win for sponsors and community seniors.  Successful programming • Supervisor Bohnsack shared that the metric they use to consider whether programming is successful is whether the classes are full. o Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging (EPPIA)  A professional networking organization  Local business that provides resources for community members  Community involvement  Provide great collaborative resources for the community o Community Engagement  Senior housing facilities  Booth at the City Wide Open House  Partnerships, relationships, sponsorships, friendships o Commissioner Kuppili asked what the typical age range is for community members using the facility. Supervisor Bohnsack shared that the Eden Prairie Senior Center generally uses the guidelines of the AARP, 55+. However, the Senior Center has had success with intergenerational events, and would like to leave the door open for all community members who may be able to use the services. The age range of visitors is roughly 44-103. o Commissioner Nichols asked Supervisor Bohnsack what Supervisor Bohnsack’s goals are for the Senior Center. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that their primary goals for the Senior Center are to maintain the current volume and quality of programming on offer, as well as identifying how to reach out to members of the community who may be able to utilize the Senior Center’s services and are not currently aware of their availability. Commissioner Nichols also asked what methods of outreach are used in order to get information about the Senior Center to community members who may not be aware of its services. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that word of mouth and the Advisory Council are used for this purpose. o Commissioner Hookom asked who helps with technology support for seniors. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that Senior Center partners with Senior Community Services, an organization that offers technology support for seniors. This service is offered on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Students can also sign up for sessions where they are partnered for 30-minute sessions with seniors. o Commissioner Meyer asked if there are any plans for partnerships with surrounding communities in the future. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that they are a longtime member of the Minnesota Association of Senior Services. The Eden Prairie Senior Center also partners with Richfield Senior Center. Through that partnership, Richfield and Eden Prairie Senior Centers are able to reduce the cost of bus trips. The Eden Prairie Senior Center also partners with the city of Edina for an Oktoberfest event, located at Centennial Park on September 22nd, 2025. Supervisor Bohnsack shared that the Eden Prairie Senior Center is always looking for new partnerships. Recently, the Eden Prairie Senior Center partnered with the cities of Hopkins and Edina for a barn dance. Supervisor Bohnsack shared that the Eden Prairie Senior Center also offers a senior housing tour for community members, which may also include surrounding areas in the future. o Commissioner Meyer noted that there was no spiritual component of services offered at the Senior Center, and asked if there was a reason for this or if it had ever been requested by community seniors. Supervisor Bohnsack shared that the Senior Center has not done this in the past, but would be open to suggestions from community seniors. The Senior Center offers a Happiness Group, which is focused around whatever brings community seniors joy. This may include spirituality or religion. Supervisor Bohnsack also shared that the Senior Center offers education sessions surrounding finding purpose after retirement. o Director Markle shared that Supervisor Bohnsack has created a book and presentation that helps guide families through the process surrounding the death of a loved one. Supervisor Bohnsack shared that they took on a caregiving role with their aunt in the recent past. When their aunt passed away, they organized a 3-ring binder with all the information needed to resolve her end-of-life affairs. Supervisor Bohnsack created a guide for community members going through this situation, along with a presentation. This presentation has been shared 4 times, and each time the room has been full, with 75 people in attendance. Supervisor Bohnsack has also been asked by many community members to give a more public presentation on this topic. Commissioner Nichols shared that they may be able to assist with future online presentations. o Supervisor Bohnsack shared the opportunities that would be available to Commissioners and Student Representatives to volunteer at the Senior Center. These opportunities include volunteer work as a bingo caller, and staffing special events. o Director Markle shared that the list of monthly activities at the Senior Center will be shared in the monthly activity list that will be shared with all Commissioners and Student Representatives. o Student Representative Schuessler asked if there are restrictions on which roles Student Representatives under 18 can volunteer in. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that all volunteers working with seniors in a one on one context must pass a background check. o Commissioner Hookom shared that they were aware of some senior community members who had been victims of online fraud, and asked if the Senior Center offers any programming to help prevent this from happening. Supervisor Bohnsack answered that the Senior Center has multiple programs that address this need, including some offered through the Fire Department, the Police Department, and AARP. o Vice Chair Curry thanked Supervisor Bohnsack for their presentation. C. Community Center Manager 1. N/A D. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. N/A E. Parks & Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. • Commissioner Hookom shared that they attended Wonder Care playing at Staring Lake Park. They were delighted to see the young Parks and Recreation staff enjoying and working at the event. Commissioner Hookom also shared that the video that was shared at the event was executed well. • Commissioner Kuppili shared that they saw a coyote at Staring Lake Park about 2 weeks ago. • Commissioner Hookom shared that Harvest to Halloween on October 11th, 2025 and City Wide Open House on October 4th, 2025 are both fun upcoming events in Eden Prairie. Commissioner Hookom also shared that they attended the Picnic on the Farm, which was not as highly attended as last year due to it having been rescheduled. Commissioner Nichols asked for details about Harvest to Halloween. Director Markle shared that there is a shuttle service from Grace Church to this event, which offers pumpkin carving, trick or treating, and many other activities. Many kids come in costume with their parents. Typically, there is a helicopter that lands at the event. This year, because of renovations, the helicopter will likely not be present. • Commissioner Nichols also shared with the Student Representatives that there are volunteer opportunities with Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP). Volunteer opportunities include pulling invasive plant species, helping foster the growth of native plants, and helping with FEPP tech support and social media presence. IX. NEXT MEETING PRNR: October 6, Outdoor Skating Rink Discussion and Recreation App Draft. Heritage Rooms at City Center Director Markle shared that, per Commissioner Spresser’s previous request, the PRNR Commission will be discussing alternative uses for skating rinks during increasingly warm winters. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Hookom moved, seconded by Commissioner Nichols, to adjourn at 7:59 PM. Motion carried 6-0.