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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 08/03/2026Approved Minutes Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Meeting 7 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2026 City Center 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Pedro Curry, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Duane Hookom, Jennifer Meyer, Kirk Spresser, Sana Elassar, Lisa Nicholas Giridhar Kuppili, Kevin Harris, Troy Parish City Staff: Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director; Jana Graczyk, Recreation Services Manager; Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager; Gamiel Hall, Community Center Manager Recording Secretary: Kristin Harley MEETING AGENDA I.Call the Meeting to Order Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Commissioner Meyer was absent. [Curry arrived at 7:34 p.m.] Kevin Thompson and Jim Roelansky Baseball Association joined the meeting. II.Approval of Agenda MOTION: Spresser moved, seconded by Hookom, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 9-0. III.Minutes A. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting held Monday, April 6 and June 1, 2026 MOTION: Hookom moved, seconded by Cervantes, to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission Monday, April 6, 2026 and of June 1, 2026. Motion carried 7-0. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 2 IV. Report of City Council Action Markle stated the Commission had received $19,600.00 in donations. This was reported to the City Council in July. The commission also issued a proclamation for Peoplefest. A contract was awarded to DMS Asphalt for the asphalt basketball rehabilitation project for $33,000.00 . V. Reports of Planning Commission Bourne stated there was nothing to report. Petitions, Requests and Communications Reports of Commission and Staff A. Parks and Recreation Director Baseball and Softball Association Proposal Markle explained the commission had been meeting with the Baseball and Softball Association for the last year, regarding the need for a facility for both baseball and softball. Eden Prairie was at present going to other cities to find facilities. The number one trending need in the City was for residents to stay active and competitive year-round for access and for players to stay competitive. The idea was to use park land and partner on a joint facility for year-round use. Staff was working with Community Development on City Code compliance and appropriate building design specs. Because this would be in a park, this proposal would not be going to the Planning Commission. Staff asked for an approval with amendments to the project at this meeting so it could be brought before the City Council August 18. If an approval was delayed, the proposal would go before the City Council in September. Spresser asked for and received clarification the timeline would not be significantly disrupted if the commission did not approve the proposal at this meeting. Thompson displayed a PowerPoint and explained the proposal. He explained the Softball President was not able to attend tonight. Executive Summary: 1,100 children play baseball and softball between April and October, four years old to high school age: 800-850 boys and 200-250 girls. It was ideal to sign up children before five or six years old; it became mor difficult after that. An alternative was for-profit traveling profit clubs, which charged a significant fee. Otherwise, the high school dome was open on Sunday afternoons, which was not sufficient time to meet student’s needs. An indoor hitting/pitching facility would offer more accessibility for Eden Prairie students. Children who want to be competitive would want to continue to play more than what was being PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 3 offered today in Eden Prairie, and needed access to a facility more than the eight weeks in the summer being offered. The current proposal met all three needs: it would be accessible, affordable and competitive in off-season. Roslansky explained most other places outside of Eden Prairie offering training charged 4- 5 thousand a year for rental. Participation in baseball and softball in Eden Prairie was baseball fairly consistent, and since the Covid-19 pandemic hovered right around 800-850. Numbers fluctuated slightly with rookie campers but remained fairly stable. Trends could be predicted with t-ball in first and second grade. By third grade students gained more experience and were playing more real games, and at this point some chose to opt out. Some also dropped out in high school. Spresser asked for and received confirmation there was a farm league for high school. Hookom asked for and received confirmation there were certain clubs that would not be a part of this, but the legion would be. Roslansky explained the history of the legion in Eden Prairie. [Curry arrived at 7:34 p.m.] Thompson explained Eden Prairie had travel leagues, in contrast with soccer. All users of the proposed facility would have to be residents and/or go to Eden Prairie schools. This created a stable competitive environment and opened up a level playing field for training ages 5-18. (Legion ages ranged from 15-18.) This would also help with retention, as three to five Eden Prairie players left every year. The proposed facility would help keep the best players in Eden Prairie (doom spiral). There were approximately 40 kids in Eden Prairie on the baseball side that went to play for clubs and also trained there (spending exorbitant amount of money). High school and club seasons were separate. Operational Plan: Thompson stated unsupervised cage time was the worst for training, as it created bad habits. Starting November 1, the facility would be open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday through Thursday. There would be an opportunity to try baseball for free on Saturday mornings, little tot/indoor rookie camp for free or a small fee, and sponsors for clinics. Funding could include a small nominal fee per month to participate, and if this was successful, the fee would go down, and paid members would contribute $50-$100 dollars per month. Roslansky added it would cost $55-465 dollars an hour to rent a cage. Younger players could be signed up earlier in the day, and then a sign-up software could be utilized for older players to find an open slot. Guardrails would ensure children play within their age group, with six children per cage, and have a coach. Roslansky stated the entire cost of the building would be privately funded and constructed via contractors. He estimated 1 million to 1.3 million dollars for build and outfitting, coming from a variety of sources. The Association would fundraise 70 percent ($100.000.00) before proceeding with construction. It would of course pass code requirements. The entire project would be securely funded before starting. The PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 4 Association was open to other sources suggested by commission members, and it had built up a Capital Fund. Other funding sources included private owners, local and national businesses, and offering a sponsor’s name/brand on the building (naming rights), which was common. Charitable organizations would be approached and the Metro Baseball League had already committed funds for equipment. Other sources were government organizations, Hennepin County grant programs, and a possible bank loan. The Association was working with a nonprofit banking partner. The Association had explored partnering with local contractors for HVAC and plumbing work, and received positive reactions. Roslansky estimated a $100,000.00 a year operating cost. This would be covered through seasonable memberships and through the reallocation of rental expenses that left Eden Prairie, as well as business sponsorships and branding. The facility would also collect fees from camps, but keep them low. The Association would manage the money. This was a City facility, so it would go out to bid and the funds would go through the City. There was a treasury function through the Association. Spresser discouraged taking out a loan, and Roslansky and Thompson replied that was the goal. Spresser suggested the naming rights should be an annual fund, and Roslansky agreed; this would not be in perpetuity, but enough to fund the facility’s needs. Hookom urged safeguards and auditing to prevent fraud, and Thompson replied the Association was working with Wells Fargo on this. City staff would write the RFP. Spresser emphasized the need to consider the facility’s future funding and standing, for example five or 10 years from now. Thompson and Roslansky agreed, and Roslansky added any loan would be short term at best. There could be a 5-10-year loan (of $100,000.00 to $200,000.00) to meet the timeline of opening to players next November. Thompson added the goal was to have the total cost funded. MOU – Access, Security and Maintenance: Roslansky explained the City Attorney would write this. The City would be responsible for snow removal and mowing, interior maintenance and cleaning. The exterior building maintenance, since the facility sat next to Miller’s three diamond, would include some repair due to foul balls and other damage. There would be insurance on the building itself covered by Baseball Association, a secure access system, a security system, and policies and procedures for a safe quality facility. Bourne state the Facilities Department would give recommendations. The financial responsibility would come from the Baseball Association. Erickson asked if the access control system would be similar to the City’s, and Bourne replied there was no fiber capability at Miller, so it would not. Roslansky stated staff would have keys and use City cleaning crews. Bourne added Eden Prairie Police and Public Safety would have keyed access. Thompson displayed the indoor and exterior facility renderings showing a mixture of earth-colored stone and brick siding. There was the correct number of bathrooms that PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 5 were ADA compliant, and a sprinkler system and other required systems. There would be heating for winter but no air conditioning, since players were outdoor in summer, but industrial fans and garage doors for ventilation. The facility would be 65 feet x 110 feet, resulting in over 7,000 square feet. Baseball facilities were normally basic. There would be basic baseball facilities with netting, allowing for cage flexibility, and six full length pitching cages. There would be the ability to drop a net down the middle to convert five cages 80 feet long to ten 40 feet long. The facility could accommodate 65 children, preventing the habitual waiting, although it could fit 200 (which was unlikely). Equipment storage would be near the entry area, which was a couple hundred square feet. There were two bathrooms as required, but no locker room, the correct number of water fountains, and a wide-open matted space near the entry for donning equipment and leaving person items. There were no locker rooms. The netting would be stored by moving up to the ceiling or sliding to the ends of the facility. There would be the ability to do base running, have a pretend mound and work on kickoff plays. The idea was a creative use of space. The mound and other equipment would pushed against side of wall, which was usual for these facilities. Thompson added the equipment was moveable, same as on fields today. Roslansky stated the turf, netting, mounds and cage protection would be funded by the Metro Baseball League. Thompson stated $150,000.00 were committed, $50,000.00 from the Metro Baseball League. The Association still had reserve funds. There would not be an office, but staffed by the trainers, although this was still being explored. Ideally a baseball person would be a staff member onsite, but the facility could have an office. Cervantes raised concerns about injuries requiring a staff member office, and Spresser encouraged the Association members to explore putting an office in an unused area. Parish asked for and received confirmation this facility was not as large as the dome. Roslansky stated there was a lot of storage within the Miller Park facility so the intention here was not to be redundant. Spresser asked where the parents would be, and Roslansky replied 10-11 year olds typically get dropped off. Thompson stated the design could become more purposeful with the area near the entry. The ceiling height was 18 feet, but 22 feet at maximum. Discussion followed on the reasons the numbers for baseball and softball came down since 2000 (the unavailability of a diverse set of sports, high class numbers). Roslansky stated the Association would refine the proposal with an architect, possibly reducing the size of the mechanical room. Markle suggested a registration area and some bleachers. Hookom suggested using a mezzanine for additional storage and an observation room. Thompson and Roslansky agreed this was a good idea. Spresser added that even when dropping off their children, parents wanted to feel the space was secure, so would come into the facility, and for the architect to consider this. Nicholas what amount of money coming in from softball. Thompson replied they would be involved in fundraising, as they did winter training in dome and other places, so there was no set number. Roslansky added what they’re paying was looped into the entire funding. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 6 Softball also ran a successful concession stand. Nichols asked for and received confirmation softball would also have protected time during peak hours. Thompson stated there was plenty of space, and two cages could operate all the time. Roslansky state Sonia Robie was an assistant coach at the high school program and was a resource for high school programs. He displayed the building to scale within the park. Thomspon stated a few trees would have to be removed or moved, and the Association would work with Bourne. It was possible a line of trees along the easterly side could deflect foul balls. However, the facility was largely outside the “danger zone.” Hookom asked for and received clarification the facility would have glass block windows. Roslansky added there would be a mixture of stone, cement siding, a metal roof, all durable materials. Thompson added the oldest age boys that play on Miller fields was 12, whereas girls of all ages used those fields. Parish asked if there would be public access for just fun players, and Thompson replied according to the current plan there would not be, but the facility would offer open houses and try-baseball-for-free days. Otherwise, a player would have to sign up for membership or be a part of a team; the facility was not wide open for everyone. Roslansky added the intent was to keep it open to Eden Prairie residents through the Association’s programs. The facility was closed on Fridays due to lack of interest, but it could be opened on that day if that changed. Parish asked if coaches would have key cards, and asked who turn lights on and off. Roslansky replied they were considering a mix of options. Dedicated team time coaches would be responsible, but details still needed to be worked out. There could be paid staffing similar to warming house attendants, as well as clinics and lessons paid instructors, and coaches. The City Attorney had reviewed and vetted the proposal and would write the MOU. After City Council approval the MOU would be drafted and fundraising would start. Bourne stated that as typically with project like this, the next steps were approval from this commission, plans and specs finalized, the MOU written, then the project would come back through this commission, then go before the City Council, and then the bidding process would begin. Roslansky added some Eden Prairie players made the minors and were also a funding source. MOTION: Cervantes moved, seconded by Spresser to recommend the commission partner with the Baseball and Softball Association to implement the proposal that the Association construct a pitching and hitting building at Miller Park, with the Association paying for all construction and maintenance costs, with three caveats: that in an MOU the security procedures be clearly defined, that the Association put aside sufficient money for annual maintenance and major capital, and that the drop-off area and check-in space procedures be clearly defined. Motion carried 9-0. [Nichols departed at 8:27 p.m.] PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 7 Parks and Natural Resources Manager Project Updates Bourne stated the Cedar Hills Bike Park was in progress. He had walked it with the contractor who did a very good job. He added this would be a special area in Eden Prairie. The Edenvale basketball court construction began today; it was being torn out and redone. The Carmel Park courts fencing and dirt work was completed last week. It had been built on a marsh and therefore had substandard soils. The project turned out well. The City went out to bid for replacement of the Staring Lake bridges along the trail. This project would go to the City Council on August 18 and have a November start date. The Crosstown trail rehabilitation would start August 17. County Road 4 rehabilitation (Eden Prairie Road from Highway 5 past 212) would begin soon. MnDOT and Hennepin County would share costs, and this would be completed this fall. The Round Lake Stadium would undergo a complete field replacement in two weeks, adding new infield material used by major leagues. The City would fund one-third of this, the high school one-third, and one-third funded by the Baseball and Softball Association. This would vastly improve playing condition. Harris asked for the status of the Riley Lake bookshop. Markle replied the City was adding bathroom facilities to the Dorenkemper House, but there would be no movement until fall. She was not sure of the exact opening, but the bookstore would not operate in winter. Harris suggested having an ice cream shop there in summer. Recreation Services and Community Center Managers Parks and Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of events, park/building visits, new articles, etc. Hookom stated he noticed while riding at Riley Lake Park the area was busy, with 60-75 kids at the beach, and the Let’s Go Fishing pontoon out. Parish stated his daughter was one of those kids. Jana stated one performance at Staring Lake was postponed due to rain, and rescheduled. Markle stated she saw Hookom and Meyer at Homeward Hills ribbon cutting. She added there was good attendance at the Crosswood Park splash pad. Eden Prairie hosted the PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2026 Page 8 Stanley Cup at the Community Center, and everyone in line got through the line by tee- off. Discussion followed on the NHL cable television interview done with Markel. Other Business Pop-Up Splash Pad, August 12 Arts in the Park, Saturday August 15 Parish mentioned the recent shooting at Edina Park. Markle replied there was an ongoing dialogue with the Public Safety Department for every event, and a preliminary meeting with Police and Fire. There was a lengthy emergency plan ranging from active shooters to tornados. Park takeovers was a trend in parks across nation, and it called for vigilance, eyes on social media and on the parks. Next Meeting September 14, 2026, location TBD VI. Adjournment MOTION: Hookom moved, seconded by Curry, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 9-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.