HomeMy WebLinkAbout01(A) - Park and Trail Project Update ReportCITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 18, 2023
PREPARED BY: Andy Brotzler, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Steve Hart, Parks & Recreation Manager
PRESENTED BY: Andy Brotzler and Steve Hart
AGENDA ITEM: Park and Trail Project Updates
GOAL AREA Environmental Stewardship & Recreation
ITEM: 1A
OBJECTIVE: 3.Develop recreation opportunities and park amenities for all
stages of life and interests.
BACKGROUND (MIRACLE FIELD):
The City has been approached by Prior Lake Athletics for Youth (PLAY) to explore if field space
at Thomas Ryan Memorial Park could be a potential site for a Miracle League programming in
Prior Lake by constructing a Miracle Field for baseball. From the Miracle League website: The
Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off
the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America's favorite pastime. Since the main
barriers for these adults arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional leagues, Miracle
League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs
and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries.
PLAY representatives will present details on the process of site selection, generating community
support in terms of funding and operation, timeline, and more.
FINANCIAL IMPACT (MIRACLE FIELD):
Typically, a Miracle Field project obtains funding through donations (private, corporate, individual)
and grants, however the City should anticipate the need to pay for upgrades of certain park
features such as parking lots and other infrastructure as identified in the 2018 Draft Park and Trail
Master Plan if a project were to move forward.
BACKGROUND (PONDS PARK FIELDS AND PLAYGROUND):
In 2023, a project will begin at Ponds Park to improve safety and accessibility, particluarly around
fields 3 and 4. Part of this project will also include the removal and replacement of the playground
within the park. Since Ponds Park is a community park that serves a greater portion of the
community than a typical neighboorhood park, staff conducted a public input exercise in
December 2022 to learn what the community would most like to see included in a new playground
at Ponds Park. A summary of the process and feedback will be shared in the work session, along
with a general project update.
FINANCIAL IMPACT (PONDS PARK FIELDS AND PLAYGROUND):
The estimated cost for the field alignment is $598,970. In 2022, the City received a grant through
the MN DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program for $299,485, with the remaining $299,485 of
the project funded from the Parks Capital fund.
City of Prior Lake I 4646 Dakota Street SE I Prior Lake MN 55372
Item 1A
Page 12
The budget for the playground upgrade is $350,000 as identified in the 2023 Parks CIP Plan.
BACKGROUND {SPRING LAKE PARK):
Spring Lake Park is being evaluated by staff for the development of future community park
amenities including parking lots, athletic fields, hockey rinks and warming house with storage,
playground, and trail connections. With plans and projects occurring in existing community parks,
needs have been identified that suggest the city should begin to plan for expanded opportunities
within the city's park system. Some of those needs include the existing status of not having
adequate parking at the Ponds and Thomas Ryan Memorial Parks, and the desire for the
community to maintain and expand hockey and skating opportunities.
A high level concept plan and project history will be shared by staff as part of the update
presentation during the work session.