[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6098893,"mediaKeyId","2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14","parentId",2822213,"title","Commission weighs feasibility of 50–80 acre community park; favors passive search and upgrades to existing fields","audioSeconds",1084,"startMs",1610000,"endMs",2694000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14&start=1610&end=2694","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14/thumbnail_1610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098893/Dayton-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Commission-weighs-feasibility-of-5080-acre-community-park-favors-passive-search-and-upgrades-to-existing-fields","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098893-9d96708f70ff82f0e87a232609e22509/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095718&Signature=ZDxyyIrqHgRWMpCOB9wH0sgGQxWHb77O-aidfMSLDOREZABOVvUmECDZD0noiBu6iFcZDwTvti8HFXlr2IIKtCuexaphLDfzbaULz5KlT6lA2GnHmTtp-3yhVTfreMbDq5wUD-kf0Nw1bhDMBbRHtNfAU9Lvavt-WGTPv4Z0pvi6R9ooCr7sKE8cPykUmCorhXNQzs9kLn4BXsNNzD~L7rVi9WmUoaFBCJjZmmwXMJljVIMAkU-OsYP8TokMd07juWVNXM5LbbDsxs~Sqqd2gF9bUg3dFoyRXVPYD9PMo~3jyCSAz6ZWtV4TExnZlhemhVdkGFP0Md4tFdLoXLlkmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Dayton, MN","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioners held an extended discussion about whether Dayton should pursue a large community park — estimates discussed ranged from roughly $5 million for land at the low end to $50–70 million for a full buildout, depending on site and scope — and whether the city should actively pursue 50–80 acres for a regional sports complex.

Speakers said the Community Development Authority (CDA/A) has approached the city with interest in supporting a buildout and that the CDAA’s participation in Dayton has increased as the city has attracted younger families. Commissioners said the CDAA indicated it may be more willing to fund facility build‑outs (dugouts, scoreboards, parking) than land acquisition itself; staff said the CDAA’s funding commitments lacked precise dollar amounts and that commissioners needed more concrete proposals before the commission could commit to land purchase or a levy increase.

Commissioners raised practical and equity questions: a large sports complex would primarily serve a subset of organized sports and youth families for a limited period of their lives, while trails and smaller neighborhood parks serve broader, longer‑term use. Several commissioners favored a cautious approach. The group agreed to continue passively searching for opportunities — “if something falls in our lap,” as one speaker put it — rather than actively dedicating staff time and new levy revenue to a targeted land acquisition at this time.

Staff briefed the commission on current funding: the city sets aside $150,000 a year toward land purchase in the capital levy; commissioners discussed whether to increase the levy but several said they would not support an increase without a community survey that included a dollar figure and clearer cost estimates. Commissioners said the city will re‑survey residents next year to refine willingness‑to‑pay questions.

The commission agreed to these directions: continue passive land searches; be prepared to evaluate any concrete CDAA proposal that includes specific dollar commitments; prioritize upgrades to existing fields if CDAA funding is better directed to improvements rather than land purchase; and continue long‑range planning to stage park system development.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Dayton City Council Parks Comm Work Session TRAILS AND COMMUNITY PARK 3-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed a long‑running proposal for a large community sports park (50–80 acres), cost uncertainty, CDAA offers and whether to increase the levy for land acquisition; the commission decided to continue a passive search for land and focus on upgrading existing fields if CDAA funding is limited.","taxTitle","Dayton City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",71288,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098898,"Dayton discussion of tree ordinance, Tree City USA and emerald ash borer response highlights private‑property limits",135,409000,544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14&start=409&end=544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14/thumbnail_409000.jpg","/articles/6098898/Dayton-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Dayton-discussion-of-tree-ordinance-Tree-City-USA-and-emerald-ash-borer-response-highlights-privateproperty-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098898-f2e71bfbc942924344b6afb9cf0c1d83/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095718&Signature=gIy92q7RnOkXtdTtaEHrEoWKt2qvWz3zmbNBNd-UskXfqnX19v0OIAl6bngWuxGH8Ej8WpgEhGwZp8tnqUgv9MXlWwB2Tr00oirc3INs5OrcZ601M2nZGD-D8VxgfstBwpW8B7QwhYqitrNjhs4FNqsJmCmaf9YPdLYCP2vu8l4KsPVAtsufqBtNd2eNB71vAJt7sE9LH-xaUWIPn7V4FHh2UB0WMH5XhL6O5G0dmGtSmQ24mJhHPxa4-cN5FcnhGvsPwbBSX8Mi7CMe~-BixZXu27pB3xd98zrZWbDeyLihenHENSCqbwA2XSLnycURrndqnJRsVg2OdgW~fE889Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members discussed pursuing the Tree City USA designation and updating the city’s tree ordinance to broaden protections and allow limited action on diseased trees.

Commissioners said Tree City USA requires an Arbor Day proclamation, a tree board and a spending threshold (roughly $2 per capita annually, which can include equipment hours). Commissioners said Dayton likely meets the spending threshold and that a draft ordinance is with planning and the city attorney for revisions.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the ordinance should give the city authority to act when a tree is diseased and threatens other trees or public safety. Staff clarified there is not currently a program that authorizes routine removal of trees from private backyards; the city’s existing practice is to inspect and remove trees in the public right of way and to offer arborist inspections for residents. Staff said they do not intend to compel immediate removal of privately owned trees without further process.

Commissioners raised questions about how enforcement would work and whether the city would inspect private property. Multiple speakers said they supported education and outreach — for example, repeating arborist presentations at the city open house and including tree‑selection guidance in a newsletter — and expanding free tree giveaways to encourage planting of species more resistant to pests.

Members also discussed cost‑recovery options if the city removed a diseased tree on private property (for example, long‑term assessment to a homeowner’s tax bill) and noted other jurisdictions assess costs across multiple years. Several speakers urged caution about ordering removals on private property and emphasized that any ordinance language should be clear about whether action is mandatory or discretionary for the city.

No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff and the city attorney to finalize revisions and return a draft ordinance and an implementation plan (including outreach and cost implications) for future consideration.","Commissioners discussed pursuing Tree City USA, revising the city’s tree ordinance to allow limited authority for hazardous/disease trees, and the city’s current approach to Emerald Ash Borer inspections and right‑of‑way removals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098903,"Dayton parks commission outlines 2024 accomplishments, irrigation and trail projects for 2025",119,127000,246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14&start=127&end=246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2822213-a38f7e58dbcd016d585752e020f75f14/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6098903/Dayton-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Dayton-parks-commission-outlines-2024-accomplishments-irrigation-and-trail-projects-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098903-b7cd7e8144872b2ded40d402376e4977/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095718&Signature=CyW-DhTdr5s6YPJmyunv6bhWvnbi5QP7U0SHz8JUsqcLl7AJdqSkZ4YQoXhxx96HQY~QsTuHp8tA86nX32R-KS5MOcKbS~torLT3IoA7fSTcKZs38nbS1ywhjSos~0t62DFNNBjXYeNIZD5GFI5pYlW4snwjfuv-6V3LpWVA-pt4NSh2yyoZ4dSjeNldWErFJoBUyDDWmEMz1J~QGVJqHhHtWMTCj~hsinw-JPQKeyVjbaXniBfP4Gtwfvo6gtGP7K9SNyVDVMX7l154SKTCujtW9wK1V51UArlcvKGS1XRsMKXEnRxgzTTzHjTeWl71NWnxgg~vZhS9suJOpC3VUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carrie, a presenter for the parks group, said the commission implemented an Adopt‑a‑Park program in 2024 and “4 parks have been adopted so far.”

The commission updated commissioners on irrigation and well work at several parks and set target dates for upcoming construction and contracting. Bids for multiple park projects went out March 3; bids are due March 27 and contracting awards were expected by April 8, with substantial completion targeted for November 2025.

The commission described project status by site: at Hayden Hills a well has been drilled and crews are waiting for power and frost‑free soil to begin irrigation installation; at River Hills Park a well had not been drilled because of road restrictions until late April or early May and power coordination remained pending; at L.C. Stevens an existing well was upgraded and staff were confirming whether electricity upgrades were also needed; at Sundance Woods crews plan to extend irrigation once soil conditions allow; and another site will be tied into an existing water line rather than a new well.

Trail work is proceeding more slowly where street reconstruction has overlapped. Commissioners said the remaining link on North Diamond Lake Road is the last portion needed to connect to Elm Creek Park; engineers were preparing documents so bidding can go out in spring and work can be completed in 2025.

The commission also reviewed smaller amenity plans for 2025. Members discussed a freestanding shelter and portable event tents rather than a permanent band shelter, citing cost uncertainty (estimates for a permanent structure ranged widely and could reach into the hundreds of thousands). The group favored a rental tent option to provide event flexibility while avoiding a large capital commitment. They also discussed small, tripod-style fire pits near a proposed shelter area on the east side of the river and expanding parking on the park’s north side.

Commissioners said Leathers Park will be reseeded at no additional charge after an initial seeding failed because of dry conditions, and bridge footing work at L.C. Stevens was scheduled to be installed in early May.

The commission identified next steps: proceed with the March bid schedule, coordinate power and road access for wells, and pursue trail bidding in spring. No formal vote or ordinance was recorded on these items during the discussion.

Substantive scheduling and procurement details provided by staff:
- Bids issued: March 3; bids due: March 27; anticipated contract awards: by April 8; target for substantial completion: November 2025.
- Bridge footing work at L.C. Stevens: expected early May 2025.

The commission asked staff to continue outreach to contractors and to share bid results with commissioners when available.","Commissioners reviewed 2024 park work — including an Adopt‑a‑Park program and irrigation projects — and outlined 2025 plans for wells, bridges, a North Diamond Lake Road trail and temporary event tents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission weighs feasibility of 50–80 acre community park; favors passive search and upgrades to existing fields

Dayton discussion of tree ordinance, Tree City USA and emerald ash borer response highlights private‑property limits

Dayton parks commission outlines 2024 accomplishments, irrigation and trail projects for 2025