Victoria Parks and Recreation Committee adopts 2025 work plan, adds water-access review

The City of Victoria Parks and Recreation Committee on March 17, 2025, approved a final 2025 work plan and voted to add a dedicated review of water-access amenities to the committee's priorities.

The work plan sets a schedule of public-engagement activities, timelines for park project recommendations and reviews of ordinances and nontraditional park spaces, and asks staff to prepare a park development survey for the committee to review on May 19. Committee members moved and seconded the measure; when members were asked to signify by saying “aye,” the motion carried.

Why this matters: the adopted work plan directs committee activity that will shape park projects slated for development in 2026, defines outreach steps residents will see this summer and creates a formal recommendation that the committee will forward to City Council for adoption.

Committee staff presented a final draft that incorporated feedback from the committee’s February meeting and prior community surveys. The plan identifies four primary focus areas: public engagement for park projects; review and enhancement of nontraditional park spaces and the trail network; a review of parks and recreation ordinances; and ongoing review of the Victoria Recreation Center as the city and school district plan for the facility’s future. Staff also reported that City Council directed an increase in the committee’s membership to nine and that three additional members will begin April 1.

Key dates and events included in the plan are: a committee review of a proposed park development survey on May 19; field and community engagement events on June 24 at the Hunters Bridal location and Aug. 19 at Marsh Hollow; a guided trail engagement event on July 2 at Lions Park Notaman Veil; and a September review of collected public input with a plan to make formal recommendations in October. Committee members emphasized the plan’s flexibility if priorities shift or new projects arise.

Committee members asked for clarification and staff provided additional context about other items that intersect with the work plan. Staff said the Tamarack overlook parcel was approved for sale to Carver County at a recent City Council meeting and that the Arboretum will manage the site while preserving public access. Staff said the parcel’s transfer is intended to allow completion of the Bavaria Trail East Corridor and a connection to Highway 5.

The committee also discussed the Victoria Recreation Center. Staff reminded members that the city’s contract with the school district for the center runs through 2032 and that City Council will review survey results and a workshop on the facility in April, with further direction to follow. Staff said a budget already exists for the park developments planned for 2026.

During discussion committee members requested that water-access amenities (described in prior surveys as a recurring community interest) be explicitly added to the work plan. Staff agreed to add a specific line item to Goal 3 (the parks and trails review) to study water-access and related amenities; the committee then voted to accept the work plan with that modification.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the February 19, 2025 meeting minutes earlier in the session by motion and later approved the amended 2025 Parks and Recreation Committee work plan and recommended it to City Council. Both measures were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote; specific member tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: staff will prepare the park development survey for the May 19 meeting, post engagement-event schedules, and forward the committee’s recommended work plan to City Council for formal adoption. The committee will select its chair and vice chair at the April meeting and hold orientation for new and returning members.