Parks staff report project delays, new pickleball courts and a $5 million grant application for Mississippi Dunes

Parks staff updated the commission on multiple ongoing projects and operations, reporting schedule changes, new facilities and a large grant application.

Zach, parks staff, said Denzer Park work has been provisionally delayed after a planned apartment development and nearby housing were postponed; staff will construct a retaining boulder wall, seed and stabilize the site and schedule final work when development activity resumes. On Granada Park, staff said they will build a small 12-stall parking lot in‑house to address neighborhood parking concerns; crew work already required removal of a large tree to start the lot.

Woodridge Park will be rebuilt to include five lit pickleball courts and a reconstructed ice rink; staff said new sports lighting will support the courts and help ease local demand for pickleball facilities. On the Cottage Grove Trailway corridor restoration (area under power lines between Hinton Avenue and Imperial Avenue), staff reported difficulty obtaining a burn permit and said chipping and hauling would be “tens of thousands of dollars more” than burning; staff will stage smaller piles and pursue winter burning or other cost-effective options and noted some neighbors have complained about large debris piles.

Altman Park plans and specifications were authorized by council and bids were scheduled to open the week of the meeting; staff said favorable bids would allow construction of three rectangular fields, a playground and a small picnic shelter. On Mississippi Dunes Park, staff said the city submitted an initial request for $5,000,000 from a priority settlement fund (referred to in the packet as "3 m priority 2 settlement funds"); staff expects to hear whether the project advances to the next application stage in June or July. Staff said if the project advances, the city will prepare a formal application and that the initial submission was a detailed request for proposals.

Kingston Park building design work is nearly complete, but council asked staff to hold on bidding for construction because of economic concerns and other project priorities; power infrastructure work has started at the site. On Hamlet Pond dredging, staff reported spoils may be hauled out this summer if conditions stay dry; if not, removal will wait until next winter when hauling conditions allow.

Staff also proposed options for the June meeting (off-site tour, bus tour, or an outdoor working meeting to clean up a park); commissioners favored an out‑of‑chambers meeting and indicated interest in a park cleanup option. Staff noted paddle-boat service at Highlands Park will open tomorrow (May 13) and kayaks are tentatively scheduled for May 22.

Ending: Staff will update the commission on bids, grant application progress and the Trailway restoration schedule at future meetings.