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Staff outline nature-playground, tree-planting and Parkside Oak planning as new housing developments approach
Summary
Park staff updated the commission on several projects — a nature playground at Loch Loron, Ridge Run Cabin renovations, a 2025 tree-planting contract for 211 trees — and discussed the need to update the park and open-space plan as multiple residential developments come forward.
Park and Recreation staff told the commission Thursday that multiple park projects and a pending update to the department’s park-and-open-space plan will require coordinated planning and likely consultant support as new residential development proposals advance.
Rick, a Park and Recreation staff member, said the nature playground at Loch Loron is under construction, with staff-built play elements and hardscape work expected to continue through winter and spring and a target opening by the end of next spring. He also gave a progress update on Ridge Run Cabin renovations, noting chimney repairs, a gas-insert installation and new plumbing for a kitchenette; most contractor work will be scheduled over winter with a May 1 completion target.
On tree work, staff said the city will open bids next Wednesday for the 2025 tree-planting contract. The planned contract covers planting 211 trees: 23 for new neighborhoods, 43 in city parks, 54 tied to road-reconstruction projects and 81 through the city’s free street-tree planting program. Staff said they expect to have successful bids and permission to go to contract by December.
Mike, a Park and Recreation staff member, described several proposed and potential residential developments that could increase demand for neighborhood parks. He said a development near 18th and NN is not setting aside park land and that another proposed neighborhood annexed on North Main would need connections to Sunset Park. Staff and the commission discussed whether to require multiple new small neighborhood parks or to invest in expanding an existing large parcel — Parkside Oak — which the staff described as roughly an 80-acre parcel with wetlands and some constraints but substantial development potential.
Staff emphasized that impact fees can help fund park construction but not ongoing maintenance, and noted the park-and-open-space plan is overdue by around five years. Mike said the city has updated its comprehensive plan and that parks staff prefer a combined consultant-led process for the comprehensive plan and the park-and-open-space plan to ensure the documents align and support grant applications (DNR, DOT) and future phased development. Staff estimated the combined planning process could take 12–18 months and recommended forming a citizen advisory group and conducting public surveys and listening sessions as part of the update.
Commissioners and staff stressed the need to balance active and passive recreation, parking and neighborhood compatibility as new projects are phased in with residential growth; staff said more detailed project proposals and budget needs will come forward early next year.
