Resident says Hennepin County awarded Edgewater Park grant; city match $1,750

MOUND — During the council’s public-comment period on July 8, resident Tyler Piper announced that Hennepin County has accepted a grant application for Edgewater Park that will bring $5,000 in county funds and requires a $1,750 city contribution.

Piper, who said he is a private citizen and also is serving on the Parks and Open Space Commission, told the council, "I finally received confirmation from Hennepin County that that grant has been accepted." He said the program had 34 applicants and 13 were accepted and that Edgewater Park was one of the selected projects.

Piper said the work will focus on plantings likely to occur in the fall and that he plans to coordinate with neighbors and route decisions through the Parks and Open Space Commission to limit council time on detailed design. He asked the council to consider how the city's $1,750 match should be allocated (for signage or planting materials) and offered to recuse himself from any Parks Commission vote if needed because he had originally proposed the project before serving on the commission.

Clarifying details: Piper said the city's requested contribution is $1,750 and the county award is $5,000. He described outreach to neighbors and said plantings are expected in the fall; he noted the application process began in late 2024 and included multiple review meetings.

What’s next: Piper asked staff and the parks commission to coordinate on the project and report back to council if specific expenditures require council approval.

Ending: The announcement drew general positive reaction from councilmembers; no formal council action on the grant was taken during the meeting.