City of Chaska presents early findings, outreach plan for new destination park

City of Chaska staff reported robust early public engagement and outlined next steps in planning a proposed new park during a city council meeting.

Marshall, a parks project lead, told the council the project website drew more than 3,000 unique visitors and more than 1,400 people completed the community survey. “Our consultant group, Confluence, has said this is the most they’ve seen on any other project they’ve worked on,” Marshall said, describing an online “idea board” and an interactive survey that allowed residents to upload photos and comment on concepts.

Why it matters: The city is at an early but visible stage of park design. Staff said the engagement numbers give them a broad base of resident input to shape three distinct concept plans that will be cost-estimated and returned for additional public feedback.

Survey results and themes

Staff described the demographic profile of survey respondents as heavily Chaska-based and family-oriented: just over 70% of respondents said they live in Chaska; 68% were ages 35–54; about 80% reported households of three or more people. Marshall summarized amenity priorities: “play, sport, and nature” ranked highest in the single-theme questions, with water features, gathering spaces and opportunities for winter activities (sledding, ice skating/ice trails) also scoring strongly. The idea board returned suggestions ranging from splash pads and skate parks to water-access dog parks and small park-based dining.

Engagement strategy and next steps

Staff said they held seven focus groups with athletics associations, families of people with disabilities, older adults, city park and maintenance staff, Rotary, school district leadership and nearby residents to compare preferences across stakeholder groups. Confluence landscape architects will run a design charrette at a Parkapalooza event scheduled for May 8 at the Chaska Community Center; staff expect three concept packages will be developed that day, refined with cost ranges and posted on the project website for comment. Marshall said the concepts will also be presented at large community events such as Fire & Ice and River City Days.

Design constraints and budget context

Marshall and other staff cautioned that the concepts will be high-level and accompanied by coarse cost estimates; further budgeting, long-term maintenance costs and detailed stormwater or utility work will come in later phases. The site includes wooded acreage identified as “big woods,” of which roughly 10 usable acres were identified for active programming while much of the remainder remains privately owned and protected from development by ordinance. Staff said that topography provides opportunity for a sledding hill and winter activation.

Public reaction and council remarks

Council members praised the response rates and the addition of interactive tools. One council member noted community members already speak of moving to Chaska to be near the proposed park, and another called the mixture of play, sports and nature a strong match for site potential. Staff reiterated they will return refined concepts after Parkapalooza and a subsequent staff review.

What’s next

Staff will post three concept plans online after the May 8 event with interactive comment tools, produce high-level cost ranges for each concept, and schedule another round of outreach. Physical boards will be taken to large summer events to gather additional feedback. No formal council decision on a preferred concept or budget was made at the meeting.