Farmington council approves $1 million skate park design contract with Spahn Ranch

The Farmington City Council on Oct. 20 approved a design-and-build agreement with Spahn Ranch Inc. for a new skate park at Feeley Fields in Rambling River Park and amended the 2025 budget to allow preconstruction work to begin.

City parks staff said the project will be funded with a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources outdoor recreation grant and local matches. Parks staff told the council the project budget will not exceed $1,000,000, with funding coming from a roughly $350,000 DNR grant, a $350,000 match from the liquor operations community project fund and about $300,000 from the park improvement fund.

Kelly (Staff member, Parks & Recreation) told the council the skate park had been a community priority for years and that Spahn Ranch was selected through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program after evaluating multiple firms. "Based on their qualifications, relevant experience, responsiveness, and observed construction quality, staff recommends entering into an agreement with Spahn Ranch for design and construction services for the new skate park project," Kelly said.

Staff said Spahn Ranch will lead three public input sessions, oversee site enhancements (sidewalks, pads for shade structures, benches, bike-fix stations and landscaping) and partner with Action Park Alliance (APA) on accessibility features. Kelly said Spahn Ranch estimated design costs at about $25,000, with the remainder reserved for construction and site amenities.

The council was asked to authorize early-phase work in 2025 including a Phase 1 literature review and archeological assessment required by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office, a site survey, geotechnical investigation and initial design by Spahn Ranch. Those early tasks will be paid from the park improvement fund.

Council member Jake moved to approve the agreement and budget amendment; Council member Steve seconded. On a roll call the council voted unanimously in favor.

The project will replace the existing small baseball field known as Lost Ballpark at Feeley Fields. Staff said the DNR grant is administered through the federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund and that park improvement funds are cash-in-lieu payments developers provide when land dedication for parks is not practicable. The agreement caps the project at a maximum of $1,000,000, with design estimated at approximately $25,000.

Construction timelines are contingent on finalizing the DNR grant agreement, which staff said is expected in November or December 2025; early-phase work will proceed once the council-authorized budget amendment is processed.

Speakers listed in the meeting record include Kelly (Parks & Recreation staff), representatives from Spahn Ranch and Action Park Alliance, and council members who voted on the contract. No public comments opposed the skate park during the council discussion.