Parks commission recommends proposals for Lions Park pavilion and a playground overhaul

Lake Elmo City’s Parks Commission on July 21 recommended that staff seek proposals for a shade pavilion at Lions Park for installation in 2026 and voted to direct staff to gather proposals to replace the park’s playground, which the city has budgeted in the capital improvement plan.

The commission’s recommendation for a pavilion follows staff presentation of the city’s 2025–2034 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which proposes five new pavilions across the park system. Parks staff said Lions Park has lost large, shade-providing trees during past construction and from disease and storm damage, creating sustained public requests for shade. Parks staff estimated a pavilion similar to ones at Goose Park and Pebble Park would cost about $80,000 including concrete.

Parks staff (Adam) told commissioners the pavilion recommendation is presently a request to solicit design and placement proposals, not a…