Board asks staff to refine Apple Blossom Park ARPA plan after committee review

Winona County staff presented a revised set of options for spending county American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at Apple Blossom Park. The board directed staff to refine cost estimates, verify permissions for any work on non-county land and return options to the Parks and Environment Committee for further review.

County staff summarized a pared-back proposal developed by a parks subcommittee. The package reduced earlier, higher-cost items (for example a pavilion) and focused on lower-cost improvements: professional signage at the main lot, targeted trail stabilization, invasive-species management (including prescribed burns), benches, a bike anchor/repair pad and selective erosion control at the Mississippi-overlook trail.

Staff cautioned that several items were "conditional options" because they required third-party permissions or engineering/geo-technical review. In particular, a proposed trail/overlook deck appeared to sit off county property on land recorded to a state agency; staff said they needed to confirm ownership and permitting, and to evaluate geotechnical risk and liability before committing funds.

Parks committee members who had visited the park explained the subcommittee preference for preserving a more primitive character rather than creating a more developed, city-park environment. Volunteers from local prairie groups offered to assist with controlled burns in exchange for chemical costs; staff noted county personnel must be present for burns to meet insurer (MCIT) requirements.

Commissioners discussed practical operations such as trash collection: some options would add disposal infrastructure and require either contracted pickup or volunteer collection to avoid adding ongoing county maintenance cost. The board did not approve spending on the record but asked staff to return with refined firm estimates and required permissions.

Ending: Staff will pursue the follow-up tasks, confirm land ownership and permitting for off-site items, tighten cost estimates and report back to the Parks and Environment Committee and county board prior to final ARPA allocations.