Commission recommends council accept $1,650 donation for Sunfish Lake Park bench

The Lake Elmo City Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend that the city council accept a $1,650 donation from Bob and Holly Kress to fund the purchase, plaque and installation of a bench at Sunfish Lake Park.

A parks staff member described the proposal and installation logistics, saying the donation “is about as minimal as we get to to install that,” and that roughly 98% of the amount covers the bench and plaque with minor additional costs for concrete and hand tools. The donors requested a plaque reading, “relax to the sights, sounds, and smell of nature,” with Bob and Holly Kress’ names.

Staff said placement would be reviewed with public works and with the donors to ensure the bench location—likely on the west side of the trail facing the lake, between trail markers 20 and 19—would not impede trail grooming or user access. Commissioners raised site-topography concerns where the proposed lakeside location is soft and suggested staff ensure the bench will be accessible for maintenance and not hinder trail users.

A motion to recommend the council accept the donation, capped at $1,650 and covering bench, plaque and installation, was made by a commissioner and seconded; the commission voted in favor and the motion passed (vote tally not specified in the meeting record). One commissioner asked that council be reminded that some park users live outside Lake Elmo City.

The donation, if accepted by council, will be placed into the parks general fund for maintenance and purchase; staff described the typical process of receiving the gift into that fund and using it to cover the purchase and installation expenses. The commission did not attach any special conditions beyond staff and public works review of placement.