Commission recommends extended hours for Sunfish Lake Park stargazing event
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The Lake Elmo Parks Commission on July 21 recommended that city council extend Sunfish Lake Park hours to 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2025 so the Saluenz Era Center can hold a stargazing program.
Verdi Davis, introduced at the meeting as a program manager with the Saluenz Era interpretive nature center at Sunfish Lake Park, described a similar program held last year that capped attendance at 40 and finished around 9:00':30 p.m. "Last year, we did a little stargazing event and... we ended up cutting off at 40 people, so it became very popular," Davis said. She said the Minnesota Astronomical Society provided a presentation and that organizers use the presentation if clouds prevent viewing.
Staff noted the requested date and that the proposed event would run beyond regular park hours (which generally end at dusk). Commissioners asked about safety and pedestrian movement in the parking lot; Davis said organizers provide flashlights and volunteers to walk attendees to their cars and that a light from the nature center building provides some illumination to the lot.
Motion and outcome: Commissioner 4 moved to recommend the city council extend Sunfish Lake Park hours until 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2025 for the stargazing event; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners expressed general support for the community program while noting safety concerns about parking and pedestrian movement.
Why it matters: The event is a community program that has drawn interest in prior years; because it would occur after normal park hours, the commission's recommendation is required before staff may request a formal council action to temporarily extend park hours.
Next steps: Staff will forward the commission's recommendation to city council; event organizers and staff will coordinate safety measures and attendee limits if the council approves the hour extension.
Verdi Davis, introduced at the meeting as a program manager with the Saluenz Era interpretive nature center at Sunfish Lake Park, described a similar program held last year that capped attendance at 40 and finished around 9:00':30 p.m. "Last year, we did a little stargazing event and... we ended up cutting off at 40 people, so it became very popular," Davis said. She said the Minnesota Astronomical Society provided a presentation and that organizers use the presentation if clouds prevent viewing.
Staff noted the requested date and that the proposed event would run beyond regular park hours (which generally end at dusk). Commissioners asked about safety and pedestrian movement in the parking lot; Davis said organizers provide flashlights and volunteers to walk attendees to their cars and that a light from the nature center building provides some illumination to the lot.
Motion and outcome: Commissioner 4 moved to recommend the city council extend Sunfish Lake Park hours until 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2025 for the stargazing event; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners expressed general support for the community program while noting safety concerns about parking and pedestrian movement.
Why it matters: The event is a community program that has drawn interest in prior years; because it would occur after normal park hours, the commission's recommendation is required before staff may request a formal council action to temporarily extend park hours.
Next steps: Staff will forward the commission's recommendation to city council; event organizers and staff will coordinate safety measures and attendee limits if the council approves the hour extension.
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