Minnetonka launches Big Willow Park master plan, seeks broad community input

Park and trail project manager Matt Kumka told the joint Minnetonka Park Board and City Council study session that the city is "kicking off the master planning process for Big Willow Park" and will use a public engagement campaign to identify improvements for recreation facilities, accessibility and natural-resource restoration.

Kumka said Bolton & Menk are under contract to help develop outreach and that staff will collect feedback through the Minnetonka Matters website, tabling at tournaments and open-house events. He said the city plans to develop a draft plan across the fall and winter, post it online for public comment, and target final plan review and adoption in February or March.

Kumka highlighted key physical constraints: a raised railroad corridor that creates low-clearance choke points for the trail, large wetland complexes that limit trail placement and restoration in some areas, and recurring parking pressure during tournaments that fills lots and prompts enforcement signage. He said staff will prioritize accessibility and safety improvements "to make them more accessible, to improve the natural resources," and that outreach will include mapping exercises allowing users to drop pins on specific problem locations such as the steep grade to the bridge.

Council member Rebecca Schack said it would "be a miss to not consider opportunities for dog amenities," and Kumka confirmed the community work group identified a nearby parcel just west of Big Willow as an acre-plus opportunity for an urban-style dog park; staff said community feedback will determine whether the parcel is recommended as part of Big Willow or treated separately.

City Manager Mike Fung told the group the city is finalizing acquisition of an approximately 2-acre parcel adjacent to Big Willow and expects the closing "in the next 3 weeks," pending schedule alignment. Kumka said any recommended boundary changes or acquisition requests could be reflected in the master-plan recommendations brought back to the council.

The presentation stressed the plan will integrate the recently completed restoration and maintenance plan for Big Willow and use adaptive management strategies for natural-resource work. Staff encouraged broad participation, saying the outreach will include targeted engagement with active recreation groups and natural-resources volunteers to capture distinct user perspectives.

The study session concluded with staff reminders about a site tour to view the ball fields, trail corridors and wetlands directly.

The meeting included no formal votes on the Big Willow work; staff emphasized the plan-launch and outreach timeline as the immediate next steps.