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Forest Lake staff propose Bayview Park redesign; commission asks for targeted outreach on playground and court options
Summary
Public Works Director Dave presented a Bayview Park concept and budget update, recommending moving the playground to a drier north location and leaving the old basketball court as green space pending neighborhood outreach; staff will mail residents and report back in January.
Public Works Director Dave told the Forest Lake Parks & Recreation Committee on Nov. 19 that staff have refined a concept for Bayview Park and want community input before final design and an RFP.
"If you look on the staff memo, it started our initial budget of $450,000 and just adding in all the things that staff would recommend and a majority of the commission recommended, we could up to about $207,000," Dave said, describing additional items and price ranges. He recommended not reinstalling the basketball court now because a new court had recently been installed at Belts Park and suggested leaving the area as green space until residents weigh in.
Dave proposed moving the playground to a higher, north side of the park to avoid standing water that currently causes mulch to float after rain or spring melt. He estimated playground costs could be in the range of $100,000–$150,000 and said adding a basketball court could add roughly $35,000 if desired. Staff noted site work could include raising grades or adding drainage to address wet conditions.
Commissioners discussed alternatives for the former court area, including installing a Gaga ball pit (a lower‑cost, fenced octagonal play space), a privacy fence for nearby homeowners, or maintaining green space. Several commissioners said the two adjacent homeowners should be contacted directly before relocating the playground closer to their properties; staff agreed to personal outreach in addition to a neighborhood mailer.
On community engagement, staff proposed a mailer and an online option rather than a large open house, and said the plan is to report findings in January and then proceed to an RFP so construction could occur next summer. Dave said staff aim to keep a healthy contingency in the budget for unforeseen site issues discovered during bidding or construction.
The commission provided direction for outreach and confirmed the steering committee and staff will return in January with community input and a recommendation to proceed with procurement. No final design decision or budget appropriation was made at the meeting.
