Roseville accepts donation and greenlights feasibility study for nature play area at Harriet Alexander Nature Center

Roseville’s Parks and Recreation director outlined plans Feb. 23 for a potential nature‑play addition at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center and asked the council to accept a donor-funded feasibility study and authorize an RFP.

Matt Johnson said the visitor center sits on 52 acres in Central Park, draws more than 10,000 visitors annually and relies heavily on volunteers. After touring successful nature‑play installations and consulting with HKGI and peers in other counties, staff concluded a tailored, site‑sensitive design is possible. Johnson said the project’s cost could range from a few hundred thousand dollars for largely natural elements up to about $1 million if infrastructure or expanded ADA access and parking are required. He also said author John Robertson Smith has pledged $500,000 toward the project although staff would accept only the Central Park Foundation donation now to fund the study and not yet accept larger pledges until the study defines project scope.

Council approved the motion to accept the donation and to issue a request for proposals for the feasibility and planning study unanimously 4–0. Public commenters praised the idea but urged the city to consider acquiring and preserving an adjacent parcel on County Road C to avoid incompatible development and protect sight lines. Staff noted that the adjacent parcels are currently low‑density residential and that any rezoning would require council action (four‑fifths vote if comprehensive plan change is needed).

Johnson said the study would guide grant applications (including a Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Grant that matches up to $500,000) and that construction could proceed as early as late 2027 if funding and approvals align.