Maplewood staff propose 2026 court and playground upgrades; Coleman playground delayed pending soil testing

At the Nov. 19 Maplewood Parks and Recreation Committee meeting staff outlined 2026 capital priorities and asked the commission whether to direct staff toward replacing deteriorated courts and progressing playground work after site investigations.

Staff said the city's annual playground ratings, tracked in the Cartograph asset‑management system, drive reinvestment and prioritize replacements. Edgerton, Western Hills and Pleasant View appeared on the list of parks needing future attention; staff noted a recent $10,000 slide replacement at Edgerton but said the full playground and its pea‑gravel surfacing will require a larger joint effort with the school district because the school relies on that playground during the day.

Coleman Park soil testing: safety review and timing Staff reported Coleman Park's planned playground remains on hold while the city applies to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) program. Phase 1 review found portions of the park were used as a local dump in the 1960s, though "no evidence of environmental releases was observed during the on‑site assessment," staff said. A small methane detection in initial testing was "far below what the MPCA would even look at," staff said. The city completed one round of soil sampling in October and expects a second round during the heating season, with results due in December or January; staff emphasized the city wants to follow VIC guidance before installing new play equipment.

Courts and CIP funding Staff described renewed community interest in tennis and pickleball and proposed redoing the 4 Seasons tennis courts (two courts) with multiuse striping and adjustable nets. The parks CIP contains a $200,000 line for park upgrades (courts, fields, aging playgrounds); staff proposed directing that line toward 4 Seasons in 2026 and possibly using remaining funds to address Coleman contingencies if bids and testing allow. Staff cautioned bids could change after the new year and any capital action would still require council approval.

Ice rinks, warming houses and community programming Staff also outlined warming‑house locations (Afton Heights, 4 Seasons, Gethsemane and Wakefield), said the rinks typically open around Christmas depending on weather and noted staff are preparing facilities and schedules for pop‑up winter events, a planned public‑safety skate event in February and occasional snowshoe pop-ups when snow depth permits. Residents suggested pilot conversions of some rink footprints to multiuse surfaces (concrete bottoms) to allow summer pickleball or other programming; staff said concrete would increase year‑round utility but also complicate future removal and that funding would be a key constraint.

Budget highlights Staff summarized 2026 allocations discussed in the CIP: $200,000 for park upgrades to existing parks, $250,000 for picnic shelters, $1.2 million phased work on Harvest Park, $575,000 to begin Hazelwood master planning (including potential playground work), $300,000 for Nature Center boardwalk replacement and $50,000 for open‑space improvements.

Next steps and committee response Commissioners expressed no objections to staff’s proposed direction for 2026 and asked staff to continue with bids, finalize testing at Coleman and return with cost estimates and timeline options; any capital spending would require city‑council approval.