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Commission approves moving forward on Ridge Park playground replacement using allocated CIP funds
Summary
After neighborhood comments and extended debate about parking, accessibility and teen amenities, commissioners approved replacing the Ridge Park play structure using already-allocated CIP funds for 3–5 and 6–12 age groups; parking-lot improvements and additional amenities were discussed for later CIP cycles.
The Lake Elmo Parks Commission voted to move forward with replacing the Ridge Park play structure using funds already allocated in the city's capital improvement program. The approved concept covers play features for combined ages 3–5 and 6–12, with the explicit intent to consider additional teen amenities in a later phase.
Adam, the parks staff lead, told commissioners the existing Ridge Park structure is reaching the end of its useful life and ‘‘would likely be removed in 2026’’ because spring water and heaving have started to expose concrete and create safety concerns. He said parking-lot improvements would be a separate CIP item likely scheduled for 2027, and that other amenities could be added in 2027–29 depending on future planning and funding.
Neighbors spoke during public comment. Dave Dressel (1743 Ivory Ave. N.), vice president of a local association, urged caution on site changes and flagged traffic and parking as top concerns: ‘‘the traffic flow on that road out in front is horrific,’’ he said, and recommended keeping any new parking modest (‘‘10 to 15’’ stalls) and preserving natural, low-cost features like wildflower plantings.
Commission discussion focused on four staff criteria for replacement decisions: park classification, redundancy/proximity to other playgrounds, alternative amenities (for example disc golf), and neighborhood demographics. Commissioners debated whether Ridge Park’s neighborhood setting and nearby access made a playground appropriate or whether alternative amenities or reduced parking would better serve neighbors. Several commissioners said they favored keeping a playground but wanted to minimize impacts on natural areas and avoid oversized parking footprints.
A first motion to proceed with a playground replacement concept (as originally proposed) failed on voice vote. Commissioners then approved an amended motion to replace the structure using the already-allocated CIP funds with the intent to consider teen amenities in the future. The approved motion was seconded and carried on a subsequent voice vote. Staff said the CIP currently lists roughly $125,000 for the play feature and container; staff will return with design examples and sequencing details for parking and later amenities.
Next steps: staff will prepare playground concept examples for the approved age ranges and coordinate any future CIP requests for parking or teen amenities; commissioners encouraged neighborhood outreach and use of grant opportunities where feasible.
