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Commission hears updates on Stevens Park master plan, irrigation and canoe/kayak launch permitting
Summary
Councilman Slaneyuk and parks staff updated the commission on the Stevens Park master-plan steering committee, ongoing irrigation installs and permitting delays for a canoe/kayak launch that now requires MPCA clearance in addition to Army Corps sign-off, likely shifting major work into 2026.
Councilman Slaneyuk told the Dayton Parks Commission on June 3 that the Stevens Park master-plan steering committee recently met with consultant MSA and that the planning process will be lengthy. “Very good meeting, I thought. The only downer is it's gonna be a long process,” Councilman Slaneyuk (S4) said.
Parks staff (S5) gave a detailed status update on multiple projects. Staff said irrigation work is nearly finished at LC Stevens Park, crews are finishing pipeline work at River Hills and will move to Iron Gardens and Hayden Hills next. For the canoe/kayak launch, staff said they received Army Corps of Engineers sign-off but must also obtain a permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) because the site lies on the Mississippi River in an area of special interest; that additional permitting is expected to delay major construction, with staff estimating the work will likely not reach the “big part” until August and full completion now forecast into 2026.
Staff also reported the DNR remains engaged on a separate boat-landing study and that park improvement work at Braeburn has begun (silt fence and site clearing) but was slowed temporarily by rain. On irrigation technology, staff said new systems use smart sensors tied to weather forecasts, can be operated via phone and will be piloted on new sections before being rolled out more widely.
Commissioners asked for more clarity about the vacancy/appointment process for commission seats and suggested better website advertising of openings; staff said they would follow up with administrative staff to expedite posting. The commission set its next meeting for July 1, 2025.
Next steps: staff will continue coordination with MSA and permitting agencies, monitor MPCA and Army Corps processes for the canoe/kayak launch, complete Braeburn site work as weather permits and return with procurement or permitting updates as needed.
