Dayton Parks Commission recommends Elise Stevens Park master plan; cost estimate $17M–$20M

The Dayton Parks Commission voted to recommend the Elise Stevens Park master plan to City Council on Oct. 7, 2025, after a presentation from MSA consultants and discussion of a multi-phase design and funding approach.

An MSA presenter summarized a single consolidated draft concept that would reuse historic silo foundations, add a splash pad and a multi-level accessible play area, expand pathways and river boardwalks, create a kayak launch and build a central pavilion and enlarged amphitheater. "Overall, all the phases combined, we're estimating between just shy of 17 to $20,000,000," the presenter said, describing that range as estimates in 2025 dollars and noting that costs for historic-structure work are allowances that will require further architectural study.

Why it matters: the proposal would change Elise Stevens Park from a primarily local recreation area into a destination park for events and river access, adding parking, restrooms and performance capacity that city staff and commissioners said could attract larger concerts and generate rental revenue.

What the plan would include: the presenter described five geographic phases (A–E). Phase A — focused on the historic-silo area, splash pad and play features — carries an estimated price tag of about $5,100,000 (allowances included for structural repurposing). Phase B, which centers parking and integrated stormwater management near the amphitheater, was estimated at roughly $3,700,000. Phase C, covering pathways, boardwalks and interactive art, was given an estimate of about $1,100,000. Phase D (the Cloquet Overlook and a ‘‘ninja-style’’ ropes course) was estimated at $1,800,000. Phase E, the pavilion, was shown as the single largest ticket item; the presenter displayed a pavilion price range of about $5.2 million to $7.3 million depending on whether the building is an enclosed/heated structure or an open pavilion. Within that range, building costs were described as approximately $3,000,000 to $4,500,000 depending on finish and systems.

Design and capacity details cited in the presentation included roughly 117 parking spaces adjacent to the pavilion, an additional cluster of parking near the kayak launch, a proposed 7,000-square-foot pavilion with restrooms and concessions that could accommodate about 200 standing or roughly 120 seated, and an amphitheater stage enlarged from about 700 square feet to roughly 1,600 square feet.

Funding and next steps: commissioners and staff discussed grant-seeking, sponsorships and naming-rights as likely funding strategies. Staff noted a grant lead from 3 Rivers Park District that could provide up to about $500,000 for portions of the project; staff said it is not yet clear whether that grant requires a local match. The presenter and staff said contingency amounts in the estimates will likely decrease as designs are refined and that the city will pursue grants and potential corporate partnerships and naming opportunities.

Questions and concerns raised: commissioners asked about timing for replacement of existing playground equipment (staff said typical replacement cycles are 20–25 years and that the playground is on the CIP for replacement around 2028), safety and separation between the splash pad and play area, and whether the pavilion could be designed as an enclosed rental venue. On safety, the presenter said the play surface would be poured-in-place rubber surfacing (not loose-fill sand or engineered wood fiber), and that sight lines, a gabion wall and a seawall buffer would help reduce risk and keep sand away from splash equipment.

Public reaction during the meeting was largely positive. One commissioner praised the design’s unique touches, saying, "I think that's really, really unique," while another noted that sponsorship and donor naming could help reduce taxpayer burden.

Formal action: a commissioner moved to recommend the master plan to City Council and a second was recorded in the proceedings; the commission voted by voice to approve the recommendation and asked staff to forward the plan to council. (The transcript records the motion and a second but the label for the second speaker is not unambiguous in the record.)

What happens next: staff will transmit the commission’s recommendation and supporting materials to City Council for consideration; the commission asked staff to return budget projections and park-level maintenance implications for future meetings. The Parks Commission’s next meeting was set for Nov. 5.

Source: Dayton Parks Commission meeting transcript, Oct. 7, 2025.