Council directs staff to proceed with Lost Lake Commons signs after edits to bay names and QR landing

Brian Simmons, Fulton & Menk consulting city engineer, presented proposed interpretive and wayfinding signage for the new Lost Lake Commons Park and asked the council for feedback before the contractor orders the signs.

Simmons showed four map wayfinding panels and four interpretive panels that include historical maps, photos and information about stormwater best-management practices. He said the sign program is intended to be durable, legible and supplemented by a QR code linking to a parks‑and‑amenities landing page.

Council discussion centered on content edits and local place names. Council members asked that the phrase "West Tonka" be replaced with "Mound Bays" and debated whether to include "Carmen's Bay" (some members said Carmen’s is not part of Mound and suggested removing it or replacing it with another local bay such as Dutch Lake or West Arm). The parks commission member and staff agreed to verify historical notes and suggested small layout edits to accommodate changes.

Councilor discussion also raised a question about whether Lost Lake docks are a permitted fishing place; staff noted existing signage and suggested that a separate policy or future discussion could address fishing restrictions.

The council made a motion "to direct staff to move forward with the signage in Lost Lake Commons for the interpretive signs as presented and amended." The motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: Staff will implement the requested edits, check historical notes with the local historical society, confirm any additions (Dutch Lake/West Arm) as appropriate and proceed with ordering and installing the signs; foundations already are being prepared and staff estimated signs could be delivered and installed in the coming month(s).