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Parks & Recreation director highlights Sand Venture reopening, CAPRA review and improved cost recovery
Summary
Shakopee’s Parks & Recreation director reported a strong 2025 season for Sand Venture Aquatic Park, a 62% departmental cost‑recovery rate (compared with a national 27% average), CAPRA on‑site review, two new parks opened and a recent management restructure; staff said accreditation results will return later this year.
The Parks & Recreation Department presented its 2025 annual report to the council on May 5, highlighting the reopening of the renovated Sand Venture Aquatic Park, a push toward financial sustainability and an ongoing CAPRA accreditation review.
Staff said Sand Venture’s pricing restructuring and a promotional sales day produced strong season‑pass and punch‑card revenue; that single promotion generated roughly $117,250 in sales and helped the facility achieve an estimated 61% cost recovery for the 2025 season — a figure staff described as well above the national average for outdoor pools. The department also credited a concessions partnership with reducing staff time and improving visitor experience.
The department reported completing a departmental restructure in late 2025 that added an assistant director position and redistributed managerial responsibilities to improve coverage and succession. Staff said the restructure and new standard operating procedures have strengthened daily operations and cross‑training.
Park projects completed in 2025 include Jackson Commons Park and a Marystown dog agility course, with a formal Marystown opening and Bark in the Park event scheduled. Staff also reported an on‑site CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) review team visit; department materials cited roughly 96% compliance in the self‑assessment and staff said the final accreditation decision will be processed later in the year.
The director told council the department’s multi‑year target is a 75% cost‑recovery rate through strategic pricing, sponsorships and more efficient operations; in 2025 the department improved from ~51% cost recovery in 2024 to about 62% in 2025.
Councilmembers asked for comparative information on peer agencies and staff said they would follow up with benchmarking details and return the CAPRA report to the council when it is finalized.
The council received the report and thanked staff for the operational improvements and programming efforts.
