Park board sends parks portion of CIP to council; earmarks $856,000 for Cullen Nature Preserve

The Minnetonka Park Board voted June 3 to forward the parks section of its draft 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan to the City Council, moving a multiyear funding package for Cullen Nature Preserve into the active plan.

The board approved the motion after staff explained revisions that converted previously ‘pending’ line items into active expenditures. The Cullen Nature Preserve Parking and Trails entry now shows $856,000 spread across the five‑year plan beginning in 2027. Park staff said that funding represents a phased approach that could enable initial safe access and trail work first, with additional features — formal parking, stormwater management, interpretive elements and a future boardwalk — added as funding and design proceed.

Why it matters: Cullen is a restored oak savannah and one of the city’s significant natural‑area investments. Friends of Cullen told the board they want a more complete buildout before opening the preserve to the public to protect sensitive habitat and set a clear management tone.

Gerald Gon, a nearby resident who identified himself as involved with the Friends group, said in public comment that the organization supports full funding but urged a shorter timeline: “We would rather wait. I don't want to wait five years, but we'd rather wait to open it. If it could hopefully be done within a two‑year period, most of it, then we can open it and feel like it's…set the tone.”

Staff presentation and board discussion Park staff described two implementation options: a phased opening that allows limited, controlled public access while additional features are built over several years; or delaying public opening until more of the master plan is constructed. Staff said phasing could open trails safely in 2027 while deferring higher‑cost items such as a boardwalk to later stages, and discussed working with finance and potential fundraising to accelerate elements.

Board members asked about accessibility, and staff said primary paved/accessible circulation would use crushed‑granite or similar materials to meet ADA needs. Staff also noted that project cost estimates are high‑level at the master‑plan stage and would be refined during design and bidding.

Other CIP details During the CIP review staff said they moved some park master‑planning items (Lone Lake, Meadow, Civic Center, Jadana) and a $200,000 Ridgedale Commons item into later years to free capacity for the Cullen line. Staff also outlined an ADA transition plan for the park system estimated at roughly $60,000–$80,000 spread over two years; they proposed seeding implementation with $10,000–$15,000 in the operating budget in 2027 rather than placing the full amount in the CIP immediately.

Next steps With the board’s vote, the parks portion of the CIP will be presented to the City Council for its first review on June 15 as part of the council’s study session schedule; formal adoption is expected later in the year after budget deliberations. Board members and staff plan follow‑ups on design details and to provide additional public information before construction decisions are made.

Vote: The motion to forward the parks CIP passed by roll call (Christy: yes; Schultz: yes; Samurski: yes; Kowalsski: yes; Chair Cher Ingram: yes).