StoryHeritage Park Building Rental Agreement and Fees

Corcoran approves Heritage Park rental fees and neighborhood park grant

The Corcoran City Council unanimously approved two park-related measures on August 21: a new rental agreement and fee structure for Heritage Park's building, and a grant application for a neighborhood park at 102nd Place. The decisions come as the city balances community demand for accessible facilities with concerns from nearby residents about park design.

Published Oct 26, 2026

The council voted unanimously to adopt a revised rental agreement for Heritage Park's building, which can accommodate up to 125 people. The new structure includes lower hourly rates than previously proposed, a 30% resident discount (up from about 12%), and weekend half-day rental options—a change commissioners said was essential after survey results showed strong public interest in shorter, more affordable bookings. Commissioner Schmidt argued that offering only full-day weekend rentals at $400 was too restrictive. Staff also agreed to add practical tools for renters, including photos of room layouts, kitchen facilities, and an exit checklist, along with clearer information about fire capacity and alcohol policies.

The council also unanimously approved submitting a grant application to Hennepin County for a neighborhood park at 102nd Place, though the proposal sparked significant community debate. Staff emphasized the plan is "incredibly preliminary and very conceptual." Residents from the adjacent Bellweather 55-plus community expressed concerns about noise, traffic, and parking, urging the city to prioritize quiet green space, walking trails, and nature features over high-activity amenities. Kevin Pomelo noted that the Bellweather community has nearly doubled in size since earlier surveys, suggesting outdated data should be updated.

Residents requested that park planning include community sessions before funding is finalized. Commissioner Schmidt indicated the city would maintain flexibility in how grant funds are used, suggesting modest covered gathering areas rather than large pavilions. The council acknowledged the need for further engagement with residents before finalizing the park's design, signaling that the preliminary concept will evolve based on community input.

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Votes (2)

Heritage Park Building Rental Agreement and Fees

Passed Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Schmidt [0:19:08] · Seconded by Hersburgger [0:19:15]

Staff presented survey results showing high interest in renting the Heritage Park building, with preferences for minimal staff involvement and full-day weekend rentals. Commission discussed the proposed fee structure, comparing it to other facilities and suggesting higher non-resident rates and more significant resident discounts. There was a strong call for weekend half-day options despite staffing challenges. Commissioners also requested the addition of fire capacity information, a clearer alcohol policy, and practical tools like an exit checklist and visual room layout photos for renters.

Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

Passed Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Schmidt [0:55:07] · Seconded by Hersburgger [0:55:12]

Staff presented a highly preliminary concept plan for a neighborhood park to leverage a grant opportunity. Public comment revealed strong opposition from residents of the adjacent 55+ community (Bellweather) to a high-traffic, amenity-dense park. Concerns included noise, increased traffic, insufficient parking, and incompatibility with the community's quiet nature. Residents advocated for a nature-focused park with walking trails, green space, modest gathering areas, and a veterans reflection garden, emphasizing a desire for direct involvement in the planning. Commission acknowledged the need for flexibility and further engagement.

Notable Quotes (10)

I'm Margie Dwe. I am new to Clark. I moved from Plymouth where I was on the Plymouth Parks and Reccks Commission for three years and I like to participate in my community and I live right across the street from the remodeled park hoping to contribute where I can.

— Margie Dwe [0:01:21]
Heritage Park Building Rental Agreement and Fees

My feedback I think even in the survey a lot of people would want to do like half days. So I think to me when I look at this it's hard to only offer full days on the weekend Saturday and Sunday. You got to pay $400. That's your only chance to get this building. Like to me, I know you're fighting the changeover, but I think I would highly prefer being able to like section off the weekend more and have more people have opportunity to use the space at a more reasonable price than having to commit to a whole day.

— Schmidt [0:07:34]
Heritage Park Building Rental Agreement and Fees

I think it's a little low of a rate for hourly for this nice building that holds 125 people. And I also think that there should be a bit more of a discount for the residents. think this is like a little over 10% or 12% discount for the day. I think if that's more like 30%. I think that makes more sense for helping residents as well.

— Schmidt [0:09:14]
Heritage Park Building Rental Agreement and Fees

I completely agree. I would also like to include a photo of the room layout to let people know exactly what it should look like, a picture of the kitchen to let they know what that should look like. I think providing a visual as well as helpful because if you get there and you move the stuff around a little bit, people are welcome to move the tables and chairs is at their discretion. Um, but it has to go back to the original layout.

— Staff [0:17:01]
Heritage Park Building Rental Agreement and Fees

I want to note this is incredibly preliminary, very conceptual. The major reason for this is that we did hear from the parks and trails commission that there was interest in developing the uh neighborhood park off of 102nd place sooner rather than later.

— Staff [0:20:55]
Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

I would ask that when you're making decisions about the amenities that will go into this park that you do consider the fact that it is a 55 plus community. Um, I I think we could have a park that has more green space, more walking trails, bike trail, whatever benches along the way to for people to sit in. Um, there's wetlands in that area. There could be some kind of a nature trail along the wetlands.

— Lucia Stamp [0:28:43]
Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

requested the park planning the park the that the park planning include bellweather community sessions where residents can express their needs and concerns before funding is sought and a plan is approved.

— Ray Stlea [0:32:00]
Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

Many residents have said to me um that they want green space, which has already been mentioned before, but they want a green space that provides serenity and tranquility. And as we get older, we want that peacefulness.

— Bernie Powers [0:38:39]
Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

Um, if the survey was done a couple years ago or a year and a half ago, the size of the community has nearly doubled in that time frame. So, there's a potential having missed was 500, we'll be about 5, we're just under 500 homes right now. About 514 and um So if it was done a year a year year and a half ago, you're missing probably a third of the current population inside of Belmont.

— Kevin Pomelo [0:41:26]
Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

I think flexibility at this point is where I would as long as we have flexibility how that grant could be applied. I like the idea of covered places people can sit but not giant pavilions but I think it does it's helpful to hear feedback from the community on what that would look like.

— Schmidt [0:48:00]
Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

Ordinances & Resolutions (5)

Heritage Park building survey reservationPlan

Proposal for the rental agreement and operational policies for the new Heritage Park building.

Henepin County Youth Activities GrantGrant

Funding opportunity for projects impacting youth, specifically the 'play area grant' being pursued for the 102nd Place park.

Comp planPlan

City's comprehensive plan outlining where parks are designated, influencing land dedication or cash-in from developers.

National Service DNR grantGrant

One of the grants awarded for the Heritage Park project, currently in the reimbursement process.

HUD moneyGrant

Federal funds received for the Heritage Park project, also part of the reimbursement process.

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  • Henepin County Youth Activities Grant Application for Neighborhood Park (102nd Place)

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