Dayton City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Commercial Development Impact on Park Access
Band Shell Construction Update
Snowmobile Trail Corridor Planning
River Hills Park Improvement Ideas
Park Fund Balances and Community Program Updates
Votes (3)
Citizen Concern: Commercial Building Traffic Impact on Dayton Farms Park Access Corridor
Eric Suppold, a citizen, expressed serious concerns regarding a commercial maintenance building approved by City Council on Sundance Golf Course. He stated that its operational traffic will now route through the Dayton Farms Park Access Corridor, a residential street that children and families cross to access the recently completed Phase 1 of Dayton Farms Park. He highlighted that this decision contradicted opposition from over 20 families and 140 petition signatures, arguing it introduces non-harmonious commercial impacts and safety concerns less than a year after park construction. He urged the commission to voice these concerns to city staff and council. Commissioners acknowledged the validity of the concern and requested an update from staff/council at the next meeting.
Snowmobile Corridor Planning and Access Preservation
Steve Hoy of the Elm Creek Snow Cruisers and Northwest Trails Association discussed the critical need for preserving and establishing snowmobile trail corridors due to ongoing development. He emphasized maintaining access to open farmland and exploring a trail around French Lake. He outlined existing connections to Elm Creek Park and suggested a new corridor from the power line at 117th north to the park. Steve expressed a strong desire to collaborate with the city and Three Rivers Park District to ensure long-term access, particularly for events like the vintage ride-in at Leo Dean farm. Marty (Staff) committed to discussing snowmobile trail opportunities with Three Rivers Park District's representative and scheduling a joint meeting on October 6th.
River Hills Park 1.5-Acre Parcel Improvement Discussion
Marty (Staff) initiated a discussion on potential uses for an undeveloped 1.5-acre parcel in River Hills Park, currently just mowed grass. Ideas explored by commissioners included creating a nature area with prairie grasses and birdhouses, a skate park, painted court games like four square/hopscotch, a synthetic golf putting/chipping green, mini sports fields (soccer/football/baseball), or a dog park. Concerns were raised about connectivity to existing trails, limited parking, potential noise complaints from nearby residents (especially for a dog park), maintenance burden, and overall cost. The ongoing park amenities study was referenced as a crucial tool to inform future decisions and ensure a diverse range of park offerings across the city.
Notable Quotes (12)
city council recently allowed a commercial maintenance building on an area of Sundance Golf Course that will now route its associated operational traffic through the Dayton Farms Park Access Corridor.
The building's access road will connect to a residential street, the very street kids and families will need to cross to access the park.
Is this really the type of planning we should be okay with in regards to strategic integration of trails and city parks into our residential neighborhoods?
I know. I'd like to know, too, because that is a big concern. Yeah. It's a very valid concern, especially with the new park.
our biggest, one of our biggest issues is just maintaining access to all the open farmland that still exists throughout Dayton.
Ditches suck. I'm sorry, but it's you put us in a ditch and it's there's so much utility work in ditches nowadays... farm fields are our favorite. Park is our favorite.
What I'd like to do is try and get some kind of a a big plan of where you're already going in day and what the other options are.
So, I will talk with um Kelly um from Three Rivers Park District and, you know, ask her that, you know, to bring some stuff about, you know, opening up a snowmobile trail and see what they're see what they can bring to the table.
It was never designated as anything other than a circular trail. Um, it's about an acre and a half... there's been some questions asked by staff if there's a a bigger and better use for that for that area.
I mean, we could do a synthetic putting green over there. That to me would be the coolest thing for the neighborhood because then you guys have no more maintenance. People can come over, chip, putt, grab a beverage, let their kids play, whatever it may be.
You'd need another full-time position or hire clean up the poop.
Mhm. And I so tying in with that um we did put the RFP out for the amenities study and we did um score that out. I think we had six six respondents to that. Um we'll be doing interviews with them I think next week. Um and so you know once that comes back we'll figure out that could figure into what we put where as well. That would be a big guiding factor. um whe you know we don't have to do this now. It was just something that came up and you know I thought I'd bring it to you guys you know um but maybe the the park study informs us of what we want to put where but I do think that we need to have a variety of amenities. Um I don't want every park to have the same zipline the same slide the same this that you know basketball court you know right that kind of stuff. So I think variety is going to be something that we need to focus on.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Request for Proposal issued for a park amenities study, with interviews scheduled for the following week.
Documents related to the construction of the amphitheater/band shell, bids for which were opened today.
Maps of current and proposed snowmobile trails shared by Steve Hoy with the commission.
Mentioned in the context of the Northwest Trails Association's organizational structure and funding.
A summer community activity program for which an update on usage numbers was requested.