Edina Parks Commission Reviews Summer Programs, Plans Aquatic Center Upgrades
The Edina Parks and Recreation Commission received updates on summer 2025 programming and learned about major facility improvements planned for the aquatic center in 2026, including a filter room replacement project to meet state health requirements.
At its October 14 meeting, the Edina Parks and Recreation Commission heard reports on a successful summer season that saw 268 children participate in programs at Pamela Park alone, thanks to a new weekly registration model that replaced the previous full-season signup requirement. The change allowed families to pay only for the weeks they needed rather than committing to an entire summer.
The aquatic center at Edinburgh Park completed a 73-day season with more than 130 staff members, including 70 lifeguards. However, attendance dipped due to weather challenges, with six closure days in June costing an estimated $20,000 or more in daily revenue. Season pass sales continued a multi-year decline, though concession sales increased with more than 54,000 items sold. Staff are exploring new pass options, including family passes and August-only passes, to reverse the trend.
Major improvements are planned for the aquatic center in 2026, including a comprehensive filter room replacement project required for Minnesota Department of Health compliance. The existing equipment dates to 1958 and cannot accommodate modern filtration tanks. Additional upgrades include pool resurfacing, four new rental cabanas, and shade structure replacement. The season will also extend by one week due to changes in the school calendar.
The commission also provided feedback on proposed updates to the city code governing its role and responsibilities. The changes would shift the commission's stated purpose from operational oversight to a broader advisory function emphasizing quality of life, accessibility, and sustainability. One notable proposal would eliminate the school board representative position, which has sat vacant for approximately six years. Commission members requested language additions emphasizing collaboration with the community. The revised code is expected to go before the City Council by year's end.
Upcoming community events include a Halloween trick-or-treat trail on October 17 at Edinburgh Park, a pumpkin smash event November 1 at Countryside Park expecting 500 attendees, and a holiday weekend celebration at Centennial Lakes Park the week after Thanksgiving.
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Votes (3)
7.1 - Summer Recreation Programs and Special Events Update
Recreation Supervisor presented summer 2025 recap including shift to weekly registration model, participation statistics across multiple programs (Pamela Park 268 participants, Mini Nature Explorers 81, Traveling Teams 198), volunteer program with 12 volunteers and 116 applications, and 45 part-time program leaders. New programs included pint-sized safety camp (ages 4-6) and pilot morning soccer/tee ball for ages 3-5. Challenges included low enrollment at Weber Park (2-5 kids), Norman Dale, and Walnut Ridge locations. Upcoming fall/winter events include Halloween trick-or-treat trail (October 17 at Edinburgh Park), pumpkin smash and bash (November 1 at Countryside Park with 500 expected attendees), pop star party (November 8 at golf course), and second annual holiday weekend at Centennial Lakes (week after Thanksgiving with Wednesday-Saturday programming).
7.2 - Aquatic Center Operations and 2026 Facility Improvements
Aquatic Center General Manager reported 73-day season (June 5 - August 17, 2025) with 130+ staff hired including 70 lifeguards (64% retention rate). Total attendance was down slightly due to weather challenges (6 days closed in June, estimated $20,000+ daily revenue loss). Season pass sales declined (trend over multiple years), but concession revenue increased with 54,185 items sold. New initiatives included three member-only after-hours events (approximately 1,000 attendees total), birthday budge program with special tubes and wristbands, and expanded concession menu. Facility improvements completed: zero-depth pool gutter grading replacement, locker room lighting improvements, and two new diving boards ($13,000 donation). Successful partnerships rekindled with dining kids club and summer daycare. For 2026: filter room replacement project underway (Minnesota Department of Health compliance), pool sandblasting and repainting, plunge pool diamond plaster coating, four new rentable cabanas, shade structure replacement, and one-week season extension due to school schedule changes. Staff exploring new pass options (family pass, August-only pass) to address declining season pass sales.
7.3 - Park and Recreation Commission City Code Update
Staff presented proposed updates to city code sections defining the Park and Recreation Commission's role, duties, and membership. Changes include: (1) Updated purpose language shifting from narrow operational focus to broader vision of enhancing quality of life and community well-being, with explicit mention of accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability; (2) Clarified duties condensed from descriptive paragraph to five numbered lists, emphasizing advisory role to city council rather than program implementation or management; (3) Proposed removal of school board representative position from commission membership (position has not been actively filled for approximately 6 years); (4) Retention of commission's ability to recommend recreation programs and activities. Commission provided feedback requesting: (1) Addition of 'collaborative' and 'responsive' language to duty #3 regarding community needs; (2) Clarification in duty #4 that natural resource advice relates specifically to park properties, park land, or park assets (not private properties or broader city climate initiatives). Staff indicated proposed changes will be finalized by end of 2025 and presented to city council.
Notable Quotes (11)
We shifted to a model of weekly registration. We used to be registered for the full season. But we're finding that that was actually kind of a little bit more on them and even for families because they maybe only wanted to use one or two weeks but not pay for eight weeks in the summer.
We serve 268 unique participants. So had we gone to that full summer model, we would have never led 268 kids in for the summer. Do you know what I mean? So this way we were able to capture a lot more participants throughout the summer with allowing them to kind of register for the weeks that they want.
We have to cancel a program at one of the parks for lack of participation. Do you offer away from those folks to get into a different program?
So like with the park program we would like offer whatever other morning programs. And even if those were full, we would still say, hey, would you contract for your registration into those other programs?
In June, we had six days that we were closed in June. That's potentially at least $20,000 a day in revenue that we're missing out on. Two days it was 55 degrees and 15 mile an hour winds. Nobody's coming to be a product that had been.
The search tanks that we need would not fit into the 1958 space that we have. That was the need to get all of that area. There was also some structural deterioration in there that needed attention as well.
I feel like that's an issue we run into, as we're limited to bringing people to the power pass. It'd be nice if you had a flex pass, like we could just bring any of our kids' friends.
We've been on the high end of pricing. Our daily admission at $14 has been on the high end. Others are catching up to us now. Our season pass prices have been also on the high end.
I think they did a great job and it's clear. It's much more concise and to the point. But one thing I thought on number three just as a comment. Is that recommended recreation programs and activities that means the needs of the community. I thought two things were missing that I think that our commission does is that it is intended that we're collaborative. That we work with the community and with our representation are our work.
When it says to advise related. It buys on issues related to natural resources while like management preservation of natural areas. Should there be a caveat on that that is within the part of that system? I mean I think that would go without saying but I think for future to say. Maybe we need areas that are not going to be part of that.
Can we visit revisit the membership discussion again regarding in particular the school board. The reason I bring that up with what's going on. Would it be helpful to have somebody connected in. Not as a member of this commission because we're dealing directly with the athletics department.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
Proposed updates to city code sections defining the Park and Recreation Commission's purpose, duties, and membership. Changes include shift from operational to advisory role, updated language on accessibility and sustainability, and proposed removal of school board representative position.
New policy for boards and commissions effective January 1, 2026, establishing procedures for remote meeting participation with technology deployment and testing requirements.
Approved city council project to replace the aquatic center's filter room to achieve Minnesota Department of Health compliance, including replacement of search tanks, mechanical equipment, pool resurfacing, and addition of four new cabanas.
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Other Topics from This Document
Aquatic Center Operations and 2026 Facility Improvements
City Code Update for Park and Recreation Commission
Remote Meeting Participation Policy
Adaptive Open Golf Tournament
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