Minnetonka City Council — Transcript

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Big Willow Park Master Plan

Park Project Updates

Notable Quotes (6)

The goal of these master plans is to identify potential park improvements based on what we're hearing from the community, those community groups that use these particular parks. We want to um prioritize what investments we want to make to modernize the park facilities, to make them more accessible, to improve the natural resources, the general goals of and mission of our park improvement plan.

Matt Kuma/park and trail project manager [0:05:43]
Big Willow Park Master Plan Kickoff

One thing that is conspicuously absent, I think, from kind of the opportunities, and I think it would be a a miss to not consider opportunities for dog um, amenities considering, you know, we're really looking at master planning as that opportunity.

Rebecca Shack/council member, ward two [0:18:24]
Big Willow Park Master Plan Kickoff

The council did approve the purchase of a parcel and then if someone's got the mouse can maybe reflect that up there. That's right. As Matt discussed, uh, the city owns right to the left of the mouse, this mouse, the city owns property where there's a parking lot and then we have the big willow that you see outlined. There is a it's about a twoacre parcel of property there that the city is looking to acquire. Uh, our closing is in the next three weeks.

Mike F/city manager [0:23:05]
Big Willow Park Master Plan Kickoff

So the goal would be to tear that building down and look at options to develop a park on that corner, a significant business corner, very high visibility corner um with a skateboard park being one of the key features.

Matt Kuma/park and trail project manager [0:27:54]
Park Project Updates

I think Opus is going to be a real challenge because, as you said, Matt, it's a labyrinth. I know people who won't drive into there, let alone go in and use a park there. It's just going to be really difficult. And for residents, they need the messaging that that's a welcoming area.

Kimberly Wilburn/council member, at large B [0:35:46]
Park Project Updates

Opus Park development is primarily aimed at residents that are living there... And so, first and foremost, it's building a park for residents that are currently living there and for future residents. As we go through this planning effort, I think part of the process in the public engagement is what type of amenities is it? Yes, first and foremost for the residents living there.

Mike F/city manager [0:40:50]
Park Project Updates

Ordinances & Resolutions (10)

Big Willow Park master planPlan

The current subject of a master planning process to identify potential park improvements.

Post plan processProcess

Background framework guiding the goals of master plans, aiming to identify potential park improvements.

Public engagement planPlan

Being developed with Bolton and Bank engineers for Big Willow Park to collect community feedback.

Restoration and maintenance plan for Big WillowPlan

Recently created plan looking at target plant communities and strategies for natural resource improvement in Big Willow Park.

Minnetonka Matters websiteWebsite

Online platform to be used for public outreach, updates, and surveys for park planning processes.

Natural Resources Master PlanPlan

Adopted in 2021, it identified parks for developing habitat restoration and maintenance plans.

Habitat restoration and maintenance plansPlan

Park-specific plans focused on habitat restoration, outlining strategies for staff and consultants, to be reviewed by the park board.

CIP (Capital Improvement Program)Program

Program used to identify and schedule parks for habitat restoration and maintenance plans.

Feasibility studyStudy

Conducted a couple of years ago, identified Glen Lake Park as a potential location for a skateboard park.

Facilities studyStudy

Conducted a couple of years ago, identified the Glen Lake activity center as a potential for removal.

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Minnetonka City Council - Minnetonka Recorder