[Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] 5:30. So, I'll call the meeting to order. Uh just a background again I think most people familiar this is not a normal meeting it's a study session so about the only official thing we do is go for introductions at the very end I think the only motion we allow is for adjournment um and uh with that if there are any public people here uh we don't have public input today but they're certainly welcome to be here tonight so with that um we'll start with introductions we'll start Lesie, just go around the table or and in the back row. >> Yes. Thank you, sir. Leslie Yetka, natural resources manager in public works. >> Kelly OD, recreation director. >> Mike F, city manager. >> Miranda Domin, assistant city manager. >> Katie Samurski, park board. >> Caleb Schultz, park board. >> Cory Vitali, park board. >> Jennifer Christie, park board. >> Anna Hanley, park board. >> Brad Lman, park board. >> Dave Ingraham, park board. Brad Whissa, mayor. >> Rebecca Shack, council member, ward two. >> Oliver Mey, w three. Deb Calbert, at large, seed A. >> Kimberly Wilburn, at large B. Paty Foster, Wolton, Ward One. >> Darren Ellison, public works street and park operations manager. >> Matt Kuma, park and trail project manager. >> Sarah Westy, assistant recreation director. Sarissa Faulk, senior management coordinator. >> Uh, will Manchester public works director. >> Uh, Nate Thornton, citizen. >> Evan Almine, citizen. >> Thanks, Will. Uh we have about 30 minutes before we move off for our tour. We have two business items. Uh starting with the Big Willow Park master plan. Is that Leslie or Matt? >> That is Matt. >> Thank you. Good evening, Parkboard Council. Um, so this will be a dual effort here with Leslie advancing the slides, but I'd like to keep it short and sweet to some degree. So, we are kicking off the master planning process for Big Willow Park. Build Big Willow is one of our community parks. It's large and substantial. It's out the window from where we work over at public works. So, it's an exciting one uh to be taking on. And we will be going out there this evening as part of the tour to to lay eyes on it. So, a little bit of a reminder of the background through the post plan process. 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. Um, Big Willow was just recently begun. We are working with Bolton and Bank engineers um to develop a public engagement plan. Um, they recently performed a a wholesale conditions analysis primarily of the recreation side of the park. Um, we we are looking to collect feedback through an outreach and engagement process over the next few weeks, months or so to understand how people use the city and what potential improvements they would be interested in seeing. So, some of the key features as you'll see this evening, there is a very substantial legacy baseball, softball, and soccer complex adjacent to the public works. Um, very highly used, a variety of of ball or organizations out there. There's um men and women's league, there's softball, casual league, there's little leaguers, um there's a lot of Hopkins leagues that play on these fields. There are regional attraction style tournaments where there's legion age teams that come through. A lot of out oftowners come into uh this park to watch those games. So, it's really important from a active recreation standpoint just how long these fields have been around and how um much of a legacy they are as a part of the community in the side of town. There is an extensive trail network, footpath network through um the native plant community that's out there. There's been a substantial amount of volunteer restoration and contractor and staff restoration in that parks for decades at this point. Um it's really a beautiful creek corridor through there. It's the major park that highlights the Minihaha Creek. Um there's a beautiful bridge that needs some love um in that park. Um but otherwise it's a spectacular view of of the park of the creek and really it's its most beautiful form. Um there are numerous park entry points and parking opportunities throughout throughout the park which sort of represent both the opportunity and a constraint to some degree. We do have adjacency to regional trails. So a regional trail coming down Plymouth Avenue and then the regional trail just south of Minnetonka Boulevard. So there's adjacency to those key features. Um we recently created the restoration and maintenance plan for Big Willow. This is looking at the target plant communities. How would we um prioritize different strategies to perform that improvement? Are we hiring contractors? Are we leveraging our robust volunteer community or our staff doing the work that sort of lays out that process? This master plan will be beholden to the decisions that we've made in that restoration maintenance plan, making sure that those restoration goals are are sort of driving the decision- making. Um natural resources work is being contracted currently. So, we have a wonderful um selection of local contractors to be to continue the work that's been ongoing in the park, removing buckthornne, installing native seed mixes, all that work that comes with our restoration and maintenance planning. Um, and then again, we have this robust group of volunteers. We're getting into that buckthornne cutting season. So, sharpen your shears, everybody. It's time to get out there. >> So, again, high level look at Big Willow Park. You can see what they call the ball pin wheel on the east side of the park. That's where sort of a central hub of concessions and and um viewing areas for the ball fields. We have one um full-size field, allegiance style field in the northeast corner. That's the largest of the fields there. The others are little leaguer fields um adjacent to that one. And then those two closest to the railroad through the park are um essentially softball and adult adult league fields. Um moving to the west, there's a large wetland as most of our parks have large wetlands in them. Um and then a series of parcels that the city have acquired over the last few decades that used to be homes along the creek there and through significant effort of the city leadership, we've acquired and expanded the park um over recent decades. Um, I'd also like to note that there's a very key business district just west of here, Dairy Queen and Station Pizza among others, um, just west of here. So, thinking how this park can um, serve as an amenity to people visiting those commercial um, businesses there and what that connection could look like. Can we make that more uh, generally accessible and more welcoming for people who might be um, taking their time with their ice cream cone and wanting to take a walk a little bit? Um, next. So, opportunities would include this idea of in enhancing the sense of place in the ball fields, making sure that we're doing everything we can in terms of accessibility and general safety, getting from the parking lot to viewing uh your kids or your grandkids at the ball fields. Um, we want to certainly highlight and improve the natural resources, especially along the creek corridor. There's this concept in landscape ecology that uh something like a creek corridor is really such a substantial um value for the natural resources. So many animals and insects move up and down that creek corridor. So really leveraging how much shoreline essentially we have through this park and making sure that our restoration maintenance plan is being accomplished and being supported by this master planning goals. Um, there are some odd deadends in the trail system here, especially when we get to the next slide that there are some flooding issues that occur in the parks at times. The railroad is certainly somewhat of a of a significant barrier to some of our loop systems. So, can we use this master planning process to create more trail loops so you're not just heading in and out to some degree when the trails flood it in some key spots? So, what can we do to accomplish more um opportunities in terms of loops throughout the park? Um, as I mentioned, there are some turf grass parcels that were home sites on the south side of the creek. So, what can we do with those? What community amenities are we potentially missing out on that would make sense in those parcels? And then general connectivity to the business district um just west along Minnotonka Boulevard through here. So, constraints include the railroad corridor. So, it is above grade essentially. It's a big human-made infrastructure piece. The trains still run through that area. Um, there are some significant barriers. There's a choke point where the trail can only get under a fairly low bridge under the railroad there. So, that'll offer some challenges in terms of what the trail system can do through there. um were noodling with the idea of some additional boardwalk, which was one of the goals in the post plan to accomplish some more trail loop systems through there. So, you could essentially walk loops on either the north side or the south side of the railroad um overpass. There are large wetland complexes. This limits our availability for trails. Um and it it somewhat limits our ability to do natural resources restoration because wetlands are very challenging um to do full-scale restoration. We we tend to focus on the upland areas. So there are some limitations in terms of the wetlands and there are what we've heard and what we understand from looking out the windows is there are significant demands on the parking at the ball fields at times. There are big tournaments that occur there. Those lots fill. we have to put signs asking people to stay off our grass, which sometimes doesn't get listened to. Um, so there are certain challenges there. What we can do about it, we're not quite sure yet, but we want to make sure that we're hearing from the community and trying to um upgrade the facility as much as possible when it comes to the parking needs. So, outreach engagement is just being planned at this point. Um throughout the fall and into the winter, we are going to be setting up and um pushing out the Minnotonka Matters website that'll have a timeline that'll have an opportunity for residents to sign up for updates. Um it'll also at some point have a survey. How are you using the park? How often? How far do you come to get to the park? Are you a resident of Minnetonka? Um those sort of questions. We're going to be tableabling in the park during key tournaments. We're sort of figuring out the best schedule to get as many, you know, eyes on our QR codes that direct people to Minnetonka Matters. So, we're getting as much survey results as we possibly can to help make these decisions. Um, we are going to be having openhouse events um potentially at local businesses as well as um you know, other facilities in the city. We might even be ending up having one here or having one at local churches. We're still determining where it could make sense to have some of those. Um we're going to do as much engagement with the surrounding residents. Uh there are significant community groups both the active w groups and then the natural resources facing community groups. So engaging with them. Um there's quite a bit of underrepresented groups in our outreach process that we're finding. We're working closely with our DEI folks to make sure that we're reaching out specifically to what, you know, I personally feel have been underrepresented in some of these outreach engagement opportunities in the past and making sure that those voices are are brought to the table as much as possible. Um there are, as I mentioned, lots of sports organizations um throughout there and they all have their little um boards and and decision-making folks. So making sure that we're engaging with them and and making sure they have plenty of opportunity to provide feedback early and often throughout this process. So draft plan development is into the winter at this year. We want to use this fall while we still have good daylight and folks out there um on the fields making sure we're using that for that outreach. Then the draft plan will start to be developed um later in the fall into the winter and that'll be put up on the Minnitonka Matters site to solicit feedback from the residents of the of the city. And then final plan review and adoption would be in that February March frame when we can hear back from leaders in the city, make adjustments as necessary, um see what we're hearing from the community in terms of response to that draft plan and adjusting where necessary. Um, but this is a really sort of exciting park to be doing this master planning on because it it's active wreck. It's natural resources. It's got the creek corridor in it. It sort of features a lot of the best characteristics of our park systems. Um, so it it gives us a chance to sort of tackle a bunch of processes, make sure we're doing things right. we're we're out, you know, reaching out to the community in all the right ways and getting that that feedback we need to help make the smartest decisions when it comes to using our resources appropriately and investing in our park system in the future in all the right ways. So, I think that's it. Questions or feedback for me? >> Yes, thank you for the presentation. One of the items that I had that you didn't address was that the grade going up to the bridge is very steep. Um I I I'm in this park every day. I live near the public works and in the winter time >> people cannot uh an able abled body cannot get up that hill. It's almost um borderline hazard. I I make it a challenge. I try to I try to get it I make it a challenge that I can do it. But um just want to make sure that that's also something that's been identified. >> Absolutely. So that's exactly the sort of input from park users that we're looking for in this process. We're going to do sort of a mapping exercise where people can drop pins about specific concerns in the park. And I'm sure we're going to get a lot of pins in that spot. I know it will. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, Rebecca. >> Thanks, David. Um, 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. Yep. >> So, is that something that's going to happen as a part of this? >> Absolutely. So, the community work group identified it's actually not part of Big Willow, but it's just to the west of it. It's called Creek Landing. >> Mills Landing >> with a gazebo, right? >> No, not even that far. So, >> just to the west. Yes, thank you. That parcel there. So there is a private residence um in between Big Willow and the particular parcel but the community work group did identify that particular area for a acre plus opportunity for a urban style dog park. There is parking right there. It's relatively level. It's from a natural resources perspective very degraded in terms of Buckthornne. Um so we're going to make it clear throughout this process that a community work group did identify this spot. community, give us your feedback, and then we'll be coming back with what we hear and and making the case. >> And I I was going to ask today and I ran out of time, but I don't know where we're at on that missing parcel. Um I don't even want to know. Um but the other piece that I would consider is do we then as a part of this master planning and future planning make that cohesively part of Big Willow >> so it's kind of one or you know how do we treat that those missing pieces? >> Yep. Uh, I think that would be similar to the the way we talked about the red barn site at Purgatory where, you know, we're constantly sort of piecing our parks together with um land acquisition. Um, so if that was to happen out of this process, ideally we'd be able to make that recommendation, expand the border, change the border of Big Willow or whatever park in the future to include those parcels. >> Other questions? >> Okay. I've got um the question I've got um I appreciate you noting um about you know connection to the uh commercial area in Minnetonka Mills because because I think that is a nice opportunity particularly given the answer to the previous question with the potential for a dog uh park facility there. Um, and I think I remember I mean walking along that after I blew the tire out of my bike and did not have did not have a patch kit. I was walking and I I was walking back by Mike's house and I managed to get him to give me a ride home. Um, but >> he walked past my >> Well, not by his house. He was leaving and I I flagged him down and well, he he waved to me and drove by and I and I and I called him and said, "Hey, you have 10 minutes? I really need I really need a ride. But anyway, um so I was walking so I was walking on, you know, from basically Big Willow West on Mitanka Boulevard and um you know and there is pretty much of a trail there, but I mean is there opportunity to enhance that and really kind of make that a corridor um for connection because I think that would really be a valuable enhancement to that whole area. >> Absolutely. So, our park planning folks that we're working with and discussions internally, it's not just about what's inside the park. It's what the borders of the park look like. It's how are we getting people off those regional trails just to the south here? How are we getting them welcomed into the park? How what's that streetscape like in front of the park that gets people safely across those intersections to the south and up and down that road where you're not, you know, always sort of glancing over your shoulder hoping that the car coming isn't looking at their phone, right? >> Um, you know, every opportunity we get where a park is intersecting or adjacent to a public roadway, we're looking at that comfort level, what that trail experience is like, what improvements can we potentially make. Thanks, Matt. >> Hi. >> Thank you, chair and mayor and council. Just two quick things uh to council member Shaq's question on the acquisition and perhaps even for the park board just a little bit of revisiting it history here. 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. So, we've had some challenges with getting some schedules aligned, but I think we're there now. So, we anticipate closure, we think, in the next three weeks. That's coming. So, that's just one item. And the second is um to make sure my services are available for all of you. So, if anyone is out with a busted tire, I'll be gladly to help pick you up and and other duties is assigned, but I will be I'm here to help anybody. >> Number in their uh contacts, and I recommend you do that. >> I just have one quick question. Um I really like what you describe, particularly the idea of looping. Um it's like two parks. Yeah, >> I'm talking about public outreach. I I have a feeling that there's a whole group that never goes west of the wetlands and the whole group never goes to the athletic fields. When you do the outreach, it's are you know, it's almost like you're going to have two separate things. You're plugged into that. >> I mean, we that's going to be the case moving forward where we have active wreck and then local trail users. So, we're customizing our surveys in ways that we're getting useful feedback from those particular user groups. Um >> it is all big willow but there are certainly different experiences in the park. So yes that's great park. Thanks. >> Yeah. Yes. And >> there are ball fields on the south side of Minnotonka B. Are those owned by the city? I've never been clear who owns those. And >> they are city park. That's Gilliam's fields. It's a separate park and they're primarily just those ball fields. That is not currently on the master plan schedule at this point because they are fairly straightforward and just active wreck ball fields. >> Okay. Thank you. >> More questions. Thanks, Matt. We'll go to the uh park project park project updates. >> Yes. Thank you, Chair Graham and and park board and council. Um we have a couple of updates to share and I'll just pull them up here. Um Matt is actually going to cover many of these and then I will hit on the last one and then I'll give you a little bit of information on the upcoming tour as well. >> Thank you. Good evening park board. >> Um related to the work that we're doing at Big Willow, we are master it's not quite a master plan but we are doing planning at Glen Lake Park and this is an a location that was identified in a feasibility study for a potential skateboard park a couple years ago now. So, we are working with Damon Farber Landscape Architects to begin to lay out the process to do this planning effort. Um, you'll also be reminded that it was um the Glen Lake activity center was identified as um uh potential to be removed um by a I forget the name of the study at this point, the facilities study a couple years ago now. Um 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. So again high level um process at this point relatively small contract with Damon Farber to get a sense of what the possibilities could look like up in a park like this and to perform some of that outreach and engagement. There is a a very again legacy ball organization at the Mighty Mightes field, the Optimus Fields there. So, coordinating with them, coordinating with other community users. There's a softball field to the east side. There's uh Christmas tree sales in the lot down there. Um so, trying to get a sense of um what park facilities, what what are we missing in the city and and would this be a location to to implement some of those? So, uh high level at this point, sort of just getting started on that outreach engagement. Um, but I can talk about it more when we get out there. Yes, more me. Uh, Opus area. So, a lot happening in Opus area with the light rail uh, coming in just a few years now potentially. I saw them testing it the other day when I was over at Pizza Luche, you know. So, before you know it, there'll be a train coming through Minnetonka. Um so we are looking at the trail network that has been in opus for decades at this point and making sure that it is easy to navigate that it's um safe in terms of lighting. So we are performing planning for wayfinding and lighting through the opus trail network. Um so we we are sort of getting our ducks in a row to do that electrical design work to understand what's exactly needed in terms of lighting throughout that trail system. And we do have concepts in place for wayfinding through the Opus area. So what um you know wayinding is needed in terms of pointing to the light rail or pointing to Shady Oak or where are we trying to get people? It is quite labyrinthike when you're riding around on those trail networks. So we need a very clear wayfinding strategy to to get folks around and make it generally more usable through that area. So we're kicking off that process. Also we are still planning the Opus Park. there um is a property owner just east of the light rail stop there. Um we're in talks with them about the city owning a portion of their property there. So what that is going to take is a little nebulous at this point but it's still our goal to have concepts for um an opus park before too long here working with that developer in the area. Ideally we'd have an understanding of what was going to happen prior to the train opening but that's not looking too good at this point um unfortunately. So, but another very significant park coming down the line. And finally, Ridgedale Wayfinding. So, um regional trails around the Ridgedale Mall. Um with the Ridgedale Commons Park in place now, those trails are seeing a lot of activity. Three Rivers Park is about to do some upgrades to um their regional trail on the south side of the park there. So um years ago it was identified that there there is a need for some way finding around that mall area to get people to and from local businesses to the Henipin County um library and that that government center there. So, we will be designing some wayfinding along um that key multimodal trail around the mall there, making sure we can get people safely around those busy areas >> as well as connecting to Meadow Park perhaps. And >> pointing to all the wonderful amenities we have in the city. >> I'll take the last one. So, if you recall in 2021, the city adopted the natural resources master plan. And in that plan, we identified a series of parks where the where we intended to develop what we call habitat restoration and maintenance plans. So these are really park specific plans just focused on habitat restoration. We have a target plan community that we know we're trying to restore too. It it basically outlines the general strategies that we want to use um for staff and consultants. And these plans are brought to the park board uh for review. Uh there we don't really like to adoption only because these plans change continually. We use what's called adaptive management strategies. So there's we can't it's hard to really say in a plan and be really prescriptive. So we want to make sure that we're constantly reviewing our plan and updating our plan as needed. So in this uh CIP capital improvement program we have identified parks and we have a list of parks we're working through. And the next four parks are Civic Center, Victoria, Evergreen, Kinsel, and Minnetonka Mills Park, which is west of the, you know, the Dairy Queen area on Station Pizza. And so those will be uh coming to the park board um probably later this year. And the intent is that we can get those completed so we can start getting the contracts in place to actually do the work, which ideally will start in the winter when the ground is frozen. So So that's that. So, those are what we have for updates. >> Any questions? Yeah. >> So, I was had a conversation with some residents re recently that were adamant that Ridgdale Commons was not getting any use, that the people from Avidor don't use it, that there's never anyone there. That >> That's interesting. >> That that's um I tried to say I don't think that's quite the case, but they were they were they were sure. So, um I'm just wondering like do we know how much use Ridgale Commons is getting? Is it under or is it less than we were hoping for? Just sort of what is that status? >> Well, I know with the farmers market moving out that certainly has affected the numbers. I don't know that we necessarily track visitor amounts. Um, we would have to review camera footage and and do some traffic counts of some sort to try to get a sense if if we feel like that information would be useful. Anecdotally, I often see folks there, but that's anecdotally. I can maybe add on council member Wilbur. You know, with the farmers market moving, yes, that was, you know, a good chunk of people on Tuesdays, but we have been um, you know, trying to program that more often than not. And so we've tried a number of different events out there, programs out there. Um, you know, the general users I'm not sure about, but we definitely have made sure we're trying to actively program that area out there. >> Thank you for the presentation. It's really helpful. This is more of a comment and an observation. 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. And unlike Big Willow, which is so accessible because of Minnetonka Boulevard, people aren't going to go to Opus. Um it's and and if we're going to create a park there and spend the time and effort, we need to message very differently on that in my opinion. >> Absolutely agree. Part of the reality is in that Opus area, there's a lot of new housing. There are a lot of apartments that and new residents to the city of Minnetonka down there. Um, so we have to make sure that their sense of place is there for them. They know how to get around on that trail network. So, not just the folks that have recently moved in and are potentially new owners in in Minnatonka and plan on using the light rail at some point, but um, future residents of the city being able to get through there. Yeah, the wayfinding and navigating through there and the one-way streets, it's it's a challenge. have a question. >> So, so on the Opus as well, I I agree. I actually my mom worked there as a new driver and it was very frightening. Um, I still did it, but it was a very uh scary experience driving in there. Um, any update on the Timberwolves? I had heard at one point that they and I kind of watched the news and listen on the side if they're moving forward or have any design plans that the city's reviewed for potential arena moving what to Opus. >> I haven't seen anything come through the city, but I did see a publicly available list of potential sites and that was on there. That's as far as I've seen it get. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Sure. >> Yes. >> Um I've got a comment too on the on Opus because um you know clearly Opus is going through a lot of change and Mike and I today attended um a kickoff meeting um for talking about improvements to Highway 7 um with a co coalition of cities. And one of the points that was made in the meeting was that, you know, um, we're talking about the way Highway 7 is now, but these improvements, um, chances are none of us will be in the roles we have now. Certainly I won't be, um, uh, when any of these things are implemented. And the issues that we're going to face in, you know, 10 to 15 years down the road when these changes take place are significantly different. And I think if if I look at opus based on the experience I've had in the past, you know, the future is going to be dramatically different. I mean, the point on housing is significant. Um, but you know, there there will be, you know, light rail is going to bring a lot of people there both in and out. Now admittedly um light rail has taken its lumps um and it may not be as big as we hope it would be on day one but but that that is an amenity that's going to be around for a hundred years and um that is going to drive traffic. So the opus we're talking about um is not has very little in common with what's there today. this a very futureoriented thing and clearly people who live there um are going to need amenities and um other than the trail system there aren't a lot of amenities there. So so I think we have to kind of take our blinders off and say you know what we really have to be future oriented because we're talking the next 10 to 20 years and 30 years down the road. I have one. I think it's a comment and and maybe it can get relayed to Julie as well, but there is just like this Ridgedale tiny little missing piece of sidewalk in front of US Bank that I've received some comments from neighbors about. Um because if you are headed to say Fork or one of those places that's on the outskirts, you're walking through the lawn in that missing piece of sidewalk. So I anticipate that's been that way because that's probably a potential redevelopment. >> Um but I don't know if there's some interim solution to that, but as we're trying to encourage walkability in that area, I think that's a little missing link. Are you talking about along Plymouth Road? Yeah. So, with the Wells Fargo redevelopment there, >> that is planned to get that connected so you can get from Ridgedale Drive all the way north along Plymouth Road. >> People are going to be real happy. >> Thank you, Darren. Good news. >> Best news I've heard all day. >> Mike. >> Yeah. Thank you, Chair. I was just going to mention the same. So, thank you, Darren. Uh the other uh couple things just going back to Opus real quick. I think first and foremost, you know, Opus Park development is primarily aimed at residents that are living there. >> Uh the city's been planning for that development for for a long time. Uh there are estimated at complete buildout over five about 5,000 housing units. And so there's been 20 roughly 2500 constructed to date. And so we have 200 residents in that area. This is my terminology. excuse me, where it's a community within a community. 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. And then I think there will be a conversation about is it a regional draw? I mean, certainly you're going to have people visiting that area from light rail, coming from other cities to that area. So, what type of regional type amenities? Um, and so I think that'll be part of the the planning process where is parking, will people drive there? I think that is really good questions that we as a city need to answer as we go through that design phase. >> Thank you. >> If there are any, are you going to do Corey? >> Yes. Okay, you can do it. >> Thank you, Chair and Graham. Um, so before we adjourn, um, and thank you again for, um, uh, adhering to a relatively short meeting. I know it's quick, but we do want to get out and be able to see some sites. But I would like to recognize one of our park board members is leaving. Corey Vatitali. She's over there. Um she's uh served on the park board for five years and she is uh I hope it's okay if I say it, but she's moving out of the city. So she's not she's not leaving because she has to or she, you know, doesn't want doesn't like us anymore. she's actually going to another community where she can uh commit her time and volunteerism to that community. So, we uh appreciate all of your service and wish you luck and this will be her last. >> Thanks. I I mean I could just say briefly, you know, um it's been a pleasure. It's been my honor to be on the park board. Um, you know, I moved here from Florida eight years ago and by happy accident landed in Minnotonka and I've been here ever since. So, not only am I sad to be leaving the parkour, but I'm sad to be leaving Minnetonka. It's been a wonderful place to live and to raise my kids. Um, and while you know my kids, my son will still be going to Minnitankka High School for two more years. Unfortunately, we're having to move out of the area. But, um, it's been great to be on the board. I've really enjoyed being able to participate in city government. Um, I've learned a lot from natural resources and from the recreation department that I've been a part of. And, you know, I just want to thank Kelly and Sarah and now Leslie and Matt for running the park board so smoothly. And I'll be watching from not far, not far. I'm only going to Chan Hassen, but but you know, the skate park was the first big project that we started to work on when I joined the board, and I'm really looking forward to watching that come to fruition. So, I'll be watching you guys, but just from a city next door. So, thanks guys. >> Thank you. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that this is Mayor Wilson's last joint meeting. So, thank you for the park board. thanks you for being a leader and participating in their the work that they do. >> Well, um thank you. It's um yeah, that that's one of the hard parts about this is that um I go to these meetings and well, gee, this is the last time I'm going to be doing this and so it uh it makes it a bit poignant and um um one I really appreciate the work of the park board. We've got a great park system and when I brag about Minnetonka, which I do quite a bit, um the park system is really one of our just outstanding amenities that makes Minnetonka um the outstanding place to live and visit that it is. So, I appreciate all of the work. We've got a great staff. We've got a great team. Um you know, I'm so honored to have had the opportunity to be mayor of Minnetonka. And um you know I'm u u you know it's it's going to be it's going to be difficult to walk away but also I'm I I think that I've been doing this for a long time and um and uh there will be life after being mayor of Minnetonka. So um but very pleased uh to work with all of you. It's been an honor and uh thank you for your service to the city. >> So before we adjourn, I'd like to just give a little bit of detail on the tour part. That's the really exciting part of tonight. Um, so we will once we adjourn, uh, we'll have a few minutes to grab your things. Feel free to use the restroom. We do have some beverages over here. The bus is outside waiting at the front door of the community center. So, don't go to city hall. It'll be right out here. And we'll be heading to Big Willow Park first. We'll get out. We'll look at the ball fields and Matt and Kelly and Darren can talk about some of the work happening there and the master planning. Uh we will then head down to Lone Lake Park and uh kind of take the the long driveway down to the main parking lot and see the pickle ball courts. Um there's some uh pollinator planting and and some other amenities there we can take a look at. And then we'll head to the Glen Lake Park and talk a little bit about the planning that's happening there, the future skate park. Uh and that's where we'll actually end. And then we'll head back to City Hall, actually community center after that. Unfortunately, it gets dark at 7:45 p.m. now, which is unfortunate, but uh we'll try to get through it and hopefully you guys can um see what we're talking about firsthand, ask questions, we have information we can share as well and we hope you enjoy it. So, with that, we can >> we have a motion. >> So, move. >> We don't have to do it. Just All in favor? I I >> Thank you.