Lake Elmo Parks Commission sends Ridge Park redesign back to planners
The Lake Elmo Parks Commission rejected two proposed concept designs for Ridge Park on October 24, directing staff to ask the design firm Bolton Mink to revisit their plans based on significant community concerns about noise, traffic, and residential impacts.
The commission's decision came after reviewing two concept plans for the 2026 playground replacement at Ridge Park. A community survey showed residents wanted updated playgrounds and ball fields, plus new hard courts. However, public comments revealed serious concerns: neighbors worried about pickleball noise, increased traffic on Inwood and Ivory Avenues, and balls entering residential yards from a proposed new ball field. The commission asked Bolton Mink to reconsider elements like the pavilion and ball field placement while addressing these issues.
In a separate but contentious vote, commissioners approved accepting only paddle and drink holders from the Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends, rejecting handmade benches and a portable fence for Pebble Park. The 4-3 vote split the commission, with three members opposing the motion. Staff had recommended rejecting the entire donation due to liability and maintenance concerns, preferring professionally manufactured, permanent amenities.
The commission unanimously approved a $1,650 donation from the Graph family for a memorial bench at Sunfish Lake Park, to be placed near the bike trail entrance with a plaque honoring Neil Swenson.
Looking ahead, commissioners directed staff to develop a comprehensive long-range strategic plan for Lions Park rather than pursuing piecemeal improvements. The 23-acre park has several projects in the capital improvement plan, including playground updates, pickleball court reconstruction, a new pavilion, and concession stand renovations. Commissioners expressed concern that without a master plan, the city risks poor integration of amenities and unclear priorities.
Staff also presented updates on the city's new website, which features an interactive map of trails and park amenities, and highlighted the success of the Sunfish Lake buckthorn removal program, which has received over $660,000 in grant funding to restore native plant life.
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Votes (5)
Ridge Park Concept Design for Redevelopment
The Parks Commission reviewed two concept plans from Bolton Mink for Ridge Park redevelopment, focusing on a 2026 playground replacement. A community survey was conducted, indicating strong support for updating playgrounds and ball fields, and adding hard courts. Public comments expressed significant concerns over pickleball noise, increased traffic on Inwood and Ivory Avenues, and balls entering residential yards from a proposed new ball field. Commissioners sought clarification on amenity placement, ADA compliance, and storm water management. Staff was directed to take the feedback to the designers for revision, with a general sentiment to reconsider elements like the pavilion and ball fields.
Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends Donation of Court Amenities
Dissent: Three commissioners opposed the motion.
Moved by Commissioner [1h18m59s] · Seconded by Commissioner [1h19m37s]
The Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends offered to donate various handmade items, including benches, paddle/drink racks, and a portable fence for Pebble Park. Staff recommended rejection due to liability and maintenance concerns, advocating for permanent, vendor-supplied amenities. Commissioners acknowledged the initiative but had safety concerns about the portable fence and durability concerns about the benches. A motion was made to accept only the paddle and drink holders, provide feedback, and reject other items.
Graph Family Donation for Park Bench at Sunfish Lake
Moved by Chair [1h30m7s] · Seconded by Commissioner [1h30m23s]
The Graph family offered a $1,650 donation for a park bench at Sunfish Lake, to be placed near the bike trail entrance and include a memorial plaque for Neil Swenson. Staff deemed the location appropriate and consistent with past donation practices. The donation covers the cost of the bench, plaque, and installation. The Commission discussed standard exclusions for future upkeep and replacement of donated items. The motion to accept the donation was passed unanimously.
Lions Park Future Amenities and Strategic Planning
The Commission discussed the future of Lions Park amenities following City Council's directive to rethink playground replacements and explore unique options. Items on the 2026-2027 CIP included a playground, pickleball/ice rink surface reconstruction, a new pavilion, and concession stand renovation. Commissioners raised concerns about the piecemeal approach, advocating for a comprehensive, long-range master plan for the 23-acre park. Discussion points included the need to reduce city-wide playgrounds, the future of the ballpark, and alternative concession models. Staff noted the playground's poor condition might necessitate its removal if planning is delayed. No formal action was taken, but direction was given for strategic planning.
Communications Update: New City Website and Sunfish Lake Buckthorn Removal Program
Adam provided an update on the city's new website, showcasing its parks-related features including an interactive GIS map for trails and park amenities, and systems for maintenance requests. Tony Manzer then presented a comprehensive update on the Sunfish Lake buckthorn removal program, detailing its volunteer origins, multiple grant-funded phases (totaling over $660,000), and ecological success in restoring native plant life. Future plans include prescribed burns and securing additional funding to ensure long-term maintenance and park sustainability. The presentation served as an informational item to update the commission and community.
Notable Quotes (15)
The issue before us tonight is what concept plan would the parks commission like to see implemented and do they have any suggestions or changes they'd like to make the concept to the uh to Bolton Mink.
Looking at the designs, a couple of things came out to my wife and I right away were the pickle balls is a very big concern from the noise standpoint.
I I don't know when the last time you were to Ridge Park. There'd be no reason to go to Ridge Park to be honest because you know you had a ball field with no no place to sit, just a backboard and just a little bit of dirt to play on.
I guess my thought at this time would be to request Bolton and make go back at to the drawing board and look at some different options and maybe rethink some of these a little bit.
As we talk about pickle ball noise in the near future, which will come up in our next session um meeting, you know, one of the things that we do got to take into consideration is the fencing that does surround that. Right. So one of the things is is the fence that's currently there likely will not hold the weight of the items that we have to put on there to barricade the noise. So we may be in a situation where we have to replace two sides of that in order to incorporate that. So, you know, at that time, is that a better time to incorporate permanent fencing? Potentially.
I don't really have any issue with with them building them as long as they're safe and they they look sturdy... I I'm personally not comfortable with the fencing though.
I'm in in favor of having a legitimate vendor supply park amenities and parts AC pretty much across the board. I 100% into people utilizing a donation process to do that. But uh whether it's park benches or whether it's gazeos or whether it's rack holders, we should be buying from a vendor.
Um the you know Neil was an avid user of Sunfish Lake. He loved the trails and so uh their request was to put it near the entrance of the trail. um um right at the entrance of the park where the first trail uh begins there for the for the bike ride. So um so I thought uh very appropriate very similar to what we've done in the past.
During that session, the city council directed the car parks commission to explore alternatives to full playground replacements uh in neighborhood parks uh encouraging more inclusion of unique and diverse amenities in their place and maybe looking at more uh centrally located um playground sites.
I guess I'm asking is it too late to tap the brakes a little bit here and back up? ...we're talking about resurfacing um courts that we're not even sure should be there at this point, right? Or whether a rank should be there or is the concession stand in the right spot?
So, to me, those are a couple steps that could be done in this. Okay. and how that timing works out with the money. We'd have to figure that out. Okay. But that to me is is the approach to take is to start working on this systematic approach.
I would just be cautious if we did the playground and we do a long range plan and say, 'Oops, that's not where it was supposed to go.' Or parking gets rearranged. I think you want to make sure if when we do a new playground, which I think one is would be suitable there, it just might not be in that location that it is now.
One of the main reasons for this was to really talk about our GIS and our trails applications though. I know this was one thing that we talked about and you know Pat has brought up uh throughout the years. Uh just more interactive and trail mapping and um you know it's not going to be directly you know way finding while on the while on the map but gives people an idea of of our community um and where things are at.
In 2018, our organization was the first adopter of a park in Lake Emmo. And George Johnson at that time decided to take on the the idea of clearing out the buckthorn from Sunfish Lake Park.
What this enables it, it enables native plants to come back. It enables you to see the deer. It enables the insects that would live on the on the native plants but can't live on buckthorn to return.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Framework guiding the concept design development for Ridge Park.
Guiding document for park development, referenced for amenity recommendations (e.g., pickleball setbacks, disc golf).
Capital Improvement Plan for 2026 and 2027, detailing planned projects and funding for Lions Park amenities.
State regulations governing funding limits for conservation projects.
Potential future funding source ($1.88M) for Sunfish Lake buckthorn removal.
Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy program, providing grants for conservation efforts.
Funding source ($154k) for Phase 1 of Sunfish Lake buckthorn removal.
Funding source ($50k initially, raised to $75k) for Phase 3 of Sunfish Lake buckthorn removal.
Referenced for previous discussions about a civic square.
City program for community involvement in park maintenance, information available on the new website.
Feature on the new city website for residents to report park issues.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Donation of Pickleball Court Amenities
Graph Family Park Bench Donation
Lions Park Future Amenities and Strategic Planning
City Website Update and Sunfish Lake Buckthorn Removal Program
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