PRAB Meeting Date: March 4, 2024
To: Park and Recreation Advisory Board
From: Charlie Fredericks, Streets and Parks Manager
Title
The Park and Recreation Board Considers a Resolution Approving the Riverside Lions Park Master Plan.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield Park and Recreation Advisory considers approval of Resolution approving he Riverside Lions Park Master Plan.
Summary Report:
The Northfield Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will receive a presentation from B2 regarding the proposed final master plan for Riverside Lions Park enhancements.
This item is continuing work of the Strategic Plan related to implementation of the Riverfront Action Plan with a goal of increasing economic vitality. The original sequence chart includes master planning of the Riverside-Lions park so there could be a clear long-term plan to guide incremental improvements over time. The prioritization of improvements is contemplated to include not only benefit the community users but also be a value-added interest and use of visitors that draw added spending in the community and thus strengthening the economic vitality of the community.
The City has hired B2 to help with developing a master plan for Riverside Lions Park, Northfield Area Veterans Memorial Park, and Ames Park. These parks are connected to the riverfront and the goal is to get a shared vision of the final master plan that can be utilized to develop the parks.
B2 assisted with the community/stakeholder engagement as the master plans for the parks are developed. We have held individual stakeholder meetings with each group (Lions Club, Veterans Memorial volunteers, Garden Club, etc.) and have now met as a work group five times, as well as held a public open house on January 25th.
Comments and feedback on the current status of the master plan at the open house were overwhelmingly positive; many attendees expressed support for improving the pavilion and playground area, as well as the other enhancements that are identified in the plan. The attendees asked several clarification questions about the project, as well as suggested a couple additional enhancements that were not shown in the plan (i.e. running water for the Farmer’s Market, lawn games and other recreation opportunities for seniors).
Two members of the Park and Recreation Advisory Board have been involved in the work group throughout the process; the full Board has received periodic updates, the most recent being on February 5th. Feedback from the Board has been supportive of the plan; members expressed support for the nature-based play area near 7th Street, the enhancements to the pavilion, and making the restroom universally accessible. PRAB will consider a motion to approve the final plan at the March 4th Board meeting.
December 2022 PRAB and Council approved the Park and Recreation Capital Investment Plan. One of the key community park amenities identified in that plan was the construction of a splash pad in Riverside Lions Park. The proposed Master Plan excludes a splash pad in Riverside Lions Park, so the City will need to consider an alternative location.
In the Parks and Recreation Capital Investment Plan, there was a high-level estimate of $2.0M earmarked for improvements to Riverside Lions Park in year one of the Plan, and $287,500 in year five of the plan. Those costs are in addition to the $300,000 and $200,000 earmarked for playground improvements identified in year one and five, respectively. There is currently $300,000 identified in the approved Capital Improvement Plan for improvements to the playground off 7th Street that would come from the Parks Fund. The funding strategy for the remaining costs still needs to be determined, as the initial intent was to explore utilizing local option sales tax revenue during the creation of the Park and Rec CIP. Additionally, grants and private fundraising are additional areas of current and future exploration to advance improvements.
Individual feedback from the City Council related to the draft Master Plan was requested to send back to the joint committee and Parks and Recreation Board for final advisory recommendations that will go back to the City Council for consideration of adoption on March 12th. Feedback from Council at the February 13th Work Session included: recommendation to adjust the phasing of the wayfinding signs within the plan sooner to align with the 2024 construction of Mill Towns State Trail through Riverside Lions Park, suggestion to explore restrooms and or washing stations near the playground off of 7th Street, support for the enhancements to shown for the pavilion, and more.
Tonight, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board considers a resolution to approve the final master plan presented. Tentatively planned at the March 12th Regular meeting, staff will ask Council to consider a resolution to approve the final master plan.
Alternative Options:
The Board could recommend postponing the approval, or recommend denial of the plan.
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
ü June-August, 2023 Individual Group Meetings
ü September, 2023 Working Group Meeting #1
ü November, 2023 Working Group Meeting #2 & #3
ü December 4, 2024 Park and Recreation Advisory Board Update
ü January, 2024 Working Group Meeting #4
ü January 25, 2024 Neighborhood Open House
ü February 5, 2024 Park and Recreation Advisory Board Update
ü February 13, 2024 Council Work Session
ü February 28, 2024 Working Group Meeting #5 - Approval of final plan
• March 4, 2024 Park and Recreation Advisory Board Approval
• March 12, 2024 Council to vote on Riverside Lions Park Master Plan