City Council Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, PE - Public Works Director/City Engineer
Subject:
TITLE
Consider Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids for the Phase II - Northfield Skateboard Park Expansion Project (PARK2026-E19).
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution (Attachment 1) Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Phase II - Northfield Skateboard Park Expansion Project (PARK2026-E19).
Summary Report:
On July 7, 2026, City Council approved the final concept plan for Phase II of the Northfield Skate Park project. The design incorporates input from skatepark users and surrounding neighbors, along with Council direction. Staff and design professionals have translated the approved concept into detailed construction plans and specifications. The project is now at Step 5 of the project process: approval of plans and authorization to advertise for bids.
Community Input & Design Response
Engagement with skatepark users and neighboring residents identified priorities related to landscape screening, lighting, noise, park rules, and comfortable places to gather.
The plans incorporate landscape screening, shade, benches, picnic tables, and perimeter seating. The lighting design uses dark-sky fixtures and a warm color temperature to address users’ interest in lighting while responding to neighborhood concerns about light impacts. These features carry forward the community input and Council direction established during conceptual design.
The current stage focuses on the technical details, safety, and construction requirements needed to deliver that approved concept. Lighting, landscaping, and site furnishings are included as bid alternates, as explained under Financial Impacts.
A link to the park project webpage is attached. The plans and specifications are pending to be attached and will be included by end of business day Friday, October 2nd.
Project History & Design
The original skatepark opened at Memorial Park in 2015 following years of planning and advocacy by local youth, the Northfield Skateboard Coalition, and city officials. Phase II builds on that investment with a larger, more varied layout that serves different skill levels and provides a safe, creative recreational opportunity for residents and visitors.
In February 2025, the City applied for a $500,000 State of Minnesota City of Skate grant to expand the existing approximately 4,500-square-foot skatepark toward an initial goal of 9,000-10,000 square feet. The City received the full grant award in June 2025 and received the signed grant agreement from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in February 2026.
The City retained Mark Leski, owner of Wizard Skateparks, LLC, to assist with the Phase II design. Leski brings more than 30 years of skatepark design and construction experience, including work on numerous Minnesota skateparks. As a lifelong skateboarder who has visited more than 500 parks nationwide, he brings both professional expertise and a user’s perspective to the layout and construction details.
Broader Context (Future Phases)
During its review of the Phase II concepts, Council requested that staff evaluate the skatepark within the broader Memorial Park site. Council encouraged consideration of how the skatepark could integrate with adjacent amenities, including the municipal swimming pool, to create a more cohesive and active recreational destination.
Consistent with that direction, the Phase II design includes features that serve both participants and spectators. Perimeter seating, including limestone seating blocks, provides places to observe skaters. Adjacent shade structures and picnic tables offer gathering spaces for families and friends. These features support longer visits and an inviting setting for active users and spectators.
Staff also explored conceptual ideas for future improvements that could strengthen connections between the skatepark and swimming pool while maintaining the necessary separation between the paid pool area and the public park. Examples include a pavilion or picnic shelter overlooking both facilities, potential relocation or expansion of sand volleyball courts, bocce ball courts, and other recreation amenities.
Within the pool site, conceptual ideas include replacing portions of the underutilized basketball courts with cabanas or flexible gathering spaces. Any future design would need to preserve pool security and operational requirements while considering opportunities for complementary use.
These concepts are for discussion and long-range planning and are outside the current Phase II project scope. They respond to Council’s direction to consider the entire park and illustrate how future investments could build on the skatepark expansion over time. Any future improvements would require separate evaluation, funding, and Council approval.
Alternative Options:
Council may defer approval and direct staff to revise the plans and specifications. Doing so would delay bidding and could affect the project schedule.
Financial Impacts:
The following sources of funds for the $550,000 project budget is consistent with the updated proposed Capital Improvement Plan (2027-2031) approved by Council in September:
$500,000 Grant from MN DEED
$ 50,000 that would be paid through the Capital Park Fund
The bid documents identify lighting, landscaping, and site furnishings as alternates. Bid alternates ask contractors to provide separate prices for specified components in addition to the base project. This allows Council to evaluate the cost of those components when considering the construction contract award.
If bids exceed the available budget, alternates provide flexibility to select a combination of work that supports a viable project within the budget and schedule. Some components could move to a future phase if necessary. Separately priced alternates also allow Council to consider additional funding to include more of the planned improvements, if Council supports that investment.
Alternates provide options for the award decision but do not guarantee that bids will fall within budget. Staff will evaluate the bid results and recommend an award consistent with grant requirements, essential project needs, and available funding. Any increase in the City’s contribution would require Council approval.
Tentative Timelines:
See the attached project process (Attachment 3).