20-02 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
February 5, 2020
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Commission Chair Lynn Haney.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Lori Merriam, Jesse McCaffrey, Joyce
Cooper, Shaz Ahmadi, Tony Sumnicht, Erin Kolb, Andy Leipold and Dave Anderson. Also present
were John Budziszewski, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the
City Staff.
Commission Members not in attendance were: Meredith Torres-Walsh
There was no public comment
Ms. Merriam made a motion to approve the January Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for January
were approved as written.
There was no chairpersons report.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. The primary park projects for 2020 will take
place at Fair School, North Lions, and Iron Horse Parks. The park project for Bass Lake Park has
been moved to 2021. The Crystal Community Center will be adding a standing seam metal roof
to the existing skylights. The skylights have been leaking and offer little energy efficiency. The
new roof will be an improvement in both areas. Three Rivers Park District will resume their
work on the MAC Park boardwalk in early 2021. The new boardwalk section will be similar to
what was completed in 2018.
The Commission went around the table and each member discussed why they joined the
commission, and what are their interest areas. Below is a listing of what was discussed:
• Bee keeping
• Edible courtyard/garden
• Plays in the park
• Empowering youth
• Mental health initiative
• Mindfulness walk
• Space for teens
• Make parks more inviting
• Game cart
• Food Trucks
• Improve attendance at
neighborhood meetings
• Park clean-up
• Implement master plan
• Senior activities
• Parks for all ages
• Nature Play
• Outdoor fitness equip.
• Public art / sculptures
• Farmers Market
• Programs for older adults
• Community ownership
• Diversity of thought and
experiences
• Themes in parks (Police/Fire)
• Grow scholarship program
• Art in parks
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 February 5, 2020
Mr. Budziszewski presented the council report. He is putting a priority on Parks & Recreation
when it comes to city council discussion. The city council also accepted a donation to Becker
Park of $500 from the Crystal Lions.
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both made reference to information presented in the commission packet.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. He updated the Commission on recent donations that
had been made to the Becker Park playground.
Mr. Elholm and Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Ms. Haney reported that Serenity
Village will organize the Frolics 5K in 2020. The Frolics committee will be at Family Fun Night on
March 6 to start accepting Frolics button contest designs. Mr. Elholm gave a brief update on the
entertainment being planned at Becker Park.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. The Crystal Fund has a new logo they will use going
forward. They are working on acquiring more breweries for the March 20 Cheers to Crystal
event.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder