20-03 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
March 4, 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, Joyce Cooper, Shaz
Ahmadi, Tony Sumnicht, Erin Kolb, Andy Leipold, Meredith Torres-Walsh and Dave Anderson.
Also present were John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Commission Members not in attendance were: Jesse McCaffrey
Guest: Ceri McCaffrey
There was no public comment
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to approve the February Park and Recreation Commission
minutes; Ms. Merriam seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
February were approved as written.
There was no chairpersons report.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. He gave a recap of the Fair Park playground
open house, and shared the preferred design that came out of the meeting. He also explained
how the partnership with the school district would work, with them paying for the playground
surfacing and surround. Mr. Elholm also mentioned we will be applying for additional grants for
this playground.
Mr. Elholm gave updates on the following projects:
• Becker Park
o Planning for the Grand opening is almost complete.
o Parks staff is assembling park benches and beginning to place them in the park.
• North Lions Park
o We are receiving bids from contractors to put in the hockey rink.
o We are seeking additional grants for this project. Community Development is applying for a
CDBG grant, which would be added to the Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant that was recently
approved.
• Iron Horse Park
o We are working with our consultant to get conceptual designs of the trails and shelter.
• Crystal Community Center
o A roofing project is happening to cover the skylights on the outside of the building to protect
from leaking.
• Mac Wildlife Are
o Working with Three Rivers to extend the boardwalk, however weather may delay the project.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 4, 2020
Mr. Elholm gave a recap of the discussion that was had on the February 5 meeting where
Commission members talked about their interest areas as it relates to Parks and Recreation. He
briefly discussed the process that resulted in the Parks System Master Plan, discussing how we
currently plan and program for health & wellness, inclusivity and conservation. One area the
Commission could assist in is generating funds for the Recreation Department scholarship fund.
Ms. Haney challenged the members to come with ideas on how to raise funds at their April 1
meeting.
There was no council report.
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 handed out stickers promoting the Becker Park
Grand Opening, which he also handed out at a recent 5th grade career fair.
Mr. Elholm and Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Ms. Haney clarified that Be Kind to
People will organize the Frolics 5K in 2020, not Serenity Village. The Frolics committee will be at
Family Fun Night on March 6 to start accepting Frolics button contest designs. Ms. Haney also
mentioned that Three Rivers Park District will be bringing out their climbing wall to the Crystal
Frolics on Saturday and Sunday of the Crystal Frolics. Mr. Elholm explained what a light show
would look like at Becker Park, and how it could be an alternative to fireworks at that location.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. The Cheers to Crystal event is two weeks away. Crystal
Fund members are awaiting paperwork on additional brewers. The Crystal Fund has committed
to purchasing trees to give away at the Arbor Day event on May 6 at Broadway Park.
Ms. Torres-Walsh made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Leipold seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder