21-09 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
September 1, 2021
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Commission
Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Tony Sumnicht (Vice Chair), Shaz
Ahmadi (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney and Erin Kolb. Also present
were David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the
City Staff.
Commission members absent: Forest Eidbo
There was no public comment.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to approve the August Park and Recreation Neighborhood minutes;
Ms. Ahmadi seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Neighborhood minutes for August
were approved as written.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to approve the August Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Mr.
Sumnicht seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for August were
approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the Chairperson’s report. He shared information from a regional park in
Ohio that plans and organizes mindfulness walks. The commission was interested in this idea,
and would like to see Crystal look into a similar program.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on park signs. New park signs have been ordered for Bass Lake,
Cavanagh, Crystal Highlands, Fair School, Sunnyview and Winnetka Hills (formerly Yunkers)
Parks. The sign at Hagemeister Pond Preserve is damaged, and new sign options are being
considered.
Mr. Elholm shared information on future park projects. Projects on the horizon for 2022
include:
- Bassett Creek Park
o New dog park and related parking lot
o Improvements to the parking lot near the picnic shelters / play area
o Prairie planting
- Becker Park
o Converting the tennis courts to pickleball courts
o Improving the basketball court
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 September 1, 2021
- Crystal Community Center
o Updates to the south parking lot
- Fair School Park
o Improved soccer field – partnership with the school district
- MAC Wildlife Area
o Phase 2 of the cooperative boardwalk project with Three Rivers Park District
- Valley Place (2023)
o Having a preliminary discussion with the United States Tennis Association (USTA)
about converting the 3 tennis courts at Valley Place Park into a 6-court facility.
Mr. Cummings presented the City Council Report. He mentioned that Barway Collins’ mother
and the Liberian community are part of the discussion about a proposed statue at Becker Park.
The City Council will begin their budget work in the coming month.
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming.
Mr. Elholm reported the Crystal Community Center will be a Child and Adult Care Food Program
(CACFP) distribution site (organized by Partners in Quality Care) during the school year.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. The Crystal Frolics Committee will be conducting their
wrap-up meeting on Monday, September 20.
Crystal Fund Report: Mr. Elholm said that the Crystal Fund will meet in September.
Commission members gave details for upcoming community events.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder