2022.05.04 PRC Packet AGENDA
May 4, 2022
Bass Lake Park – 5625 Xenia Avenue, Crystal, MN 55429
In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at the Crystal Community Center
7:00 pm Neighborhood Meeting Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Introduction of Commission and City Staff
3. Neighborhood Discussion
a. Citywide Project Updates
b. Public Safety Information
c. Parks and Recreation Updates
4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate
7:45 pm Commission Business Meeting Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
a. April 6 - Tree Board
b. April 6 - Park and Recreation Commission
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion (25 minutes)
a. Project Updates
b. Pool Survey
6. Commission Reports (15 minutes)
a. City Council Report
b. Project/Maintenance Report
c. Recreation Report
d. Director Report
7. Community Reports (5 minutes)
a. Community Activity/Event Reports
• Crystal Frolics Report
• Friends of Crystal Parks Report
b. Citizen Contacts
c. Other Community News Items
8. Adjournment
END OF COMMUNITY MEETING (Community meetings have a one hour time limit). There will be a short break between the two meetings.
Residents are welcome to stay for the Business Meeting.
MEETING OVERVIEW
Contact John Elholm – john.elholm@crystalmn.gov or 763-531-1150 if you cannot attend
Bass Lake Park – 5625 Xenia Avenue, Crystal, MN 55429
May 4, 2022
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING – 7:00 PM
Item 1. Call meeting to order.
Jesse McCaffrey will provide information on the purpose of the meeting.
Item 2. Introductions of Commission and City Staff
Item 3. Neighborhood Business
John Sutter will provide information on current and upcoming development projects.
Mark Ray will provide information on current and upcoming public works projects.
Deputy Chief Hubbard will provide information on public safety.
John Elholm will provide information on park improvement and planning efforts.
Brad Fortin will provide highlights of recent and upcoming park projects.
Scott Berggren will provide information on recreation programs & events.
Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions/make comments during the meeting.
Item 4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING – 7:45 PM
Item 1. Call the Meeting to Order.
Jesse McCaffrey will call the meeting to order
Item 2. Public Comments
Citizens may bring items of concern related to parks and recreation to the attention of
the commission. Speaking time may be limited and no action will be taken.
Item 3. Approval of Minutes – April 6, 2022
a. Tree Board Meeting
b. Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
Item 4. Chairperson’s Report
Jesse McCaffrey: Chairperson’s Report
Item 5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. Project Updates
b. Pool Survey
Item 6. Commission Reports
David Cummings: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Scott Berggren: Recreation Report
John Elholm: Director Report
Item 7. Community Reports
Lynn Haney/John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
John Elholm: Friends of Crystal Parks Report
Commission members: Other community activities and events
Item 8. Adjournment
Crystal Tree Board Minutes
April 6, 2022
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Commission Tree Board meeting was called to order at 6:45 pm by
Crystal Tree Board chair Tony Sumnicht.
Tree Board members in attendance were: Shaz Ahmadi, Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Forest
Eidbo, Lynn Haney, Erin Kolb, Jesse McCaffrey, Taji Onesirosan, and Tony Sumnicht. Also present
were: John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Mr. Fortin reviewed the Forestry Annual report, highlighting work done in the past year. Crystal
currently has five certified tree inspectors. Their primary focus is tree inspections, maintenance,
and replacement throughout the year. City staff and contractors removed 225 trees in the past
year. The existence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) is a concern and the motivation for
increased tree removals. The goal is one for one replacement. The replacement trees being
planted come from a wide species variety. The goal is to have no more than 5% of any species
within Crystal. A tree nursery was created on the old public works site to create an accessible
and more cost-effective source for trees.
Tree Board members discussed the May 4 Arbor Day event. The in-person event will be held at
Bass Lake Park, with a park clean-up at 6 pm and other activities beginning at 6:30 pm. City staff
will also create a virtual website to provide resources to Crystal residents. The City will give
away 40 trees to residents (pollinator-friendly). Trees will be handed out at the event. The
remaining trees will be planted in the city's tree nursery.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 5, 2023, at 6:45 pm – at the Crystal Community Center.
John Elholm
Recorder
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
April 6, 2022
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Tony Sumnicht (Vice-Chair), Shaz
Ahmadi (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Forest Eidbo, Erin Kolb, Lynn Haney, and Taji
Onesirosan. Also present were John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
There was no public comment.
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to approve the March Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Mr. McCaffrey seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for March
were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave his chairperson’s report. He presented some slides around cultivating
environmental stewardship. The commission discussed ways to create more opportunities for
community members to get involved in environmental programs. It was noted that a recent
NRPA survey estimates that 94% of adults value teaching children to be good environmental
stewards. Existing programs like Arbor Day, Edible Courtyard and others help with this. Other
opportunities to promote environmental stewardship were discussed, such as having park
clean-ups be a more regular occurrence at neighborhood meetings.
Mr. Berggren provided a schedule for the bus tour planned for June 15. The tour's focus will be
visiting recently completed projects and a park with projects planned for 2023 in Crystal.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects for 2022. The building removed at Twin Oak
Park was almost all recycled. The existing parking lot at the park will be removed later this
spring. The contractor will be installing boardwalk sections on the helical piles in the MAC
Wildlife Area. Quotes have been received for the pickleball court project, and style of bench
was discussed at the meeting. Drawings were shown for the parking lots at Bassett Creek Park
and the Crystal Community Center. Mr. Elholm highlighted the schedule for future park projects
through 2028. Project completion dates are subject to change based on need and funding.
The commission discussed park signage. The commission was supportive of changing Crystal’s
Lee Park to Woodland Park to reflect the plat name and remove confusion that exists with
Robbinsdale’s Lee park – located a few blocks away. If the name is changed, the neighborhood
name would likely reflect this too. A new park sign at Twin Oak Park would continue to
highlight its designation as a POW/MIA Memorial. Once all the neighborhood parks have new
signage, the focus will move to natural areas, some of which do not currently have signs. The
term ‘natural area’ was preferred for these signs instead of using the term ‘park.’
There was not a council report.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 April 6, 2022
Mr. Fortin gave reports for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both referred to the information presented in the commission packet.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director's report. He gave a brief update on the planning process for the
CP Regional trail. Three Rivers is beginning to meet with commissions within the corridor. A
joint meeting with Crystal’s parks and planning commissions will be organized in June.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Mr. Sumnicht has agreed to write the clues for the
“Crystal Ball” search. The family festival has been moved to Saturday afternoon.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. They are changing their name to Friends of Crystal
Parks. They have a new website.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder
Crystal Park Projects
May 2022 Update
https://parksandrec.crystalmn.gov/recreation/park_system_projects
Construction (2022) Status
•MAC Boardwalk (with Three Rivers Park District)Underway
•Becker Park - Court Improvements Underway
•Bassett Creek Park - Dog Park Bidding
•Bassett Creek Park - Welcome Ave. Parking Lot Bidding
•Grogan Park - South Parking Lot Bidding
•Several Parks - Entrance Sign Replacement Design
•Fair School Park - Soccer Field Design
•Bassett Creek Park - Pedestrian Bridge Design
Habitat Improvement (2022) Status
Underway
Bidding
•Several Parks - Ash Tree Removal (EAB)
•Bassett Creek Park - Prairie Restoration
•Bassett Creek Park - Woodland Restoration (EQC)Weekly
Planning for 2023 Status
•Welcome Park - Play Area Soon
•Broadway Park - Play Area, Shelter & BB Soon
•Crystal Highlands Park - Shelter & BB Soon
•Bassett Creek Park - Disc Golf Course Soon
•Valley Place Parking Lot Fall
4/29/2022
1
City of Crystal
2022 Residential Study
The Morris Leatherman Company
Survey Methodology
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
400 random sample of City residents
Telephone interviews conducted between
March 31st and April 8th, 2022
Average interview time of 4 minutes
Non-response level of 4%
Results projectable within +/-5.0% in 95 out
of 100 cases
Cell Phone Only Households: 52%
Landline Only Households: 12%
Both Cell Phone and Landline: 36%
4/29/2022
2
Demographics I
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
21
21
22
36
28
18
16
11
26
31
24
13
73
27
Less than 5 Years
5.1 to 10 Years
10.1 to 20 Years
Over 20 Years
18-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 and over
Households w/Seniors
Households w/School-aged Children
Households w/Preschoolers
Homeowners
Renters
0 20406080100
Demographics II
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
67
18
8
5
1
50
50
25
27
25
23
White
African-American
Hispanic-Latino
Asian-Pacific Islander
Native American
Male
Female
Ward One
Ward Two
Ward Three
Ward Four
0 1020304050607080
4/29/2022
3
Importance of Parks, Trails and Recreation Facilities to your
Quality of Life
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
Very 46%
Somewhat 39%
Not Too 13%
Not At All 2%
Importance of Parks, Trails and Recreation Facilities to the Value
of your Home
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
Very 56%
Somewhat 36%
Not Too 5%
Not At All 2%Unsure 1%
4/29/2022
4
Importance for Children to Learn to Swim at an Early Age
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
Very 55%
Somewhat 33%
Not Too 10%
Not At All 1%Unsure 1%
Use of Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
Yes 57%No 43%
Excellent 31%
Good 63%
Only Fair/Poor 6%
Rating of
Experience
4/29/2022
5
Replacing the Old Swimming Pool and Diving Well
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
Strongly Support 23%
Support 61%
Oppose 10%
Strongly Oppose 1%
Unsure 5%
Among opponents, 55% would
still oppose knowing the Aquatic
Center would have to close if the
pool was not replaced.
CORE OPPOSITION: 6%
Reason for Position
2022 City of Crystal
The Morris Leatherman Company
24
24
20
13
3
2
2
4
3
2
Community Asset
Good for Children/Families
Improvements are Needed
Won't Increase Taxes
Swimming Lesson Important
Need Security Updates
Cost is Reasonable
Don't Use
Total Cost Too High
Higher Priorities
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Percentage
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
April, 2022
Vandalism:
• Discarded furniture at Iron horse Park
• Vandalized restrooms at Becker Park
Projects:
• Snow removal
• Hagemeister boardwalk repairs
• Removal of Emerald Ash Borer infected trees
• Becker Park tennis court demolition
• Athletic field preparation and field striping
• Spring clean-up and turf maintenance
• MAC boardwalk construction project
• Start up park buildings and restrooms for the season
• Hiring of seasonal employees
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Pool grounds maintenance
• HVAC maintenance at city buildings
• Stormwater pond maintenance
• Streetscape clean-ups
Future:
• Ash tree removals
• MAC boardwalk construction
• Plant annual flowers city wide
• Construction of a new organic dumpster surround at the CCC north lot
• Athletic field maintenance
• Turf maintenance/fertilize athletic fields
• Begin Becker Park court construction
• Playground inspections
• Trash removal
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• Forestry work at proposed dog park sites
• Install sunshades at Becker park and municipal pool
• Miscellaneous building maintenance projects
• Clean and stain shelter at Hagemeister Pond
• Clean park shelters for the season
• Turn on drinking fountains and irrigation systems
4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553
Tel: (763) 531-0052 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov
P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y
M A Y 2 0 2 2
Below is a highlight of the projects that will be happening in
the City of Crystal. These projects will be taking place at
numerous parks and buildings throughout the city.
Becker Park Courts
City maintenance staff has begun removing the old
basketball and tennis courts in Becker Park. A
contractor will begin installing new basketball and
pickleball courts in the coming weeks.
Athletic Field Marking
Now that the snow has disappeared, we have several
adult and youth athletic groups anxious to get outside to
use our fields. Fields are marked for baseball, softball, and
soccer through the fall.
Park Bathrooms Open
The water was turned on to park building bathrooms in
Becker and Valley Place Parks. These bathrooms will be
open to the public from 8 am-10 pm. Portable restrooms are
located in many of our parks and are available 24 hours.
Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard Removal
Crystal's Environmental Quality Commission is leading a
volunteer effort to clear buckthorn and garlic mustard
within Bassett Creek Park. The current removal project is
located on the west side of the park.
P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y
M A Y 2 0 2 2
Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal
Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some
key special events we offer.
Bike Rodeo
The annual Bike Rodeo rotates to Golden Valley in
2022 at Golden Valley City Hall. The May 5 event
is led by the police and fire departments of Crystal,
Golden Valley, New Hope, and Robbinsdale.
Mindfulness Walks
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Take
advantage of self-guided Mindfulness Walks in four
different Crystal Parks. The walks help reduce stress and
improve mental health outdoors. The signs are bi-lingual.
Participants, ages five and up, will be making Crystal
ROCK by spreading positive messages throughout the
city. Notes will be painted on rocks and then distributed
into the rock garden at the community center.
The newly renamed Friends of Crystal Parks will be
hosting their annual plant sale at Becker Park on May 21.
Plants are donated and sold to raise money for park
projects around Crystal.
Crystal Rocks
Plant Sale