22-10 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
October 5, 2022
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at
7:00 pm by Commission Vice-Chair Tony Sumnicht.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair) (arrived late), Tony Sumnicht
(Vice-Chair), Dave Anderson, Forest Eidbo, Lynn Haney, Erin Kolb, Taji Onesirosan, and Jen
Zielinski. Also present were David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and
Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Shaz Ahmadi and Joyce Cooper
Guests: Kelly Grissman and Danny McCullough from Three Rivers Park district.
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the September Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Ms. Zielinski seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for September
7 were approved as written.
The meeting was passed to Commission Chair McCaffrey to lead when he arrived at 7:02 pm.
Ms. Grissman and Mr. McCullough from Three Rivers Park District gave a presentation on the
CP Regional Trail engagement results. Focus is currently on the section of trail through Crystal,
New Hope and Golden Valley – to connect Becker Park in Crystal to the Luce Line Regional Trail
in Golden Valley. The engagement process began with three potential route options. The public
engagement occurred over the summer, with the Winnetka/Douglas option being preferred by
the public. The engagement process and route have also been reviewed and recommended by
staff from Golden Valley, New Hope and Crystal.
Mr. Eidbo made a motion to support the recommendation that the Winnetka/Douglas option be
the preferred route for the CP Rail Regional Trail moving forward. Mr. McCaffrey seconded the
motion. The motion passed (unanimous).
Ms. Grissman and Mr. McCullough from Three Rivers Park District gave a presentation on the
French Regional Park Master Plan. Community engagement began in September 2020; with
concepts and additional input being gathered through 2021. The master plan was finalized in
the spring of 2022, and a public comment period was available over the summer. Three Rivers
Park District staff are requesting a resolution of support for the updated master plan. The
resolution will be helpful when Three Rivers Park District seeks grants to implement the plan.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to recommend a resolution of support for the French Regional Park
Master Plan. Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion. The motion passed (unanimous).
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 October 5, 2022
Mr. McCaffrey gave the Chairperson’s report. He visited Centennial Park in Brooklyn Center and
enjoyed all the amenities available, including the exercise pods along the trail.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on park planning efforts for 2023. Public engagement had been
held over the past several months, with a public open house being held on October 5 prior to
the commission meeting. Public input received on the Welcome Park play area was discussed,
with the commission expressing a preference to move forward with play area option #3. The
fitness pod at Welcome Park received positive support from the public and the commission.
Commission members would like additional information on what equipment is included in the
drawings. Mr. Elholm also showed concepts and discussed public input for the Broadway and
Crystal Highlands Park designs. The commission expressed an interest in moving forward with
site design concept #2 and play area option #2 at Broadway Park and site design concept #2 at
Crystal Highlands Park. There was also discussion on the Bassett Creek Park disc golf course
and public engagement on the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.
Mr. Elholm presented information on current park projects, including park entrance signs,
Becker Park pickleball courts, FAIR School Park soccer field, Bassett Creek Park prairie planting,
Bassett Creek Park dog park and Bassett Creek Park pedestrian bridge.
Commission members discussed items during the open forum; giving input, asking questions,
and commenting. One suggestion from the discussion included a request for a future
commission meeting to be held at the Public Works building – possibly early in 2023.
Mr. Cummings presented the City Council report. The applications for the City Manager job
close on October 5. Assistant City Manager, Kim Therres, will act as Interim City Manager. The
members of the newly formed Diversity and Inclusion Commission have been approved. The
commission also asked how information from their meetings is communicated to the city
council, and if this could be improved. Mr. Cummings will work on this.
Mr. Fortin gave reports for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation programming.
Mr. Elholm gave a Director’s Report urging everyone to get outside and enjoy the great fall
weather!
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Ms. Haney stepped down as the Crystal Frolics
President after 16 years. The 2023 Crystal Frolics will see some changes, with a pickleball
tournament at Becker and the Crystal Frolics Committee taking a more active role in organizing
the softball tournament.
Mr. Elholm gave a Friends of Crystal Parks Report. They are planning the Cheers to Crystal beer-
tasting event on March 10, 2023.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 October 5, 2022
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder