2023.06.07 PRC Packet AGENDA
June 7, 2023
Becker Park – 5530 Douglas Dr N, 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. Crystal Frolics Button Contest Awards
4. Neighborhood Discussion
a. Citywide Project Updates
b. Public Safety Information
c. Parks and Recreation Updates
5. 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. May 3 – Neighborhood Meeting
b. May 3 - Park and Recreation Commission
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion (25 minutes)
a. Commission Tour
b. Planning & Project Updates
6. Commission Open Forum (10 minutes)
a. Multigenerational Recreation
7. Commission Reports (15 minutes)
a. City Council Report
b. Project/Maintenance Report
c. Program Report
d. Director Report
8. 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
9. 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
Becker Park – 5530 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55429
May 3, 2022
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING – 7:00 PM
Item 1. Call meeting to order.
Tony Sumnicht will provide information on the purpose of the meeting.
Item 2. Introductions of Commission and City Staff
Item 3. Crystal Frolics Button Contest Awards
Item 4. Neighborhood Business
Information will be provided on current and upcoming development projects.
Information will be provided 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 5. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING – 7:45 PM
Item 1. Call the Meeting to Order.
Tony Sumnicht 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 – May 3, 2023
a. Neighborhood Meeting
b. Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
Item 4. Chairperson’s Report
Tony Sumnicht: Chairperson’s Report
Item 5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. Commission Tour
b. Planning & Project Updates
Item 6. Commission Open Forum
A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and
recreation in Crystal.
a. Multigenerational Recreation
Item 7. Commission Reports
Traci Kamish: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Scott Berggren: Program Report
John Elholm: Director Report
Item 8. Community Reports
Tony Sumnicht/John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
Lynn Haney/John Elholm: Friends of Crystal Parks Report
Commission members: Other community activities and events
Item 9. Adjournment
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission - Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2022
Winnetka Hills Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
by Commission Chair Tony Sumnicht.
Commission members in attendance: Tony Sumnicht (Chair), Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair), Dave
Anderson Lynn Haney, Jennifer Zielinski. Also present were Traci Kamish, Council Liaison; Adam
Bell, John Elholm, John Sutter, Chief Revering, Mark Ray, Brad Fortin, and Stacy Chouinard from
the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Shaz Ahmadi.
Introductions were made by Park and Recreation Commission members and City staff.
John Sutter provided information on current and upcoming city projects.
Mark Ray reviewed construction projects in the city.
Chief Revering informed residents of how the department is supporting the community.
John Elholm presented information on upcoming park projects.
Brad Fortin highlighted recent and upcoming park maintenance activities.
Stacy Chouinard gave an update on programs and events in the Recreation Department.
A resident received a Crystal Community Center activity gift certificate in a drawing.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
May 3, 2023
Winnetka Hills Park
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by Commission
Chair Tony Sumnicht.
Commission members in attendance: Tony Sumnicht (Chair), Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair), Dave
Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney, and Jennifer Zielinski. Also present were Traci Kamish, Council
Liaison; Adam Bell, John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Stacy Chouinard from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Shaz Ahmadi
Member of the public present: Burt Orred, Crystal resident.
Ms. Zielinski made a motion to nominate herself as the commission secretary. Ms. Haney seconded the
nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. Zielinski was elected as the 2023 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
Public comment was heard from Burt Orred with the Shingle Creek Watershed District. He encourages
people to take care of the east and southwest corners of the Shingle Creek Watershed. Those areas
accumulate a lot of trash. His efforts are focused on buckthorn removal.
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the April Tree Board Minutes. Jennifer Zielinski seconded the
motion. The April Tree Board Minutes were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to approve the April Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Lynn
Haney seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for April were approved with
a spelling error fixed.
Mr. Sumnicht gave the chairperson’s report. He shared photos from a recent visit to a park in Ohio. The
park had an arboretum with signs identifying types of trees, stone benches and a dog shaped bike rack.
Commission Members reviewed and voted on the Crystal Frolics button designs for 2023. Award
winners will be presented with a gift certificate and ten buttons of their specific design at the June
neighborhood meeting.
Ms. Haney made a motion to award 1st place to design #4, 2nd place to design #6 and 3rd place to design
#1. Ms. Zielinski seconded the motion. The button contest winners were approved.
Discussion took place on the upcoming Commission Tour taking place Wednesday, June 21. The
commission expressed an interest in visiting 4-season community buildings and larger picnic shelters in
preparation for these types of facilities being added in Crystal.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 May 3, 2023
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects scheduled for 2023. The second abutment was poured
at Bassett Creek Park. The Dog park trails are marked and the water line has been dug in. The South
Parking Lot at the Crystal Community Center has been removed and work is ongoing. Pickleball courts at
Becker Park are complete including the lighting. Contracts are in place for trails in Welcome, Broadway
and Crystal Highlands Parks. A grant application has been submitted for Welcome Park. Improvements
at the pool are being discussed as part of the bonding bill.
Ms. Kamish presented the Council Report. Taji Onesirosan joined the City Council. An eight-unit
townhome and apartments will be coming to Crystal.
Mr. Fortin gave a report for park maintenance.
Ms. Chouinard gave a report for recreation programming, including information on 2022 participant
data.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. The pool manager position has evolved into three positions on
the following focus areas; Lifeguards, Lessons and Guest Services. Crystal is partnering with other cities
for a Hennepin County grant application to train more lifeguards.
Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions, and
commenting.
Mr. Sumnicht gave a Crystal Frolics report. The Crystal Frolics Committee secretary position is open.
They are focusing on raising funds and updating the website.
Mr. Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They are planning for their annual plant sale on May
20.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. McCaffrey seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder
NEIGHBORHOOD
MEETING
Becker Park
June 7, 2023
12-7 pm: Storybook Trail
"Stick & Stone" by Beth Ferry and
Tom Lightenheld
7 pm: Neighborhood Meeting
Meet commission members & staff.
The meeting agenda is on the back.
Scan to view
Recreation
Programs!
6:00 pm: Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony for the new pickleball
courts. Followed by an chance to try
pickleball. Refreshments provided.
Crystal Recreation Department
4800 Douglas Drive N
Crystal, MN 55429
Becker Park
Wednesday, June 7 at 7:00 pm
5530 Douglas Drive North
The Parks & Recreation Advisory
Commission invites you to a
neighborhood park meeting
Neighborhood Mtg. Agenda
1. Introductions
2. Neighborhood Discussion
a. Citywide Updates
b. Neighborhood Watch/Safety
c. Parks and Recreation Updates
3. Drawing for Recreation Gift Certificate
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
May, 2023
Vandalism:
• Graffiti at MAC boardwalk and Skate Park
Projects:
• Removal of Emerald Ash Borer infected trees
• City wide inspection of diseased trees
• Prep pool for summer opening
• Work with contractors at Bassett Creek park dog park and Bridge
• EDA house clean-ups
• Host annual Arbor Day celebration at Winnetka Hills Park
• Sunshade installation
• Turf maintenance
• Ballfield maintenance
• Municipal building maintenance
• Playground inspections and repairs
• HVAC maintenance at city buildings
• Recertify playground inspector
• Garbage pick-ups
• Irrigation startups and repairs
• Overseed and fertilize Fair soccer field (ready for fall usage)
• Plant seasonal planters and pots
• Remove playground at Broadway Park
Future:
• Ash tree removals and tree trimming
• Playground inspections
• Trash removal
• Turf maintenance
• Tree planting
• Pool maintenance
• Disc golf Tee pads and baskets
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• Building maintenance
• Replace soffit and fascia at Welcome Park warming house
• HVAC upgrades at Public Works
• Instal water service and electrical to Bassett Creek dog park
• Re-construct electrical service in Becker parking lot.
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
J U N E 2 0 2 3
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.
Bassett Creek Dog Park
The parking lot installation at Bassett Creek Dog Park has
begun, with the recent pouring of curbs. In the following
weeks, bituminous work will be conducted to finish off
the lot.
Broadway Park
The old play area structure at Broadway Park has been
taken down, creating space for a brand new play area. The
new structure will be placed farther away from the road,
ensuring added safety for children at the park.
Bassett Creek Pedestrian Bridge
Completing the Bassett Creek bridge installation is a major
achievement, as it has now been successfully positioned
over the creek. Recently formed concrete abutments provide
a solid foundation for the bridge's stability and functionality.
Grogan Park Parking Lot
The construction of an improved south parking lot at Grogan
Park is progressing. Large tubes were recently installed
beneath the surface to enhance stormwater management,
ensuring effective drainage and water control.
P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y
J U N E 2 0 2 3
Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal
Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some
key special events we offer.
Young Mudder
We will be hosting the Young Mudder at Valley Place
Park on June 10. Participants come clean and leave
muddy! It is a great way to kick off summer. Adults will
be allowed to run with their participants.
Crystal Farmers Market
Badges & Bobbers allow youth aged five and above to
bond with local police officers while enjoying fishing
together. All skill levels are welcome; participants will learn
fishing techniques such as baiting, casting, and reeling.
The Crystal Farmers Market begins on Tuesday, June 13.
This community event offers access to locally grown
produce, agricultural goods, and handcrafted items
straight from farms and small cottage businesses.
Join the enchanting storytimes by Princess Party Pals in
Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, and Robbinsdale.
These delightful events are open to all ages, and the
first storytime will take place on June 14 in New Hope.
Badges & Bobbers
Storytime Series