2023.12.06 PRC Packet AGENDA
December 6, 2023
Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal MN, 55429
7:00 pm Regular Meeting Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order / Introductions
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion (45 minutes)
a. Recognition of Outgoing Commission Members
b. 2024 Project Discussion
c. 2024 Meeting Dates and Locations
6. Commission Open Forum (10 minutes)
7. Commission Reports (15 minutes)
a. City Council Report
b. Project/Maintenance Report
c. Program Report
d. Director Report
8. Community Reports (10 minutes)
a. Community Activity/Event Reports
• Crystal Frolics Report
• Crystal Fund Report
b. Citizen Contacts
c. Other Community News Items
9. Adjournment
Next meeting date: January 3, 2024 – Crystal Community Center
MEETING OVERVIEW
November 1, 2023
Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal MN, 55429
Contact John Elholm – john.elholm@crystalmn.gov or 763-531-1150 if you cannot attend.
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING – 7:00 PM
1. Call the Meeting to Order and Introductions
Tony Sumnicht will call the meeting to order
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.
3. Approval of Minutes – November 1, 2023
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. Recognition of Outgoing Commission Members
b. 2024 Project Discussion
c. 2024 Meeting Dates and Locations
6. Commission Open Forum
A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and
recreation in Crystal.
7. City Reports
Traci Kamish: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Scott Berggren: Program Report
John Elholm: Director Report
8. Community Reports
Tony Sumnicht / John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
Lynn Haney / John Elholm: Crystal Fund Report
Commission Members: Other community activities and events
9. Adjournment
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
November 1, 2023
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by
Commission Vice-Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair), Jennifer Zielinski (Secretary),
Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney and Dave Anderson. Also present were Traci Kamish, Council Liaison;
John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Tony Sumnicht (Chair)
Jan Jorgens made a public comment encouraging youth program opportunities for disc golf. She
appreciates the inclusive nature of the sport and the fact that it encourages kids to go outdoors
and engage in physical activity.
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the October Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Ms. Zelinski seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for October
were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the chairperson’s report. November is a time to be thankful because many
good things are happening in the City of Crystal. As the year ends, it's important to remember
the City's support for projects and programs. He thanked the other Commission members for
being there and participating.
Mr. Berggren presented entries for the 2023 Capture Crystal Contest. The commission voted on
the best user-submitted photograph in four categories: people, places, wildlife and nature and
youth (photos captured by youth 18 or younger). The recreation department will notify the
winners. The winning photos will also be considered for a People's Choice Award through a
separate voting process.
Mr. Elholm talked about several projects completed in 2023, including Crystal Highlands Park,
Broadway Park and the South parking lot at the Crystal Community Center. The Welcome Park
play area has also been finished, with the final walk-through with the play area installer
happening soon. Modifications are in the works for the Bassett Creek Dog Park to improve the
fencing and prevent smaller dogs from escaping.
Mr. Elholm discussed a presentation about upgrading the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center that was
recently presented to the City Council. He talked about plans for improving the pool layout,
making it more attractive for guests; to include changes like moving the plunge slide, adding
jumping platforms, a climbing wall, a rope swing and better shade options. He also discussed
the maintenance work needed at the facility, like fixing outdoor pumps, pool grates and
resurfacing the zero-depth pool, that are in the 2025 capital plan. The funding available,
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 November 1, 2023
totaling around $5.6 million, comes from a combination of city funds and a state legislative
appropriation. In addition, the recreation department recently applied for a $300,000 grant
focusing on amenities to enhance the guest experience at the pool.
The presentation also included designs to make the pool building more usable for staff and
accessible for visitors. The information included replacing worn out siding around the pool
building. The total estimated cost was approximately $700,000. The City Council was favorable
to the package for the pool and building that was presented.
Mr. Elholm presented potential enhancements to the Crystal Community Center's front desk,
aiming to create a more accessible and inclusive design that benefits employees and customers.
Mr. Elholm also shared an overview of other projects scheduled for 2024. This includes
renovating the parking lots at North Lions and Valley Place Park and addressing much-needed
maintenance. Additionally, there are plans to enhance the tennis and basketball courts at Valley
Place Park, possibly enclosing all the courts within the same fencing.
Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions
and commenting.
Ms. Kamish provided the Council report. She mentioned that Mr. Elholm gave a presentation
about the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. The information about the pool was well received. They
plan to talk about the budget in the upcoming meetings.
Mr. Fortin gave reports on park maintenance, and Mr. Berggren gave reports on recreation
programming.
Mr. Elholm gave his Director’s Report. He pointed out that the Department seeks grants to
support projects and expand services. Specifically, they secured an additional $260,000 for
Broadway Park through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Mr. Berggren gave a Crystal Frolics report. The kick-off meeting for the 2024 Crystal Frolics was
held on October 16.
Mr. Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They are in the process of preparing for the
Cheers to Crystal event. This includes promoting the event and seeking sponsors and breweries
to participate. They are also exploring having food trucks or involving a civic organization to
provide food at the event.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Zelinski seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.
John Elholm, Recorder
Park Last Visit Area Type of Park Comments
Becker 2023 North Destination
Grogan/CCC n/a C Destination
Bassett Creek 2023 South Community
North Lions 2021 N Community
Valley Place 2018 S Community Tennis/BB Courts
Welcome 2019 C Community New Play Area
Bass Lake 2022 N Neighborhood
Broadway 2022 N Neighborhood
Cavanagh 2021 C Neighborhood
Crystal Highlands 2022 S Neighborhood
Fair School 2019 C Neighborhood
Forest School 2022 C Neighborhood
Iron Horse 2021 N Neighborhood
Kentucky 2023 Central Neighborhood
Lee 2021 S Neighborhood
Skyway 2018 N Neighborhood Arbor Day
Sunnyview 2019 S Neighborhood
Twin Oaks 2018 N Neighborhood 2025 Improvements
Winnetka Hills 2023 South Neighborhood
Brownwood n/a C Natural Area
Florida n/a C Natural Area
Hagemeister Pond n/a C Natural Area
MAC Park n/a N Natural Area
Memory Lane n/a C Natural Area
Soo Line n/a N Natural Area
Twin Lake Shores n/a C Natural Area
Crystal Park and Recreation Commission
History of Community Meeting Locations
2024 Proposed (yellow)
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
November, 2023
Vandalism:
• Graffiti on playgrounds at Welcome and Becker Parks
Projects:
• Backfill, grading and seeding at Welcome Park
• Basketball court striping at Crystal Highlands and Broadway parks
• Tree planting on public and private properties (edible orchard at Hagemeister)
• Old dog park demolition at Bassett Creek Park
• Install bike racks and site furnishings at various parks and CCC
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• Install new basketball standards at Broadway and Crystal Highlands Parks
• Winter prep vehicles and equipment for snow removal operations
• Prep rinks and skating areas for winter
• Street lighting maintenance
• Dock removal at Twin lake shores
• Building and irrigation winterization
• Signage installation at forest and twin Oaks Parks
• EDA house clean-ups and restoration projects
• City wide tree inspections
• Turf maintenance
• Playground inspections and repairs (order parts) Add EWF to various playgrounds
• Trash removal
• Water trees
Future:
• Trash removal
• City wide diseased tree inspections and notifications
• Ice rink maintenance
• Snow removal
• Building maintenance (Learn new maintenance scheduling software)
• Tree trimming and removals
• upgrade signage in parks
• Clean air ducts at City hall
• Warming house prep for winter season
• Work on capital improvement projects for 2024 season
• LED lighting upgrades at City hall
• Shoreline vegetation management on ponds and Twin Lake
4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov
P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y
D E C E M B E R 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.
Tree Trimming and Removal
During the winter, staff will keep trimming trees and
removing diseased ones, mostly ash trees, from different
city parks and public areas. The objective is to finish the
tree-related tasks before spring thawing begins.
Preparing Ice Rinks
We start flooding the rinks to make suitable skating
surfaces as it gets colder. We aim to have the ice rinks
ready for the school’s winter break and hope for good
weather to keep everyone skating.
New Park Signs
A few city parks, such as Forest and Twin Oaks, got new
signs this fall. The Natural areas still need modern signs to
finish updating the signage for all the parks. Those signs
will be installed in 2024.
Dog Park Fencing
The fencing from the old dog park at Bassett Creek Park is
being recycled. This space will be transformed into a green
space. Additionally, we're removing fencing from seasonal
dog parks to prepare to make ice.
P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y
D E C E M B E R 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.
Holiday Events
Aside from the year-end holiday luncheon in November,
the Recreation Department has organized several other
festive events. These include Winterfest, a Holiday Tea,
and a Holiday Band Concert.
Christmas in Duluth
A tremendous collaborative event will occur at the New
Hope Ice Arena on December 27. Families can come to
open ice skating and then stay to watch the movie
"Super Mario Brothers." The ACYHA is sponsoring the event.
A group of adults are set to embark on a bus trip to
enjoy the Christmas festivities in Duluth. Their itinerary
includes visiting the Glensheen Mansion and enjoying
the Bentleyville Tour of Lights.
We never know what weather we will get, but we are
prepared. We have three great parks that have a place to
warm up starting on December 16. They are North Lions,
Valley Place, and Welcome Parks.
Skate & Movie
Warming Houses