2024.08.07 PRC Packet AGENDA
August 7, 2024
Twin Oaks Park – 5116 Wilshire Blvd., Crystal, MN 55429
In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at the Crystal Community Center.
7:00 p.m. 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
Immediately
following the
neighborhood
meeting
Commission Business Meeting Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
a. July 10 – Neighborhood Meeting
b. July 10 - Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion (25 minutes)
a. Project Updates
b. Planning Updates
6. Commission Reports (15 minutes)
a. City Council Report
b. Project/Maintenance Report
c. Program 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
Twin Oaks Park – 5116 Wilshire Blvd., Crystal, MN 55429
August 7, 2024
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.
Police Department Staff 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.
Lei-Lani Fischer 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 – Immediately following the neighborhood meeting
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 – July 10, 2024
a. Neighborhood 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. Planning Updates
Item 6. Commission Reports
Forest Eidbo: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Lei-Lani Fischer: Program Report
John Elholm: Director Report
Item 7. Community Reports
John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
Lynn Haney: Friends of Crystal Parks Report
Commission members: Other community activities and events
Item 8. Adjournment
Don’t Push The Button!
by Bill Cotter
7 pm: Neighborhood Meeting
NEIGHBORHOOD
MEETING
Twin Oaks Park
August 7, 2024
12-7 pm: Storybook Trail
Meet commission members & staff.
The meeting agenda is on the back.
Scan to view
Park Projects!
Improvements
coming in 2025!
Concept planning
is happening now.
Additional park
concepts will be
shown at the
meeting.
Crystal Recreation Department
4800 Douglas Drive N
Crystal, MN 55429
Twin Oaks Park
Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 pm
5116 Wilshire Blvd
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
d. Discuss Twin Oaks & Soo Line Parks
3.Drawing for Recreation Gift Certificate
(picnic shelter south of playground)
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission – Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
July 10, 2024
Valley Place Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jen
Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Alex Popp, Terri Schultz and Angela Spores.
Also present were Forest Eidbo (Council Liaison), John Elholm, Justin Tourville, John Sutter, Brad
Fortin and Jason Minnick from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: J.D. Moore and Kassidy Swanson.
Deb Daberkow-Wright presented awards to two of the Crystal Frolics Button Contest winners.
The remaining award will be presented at the next Crystal Frolics Meeting.
John Sutter provided information on current and upcoming city projects. He also provided
information on home improvement grants.
Justin Tourville informed residents of common issues in the city and upcoming city events. He
referenced National Night Out and the Police Academy. He also answered questions from
residents.
John Elholm presented information on upcoming park projects, including new courts at Valley
Place Park and improvements at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.
Brad Fortin highlighted park maintenance and tree projects.
Jason Minnick gave an update on recreation programs and events, including the upcoming
Crystal Frolics.
A resident received a Crystal Recreation gift certificate in a drawing.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
July 10, 2024
Valley Place Park
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jen
Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Alex Popp, Terri Schultz and Angela Spores.
Also present were Forest Eidbo (Council Liaison), John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Jason Minnick
from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: J.D. Moore and Kassidy Swanson.
Haney made a motion to approve the July Neighborhood minutes; Spores seconded the motion.
The Neighborhood minutes for July were approved as written.
Zielinski made a motion to approve the July Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
McCaffrey seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for July were
approved as written.
Chair McCaffrey gave the chairperson's report. He discussed the recent park tour and some of
the feedback he received from a park visitor. He also discussed Soo Line Natural Area and the
unused community garden. Options for the future of this area were discussed. Residents near
Soo Line Natural Area will be invited to the neighborhood meeting in Twin Oaks Park next
month to get their thoughts.
Elholm solicited other input on the park tour. The presentation on the park system master plan
was appreciated; and thoughts were provided on the fishing pier at Twin Lake Shores Natural
Area and trails at Valley Place Park.
Elholm gave project and planning updates for Valley Place, North Lions and Grogan Parks. The
commission provided input on colors for the tennis and basketball courts and reviewed
amenities for the pool. They chose a preferred main spray feature for the zero-depth pool.
Further input was sought from the commission on options for the 2025 renovations at Twin
Oaks Park. Layout concepts and initial play area designs were reviewed, with minor edits
suggested. These designs will be provided at the neighborhood meeting next month in Twin
Oaks Park.
Participation in Crystal Frolics was discussed with many commission members agreeing to
participate in the commission’s booth at Family Festival. An activity was suggested with a link
provided to Elholm for purchase.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 July 10, 2024
Eidbo gave a council update. New budget software is being considered to help with
accountability and usability. The Blue Line is going through the municipal consent process.
Other items he reported on include planting trees in the boulevard, west metro fire budget,
organics, etc.
Fortin gave a report on park maintenance and highlighted the monthly maintenance and
project reports.
Minnick gave a report on recreation programming and highlighted the July program report.
Elholm gave a director’s report.
Minnick gave the Crystal Frolics report.
Haney provided a Friends of Crystal Parks update. They will be handing out paper bags with soil
and a seed at their Crystal Frolics booth.
McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Popp seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:30 pm
John Elholm, Recorder
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
July, 2024
Vandalism:
• Graffiti at Becker Playground
Projects:
• Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals)
• Tree planting
• Graffiti removal
• Building maintenance
• Crystal Frolics set up and take down (special event)
• Begin park improvement projects at Valley Place and North Lion’s Parks
• Pool construction project
• Building maintenance(HVAC)
• Clean out city garden plots at Soo Line Park (advertise?)
• Athletic field set up and maintenance for programs
• Weed spraying
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• Turf maintenance, fertilization, lots of mowing
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Trash removal
Future:
• Tree planting (Tree Trust 50 free trees planting) Bassett Creek
• City wide diseased tree inspections, removals and notifications
• Park improvement projects at Valley and North Lion’s Parks
• Building maintenance
• Stump grinding and backfill
• Turf maintenance(fertilization, aeration)
• Irrigation maintenance
• Athletic field maintenance and striping
• Sign construction and installation
• Modernize playground inspection operations and software upgrades
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Irrigation system maintenance
• Pool construction
• Soccer field layouts and prep
4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov
PROJECT SUMMARY
AUGUST 2024
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.
Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
Construction continues at the Crystal Cove Aquatic
Center. Grading is nearly complete and concrete will be
poured soon. The project will continue over the summer,
with an anticipated reopening in June of 2025.
Community Center Landscaping
Seasonal Park Staff has been working to improve the
look of the Crystal Community Center. Planters continue
to be weeded and topped off with mulch.
Valley Place Park Courts
Construction has begun on the new basketball and tennis
courts at Valley Place Park. There will be 3 tennis courts and
1 basketball court, plus free throw area. When complete, the
new courts will be combined into 1 fenced area.
North Lions Park Volleyball Court
Construction has begun on the new parking lot in North
Lions Park. The lot will be slightly larger for this busy
community park.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
AUGUST2024
Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal
Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some
key special events we offer.
The Fall Crystal Recreation Brochure has been mailed to homes.
Residents can explore new opportunities and register for their
favorite programs running Sept - Dec 2024. Registration opens
Monday, August 12.
Crystal Frolics brought together families for four days of
softball, fun, music and community spirit. With activities
for every member of the family, Crystal Frolics showcased
the vibrant and welcoming nature of our community.
Crystal Frolics
The Crystal Rocks Garden at the CCC has copmleted it’s update
near the south entrance. You can take a Kindness Rock, place a
rock, or share a rock to spread positivity. Follow the journey of
these inspiring stones with Crystal MN Rocks
The cities of Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale along with
the West Metro Fire District joined together to offer this
splish-splashing event. Kids enjoyed three giant water
slides and sprinkler fun provided by an Aerial Fire Truck.
#CrystalMNRocks
Wet & Wild Water Fun Day!
Fall Registration & Brochure!