2024.12.04 PRC Packet AGENDA
December 4, 2024
Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive, 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. Project Discussion
b. New January Meeting Date
c. Preliminary 2025 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
• Friends of Crystal Parks Report
b. Citizen Contacts
c. Other Community News Items
9. Adjournment
Next meeting date: January 8 (?), 2025 – Crystal Community Center
MEETING OVERVIEW
December 4, 2024
Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive, 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
Jesse McCaffrey 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 6, 2024
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. Project Discussion
b. New January Meeting Date (1st Wednesday is January 1)
c. Preliminary 2025 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
Forest Eidbo: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Michelle Margo: Program Report
John Elholm: Director Report
8. Community Reports
John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
Lynn Haney: Friends of Crystal Parks Report
Commission Members: Other community news and contacts
9. Adjournment
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
November 6, 2024
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jen Zielinski
(Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, J.D. Moore II, Terri Schultz, Angela Spores. Also present
were John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Michelle Margo from the city staff.
Commission member absent: Alex Popp and Kassidy Swanson.
Spores made a motion to approve the October Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Schultz
seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for October were approved
as written.
During the public comments time, Tony Sumnicht presented a Crystal Frolics planning committee
update and invited commission members to join. He provided flyers for those interested to engage.
There was no city council report.
The meeting included a presentation from Chair McCaffrey, who shared a slideshow based on an
article from the National Recreation and Park Association. The article discussed how LA County has
developed a strategic plan focused on connecting with communities. Key strategies outlined in the
slides included educational outreach, transparent communication and inclusive approaches designed
to strengthen community relationships.
Chair McCaffrey highlighted that the City of Crystal has a similar approach, emphasizing our
commitment to "collaborate with community." He concluded his report by inviting further discussion
and questions from attendees. The floor was then opened for comments or questions from
commission members.
Elholm presented the Capture Crystal photo contest, an initiative inviting community members to
share their passion for what makes Crystal great across four categories: People, Places, Youth, and
Wildlife & Nature. Haney led this part of the meeting, since McCaffrey wished to abstain from the
process. The commission reviewed a selection of submitted photos and held a vote to determine the
winning photo in each category. The selected photographers will receive a recreation department gift
certificate and will be featured in an upcoming Facebook post.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 November 6, 2024
McCaffrey returned to leading the meeting. Elholm gave project updates for Crystal Cove Aquatic
Center, Valley Place Park and North Lions Park. Drawings of the aquatic center pool features, lobby /
service counter and the exterior siding were shared. Pavement and court color images were shared for
Valley Place Park courts. Electric wiring of the court lights will take place soon. The North Lions Park
parking lot and volleyball court are complete.
Elholm also provided an update on planning for 2025 projects in Twin Oaks Park, Welcome Park
and North Lions Parks. Graphics of the Twin Oaks Park layout and play area design were
updated based on public and commission comments. The play area colors will be presented at
Winterfest so children can vote for their favorite. VFW leadership is in favor of the new
monument location proposed in the plan. The monument area will be connected to an
adjacent parking area and a walking path in the park. A new basketball court at Welcome Park
was moved to 2025, and a new soccer field at North Lions Park was added to 2025.
During Commission Open Forum, a need for wheelchair accessibility at Valley Park was discussed.
The comment related to quality of the trail surface and topography. The commission also discussed
burdock at the dog park in Bassett Creek Park, and positive results of removal efforts that are
underway. There was also a discussion on organics recycling in Crystal.
Fortin gave an update on projects/maintenance. Soccer fields at Forest School Park were taken out
of use to rest and be restored. The fields are in excellent condition. Future soccer fields are in the
park master plan to allow for rotation and resting. Trees were planted at Bassett Creek Park (49)
with the help of Tree Trust and volunteers. The total for the year includes 199 planted with the
$50,000 assistance from Hennepin County grant. Fortin also provided a list of projects the parks
team is currently working on or completing.
Margo introduced herself and gave a recreation report that included winter registration is open, Wine
& Paint party, Edible Courtyard and Black Friday essential good gifts programs. Elholm mentioned
that Winterfest will have Santa & Mrs. Claus and we invite commission members to volunteer.
Elholm gave the directors report. He presented information about the National Recreation and
Parks Association (NRPA) annual conference and few sessions he attended as well as the NRPA
change in Pillars titles. He also discussed his recent Incident Command Training with the city.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 November 6, 2024
Elholm provided the Crystal Frolics Report. At their October meeting, brainstorming took place
on new ideas for the future. There will not be a meeting in November, so a continuation of this
discussion will occur at their December 16 meeting. Haney provided history on the search for
the crystal ball, which is now search for crystal. All are welcome join the planning committee to
help plan the 2025 event.
Friends of Crystal Parks will not meet again until the second week of January.
McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Haney seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
John Elholm, Recorder
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Park Last Visit Area Type of Park Comments
Becker 2023 N Destination
Grogan/CCC n/a C Destination
Bassett Creek 2023 S Community
North Lions 2021 N Community
Valley Place 2024 South Community
Welcome 2024 Central Community
Bass Lake 2022 N Neighborhood
Broadway 2022 N Neighborhood
Cavanagh 2021 C Neighborhood
Crystal Highlands 2022 S Neighborhood
Fair School - June 2019 C Neighborhood 6 years
Forest School - July 2022 C Neighborhood 2026 Play Area
Iron Horse 2021 N Neighborhood
Kentucky 2023 C Neighborhood
Woodland - Aug 2021 S Neighborhood 2026 Improvements
Skyway 2024 North Neighborhood
Sunnyview - May 2019 S Neighborhood 6 years (Arbor Day?)
Twin Oaks 2024 North Neighborhood
Winnetka Hills 2023 S 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
2025 Proposed (yellow)
Approved 1/3/2024
Date Time Place Notes
January 8*7 p.m.Community Center 1st Wednesday Holiday
February 5 7 p.m.Community Center
March 5 7 p.m.Community Center
April 2 6:45pm Community Center Tree Board @ 6:45; PRC @ 7
May 7 7 p.m.Sunnyview Park Arbor Day @ 6 (last visit 2019)
June 4 6:30 p.m.Fair School Park TPL Project (last visit 2019)
June 18 TBD Start at Community Center PRC Tour of Various Parks
July 2 6:30 p.m.Forest School Park 2026 Play Area
August 6 6:30 p.m.Woodland Park 2026 Improvements
September 3 7 p.m.Community Center
October 1 7 p.m.Community Center
November 5 7 p.m.Community Center
December 3 7 p.m.Community Center
All Meetings are on Wednesday Nights
* Note: Moved from regular date due to holiday.
Park and Recreation Commission
2025 DRAFT Meeting Dates
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 Pool
The pool and pool decks are installed. Construction has
shifted indoors to focus on plumbing in the mechanical
room. Exterior work will resume in the spring, with the
project on track for a June 2025 opening.
Trees
Trees are being trimmed and assessed for long-term
health. Staff are engaging with residents who have
tagged trees and are also exploring grant funding
opportunities to support the city's tree canopy.
Winter Preparation
Seasonal preparations are in full swing, including readying
warming houses and finalizing snow removal plans. Staff
are also busy preparing ice rinks and trails, as well as
inspecting and maintaining playground equipment.
Twin Oaks Park
We look forward to projects in 2025! This includes
improvements to Twin Oaks Park; These enhancements will
feature a new play area, picnic shelter, basketball court, and
improved trail connections.
Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal
Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some
key special events we offer.
WINTERFEST!
Winterfest returns Saturday, December 7, from 10 AM to 12
PM, at the Crystal Community Center. Join in the festive fun
with Santa and seasonal activities! Bring your family and
friends to celebrate the magic of the holidays together!
Winter Holiday Celebrations
Holiday programs are in full force this December. Senior
programs include Holiday Tea & Holiday Luncheon.
Community wide events like Winterfest & Holiday band
Concert return in 2024.
Warming Houses
We are currently hiring staff for our warming houses! As
temperatures drop, we are keeping an eye on the weather
to start making ice for skating. Once conditions are right,
our rinks will be prepped and ready for you to enjoy.
Hiring!
We're gearing up for an amazing summer and have begun the
in-depth process that goes into hiring seasonal staff for Summer
2025! From lifeguards to recreation leaders, we're searching for
outstanding team members to make summer great!