Loading...
2025.11.05 PRC Packet AGENDA November 5, 2025 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. Capture Crystal Photo Contest b. Winterfest Event c. 2026 Park Planning d. Bylaw Discussion 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: December 3, 2025 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW November 5, 2025 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 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 – October 1, 2025 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Capture Crystal Photo Contest b. Winterfest Event c. 2026 Park Planning d. Bylaw Discussion 6. Commission Open Forum A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and recreation in Crystal. 7. City Reports John Budziszewski: City Council Report Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report Michelle Margo: Program Report John Elholm: Director Report 8. Community Reports Michelle Margo: 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 October 1, 2025 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Dave Anderson, J.D. Moore II, Sonja Roby, Deb Schaber and Angela Spores. Also present were John Budziszewski from the City Council and John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Michelle Margo from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Terri Schultz (Secretary), Joyce Cooper and Kassidy Swanson. There was no public comment. Schaber made a motion to approve the September commission meeting minutes; Spores seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting minutes for September were approved as written. Chair McCaffrey did not present a report, however, he expressed interest in reordering the agenda for the October 1 meeting. McCaffrey made a motion to reorder agenda items 5 (reports) and 7 (business items) for the October 1, 2025 meeting; Haney seconded the motion. Reordering the Park and Recreation Commission meeting agenda for October 1 was approved. Commission Reports Budziszewski gave the council update. He reported on the potential of allowing backyard ducks, the permit process for boulevard trees, the city budget process and tentative tax levy. Fortin gave a park maintenance report. He provided information on current maintenance activities and answered questions. Margo presented the recreation program report. She provided information on the benefits of parks and recreation and answered questions. Elholm provided a director’s report. He shard information on his attendance at the NRPA annual conference and answered questions. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 October 1, 2025 Commission Open Forum Commission members had an opportunity to discuss items during the commission open forum. Topics that came up include a desire to review the bylaws and inviting other staff and TRPD board member to a future meeting. Commission Business / Discussion Margo shared a presentation on ‘Reimagining the Crystal Frolics’ event. The presentation shared information on the history of the event, which began in the early 1950s. The event had once included parades, royalty, softball and more. The name of the event and organizational structure of the event has changed over the years, with additional changes being proposed for 2026. What this looks like is still being evaluated, but moving the Becker Park activities to a different weekend is one change being proposed. Having activities at two parks at the same time is difficult to cover for staff, and in some ways seem to pull use away from each other. Moving the Becker Park activities to a different weekend will allow a greater focus to be had on each part of the event. Margo also discussed ways the commission could get involved with the event. In the past, the commission had a greater role than they have had lately, but there is likely an opportunity to increase commission involvement again in the future. The topic of reimagining Crystal Frolics will be discussed with the Crystal Frolics Committee on October 20 and with the Crystal City Council on October 21. Elholm provided an update on projects scheduled for 2026. He shared that grants had recently been applied for from Hennepin County, in the amount of $200,000 each, for Forest School Park and Woodland Park. He also shared that he had recently received more detailed information on how each piece of proposed play area equipment addresses things like motor skills, cognitive skills and social skills; in addition to the number of accessible features each play area contains. This information will be added to the project website for each park in the coming weeks. Elholm also mentioned that he will be meeting with the organizers of girls fastpitch in the coming weeks in regard to proposed improvements to the fastpitch field in Valley Place Park. The field is currently used for this purpose, but there is an opportunity to reconfigure it to better meet the needs of this sport into the future. This project is proposed in 2027. Elholm led a discussion on destination play areas. This topic had been brought up at a PRC meeting last summer. He highlighted the destination park facilities currently located in Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 October 1, 2025 Crystal, which includes the Becker Park Play Area, Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, Bassett Creek Dog Park, Becker Park Pickleball Courts and Bassett Creek Disc Golf Course. These facilities have all been improved in the past 6 years, and currently draw visitors from around the area. Elholm also shared examples of destination play areas that use molded materials to create a custom look and feel. Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater was the example brought up last summer, but this type of play area can also be found in Prescott, WI, St. Paul, MN and other locations. Elholm discussed this type of molded play area with the owner of Cre8play, who is located in St. Louis Park, MN and who specializes in custom play area equipment like this. The owner shared that since everything is custom, the cost is higher than a traditional play area. However, they are located nearby so would be a good resource if this idea is pursued further. Community Reports Margo and Elholm gave the Crystal Frolics report. They referenced the upcoming meetings mentioned earlier and answered questions. Haney provided the Friends of Crystal Parks Report. The Friend’s group will be meeting again on October 30. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Spores seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm Jesse McCaffrey, Commission Chair John Elholm, Recreation Director Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report October, 2025 Vandalism: • Garbage dumped at Iron Horse Park (parking lots) • Graffiti at Welcome Park playground Projects: • Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Boulevard Tree replacement planting for residents • Ballfield and soccer field maintenance • Pool shutdown operations • Irrigation, drinking fountains and building blow-outs • Remove seasonal planters • Water planters and trees • Turf maintenance • Building maintenance (roofing and HVAC at old PW shop) • EDA house and property clean-ups • Playground inspections and repairs (Welcome Park track ride) • Trash removal Upcoming: • Ash tree removal and stump grinding • Trail maintenance, replacement and repairs • Prep Forest warming house for spring demolition • Turf maintenance (Mulching leaves) • Disc golf course maintenance • Prep ice rinks for winter season • Snowplow and equipment prep for winter operations • Playground inspections and repairs • Door replacement at South Fire Station • Trash removal 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov PROJECT SUMMARYNOVEMBER 2025 This is an overview of the upcoming park projects in the City of Crystal, which will take place at various parks and buildings across the city. Aquatic Center The Crystal Cove Aquatic Center had a successful opening summer! Since closing, minor adjustments have been made to make the pool even better in 2026. One such improvement was adding additional anchor points in the bottom of the pool for ropes and floating features. Winter Preparation The green grass and warmth of summer are giving way to cooler temperatues. This month, irrigation lines, outside drinking fountains and other water lines are being blown out to prevent freezing and ensure our parks are ready come spring. Aquatic Center Parking Lot In addition to improvements to the pool and building lobby last summer, the parking lot was also improved this fall. Paving and new striping were completed in October. Tree Planting Tree diseases have resulted in many trees being removed throughout Crystal. Fall is a great time to bring new life to our parks and plant trees. Our maintenance crews have been working hard to help restore Crystal’s urban forest. These new plantings will provide beauty, shade and a healthier enivronment for years to come. We had a great turnout for this year’s Puzzle Pursuit event with everything fitting together perfectly! Particpants enjoyed the fun and friendly competition. We’re already looking forward to hosting the 2026 Puzzle Pursuit right here in Crystal! PROGRAM SUMMARYNOVEMBER 2025 Below is an overview of the programs offered by the Crystal Recreation Department, along with occasional recaps of key special events we host. Indoor Open Pickleball Season in Full Swing Adult Open Pickleball is back and thriving! Over the last two weeks of October, we saw an average of 36 players per session, showing strong community interest and participation. We’re excited to keep the momentum going and welcome more players to join the fun. WINTER REGISTRATION BEGINS NOV. 10 The new Recreation Brochure is on its way to homes in Crystal! Registration for winter programs (January–March 2026) opens November 10. Explore new classes, events, and activities for all ages! Get Creative, Active, and Inspired! November is packed with programs for all ages and interests! From youth sports classes to gift-making workshops there’s something for everyone. New this year is Barn Quilt Painting pictured left. Explore your creativity, stay active, and have fun this month! PUZZLE PURSUIT