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2026.04.01 PRC Packet AGENDA April 1, 2026 Crystal Community Center 6:45 pm Tree Board Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Annual Forestry Report 3. Tree City, USA 4. Arbor Day Event Planning • Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 • Location: Twin Oaks Park • Tentative Schedule: • 5:30 pm – Park clean-up & tree distribution begins • 5:50 pm – Mayor’s proclamation reading • 6:00 pm – Overview of the health of Crystal’s urban forest • 6:10 pm - Tree Planting and distribution • Trees donated by Friends of Crystal Parks • (10) Heritage Birch • (10) Linden • (10) Prairie Expedition Elm • (10) Japanese Tree Lilac • (1) Swamp White Oak - for planting in the park • Refreshments 5. Adjournment Next meeting date: April 7, 2027 @ 6:45pm Crystal Community Center 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov April 1, 2026 2026 Annual Forestry Report: -Forestry operations are the responsibility of the Parks Division. Those duties include: •Tree inspections •Manage contractual forestry operations •Apply for and manage grants •Tree planting, trimming and removals •Annual Arbor Day celebration •Maintain certified tree inspector licensing -Long grass complaints are being handled by the Public Works department. -EDA lot management and the cutting of long grass complaints are being coordinated through Public Works and work will be contracted out. -Received a Healthy Tree Canopy grant from Hennepin County. (2025) -Received a Community Tree Planting grant from the DNR. (2026) -City staff and contractors removed 106 trees in 2025. (23 of these trees were hazardous). -City staff and volunteer organizations planted 145 trees on city property. -Removed boulevard trees are being replaced, homeowners are given the option to have a tree planted on their private property or in the right of way if approved by staff. (City Council is has amended boulevard tree planting) -Trees removed on city and private properties are being replaced with a wider diversity of specimens. A wider variety of tree species leads to a healthier and more diverse urban forest. A more diverse urban forest increases its overall health. -Staff is undergoing continuous training as it pertains to Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm disease and Oak Wilt. -In 2026 we will be hiring a part time Forester. This position will be shared with the city of Brooklyn Center. 2026 Arbor Day Plans: -Arbor Day will be celebrated 5/6/2026 at Twin Oaks Park. -Twin Oaks Park was selected as the host site due to recent park improvement efforts there. -Park cleanup begins at 5:30. -Arbor Day event begins with a reading of the proclamation by the mayor at 5:50. -Parks Division will speak about the state of the urban forest at 6:00. -There will be a tree giveaway to the first 40 guests. (First come first serve basis) -Parks Division will speak about and demonstrate proper tree planting techniques. -A tree will be planted in recognition of Arbor Day. (Swamp White Oak) CITY OF CRYSTAL MINNESOTA DRAFT PROCLAMATION CRYSTAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION MAY 6, 2026 WHEREAS, Crystal is a Tree City and has been a Tree City since 1998; and WHEREAS, the Crystal Parks & Recreation Commission serves as Crystal’s Tree Board; and WHEREAS, as Crystal’s Tree Board, the Parks & Recreation Commission holds an annual arbor day event to recognize the importance of trees in our community; and to provide information to residents on the role trees play in filtering our air and water, fostering biodiversity, and strengthening our communities; and WHEREAS, the Friends of Crystal Parks has provided funds to purchase trees for distribution to residents attending the city’s arbor day celebration, and WHEREAS, the 2025 Crystal Arbor Day Celebration will be Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Twin Oaks Park, located at 5116 Wilshire Boulevard, and includes: • Park clean-up, • Information on forestry efforts in Crystal, • Planting of a Swamp White Oak tree in the park, • Distribution of free Arbor Day trees; and WHEREAS, the City of Crystal wishes to promote the Parks & Recreation Commission, the Crystal Tree Board and the arbor day celebration. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Julie Deshler, Mayor of the City of Crystal, do hereby proclaim May 6, 2026, as ARBOR DAY in the city of Crystal. Dated this 5th day of May, 2026. ______________________________ Julie Deshler, Mayor AGENDA April 1, 2026 7:00 p.m. Location: Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal, MN 55429 Regular Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order / Introductions 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Public Comments 5. Regular Agenda (50 minutes) a. Upcoming Needs Assessment b. 2026 Bus Tour Discussion c. 2026 Project Discussion d. 2027 Planning Discussion 6. Commission Open Forum (10 minutes) 7. Reports (20 minutes) a. City Council Report b. Chairperson Report c. Maintenance and Projects Report d. Programs and Events Report e. 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: May 6, 2026 – 6:30 p.m. at Twin Oaks Park MEETING OVERVIEW April 1, 2026 7:00 p.m. Location: Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal, MN 55429 1. Call the Meeting to Order / Introductions Terri Schultz will call the meeting to order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes – March 4, 2026 4. 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. 5. Regular Agenda John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Upcoming Needs Assessment b. 2026 Bus Tour c. 2026 Project Discussion d. 2027 Planning 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 Terri Schultz: Commission Chair Report Brad Fortin: Maintenance and Projects Report Michelle Margo: Programs and Events 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 March 4, 2026 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Commission Chair Terri Schultz. Commission members in attendance: Terri Schultz (chair), JD Moore II (vice-chair), Angela Spores (secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney, Jesse McCaffrey and Sonja Roby. Also present were John Budziszewski from the City Council and John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Michelle Margo from the City Staff. Commission member absent: Deb Schaber Public Comments There was no public comment. Meeting Agenda Haney made a motion to approve the February 4, 2026 agenda. Moore II seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda for February was approved. Meeting Minutes Haney made a motion to approve the February 4, 2026 minutes with the following amendments: Lynn Haney attended the January meeting and J.D. Moore (instead of Haney) noted that the minutes incorrectly referenced Terri Schultz as President. Moore II seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes for February were approved as amended. Commission Business / Discussion The redacted ‘Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Award’ nominations were reviewed at the meeting. The commission was impressed with the nominations and recommended six awards be presented in 2026. Haney made a motion to recommend approval of all six nominations for the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Awards. Spores seconded the motion. The Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Awards were recommended for approval. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 4, 2026 Elholm presented updates for North Lions Park, Forest School Park and Woodland Park improvement projects. Plans for all three projects are complete. Bids for the North Lions Park project are due on March 25. Quotes for the Forest School and Woodland Park projects are due on March 18. Agreements with the contractor with the low bid/quote will be brought to the city council on April 7. Play area equipment and picnic shelter have also been ordered for Forest School and Woodland Parks. The commission discussed the style of basketball goal to use at Woodland Park. Additional information on basketball goals will be brought to the next commission meeting. Plans are also underway for the south parking lot in Valley Place Park. This project is being led by the Public Works Department. Elholm presented information on the planning process used for park redevelopment. When the long-term plan was approved in December of 2025, ordering / bidding for 2026 projects, and planning for 2027 projects, began shortly thereafter. Summer meeting locations (to receive input on 2027 projects) were set by the commission in January, and the meeting dates and locations were put into the summer brochure for publication in February. Grants for 2027 projects are also applied for early in 2026. Commission Open Forum Commission members had an opportunity to discuss items during the commission open forum. McCaffrey shared he had attended the Crystal Inclusion and Diversity Commission (IDC) meeting. He mentioned that their members can attend meetings online or in person. The commission discussed potential opportunities for sharing information between commissions, which may include a park and recreation presentation to the IDC. Commission Reports Budziszewski gave the council report. He shared information about the light rail station design that included lighting of the corridor and other design elements. The city is also working on a climate action plan. Crystal has joined a consortium of cities discussing ICE operations in our communities. The council is also considering an ordinance on flavored tobacco and menthol cigarettes. Chairperson’s Report Chairperson Schultz presented the new Bassett Creek Watershed Map and brochure. This new brochure provides a history and importance of a watershed, how they are managed, and the origin of the Dakota people who cherished the waterway. She also highlighted how the watershed co- brands the watershed as Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek Watershed. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 March 4, 2026 Fortin gave a park maintenance report. He provided information and answered questions on current maintenance activities. He noted that trees have been ordered for the Arbor Day event. The ice this year for city rinks was the best in many years and tree trimming will begin shortly. He also highlighted summer park maintenance hiring efforts. Margo presented the recreation program report and answered questions. She stated the park maintenance team created excellent ice and spaces for winter recreation. The new spring & summer brochure is out and staff members are busy planning activities. Feedback from the new Luminary event was very positive. Recreation staff is working on a community needs assessment and the kickoff to summer event. She also shared her experience at the recent Explore MN Tourism conference. Elholm presented updates for Bassett Creek Park resource management projects. A prescribed burn, planting, and research project are important resource management efforts designed to keep our natural spaces healthy. The prescribed burn will be conducted with trained professionals from Great River Greening/Greening Solutions. Great River Greening will also be leading 92 Volunteers from Pentair to plant shrubs in the woodland, with the Friends of Crystal Parks donating $1,000 to help purchase plant materials. The University of MN will continue conducting Green Heron research in this park as well. Community Reports Margo reported the Crystal Frolics Committee is working on plans for the Welcome Park softball tournament and other activities scheduled in late July. The next Crystal Frolics committee meeting will be held on March 9 (second Monday) via Zoom. Haney provided the Friends of Crystal Parks Report. They were approached by New Hope’s Women of Today about a youth initiative for a clean the park program. The Friend’s group will be meeting again on April 16 (third Thursday) to begin planning their plant sale. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Spores seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m. Angela Spores, Secretary Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager John Elholm, Recreation Director Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report March, 2026 Vandalism: • Trash dumped at Iron Horse Projects: • Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Tree trimming • Snow removal operations • Service seasonal maintenance equipment • Dock and boardwalk maintenance • Site prep and demolition at Woodland park for park reconstruction • Order Arbor Day and gravel bed nursery tree stock • Work on 2026 Parks, forestry and Facilities CIP projects • Native plant sale coordination • Order 2026 equipment • Re-certify 7 licensed tree inspectors • Hired seasonal staff • Building maintenance • Install auxiliary heat to Public work mechanics bay • EDA house and property clean-ups • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal Upcoming: • Ash tree removal/tree planting/stump grinding • Demolition of the Forest warming house • 2026 park, building, fleet and forestry project preparations • Attend and recertify Playground Inspector (CPSI) • Generator upgrade project at City Hall • Coordinate operations with Little league organization • Building maintenance (Pw office expansion for Forestry and Blue line staff) • Storm pond vegetation management • Prep athletic fields for the season • Landscape bed maintenance • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal • Coordinate spring prairie burn at Bassett Creek Park • Pesticide applicators (re-certification) 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov 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. P roject Summary - April 2026 Let’s Play Pickleball The installation of pickleball and tennis nets is a sure sign of spring. Nets are now up at Valley Place Park (tennis) and Becker Park (pickleball), and play is already underway! Aquatic Center Building Furnaces Although the aquatic center building is not in use during the winter, a low level of heat is maintained to prevent pipes from freezing. The furnaces that provide this heat were recently replaced. Forest School Park Renovation The 60-year-old park building at Forest School Park is scheduled for demolition over spring break, which will be replaced with a new 20’ x 20’ picnic shelter this summer. Woodland Park Renovation Old facilities at Woodland Park have been removed in preparation for a new play area, picnic shelter, and basketball court coming this summer. 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. Program Summary - April 2026 MN Native Landscape Kit Sales Bring Minnesota native beauty to your yard! Pre-order locally adapted plants that support pollinators, improve water quality, and thrive in our climate. Order by May 8, 2026, and pick up at the Friends of Crystal Plant Sale on May 16, 2026. Preschool Playtime Children ages 5 and under enjoyed a variety of play areas in the Community Center gyms on Wednesday mornings from October– March. The program provided a fun, engaging space to explore and play, with 562 children participating this year, reflecting strong interest from new and returning families. Spring Break Youth Camps Spring Break camps kept youth engaged with a variety of enriching activities. Participants explored creativity in a Musical Theater camp, culminating in a performance of The Good Witches of Oz. They also enjoyed hands-on learning in KidScientific Candyology, and built skills in archery and basketball through Rev Sports. Edible Courtyard The Edible Courtyard is currently covered to build early-season warmth, with planting planned for April - pending warm weather. We are partnering with Sustainable Growth this year and are seeing success in recruiting new gardeners. Stay tuned as the season begins to grow!