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2026.05.06 PRC Packet AGENDA May 6, 2026 6:30 p.m. Location: Twin Oaks Park, 5116 Wilshire Blvd., Crystal, MN 55429 In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at the Crystal Community Center Neighborhood Meeting Agenda (6:30 p.m.) 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 Regular Meeting Agenda (7:15 p.m.) 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Public Comments 5. Regular Agenda (30 minutes) a. 2026 Project Discussion b. 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: June 3, 2026 – 6:30 p.m. at Valley Place Park END OF COMMUNITY MEETING (Community meetings have a one-hour time limit). There will be a short break between the two meetings. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING OVERVIEW May 6, 2026 6:30 p.m. Location: Twin Oaks Park, 5116 Wilshire Blvd., Crystal, MN 55429 1. Call meeting to order Terri Schultz will provide information on the purpose of the meeting. 2. Introductions of Commission and City Staff 3. Neighborhood Business John Sutter will provide information on current and upcoming development projects. Jesse Struve will provide information on current and upcoming public works projects. Lieutenant Jon Kurtz 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. Michelle Margo will provide information on recreation programs & events. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions/make comments during the meeting. 4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate COMMISSION MEETING OVERVIEW May 6, 2026 7:15 p.m. Location: Twin Oaks Park, 5116 Wilshire Blvd., 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 – April 1, 2026 - Tree Board Meeting April 1, 2026 - Commission Meeting 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. 2026 Project Discussion b. 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 Ribbon Cutting & Arbor Day Event Scan for additional informationAdditional details on the back. 5:00 p.m. Enjoy music and refreshments 5:15 p.m. Twin Oaks Play Area Ribbon Cutting 5:30 p.m. Arbor Day Event Begins Park Cleanup & Tree Giveaway Twin Oaks Park Wednesday, May 6 Join us as we celebrate the newly enhanced Twin Oaks Park during Arbor Day. A ribbon cutting, tree planting, mayor’s proclamation, and live music; it will be a day full of community pride. (limited quantity) Crystal Recreation Department 4800 Douglas Drive N Crystal, MN 55429 Storybook Trail The Busy Tree 12:00-7:00 PM The Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission invites you to a neighborhood park meeting Twin Oaks Park Wednesday, May 6 5116 Wilshire Blvd Neighborhood Mtg. @ 6:30 p.m. 1. Introductions 2. Neighborhood Discussion      a.Citywide Updates      b.Neighborhood Watch/Safety      c.Parks and Recreation Updates 3. Drawing for Recreation Gift Certificate Crystal Tree Board Minutes April 1, 2026 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Commission Tree Board meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Crystal Tree Board Chair J. D. Moore. Tree Board members in attendance: J. D. Moore (Tree Board Chair), Dave Anderson, Lynn Haney, Deb Schaber, Terri Schultz and Angela Spores. Also present were John Budziszewski from the city council; John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Michelle Margo from the city staff. Tree Board members absent: Joyce Cooper, Jesse McCaffrey and Sonja Roby. Fortin reviewed the Forestry Annual Report, highlighting work done in the past year. Forestry work is handled by the Parks Division. Their primary focus is tree inspection, managing contracted forestry operations, apply for and manage grants, tree planting, trimming and removal, annual Arbor Day celebration and maintenance of tree inspector licensing. The city received a Healthy Tree Canopy Grant from Hennepin County in 2025. City staff and contractors removed 106 trees in 2025, 23 of which were hazardous. City staff and volunteer organizations planted 145 trees on city property. Trees removed on city and private properties are being replaced with a wider diversity of specimens, which leads to a healthier and more diverse urban forest. Staff is undergoing continuous training as it pertains to Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm Disease and Oak Wilt. The city will be hiring a part time forester in 2026. Fortin also reviewed the Tree City USA program. The requirements include having a Tree Board, a public tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an arbor day observance and proclamation. Tree Board members discussed the May 7 Arbor Day event. The event will be held at Twin Oaks Park, with a park clean-up and tree distribution at 5:30 p.m. and other activities beginning at 5:50 p.m. The city will hand out 40 trees to residents, and plant one tree in the park. Trees are being provided by the Friends of Crystal Parks. If any trees remain, they will be planted in the city’s tree nursery. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Schultz seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2027, at 6:45 p.m. – at the Crystal Community Center. John Elholm, Recorder Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes April 1, 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, Sonja Roby, and Deb Schaber. Also present were John Budziszewski from the City Council and John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Michelle Margo from the City Staff. Commission member absent: none Public Comments There was no public comment. Recognition of outgoing member: Elholm presented Deb Schaber with a certificate of appreciation for her time on the commission. She will be moving out of the city soon. Commission members and staff thanked Schaber for her service to the commission. Meeting Agenda Schaber made a motion to approve the agenda, with the addition of a police chief report under the reports section. This recommended addition is due to recent activities at Becker Park that have required a police presence. McCaffrey seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda for April was approved as amended. Meeting Minutes Spores made a motion to approve the March 4, 2026 minutes. J.D. Moore II seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes for March were approved as amended. Commission Business / Discussion Margo shared the upcoming Recreation Needs Assessment that will run May 6 until August 16. The survey will be promoted at community events and through handouts with QR codes. The feedback will allow staff to make data driven decisions for future recreation programs. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 4, 2026 The commission discussed the annual bus tour scheduled for June 17. They shared interest in reviewing three-season shelters and suggested potential locations. They also suggested seeing facilities similar to those coming up in Crystal’s long-term plan. Elholm presented updates for Forest School Park, Woodland Park and North Lions Park improvement projects. The old park building in Forest School Park has been demolished. Plans for all three projects are complete and quotes or bids have been sought. Agreements with the low quote/bid contractor will be brought to the city council on April 7. Park furnishings like benches, tables, bike racks, etc. will be ordered soon. Staff will also order one standard and one adjustable basketball system for Woodland Park. Elholm presented information on 2027 projects. Grants have been applied for; including one to the DNR for a Valley Place Park youth softball field / shelter and another to CGBG for Iron Horse Park redevelopment. A Hennepin County Youth Activities Grant will be submitted for Cavanagh Park redevelopment in early May. Meetings are scheduled in each of these parks this summer to discuss the projects and receive input. Commission Reports Chief Hubbard provided an update on recent happenings at Becker Park, the police response and recent Facebook comments. Commission members had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss these topics during the open forum. Budziszewski gave the council report. He shared information about Becker Park and the police efforts to reduce youth gatherings. He also shared the ban of flavored cigarettes/vape and the TIF District - Wells Fargo site. Chairperson Schultz provided an update on the Resilient Crystal Plan meetings. She also mentioned that these meetings have members of the Sustainability and Parks & Recreation Commission and how there are some areas of overlap between the two commissions. 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 Crystal Cove pool filling will begin early May, and opening day will be June 6. Margo presented the recreation program report and answered questions. She stated staff have attended Fair School conferences to promote the department and upcoming programs. The Recreation Department is selling Native Landscape Kits that will be distributed at the Plant Sale Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 March 4, 2026 on May 16. She also shared updates from programs that have ended for the season and the increase in participation. She also noted that the edible courtyard has begun spring set up. Elholm presented updates for Bassett Creek Park resource management projects. The prescribed burn will take place in April and communication will be sent to nearby residents. The prescribed burn will be conducted with trained professionals from Great River Greening / Greening Solutions. Community Reports Margo reported the Crystal Frolics Committee is finalizing sponsor opportunities. The next Crystal Frolics committee meeting will be held on April 13 (second Monday) via Zoom. Haney provided the Friends of Crystal Parks Report. They are planning for Arbor Day tree giveaway and the Plant Sale. Their next meeting is on April 16 (third Thursday). Schaber made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Roby seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager John Elholm, Recreation Director 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 r o j e c t S u m m a r y - M a y 2 0 2 6 Crystal Cove Shade As the weather warms, things are starting to heat up at the aquatic center. Two old umbrellas are being replaced with shade structures. The new shade is larger and doesn’t need to be taken down when the wind blows. May is the beginning of all things summer. The restrooms at Becker and Valley Place Parks are now open, and staff has begun lining sport fields so they are ready to go for the busy summer season. Summer is Here! North Lions Park Soccer Field Work on the new soccer field at North Lions Park is ready to go. Equipment is being moved onto the site and work will begin in early May. This field replaces an underutilized baseball field. New chairs have arrived for the Crystal Room in the Crystal Community Center. Over 100 chairs arrived in 40 boxes; so staff is in the process of unpackaging the chairs – and putting them in place. New - Crystal Room Chairs 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 r o g r a m S u m m a r y - M a y 2 0 2 6 BIKE RODEO The City of Crystal hosts the annual Bike Rodeo with Golden Valley, New Hope, and Robbinsdale. Recreation, Police and Fire partner to offer a fun, community event focused on bike safety; with chances to win new bikes and accessories. Dance Recital “Anything Goes” The Crystal Dance Program’s annual spring recital, Anything Goes, took center stage on Sunday, April 26, showcasing our year-round dancers. Audience of 280 attendees, flower bouquets were available for presale and sold out, adding a special touch. Join us for this fun, family event that is focused on Bike Safety. Bring your bike and get your helmet professionally fitted. Try out your skills on our interactive bike safety course. Make sure your bike is in top shape with a complimentary safety check. Participants can enter a door prize drawing for a chance to win a brand-new bike. CRYSTAL COMMUNITY CENTER Thursday, May 7 from 6:00-8:00 PM Bike Rodeo Brunch, Bingo & a Band welcomed 61 pre-registered participants, with five event sponsors and generous prize donations from local businesses. West Metro Fire and the Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale Police Departments joined, making it a great event! Brunch, Bingo & a Band! PUZZLEPUZZLEPUZZLETROPICALTROPICALTROPICAL PURSUIT WINNERSPURSUIT WINNERSPURSUIT WINNERS Crystal hosted the Tropical Puzzle Pursuit Challenge with Golden Valley, where 15 teams competed. First place finished a 500-piece puzzle in 53:07, followed by second at 1:03:40. Tropical attire earned entry into a door prize drawing. Puzzle Pursuit Extravaganza!