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2026.08.05 PRC Packet AGENDA August 5, 2026 6:30 p.m. Location: The Cavanagh Patio (Corvallis Ave.), Address: 5401 51st Ave N, Crystal, MN 55429 In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held in The Cavanagh building 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. Project Updates b. Planning Updates 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: September 9, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. at the Crystal Community Center 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 August 5, 2026 6:30 p.m. Location: The Cavanagh Patio (Corvallis Ave.), Address: 5401 51st Ave N, 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. Lieutenant Justin Tourville 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 August 5, 2026 7:15 p.m. Location: The Cavanagh Patio (Corvallis Ave.), Address: 5401 51st Ave N, 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 – July 1, 2026 - Neighborhood Meeting July 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. Project Updates b. Planning Updates 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 Lynn Haney / 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 – Neighborhood Meeting Minutes July 1, 2026 Iron Horse Park The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Commission Chair Terri Schultz. Commission members in attendance: Terri Schultz (Chair), Angela Spores (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney, Lili Henthorne, Jesse McCaffrey, Sonja Roby, and Mary Serie. Also present were Adam Bell, Chief Hubbard, John Sutter, John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Michelle Margo from the city staff. Commission members absent: J.D. Moore II (Vice-Chair) Community Development Director, John Sutter, informed residents of a four-story 44-unit affordable building coming to Crystal along with construction of a market rate apartment building starting in July at the old Wells Fargo site. Five Guys restaurant is new to the area replacing the old Noodles & Company. Chief Hubbard informed residents about the strategy to reduce takeover events at Becker Park, and that the efforts have been successful to date. They are a fully staffed department. Remember to call 911 if you need an officer – calling 911 is most important – non-emergency goes to the same dispatch. Adam Bell provided information about city taxes and different ways cities raise funds. The city’s recent levy increases have included funds to replenish the city’s reserve fund; that had been spent recently on large capital projects. John Elholm presented information on current park projects, including improvements at Woodland Park, Forest School Park and North Lions Park. He also discussed projects coming in 2027, including conversion of the adult softball field at Valley Place Park with a youth fastpitch field and making play area and shelter improvements in Cavanagh Park. Improvements are also planned in Iron Horse Park. Options for a new play area and site layout were presented to residents prior to the meeting, and he asked for additional input during the meeting. Residents expressed an interest in having a gaga pit, and suggested a tire swing be added to the preferred play area layout. Brad Fortin highlighted items related to park maintenance and redevelopment projects. He mentioned that having city staff assist with projects reduces the amount of money spent on contractors. Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Mtg. Minutes – Page 2 July 1, 2026 Michelle Margo gave an update on spring recreation programs and events, including that July is recognized nationwide as Park & Recreation month, cooperative program Junior Police Academy, summer Storytime, and the success of Kick Off to Summer Celebration. She also invited residents to complete the Recreation Needs Assessment Survey and the Crystal Frolics is coming up July 24-26. A resident received a Crystal Recreation gift certificate in a drawing. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm. Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager John Elholm, Recreation Director Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes July 1, 2026 Iron Horse Park The Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:18 pm by Commission Chair Terri Schultz. Commission members in attendance: Terri Schultz (Chair), Angela Spores (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney, Lili Henthorne, Jesse McCaffrey, Sonja Roby, and Mary Serie. Also present were John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Michelle Margo from the city staff. Commission members absent: J.D. Moore II (Vice-Chair) Approval of Agenda Serie made a motion to approve the meeting agenda for July 1, Henthorne seconded the motion. The agenda was approved as presented. Approval of Minutes McCaffrey made a motion to approve the June Parks and Recreation Commission neighborhood meeting minutes; Spores seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission neighborhood meeting minutes for June were approved as written. Haney made a motion to approve the June Parks and Recreation Commission minutes; Serie seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission minutes for June were approved as written. Public Comments There were no public comments. Regular Agenda Commission members reviewed the Crystal Frolics button design submissions. The top three designs were chosen. Crystal Frolics will post the winners on their website and contact the winner. The commission discussed the recent commission bus tour of facilities in other cities. The commission enjoyed seeing the various types of shelters that are available in other cities and how they handled areas for food preparation. They also discussed the various arrangements of seating in some of the park areas. Elholm recapped information on current park projects that was presented at the neighborhood meeting. He also discussed projects coming in 2027, including proposed improvements at Iron Horse Park which were discussed earlier tonight with neighbors. Concept Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 July 1, 2026 plans for Cavanagh Park were also discussed briefly, but a more thorough discussions will occur at the neighborhood meeting at Cavanagh Park in August. Improvements proposed here in 2027 include a new play area, picnic shelter, youth basketball court and trails. Commission Open Forum Commission members discussed a variety of topics including improvements needed at the skate park and how to improve public engagement at meetings. Commission Reports There was no city council report. Chair Schultz reported that she was happy with the June Parks Tour and seeing other communities’ parks and shelters. Brad Fortin highlighted park maintenance and projects related to mowing, field striping and forestry. He noted that the basketball standards were going in at Woodland Park. Michelle Margo gave an update on recreation programs and events, including the many upcoming summer programs. She also mentioned that July is recognized nationwide as Parks & Recreation month. She shared information on the success of Kick Off to Summer community celebration and upcoming Crystal Frolics July 24-26, 2026. Elholm referred to information shared during the neighborhood meeting. Community Reports Haney gave the Crystal Frolics report. Associated bank will sponsor the Search for the Crystal Ball. The Crystal Frolics event will be held July 24-26; with the Family Festival being held on Saturday, July 25. Several commission members expressed interest in being at a booth. Haney and Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. Their next meeting will be in the fall. Adjournment Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Serie seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m. Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager John Elholm, Recreation Director Neighborhood Meeting 5:00 pm - Music by Michael Handler Duet Local Cavanagh resident & musician 6:00 pm - New Park Improvements Help choose a new park layout and play area design for Cavanagh Park! 6:30 pm - Neighborhood Meeting The Parks and Recreation Commission invites you to come and learn about future park development, upcoming recreation programs and the latest city updates. Help Shape the Future of Crystal Recreation Concept 3 +M-r►rrrr+r�„�� u •, The Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission invites you to a neighborhood park meeting Cavanagh Park Neighborhood Meeting • Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 pm • The Cavanagh Apartments Patio Neighborhood Mtg. Agenda 1. Introductions 2. Neighborhood Discussion a. Citywide Updates b. Neighborhood Watch/Safety c. Parks and Recreation Updates 3. Drawing for Recreation Gift Certificate Storybook Trail ie Bucket List Family Big Adventure 12:00-7:00 PM Crystal Recreation Department 4800 Douglas Drive N Crystal, MN 55429 C: \ A C C \ A C C D o c s \ W S B \ R - 0 3 6 4 0 6 - 0 0 0 \ P r o j e c t F i l e s \ 0 5 _ D i s c i p l i n e \ L a n d s c a p e \ E x h i b i t s \ I r o n H o r s e P a r k \ 3 6 4 0 6 - 0 0 0 I r o n H o r s e C o n c e p t s Scale in Feet 100’0’50’Crystal, Minnesota July 9, 2026 | WSB Project number: 036406-000 Iron Horse Park | Masterplan EXISTING TRAIL REALIGNED TRAIL 52ND AVE N KE N T U C K Y A V E N JE R S E Y A V E N REMOVE PARKING, NEW TRAIL CONNECTION TO KENTUCKY AVE N REMOVE PARKING, NEW TRAIL CONNECTION TO JERSEY AVE N EXISTING FLEXIBLE GREEN SPACE NEW PLAY CONTAINER NEW GAGA PIT NEW BASKETBALL COURT PICNIC AREA EXISTING SHELTER 0 116 2-_ -- V0— IL �!' 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Project Summary - August 2026 Forest School Park Redevelopment of this park is complete! The new playground and picnic shelter are now open for the community to enjoy. Amenities include ADA picnic tables and a water bottle filling spigot. Staff will focus on turf establishment throughout the fall. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at 4:30 p.m. Redevelopment of this park is complete! The new playground, picnic shelter, and basketball court are now open. Additional amenities include a park grill, ADA picnic tables, and a water bottle filling spigot. Staff will continue work this fall to establish the new turf. Twin Oaks Park North Lions Park Construction of the new rectangular athletic field for soccer, ultimate, and other field sports is nearing completion. The irrigation system has been installed, and final grading is underway. Seeding of the new surface is scheduled for the coming weeks to establish healthy turf. The field is anticipated to open fall 2027 after healthy turf is established. The conversion of approximately 10 acres of mowed turf to native prairie began in 2022, with multiple rounds of seeding being completed since then. A prescribed burn was conducted in spring 2026. Staff are currently mowing unwanted vegetation with work continuing into the fall. Bassett Creek Park Prairie 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 - August 2026 The Summer Dance Program concluded with a successful recital that celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of all participants. Throughout the session, dancers developed new skills, built confidence, and expressed their creativity while learning a variety of dance techniques in a fun and supportive environment. The Summer Blast and Summer Adventures camps wrapped up another successful season of fun, learning, and exploration. Throughout the summer, participants enjoyed a wide variety of games, sports, arts and crafts, nature activities, special events, and swimming at Crystal Cove. The programs are designed to allow kids to discover, be active, and engaged. Playground Program Crystal Recreation Dance Program Crystal Cove Aquatic Center hosted a successful Movie at the Pool featuring Finding Nemo, with more than 100 community members in attendance. Families enjoyed an evening of swimming, floating, and watching the film from the pool or relaxing in lounge chairs. Movie Night at the Pool . We are working with Sustainable Growth, and the partnership has been going very well. Two of our volunteers 3D printed plant tags, you can see in the picture near the caterpillar! The garden is thriving, with eggplants, tomatoes, okra, peppers, cucumbers, raspberries, herbs, and more. We will have volunteer opportunities this fall to help us tackle some thistle and prep the space for edible ground cover. Edible Courtyard