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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 18, 2024 8 Mr. Shearen reported the trend for outdoor hockey rinks was shifting. He noted outdoor hockey rinks were expensive to maintain. Councilmember Fabel stated there were a lot of kids using the rink at Freeway Park. Councilmember Holden recommended the hockey rink be pulled out of the Creek neighborhood park. Councilmember Monson summarized the comments from the Council noting one park was to be universally inclusive/accessible with fencing with sensory friendly amenities. In addition, the Council discussed dropping the baseball fields and hockey rink. She indicated the Council would like to have a full sized basketball court and recommended the tennis court be switched out for pickleball courts. She stated the Council would like the sand volleyball court switched out for a dog park or skate park, or some other interesting amenity. She commented she liked the idea of the County doing the dog park. She stated she understood bathrooms would be expensive but she would like to see these considered, along with a drinking fountain with a water bottle filler and shade cover. Councilmember Fabel reported given how space was a minimum, he suggested the basketball court being half court. Councilmember Holden clarified tennis courts were not proposed at the Creek neighborhood park. She asked what amenity should be given up in order to provide space for pickleball courts. She suggested the park building be given up. Mr. Shearen stated a park building with restrooms would cost $500,000. Interim City Administrator Jagoe asked the Council if it was being suggested that Mr. Shearen take the feedback from the Council back to his staff and that the plans for the three parks be further refined with cost estimates in preparation for further discussions with Alatus. Councilmember Holden asked how Mr. Shearen would be billing for this work. Interim City Administrator Jagoe explained Mr. Shearen would be billing the City. Mayor Grant indicated he supported the Council following the MOU with the understanding the City will do the planning and the developer will build the parks. He supported the City working with Alatus given the language within the MOU. Councilmember Holden recommended significantly different playground equipment be considered for the Creek and Hill neighborhoods. Councilmember Monson explained she recently visited an obstacle/ninja course in Golden Valley and suggested the City consider pursuing a park amenity like this for one of the TCAAP parks. Councilmember Fabel suggested a climbing wall be considered, noting they do not take up a great deal of space.