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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 9, 2026 4 Councilmember Monson said she uses Sampson Park a lot. She wondered about removing the parking lot and repurposing that area. She hasn't seen anyone park there to use the park and there is plenty of street parking. Councilmember Holden said she has had the opposite experience. People go to Sampson because it's perfect for little kids. Councilmember Rousseau said the Steering Committee discussed the Park Master Plan and there was individual feedback on what their priorities are. She asked if we have that information. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said not yet, but she anticipates it will come soon. Councilmember Rousseau asked if they are planning to create a mini master plan for each of the parks. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said that is not in the plan right now. They would like to explore doing mini master plans the next time they do park improvement projects. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said if Council would like to create mini master plans for these projects, we can do that. However, he suspects that would push these projects out a year. It is something that can be done; we just don't have the budget in place to do it at this time. Councilmember Holden said we could move one of them out to work on that. Councilmember Rousseau said if there is one particular park where we want to see bigger changes, we could consider it for that one. Mayor Grant agreed with the earlier comment that the Sampson parking lot is larger than it needs to be. He thinks if it were half of what it is now, it would be enough. Councilmember Weber asked for confirmation that parking lot improvements aren't included in the current CIP. So if we wanted to adjust that, that would be an additional cost. Staff confirmed. Councilmember Holden asked if the basketball court will be resurfaced or reconstructed. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said that is to be determined. We will assess the pavement and see if we can do an overlay or reclaim and decide at that point. The hoop needs to be replaced. Councilmember Holden said there are so many trees and the lack of sunlight causes damp conditions. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said one of the requested upgrades includes major pruning and possible selective tree removal to allow sunlight. Councilmember Rousseau asked if there is any TLC needed at Sampson on the plantings the Boy Scouts completed a couple years ago.