03-24-26 - PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 24, 2026 Page 3 Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said that she and a number of Parks employees attended the Shade Tree Short Course at Bethel. It is an annual conference about trees. She will get her certification to inspect playgrounds next week. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the Parks System Plan will go to Council for adoption on April 13, 2026. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky encouraged committee members to watch the March 9, 2026 City Council Work Session. Ramsey County Trails were discussed. She knows PTRC are interested in knowing what trail projects are coming up. Council Liaison Rousseau said the Joint Engineers of Ramsey County (JERC) are working with the County on a new policy regarding cost sharing. It could significantly reduce the costs to the City if implemented. She said there was discussion on many trails at that work session. There may be some opportunities coming up. C. Trails and Parks Projects Update Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky noted the memo from Assistant Public Works Director Miller is in the packet. The items in bold are new. The parks projects for Ingerson, Perry and Sampson were presented at the work session on March 9. Council agreed with the budget and scope and Staff will move forward with selecting a designer and performing a Request For Proposals (RFP) for a playground vendor. She explained how the playground vendor selection process will change by putting an RFP out there for several vendors, rather than just one or two, as was the process in the past. This process will give the bidders an amount and the RFP will request the best playground for that amount of money. Vendors are aware that they are competing with other playground vendors so they will give us the most elements at the best price. Committee Member Hilding asked if the same process will happen for all three parks. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the playground at Perry will not be replaced. It is not at the end of the life cycle yet. Committee Member Hilding asked if the two parks will be bid as a combined project. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said it will be two separate projects, each with its own RFP. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the hardcourts at Arden Manor Park were bid out and the apparent low bidder will be awarded at the April 13 Council Meeting. The ADA access trail at Arden Oaks and Freeway will be awarded to the apparent low bidder at that same meeting. Committee Member Olson noted a list of items still to be completed at Arden Oaks. She asked if that was benches. She noticed there were none. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky confirmed benches and picnic tables will be installed. She said all of the parks will have gaga ball pits.