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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 July 2023 Arden Hills NotesThe Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents July 2023 Save the Date for the Inaugural MN Building Trades Yellow Ribbon Ribfest The 34th Red Bull Infantry Division is located north on Hamline Avenue off of HWY 96 W past the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. Prepare your taste buds for a tasty experience at the inaugural Ribfest hosted by the Minnesota Building Trades Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. Save the date on Saturday, September 16, starting at 1 p.m., and head to the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Headquarters at 4800 Hamline Avenue North in Arden Hills. There will be plenty to do and see, including live music, a military flyover ceremony, raffles, auctions, drinks, and delicious grilled ribs, all while supporting a meaningful cause. All proceeds go to Minnesota Building Trades Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, a non-profit organization that supports Minnesota military service members, veterans, and their families. Ribfest is free to attend, but tickets must be purchased to participate in the rib tasting. An individual kit is $15, which includes six rib samples and one "people's choice" ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased for $3 per ticket. The tasting will begin at 2 p.m. Mark your calendars now, and be sure to stop down to the first-ever Ribfest in Arden Hills. Look for future updates at Facebook.com/ mnbuildingtradesribfest. 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Headquarters 1 p.m. | FREE to attend Rib sampling tickets for purchase For project updates, including summaries of the advisory committee meetings, relevant documents, and other important information, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons News Flash on the home page. In the coming months, the Joint Development Authority is expected to discuss topics relating to density scenarios, project financing, and market updates. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 4800 Hamline Ave N., Arden Hills TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Updates and Information 2 • Arden Hills notes • July 20232 • Arden Hills notes • July 2023 Service Directory City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Summer Office Hours Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday: 7:30–11:30 a.m. Sheriff and Fire 911 - Emergency & Non-Emergency Water and Sewer Problems (During non-business hours) 651-767-0640 Mayor David Grant • 651-538-0747 dgrant@cityofardenhills.org City Councilmembers Brenda Holden • 651-636-2987 bholden@cityofardenhills.org Emily Rousseau • 651-792-7856 erousseau@cityofardenhills.org Tena Monson • 612-758-0695 tmonson@cityofardenhills.org Thomas Fabel • 651-303-3611 tfabel@cityofardenhills.org City Administrator Dave Perrault • 651-792-7824 dperrault@cityofardenhills.org Sr. Communications Coordinator Luke Cardona • 651-792-7817 lcardona@cityofardenhills.org City Council Liaison Thomas Fabel Resident Resources cityofardenhills.org/resident-resources Council meetings are held at City Hall on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7 p.m.. Council meetings, Work Sessions, and Planning Commission meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. Please visit cityofardenhills.org for information about archived meeting playbacks. Arden Hills Notes is the official newsletter of the City of Arden Hills, an equal-opportunity employer. 2 • Arden Hills notes • July 2023 State Fair Parking The Minnesota State Fair will take place from August 24 - September 4, 2023. Parking restrictions are dependent upon the State Fair determining the locations of the Park and Ride lots. Keep an eye out in your neighborhood for “no parking” signage closer to the time of the event. Violators may be ticketed or towed. Check the State Fair website at mnstatefair.org/transportation for up-to-date information. You can also take advantage of parking right here in Arden Hills. The following are the official State Fair park and ride locations in the city: • Catholic United Financial, 3499 Lexington Avenue N. • North Heights Lutheran Church, 1700 HWY 96 W. • Gathering Place Lutheran Ministries at 3245 New Brighton Road Street parking limitations are implemented to ensure that public safety and mail service providers can access all neighborhoods. No parking rules will begin on August 24 and last until the final day of the State Fair on September 4. If you encounter any issues please contact the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office by dialing 9-1-1. Arden Hills Receives Finance Related Awards For the 16th year in a row, the City of Arden Hills has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR). This program recognizes government agencies who demonstrate a spirit of transparency and full disclosure in their Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports, encouraging staff to go above and beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles. The City has also earned the Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award. This program encourages governments to extract information from their CAFR and produce a report that is readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public. Congratulations to Finance Director Gayle Bauman and the finance team on this achievement! We are thankful for their hard work and commitment to the City. Get City Notifications Online Stay up-to-date by signing up for City alerts! To sign up, visit cityofardenhills.org/543/Sign-up-for-City-Alerts and click the big button that says “Sign up for Notifications from the City.” Then, enter your email address and select which items you want to be notified about. Also, be sure to follow the City on Facebook and Twitter at: • Facebook.com/CityofArdenHillsMN • Twitter.com/ArdenHillsCity City News City Council Benchmarks All votes 5-0 unless otherwise noted. June 12, 2023 City Council Meeting • Approved 2022 City Financial Statements and Audit. • Approved Resolution 2023-029 Adopting 2022 State Performance Measures. • Approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Civil and Prosecution Legal Services. • Approved Resolution 2023- 030 Accepting Donation from Boston Scientific for Dog Agility Equipment at Perry Park. • Approved Appointment of Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Position. • Approved Public Works Costs 2023 – Street & Trail Maintenance Program. • Approved Professional Services Agreement with SRF Consulting – Old Highway 10 Trail Improvements Project. • Approved Resolution 2023-031 Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities. June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting All items were approved unanimously by a 4–0 vote unless indicated otherwise. Rousseau excused absence. • Approved Resolution 2023- 033 Supporting Bond Funding for Forecemain Replacement Project and Resolution 2023-034 Supporting Bond Funding for the Old HWY 10 Trail Project. • Approved Resolution 2023-036 Adopting the Updated Ramsey County Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (CEOP). • Approved Nuisance Signs Management Policy. • Approved Resolution 2023-032 Accepting Bid and Authorizing Award of Contract to Peterson Companies, Inc. – Arden Manor Park and Floral Park Improvements Project. • Approved Planning Case 23-011 – Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13, Section 1380 TCAAP Redevelopment Code, Campus Commercial Zoning District Ordinance 2023-006 – Amendments to Chapter 13, Sec. 1380, Subsection. 5.1 and Subsection. 5.2. Authorization for Publication of Summary Ordinance 2023-006. (Motion carried 3-1, Holden opposed) For a complete listing of recent City Council actions, visit cityofardenhills. org and click on “View Agendas and Minutes.” Upcoming Events Night to Unite On Tuesday, August 1 from 5-9 p.m., gather and celebrate community spirit, with community officials, fire departments, and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office representatives for the largest annual crime prevention event ever. To learn more visit City's homepage at cityofardenhills.org and click on the Night to Unite News Flash. You can also contact the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit at 651- 266-7339 or crimeprevention@co.ramsey.mn.us. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office is collecting school supplies as part of Night to Unite. If you'd like to contribute, you can drop school supplies at the Sheriff’s Office on Paul Kirkwold Drive or at City Hall through Friday, August 4. Bark & Rec Day Join the Arden Hills Parks and Recreation Department for the 7th Annual Bark & Rec Day on Saturday, September 9, 1 -3 p.m. at Perry Park. Bring your dog to the off leash area and make a fun craft they will love to wear. Free refreshments and snacks. All ages and dogs welcome, and the event is free. State of the City The 2023 State of the City will be held on a date to be determined in September. This is an opportunity for the City Council to present goals and accomplishments related to development projects, road and construction improvements, plans for parks and trails, public works responsibilities, and the City’s financial outlook. Please check the City's website and Facebook page for updates. Fall Clean Up Day The annual Fall Cleanup Day will be held on Saturday, October 7 at Recycling Technologies located at 1525 99th Lane NE in Blaine. Arden Hills residents (ID required) are able to drop off refuse and electronics for a fee. A coupon to recycle two free items will be available in the next newsletter. 4 • Arden Hills notes • July 2023 Debris and Waste Reminders Summer is in full swing, and our neighborhood is buzzing with activity. As you enjoy the warm weather and spend more time outdoors, it's important to remember some key guidelines that help keep our community clean and beautiful. 1. Do not blow grass debris into the street: as you take care of your lawns and gardens, be mindful of where we dispose of grass clippings and other debris. Blowing grass clippings into the street can lead to clogged storm drains, create a safety hazard for pedestrians and cyclists, and pollute waterways. 2. The City will not mow boulevards not owned by the City: many residents have boulevards in front of their homes, and it's important to note that the responsibility for maintaining these areas lies with the property owner. Per City Code 360.30 Maintenance of the Right-of-Way, it states those boulevards are the responsibility of the private owners and it shall be the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to maintain the boulevard between their property and the improved portion of the right-of-way. 3. Properly dispose of dog waste: when taking your dogs for walks in the neighborhood or visiting the parks, please remember to bring waste bags and promptly pick up after your pets. Properly disposing of dog waste helps prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, keeps our sidewalks and parks clean, and maintains a pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy. Conserving water is important for both environmental sustainability and responsible management. Adopting simple yet effective water conservation practices can significantly reduce our water consumption and contribute to a greener future. Here are a few practical tips for conserving water in our households. 1. Fix Leaks: regularly check faucets, pipes, and toilets for leaks and promptly repair any issues. Doing so not only saves water but also reduces water bills. 2. Install Water-Efficient Fixtures: replace outdated fixtures with water-efficient alternatives. Install low-flow showerheads, aerators on faucets, and dual-flush toilets. These fixtures use less water without compromising functionality, allowing you to conserve water without sacrificing comfort. 3. Shorten Shower Time: showers are one of the largest contributors to household water consumption. Consider reducing your shower time by a few minutes. Doing so can save several gallons of water per shower, leading to significant savings over time. 4. Optimize Dish Washing and Laundry: when using the dishwasher and washing machine, be sure to run full loads. This maximizes the efficiency of each cycle, reducing the number of times you need to run them. 5. Water Landscapes Wisely: maintaining a beautiful garden doesn't have to be water-intensive. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil and reduce evaporation. Water your garden during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late evening, to minimize water loss due to evaporation. You can significantly reduce your water consumption by implementing these simple yet effective water-saving tips! License Your Pet All dogs and cats over three months of age in Arden Hills must be registered with the City. The license assists in the timely return of lost pets and assists in the prevention of the spread of rabies. A license costs $30 and is good for two years. To license your pet, you will need a copy of your pet’s current certification of rabies vaccination from your veterinarian and a completed Pet License Application. You can submit your form and payment at cityofardenhills.org/PetLicense. Water Conservation Tips Vehicle Theft Safety Reminder The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office has shared an important reminder of theft prevention from vehicles. They have noticed an uptick, specifically at area parks. Here are some helpful tips for when you park your vehicle: • Always lock your vehicle • Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle (i.e., cell phone, wallet, purse) • Park in a well-lit and heavily traveled area • Always have a cell phone on you in case you need to call for assistance • Trust your instincts: as you walk away from your vehicle, do not walk in directions or areas that make you feel unsafe Arden Hills has many selfless volunteers that contribute their time, energy, and skills to projects and events in our community. Through their commitment and passion, Arden Hills has become a shining example of community spirit and collaboration. From setting up tables at events like the Spring Egg Hunt to helping pick garlic mustard in the parks or coaching youth sports, you will often see residents and members of local organizations in Arden Hills volunteering in the community. Recently, Gradient Financial Group lent their time to hauling and spreading mulch and wood chips along the trails at Crepeau Nature Preserve. On a separate occasion, Boston Scientific sent a large group to help clean and maintain Floral Park. Throughout the summer, some residents, many on the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee, have been working hard to remove buckthorn within the Chatham Trails and assisting with the Hazelnut Habitat Restoration project. We extend our gratitude to the City’s dedicated volunteers. Their commitment to maintaining and enhancing the parks, trails, and City events has been invaluable. If you are interested in volunteering in the parks, as a coach, or in a different capacity, please contact the City’s Recreation Supervisor, Matt Johnson, at mjohnson@cityofardenhills.org or 651-792-7848. Volunteers from Boston Scientific at Floral Park. Volunteer coaches with a youth baseball team. Volunteers from Gradient Financial Group at Crepeau Nature Preserve. Arden Hills Volunteers in Action City Receives State Bond Funding for Utility Projects Thanks to the hard work of our State Legislators, Representative Moller and Senator Marty, and the Arden Hills City Council, the City was awarded State funding for watermain work along Lexington Avenue and utility work at the upcoming County Road E and Snelling Ave North Roundabout Project. These projects are important for the health of the City’s infrastructure system. For more information on the projects happening around the City, visit the City’s project page at cityofardenhills.org/216/Construction-Projects. Inside this issue: Dividing Up Your Tax Dollar 6 Organizational Chart 6 General Fund 7 Special Revenue Funds 8 Long-Term Debt 8 Internal Service Funds 8 Capital Funds 9 Enterprise Funds 9 Cost of City Services 9 Property Taxes & Homes Values 10 Demographics 11 For the year ended December 31, 2022 1245 W Hwy 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 651-792-7800 cityofardenhills.org The City of Arden Hills is proud to present its Popular Annual Financial Report [PAFR]. The purpose of this report is to inform the community of the City’s financial activity in a sim- ple, easy-to-read format for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. These highlights are based upon the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (Annual Report) which is a more inclusive, audited document. In order for Arden Hills to manage the community finances smoothly, it divides various activities into several different funds. • The General Fund accounts for revenues and expenditures that provide for basic operations of the City, i.e., administration, police & fire, street & park maintenance, recreation, community development and planning. • Special Revenue Funds account for ac- tivities restricted to specific purposes like economic development. • Debt Service Funds track revenues and expenses related to repayment of long term debt. • The Capital Funds collect revenues from special assessments, state and county aids and allots them toward construction or major capital expenses. • Enterprise Funds account for activities that operate as public enterprises which are paid for by user fees, i.e., water, recy- cling, sewer and surface water manage- ment. • Internal Service Funds account for the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of governmental facilities and services, which are entirely or predominately self- supported by user charges to other gov- ernmental funds. Ramsey County 44¢ City of Arden Hills 25¢ School District 22¢ Other Agencies 9¢ Dividing Up Your Property Tax Dollar Your tax dollar is divided up be- tween several governmental enti- ties. Arden Hills collects 25 cents of every tax dollar for City ser- vices. The remaining portions are divided among Ramsey County, the school district and other agen- cies. Department Organizational Chart City of Arden Hills, Minnesota Popular Annual Financial Report To The Community City Departments Administration: This department provides the overall direction for the City as determined by the City Council. It is responsible for maintaining City records, issuing licenses, administering Council policies, and overseeing election procedures. Finance: This department conducts the financial affairs of the City of Arden Hills in accordance with the Govern- ment Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Community Development: This department is responsible for ensuring that laws, ordinances, and zoning codes are enforced. It is also responsible for economic development within the City. Public Works: This department manages the City’s infrastructure as it relates to roadways, water, sewer, and surface water management. Parks & Recreation: This department is responsible for providing recreation activities in the City and maintain- ing the City’s parks and trails. General Fund The City’s General Fund is the largest fund and is also one of the most vital to the City’s operation. The General Fund is the primary fund that accounts for everyday general expenditures like street and park maintenance, public safety, and administrative services. Like most funds, the General Fund relies on the inflow of cash, shown as revenues, and subsequently the outflow, listed as expenditures. The City’s total General Fund expenditures for 2022 were $5,203,012 which was $215,158 (4.0%) under the final budget. Overall, General Fund expenditures increased by $235,728 (4.7%) from 2021. Public Safety costs de- creased $162,086 (6.0%) and Public Works costs increased by $295,912 (47.9%). The chart below highlights the amount funded by each of the City’s functions. The primary revenue for the General Fund is property taxes. Intergovernmental revenues are items like state or county aids and grants. For year end 2022, the City’s revenue total was $5,306,436 which was a $1,846 (0.0%) increase from the previous year. Licenses & permits and Property taxes increased $78,334 and $65,695, respective- ly, due to increased building activity and property tax levy in the current year. Investment earnings decreased 173,317 due to market value fluctuations. City of Arden Hills Popular Annual Financial Report Page 7 2021 2022 Property Taxes $3,763,384 $3,829,079 Special Assessments 4,514 0 Licenses/Permits 752,532 830,866 Intergovernmental 160,279 174,405 Charges for Services 459,638 476,574 Other 164,243 (4,488) Total General Fund Revenues $5,304,590 $5,306,436 2021 2022 General Government $1,014,282 $1,077,037 Public Safety 2,708,137 2,546,051 Public Works 618,236 914,148 Parks & Recreation 626,629 665,776 Total General Fund Expenditures $4,967,284 $5,203,012 Revenues Expenditures Special Revenue Funds Special Revenue Funds are used to account for revenues derived from specific taxes or other ear- marked revenue sources. They are required by statute to finance par- ticular functions, activities, or governments. The City of Arden Hills has the following recurring Special Revenue Funds: • Cable TV accounts for revenue and expenditures related to ca- ble TV, internet and other forms of communication. Revenue for this fund comes primarily from cable owner franchise fees. • EDA Operations accounts for general administration activities that are not specific to any indi- vidual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, as well as activi- ties associated with the Eco- nomic Development Commission and Economic Development Au- thority. • EDA TIF Districts account for revenues derived from tax in- crements and expenditures for developer reimbursements and administrative expenses. The City had three districts at the end of 2022. The City also established an American Rescue Plan Act Fund to administer the ARPA funds and a Karth Lake Improvement District Fund to manage a pump replace- ment project. These are short- term funds. access to a broad and diverse metropolitan statistical area. • Very strong management, with strong financial polices and practices. • Very strong budgetary perfor- mance and liquidity. • Very strong debt and contin- gent liability position. • Strong institutional frame- work. Arden Hills received a “AAA” rat- ing from Standard and Poor’s Global on its 2018 bond issue. This is the highest possible rat- ing you can receive. A high bond rating translates into lower fu- ture borrowing costs. It shows that the City is able to meet its financial commitments and has the lowest risk of default. This rating is based on the City’s: • Very Strong economy, with Long Term Debt City of Arden Hills Popular Annual Financial Report Page 8 The goal of the PAFR is to sup- plement—not replace—the An- nual Report. Similar to the Annual Report, information in the PAFR con- forms to Generally Accepted Ac- counting Principles (GAAP). For more detailed information and copies of the PAFR or Annual Report, visit the city’s website at www.cityofardenhills.org. Internal service funds are an accounting device used to accumulate and allocate costs internally among the City’s various functions. The City maintains internal ser- vice funds for risk manage- ment, engineering, central garage and technology. The combined totals for these funds are: Internal Service Funds Beginning Net Position $164,953 Revenues $526,679 Expenses $513,453 Ending Net Position $178,179 Residents receive a variety of City ser- vices at an affordable price. The cost of City services in 2022 for the owner of a single-family home in Arden Hills with an assessor’s market value of $384,600 was $84.50 per month. The checkbook shows how the monthly cost of property tax-supported services was divided among City departments. Permanent Improvement Revolving Fund: The Pavement Management Program (PMP) identifies, inventories, and tracks street conditions to ensure that maintenance is completed at the appropriate time. The results are prolonged pavement life and re- duced costs to property owners. There were two projects included in 2022: one for the Arden Oaks neighborhood and one on Snelling Avenue. Year end fund balance was $4,702,027. Public Safety Projects: This fund accounts for the City’s share of capital equipment costs for police and fire. Year end fund balance was $264,303. Equipment/Building Maintenance & Repair: City equipment and buildings are monitored regularly and replaced/repaired when needed. Transfers are made from various funds to fund these expenditures. Year end fund balance was $245,914. Parks: This fund was established for park/trail acquisition, maintenance and develop- ment. Revenue for this fund comes from developer park dedication fees, contributions, state grants and investment interest. Year end fund balance was $218,039. Enterprise Funds City of Arden Hills Popular Annual Financial Report Page 9 Capital Funds Check Register Description of Transaction Balance PPuubblliicc SSaaffeettyy $$ 3377..2288 GGeenneerraall GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt $$ 1155..7766 PPaarrkkss aanndd RReeccrreeaattiioonn $$ 99..7744 PPuubblliicc WWoorrkkss $$ 1133..3388 CCaappiittaall //EEDDAA $$ 88..3344 About this Report The City of Arden Hills reports financial year- end results in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (Annual Report). The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is an unaudited report that summarizes the most significant data from the Annual Report, and is consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. For a complete review of the City’s financial position for 2022, consult the 2022 Annual Report available on the City’s website at www.cityofardenhills.org, or from the Finance Department at 651.792.7800. 84.50 January 1, 2022 Homeowner City Of Arden Hills Eighty four dollars and 50/100——————— MONTHLY police, fire, street Homeowner YOUR BANK Cost of City Services The Enterprise Funds are run like a business in that they rely on fees and charges for revenue to cover expenses. These funds consist of utility services provided to the com- munity by the City such as water, sewer, surface water and recycling. A rate study was completed in 2018 and projected infrastructure improvements will require annual user rate increases for the foreseeable future. User rates are evaluated each year during the budget cycle. Based on an average usage of 4,800 gallons per month, the 2022 monthly cost of utili- ties for a home in Arden Hills was $91.56 (Arden Hills bills on a quarterly basis). Revenues Expenses Water 3,054,443 2,573,906 Sewer 2,465,306 1,943,972 Surface Water 1,012,232 684,730 Recycling 189,396 173,092 6,721,377 5,375,700 2022 City Property Taxes per Household per Month In a 2022 comparison of nine communities in Ramsey County, the average cost of services on a $384,600 home- stead in terms of property taxes showed Arden Hills ranking as one of the lowest. A $384,600 homestead in Arden Hills paid $84.50 per month in property taxes to the City. City of Arden Hills Popular Annual Financial Report Page 10 The median home value has increased from $333,800 in 2018 to $384,600 in 2022, a 15.2% increase. During that same period, the city tax on a median value home has increased from $834 to $1,014, a 21.6% increase. The rea- son for this difference is that the city tax rate has increased from 25.532% in 2018 to 26.543% in 2022, a 4.0% in- crease. 3,208 Households City of Arden Hills Popular Annual Financial Report Page 11 9,996 Population BUILDING PERMITS 1,413 Permits Issued $10.4M Residential Valuations $66.7M Commercial Valuations Median Home Value—$384,600 $1,678—median gross rent Median Age—36.2 Persons per Household—2.63 Arden Hills 12 • Arden Hills notes • July 202312 • Arden Hills notes • July 2023 Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid TWIN CITIES, MN Permit #1710 12 • Arden Hills notes • July 2023 Ribfest TCAAP City News Upcoming Events Volunteers in Action Postal Customer Play Pickleball at One of the Four Arden Hills Locations Many have already been exploring the exciting sport of pickleball, which has been gaining popularity nationwide. Arden Hills offers pickleball courts at Cummings Park, Hazelnut Park, Royal Hills Park, and Freeway Park (bring your own net), plus a new court coming to Floral Park this summer! These courts provide the perfect setting for players of all skill levels to enjoy this dynamic sport. Pickleball is for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner looking for a fun way to stay active, pickleball welcomes players of all ages and abilities. From young adults to retirees, this sport offers a fun experience for everyone. Pickleball is easy to learn, making it especially nice for newcomers. The rules are straightforward, borrowing elements from tennis, badminton, and ping pong. With a smaller court and slower ball speed, beginners can quickly grasp the fundamentals. It's also a highly social sport that fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among its players. Whether you join a local league, participate in tournaments, or play with friends and family, pickleball brings people together. Head to Cummings, Freeway, Hazelnut, or Royal Hills Park and take advantage of the pickleball courts! If you're looking for pickleball during the winter months, check out our neighboring indoor facilities like the Shoreview YMCA or Mounds View Community Center. Cummings Park Royal Hills Park Freeway Park