HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-25 PTRCChair: Dan Dietz (2027)
Committee Members:
Lacy Loosbrock (2025)
Kerri Seemann (2025)
Kate Olson (2025)
Emelia Rogers (2025)
Nancy Jacobson (2025)
Elizabeth Johnson (2026)
Derek Hilding (2027)
Nikhath Nazir Ahmed (2027)
Sarah “SJ” Julius (2027)
Youth Committee Member:
Eva Acosta (2025)
Council Liaison:
Emily Rousseau
Staff Liaison:
Jess Skalicky
Arden Hills
Parks, Trails and
Recreation Committee
July 15, 2025
6:30 pm
City Hall
1245 W. Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
651-792-7800
www.cityofardenhills.org
City Vision
Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods,
vital business community, well-maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long-standing tradition
as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play.
Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
1.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.May 19, 2025
3.REPORT
A.Park System Plan Update – Casey Byers, Bolton & Menk
B.Council Liaison Update
C.Parks and Recreation Manager Update
4.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A.Trail and Parks Projects Update
B.Work Group Updates
C.Cummings Park Planting
D.Buckthorn Update – Chatham Park
5.NEW BUSINESS
6.NEXT MEETING
A.Tuesday, August 19, 2025
7.ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025, 6:30 PM
ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Committee Chair Dan Dietz called the May 20, 2025 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation
Committee to order at 6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dietz, Kerri Seemann, Lacy Loosbrock, Nancy Jacobson, Kate
Olson, Derek Hilding, Liz Johnson, Amelia Rogers, Nikhath Nazir Ahmed,
OTHERS PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Manager Jess Skalicky, Recreation Supervisor Matt
Johnson
ABSENT:. Eva Acosta, Sarah Julius, and Council Liaison Emily Rousseau
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Dietz added the budget discussion to the agenda under New Business.
MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved, and Chair Dietz seconded a motion to approve
the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously among members present.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. April 15, 2025 PTRC Minutes
MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Loosbrock seconded
a motion to approve the meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously
among members present.
Page 2 a quote was attributed to Committee Member Olson and should have been Committee
Member Loosbrock
Page 12 a quote was attributed to Committee Member Olson and should have been Committee
Member Rogers.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 2
3. REPORT
A. Council Liaison Update
Recreation Supervisor Johnson provided an update from Council Liaison Rousseau. Council
will be discussing the Twin Cities Gateway Grant and how to spend that money. The donations
for the Park Summer Passport Program were accepted by Council.
Committee Member Olson said that Bethel donated 100 water bottles for the passport program.
She said the City is not allowed to solicit donations. That will make it hard to create the raffle
baskets. Committee Member Rogers was going to reach out to the Arden Hills Foundation who
can solicit donations on the City’s behalf.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the foundation is set up so businesses can donate money.
They can solicit donations and the City can request the monetary value of the prizes and the City
can purchase prizes. There is an option to allow sponsorships.
Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said one of the first tasks she did was to put together
a packet about sponsorships. She looked at what surrounding cities are doing. She discussed that
companies can sponsor an event for a certain amount of dollars. In return, the company’s name
will be on the flyer and will have a booth or table at the event. If it’s a larger event, there may be
a banner. There can be different tiers of sponsorship or there can be a one time sponsorship based
on an event. Most surrounding cities have a page dedicated to recreation sponsorships. She is
recommending we create a sponsorship policy. There will be a template letter so the language is
consistent regardless of who is seeking the sponsorship. When the new Communications
Coordinator starts, they will be tasked with creating an advertising brochure outlining the items
that can be sponsored. There will be a dedicated page on the website. None of this has been
approved yet. The City Attorney will review the policy and she will bring it back to PTRC.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said its differentiating between donations and sponsorship.
Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said this is common. Nearly every city she looked at
had some kind of sponsorship for recreation programs and events.
Committee Member Olson asked for ideas on how to solicit donations for the big prizes for the
Park Summer Passport program.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said we could request a monetary value from the Arden Hills
Foundation. It would be good to have an idea of what prizes you want so you can be sure what
amount to request.
Committee Member Olson asked if we get a donation then we can go to Arden Hills businesses
and purchase items for prizes.
Committee Member Rogers said the EDC were excited that the PTRC asked for help. She doesn’t
think it makes sense that we can use donated money to purchase prizes but can’t accept prizes.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said we can accept donations. We just can go out and solicit
them.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 3
Committee Member Olson said if a business comes to PTRC and says they heard about the Park
Passport program and want to donate a prize, could we take it?
Recreation Supervisor Johnson confirmed.
Committee Member Rogers said we can’t partner with EDC.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said once the sponsorship policy is in place, PTRC and EDC can
partner with each other. It’s a better for the businesses because they get something in return.
Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the City Attorney needs to approve the language.
Most of the policies she found at other cities were short and didn’t have much to them.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said Council Liaison Rousseau said Council approved the
Committee and Commission Code of Conduct. He asked the Committee Members to read through
it and sign.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said there haven’t been any applications for the Youth
Committee Member. He encouraged the Committee Members to spread the word to any youths
that may be interested.
Committee Member Jacobson asked how old they have to be.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he believes it is 16, but he will double check, it may be 14.
Committee Member Olson asked what the time commitment was.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said it typically runs the length of a school year.
Committee Member Rogers asked who will reach out to the Arden Hills Foundation.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he will reach out to them to make the request.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Trail and Parks Projects Update
Committee Member Olson has been getting questions on the Lake Johanna Boulevard trail. Who
is keeping tabs on if we will be awarded the money for it? Is there anything else that the PTRC
should be doing to encourage them to pick us?
Committee Member Jacobson said it would be nice to say how much money is needed. She heard
that Highway 10 got funding.
Committee Member Olson was trying to find a contact at Ramsey County regarding the MN 51
trail improvements. There has been a lot of discussion about that trail.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 4
Committee Member Jacobson said she and Committee Member Johnson have been working on
that. It’s a MnDOT project, not a Ramsey County. It also includes the City of Roseville.
Committee Member Johnson said they tried to get more information about the project. She said
construction is supposed to start in 2026 but we don’t know any of the details.
Committee Member Jacobson said there was some mention that parts of it will be built but not
all of it.
Committee Member Rogers said that there are different segments that have different funding. It
is very unclear.
Committee Member Jacobson said they don’t know where to get more information. It is in the
works, there just aren’t a lot of details.
Committee Member Rogers said it sounds like it is happening soon. We were told there would
be community engagement. She hasn’t seen anything yet.
Committee Member Olson asked if anyone attended the meeting regarding the trail by Josephine,
coming down Hamline.
Committee Member Jacobson said some of her neighbors went and didn’t get very much
information.
Committee Member Olson asked if the County Road D trail connection is on the list.
Committee Member Jacobson said it is east of 35. It’s a Roseville project.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson doesn’t think our Staff have much information. If it’s not a City
project, they won’t have as much information.
Committee Member Rogers is confused about the MN 51 trail. How will it connect from Lydia
to Old Snelling.
Committee Member Jacobson said neighbors have been mowing a grass path.
Discussion ensued regarding the exact location of the trails.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the Cummings roof was completed in May.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said that Council had negotiated with a private developer as part
of the PUD for the site, for a trail to be added along the west side of Snelling Avenue from Highway
96 down to Royal Hills Park. This path is scheduled to be built in 2026 and will be owned and
maintained by the City.
Committee Member Olson said one of the comments she hears is you can’t get a stroller into the
park.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 5
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said City staff is working with a consultant to pursue grants and
state bonding funds for the Old Highway 10 trail. The estimated project cost is $4.5 million. The
Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant awarded Arden Hills $1 million. MnDOT awarded the
City an additional $1 million. They are requesting $1.65 million from state bonding. Ramsey
County is chipping in $1.2 million.
Committee Member Loosbrock asked if SRTS meant Safe Routes To School.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson confirmed.
Committee Member Rogers said the corner from Lake Valentine and Old Highway 10 is a tricky
corner. It is a sharp corner where kids are turning to go to school. She asked if the entire area will
need to be redesigned.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said there will be a chance to give that input.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson updated on the Hamline Avenue trail connection with Roseville
and Lake Josephine. Arden Hills is coordinating with the City of Roseville on a trail connection
on the west side of Lake Josephine. Construction is set to begin in 2026.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson updated on Park projects. There was a pre-construction meeting
on April 28th. In May, the old equipment was removed from Freeway Park and new equipment
will be installed. When Freeway Park is finished, they will move to Arden Oaks and
remove/replace that equipment. The sidewalks at Arden Oaks and Freeway Park will be in June.
Committee Member Olson said she was surprised that the equipment was just sitting out and not
stored.
B. Work Group Updates
Chair Dietz updated that the Rotary Club met with Committee Members at Floral Park. They will
be working on Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 starting on May 27th and Saturdays from 10:00-12:00 starting
on May 31st. That will be announced in an upcoming newsletter.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said there is no landing page on the website yet because the
Adopt-A-Park program is so new. We will be promoting the work that the Rotary Club is doing as
a pilot program and that we are hoping to expand to other parks soon. That will give Staff time to
organize the program, build a web page and be ready when the program grows.
Committee Member Jacobson said she joined the Rotary Club on Saturday, along with one of
the volunteers. She was very impressed. They are interested in this project. She thinks people have
learned a lot from Great River Greening. It is exciting to hear that Boston Scientific is interested
in possibly adopting Cummings.
Committee Member Loosbrock asked if people can just join them on those Tuesdays and
Saturdays if they want to help.
Chair Deitz confirmed. He will usually be there on Tuesdays. And someone else will be there on
Saturdays to give direction or to take ideas on what can be done. Everyone is welcome.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 6
Committee Member Olson handed out the letters to be hidden at the parks for the Summer Park
Passport program. She requested that Committee Members install them on the weekend prior to
the program start on Monday, June 9.
Discussion ensued regarding where in the parks to place the letters.
Committee Member Hilding asked if the letters should be hidden in a hard to find place or is the
focus on getting people to show up?
Recreation Supervisor said it should not be hidden in the woods or any other really hard to find
spot. Placement can be on the back of a bench, or on a fence at the tennis court.
Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she was touring the parks and noticed signs that
identify plant species. She doesn’t think visitors to the park see them unless they are within 10-15
feet of them.
Recreation Supervisor said they should not be put on a welcome sign or any playground structure.
Committee Member Olson said she will hand out what she has but there should be a couple sets
of each letter, so if it goes missing, the person monitoring that park can replace it quickly.
Committee Member Hilding asked, as a new member how does he get into a work group.
Recreation Supervisor outlined the main groups.
Committee Member Rogers said the PTRC creates their goals in the fall and present it to City
Council. The tasks on that goals list become the work groups.
Committee Member Jacobson said there is a list of the existing groups so new members don’t
have to wait until fall to join a work group.
Committee Member Ahmed asked if there are groups that need volunteers.
Committee Member Olson said if there is a group or project that they are interested in, new
members can join any work group. Or if you have a new idea, you can form a new work group.
Committee Member Rogers said one of the challenges is that you can’t talk to the large group
outside of the meetings. It is difficult to avoid a quorum because the committee doesn’t have a lot
of people to begin with. There is an ongoing item to create a welcome packet and put some
procedures in place. She read the items from the Work Plan.
Committee Member Olson said it would be a good idea to list all the work groups during the
work group update. She read some of the groups, to include: enhancing and creating community
events, habitat and restoration, volunteer coordinating.
Committee Member Rogers thinks with all the trail work planned in the immediate future, it
would be a good idea to have a trails work group.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 7
Committee Member Jacobson said the December agenda had the 2025 Work Plan. That contains
all the initiatives. She shared the Work Plan.
Committee Member Ahmed asked what happened with the ice rink lighting.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said they received a quote. He said it will be $17,000 for all of
them.
Committee Member Rogers said the barrier with the welcome packet item is there is no where
to collectively store our stuff, electronically. She is happy to pick it back up again. She thought we
could bring a request to City Council to see if we can be have access to a shared drive.
C. $15,000 SLP Lions Donation
Recreation Supervisor Johnson asked if there were any items or ideas on how to spend the
money. A decision needs to be made soon. One idea from a Committee Member Julius was to
pave the gaga ball courts. She recently asked her daughter why she doesn’t play at Floral Park and
her daughter said it’s because the courts are grass and weedy. She said the pickleball lines on the
tennis courts are difficult to understand. He will mention to her that we were approved for nice
pickleball nets.
Committee Member Hilding said $15,000 isn’t a huge amount of money. He thinks we shouldn’t
overthink it. He thinks the money should be used on fundamental, rather than glitzy and glammy
new things. He thinks relining pickleball courts, benches, picnic tables are a good use of the money.
He’s never seen anyone play gaga ball at Hazlenut.
Discussion ensued about surfaces for gaga ball.
Committee Member Olson put something on social media and got some responses to include:
give Lindy’s Park some love, fence for child safety, Engerson could use some love, maybe a pump
track, swinging benches, bike ramps, update and add lights to a tennis court, a chimney swift tower,
drinking fountains, cut out for strollers or wagons at Royal Hills, basketball hoops at Cummings,
fix the fence on the baseball field, hitting wall that was removed.
Chair Dietz asked when the decision needs to be made.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said soon. It can be a little broad but they want to start making
a plan.
Committee Member Olson asked is there a reason they didn’t get new basketball hoops when the
court was resurfaced.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson was not sure. Two hoops is about $5,000.
Committee Member Olson said that Cummings just got updated so it may be a while before more
money is budgeted for that park. It would make sense to allocate this money for parks that will not
be programmed for improvements for a while.
Committee Member Hilding asked how complex is a drinking fountain is.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 8
Chair Dietz said we looked at that at Floral and it was an exorbitant amount of money.
Committee Member Olson said she would be happy with the two basketball hoops and one of
the push buttons for rink lights.
Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the city she used to work at, used all of the
donations received for events. A big part of her role was organizing free community events that
were free for the user, but not for the City. There isn’t a budget for that. She wondered if the money
could be used for an event like a drive in movie. The down side is you can only do a couple of
events. The upside is in the future we can get sponsorships. She said a movie in the park costs
about $4,000. You have to get a license to show the movie and you have to rent the screen.
Residents like events.
Committee Member Loosbrock asked if the money is earmarked for a tangible object, or could
it be used for an event?
Recreation Supervisor Johnson didn’t think there were restrictions.
Committee Member Rogers asked if we could use $5,000 for the basketball hoops and the rest
for a couple of events.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said we can present the cost for two new hoops with the balance
being spent on existing events to make them free or explore new events.
Committee Member Hilding likes the idea. It seems like a higher level of the Park Master Plan.
He thinks if this is a bigger picture vision, it may need more discussion.
Chair Dietz said there have been different ideas in the past, but there hasn’t been any funds.
Committee Member Jacobson asked if the basketball hoops are $5,000 each.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said that he recently purchased 3 and that was $8,000. So $5,000
would be for two of them.
Committee Member Ahmed asked if the $5,000 includes the hoops plus installation.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the Public Works Staff will install, it comes with everything
they need.
Committee Member Jacobson said there isn’t money for community events. To have a lump sum
of money for events could be a good start.
Committee Member Olson said the Lions Club came to PTRC to pitch the event that was free to
residents, and they paid for all of it. They are doing it again this year so there is one free community
event.
Committee Member Johnson asked if there is a way to get a line item in the budget for events
and have this be the starter fund.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 9
Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky did not know the answer to that. She asked the
consultant who is working on the Parks Master Plan if recreation will be a part of the Park Master
Plan. He said they will touch on it a little bit but the Park Plan is for parks. She shared that the
consultant worked for a city previously. He established a small budget to hold community events.
They built on that through sponsorships and were able to grow the special events. That is her plan
for Arden Hills.
Committee Member Hilding thinks events are a one time hit, of two or three hours of a public
event. A new fence at a playground would be a longer return on the investment. He thinks $15,000
would be better used on tangible things and then work with Staff and Council to try to establish a
community event budget.
Chair Dietz said in the past Council has said they would like to see PTRC focus on the recreation
side of things. He asked for further discussion.
Committee Member Olson said we are making a recommendation to City Council. They
occasionally don’t take our recommendations and do what they want.
Committee Member Hilding would like to see the motion amended to include $5,000 for an event
and the rest to the basketball hoops and something else.
Committee Member Olson would like to add the push button for the lights at Hazelnut Park.
Committee Member Ahmed asked if the lights are LED. If not, it wouldn’t make sense to install
this button on a lighting system that may be updated in the next few years.
Discussion ensued regarding the kind of lighting at the parks.
Committee Member Olson asked where the picnic tables need to be replaced.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said they were super outdated. There are two next to the warming
house that are wood.
Discussion ensued regarding the items on the list and what could be purchased from the list.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson outlined how much the existing events cost and suggested the
money could be allocated to make the existing events free. It could also be used for promotional
materials for events.
Committee Member Johnson said since we do these events already, there should be a line item
in the budget.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said we charge attendees for the events. That’s how we pay for
them.
Committee Member Olson thinks focusing on the outdated picnic tables is a good use of the
money. If we improve those parks but then leave the old picnic tables there, people will not be
happy.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 10
MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Johnson seconded a
motion to recommend using the SLP Lions $15,000 donation to purchase two basketball
hoops at Cummings Park, add picnic tables to Arden Oaks and Freeway Parks and use the
remaining money for special events. The motion carried unanimously among members
present.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. 2026 Budget Discussion
Recreation Supervisor Johnson asked the Committee Members to discuss what they would like
the City Council to consider for the 2026 budget.
Committee Member Rogers said the Council requests more recreation items, but don’t approve
a budget amount for us. She feels like this committee circles because we get a great idea and
request the budget but get a budget of $0. There is no way to move forward and no way to work
towards the goals if there is not money. It is easier to begin with a budget and then spend the
money, than it is to keep having ideas that won’t be funded by Council and then be expected to
somehow still do them anyway.
Committee Member Loosbrock asked if we could request $5,000 to do a movie in the park.
She thinks they would be more likely to approve some funds if we have the event ideas ahead of
time, rather than asking for the money before having a plan.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said they can request a line item with a certain amount of
money with some examples of the types of events you would use it for.
Committee Member Olson asked where cost for replacing trees and native plants would be
budgeted.
Committee Member Seemann said it would be nice if the City would budget $1,000-$2,000 per
year for landscaping. A few years ago the tree fund was changed to add landscaping.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson asked if she wants to know if that will happen again.
Committee Member Seemann said it would be nice to know how to use the money if we have
access to it.
Committee Member Olson said we could help guide the use of that money.
Committee Member Rogers asked if we could ask for a shared electronic system, maybe we
could share it with EDC.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – May 20, 2025 Page 11
Committee Member Hilding wondered if we could ask for a pot of money and then brainstorm
as a group on how to spend it, like we just did with the donation money.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the Park System Master Plan will identify a lot of the gaps
so we won’t have to come up with these one-off items any more. The plan will outline when
items need to be replaced and that will be in the budget.
Committee Member Jacobson said the Rotary and Boston Scientific are volunteering. It would
be nice to provide those groups with resources. It is difficult because we don’t know what they
need right now.
Committee Member Olson said that the plan to create the Sponsorship Policy will probably get
us more money. We just need an amount to get us through the next year and then hopefully
businesses will step up and sponsor certain events.
Recreation Supervisor Johnson summarized the request of $3,000 designated for PTRC events
and landscaping materials.
B. Tree Recommendation – Spine Road
This item was not discussed
C. Buckthorn Update – Chatham
This item was not discussed
D. Cummings Park Plantings
This item was not discussed
6. NEXT MEETING
A. Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 (Park Tour?)
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Dietz adjourned at 8:00 pm.
REPORT – 3A
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 15, 2025
TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee
FROM: Jess Skalicky, Parks and Recreation Manager
SUBJECT: Park System Plan Update from Bolton & Menk
Requested Action
Informational presentation: no action required
Background
Casey Byers from Bolton & Menk will give an update on the City of Arden Hills Park System
Plan.
Attachment
Attachment A: Park System Plan PTRC Meeting #1 - Slideshow
PTRC Meeting #1
City of Arden Hills
07/15/2025
Agenda
01. Introductions
02. Project Overview
03. Public Engagement To Date
04. Consultant’s Initial Reaction
05. Next Steps
• What is your name and what is the
ONE thing you are most excited for
with the completion of this plan?
01. Introductions
Tell us a little
about yourse
l
f
!
2025 2026
M J J A S O N D J F M A
Project Kick-Off + Regular Staff Meetings (14)
Existing Condition Inventory + Analysis
Base Mapping
Previous Plan Audit
Field Inventory + Review of Existing Facilities
Review of Park + Recreation Programs
Demographics, Trends + National Metrics
Analysis
Steering Committee Meeting #1
PTRC #1
Project Website Launch
Public Engagement
Community Survey
Pop-Up Engagement #1
Enhanced Project + Survey Marketing
Pop-Up Event #2
Project Open House
Steering Committee Meeting #2
Community Needs Assessment
Community Needs Evaluation
Park + Trail Classifications
Draft Goals, Policies + Initiatives
Steering Committee Meeting #3
Implementation Planning
Project Cost Estimating
Prioritized 10-Year CIP
Funding + Implementation Plan
Steering Committee Meeting #4
PTRC #2
City Council Work Session
Final Plan Preparation + Adoption
Draft Plan Preparation + Review
Final Plan Preparation
PTRC Approval and Recommendation
City Council Approval
Touch a Truck Event (05/17)Touch a Truck Event (05/17)
Community Picnic (08/14) Community Picnic (08/14)
Open House Open House
07/15 07/15
06/1306/13
02/17 02/17
03/17 03/17
02. Project Overview
Schedule
Steering Committee
Meeting (4)
City Staff Coordination
Meeting (14)
PTRC Meeting (2)
Public Engagement
Event (5)
City Council Meeting
Aus Perez
Landscape Designer
Katherine Gould
Landscape Architect/
Community
Engagement Lead
Anna Springer
Lead Park Planner
Casey Byers
Principal-in-Charge
The Project Team
02. Project Overview
Maximize opportunities for input
from as many different voices as
possible
Develop a plan that provides
clear guidance for future
decision-making
Prepare a quality document
designed for use by constituents,
staff, and elected officials
Develop a plan that is
community-driven Others?
Develop a plan that is visionary
and attainable
Project Goals
02. Project Overview
SHARE YOUR VISION
for the Arden Hills Park System Plan!
We need your
feedback + i
n
p
u
t
!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ArdenHillsParks
The City of Arden Hills has launched a
long-range planning effort to develop
a vision, goals, and priorities for the
future of their park and trail system.
Please scan the QR code below to
provide your feedback on a short
community survey! Check out the
project website for future project
updates at cityofardenhills.org.
W
E NEED YO U R I N P U T!
Please scan the QR code below
to provide your feedback on a
short community survey for the
Arden Hills Park System Plan!
Online Survey
03. Public Engagement To Date
62!
185!
Total Survey Responses:Yard Sign and Trail Decal
Total Written Comments:
Survey QR Code:
Pop-Up Comments:
Facilities staff would need more personnel if a splash
pad were added.
There is interest in more dog parks throughout the
city.
Many would like to use the shelters year-round.
There were not many conversations about specific
parks, but rather about park amenities in general and
specific gaps in the trail network.
There is a desire for a Johanna connection trail (from
Tony Schmidt Regional Park to the east side of Lake
Johanna).
Residents would like to see the trail on the SW side
of Tony Schmidt Regional Park constructed saying,
“It’s been a dashed line on a map for years, just like on
your map.”
Summary from Touch-A-Truck Event
03. Public Engagement To Date
Next Event
03. Public Engagement To Date
Lions Community Picnic
August 14, 2025
“The Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions Club, Arden Hills Parks &
Recreation Department and the Parks, Trails & Recreation
Committee invite you to a community picnic on Thursday,
August 14th, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Cummings Park in Arden
Hills. There will be yard games, free hot dogs, chips and drinks,
and door prizes! Mark your calendars and stop in for a fun
night connecting with fellow community members!”
04. Consultant’s Initial Reactions
11 22 33 44
Park and trail safety,
accessibility, and
connectivity are very
important to park users in
Arden Hills.
Several survey respondents
cited limited trail
connections between
parks, limited lighting in
parks and along trails, and
limited parking as specific
concerns regarding
park and trail safety and
accessibility.
Survey respondents feel
like they’re missing out
on several important
amenities and facilities in
many parks.
Permanent restrooms,
drinking fountains, splash
pads, off-leash dog parks,
nature play areas, and
wayfinding signs were
just a few amenities
respondents were
interested in seeing more
of.
According to respondents
of the community survey,
the top five most used
parks in Arden Hills are:
1. Cummings Park
2. Floral Park
3. Tony Schmidt Regional
Park
4. Royal Hills Park
5. Hazelnut Park
The top five new park
amenities, attractions, or
programs residents would
like to see include:
1. Paved trails
2. Nature play areas
3. Unpaved trails
4. Splash pad
5. Social/hang out spaces
+ trail lighting
11 22 33
Attend Parks,
Trails & Recreation
Committee Meeting
(July 15th)
Community Picnic
Pop-Up Event
(August 14th)
Steering Committee
Meeting (August)
Help spread the word! Encourage your network to take the community survey, watch the website for updates, and attend future events!
05. Next Steps
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 4A
Page 1 of 2
MEMO
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 15, 2025
TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee
FROM: Lucas J. Miller, Assistant Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Trail and Parks Projects Update
Previously Discussed Items:
• Proposed Lake Johanna Blvd Trail
o Lake Johanna Blvd Trail Preliminary Design Report was completed by Ramsey
County on October 2022.
o City Council adopted resolution 2023-023 which is the local match commitment
of $2 million for the project (Total project cost estimated $9.5 million).
o Ramsey County presented in November 2023 about the project corridor with City
Council.
o Ramsey County applied for the Met Council Regional Solicitation “Multiuse
Trails and Bicycle Facilities” grant for $5,500,000 in 2023/2024. The project did
not score well in its category but funding is still being pursued.
o Within Ramsey County’s Transportation Improvement Plan they have scheduled
the following timeline:
RFP for Planning/Design contract: October 2025
Planning/Design Phase: 2026-2027
Construction: 2028
• MN-51 Trail Improvements
o City staff is coordinating with MnDOT to construct a new trail segment along the
west side MN-51 (Snelling Ave.) from Lydia Ave in Roseville to connect to the
existing trail on Old Snelling Ave with anticipated construction in 2026.
• County Rd D Trail connection
o The City of Roseville is coordinating with Ramsey County to construct a new trail
segment along the south side of County Rd D from Cleveland Ave to Lake
Johanna Blvd with anticipated construction in 2026.
• Hamline Avenue Trail connection with Roseville – Lake Josephine
o Arden Hills staff is coordinating trail improvements with the City of Roseville for
a trail connection along the west side of Lake Josephine with anticipated
construction in 2026.
An open house event took place on May 1, 2025, at Autumn Grove Park
hosted by the City of Roseville. It was well attended and provided great
feedback from the community.
Page 2 of 2
• Arden Manor Park Hardcourt Construction – City staff has applied for the DNR Outdoor
Recreation Grant Program to pursue funding for this project. The project was not
awarded any funding. Council direction is to continue to pursue grant funding to fund the
project. Staff reached out to CDBG representatives requesting the status of the program
for 2025 which they responded that the CDBG Solicitation is postponed until a federal
budget is passed.
• Staff will be working with a consultant to implement Hardcourt Improvements within
Hazelnut Park.
• Hazelnut Parking Lot Status Update: Cost-share and maintenance responsibility
negotiations continue with the Church representatives. The City has the parking lot
resurfacing project budgeted for construction in 2025. Actual timing is dependent on
Agreement renewal.
New/Updated Items:
• County Rd E Trail connection
o City staff is coordinating with Ramsey County to construct a new trail
segment along the south side of County Rd E from the Elmer Anderson Trail
to Lake Johanna. This project is postponed and no longer going to be
completed in 2026 per Ramsey County. It is being proposed to be
combined with the LJB Trail in 2028.
• Council has negotiated with a private developer as part of the PUD for the site for a
trail to be added along the west side of Snelling Ave from Highway 96 all the way
down to Royal Hills Park. This work is likely to take place in 2026 if everything falls
into place. This trail will be owned and maintained by the City once completed.
Currently, the Developer is going through the Permitting Phase, and after that is
completed, the City will start the Design phase for the trail with a consulting firm.
• Old Highway 10 Trail, City staff is working with a consultant to pursue grants and
state bonding funds. Estimated project cost is now projected to be $4.5 million.
o Met Council Regional Solicitation – SRTS: $1,000,000 (City was awarded
this grant)
o MnDOT – SRTS: $1,000,000 (City was awarded this grant)
o State GO Bond funds: $1,650,000 (pursuing but stuck at the state level)
o Ramsey County contribution: $1,227,500
o Remainder to be paid through Municipal State Aid and PIR Funds
Council has directed Staff to have the Consultant finish the design documents over
this summer and then bidding the project this winter for construction in 2026.
• The 2025 Parks Project (Arden Oaks Park & Freeway Park), had its preconstruction
meeting on April 28th with the Contractor, Designer and PW staff and is underway.
Next steps are:
o Freeway Park structure is open and site work/hardcourts are underway
o Mid-July – finish installation of structure at Arden Oaks Park
o July/August – finish sitework at both parks
o Substantial Completion mid-Summer/ early Fall 2025 (weather permitting)
o Final Completion-end of Fall 2025
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 4B
Page 1 of 1
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
July 15, 2025
Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee
Jess Skalicky, Parks and Recreation Manager
SUBJECT: Work Group Updates
Background
Verbal update of work groups
Attachment
N/A
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 4C
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 15, 2025
TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee
FROM: Kerri Seemann, on behalf of Arden Hills Greening
SUBJECT: Cummings Park Planting Information
Requested Action
Informational presentation: no action required
Background
After a resident raised concerns about invasive weeds taking over areas where diseased trees and
brush were removed at Cummings Park, I created a list of suitable native plants and discussed
the plan with Public Works staff, who were supportive but noted maintenance challenges. Parks
and Recreation and Public Works staff will work to make herbicidal application and invasive
species management part of the 2026 Work Plan as they are able.
To help manage the site this year, 20 volunteers from Boston Scientific spent 28 hours in late
June removing mature burdock. With support from the Arden Hills Foundation, Alliance Tree
Care, and local plant exchange groups, we now have about 2,500 seedlings, 20 shrubs, and
rescued wildflowers ready to plant at Cummings and Chatham Trails Parks.
Attachment
Attachment A: Arden Hills Greening recommended plants, maintenance guidelines, and
suggested project goals for Cummings Park
Arden Hills Greening & Cummings Park
Arden Hills Greening will work with Parks & Recreation and Public Works to do the following
where feasible and as staff time allows:
• Continue to remove invasive species (as time allows) this summer,
• Manage the creeping bellflower and poison ivy with herbicide (as able in 2025) and as a
potential scheduled part of the 2026 Work Plan, and
• Prioritize removing invasive species & replacing it with native vegetation in the 2026
Work Plan, if possible.
I (Kerri) received this message on 2-1-2024:
“Good afternoon! I live next to Cummings Park in Arden Hills. Recently, the city has been
removing a lot of diseased ash trees from around the perimeter of the park between the trail and
the private property lines. When they have removed Buckthorn, and or other “brush” in the past,
the Canadian thistle, buckthorn, garlic mustard and other weed crop in their place. I am worried
about what will grow on this space. I called the city today to see if they had a plan and they said
that they intend on planting a few trees as replacements but they will not be covering all the area.
They told me that a good resource might be our community parks committee and maybe start
there. I’m wondering if you have any suggestions on things that might grow in these “wild rough“
areas in our neighborhood parks.”
I put together a list of native plants that would be suitable for that area, as well as made a note of which
weedy species would require management. I discussed it with a couple members of the Public Works
staff who thought that the general idea was good, but had concerns about maintenance.
Earlier this spring, I contacted several employees of Boston Scientific to see if their volunteer groups
would be interested in weeding this area. Over June 24, 25, & 30th, 20 volunteers from Boston Scientific
spent 28 hours digging up mature burdock on the west side of the park to prevent it from going to seed.
The Arden Hills Foundation donated $100 to Arden Hills Greening to cover some of the cost of the seed
we bought this year. We now have ~2,500 seedlings to split between Cummings Park & Chatham Trails
Park. We also have ~20 shrubs donated by Alliance Tree Care and lots of snowberry plants obtained
through the Twin Cities Perennial Exchange group. I also have some woodland wildflowers that were
rescued from the new dirt bike trails at Hazelnut Park earlier this spring.
Suggested Plants (Species we have available for planting are in bold.)
Shady edges (boxelder) ~230’ x 30’
Shrubs
● Pagoda dogwood
● Elderberry
● Nannyberry
● Missouri gooseberry
Forbs (non-grass flowering plants)
● Figwort
● Sweet joe-pye weed
● New England aster
● Tall bellflower
● Spikenard
● White snakeroot
● Wild bergamot
● Wild geranium
● Canada mayflower
● Solomon’s plume
● Jack-in-the-pulpit
● Virginia waterleaf
● Columbine
● Short’s aster
● Calico aster
● Yellow pimpernel
● Elm-leaved goldenrod
● Zigzag goldenrod
Graminoids
● Carex blanda
● Carex pensylvanica
● Carex rosea
● Carex sprengelii
● Nodding fescue
● Bottlebrush grass
● Ear-leaved brome
● Side-oats grama
Dry Pine Woodland (FDs27 & 37) ~120’ x 29’
Shrubs
● Snowberry
● Bush honeysuckle
Graminoids
● Pennsylvania sedge
● Poverty oat grass
Forbs (non-grass flowering plants)
● Canada Mayflower
● Northern bedstraw
● Wild strawberry
● Pussytoes
● Harebell
● False Solomon’s seal
● Large-leaved aster
● Blue giant hyssop
● Columbine
● Wood anemone
● Wild geranium
● Elm-leaved goldenrod
Goals
● Reduce invasive plant species to <5% of the total population within 5 years. This includes
the following species:
○ common buckthorn (trees - noxious weed)
○ white mulberry (tree)
○ white poplar (tree)
○ garlic mustard (noxious weed)
○ poison ivy (noxious weed)
○ lamium
○ vinca
○ creeping Charlie
○ creeping bellflower
○ celandine
○ dame’s rocket
○ motherwort
○ burdock
● Increase native plant diversity (to at least 20 species), with a focus on keystone species (at
least 10 species) by 2028.
● Support pollinators by having something blooming at least 90% of the growing season by
2028.
Site Prep
1. Buckthorn: I’ve started to remove mature buckthorn using the high-cut method, which
kills buckthorn slowly over the course of about a year by repeatedly stripping off new
growth. There is a lot more than I had originally thought; I might be able to finish cutting
it all this summer/fall. I intend to remove the smaller buckthorn by digging.
2. Creeping bellflower & Poison ivy: Herbicide is best for killing these rhizomatous species,
so help from Public Works would be required.
3. Vinca & Lamium: These could be dug by hand.
4. Other: I think the best solution for managing the young burdock and the existing seed bank
in the sunnier areas while removing the buckthorn/lamium/creeping Charlie from the
property edge would be to smother it with cardboard and cover it with a thin layer of mulch.
If done soon, the area could theoretically be planted in late September.
The alternative would be for Public Works to spray it all, but the weeds would likely
germinate again.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 4D
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 15, 2025
TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee
FROM: Kerri Seemann, PTRC Member
SUBJECT: Chatham Update
Requested Action
Informational presentation: no action required
Background
Arden Hills Greening, Great River Greening, the PTRC, and numerous volunteers have been
working to remove invasive specific and restore the habitat in Chatham Park for the past several
years. An Arden Hills Greening representative will give an update on the progress in Chatham
Park and discuss continued invasive species removal and habitat restoration.
Attachment
Attachment A: Slideshow - Chatham Update
Chatham Trails Park
Buckthorn Remediation/
Habitat Restoration
Property lines
Goat browsing
Fall 2023 + June 2024
~6 acres
Aspen woodland
Common buckthorn
Noxious weed
Before goat browsing
Summer 2023
After 1st goat browsing
Autumn 2023
May 2025 July 2025
After volunteers cut the buckthorn and Public Works staff chipped it, there’s MUCH more light.
The understory is currently ~95%
buckthorn and will need herbicide
treatment and seeding.
And this Amur maple
is also on the state’s
noxious weed list.
Amur maple was introduced to North American in the 1860s as an ornamental and for
wildlife and windbreak plantings. It is tolerant of shade and is often found in disturbed
areas, along forest edges, roadsides, in early successional forests and in ornamental
landscapes. Amur maple displaces native shrubs and understory trees in open woods,
and shades out native grasses and herbaceous plants in savanna habitats.
Amur maple and Tatarian maple are Minnesota Department of Agriculture Specially
Regulated Plants. Sellers must affix a label that advises buyers to only plant Amur maple
or Tatarian maple and their cultivars in landscapes where the seedlings will be
controlled by mowing and other means.
Amur maple should be planted at least 100 yards from natural areas.
According to the DNR:
Non-native bush honeysuckles were introduced
to the United States as ornamental shrubs. They
thrive in sunny and moderately shaded
disturbed areas, where they can out-compete
and shade out native woodland species. There
are four different species of non-native bush
honeysuckle of concern to Minnesota, Tatarian
honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), Morrow's
honeysuckle (L. morrowii), Bell's honeysuckle (L.
x bella), and Amur honeysuckle (L. maackii).
This species is a Minnesota Department of
Agriculture Restricted Noxious Weed meaning it
is illegal to import, sell, or transport.
Cottonwood/Ash floodplain forest
Oct. 2, 2024 After goat browsings, prior to herbicide application
May 12, 2025 After spraying and brush cutting
Some of the buckthorn was missed
with the initial spraying and requires
follow-up work.
Of the 40# of native grass seed provided,
only about a quarter was seeded last fall.
In order to get adequate contact between
the seed and the soil, leaf blowers were
used to clear a path for seeding.
May 2025
Plugs planted
Cummings Park
2024
June 2025