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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Date: 2/23/2026 <br />Item No.: 7.b. <br />Department ApprovalCity Manager Approval <br />Item Description:Authorization to Proceed with Planning for a Possible Nature Play <br />Addition at Harriet Alexander Nature Center and Acceptance of <br />Donation to Fund Study <br />1 <br />2 Background <br />3 The Harriet Alexander Nature Center (HANC), located within Central Park, is one of <br />4 Roseville’s most unique environmental and educational assets. <br />5 <br />6 The HANC Interpretive Center is staffed predominantly by volunteers and is open six days <br />7 per week for drop-in recreation. In 2025, the Interpretive Center hosted more than 10,000 <br />8 drop-in guests. In addition to drop-in visitation, HANC hosts camps and programs (3,100 <br />9 program registrants in 2025), field trips (101 trips hosted in 2025), and birthday parties (58 <br />10 hosted in 2025). <br />11 <br />12 The HANC grounds also host the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Roseville (via no-cost <br />13 lease) and include 52 acres of marsh, woodland habitat, and trails that serve as a year- <br />14 round destination for environmental education, passive recreation, and family engagement. <br />15 <br />16 In recent years, the City has invested in improvements at HANC, including: <br />17 Replacement building siding and exterior signage (CIP-funded) <br />18 New interpretive signage (donation-funded) <br />19 Installation of mosaic cairns (donation-funded) <br />20 Despite these improvements, one amenity frequently requested by families and visitors is a <br />21 nature-based play area that would allow children to engage in creative, exploratory play <br />22 within a natural setting. <br />23 <br />24 A nature playground integrates natural elements such as logs, boulders, and native <br />25 plantings with select synthetic play components to promote imaginative play, encourage <br />26 appropriate risk-taking, and foster environmental learning. Regional examples include <br />27 Tamarack Nature Center (White Bear Township), Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley), <br />28 Westwood Nature Center (St. Louis Park), and Pioneer Park (Little Canada). <br />29 <br />30 In early 2025, both the Roseville Central Park Foundation and the Friends of Roseville <br />31 Parks expressed interest in supporting the implementation of a nature play space. To better <br />32 understand scope and implementation strategies, staff toured several regional nature <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />Qbhf!9!pg!2:7 <br /> <br />