2021 City of Shakopee Budget

151

Budget Impact:

The city council approved a Park Recreation and Trails Master Plan this year that sets the stage for future park improvements and development. This includes a new effort on public outreach. Staff uses large informational signs, door hangers, post cards and surveys to gather input on park facilities. This led to plans for a number of park improvements including Jennifer Lane, a local neighborhood park that will include a new playground, benches, landscaping and bankshot (a modern version of horse.) Construction will begin in 2021. Stagecoach Park was planned and is under construction. This large stand of heritage oak trees will be preserved and enhanced with native plantings, benches and lawn area to serve the new subdivision. The new Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Course will begin construction in early 2021. The three mile course will provide several challenging paths. A master plan is underway for the first park in Windermere that will be adjacent to the BHS development. Public outreach will occur over the winter. Scenic Heights Park, an existing older city park, had a large amount of community engagement including a socially distanced neighborhood meeting at the park. This park is being reimagined as a community park that will include a new larger playground attraction and other amenities. Work should begin in 2021 with the playground replacement. Holmes Park received a new playground in 2020, Timbertrails will receive a new playground in 2021 that will include new climbing features. Ridge Creek, the largest new park in the system, went out to bid, and could begin construction over the winter. This area consists of more than 40 acres of wetlands and nature area and includes the outlet channel for Prior Lake. The current configuration is a ninety-degree bend that has caused flooding and is not very natural. In cooperation with Lennar Homes, who donated the land and more than $500,000 towards the park development, the channel area is now buffered with natural appearing retention ponds that are already home to significant wildlife. The concept plans for the new park call for a pedestrian boardwalk through a natural wetland area, pond overlooks to observe the diverse species of birds, a paved bike trail along the current outlet alignment and a new meandering outlet with sediment ponding with a natural appearance. This park will link to other trails and create a major trail connection for the city including a trailhead. The city also acquired more than 12 acres along the Minnesota River including the historic Schroeder House. This site was the original home to the Shakopee Brick Yard and today includes a large marina with access to the river. The site will be developed over the next several years and will include the restoration of the historic home.

Parks have proven to be critical during COVID and we have seen larger numbers out on the trails.

The Upper Valley Drainage Trail was renamed the Vierling Greenway and is now in the planning stages for new signage and amenities along the three mile trail. The city is also implementing a new trail wayfinding system for trails throughout the area.

Capital Improvement Program:

The City prepares a five year capital improvement program (CIP). A separate CIP document was approved by Council on September 15, 2020. The CIP book provides a summary of each project location, description and source and use of funds. The CIP book also provides a cashflow for the fund.