The primary focus of the meeting was on the McNight Park playground project, which has been identified as a top priority due to its anticipated $800,000 funding. The existing dilapidated tennis court at McNight Park has been earmarked as the location for the new playground. The commission discussed various design elements and how they can maximize the utility of the space. There was a consensus about the need for extensive input from all commission members given the project’s scope. The idea of forming subcommittees to manage different aspects of the McNight project was debated, with some members expressing concern that it could fragment the commission’s efforts. Instead, the possibility of a special meeting was proposed to allow for collective discussion without delegating tasks to smaller groups.

December 10th was tentatively chosen for this special meeting, planned to be held in the Sandberg conference room at 6:30 PM. Members were encouraged to prepare by reviewing materials prepared by HGA, a consultancy involved in the planning. An email outlining expectations and preparation guidelines for the meeting will be sent out, allowing members to submit ideas and preferences for the playground design ahead of time. This approach aims to streamline the discussion and ensure a comprehensive exploration of all ideas during the meeting.

The Casey Lake open air shelter also received considerable attention during the meeting. The removal of the original structure led to numerous inquiries from residents about its replacement, highlighting community interest in the shelter’s future. The commission acknowledged these concerns and considered using local communication networks, such as Facebook groups, to solicit community feedback on the shelter’s design and location. Despite the community’s desire for reinstatement, some commissioners suggested that resources might be better allocated to the McNight playground project, given the latter’s larger scale and importance.

The meeting also covered updates to the park rental policy, which were recently approved by the city council. Changes included an extended timeline for deposit refunds, increasing from two to four weeks to four to six weeks, to accommodate council meeting schedules. Discussion on potential future increases in rental rates was also mentioned.

In terms of funding opportunities, a commissioner reported on efforts to secure grants for outdoor recreation programs through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with the application deadline extending to December 2025. Attention was also directed to the Urban Ecology Center on the Gateway Trail, where accessibility issues due to waterlogging were noted. The commission discussed the possibility of extending a boardwalk to improve access, though this would involve coordination with multiple agencies and potential expenses.

Safety concerns were raised regarding the intersection of South and Gateway, where the lack of a sidewalk poses hazards for children waiting for school buses. The commission urged residents to contact county and city officials to address these issues, noting that previous petitions for improvements had stalled pending road project initiatives.