16:53The council gave the green light to a proposal allowing New Ulm Junior Baseball to market advertising on scoreboards exclusively at North Park. This agreement, which was approved without dissent, involves a revenue split where the baseball organization retains 90% of the advertising income while the city receives 10%. Junior Baseball will finance the installation of three new scoreboards, replacing outdated equipment over two decades old. This agreement is set for three years starting January 2026.

21:47The council also approved the use of South German Park for BMX temporary camping, a decision aligned with recommendations from the Park and Recreation Commission. Specifically, the council agreed to receive $2,950 in donations, including a contribution for an AED and outdoor cabinet for North Park. These enhancements aim to improve safety and accessibility for park users.

19:51Additionally, the meeting addressed plans for Hermanfest 2025, set for September 6. The Herman Monument Society requested the use of both Herman Heights Parks for the event, which will feature fireworks, music, and various entertainment activities.

12:09In another noteworthy development, the council received an update on the park and recreation comprehensive master plan. A meeting with consulting firm ISG was held, where the firm began inventorying current park operations and amenities. The data gathered will contribute to a public-facing dashboard designed to inform long-term maintenance and replacement schedules. The dashboard will allow residents to access information about park facilities before visiting, thus enhancing user experience. A draft survey was presented to gather public feedback, with plans to distribute it digitally via QR codes on the city’s website.

The comprehensive plan’s timeline was adjusted, with the first consultants’ meeting moved to August to enable earlier engagement. This change allows for input from both the commission and city council members and aligns the initial public engagement event with community activities such as concerts and National Night Out.

25:42Furthermore, the meeting highlighted continued efforts to improve park facilities. There was a report on the successful repair of the Lincoln pickleball courts. The courts, which had been redone with a seven-layer system, required warranty-covered repairs after flaking issues. The courts were quickly sanded and repainted.

Commissioners also discussed the introduction of organized youth soccer at Harmon Park, utilizing the football field for 12U games. The field, newly equipped with irrigation, offers better conditions than the previous soccer location, which was hampered by standing water. This improvement addresses the soccer club’s need for more space and enhances the overall quality of youth sports facilities in New Ulm.

The meeting acknowledged the contributions of volunteers like Chad and Lorie Wingert, who assist with programming at the Riverside Environmental Learning Center, and Steve Iikenburger, who is developing a historically-themed garden at Keysling Park. These volunteer efforts are vital to the city’s ongoing projects and community engagement.