01-29-2024 HOPKINS PARK BOARD AGENDA
Monday, January 29, 2023
6:30 pm
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
UNTIL THE START OF THE PARK BOARD MEETING
The public may attend this meeting in-person.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ADOPT AGENDA
III. COMMUNITY COMMENT
1. At this time, any interested resident may come to speak on an item not on the
evening’s agenda.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
V. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Park System Master Plan, Imihy Bean
VI. GENERAL PARK UPDATE
VII. PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
1. Wendy Woodfill: Burnes, Buffer
2. Kimberly Stiele: Park Valley, Oakes
3. Kristin Hanneman: Maetzold, Valley
4. Callie Flynn: Harley, Elmo
5. Matthew Miller: Downtown, Central
6. Carsyn Johnson: Cottageville, Minnehaha Creek Preserve
7. Rachel Dachenbach: Interlachen, Hiawatha
8. Jon Lyksett: Shady Oak Beach, Hilltop
VIII. ANNOUCEMENTS
1. Next Meeting: February 26, 2024 – at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 1st St S.
IX. ADJOURN
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: PeggySue Imihy Bean, AICP, Special Projects and Initiatives Manager
Date: January 29, 2023
Subject: Park System Master Plan
_____________________________________________________________________
MOTION TO:
Recommend the City Council adopt the Park System Master Plan.
INFORMATION
In 2022, the City of Hopkins, under the advisement of the Park Board begun a Park
System Master Plan (PSMP) which is a 20-year visioning document for the City’s parks,
open spaces and public places. Over the past 24 months, City Staff has worked with
consultant team Confluence, to engage the public on a plan which maximizes existing
park spaces and provides for changing recreation, population and climate trends.
Over this same time, the Park Board has had opportunities to weigh in on both the content
of the plan and the designs of parks within the plan. At the December 2023 Park Board
meeting, Confluence presented the overall vision and goals of the plan as well as a high-
level overview of the plans within the document. At that time, the Park Board requested
to see the full draft of the plan prior to offering a recommendation for approval.
Tonight, Staff is seeking any final comments on the plan before it is reviewed and
adopted by the City Council. The full draft version of the plan is attached to this item.
FUTURE ACTION
Following a recommendation of the Park Board for adoption, the City Council will review
the plan at an upcoming February meeting.
Administration
CITY OF HOPKINS
PARK SYSTEM
PLAN
CREATING A 20-YEAR VISION FOR
THE HOPKINS PARK SYSTEM2023
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CITY OF HOPKINS
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PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY V
Chapter 01
PROJECT & PLANNING PROCESS 3
eNVISIONING the NeX t 20 YearS OF eNhaNCING hOpKINS parKS aND reCreatION
Chapter 02
THE PARKS HOPKINS HAS 11
aNaLYZING the parKS hOpKINS haS NOW aND IDeNtIFYING What WOrKS aND OppOrtUNItIeS tO IMprOVe
Chapter 03
THE PARKS HOPKINS NEEDS 23
aNaLYZING the parKS hOpKINS haS NOW aND IDeNtIFYING What WOrKS aND OppOrtUNItIeS tO IMprOVe
Chapter 04
PARK SYSTEM VISION 45
BIG IDea FOr the SYSteM
Chapter 05
VISUALIZING HOPKINS FUTURE PARKS 51
OF the 15 hOpKINS parKS, SeVeN parKS re-DeSIGNeD FOLLOWING the VISION aND KeY prIOrItIeS
Chapter 06
HOW WE GET THERE 73
aN aCtION FraMeWOrK FOr IMpLeMeNtatION
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CITY OF HOPKINS
Iv
HOPKINS RESIDENTS
This Park System Plan could not have been possible without the
thoughtful, energetic, and empathetic feedback from Hopkins
residents.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MINNETONKA RECREATION SERvICES
CONSULTANTS
STAFF TEAM
PEGGYSUE IMIHY BEAN
Project Manager, Special Projects and Initiatives Manager
LYNN ANDERSON
Hopkins Center for the Arts Exectutive Director
BETH KIvETT
Activity Center Program Coordinator
MIKE MORNSON
City Manager
DUSTIN PAvEK
Operations Superintendent
DON OLSON
Facilities Superintendent and Pavilion Manager
JODI BRUMMER
Pavilion Assistant Manager/ Scheduling Coordinator
KERSTEN ELvERUM
Planning & Economic Development Director
NICK BISHOP
Finance Director
JASON LINDAHL
City Planner
JAN YOUNGQUIST
Past Community Development Coordinator
NATE STANLEY
Past Public Works Director
ARI LENZ
Past Assistant City Manager
ANN DAv Y
Recreation Superintendent
KELLY O’DEA
Recreation Director
CONFLUENCE, INC.
Brad Aldrich, Principal
Liz Hixson, Senior Landscape Architect
Terry Minarik, Principal
Jena Stanton, Associate
Ruby Davis, Intern
PROS CONSULTING
Leon Younger, President
Scott Vollmer, Project Manager
WIGEN CONSULTING
Amanda Wigen, Founder
RACHEL DACHENBACH
First Term expires: June 30, 2024
CALLIE FLYNN
First term expires: June 30, 2025
KRISTIN HANNEMAN
First Term expires: June 30, 2025
JON LYKSETT
First Term expires: June 30, 2024
MATT MILLER
Second term expires: June 30, 2025
KIMBERLY STIELE
Second term expires: June 30, 2025
WENDY WOODFILL
First term expires: June 30, 2025
PARK BOARD MEMBERS
GERARD BALAN
Term expires: 2025
HEIDI GARRIDO
Term expires: 2025
BEN GOODLUND
Term expires: 2027
PATRICK HANLON - MAYOR
Term expires: 2025
BRIAN HUNKE
Term expires: 2027
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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EXECUTIvE SUMMARY
WHY
Hopkins is a Twin Cities first ring suburb with a small town feel.
The city is in an era of growth. Three new light rail transit stops are
currently being built which has ushered in a rush of residential and
some commercial construction.
New apartments and residences are being built in semi-urban
infill. With these new incoming residents the City’s population
is anticipated to grow by 10% in the next five years. Hopkins is
becoming more diverse over time and that regional trend is
anticipated to accelerate locally. Changing demographics typically
include different park and recreation needs, which has been verified
by community engagement feedback.
Current parks serve the community well from a location and
distribution standpoint. The Trust for Public Land’s ParkServe ranks
Hopkins highly, indicating that 90.6% of the population is served by a
walkable park.
The City’s land area is 4 square miles, and renters make up over 65%
of the housing units. As the population grows and the city becomes
more dense and diverse, there are limited opportunities to expand
and develop parks to meet the growing need. Existing parks need to
do more work within their current space. Accommodate more users,
a greater variety of activities, flexible for multiple events and uses,
more durable, resistant to climate change, and more connected
to Hopkins’ residents. This Park System Plan outlines a vision and
framework to make that happen.
The Park System Plan provides a twenty year vision for Hopkins,
serving as a guiding document for park system infrastructure
and programming. It starts by exploring and identifying the
recreational opportunities that citizens desire. The plan also includes
implementation tools and schedules to establish priorities and
timelines.
Hopkins Parks adequately serve the population now. But based
on age of equipment, range of play and recreation opportunities,
and the diversifying needs of a growing population, we know that
the parks won’t meet future needs. This plan seeks to envision
what the future parks of Hopkins could be, inspire community
support, galvanize action to improve the parks, and instill a sense of
ownership and pride in the park system.
Future success will hinge on Hopkins’ ability to raise funds and
form partnerships toward these park improvements. We know that
parks are an important part of a thriving community and this plan
establishes goals and creates a framework to ensure they remain
a vital part of the city moving forward. If done right, parks can be a
source of community pride, nurture health and wellness, and add to
quality of life.
HOW
Hopkins, like many cities, has a limited budget and multiple
infrastructure and programming needs. Addressing every
opportunity and issue in the parks is not feasible. This Park System
Plan worked with the public to define clear priorities. These
priorities will guide the City in making decisions as they start to
evolve the park system to meet the needs of modern Hopkins.
Public priorities were turned into Key Themes . When it is time to
implement concepts and ideas from this report, these themes will
be the guardrails to keep future choices in alignment with the plan.
These themes are summarized and described on the next page.
A key concept of this Park System Plan is to treat the parks and
recreation as an essential city service. Parks are vital to Hopkins
high quality of life and the park system needs appropriate
investment to ensure needs are met. Additionally, parks should be
held accountable for decisions and funding choices such as, tracking
spending and goal setting to evaluate outcomes . The intent is to
maximize the highest cost-benefit of tax dollar spending on parks.
The Park System Plan includes concept design drawings for key
parks that are based on the community identified priorities. This
gives staff and the community a perspective on how their parks can
evolve to be more essential for all of Hopkins’ residents.
Lastly, a flexible Action Framework is included as a tangible guide
for implementation that uses the key priorities and park concept
plans as a goal. The Action Framework is organized around eight
categories with flexible goals, strategies, timelines, and general cost
impacts.
Action Framework Categories:
• Parks are Essential
• Basic Park Services
• Flexible Fields and Diamonds
• Courts and Sports
• Play for All
• Skateparks and All-wheel Facilities
• Green Resilience
• Investment in the Future
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CITY OF HOPKINS
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Park Accessibility
Gathering & Community Building
Parks for All
Focus on Quality
Park facilities and programs are high quality and culturally relevant for BIPOC residents.
Reduce barriers to park amenities for all park users and mobility levels.
Build community with neighborhood and city-wide gathering facilities.
Provide opportunities for passive and active recreation that suit a broad range of users.
Revitalize existing fields, facilities, courts, and playgrounds.
Racial Equity
Key Themes
VISION
Hopkins has high quality parks that serve
all users and are equitable, accessible,
and build community by bringing people
together.
MISSION
Hopkins will prioritize parks as an essential
city service that provides exceptional and
accessible experiences for all residents
in a sustainable manner by leveraging
our uniqueness, dynamic community
partnerships, and diversity.
Figure 0.1: Community Engagement was a vital element in
crafting the Park System Plan.draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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ELMO PARK
HILLTOP PARK
MAETZOLD FIELD
CENTRAL PARK
DOWNTOWN PARK
BURNES PARK
HARLEY HOPKINS
COTTAGEVILLE
HIAWATHA OAKS
OAKES PARK
INTERLACHEN PARK
BUFFER PARK
PARK VALLEY
VALLEY PARK
11th AVE SOUTH
SHADY OAK BEACH
POTENTIAL SPACES
PARKS = Park with Concept Plan
HOPKINS LANDFILL
1
2
3
5
6
7
10
9
8
CLOCK TOWER PLAZA
ALICE SMITH ELEMENTARY
HARLEY HOPKINS EARLY
CHILDHOOD BUILDING
CENTER FOR THE ARTS PLAZA
ARTERY / 8th AVE TRAIL
EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY
UBAH ACADEMY
ACTIVATION AREAS
A
D
F
B
E
G
C
11
12
#
13
14
16
15
17
4
HOPKINS PARK SYSTEM OvERvIEW
D
E
3
1
2
15 14
12
13
8
7 11
10
9
A
BC
F
16
17
6
54
SCHOOL PARKS (PARTIALLY PUBLIC AMENITIES)
The Park System Plan is focused primarily on outdoor parks in the City
of Hopkins. Facilities are analyzed as they relate to and support the
overall system. There are no assessment or design recommendations
for indoor facilities in this plan.
Trails, both local and regional, are analyzed as they support and
connect to the overall system, or if there are gaps and deficiencies that
need to be addressed. A separate alternative transportation or trails
plan is recommended to complement the Park System Plan.
Partnering facilities are identified and analyzed as they support
Hopkins’ Park System, but are not individually approached in this
document. draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
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INTRO + PURPOSE
The City of Hopkins (“City”) is a tight-knit community with unique
characteristics and needs. The city is perhaps best known for
historic Mainstreet and the compact downtown, as well as the iconic
raspberry festival. Hopkins is a compact and walkable community of
four square miles. About ninety-one percent of homes are within a
10-minute walk to a park, which is above the US average and a great
foundation for accessibility. Hopkins’s population is also growing
with many new apartment buildings under construction. With these
new incoming residents the City’s population is anticipated to grow
by ten percent in the next five years.
This plan was developed in collaboration with city staff, and aims to
comprehensively build consensus within the community on a shared
vision. This Park System Plan provides guidance to city departments
interacting with parks and the community to prioritize programs
and projects to best utilize the City’s limited resources and bring the
vision of this plan into reality. The Park System Plan complements
and works with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and focuses fully on
the valuable Park System in the City. This Plan address regulatory
planning requirements for the Metropolitan Council and provides
a Vision to transform the Park System into an essential city service
that distinctly contributes to Hopkins’ high quality of life.
PROJECT & PLANNING PROCESS
eNVISIONING the NeX t 20 YearS OF eNhaNCING hOpKINS parKS aND reCreatION
CHAPTER CONTENTS
INTRO + PURPOSE
THE DOCUMENT + PROCESS
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
01
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CITY OF HOPKINS
4
m
a
y
The Park System Master plan process was comprised of the
following FIVE major phases:
THE PARKS HOPKINS HAS
Park System Inventory
In an effort of building knowledge and understanding existing
conditions and the community of Hopkins, the project team
completed a thorough inventory and analysis of existing
facilities, community demographics, recreational programming,
privately-owned public spaces (POPS). This included operations,
maintenance, and administrative/ operations systems.
THE PARKS HOPKINS NEEDS
Park System Needs Assessment
The project team analyzed the Park System’s amenities and services
as related to benchmark communities, and the accepted national
standards to identify where the current park system can be im-
proved. Using the inventory as a basis, then community engage-
ment and focus groups were carried out to better understand the
needs of the community and park users.
An extensive community engagement strategy collected the needs,
hopes, likes, and dislikes of the community. A broad range of data
was collected from a series of focus groups, meetings with city staff,
stakeholder dialogues, and virtual engagement opportunities.
These analyses examine the existing community and anticipated the
next twenty years based on anticipated demographic, economic,
and social changes and how this relates to park needs.
PARK SYSTEM vISION
Where do we want to go?
This understanding is then translated into priority themes and a
vision for the Park System to transform.
The Vision establishes Vision and Mission Statements for the Park
System and identifies Priority Themes to focus on in the near term to
enact critical improvements for the Park System.
THE DOCUMENT + PROCESS
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PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
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PROJECT TIMELINE
SPRING 2022
START
SUMMER
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
PARK CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION
MASTER
PLAN REPORT
DEVELOPMENT
DATA AND INPUT
ANALYSIS-SYNTHESIS
DATA INVENTORY
FOCUS GROUPS &
INTERVIEWS VISION DEVELOPMENT
Privately Owned Public Space (POPS) to maximize contributions to
the Park System were explored and identified.
HOW DO WE GET THERE
How do we get where we want to go? Implementation
Finally, this plan includes an implementation strategy that will guide
decision-making, prioritize investments, and optimize maintenance
of the park system.
The implementation plan provides a written framework for how
to take the visions to reality. A critical part of implementation is
developing funding strategies to enable Hopkins to finance these
improvements.
For Hopkins, racial equity and an adaptive framework are particularly
critical as the city is growing and diversifying. This plan will provide a
flexible framework to ensure future park improvements are guided
by an equity analysis that will help staff prioritize which parks need
more attention from an equity standpoint. The priority themes and
vision will help align investments with agreed upon priorities as well.
A racial equity analysis is included as part of implementation,
and we anticipate that this will become an important part of how
investments in parks are prioritized going forward.
The resulting vision identifies park development and capital
investment priorities, and a strategic finan-cial plan for
implementation. Lastly, best practices are identified to ensure the
park system is managed and maintained sustainably and equitably
to meet the challenges of climate change and population growth.
FALL WINTER SPRING 2023 SUMMER FALL WINTER 2024
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PARK
BOARD
PARK TOURS
PARK
BOARD
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PARK
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Park Hopkins Has /Parks Hopkins Needs visualizing Hopkins Future Parks How We Get There
Park System vision
vISUALIZING HOPKINS’ FUTURE PARKS
Park Concept Plans and Recommendations
The next phase translates the Vision into concepts for key Hopkins
Parks in order to visualize what the transformed Park System could
look like.
Hopkins wanted seven parks to be conceptually planned to show
what the future of Hopkins parks could be and inspire support
for investment in parks. These seven parks are a representative
sampling of Hopkins Parks, and range from compact Downtown
Park to mid-sized Central Park, to Valley Park, a community park
with big potential. Additionally, Hopkins Center for the Arts plaza
received a concept integrating key Placemaking concepts to activate
this important spot on Mainstreet. Lastly, strategies for addressing draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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PARKS TO
PEOPLE -
THREE RIVERS
PARK DISTRICT
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
2015
2022 202320132009
ON-GOING INTERSECTING PROJECTS
See Page #
The Park System Plan does not exist in a vacuum. It is developed and informed by previous planning work and overall City Vision. The Park System plans
integrates previously completed work throughout this document, identifies future studies and planning work that would benefit the Park Stystem,
and discusses integration with ongoing parallel plans. Previously completed studies impact the Park System Plan’s recommendations and Vision at a
planning and philosophical level, and at a physical level for park infrastructure like in the Hopkins Heat Vulnerability Study.
PLAYGROUND
ACCESSIBILITY
STUDY
NINE MILE
CREEK
WATERSHED
DISTRICT -
ATLAS 14 FLOOD
STUDY AND
WETLAND
STUDY
MINNESOTA
BLUFFS
REGIONAL TRAIL
- SW LRT
MINNEHAHA
CREEK
WATERSHED
DISTRICT
2020
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PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
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HOPKINS PARKS REINVESTMENT PLAN (2015)
This plan established a 10 year vision (2015-2025) for Hopkins parks. The
inventory data was used as a basis for the new 20 year vision established
in this report.
OUTCOMES:
• Since the Reinvestment Plan was developed, updates were completed
at Burnes Park, Valley Park, Oakes Park, and Cottageville Park.
• The vision for Central Park but was not implemented.
https://www.hopkinsmn.com/DocumentCenter/View/398/October-2015-
Park-System-Reinvestment-Plan-Open-House-PDF?bidId=
HOPKINS BLAKE ROAD LRT STATION AREA CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE SUMMARY REPORT AND FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS (2015)
This study examines three sites near the Blake Road LRT station and
summarizes community input from workshops on the station area. One
of the three sites has since been planned and is under construction. In
the plan the site was called Cold Storage Site, but it is now referred to as
325 Blake
OUTCOMES:
Privately Owned Public Space (POPS) is a significant part of this
development that will be functionally a part of the Park System for
residents. Final programming and amenities were being established
during the development of the Park System Plan.
https://www.hopkinsmn.com/DocumentCenter/View/121/2015-Blake-
Road-Station-Area---Final-Report-PDF
https://www.alatusllc.com/portfolio/hopkins
DOWNTOWN HOPKINS STATION AREA PLAN (2009)
This plan outlines goals for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT)’s
Downtown Station, the middle of the three stations within Hopkins,
and highlights important existing attributes that should be enhanced
relative to downtown/Mainstreet, 8th Avenue, and Excelsior Boulevard.
The stated goal is “to create a rich mix of transit supportive uses rather
than a scattering of automobile uses.”
The station area is envisioned to become a hub or gateway to
downtown, with a surrounding area that is family-friendly, full of activity,
and a destination for dining, shopping, and the arts.
Buffer Park and Downtown Park, as well as the 8th Ave Artery are the
nearest parks and POPs to this station.
https://www.hopkinsmn.com/DocumentCenter/View/124/2009-Station-
Area-Planning---Downtown-Hopkins-PDF
CITY OF HOPKINS PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE PLAN
Provides useful background of the context of why a pedestrian and
bicycle plan is necessary, and the mechanisms by which the network
can be improved. This plan speaks to the three planned Southwest
Light Rail Transit Stations in Hopkins and the importance of planning for
active and multi-modal transportation connections around each station.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• “Hopkins has a good structure for pedestrian and bicycle mobility,
with many short blocks and two-lane roads.
• Within the city, roads to consider for improved facilities include
Mainstreet, 8th Avenue, Shady Oak Road, 11th Avenue, 17th Avenue /
Hopkins Crossroad, Blake Road, and Oakridge Road. Emphasis should
be given to the roads that directly connect into the planned SW LRT
stations: 8th Avenue, Blake Road, and Shady Oak and the 17th Avenue
extension south of Excelsior Boulevard.” (Chapter 3, page 40)
https://www.hopkinsmn.com/571/Pedestrian-Bike-Plan
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CITY OF HOPKINS
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SHADY OAK STATION AREA DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (2015)
The westernmost of the three LRT stations under construction in
Hopkins, Shady Oak Station area offers development potential to
bolster the economies of Hopkins and Minnetonka. This report
illustrates the preferred development scenario for the station area
including new streets and parcels.
Of particular note for parks are the proposed connections to the
north that connect to Central Park - one along 13th Ave S, and the
other along 17th Ave S.
The new district is envisioned to go beyond transit-oriented to be
mobility-oriented and reduce car dependency. In the near term,
the area will have park-and-ride lots but these are planned to be
developed with a focus on creating an innovation district.
https://www.hopkinsmn.com/DocumentCenter/View/122/Shady-Oak-Station-
Area-Development-Strategy-9-30-2015-PDF
#MYBLAKEROAD - CREATIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE PUBLIC REALM AT 325 BLAKE ROAD (2022)
The 325 Blake redevelopment project encompasses a large
area and provides an important opportunity for adding
public amenities. This report summarizes the creative public
engagement led by Forecast Public Art and summarizes the
findings. Many community members wanted to feel explicitly
welcome and safe in the new spaces under construction. Art in
the new development should reflect multiple cultures and the
people who live nearby.
https://forecastpublicart.org/blake-road-community-engagement/
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND PARKSERVE
This nationwide database includes an analysis of Hopkins Parks. See the link
below for more details. The ParkServe database shows that Hopkins residents
are well served by parks, in that 90% of residents live within a 10 minute walk
of a park. Two areas not served by a park are close to a private school (east)
and a golf course (north). The third area to the south is a landfill that may
require additional remediation, but could be converted into a park in the
future. This data set is regularly updated.
https://parkserve.tpl.org/mappingdev/#/?CityID=2730140
CULTIVATE HOPKINS / 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan establishes a bold and achievable vision for Hopkins from
now until 2040. It specifies a number of policies or goals for parks and trails, including:
• Major Factors: focus on improving existing systems; role as a regional trail hub;
efficient use of space with multiple functions; equitable access; going beyond the
park (e.g. to boulevards, plazas, pocket parks, and privately owned public spaces).
• Goal 1: Provide a range of public spaces, programs, and facilities that meet
community needs for recreation and leisure.
• Goal 2: Support and improve overall accessibility of the park and recreation system
to all residents.
• Goal 3: Use the park and open space system to protect and enhance natural
resources.
The Parks and Trails appendix includes useful data on parks inventory and park
categorization.
Of particular note is the recommendation regarding future growth of park facilities:
“...closer examination of Hopkins reveals that the city probably does not need to
add park areas to serve existing and future needs. Hopkins contains three public
school sites that accommodate neighborhood park needs. ... The southern portion
of Hopkins contains a landfill site that has been closed for a long time. At the present
time the site has not been cleared by state agencies for any type of use.... At some
point in the future, the property may become available for public use. When this
occurs, the site could be developed as a community park. Additionally, there are
existing golf course areas that could transition to more general parks and open
space over time... . Finally, the development of Minnehaha Creek Preserve (classified
currently as a special use facility) provides passive recreational opportunities,
particularly in connection with the recently completed Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
connection.”
(Appendix D2-Parks and Trails - Comprehensive Plan, page 10)draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
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HOPKINS HEAT VULNERABILITY STUDY (2022)
This study focuses on a range of tactics to reduce the effects of
extreme heat within Hopkins. Parks have a large role to play in
combating heat island effect. Per the story map below, “Historic
underinvestment in green space and trees in communities of color
and low-income communities has resulted in these communities to
be more susceptible to heat-related danger due to the urban heat
island effect.”
Furthermore, “the urban heat island effect can be addressed
through natural strategies. These strategies generally involve
increasing the amount of and access to nature, like trees and native
plants. Increasing the tree canopy coverage and planting more
vegetation provides shade and evapotranspiration — the process of
plants absorbing and releasing water.”
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/
stories/8279b5ccc3e24b8199581d8cd0eaac85
Recommendations for Action to Reduce Urban Heat Island in Hopkins and Reduce Impact on Human Health
Actions City Tools Implementation Mechanism
Impact
(1-5)
Resources Needed
($, $$, $$$)Funding Opportunities
NATURAL INFRASTRUCTUREExpand green
open space
Policy
& Planning
Increasing green space fits into the Park
System Master Plan that is in development,
particularly prioritizing park access for
communities vulnerable to extreme heat.
$$$
–IRA Neighborhood
access and equity grant
program funding
–Urban and Community
Forestry IRA Grants
– Watch for state resilience
grants through the MPCA
– Watch for state
climate planning and
implementation grants
through the MPC
Plant and maintain
street trees
Policy
& Planning
Fits with existing Complete Streets Policy –
update plan to prioritize street trees in hottest,
most heavily pedestrian-trafficked areas
$$$
Eliminate
parking minimums Regulation Eliminating parking minimums would require
zoning changes $$$
Private tree planting Incentives
Continue and expand tree sale program to
increase tree planting on private land $$$
Expand green
medians,
boulevards, bioswales
Policy
& Planning
Existing Complete Streets Policy includes
boulevard landscaping, can expand to explicitly
include medians and bioswales
$$$
De-paving municipal
parking lots
Leadership &
Innovation
Encouraging de-paving could be done in a
municipal lot to demonstrate benefits $$$
Education campaign
on de-paving
parking lots
Education &
Engagement
Hopkins can lead an education and
engagement campaign for businesses to
understand the options and benefits of de-
paving existing lots
$$$
Encourage de-paving
sections of existing,
private parking lots
Policy
& Planning
De-paving non-municipal lots can be
encouraged through policy and planning
initiatives, such as providing incentives
for de-paving
$$$
Require de-paving
of existing, city-
owned lots
Policy
& Planning
When city-owned lots are repaved, require de-
paving of city-owned surface lots in RFPs $$$
Increase access to
public water
Policy
& Planning
Ensuring access to clean water is part of the
Water Resource Management Plan, including
surface water. Increasing access to water in
public spaces like misting fountains, public
water fountains, and public drinking water
stations keeps people cool and hydrated
$$$draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
10
PARALLEL PROCESSES
PLAYGROUND ACCESSIBILITY STUDY
The City of Hopkins, MN worked with the accessibility consulting
firm Julee Quarve-Peterson, Inc. (JQP, Inc.) on an accessibility report
and transition plan.
This report was created after conducting site visits to parks and
facilities in summer 2023. The following documents
were uses as the basis for recommendations:
• Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II
• Americans with Disabilities Act 2010 Standards for Accessible
Design
• Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act
• Minnesota Building Code, Chapter 1341 (Accessibility)
The purpose of the report was to assess the current level of
accessibility and identify opportunities for improvement of the parks
and facilities in order to support the programs and services offered
by the City.
ONGOING INTERSECTING PROJECTS
Parks to People - Three Rivers Park District
https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/parks-to-people-master-plan
This study is examining the first ring suburbs west and south of
Minneapolis in Hennepin County. The goal is to identify and fund
opportunities for introducing programs and activities of regional
parks to populations currently underserved in the first ring. Targeted
populations overlap with Hopkins Priority Populations and could be
a significant partnership opportunity in The future.
Minnesota Bluffs Regional Trail - SW LRT
https://www.threeriversparks.org/location/minnesota-river-bluffs-
regional-trail
https://www.swlrtcommunityworks.org/
A significant regional trail running through the heart of Hopkins.
This trail is impacted by the LRT construction.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
https://www.minnehahacreek.org/project
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District - see especially Atlas 14 Flood
Study and Wetland Study
https://www.ninemilecreek.org/whats-happening/current-studies/
Minnehaha Creek and Nine Mile Creek Watershed Districts are
active organizations in Hopkins that are tasked with preserving
and improving the water quality of their creeks. Both groups have
funding available for green infrastructure projects and larger efforts
with significant impacts to the City’s infrastructure.
There is evidence throughout City of modifications being made to
increase accessibility, such as:
• Remodeling toilet rooms and single-user showers in the Pavilion
• Identifying and designating accessible parking spaces
• Providing accessible surface material in defined play areas
• Providing playground equipment with transfer systems and
ground level events
As expected, the greatest number of issues and the most
significant barriers to accessibility were found in the older parks
and facilities. Although the sites were constructed prior to
accessibility laws and design standards, alterations over the years
have addressed accessibility.
Many of the modifications/alterations have improved accessibility,
although not all fully comply with the design standards. Details
such as mounting heights and position of accessories in toilet
rooms are a reoccurring issue identified in the report (grab bars
are installed but not necessarily the correct configuration or
mounted at the correct height).
In addition to providing physical access to sites and facilities,
the report addresses other disabilities such as visual (providing
signs with raised and Braille characters and directional signs with
contrast) and hearing (providing assistive listening systems in
assembly areas).
The following issues were identified and have been assigned the
highest priority for corrective action and modification due to the
high level of public use:
• Creating accessible routes up to and into defined play areas
• Modifications to accessible parking at parks
• Improvements to exterior accessible routes
draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
11
The park system in Hopkins encompasses 18 parks and
approximately 166 acres. A majority of the parks are smaller
neighborhood parks that serve nearby residents. The largest park
is Valley + Steiner Park Preserve at 66.34 acres combined, and the
smallest is Elmo Park at 0.62 acres. There are also three golf courses
associated with Hopkins that provide additional green space. Oak
Ridge and Interlachen are private courses and Meadowbrook is
public (private courses are not counted in the above acre totals).
Minnehaha Nine Mile Creek corridors add additional open space.
The Needs Assessment forms the backbone of the system plan as
it provides the analysis necessary to inform the Vision and becomes
the starting point for the implementation plan. This chapter will
focus on establishing a clear baseline status of Hopkins’ Park System.
COMPONENTS
The needs assessment utilizes many factors to thoroughly examine
Hopkins’ parks. The analysis begins with the categorization and
character of the parks. Next is a look at the distribution of park
amenities across the city, followed by a Level of Service analysis. The
Level of Service is based on an inventory of park contents and size,
and shows recommended needs for new park acreage, new fields,
facilities, or amenities based on population. Recommended service
levels are metrics established by the National Park and Recreation
Association (NRPA) and reflect standards for a typical park system
based on population and density. These metrics are guidelines and
not every park system will or should meet all standards; however,
this is a valid method to understand how Hopkins compares.
The Level of Service is followed by a Benchmark Analysis that
compares Hopkins to 5 peer cities. These peers were selected by
the Consultant team and City staff and are comparable to Hopkins
based on a similar climate, population, size, and proximity to a larger
metropolitan city.
THE PARKS HOPKINS HAS
aNaLYZING the parKS hOpKINS haS NOW aND IDeNtIFYING What WOrKS aND OppOrtUNItIeS tO IMprOVe
CHAPTER CONTENTS
DEMOGRAPHIC & RECREATIONAL TRENDS
ANALYSIS
PARK SYSTEM: OvERvIEW
PARK SYSTEM: PARK CLASSIFICATIONS
PARK SYSTEM: AMENITY ANALYSIS
PARK PROFILES
02
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
12
A key component of the Hopkins City Needs Assessment is a
Demographic & Recreation Trends Analysis. The purpose of this
analysis is to provide the City of Hopkins (“City”) insight into the
general makeup of the population they serve and identify market
trends in recreation. It also helps quantify the market in and around
the City and assists in providing a better understanding of the types
of parks, facilities, and programs / services that are most appropriate
to satisfy the needs of residents.
This analysis is two-fold – it aims to answer the who and the what.
First, it assesses the demographic characteristics and population
projections of Hopkins residents to understand who the City serves.
Secondly, recreational trends are examined on a national and
local level to understand what the population served wants to do.
Findings from this analysis establish a fundamental understanding
that provide a basis for prioritizing the community need for parks,
trails, facilities, and recreation programs.
DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
The Demographic Analysis describes the population within Hopkins.
This assessment is reflective of the City’s total population and its key
characteristics such as age segments, race, ethnicity, and income
levels. It is important to note that future projections are based on
historical patterns and unforeseen circumstances during or after the
time of the analysis could have a significant bearing on the validity of
the projected figures.
Demographic data used for the analysis was obtained from
U.S. Census Bureau and from Environmental Systems Research
Institute, Inc. (ESRI), the largest research and development
organization dedicated to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
and specializing in population projections and market trends. All
data was acquired in August 2022 and reflects actual numbers as
reported in both the 2010 and 2020 Census. ESRI then estimates the
current population (2022) as well as a 5-year projection (2027). The
Design Team then utilized straight line linear regression to forecast
demographic characteristics for 10 and 15-year projections (2032 and
2037).
The total number of households has increased in the City from 8,404
in 2010 to 9,110 in 2020, or an average increase of 0.84%. Households
are expected to increase at an average rate of 0.40% from 2020
to 2022 for a total of 9,183 households. By 2037 households are
expected to reach a total amount of 9,941 at an average growth rate
of 0.61% over a fifteen-year period.
AGE SEGMENTATION
Evaluating the City’s age segmentation, the population exhibits an
aging trend. The City’s current median age is estimated at 38.0 years
old which is younger than the U.S. median age (38.8 years old), and it
is expected that age will get older. Currently 29% of City residents are
55+ years old. By 2037 the 55+ population is expected to grow 33%
percent of the City’s total population. This is expected to be a result
of increased life expectancies and most middle-aged adult residents
“aging in place” while their children move elsewhere.
Due to the continued growth of the older age segments, it is useful
to further segment the “Senior” population beyond the traditional
55+ designation. Within the field of parks and recreation, there are
three commonly used ways to partition this age segment. One is to
simply segment by age: 55-64, 65-74, and 75+. However, as these age
segments are engaged in programming, the variability of health and
wellness can be a more relevant factor. For example, a 55-year-old
who is struggling with rheumatoid arthritis may be limited to leisure
recreation while a healthy 65-year-old may still be running 5K’s on
an annual basis. Therefore, it may be more useful to divide this age
segment into “Active,” “Low-Impact,” and/or “Social” Seniors.
DEMOGRAPHIC & RECREATION TRENDS ANALYSIS
DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS BOUNDARY
The City boundaries shown above were utilized for the demographic
analysis.
POPULATION
The City’s population has been increasing since the 2010 Census,
growing from 17,646 to 19,079 by 2020, or an increase of 0.81%. The
population is expected to keep growing reaching 19,128 people in
2022, an increase of 0.13% in just two years. By 2037 the population is
expected to be 20,798 with an average annual growth rate of 0.58%.
(See Figure 2)
Projected Age Segmentation
0 1/4 1/2 3/4 11/8
Miles
1st Street North
169
169Main Street
20
7
Belmore Lane
Van Valkenburg Park
Interlachen Country
Club
Benton Avenue
Golf Terrace
Edina Country Club
44th Street West Sunnyside
R
o
a
d
Arden Park
Pamela Park
Eden A
v
e
n
u
e
Mirror Lake
Highlands Park
Meadowbrook Golf Club Highway 100 SouthGrimes AvenueTexas Avenue SouthRhode Island Avenue SouthLake Street West
Li
b
r
a
r
y
L
a
n
e
Walker Street
31st Street West
Cambridge Street
Wolfe Park
Bass Lake Park
Twin Lake
Nelson Lake
Arden AvenueFrance Avenue SouthDrew Avenue SouthBeard Avenue SouthWo
o
d
d
a
l
e
A
v
e
n
u
e
Blake Road SouthSchaefer Road Vernon
A
v
e
n
u
eDundee RoadMalinu Drifve11th Avenue SouthShady Oak Road5th Avenue SouthExcelsio
r
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
3rd Street North
494
Glen Lake
Oak Ridge County Club Knollwood Mall
Aquila Park
Texa Tonka
Park
Hannon Lake
Minneapolis Golf Club
Glen Lake Golf
Wing
Lake
7
Jidana Park
Orchard Road
Cedar Road
Big Willow Park
Highland RoadVictoria StreetWilliston RoadWoodhill RoadWoodridge RoadMeadow
Park
Plymouth RoadNin
e
mile Creek
M inn ehaha
Minne tonka Boulevar
d
M c G inty Ro
ad West
Minnehah
a Creek
C reek
draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
13
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
While the City’s Per Capita income is higher
than both State and National Levels, the City’s
Median Household Income is lower than County,
State, and National Levels. This suggests a
potential lack of disposable income at the family
level and should be taken into account for parks
program development.
DIVERSITY
28% of the City’s current population identifies
as a non-white racial group. This is projected to
reach 44% by 2037. The City should ensure its
growing and diversifying population is reflected
in its offerings, marketing/communications, and
public outreach.
AGE
The percentage of the community over age 55
is expected to steadily increase over the next 20
years as a result of increased life expectancies
and most middle-aged adult residents “aging in
place”. The City’s decreasing young population
indicates a need to focus on the older
population, as the community ages and looks
for “Active Adult” recreational activities.
A CHANGING COMMUNITY
WITH NEW MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT OCCURRING AROUND THE CITY AND
MORE RESIDENTS AGING IN PLACE, THE CITY OF HOPKINS IS EXPECTED TO
BECOME LARGER, OLDER, AND MORE DIVERSE OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
THE CITY’S LAND AREA IS
ONLY 4 SQUARE MILES.
RENTERS MAKE UP OVER
65% OF HOUSING UNITS.
WITH THE GROWING
COMMUNITY AND LIMITED
SPACE, CURRENT PARKS
WILL BE ASKED TO DO
MORE WITHIN THEIR
CURRENT SPACE.
The City’s population has increased since
the 2010 Census, growing from 17,646 to
19,079 by 2020. The population is expected
to keep growing to reach 20,798 by 2037
- an average annual growth rate of 0.58%.
Renters make up over 65% of housing
units.
The total number of households is also
increasing. Households went from 8,404 in
2010 to 9,110 in 2020. By 2037 households
are expected to reach a total amount of
9,941 at an average growth rate of 0.61%
over a fifteen-year period.
Regional demographic trends show an
increasingly diverse community. This trend
is exemplified in Hopkins. New multi-family
development, transportation access and
options will likely reinforce diversification in
the City.
$22.36
Average cost per capita for Recreation
(Hopkins and Minnetonka Joint Recreation
Program)
$ 1.3 m
Annual Park and Recreation
Budget
$ 17 m
City General Fund Budget
SUMMARY OF BUDGET FOR THE COMMUNITY
COMPARISON TO OTHER CITIES CAN BE FOUND IN
BENCHMARKING - CHAPTER 03
90%
of residents live
within 1/2 mile of a
park
33%
of residents will be 55+ by
2037. This is up from 29% in
2023 and above the state
average.
19%
of residents will be under 17
by 2037. This is down from
20% in 2023 and below the
state average.
2010 2020 2022 2027 2032 2037
21000
20000
19000
18000
17000
16000
20,798
19,128
17,646
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
14
Hopkins parks are well located and accessible to most residents.
While park access is important, condition and park amenities are
what draw people in and make a park into an attractive place to visit.
Many of Hopkins parks have a similar form. The parks were built
around the same time and have similar levels of wear and tear. This
shows that they are well-loved but also that it is time for a strategic
refresh. With the exception of major renovations at Burnes Park and
Cottageville Park, and new play equipment at Valley Park and Hilltop
Park, the majority of Hopkins other parks have not seen updates in a
long time.
Shady Oak Nature Area and Minnehaha Creek Preserve are not
included in this study. They are natural areas with no plans for
development in the near future.
School properties with park facilities that are partially open to the
public are included in the Level of Service and general analysis of the
Park System.
ELMO PARK
HILLTOP PARK
MAETZOLD FIELD
CENTRAL PARK
DOWNTOWN PARK
BURNES PARK
HARLEY HOPKINS
COTTAGEVILLE
HIAWATHA OAKS
OAKES PARK
INTERLACHEN PARK
BUFFER PARK
PARK VALLEY
VALLEY PARK
11th AVE SOUTH
SHADY OAK BEACH
POTENTIAL SPACES
PARKS = Park with Concept Plan
HOPKINS LANDFILL
1
2
3
5
6
7
10
9
8
CLOCK TOWER PLAZA
ALICE SMITH ELEMENTARY
HARLEY HOPKINS EARLY
CHILDHOOD BUILDING
CENTER FOR THE ARTS PLAZA
ARTERY / 8th AVE TRAIL
EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY
UBAH ACADEMY
ACTIVATION AREAS
A
D
F
B
E
G
C
11
12
#
13
14
16
15
17
4
PARK SYSTEM: OvERvIEW AND CLASSIFICATIONS
D
E
3
1
2
15 14
12
13
8
7 11
10
9
A
BC
F
16
17
6
54
SCHOOL PARKS (PARTIALLY PUBLIC AMENITIES)draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
15
Classification Description Location Criteria Size Criteria
Neighborhood Park Basic unit of the park system; serve as
the recreational focus of neighborhoods;
emphasize informal active and passive
recreation
¼ to ½ mile distance and
uninterrupted by non- residential roads
and other physical barriers
Usually between
5 and 10 acres
School-Park Combining parks with school sites can fulfill
the space requirements for other classes of
parks such as neighborhood, community,
sports complex and special use
Determined by location of school
district property
Variable
Community Park Serves a broader purpose than neighborhood
parks; focus is on meeting community-based
recreational needs as well as preserving
unique open space
½ mile to 3-mile distance and typically
uninterrupted by non-residential roads
and other physical barriers. Determined
by the quality and usability of the site
Usually between
20 and 50 acres
Special Use Park and
Recreation Facilities
May be privately or publicly owned; private
facilities can offer either indoor or outdoor
recreation opportunities, usually on a
membership or fee basis
Variable, depends on specific use Variable
Natural Resource
Areas (Preserves)
Lands set aside for preservation of significant
natural resources, remnant landscapes, open
space and visual aesthetics
Depends on resource availability and
opportunity
Variable
Table from Cultivate Hopkins - 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Appendix D2 Parks and Trails
CLASSIFICATIONS
To aid in analyzing the park system and to break down the parks into
similar categories, the parks are classified in categories consistent
with the Cultivate Hopkins 2040 Comprehensive plan. Each park
class serves a function within the system.
Neighborhood parks are the most common parks in many park
systems. They are smaller in size and are considered for planning
purposes to not require parking because they are located so that
residents can easily walk to them.
Hopkins has multiple schools with outdoor recreation areas and
playgrounds. Three of these schools/ facilities are in the Hopkins
School District, and the third is a charter school. For the purposes
of this plan, Eisenhower Elementary and Alice Smith Elementary
(both Hopkins School District) are factored as providing 1/3 access
to their school park amenities because these areas are fully public
on weekends and when school is not in session. The Blake School’s
facilities are not factored into this analysis because they are private.
Community parks serve a larger area and often have amenities
that draw users from across the city (such as large community
gardens, larger sports fields or tournament facilities, or destination
playgrounds). These parks typically need increased parking
compared to neighborhood parks to support intensive uses and
visitors traveling via auto from further distances.
Special Use Park and Recreation Facilities are a broad category and
include indoor and outdoor recreation amenities. Hopkins-owned
buildings such as the Pavilion, the Hopkins Center for the Arts, and
the Activities Center fall into this category. Additionally, Shady Oak
Beach is a special use facility jointly operated with Minnetonka.
Natural Resource Areas or Preserves are parks that generally see less
intensive development. Steiner Park Preserve is a good example, as
it primarily consists of an archery range and some informal trails but
it does not have any fixed structures or highly-maintained sports
fields. Parks in this category are typically set aside for preservation
or, on occasion, are generally not buildable (e.g. are wetland areas).draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
16
Existing Aquatics NRPA standards indicate similar sized cities
have an indoor aquatic facility. Eisenhower Community Center has
an indoor pool but is not typically open for public use. Minnetonka
acquired The Marsh providing additional pool facilities.
Existing Playgrounds are well served now, but will need
additional playground space as population increases.
Existing Sports Fields Hopkins is below the NRPA Standard
for soccer, football, and rugby fields.
Existing Distribution of Park Amenities General quantity
of facilities at each park in the Park System.
PARK SYSTEM: AMENITY ANALYSIS
The following maps show distribution of major park amenities across
the city. Amenities are not evenly distributed. However, Hopkins is 4
square miles in area, and people can get to most amenities in a short
trip. There are significant pedestrian barriers that divide the city and
impact resident mobility to parks.
• Valley Park has the most variation in amenities, followed by Central
Park, and Burnes Park.
• The East portion of the city has no large park with 15 or more
amenities. However, as this report is written, Cottageville Park will
see a phase 2 improvements and the 325 Blake development will
add significant amenities to the east side of Hopkins.
Overlap shows well-served areas
within short walking distance
How to read these maps:
Large circle shows a
10 minute walk
Small circle shows a
5 minute walk
Color circles are Hopkins
Park amenities
Gray circles are schools
or neighboring city
parks - “partners”
Hopkins city boundary
in a solid pink line. NORTH
SOUTH
EAST
Dashed lines along
highway 169 and Excelsior
Boulevard divide the city
into three zones: North,
South, and East. draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
17
Existing Basketball Many of Hopkins parks have half courts,
and Level of Service indicates need for an additional full court.
Existing Skating Rinks are well distributed. Hopkins should
focus on quality ice versus adding new rinks as population grows.
Existing Picnic Shelters are well distributed and should be
considered at most parks in Hopkins.
Existing Ballfields meets Level of Service standards even with
increase in population
Existing Tennis & Pickleball the only pickleball courts are
located in Central Park.
Existing Dog Parks There are no designated dog parks within
city limits, but neighboring cities do have them.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
18
PARK PROFILES
The following provides a short summary of 15 parks within Hopkins
as they exist today. Parks are listed generally in order from north
to south and east to west, and categorized according to the Park
Classification on the previous page.
Each park has an individual character, shape, and layout. However,
nearly all parks have a playground. Most playgrounds in the
system are Burke brand play equipment. Parks often feature
half-court basketball and a few benches. Most playgrounds have
rectangular play containers that do not interact with the surrounding
topography.
Accessibility of playgrounds and paved paths is moderate to poor.
A separate accessibility study is being conducted at the time of
this plan writing. Few playground containers have more than one
point of wheelchair access (having one access ramp is technically
compliant), and some have no paved path to the container. These
aspects should be carefully considered as the parks are updated and
renovated.
Furthermore, two recently renovated parks (Cottageville and
Burnes) have water fountains and sand play areas but maintenance
staff have noted that the drinking fountains near sand play areas
are frequently clogged. While this design idea makes some sense
from a nature-based play perspective, it does not work well from a
maintenance standpoint, and a different water source or drinking
fountain type is recommended should this design idea continue to
be implemented in other parks.
ELMO PARK (0.62 ACRES, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
A small, simply organized park adjacent to apartments and the
Water Treatment Plant. The park’s trail will connect to the Hopkins
Crossroad Trail in the future. Elmo park includes a small playground,
half court basketball, benches, and a small open lawn area.
Apartments and the school nearby have recently invested in new
playground facilities, so the immediate area is served by recreational
amenities. The park can not expand due to future water treatment
plan expansion needs.
HILLTOP PARK (3.5 ACRES, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
A popular winter sledding destination with a large steep hill, Hilltop
Park is surrounded by housing on three sides. Street frontage on 4th
Street North has limited parking, and across the street is a senior
residence. The park features mature coniferous and deciduous trees,
and a grilling area with tables. The newer playground may meet
minimum guidelines but is technically not accessible because no
paths connect from the street to the playground. The park lacks
a sidewalk along 4th Street North. A ball diamond was recently
decommissioned and the backstop fence remains. The park is
located near two popular regional trails - Shady Oak Road Trail and
Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail.
COTTAGEVILLE (4.1 ACRES, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
Recently renovated with partnership of Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District. Cottageville features a newer playground, a community
garden area, a park shelter with restrooms and gathering area, and
a small lawn area; additionally an older half court basketball, parking,
and water access to Minnehaha Creek. Phase 2 of Cottageville
Park is anticipated to be built along with 325 Blake Development.
Cottageville breaks from the historical pattern of Hopkins parks
and was informed by a robust engagement process. The shelter is
architecturally significant and establishes a high quality community
gathering facility that is well used by residents.
MAETZOLD FIELD (10.1 AC, COMMUNITY PARK)
The sports hub of Hopkins Area Little League (HALL), features
baseball diamonds and a large soccer field. The park also includes
access to regional trails and a small playground in the north
west corner. This park has a significant parking lot and additional
street parking surrounding the facility. Maetzold hosts multiple
tournaments and games throughout the summer. The soccer
field is one of a few lighted field facilities in the city and is highly
programmed. The playground is located in a corner of the park that
limits it’s use and accessibility.
CENTRAL PARK (18 AC, COMMUNITY PARK)
A large community-oriented park on the edge of Hopkins’
downtown, Central Park is home to Hopkins Pavilion (indoor hockey
rink or seasonal turf or dry land training). The park includes two
baseball fields, tennis courts, an outdoor hockey rink that also serves
as wiffleball enclosure in summer, pickleball courts, and a few shade
structures. An aged playground sits on the east side. Central Park
is adjacent to Ubah Academy and shares a very porous boundary
where the school’s facilities blend into the park and vice versa.
Katherine Curren playground is used by the school and by park Central Park - pickleball courts
Cottageville Park - new picnic shelter and restrooms
draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
19
users when school is not utilizing. The tennis courts are technically
a part of school district land. Central Park is located adjacent to
Hopkins Fire Hall and the Public Works facility . This park is one of
Hopkins’ most popular, highly trafficked, and is heavily impacted by
the Pavilion’s visitors and traffic. Several adult leagues prefer Central
Park due to it’s proximity to Hopkins’ bars and restaurants.
DOWNTOWN PARK (0.91 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
A true urban park, Downtown Park’s most prominent feature is the
stage, amphitheater, and gentle surrounding mounds. The stage
opens to a round paved area with honey locust trees dotting the
audience area. Round benches surround and protect the trees,
but discourage conversation. The benches do not consistently
face toward the stage and are not movable - limiting the plaza’s
flexibility for different types of events. Maintenance staff note that
the electrical for the stage needs an upgrade, and more storage
is needed (beyond what currently exists in the stage structure).
The drinking fountain should be assessed for replacement, or be
updated when the park is renovated. Lighting is outdated and
inadequate for a popular destination; limiting evening useage and
event potential.
HIAWATHA OAKS (0.9 AC, NATURAL RESOURCE AREA)
A small park covered with a dense oak stand. The area was
previously planned for townhomes that the neighborhood opposed,
and is now maintained as a preserve. This area is not focused on
in this plan but could be considered in future planning efforts to
connect with Oakes Park and provide nature access.
OAKES PARK (5.7 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
A neighborhood park featuring year round activities. Summertime
uses include the open sided pavilion and grilling, as well as a
playground and open field areas. Winter activities include skating
and sledding. A hockey rink was recently decommissioned due to
poor ice quality issues. Recent investments were utilized to update
the warming house and refresh the play equipment. The tennis
courts are in fair condition will but need re-surfacing in the coming
years. A lack of parking limits activities at Oakes currently. There
are numerous multi-family housing facilities in close proximity to
Oakes that should make it one of the more well used parks in the
system. However, its facilities may not be meeting the needs of the
Oakes Park - recently replaced play equipment
Downtown Park - concert (August 2022)
surrounding residents. An example is a lack of basketball court - a
popular amenity with youth. Through engagement it was discovered
that kids are passing Oakes to use the half court at Cottageville.
BURNES PARK (7 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
Burnes Park has received recent, popular updates, that has made it
one of Hopkins’ most liked and well used parks. The park is adjacent
to neighborhoods and Zion Lutheran Church. The west parking
lot is shared with the church through a formal agreement. Special
features include a new splash pad and building with restrooms.
Other recent updates include new planting beds, an outdoor skating
loop, a new Rotary sponsored picnic shelter/ restroom building,
and stormwater filtration area/rain garden. The North Cedar Lake
Regional Trail is nearby.
HARLEY HOPKINS (2.89 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
A sunken park that regularly floods, Harley Hopkins park currently
has few amenities. The park features an old warming house, short
trail segment, and one hockey rink. A fence surrounds most of the
park and blocks views and access. The lower elevation of the field
relative to surrounding streets discourages people from seeing and
Park Valley Park - playground draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
20
accessing the open space. Two baseball or softball backstops have
been decommissioned but backstops remain. The neighbors at
the Harley Hopkins Family Center / Early Childhood Development
(a Hopkins School District property) occasionally use the park.
The park has no parking lot and the fence and street parking
combination around the park make access challenging for users
driving to the park. Stormwater inputs significantly limit the uses
and development of this park. Edina’s Alden Park is directly across
the street and provides some of the recreational features that
Harley Hopkins is missing, including a playground, soccer field, and
basketball court.
INTERLACHEN PARK (2.4 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
The eastern most park in Hopkins, Interlachen is tucked away
in a single family neighborhood near Interlachen Country Club
and Meadowbrook Golf Courses. The park features a warming
house, small playground, half-court basketball, a hockey rink with
removable boards and picnic area. A remnant backstop appears
to not see much use. The neighborhood bought an ice resurfacer
and store it in the park building. Resident volunteers keep this rink
amongst the highest outdoor ice quality in the City.
BUFFER PARK (3.1 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
Located on the back side of an industrial area (behind the UNFI
Distribution Main Office), Buffer Park is a small turf area with one
baseball field and a mound used for sledding in the winter. Small
trees were recently planted in a scattered layout on the western
side of the park and there are few mature trees on the margins
and at the top of the east side hill’s plateau. While small, Buffer
Park could support additional uses for the neighborhood. This plan
recommends re-naming Buffer Park and utilizing a community
engagement effort.
PARK VALLEY* (1.14 AC, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK)
Situated in the southern area of Hopkins, Park Valley Park is a
smaller neighborhood park. The primary features are a playground,
shade structure, drinking fountain, and small sand box. The eastern
half features an open field that is not big enough for a soccer or
baseball game but is flexible for casual use. The playground may
meet minimum guidelines but is technically not accessible because
no paths connect from the street to the playground. The park lacks
a continuous sidewalk. Park Valley is located close to Valley Park.
Buffer Park - ballfield
Shady Oak Beach swim facilities are popular
Proximity and similarity in name has caused confusion for residents
and contractors, and the Park Board has recommended renaming
this park Raspberry Park and will seek Council action to formally
rename.
VALLEY PAR K (33 AC, COMMUNITY PARK) +
STEINER PARK PRESERVE (33.36 AC, NATURAL
RESOURCE AREA)
Valley Park has many park amenities and natural areas. The adjoining
Steiner Park Preserve includes wetland area along Nine Mile Creek
connecting to highway 169 and Edina. The boundary between the
two parks is not easily apparent and the parks function as one
connected area. Natural surface trails run between both parks and
this trail network could easily be clarified and expanded.
The north area of Valley Park contains most park amenities. This area
includes sand volleyball, basketball, a playground, picnic pavilions, a
hockey rink, recently updated warming house, outdoor skating area,
and a hill for sledding. The Nine Mile Creek regional trail runs along
its namesake creek on the western boundary of the park. A large,
highly successful, community garden area anchors the southern half
of this park.
Steiner Park Preserve includes wetlands along Nine Mile Creek, and
an archery range that could easily be improved with accessible paths
and a small shelter.
SHADY OAK BEACH (5.4 AC LAND, SPECIAL USE
FACILITY)
This park and beach is within Minnetonka City limits. The City of
Hopkins owns the park; Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation
operates the park and charges a fee for access. Picnic pavilions are
located outside of the fenced in area and are often rented. A larger
parking lot accommodates heavy traffic in this popular facility. Inside
the pay fence there are several park amenities including a variety of
play spaces and playgrounds, shade areas, and gathering zones.draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
21
Valley Park - bridge over Nine Mile Creek
Valley Park - community gardens (May 2022)Hilltop Park - A large and popular sledding hill is the focus of this park draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
22
Harley Hopkins Park - trail and hockey boards
Elmo Park - half basketball Burnes Park - playground Maetzold Park - trail between fields
Interlachen Park - playground and basketball court
draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
23
The Needs Assessment forms the backbone of the system plan as it
provides the analysis necessary to inform the vision and then is the
starting point for the implementation plan. This chapter will focus on
establishing a clear baseline status of Hopkins parks and recreation.
The needs assessment utilizes many factors to thoroughly examine
the parks Hopkins has today. Analysis begins with the categorization
and character of the parks. Next is a look at the distribution of park
amenities across the city, which is followed by the Level of Service
analysis. The Level of Service is based on an inventory of park
contents and size, and shows recommended needs for new park
acreage, new fields, facilities, or amenities based on population.
Recommended service levels are metrics established by the National
Park and Recreation Association (NRPA) and reflect benchmarks
for a typical park system based on population and density. These
metrics are guidelines and not every park system will or should meet
all benchmarks, however, this is a great way to understand how
Hopkins measures up.
The Level of Service is followed by a Benchmark Analysis that
compares Hopkins to 5 peer cities. These peers were selected by
the Consultant team and City staff and are comparable to Hopkins
based on a similar climate, population, size, and proximity to a larger
city. The information provided by the benchmark agencies was
evaluated and categorized to create an snapshot view of the data
regarding the operations of the agencies so Hopkins can see how
they relate overall for the type and size of facilities, financial data
and other metrics outlined in the tables. Data from the Benchmark
Analysis is to be used as a point of reference when evaluating
Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation current operations and provide
potential guidelines for the future of the system.
These comparative analyses highlight where needs exist across the
system, but it is also important to get qualitative data to understand
what residents and park users think about the parks. A multi-
faceted process for community engagement was conducted in
summer and fall of 2022. Engagement focused on reaching a broad
array of park users and made specific efforts to get feedback from
BIPOC populations. The feedback from the engagement informed
development of concept plans shown later in this document.
Beyond the physical parks, Hopkins has a robust recreational
program shared with the City of Minnetonka. The Recreational
Program Assessment digs into what is working well with Hopkins-
Minnetonka Joint Recreation and makes recommendations and
suggests goals for keeping programming vibrant.
Engagement and assessment showed that park amenities are
not evenly distributed, nor are they reflecting the changing needs
of park users. The needs assessment shows that Hopkins Parks
adequately serve the population now, and have plenty of potential
to be even better as gaps are filled, needs are met, and parks are
updated to meet the future needs of a growing and diversifying city.
CHAPTER CONTENTS
RECREATIONAL TRENDS
LEvELS OF SERvICE
BENCHMARKING
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THE PARKS HOPKINS NEEDS
aNaLYZING the parKS hOpKINS haS NOW aND IDeNtIFYING What WOrKS aND OppOrtUNItIeS tO IMprOVe
03
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
24
RECREATIONAL TRENDS
City of Hopkins Demographics and Trends Analysis
Page 11 of 29
CORE VS. CASUAL TRENDS IN GENERAL SPORTS Highly participated sports, such as Basketball and Baseball have a larger core participant base (participate
13+ times per year) than casual participant base (participate 1‐12 times per year). Due to the COVID‐19
Pandemic, most activities showed a decrease in their percentage of core participants. However, there
were significant increases in the percentage of casual participation for Court Volleyball, Pickleball, Fast
Pitch Softball, Gymnastics, and Boxing for Competition in the past year. Please see Appendix A for full Core
vs. Casual Participation breakdown. (See Figure 9)
Figure 9: General Sports Participatory Trends
Research by PROS Consulting
The following analysis discusses recreational trends on a national
and local level. This data provides a basic understanding of what the
population served wants to do and reinforces the community’s need
for improved parks, trails, facilities, and recreation programs.
Data used for this analysis was obtained from Sports & Fitness
Industry Association’s (SFIA) Sports, Fitness & Leisure Topline
Participation Report (2022), National Recreation and Park
Association (NRPA), and Environmental Systems Research Institute,
Inc. (ESRI). All trend data is based on current and/or historical
participation rates, statistically valid survey results, or NRPA Park
Metrics.
Categories include sports, fitness, outdoor activities, aquatics, and
other recreational activities. For this summary, aquatics and other
activities are omitted but the full analysis is in the appendix.
Important definitions:
Core participants – higher frequency, engage in activity 50+
times a year (or team sports 13 times a year), more committed
and less likely to switch to other activities
Casual Participants – lesser frequency, 49 or fewer times per
year (or for team activities 1-12 times per year), and more likely to
have numbers fluctuate
COVID-19 had an uneven affect on participation, but generally
most activities had a decrease in number of core participants.
Sports Nationwide Trends
The top sports most heavily participated in the United States were
Basketball (27.1 million), Golf (25.1 million), and Tennis (22.6 million)
which have participation figures well more than the other activities
within the general sports category. Baseball (15.5 million), and
Outdoor Soccer (12.5 million) round out the top five.
Sports Nationwide – 5 year
Since 2016, Pickleball (71.2%), Golf- Entertainment Venues (51.3%),
and Tennis (25.1%) have shown the largest increase in participation.
Similarly, Basketball (21.4%) and Boxing for Competition (20.7%)
have also experienced significant
growth. Based on the five-year
trend from 2016-2021, the sports
that are most rapidly declining
in participation include Ultimate
Frisbee (-40.4%), Roller Hockey
(-26.1%), Volleyball (Sand/Beach)
(-23.8%), Squash (-23.5%), Slow
Pitch Softball (-21.9%), and
Gymnastics (-20.7%).
Sports Nationwide – 1 year
The most recent year shares some
similarities with the five-year
trends; with Pickleball (14.8%) and
Boxing for Competition (7.3%)
experiencing some of the greatest
increases in participation. The
greatest one-year increases also
include Fast Pitch Softball (15.3%),
Gymnastics (10.9%), and Court
Volleyball (8.1%).
Basketball (-2.2%), Flag Football
(-1.6%), Indoor Soccer (-0.6%) and
Baseball ( -0.5%) have shown
a five-year trend decrease,
potentially a direct result of
coming out of the COVID-19
pandemic. Similarly, other team
sports such as Ultimate Frisbee
(-5.8%), Slow Pitch Softball (-5.4%),
Roller Hockey (-5%), Racquetball
(-4.8%) and Beach/Sand Volleyball
(-3.1%), also had significant
decreases.
Figure 3.01: National Recreation Trends draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
25
PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
20
GENERAL SPORTS MARKET POTENTIAL
The General Sports chart shows that only two of the recorded activities are Tennis (116) and Golf (110).
The least popular activities are Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball all having a score of 93, and soccer
receiving the lowest score of 90.
FITNESS MARKET POTENTIAL
Assessing MPI scores for the Fitness Activity category reveals that all but one of the activities are above
the national average. The most popular activities are Jogging/Running (117), Weightlifting (110), and then
Swimming (104). The lowest recorded event is Zumba with a score of 96.
117 110 104 104 103 102 101 96
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Jogging/
Running
Weight
Lifting
Swimming Yoga Pilates Aerobics Walking for
Exercise
Zumba
FITNESS MPI
Hopkins National Average (100)
116 110 99 97 93 93 93 90
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Tennis Golf Football Baseball Basketball Volleyball Softball Soccer
GENERAL SPORTS MPI
Hopkins National Average (100)
Figure 14: General Sports MPI Comparison
Figure 15: Fitness MPI Comparison
PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
20
GENERAL SPORTS MARKET POTENTIAL The General Sports chart shows that only two of the recorded activities are Tennis (116) and Golf (110). The least popular activities are Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball all having a score of 93, and soccer receiving the lowest score of 90.
FITNESS MARKET POTENTIAL
Assessing MPI scores for the Fitness Activity category reveals that all but one of the activities are above
the national average. The most popular activities are Jogging/Running (117), Weightlifting (110), and then
Swimming (104). The lowest recorded event is Zumba with a score of 96.
117 110 104 104 103 102 101 96
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Jogging/
Running
Weight
Lifting
Swimming Yoga Pilates Aerobics Walking for
Exercise
Zumba
FITNESS MPI
Hopkins National Average (100)
116 110 99 97 93 93 93 90
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Tennis Golf Football Baseball Basketball Volleyball Softball Soccer
GENERAL SPORTS MPI
Hopkins National Average (100)
Figure 14: General Sports MPI Comparison
Figure 15: Fitness MPI Comparison
PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
22
COMMERCIAL RECREATION MARKET POTENTIAL The Commercial Recreation category reveals several categories are above or equal to the national
average. The most popular activities are Attended a sports event (112), Went overnight camping (112),
and went to an art gallery (110) and went to a museum (109). However, the least popular activities are
Visited an indoor Waterpark (86) and flew a Drone (93). There is a below average demand to play video
games both portable (94) and console (96) which is reflective of the aging population. The below average
score of spending on sports and recreational equipment reflects the unique financial status of the City.
(See Figure 17)
Figure 17: Commercial Recreation MPI Comparison
86
93
94
95
96
97
97
100
100
101
102
103
104
106
108
108
109
110
112
112
0 50 100 150
Visited an indoor water park
Flew a drone
Played video/electronic game (portable)
Spent $1‐99 on sports/rec equip
Played video/electronic game (console)
Spent $100‐249 on sports/rec equip
Did photo album/scrapbooking
Did painting/drawing
Visited a theme park in last
Attended adult education course
Dined out
Spent $250+ on sports/rec equip
Did photography
Went to live theater
Participated in a book club
Visited a zoo
Went to museum
Went to art gallery
Went overnight camping
Attended sports event
COMMERCIAL RECREATION MPI
(last 12 months)
Hopkins National Average (100)
General Fitness Nationwide
Overall, national participatory trends in fitness have experienced rapid
growth in recent years. The activities with the most participation was Fitness
Walking (115.8 million), Treadmill (53.6 million), Free Weights (52.6 million),
Running/Jogging (48.9 million), and Stationary Cycling (32.4 million).
General Fitness Nationwide - 5 year
Over the last five years (2016-2021), the activities growing at the highest
rate are Trail Running (45.9%), Yoga (30.8%), Dance, Step & Choreographed
Exercise (13.3%), and Pilates Training (9.6%). Over the same period, the
activities that have undergone the biggest decline include
Group Stationary Cycling (-33.5%), Traditional Triathlon
(26.4%), Cardio Kickboxing (-26.1%), Cross-Training Style
Workout (-24.4%) and Non-Traditional Triathlons (-23.5%).
General Fitness Nationwide - 1 year
In the last year, activities with the largest gains in
participation were those that can be done alone at home
or socially distanced outdoors. The top increases were in
Treadmill (7.6%), Cross-Training Style Workouts (6.4%) Trail
Running (5.6%), Yoga (4.7%), and Stair Climbing (4.7%). In
the same span, the activities that had the largest decline
in participation were those that would take more time and
investment. The greatest drops were seen in Traditional
Triathlon (-5.3%), Aerobics (-5.1%), Non-Traditional Triathlons
(-4.3%), and Cardio Kickboxing (-3.7%).
Local Sport and Leisure Market Potential
Source: ESRI
Market Potential Index (MPI) measures the probable
demand for a product or service within the defined service
areas. The MPI shows the likelihood that an adult resident
will participate in certain activities when compared to
the U.S. national average. Data is normalized so that 100
is the national average, and anything above 100 indicates
Hopkins residents are more likely to participate, and values
under 100 indicate lesser demand than average.
It should be noted that MPI metrics are only one data
point used to help determine community trends; thus,
programmatic decisions should not be based solely on
MPI metrics.
Above average MPI scores show that the City’s residents
have a strong participation presence when it comes to
recreational offerings, especially pertaining to General
Fitness and Outdoor Recreation. This becomes significant
when the City considers starting up new recreation
programs or building new facilities, providing a strong tool
to estimate attendance and participation.
The chart of Hopkins MPI is at right.. The complete report
is included in the appendix for reference.
Figure 3.02: Market Potential Index of popular park activities Figure 3.03: Market Potential Index of commercial activities
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
26
Hopkins, MN Level of Service Standards
PARKS:
Park Type Hopkins
Inventory
Hopkins
School
District
Minneapolis
Parks
Total
Inventory
Meet Standard/
Need Exists
Meet Standard/
Need Exists
Meet Standard/
Need Exists
Neighborhood Parks 38.16 - 38.16 1.99 acres per 1,000 2.10 acres per 1,000 Need Exists 2 Acre(s)Need Exists 8 Acre(s)Need Exists 13 Acre(s)
Community Parks 61.10 - 61.10 3.19 acres per 1,000 4.00 acres per 1,000 Need Exists 15 Acre(s)Need Exists 26 Acre(s)Need Exists 36 Acre(s)
Special Use Parks 5.44 65.60 71.04 3.71 acres per 1,000 3.65 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s)Need Exists 8 Acre(s)Need Exists 18 Acre(s)
Natural Resource Areas 33.34 - 33.34 1.74 acres per 1,000 1.70 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s)Need Exists 4 Acre(s)Need Exists 8 Acre(s)
School-Parks - 11.48 11.48 0.60 acres per 1,000 0.55 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s)Need Exists 0 Acre(s)Need Exists 2 Acre(s)
Total Developed Park Acres 138.04 11.48 65.60 215.12 11.25 acres per 1,000 12.00 acres per 1,000 Need Exists 14 Acre(s)Need Exists 46 Acre(s)Need Exists 76 Acre(s)
Undeveloped Parks 59.50 - 59.50 3.11 acres per 1,000 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
Total Park Acres 197.54 11.48 65.60 274.62 14.36 acres per 1,000
12.9 acres per 1,000 12.00 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)Need Exists 17 Acre(s)
TRAILS:
Trails (paved and unpaved)0.89 0.89 0.05 mile per 1,000 0.25 mile per 1,000 Need Exists 4 Mile(s)Need Exists 5 Mile(s)Need Exists 5 Mile(s)
OUTDOOR AMENITIES:
Basketball Courts 4.00 4.00 1.00 court per 4,782
1 court per 3,750 1.00 court per 4,000 Need Exists 1 Court(s)Need Exists 1 Court(s)Need Exists 2 Court(s)
Tennis Courts 8.00 8.00 1.00 court per 2,391 1.00 court per 5,000 Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s)
Pickleball Courts 5.00 5.00 1.00 court per 3,826 1.00 court per 5,000 Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s)
Ball Fields 9.00 0.66 9.00 1.00 field per 2,125
1 field per
Youth Baseball - 3,107
Adult Baseball - 7,954
Youth Softball - 5,339
Adult Softball - 5,667
1.00 field per 5,000 Meets Standard - Field(s) Meets Standard - Field(s) Meets Standard - Field(s)
Soccer Fields 3.00 0.33 3.00 1.00 field per 6,376
1 field per
Multipurpose - 4,362
Youth Soccer - 3,504
Adult Soccer - 8,017
Multipurpose Synthetic - 12,962
1.00 field per 4,000 Need Exists 2 Field(s)Need Exists 2 Field(s)Need Exists 3 Field(s)
Playgrounds 11.00 0.66 11.00 1.00 site per 1,739
1 site per 1,986 1.00 site per 2,000 Meets Standard - Site(s) Meets Standard - Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Picnic Shelters 13.00 13.00 1.00 site per 1,471 1.00 site per 2,000 Meets Standard - Site(s) Meets Standard - Site(s) Meets Standard - Site(s)
Football Field 1.00 1.00 1.00 field per 19,128
1 field per Football Field - 8,004
Lacrosse Field - 7,102 1.00 site per 10,000 Need Exists 1 Field(s)Need Exists 1 Field(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Skating Rink 7.00 7.00 1.00 site per 2,733
1 site per 7,997 1.00 site per 3,000 Meets Standard - Site(s)Need Exists 0 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Skate Parks - - 1.00 site per - 1.00 site per 25,000 Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Dog Parks - - 1.00 site per -
1 site per 11,100 1.00 site per 20,000 Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Splash Pad 1.00 1.00 1.00 site per 19,128 1.00 site per 20,000 Meets Standard - Site(s)Need Exists 0 Site(s)Need Exists 0 Site(s)
INDOOR AMENITIES:
Indoor Aquatic Space - - - SF per person
1 site per Aquatic Center - 11,375 0.50 SF per person Need Exists 9,564 Square Feet Need Exists 10,890 Square Feet Need Exists 12,150 Square Feet
Indoor Recreation Space 42,959.00 42,959.00 2.25 SF per person
1 site per
Community Center - 8,504
Recreation Center - 9,126 1.50 SF per person Meets Standard - Square Feet Meets Standard - Square Feet Meets Standard - Square Feet
19,128
21,779
24,300
Notes:
School inventory has been reduce to a third based on availability to the general public
Minneapolis Parks special use parks inventory includes acreage from the Meadowbrook Golf Course
3 miles of trails
2022 Estimated Population
2027 Estimated Population
2040 Estimated Population
Current Service Level based upon
population
NRPA Park Metrics
Median Metric by Jurisdiction Population
Less than 20,000
Recommended Service Levels;
Revised for Local Service Area
Additional Facilities/
Amenities Needed
Additional Facilities/
Amenities Needed
Additional Facilities/
Amenities Needed
2022 Inventory - Developed Facilities Current Needs 5-Year Forecasted Need 18-Year Forecasted Need
A tool developed by PROS Consulting, the table below is a snapshot of how Hopkins parks meet national guidelines for park acreage and amenities. The left half of the table reflects existing Hopkins inventory.
The center two columns show National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Metrics and the recommended service level per NRPA data of communities that match Hopkins in size and density.
The columns at right show where Hopkins inventory meets or does not meet the standard. The following table lists the current and projected future park amenities needed to meet the NRPA Standard.
Communities can choose to meet the standard, or remain below, for a variety of reasons. This table is a tool to understand the park system and prioritize resources.
Figure 3.04: Level of Service initial analysis results - excluding acreage outside the City.
LEvEL OF SERvICE
Hopkins Publis School’s pool at Eisenhower Community Center was not counted in this inventory because of limited public use opportunities draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
27
ADJACENT PARKS & SERvICE AREAS
Hopkins is a fully developed community so the City can look to
its neighbors as partners in ensuring all residents have access to
open space. The parks identified at right are in Minnetonka (Big
Willow, Orchard, Junction, Pioneer, and Lone Lake), and Edina (Van
Valkenburg and Alden). These parks, when counted toward the park
acreage serving Hopkins in the upper portion of the Level of Service
table, can be used to re-balance the need for park acres. Taking
these parks into account, along with the five regional trails that run
through Hopkins, changes the balance and shows that no new park
development or trail miles are needed at this time.
Figure 3.05 shows how inclusion of this park acreage affects the
Level of Service Needs to meet the national standard.
Additionally, there are some key amenities that serve Hopkins
residents but are owned and operated by different entities. Aquatics
facilities are a prime example. Eisenhower Community Center and
The Marsh both have pool facilities that are used at times by Hopkins
residents. These facilities were not included in the Level of Service
due to their location and distance outside of the city limits or limited
access to the residents of Hopkins.
Figure 3.05: Parks and open spaces within the city and in close proximity that Hopkins residents likely use.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
28
Hopkins, MN Level of Service Standards
PARKS:
Park Type Hopkins
Inventory
Hopkins School
District Other Parks Total
Inventory
Meet Standard/
Need Exists
Meet Standard/
Need Exists
Meet Standard/
Need Exists
Neighborhood Parks 38.16 - 21.00 59.16 3.09 acres per 1,000 2.10 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
Community Parks 61.10 - 42.00 103.10 5.39 acres per 1,000 4.00 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
Special Use Parks 5.44 95.00 100.44 5.25 acres per 1,000 3.65 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
Natural Resource Areas 33.34 - 146.00 179.34 9.38 acres per 1,000 1.70 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
School-Parks - 11.48 11.48 0.60 acres per 1,000 0.55 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s)Need Exists 0 Acre(s)Need Exists 2 Acre(s)
Total Developed Park Acres 138.04 11.48 369.60 519.12 27.14 acres per 1,000 12.00 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
Undeveloped Parks 59.50 - 59.50 3.11 acres per 1,000 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
Total Park Acres 197.54 11.48 369.60 578.62 30.25 acres per 1,000
12.9 acres per 1,000 12.00 acres per 1,000 Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s) Meets Standard - Acre(s)
TRAILS:
Trails (paved and unpaved)0.89 5.67 6.56 0.34 mile per 1,000 0.25 mile per 1,000 Meets Standard - Mile(s) Meets Standard - Mile(s) Meets Standard - Mile(s)
OUTDOOR AMENITIES:
Basketball Courts 4.00 4.00 4.00 1.00 court per 4,782
1 court per 3,750 1.00 court per 4,000 Need Exists 1 Court(s)Need Exists 1 Court(s)Need Exists 2 Court(s)
Tennis Courts 8.00 8.00 1.00 court per 2,391 1.00 court per 5,000 Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s)
Pickleball Courts 5.00 5.00 1.00 court per 3,826 1.00 court per 5,000 Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s) Meets Standard - Court(s)
Ball Fields 9.00 0.66 9.00 1.00 field per 2,125
1 field per
Youth Baseball - 3,107
Adult Baseball - 7,954
Youth Softball - 5,339
Adult Softball - 5,667
1.00 field per 5,000 Meets Standard - Field(s) Meets Standard - Field(s) Meets Standard - Field(s)
Soccer Fields 3.00 0.33 3.00 1.00 field per 6,376
1 field per
Multipurpose - 4,362
Youth Soccer - 3,504
Adult Soccer - 8,017
Multipurpose Synthetic - 12,962
1.00 field per 4,000 Need Exists 2 Field(s)Need Exists 2 Field(s)Need Exists 3 Field(s)
Playgrounds 11.00 0.66 11.00 1.00 site per 1,739
1 site per 1,986 1.00 site per 2,000 Meets Standard - Site(s) Meets Standard - Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Picnic Shelters 13.00 13.00 1.00 site per 1,471 1.00 site per 2,000 Meets Standard - Site(s) Meets Standard - Site(s) Meets Standard - Site(s)
Football Field 1.00 1.00 1.00 field per 19,128
1 field per Football Field - 8,004
Lacrosse Field - 7,102 1.00 site per 10,000 Need Exists 1 Field(s)Need Exists 1 Field(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Skating Rink 7.00 7.00 1.00 site per 2,733
1 site per 7,997 1.00 site per 3,000 Meets Standard - Site(s)Need Exists 0 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Skate Parks - - 1.00 site per 19,128 1.00 site per 25,000 Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Dog Parks - - 1.00 site per 19,128
1 site per 11,100 1.00 site per 20,000 Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)Need Exists 1 Site(s)
Splash Pad 1.00 1.00 1.00 site per 19,128 1.00 site per 20,000 Meets Standard - Site(s)Need Exists 0 Site(s)Need Exists 0 Site(s)
INDOOR AMENITIES:
Indoor Aquatic Space - - - SF per person
1 site per Aquatic Center - 11,375 0.50 SF per person Need Exists 9,564 Square Feet Need Exists 10,890 Square Feet Need Exists 12,150 Square Feet
Indoor Recreation Space 42,959.00 42,959.00 2.25 SF per person
1 site per
Community Center - 8,504
Recreation Center - 9,126 1.50 SF per person Meets Standard - Square Feet Meets Standard - Square Feet Meets Standard - Square Feet
19,128
21,779
24,300
Notes:
School inventory is reduced to a third based on availability to the general public
Minneapolis Parks special use parks inventory includes acreage from the Meadowbrook Golf Course
Some basketball courts are half court but are still counted as 1 court for this inventory
Lone Lake Park in Minnetonka is counted as a Natural Resource area
2040 Estimated Population
18-Year Forecasted Need
Additional Facilities/
Amenities Needed
2022 Estimated Population
2027 Estimated Population
2022 Inventory - Developed Facilities Current Needs 5-Year Forecasted Need
Current Service Level based upon
population
Recommended Service Levels;
Revised for Local Service Area
Additional Facilities/
Amenities Needed
Additional Facilities/
Amenities Needed
NRPA Park Metrics
Median Metric by Jurisdiction Population
Less than 20,000
3 miles of trails
1
UPDATED LEvEL OF SERvICE - By including adjacent parks on Hopkins boundary, fewer
needs exist for park acres. The Outdoor Amenities are unchanged - we don’t assume other
communities intend to provide amenities to Hopkins residents, a city should strive to meet
its own needs.
Added Regional Trail lengths in Hopkins to “Other Parks” category, now shows trails are well
served.
LEvEL OF SERvICE - REvISED
The table below is revised to show the inclusion of neighboring parks to park and trail inventory. The pink boxes show where updates were made. By including the parks mapped at left, and
the regional trails running through Hopkins, we can see that the table is rebalanced and more standards are met. We know that Hopkins has little or no undeveloped area that can fulfill
the needs. There are possibilities of golf course conversion or that funding is identified to clean the former landfill to recreational standards, but neither of these is likely in the short-term.
Privately Owned Public Spaces are not included in this analysis but have the biggest opportunity to complement and expand functions of the park system.
Figure 3.06: Level of Service including acreage outside the City.draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
29
Central Park - June 30, 2022
National Night Out - August 2, 2022
Farmer’s Market - July 30, 2022
Slow Roll Bike Ride (July 2022)
Figure 3.07: Images from in-person engagement events in the parks.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
30
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Outreach Goals and Process
City staff identified engagement objectives at the outset of this
process. A major part of this engagement process focused on
purposeful outreach to populations that are not broadly reflected by
utilizing traditional engagement methods. Therefore, outreach for
this project utilized three major approaches: 1) in-person information
sharing and gathering at events (meeting people where they are, not
asking people to attend meetings), 2) accessible virtual engagement,
and 3) focus groups and dialogs. The following describes those three
approaches, and the end summarizes the results broadly.
In-person at events and pop-ups in parks
City Staff identified specific events for in-person engagement and
converstations with the public. Meeting residents where they are,
in the parks, is a great method to connect with those that may not
otherwise contribute to community engagement efforts. Events
were selected that connected with a cross section of Hopkins
residents such as the Farmer’s Market, National Night Out, and
the Walk of Art Hopkins (WOAH). City staff, including three interns
during summer 2022 also provided in-person engagement at several
summer activities including Park Adventures Day Camp, Slow Roll
Bike Ride, dropping off door hanger advertisements for online
engagement and process notification, and gathering input at the
Fire Department Open House. Similar engagement materials were
used at all in-person events. Large poster boards with information
about the project and visual survey questions were asked.
Participants were asked to place a dot sticker to represent their vote.
A summary of the findings from this and from online engagement
follows.In-person Events in 2022
• Pop-Up at Central Park – June 30, 2022
• Park Adventures – July 7, 2022
• Slow Roll Bike Ride - July 29, 2022
• Farmer’s Market – July 30, 2022
• National Night Out – August 2, 2022
• Walk of Art Hopkins – August 4, 2022
• Fire Department Open House – October 10, 2022
In-person Events in 2023 with Park Concepts
• Flyering during Raspberry Festival weekend
• 3 park pop-ups in July and August
• Sunset Series Concert
Online Engagement
Downtown Park: This would
be a great park to add in some
public art, especially if it’s
interactive for kids.
Downtown Park: This
green space is an island so
suggesting native flowers
to bring some insect life
down town.
Central Park: I would love to
see some versatile community
gathering space in this park.
Central Park: Consider building a
destination public park ... a much
larger playground with unique play
zones for multiple ages. Adding a
destination park close to light rail
and downtown is a win.
Harley Hopkins: How about
adding a walking track around the
perimeter and lots of shade and
benches.
Buffer: Our baseball league uses
this field quite often. Would be nice
to have more to the park and some
sort of facilities.
Valley: Add permanent fencing
to the community garden to
improve success. ... Work with
Master Gardeners to build a
veggie washing station and
reduce waste.
Steiner Park Reserve:
The archery range grounds are very soggy
after it rains. ... a walk from the road to the
archery and/or a way to regrade the ground
so it’s not so soggy.
Oakes: A basketball hoop or
two would be cool.
A sign on Blake to indicate
Oakes Park is down the road
would help.
Figure 3.08: Map comments from Social Pinpoint specific to the parks with Concept Plans (shown later in this document)draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
31
Online Engagement
Virtual engagement was prioritized to allow those we could not
meet with in-person to participate. In tandem with the in-person, in
park events, Social Pinpoint was used. This is a community mapping
tool that allows the public to geographically locate and provide
specific feedback, ideas, and concerns about the Park System and
individual parks. The Social Pinpoint Site served as the primary
online Park System feedback destination. The first round of virtual
engagement included image voting on priority themes, a survey,
and open comments on the map, during the summer of 2022. Figure
3.09 provides a summary of those findings follows. After this initial
input, concepts for 7 parks were developed (this is detailed later in
Chapter 4), and those concepts were released for public comment
via a second round on Social Pinpoint in June of 2023. Results
from that effort directly impacted the preferred final version of the
concept plans.
The online engagement also included a forum for open comments
on five park related topics, a survey, and two topics for voting.
Figure 3.09 summarizes results received online in 2022. Words
like downtown, community, space, central, playground stand
out as important themes. Many of these words are expected in
a park system plan but they also highlight the ability of parks in
gathering and community building. Trees and shade were frequently
mentioned - highlighting the need around playgrounds, trails, and
key amenities within parks.
A few other trends and sentiments stand out in the 2022 online
engagement data. There were three hundred forty-six total map
comments in 2022. The following is a summary list of map and
forum comments from Social Pinpoint:
• Better accessibility in playgrounds, and frequent references to the
quality of park equipment, for example in wishing for upgraded
playgrounds
• Want a new playground and especially a unique or destination
playground at Central Park.
• Improved connection to parks (sidewalks and street crosswalks)
and traffic calming.
• Activities for all ages including fitness equipment for adults and
play equipment for younger children (2-5).
• More tables in parks to have a meal outdoors with friends in the
community.
• Longer, more connected trails and walking loops in all parks, with
better accessibility to sidewalks and parking.
Figure 3.09: Summary of Round 1 virtual engagement and word cloud of key terms from the open commentdraft
CITY OF HOPKINS
32
04. Public engagement identified top themes for the Park System
including; Natural Resources, Park Access, Focus on Quality, Winter
Recreation, and Unique Parks. Parks for All and Racial Equity were
close in popularity, followed by Resilient and Sustainable. Gathering
and Community Building were prioritized next. The remaining
themes received significantly less votes.
For question two - what do you do in Hopkins Parks now - most
respondents utilized the playgrounds, bike trails, and splash pad.
When asked what do you want to do in Hopkins Parks, the top
cluster of answers was an All-Wheel Playground (bike skills course)
(85), Dog Park (84), Climbing/Bouldering (81), Outdoor Movie (73).
After that was Year-Round Outdoor Gathering (62), and Habitat &
Restoration (59). The survey was conducted while Freeway Skate
Park was operating. Skate Park received votes, highlighting the
desire for a facility within Hopkins.
The community was also asked what type of playground they would
most like to see in future Hopkins parks. The top three responses
were significantly higher than all others. The top two results were
tied reflecting a dual interest in Nature Play and Ninja Warrior
(challenge course) both with 47 votes, and third was New/Unique
Playground (43). The photos used for these playground types are
shown below.
Questions asked in online survey and
in-person on poster boards:
1. Vote for priority themes (6 votes, 12 total options)
2. What do you do in Hopkins Parks now?
3. What do you want to do in Hopkins Parks?
4. Which playground type do you prefer?
5. Which of these Downtown Placemaking examples do
you recognize and visit?
6. What activities would encourage you to linger
downtown?
• Shaded benches for guardians and parents to watch children play
• More art in parks and not just downtown
• Improve the soggy surfacing at the archery range
• Desire for a free, permanent skate park connected to another park
or open space
• Wish Hopkins had a dog park
• Expand Central Park’s Pavilion so that it can act as more of a
community center with a gym and fitness equipment, and indoor
play space
• Desire for more invasive plant and weed control, balanced with a
wish for less chemical use
To keep data consistent, the same six questions were asked in the
online survey and in-person on poster boards. Those questions
are listed below. Input from the online survey and in-person
engagement was merged to summarize findings, and these results
are shown in pie charts at on the following page. Results with the
most votes are at the top (red, warm colors), and those with fewest
votes are toward the bottom of the list (green, blue, and purple).
Priority themes form an important part of the visioning for the future
of Hopkins Park System and will be explored further in Chapter
Outdoor Games
Main Street RestaurantDOWNTOWN PLACEMAKINGPublic ArtFood Truck Festivals
Clock Tower
Large Festivals
Sculptures at HCA
The Depot
Giant Raspberry
The Artery
Outdoor Chalkboard
Visitor Amenities
Hammocking
All-Wheel Playground
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS
Outdoor Movie
Year Round Small Outdoor Gathering
Dog Park
Disc Golf
Climbing/ Bouldering
Outdoor Family Theater
Habitat & Restoration
Picnic Table
Unique Benches
Shaded Seating
Movable Chairs
Sepak Takraw
Cricket
Turf Volleyball
Adirondack Chairs
Racial EquityNatural ResourcesTHEMEWinter RecreationUnique ParksPark AccessLeverage PartnershipsFocus on QualityResilient + SustainableParks For AllArt IntegrationBranding + WayfindingGathering + Community Building Inclusive PlayNature PlayPLAYGROUNDHill Side Play AreaHigh Play Value PlaygroundNinja Warrior PlayPoured In Place Play SurfaceNew / Unique PlaygroundArtificial TurfTheme Play-MusicEngineered Wood Fiber MulchAdult Fitness
Grill
Canoeing/Kayaking
Playground
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?
Performance
Swings
Bike Trail
Collective Art
Splash Pad
Winter Activities
Baseball
Volleyball
Gardening
Skate Park
ALL-WHEEL PLAYGROUND
DOG PARK
CLIMBING/ BOULDERING
OUTDOOR MOVIE
YEAR ROUND SMALL
OUTDOOR GATHERING
HABITAT & RESTORATION
HAMMOCKING
OUTDOOR FAMILY THEATER
SHADED SEATING
DISC GOLF
PICNIC TABLE
UNIQUE BENCHES
MOVABLE CHAIRS
CRICKET
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
SEPAK TAKRAW
TURF VOLLEYBALL
NATURAL PLAYNINJA WARRIOR PLAYNEW/ UNIQUE PLAYGROUNDHILL SIDE PLAY AREAHIGH PLAY VALUE PLAYGROUNDTHEME PLAY- MUSICINCLUSIVE PLAYARTIFICIAL TURFADULT FITNESSPOURED IN PLACE PLAY SURFACEENGINEERED WOOD FIBER MULCHNATURAL RESOURCESPARK ACCESSFOCUS ON QUALITYWINTER RECREATIONUNIQUE PARKSPARKS FOR ALLRACIAL EQUITYRESILIENT + SUSTAINABLEGATHERING + COMMUNITY BUILDINGLEVERAGE PARTNERSHIPART INTEGRATIONBRANDING + WAYFINDING MAIN STREET RESTAURANTSFOOD TRUCK FESTIVALSLARGE FESTIVALSPUBLIC ARTSCULPTURES AT HCA
OUTDOOR GAMES
THE ARTERY
CLOCK TOWER
THE DEPOT
GIANT RASPBERRY
VISITOR AMENITIES
OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD
PLAYGROUND
BIKE TRAIL
SPLASH PAD
PERFORMANCE
SWINGS
BASEBALL
CANOEING/ KAYAKING
WINTER ACTIVITIES
SKATE PARK
COLLECTIVE ART
GARDENING
GRILL
VOLLEYBALL
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS?
PRIORITY THEMES PLAYGROUND
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
TOTAL RESPONSES1738
TOTAL RESPONSES
778
TOTAL RESPONSES
302
TOTAL RESPONSES292
TOTAL RESPONSES
120
Legend in order from highest to least
Outdoor Games
Main Street Restaurant
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
Public Art
Food Truck Festivals
Clock Tower
Large Festivals
Sculptures at HCA
The Depot
Giant Raspberry
The Artery
Outdoor Chalkboard
Visitor Amenities
Hammocking
All-Wheel Playground
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS
Outdoor Movie
Year Round Small Outdoor Gathering
Dog Park
Disc Golf
Climbing/ Bouldering
Outdoor Family Theater
Habitat & Restoration
Picnic Table
Unique Benches
Shaded Seating
Movable Chairs
Sepak Takraw
Cricket
Turf Volleyball
Adirondack Chairs
Racial Equity
Natural Resources
THEME
Winter Recreation
Unique Parks
Park Access
Leverage Partnerships
Focus on Quality
Resilient + Sustainable
Parks For All
Art Integration
Branding + Wayfinding
Gathering + Community Building
Inclusive Play
Nature Play
PLAYGROUND
Hill Side Play Area
High Play Value Playground
Ninja Warrior Play
Poured In Place Play Surface
New / Unique Playground
Artificial Turf
Theme Play-Music
Engineered Wood Fiber Mulch
Adult Fitness
Grill
Canoeing/Kayaking
Playground
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?
Performance
Swings
Bike Trail
Collective Art
Splash Pad
Winter Activities
Baseball
Volleyball
Gardening
Skate Park
ALL-WHEEL PLAYGROUND
DOG PARK
CLIMBING/ BOULDERING
OUTDOOR MOVIE
YEAR ROUND SMALL
OUTDOOR GATHERING
HABITAT & RESTORATION
HAMMOCKING
OUTDOOR FAMILY THEATER
SHADED SEATING
DISC GOLF
PICNIC TABLE
UNIQUE BENCHES
MOVABLE CHAIRS
CRICKET
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
SEPAK TAKRAW
TURF VOLLEYBALL
NATURAL PLAY
NINJA WARRIOR PLAY
NEW/ UNIQUE PLAYGROUND
HILL SIDE PLAY AREA
HIGH PLAY VALUE PLAYGROUND
THEME PLAY- MUSIC
INCLUSIVE PLAY
ARTIFICIAL TURF
ADULT FITNESS
POURED IN PLACE PLAY SURFACE
ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER MULCH
NATURAL RESOURCES
PARK ACCESS
FOCUS ON QUALITY
WINTER RECREATION
UNIQUE PARKS
PARKS FOR ALL
RACIAL EQUITY
RESILIENT + SUSTAINABLE
GATHERING + COMMUNITY
BUILDING
LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIP
ART INTEGRATION
BRANDING + WAYFINDING
MAIN STREET RESTAURANTS
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVALS
LARGE FESTIVALS
PUBLIC ART
SCULPTURES AT HCA
OUTDOOR GAMES
THE ARTERY
CLOCK TOWER
THE DEPOT
GIANT RASPBERRY
VISITOR AMENITIES
OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD
PLAYGROUND
BIKE TRAIL
SPLASH PAD
PERFORMANCE
SWINGS
BASEBALL
CANOEING/ KAYAKING
WINTER ACTIVITIES
SKATE PARK
COLLECTIVE ART
GARDENING
GRILL
VOLLEYBALL
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS?
PRIORITY THEMES PLAYGROUND
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
TOTAL RESPONSES
1738
TOTAL RESPONSES
778
TOTAL RESPONSES
302
TOTAL RESPONSES
292
TOTAL RESPONSES
120
Figure 3.10: Types of playground desired in Hopkins Figure 3.11: Engagement questions summary resultsOutdoor Games
Main Street Restaurant
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
Public Art
Food Truck Festivals
Clock Tower
Large Festivals
Sculptures at HCA
The Depot
Giant Raspberry
The Artery
Outdoor Chalkboard
Visitor Amenities
Hammocking
All-Wheel Playground
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS
Outdoor Movie
Year Round Small Outdoor Gathering
Dog Park
Disc Golf
Climbing/ Bouldering
Outdoor Family Theater
Habitat & Restoration
Picnic Table
Unique Benches
Shaded Seating
Movable Chairs
Sepak Takraw
Cricket
Turf Volleyball
Adirondack Chairs
Racial Equity
Natural Resources
THEME
Winter Recreation
Unique Parks
Park Access
Leverage Partnerships
Focus on Quality
Resilient + Sustainable
Parks For All
Art Integration
Branding + Wayfinding
Gathering + Community Building
Inclusive Play
Nature Play
PLAYGROUND
Hill Side Play Area
High Play Value Playground
Ninja Warrior Play
Poured In Place Play Surface
New / Unique Playground
Artificial Turf
Theme Play-Music
Engineered Wood Fiber Mulch
Adult Fitness
Grill
Canoeing/Kayaking
Playground
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?
Performance
Swings
Bike Trail
Collective Art
Splash Pad
Winter Activities
Baseball
Volleyball
Gardening
Skate Park
ALL-WHEEL PLAYGROUND
DOG PARK
CLIMBING/ BOULDERING
OUTDOOR MOVIE
YEAR ROUND SMALL
OUTDOOR GATHERING
HABITAT & RESTORATION
HAMMOCKING
OUTDOOR FAMILY THEATER
SHADED SEATING
DISC GOLF
PICNIC TABLE
UNIQUE BENCHES
MOVABLE CHAIRS
CRICKET
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
SEPAK TAKRAW
TURF VOLLEYBALL
NATURAL PLAY
NINJA WARRIOR PLAY
NEW/ UNIQUE PLAYGROUND
HILL SIDE PLAY AREA
HIGH PLAY VALUE PLAYGROUND
THEME PLAY- MUSIC
INCLUSIVE PLAY
ARTIFICIAL TURF
ADULT FITNESS
POURED IN PLACE PLAY SURFACE
ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER MULCH
NATURAL RESOURCES
PARK ACCESS
FOCUS ON QUALITY
WINTER RECREATION
UNIQUE PARKS
PARKS FOR ALL
RACIAL EQUITY
RESILIENT + SUSTAINABLE
GATHERING + COMMUNITY
BUILDING
LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIP
ART INTEGRATION
BRANDING + WAYFINDING
MAIN STREET RESTAURANTS
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVALS
LARGE FESTIVALS
PUBLIC ART
SCULPTURES AT HCA
OUTDOOR GAMES
THE ARTERY
CLOCK TOWER
THE DEPOT
GIANT RASPBERRY
VISITOR AMENITIES
OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD
PLAYGROUND
BIKE TRAIL
SPLASH PAD
PERFORMANCE
SWINGS
BASEBALL
CANOEING/ KAYAKING
WINTER ACTIVITIES
SKATE PARK
COLLECTIVE ART
GARDENING
GRILL
VOLLEYBALL
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS?
PRIORITY THEMES PLAYGROUND
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
TOTAL RESPONSES
1738
TOTAL RESPONSES
778
TOTAL RESPONSES
302
TOTAL RESPONSES
292
TOTAL RESPONSES
120 draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
33
Outdoor Games
Main Street Restaurant
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
Public Art
Food Truck Festivals
Clock Tower
Large Festivals
Sculptures at HCA
The Depot
Giant Raspberry
The Artery
Outdoor Chalkboard
Visitor Amenities
Hammocking
All-Wheel Playground
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS
Outdoor Movie
Year Round Small Outdoor Gathering
Dog Park
Disc Golf
Climbing/ Bouldering
Outdoor Family Theater
Habitat & Restoration
Picnic Table
Unique Benches
Shaded Seating
Movable Chairs
Sepak Takraw
Cricket
Turf Volleyball
Adirondack Chairs
Racial Equity
Natural Resources
THEME
Winter Recreation
Unique Parks
Park Access
Leverage Partnerships
Focus on Quality
Resilient + Sustainable
Parks For All
Art Integration
Branding + Wayfinding
Gathering + Community Building
Inclusive Play
Nature Play
PLAYGROUND
Hill Side Play Area
High Play Value Playground
Ninja Warrior Play
Poured In Place Play Surface
New / Unique Playground
Artificial Turf
Theme Play-Music
Engineered Wood Fiber Mulch
Adult Fitness
Grill
Canoeing/Kayaking
Playground
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?
Performance
Swings
Bike Trail
Collective Art
Splash Pad
Winter Activities
Baseball
Volleyball
Gardening
Skate Park
ALL-WHEEL PLAYGROUND
DOG PARK
CLIMBING/ BOULDERING
OUTDOOR MOVIE
YEAR ROUND SMALL
OUTDOOR GATHERING
HABITAT & RESTORATION
HAMMOCKING
OUTDOOR FAMILY THEATER
SHADED SEATING
DISC GOLF
PICNIC TABLE
UNIQUE BENCHES
MOVABLE CHAIRS
CRICKET
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
SEPAK TAKRAW
TURF VOLLEYBALL
NATURAL PLAY
NINJA WARRIOR PLAY
NEW/ UNIQUE PLAYGROUND
HILL SIDE PLAY AREA
HIGH PLAY VALUE PLAYGROUND
THEME PLAY- MUSIC
INCLUSIVE PLAY
ARTIFICIAL TURF
ADULT FITNESS
POURED IN PLACE PLAY SURFACE
ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER MULCH
NATURAL RESOURCES
PARK ACCESS
FOCUS ON QUALITY
WINTER RECREATION
UNIQUE PARKS
PARKS FOR ALL
RACIAL EQUITY
RESILIENT + SUSTAINABLE
GATHERING + COMMUNITY
BUILDING
LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIP
ART INTEGRATION
BRANDING + WAYFINDING
MAIN STREET RESTAURANTS
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVALS
LARGE FESTIVALS
PUBLIC ART
SCULPTURES AT HCA
OUTDOOR GAMES
THE ARTERY
CLOCK TOWER
THE DEPOT
GIANT RASPBERRY
VISITOR AMENITIES
OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD
PLAYGROUND
BIKE TRAIL
SPLASH PAD
PERFORMANCE
SWINGS
BASEBALL
CANOEING/ KAYAKING
WINTER ACTIVITIES
SKATE PARK
COLLECTIVE ART
GARDENING
GRILL
VOLLEYBALL
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS?
PRIORITY THEMES PLAYGROUND
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
TOTAL RESPONSES
1738
TOTAL RESPONSES
778
TOTAL RESPONSES
302
TOTAL RESPONSES
292
TOTAL RESPONSES
120
The last two questions focused on Downtown and ideas for
activation. We asked the community to identify which existing
Downtown areas they visited. Most votes went to Mainstreet
restaurants (49), followed by Sculptures at Hopkins Center for the
Arts, (27) and the Artery (23). The second question focused on
activities that might encourage people to linger downtown. Of these
responses, the highest was Food Truck Festivals (42), Large Festivals
such as Raspberry Fest (34), Public Art (30), and Outdoor Games
such as bag toss (27).
New / Unique Playground
Ninja Warrior Play
Nature Play
Themes were adjusted to reflect the broader community and
include priorities derived from BIPOC focus groups. When looking
purely at community votes, the top categories were Natural
Resources, Park Access, Focus on Quality, and more opportunities
for Winter Recreation as the top four.
In alignment with the Comprehensive Plan, and feedback from the
focus group with specific populations, more priorities were added
back to these four. Racial Equity, Parks for All, and Gathering and
Community Building were seen as very important priorities, and
these all were rated toward the middle of the total priorities.
Figure 3.12: Summary of all input on Priority Themes from in-
person and virtual engagement Outdoor Games
Main Street Restaurant
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
Public Art
Food Truck Festivals
Clock Tower
Large Festivals
Sculptures at HCA
The Depot
Giant Raspberry
The Artery
Outdoor Chalkboard
Visitor Amenities
Hammocking
All-Wheel Playground
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS
Outdoor Movie
Year Round Small Outdoor Gathering
Dog Park
Disc Golf
Climbing/ Bouldering
Outdoor Family Theater
Habitat & Restoration
Picnic Table
Unique Benches
Shaded Seating
Movable Chairs
Sepak Takraw
Cricket
Turf Volleyball
Adirondack Chairs
Racial Equity
Natural Resources
THEME
Winter Recreation
Unique Parks
Park Access
Leverage Partnerships
Focus on Quality
Resilient + Sustainable
Parks For All
Art Integration
Branding + Wayfinding
Gathering + Community Building
Inclusive Play
Nature Play
PLAYGROUND
Hill Side Play Area
High Play Value Playground
Ninja Warrior Play
Poured In Place Play Surface
New / Unique Playground
Artificial Turf
Theme Play-Music
Engineered Wood Fiber Mulch
Adult Fitness
Grill
Canoeing/Kayaking
Playground
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?
Performance
Swings
Bike Trail
Collective Art
Splash Pad
Winter Activities
Baseball
Volleyball
Gardening
Skate Park
ALL-WHEEL PLAYGROUND
DOG PARK
CLIMBING/ BOULDERING
OUTDOOR MOVIE
YEAR ROUND SMALL
OUTDOOR GATHERING
HABITAT & RESTORATION
HAMMOCKING
OUTDOOR FAMILY THEATER
SHADED SEATING
DISC GOLF
PICNIC TABLE
UNIQUE BENCHES
MOVABLE CHAIRS
CRICKET
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
SEPAK TAKRAW
TURF VOLLEYBALL
NATURAL PLAY
NINJA WARRIOR PLAY
NEW/ UNIQUE PLAYGROUND
HILL SIDE PLAY AREA
HIGH PLAY VALUE PLAYGROUND
THEME PLAY- MUSIC
INCLUSIVE PLAY
ARTIFICIAL TURF
ADULT FITNESS
POURED IN PLACE PLAY SURFACE
ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER MULCH
NATURAL RESOURCES
PARK ACCESS
FOCUS ON QUALITY
WINTER RECREATION
UNIQUE PARKS
PARKS FOR ALL
RACIAL EQUITY
RESILIENT + SUSTAINABLE
GATHERING + COMMUNITY
BUILDING
LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIP
ART INTEGRATION
BRANDING + WAYFINDING
MAIN STREET RESTAURANTS
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVALS
LARGE FESTIVALS
PUBLIC ART
SCULPTURES AT HCA
OUTDOOR GAMES
THE ARTERY
CLOCK TOWER
THE DEPOT
GIANT RASPBERRY
VISITOR AMENITIES
OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD
PLAYGROUND
BIKE TRAIL
SPLASH PAD
PERFORMANCE
SWINGS
BASEBALL
CANOEING/ KAYAKING
WINTER ACTIVITIES
SKATE PARK
COLLECTIVE ART
GARDENING
GRILL
VOLLEYBALL
WHAT DO YOU DO AT PARKS?WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARKS?
PRIORITY THEMES PLAYGROUND
DOWNTOWN PLACEMAKING
TOTAL RESPONSES
1738
TOTAL RESPONSES
778
TOTAL RESPONSES
302
TOTAL RESPONSES
292
TOTAL RESPONSES
120 draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
34
SUMMARY OF PRIORITY
POPULATION DIALOG
KEY POINTS
PARKS ARE A PLACE FOR:
Family gatherings and friends’ meetings
Recreation and games
Community activities and interactions
Receiving fresh air, be among trees and connecting to nature
A place that provides cultural events and access to all ages
and abilities.
DESIRED ACTIvITIES:
Family gatherings and picnics where kids play and adults
relax
Meditating and connecting to nature
Quietness and solitary outdoor activities
Walking, hiking, and biking
Games like tennis, frisbee, soccer and basketball
Grilling and picnics
BARRIERS:
Not ADA accessible
Not enough information about the parks in Hopkins
Lack of activities for teenagers
Not enough features like picnic tables, benches, bbq grills,
restrooms, etc.
SUGGESTIONS:
Accessibility – accessible to all users – age and abilities
Rubberized walking surfaces
Adult friendly swings
Sensory activities for ADHD kids
Multiple activities to appeal all ages
Visibility and presence of park staffs for safety purposes
Restrooms at frequent intervals
Presence of trail heads and trail maps
HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUGGESTIONS:
Exercise equipment
Drinking water with bottle filler
Shaded trails
Concerts, exercise classes, and guided walks
Well maintained benches and picnic tables
Better trail signage
Park maintenance – surface of trails, trash and litter
Priority Population Dialogs by:
Putting Change in Motion (PCM)
As an experienced convener of multicultural and BIPOC dialogs,
Putting Change in Motion (PCM) utilized their extensive connections
and experience to make connections to priority populations
including Latino, Russian, Somali, Seniors, and people living with
disabilities. This direct engagement with groups that are often
missed with traditional planning engagement techniques is
important to the process. A key objective of the dialogues was to
bring out input that may not otherwise be shared, and to do so in
way that made participants feel comfortable. PCM also believes
some marginalized communities prefer to talk openly with people
who are not connected with government.
A detailed summary of the Priority Population Dialogs and
Stakeholder Interviews follows. The full text is included as an
appendix.
The Park System Plan will provide a vision for community wishes and
needs now and for the next 20 years. This plan will be equity-based
and is intended to meet the interests of all Hopkins residents.
Putting Change in Motion (PCM) provided community engagement
services to conduct Community Dialogues with identified Priority
Populations. Engaging these groups in an inclusive manner means
diverse voices were heard, participants were encouraged to provide
their knowledge and shared key opinions and ideas regarding
the park system. Community-driven opinions and ideas gathered
in the dialogues will be integrated into the overall Community
Engagement work completed.
Putting Change in Motion designed and conducted a series of
dialogues with the Priority Populations, which included those who
are under-represented. The specific groups ultimately selected
by the city of Hopkins for PCM dialogues, after consultation with
Confluence and PCM are:
• Latinos
• Russians
• Somali
• Multicultural Seniors
• Persons Living with Disabilities draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
35
The groups represented a wide range of ages from youth to
the elderly, as well as a broad range of income levels. These are
observations from PCM, as we did not quantify ages or incomes.
The dialogue questions were developed by Putting Change in
Motion with cultural competence in mind, and in collaboration with
Confluence and Hopkins staff, who approved them.
Putting Change in Motion - Approach to Community Engagement
Putting Change in Motion utilizes a unique approach to community
engagement, working from a framework which has been highly
successful and yields superior results. The Principles of the Cultural
Complementarity Model™ guide this framework. This framework
operates on basic principles of a participatory democracy; is
dynamic, asset-based and promotes respect and trust.
The approach is customized to each respective community, is
egalitarian and participatory, creating an environment of trust which
draws out participant’s knowledge, ideas, interests, and concerns.
Mutual learning is a valued outcome of the dialogues. PCM owner
Victoria Amaris, a Cultural Engagement Specialist, has used this
model for many years. Her methodology is unique and opens doors
where other methods have not been successful.
The term “culture” is used in its broadest sense, to include not only
ethnic, racial cultures but those of different ages, abilities, urban and
rural, as well as national origin. Therefore, we identify facilitators,
transcriptionists from each community, rather than employing
interpreters. Particularly, in groups for whom English is a second
language, or not spoken at all, the dynamic is more natural and
comfortable without interpreters in the mix.
Data Limitations
Participants were not randomly selected but identified individually,
or by groups and received invitations to participate in dialogues
which were customized to each group linguistically and culturally.
Care must be taken in generalizing findings to other segments
of the same communities. For example, what was heard from
immigrant Latinos would not necessarily represent the voices of US
born Latinos.
Mixed methodologies were employed to reach more community
members from the Priority Populations groups. The data from
dialogues was supplemented with interviews, and small group
conversations.
Clearly, those who participated were very engaged and felt happy
to contribute to this important project in their city. Indicating their
voices were heard, noted, and valued.
Key Findings
What parks mean to the variety of dialogue participants often has
to do with family, where they can take the children, have picnics,
play sports. But for many, parks also have loftier meaning, as a place
to meditate, relax, connect to nature. A place of beauty for some
Latinos.
When asked of immigrants what parks were in their native country,
the majority did not have positive feelings about the parks. Some
Somalis described parks back home as just open spaces; Latinos said
often the parks had high levels of criminality, so they rarely went to
them. Russians reported the parks having few trees, few bathrooms
and the local community is responsible for maintaining them.
Favorite activities and favorite Parks include walking, reading for the
Multicultural Seniors group, which does frequent the parks. Some
like to relax, meditate in the parks. Several groups, particularly, the
Somali and Latinos share an interest in sports from tennis to soccer,
basketball, and biking. People living with disabilities enjoy walking
their dogs, attending music and movies. And they enjoyed a variety
of parks based on what respective parks have to offer.
Across all the groups eating is a favored activity and mentioned were
picnics, grilling, enjoying celebrations with friends and family. We
learned from the Russian community that they like to go in large
groups. They do take part in many activities all in large groups. And
for the elders it is critical to have large groups.
Favored Parks
All dialogue participants have been to the parks in Hopkins. And
they have favorites, which differ quite a bit across the groups. The
Russians prefer the Burnes Park and Shady Oak; the Somalis like
Cottageville Park; Latinos prefer Central Park; and Seniors preferred
Valley Park because it is very accommodating; the folks in this
community named 5 parks they favor: Burnes, Downtown, Central,
Shady Oak Lake and Harley Hopkins Park.
Barriers to Using Hopkins Parks
Nearly all dialogue participants have a number of barriers to using
Hopkins parks. The need for cleaner, better maintained bathrooms
is high on the list. Latinos stopped going to certain parks that don’t
have bathrooms, or which aren’t maintained. Some parks only have
portable toilets, and they are located far away, making it difficult to
get a child or an elderly person, or someone in a wheelchair to them.
Accessibility is a critical issue that was raised in some groups. It
was emphasized not only for persons in a wheelchair, but also, for
mothers with small children, seniors, young families. The trails need
to be improved for more people to be able to use them.
Lack of drinking fountains is a concern for many, and in particular
near the trails. As is the question of safety. Participants talked about
having police more visible in the parks. More lighting was mentioned
by several people, particularly important in winter when it gets
dark early. And only Latinos mentioned concern about the metallic
playground equipment due to it heating up in summer, could
possibly hurt a child. They would really like to see a different material
used.
It was mentioned that it would be good to have a few places with
emergency buttons if something happens. Some voiced concerns
about bad behavior of young people, and intoxicated persons in the
parks.
Creating a Welcoming Park
Participants did not hesitate to say what constitutes a Welcoming
Park. Ideas flowed. One Russian said, “First, the community needs
to know there are parks. And to offer entertainment and activities
for all age groups and abilities is key.” Across groups, repeatedly,
accessibility improvements should be made for everyone using
parks. Inclusivity and hosting cross-cultural events was identified as
a priority that would be good for Hopkins as a whole. Suggestions
to help create a welcoming park include better walkways on the
trails; better lighting throughout the parks; more benches for older
people; picnic tables for families to sit at and eat; a dog park; sensory
activities for persons with autism; building ramps for certain parts of
parks to make it easier to navigate. Public art and an amphitheater,
food trucks, music were all mentioned. Two groups mentioned that
more communication, and more effective information about the
parks needed to be distributed to the community. And to not forget
those that live in apartment buildings because they often don’t
receive as many flyers as single-family homes do.
How can parks and trails in Hopkins be a part of making life better
for you, improve health, and build a feeling of community?
Most participants mentioned similar attributes of the park system draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
36
that makes life better and improves health. The reasons being that
in the parks you can exercise, or you can relax and even meditate,
or you can meet new friends at the park when you are there with
your children. And one Somali said “ parks are a place to build
community”.
Communication with City
Multiple groups identified the best way for the City of Hopkins to
communicate about the parks, trails and programs depends on
ages. Seniors need printed material with bigger font. Other age
groups will look to the internet and Facebook. Some follow local
media and clubs (Russian members particularly). Flyers like Arts in
the Park are immensely helpful. For many participants social media
is an effective way to communicate.
How can the Natural Areas of Hopkins parks be best improved?
Almost all the groups were familiar with the natural areas, and felt
they should be kept natural, and signage added to identify plants.
People enjoy the quiet peacefulness in those areas.
Issues Unique to Specific Groups
Through the community engagement process, PCM found many
commonalities across the groups but there were also unique
perspectives and concerns about parks observed in groups.
Somali
Somalis stressed the importance of parks to children. Since many
Somali residents of Hopkins live in apartments, parks provide
children with needed places to play. They also said parks are a good
place to meet new people when you are visiting with your children.
Somalis also felt a very good way to distribute information about the
parks is through the schools.
This group also felt one major barrier to using the parks was
witnessing behaviors by other park users that made them feel
unsafe such as: rowdy behavior, smoking marijuana and other drug
use in the bathrooms, older kids fighting and using the parks after
closing hours.
Russian
This group spoke about the unique needs and activities for each
generation to enjoy parks. The elderly require more benches to relax,
adults need more trails to walk, teens desire more entertaining
activities such as skate parks and children enjoy playgrounds.
Russians also thought parks in Hopkins are well cared for. In Russia,
the local community is responsible for maintaining the parks.
Latinos
The Latino group emphasized the belief parks should be inclusive
for all members of the family – young and old- but also for the
greater Hopkins community. They also would like events in parks to
represent all cultures represented and believe that a variety of cross-
cultural activities would benefit all Hopkins residents.
Multicultural Seniors
Seniors want more information on the plant and wildlife in the parks
suggesting guided walks with park staff and poster-boards with
information be available.
Most of the seniors also have a long history with park usage. Even if
they came to the country as immigrants, they could cite using parks
decades ago. They also stressed parks could help you learn about
the history of the community.
People Living with Disabilities
Hopkins Priority Populations Dialogue Questions
1. What does a park mean to you? (If immigrants: How were
parks used in your native country?)
2. What are your favorite activities in the parks?
3. Have you been to any of the parks in Hopkins? If yes,
which is your favorite? And why?
4. What are barriers to using Hopkins parks?
5. How do we create parks that are Welcoming to All? What
does the Ideal Park for you and your family look like?
6. How can parks and trails in Hopkins be a part of making
life better for you, improve health, and build a feeling of
community?
7. What is the best way for the City of Hopkins to
communicate about the parks, trails, and programs?
8. Trails – how can we make trails better?
9. Are you familiar with the “Natural Areas” of Hopkins parks?
If yes, how could these open spaces best be improved?
This group said that they visit different parks based on the specific
amenity or activity offered at each park.
Specific accessibility issues were emphasized with this group that
were not identified in other groups. Examples stated: curbs around
play areas create barriers that do not allow for wheelchair access.
Wood chips and sand on paths make it difficult for wheelchairs and
for those who use walkers. Also, the fact that not only are there not
enough bathrooms but that there are not enough that meet the
specific demands of ADA.
Unique suggestions for park improvements included sensory
activities/areas for those with autism, adult size swings and
adjustable basketball hoops.
Conclusion - Priority Populations - Community Engagement
The participants of the community dialogues provided excellent
examples of community-driven thinking about the Parks. PCM views
them as the experts and there was much to learn. They spoke so
authentically, and they all had been to the parks.
It was good to hear how they want to see more inclusion and more
cross-cultural opportunities in events. Many were remarkably busy
but were generous in sharing their thoughts and ideas. draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
37
Stakeholder Interviews
Ten stakeholder interviews were conducted, in addition to two open
feedback sessions,. All of which were held as virtual meetings. Below
is a list of the stakeholder interview groups and the following pages
include a summary of what was learned.
• City of Hopkins Staff– Park and Recreation Facilities
• Government Agencies and Non-Profits
• Hopkins School District – Programs
• Hopkins School District – Athletics
• Chesterton Academy (St. Gabriel’s) High School
• Hopkins Area Little League
• Hopkins Youth Hockey Association
• Lacrosse
• Open Session (2)
• Girls Softball
Common themes, wishes and needs that were expressed
throughout the interviews include the following:
• Flexible multi use spaces were desired – varied by season, and
able to host events/ programs like a second flexible arena with ice
sheets in winter but turf in summer
• Need more rentable spaces to act as community hubs, for example
to host community cooking classes. These spaces must be flexible
and able to host different size events.
• Many athletic leagues asked for warm up spaces, and wish
for home fields to host competitions and tournaments. These
requests included more fields and facilities, such as lined lacrosse
and soccer fields, girls softball fields, an additional futsal court,
more turf fields
• Lights in playfields and picnic shelters; promote evening events
• Improved bathrooms/ restrooms
• A desire for outdoor covered ice/roller hockey/turf similar to St.
Louis Park ROC; if not that, then new ice sheet with year round
access like Plymouth
• Expansion of outdoor immersion program + outdoor learning
• Upgraded theater building with classroom, rehearsal, storage, and
multi-purpose rooms
• Wayfinding signage in downtown and Mainstreet
• Culturally relevant programs for youth and adults – teen
appropriate spaces/ activities under supervision
CITY OF HOPKINS STAFF - PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES
• Want to think bigger and more long term
• Flexible arena space needed
• Pavilion is rented for graduation parties, weddings, cat/dog shows,
flower sale, clothing swap, etc. Could easily use more rentable
space
• Want all year-round turf / walking loop / dry land training
• Fitness Gym
• Want an indoor playground or play space
• For largest events, the Activity Center’s parking is not big enough,
would be great to have more parking expansion options nearby
• Teen space with supervision, City Council has noted a lack of teen-
focused programs
• Want to continue inter-generational aspect with running a daycare
in the Activities Center (Senior Center)
• Upgrade Hopkins Center for the Arts to create more functional
classroom space, rehearsal areas, storage, and multi-purpose
rooms
• Wayfinding signage to direct pedestrians and bicyclists to
downtown and Mainstreet
• Minnetonka needs more pool space for swimming lessons and
more gym space
• The Marsh was acquired by Minnetonka after interview was
conducted. The Marsh has two pools
Top Five Facilities wish list:
1. Large indoor turf - year round access
2. Additional gym space including a facility with dryland training
space and elevated walking track loop
3. Pool (The Marsh acquisition fulfills this wish).
The Pavilion - getting ready for an event or preparing to roll
out turf
Central Park near Chesterton Academy
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
38
• Frequently use regional park with a destination playground like
French Regional Park, and wish there was a regional park closer to
Hopkins.
• Wish for more spaces that can function as community hubs to
bring more people together in casual gatherings.
• Would like a facility that can support a community cooking class.
• Notes a lack of culturally relevant programs for youth and adults.
HOPKINS SCHOOL DISTRICT - ATHLETICS
The School District rents school facilities to Hopkins-Minnetonka
Joint Recreation for activities and youth sports; the District also rents
the Pavilion for smaller programs and have in the past leased parts
of the Activities Center.
• School District also partnered on building the park shelter building
at Cottageville Park.
• High School Athletics use the Pavilion for many activities including
Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, and Lacrosse.
• School District has been approached about building a dome
or sports complex but do not have a location available. Multiple
groups in the city want dome access, and it will be complicated to
negotiate that shared use agreement.
CHESTERTON ACADEMY
• Students use Central Park for lunch recess (lyceum).
• Some teachers use Central Park as outdoor classroom space.
• Would be great to have more shade and outdoor roofed space in
Central Park, ideally with a power supply.
• School is unable to contribute toward improving Central Park at
this time, but is willing to continue the discussion
• Block is space constrained, but are looking to renovate a
warehouse into a gym, ideally a space big enough to have a high
school competition size field inside.
• Age appropriate space and equipment.
• May be willing to invest in more trash cans for Central, and
technology upgrade for Downtown Park if the school is able to use
that outdoor stage for performances.
HOPKINS AREA LITTLE LEAGUE (HALL)
4. Outdoor space capable of hosting events/ weddings (e.g.
improvements to Downtown Park).
5. Expanded Pavilion that meets more needs (e.g. year-round ice,
turf space, playground, and opportunity for revenue generation
with concessions and/ or cafe space).
GOvERNMENT AGENCIES AND NON-PROFITS
Met with representatives from Three Rivers Park District, Nine Mile
Creek Watershed District, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and
City of Hopkins staff
• Nine Mile Creek - updated flood mapping in progress; also
revising grant rules to be more equitable and better serve local
communities; want to expand community engagement especially
with residents who rent; interested in planning ahead with Hopkins
on groundwater recharge, streambank restoration, and rainwater
reuse especially in 2027 and beyond.
• Minnehaha Creek - actively involved with Cottageville Park and
325 Blake development - biggest opportunity is Cottagevillle and
Gateway Parcel at 325 Blake for nature based play; working on
Climate Adaptation strategies.
• Three Rivers - Parks to People study for “bridging facilities” to
better serve 11 communities in the western metropolitan area
including Hopkins; Currently focus on and maintain the regional
trails and trail nodes in Hopkins.
Partnership opportunities that could be explored include
1. Outdoor Immersion Program (used to be at Hopkins Activity
Center)
2. Gardening and nutrition program - could expand to partner
with seniors
3. Envision new outdoor learning spaces
4. Demonstrate sustainable building features such as solar panels
HOPKINS SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS
Run a year-round program called Kids & Company, and in the
summer run a day program called Camp Royal. The School District
programs also use Hopkins Parks for field trips. Partner with
Activities Center for adult education.
• Desire shade shelter/pavilion with tables underneath. Most
programs want a roofed shaded area close to playground and
access to bathrooms.
• ECFE looking to expand programs with more classroom space.
Plant sale at Valley Park
Little League scoreboard at Maetzold Fielddraft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
39
Want to grow team the league. The youngest teams do not turn
anyone away, also have three challenger teams that welcome
anyone of any ability and pair players with older youth.
• Maetzold field used regularly and has good lighting. Saturdays at
Maetzold is all about community.
• Improve batting cages in all locations
• Lights in picnic shelter
• Promote evening events
• Improvements to bathrooms
• Create better experience for players
• Warm up space
• Effective use of spaces – multi use (seasonal/ time of the day/
events/ programs etc.)
• HALL is interested in memorializing an agreement with City of
Hopkins regarding maintenance and field usage
HOPKINS YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (HYHA)
HALL desires more ice time, especially Monday thru Friday 5pm to
10pm. Other wants for HALL include the following.
• Want workout rooms, pre-game rooms, indoor/ sheltered walking
rink, and more dryland training space, goal shooting, and practice
bays.
• Would love a new or expanded recreation center with two sheets
of ice – one all year round - and a jumbo tron screen with upgraded
PA system
• Would love an outdoor roller hockey rink with roof that could be
covered outdoor ice in winter
• Broomball is played at Harley Hopkins, Valley Park, and it was
played at Oakes.
LACROSSE
• Age 8 to under 14, mainly boys teams currently. They lack a
dedicated field, which is important to recruit and retain players.
Currently they use the Pavilion Feb. to May, 2 nights per week.
They use Central Park in the fall, but play with cones (no field lines
painted).
• Want a lined field with lights, big enough to host tournaments -
important for revenue generation
• Tournaments currently held in Farmington
GIRLS SOFTBALL
There are no available girls softball fields in Hopkins. They desire a
home base to host tournaments and would prefer a wheel – 4 fields
together in one location. This would allow them to accomplish the
following.
• Get more diversity into the sport - the biggest barrier is travel
• Fields with concessions and revenue generation opportunities
TONKA UNITED (SOCCER)
Tonka United identified the following ideas that would help support
their goals. They use the field at Maetzold regularly, but noted that
field quality needs improvement.
• Outdoor field lights are important, but there’s a lack of
appropriately sized and striped fields
• If a new hockey rink is added, would appreciate having this be
flexible and used for turf and soccer in non-hockey season
• Desire gym spaces for futsal
• Desire more turf fields - currently a lack of striped fields and fields
for younger players. Fields next to each other ideal for games and
tournament hosting are preferred and minimum size desired at
least 110’ x 60’. The Pavilion is the only Hopkins facility little kids use
during spring ball
• Improved access to bathrooms, or opportunity to be involved in
planning for portable toilet locations
OPEN SESSION
These sessions were not exclusive to a specific stakeholder group
and encompassed general recommendations and requests for the
Park System.
• Would like more access to drinking water and bathrooms
• Better trail connections to local destinations like the senior center
• Would use the Depot more if there was not so much construction
in the immediate area
• Improve the trail along Excelsior Blvd
• Improve user registration system for Hopkins Activities Center
Outdoor youth ice hockey
Soccer at Maetzold Fields draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
40
BENCHMARKING
Introduction
This Benchmark Analysis compares cities of similar size,
demographic, and social infrastructure cities. The analysis allows
the City to compare and contrast park systems and identify trends,
learn other approaches to issues, and generally evaluate how they
compare to different communities.
Methodology
Data was obtained from five benchmark agencies that are similar in
population, with the exception of two agencies that are somewhat
larger than Hopkins, yet provided metrics that are valuable to the
benchmarking process. Identifying similar communities to Hopkins
is a challenge, but the selected cities key elements that overlap.
Deerfield is a suburban community of Chicago with a similar
population. Their park system is excellent and a good litmus test.
Richfield, St. Louis Park, and Golden Valley are larger communities
that surround Hopkins. These cities are competitors and provide
park systems with different components, facilities, and programs
that Hopkins could learn from. Robbinsdale is currently smaller
in population, but close in acres of parkland and will be similarly
impacted by completion of the SW Light Rail Project. Minnetonka
was not selected as a reference city because of their size and current
partnership with Hopkins and park programming.
Six questions were asked of the benchmark agencies and the five
agencies answered most of all questions by providing data about
their system. Any blanks in the tables indicate that particular agency
did not provide information for that metric. It should be noted that
all agencies obtain, record, and use data in various ways so the data
may not translate precisely when looking from agency to agency.
The information provided by the benchmark agencies was evaluated
and categorized to create an unbiased view of the data regarding
the agencies’ operations so Hopkins can see how they compare for
the type and size of facilities, financial data, and other metrics as
shown.
The information provided by the benchmark agencies is not
meant to create a positive or negative comparison to the City of
Hopkins and the operations of their system, nor how other parks
departments operate their agencies more effectively or less
effectively. Despite efforts to select park agencies as similar as
possible, those that are a reasonable distance from Hopkins or those
that have park amenities similar to those of Hopkins, there are many
differences if a contrast is considered with all benchmark agencies.
The variables that may exist in the benchmark should not be
misconstrued and used as a direct comparison, but only as a point of
reference.
National Parks And Recreation Association References
To provide a point of reference with agencies throughout the nation,
statistics are included from the National Recreation and Parks
Association (NRPA) in their annual NRPA Agency Performance
Review. These statistics are shown at the bottom of tables where
NRPA metrics are available to coordinate with agency data. The
NRPA report is the most comprehensive resource of data and insight
for parks and recreation agencies in the United States with over
1,000 park agencies contributing information to formulate statistics
used in research and analysis for all park agencies and other sources.
AGENCIES
METRICS (Parks Data)
Jurisdiction
Population
Acres of
Parkland
Annual Parks and Rec
Expenditures
Parks and Rec Full Time
Employees (FTE)
Average 5 Year
Capital Budget
Spending
Indoor Program Space
City of Hopkins Parks 19,079 97.9 Acres $1,317,978 (2021)
Parks Maintenance - 10 FTE
Joint Recreation – 6.75 FTE
Parks Division of PW – 12.12 FTE
Total 16.75 FTEs
$4,238,585
(2017-2021)
Pavilion - 22,327sq. Ft
Activity Center - 7,806 sq. ft.
Art Center - 5,826 sq. ft.
Theater-4,300 sq. ft.
Total: 40,259 sq. ft.
Deerfield Park
District (Illinois)19,002 205 Acres $13,544,036 (2022)
49 total; 12 Parks Dept, 19
Recreation, 6 Golf, 6 Finance,
2 Marketing, 4 Admin
Total 49 FTEs
$100,000
(average 2
million per
year)
Community Center - 30,000 sq ft;
Recreation Center 100,000 sq ft;
Senior Center 19,000 sq ft
Total: 149,000sq. ft.
City of Richfield
(Minnesota)
Recreation Services
Department
36,527 453 Acres
General Fund 2022 (Rec
Progs/Wood Lake):
$2,150,070
(Enterprise Facilities
(Arena/Pool/Vets Shelter):
$1,595,920
Recreation Programs: 8.5 FTE
Wood Lake Nature Center: 5
FTE Enterprise Facilities: 4 FTE
Total 17.5 FTEs
$2,500,000
($500k/yr
liquor store
revenue)
Community Center: 6,500 sq. ft.
Wood Lake
Nature Center:5,500 sq. ft.
Total 12,000 sq. ft.
St. Louis Park Parks
and Recreation
Department
(Minnesota)
49,158 750 Acres $6,871.710 (2021)
Organized Recreation & Nature
Center - 13 FTE
Park Maintenance/Fleet/Natural
Resources - 17 FTE
Total 30 FTEs
$25,270,287
(2017 - 2021)
Park Buildings - 4,420 sq ft
The Rec Center - 107,000 sq ft
Westwood Hills
Nature Center - 3,645 sq ft
Total: 115,065 sq. ft.
Golden Valley Parks
& Recreation
(Minnesota)
22,000 454.10
Acres
$1,000,500 (2021 actual
recreation administration
and programs only)
GV Parks Maintenance 7 FTE
Recreation Staff 6.5 FTE
(Does not include Brookview or
Golf Staff)
Total 13.5 FTEs
$1,997,000
(2017-2021)
Brookview -
Total: 38,000 sq. ft.
Robbinsdale Parks
Robbinsdale
Recreation Services
(Minnesota)
14,245 110 Acres $1,279,773 (2021)
Robbinsdale Parks - 5 FTE
Recreation Services – 3 FTE
Total 8 FTEs
$1,625,300
(2017-2021)
Robbinsdale Community
Gyms & Fitness Center -
Total: 12,800 sq. Ft.draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
41
Benchmarking Summary
Looking at the overall size of parks by acres, the smaller cities
have less acres of parkland than the larger cities. A more accurate
method for measuring park size for a city is to use park acres per
1,000 residents. This calculation provides a ratio of the population
(per 1,000 residents) against the number of park acres. Hopkins
has the least number acres per 1,000 residents.(5.13 acres per
1,000 residents). The Deerfield Park District has nearly the exact
population as the City of Hopkins Parks, yet over twice the acres
of parkland and also twice the acres per 1,000 residents, yet an
effective way to understand the park size is using acres per FTE.
Park systems with a smaller staff normally have a higher number of
acres per FTE.
It would stand to reason that a larger park system would have
larger annual operating expenditures. This is accurate within the
benchmark agencies in this analysis with the exception of the City
of Hopkins. St. Louis Park has the most operating expenditures of
all benchmark agencies and the most acres. Facilities with indoor
spaces encompass space used for aquatics, gyms, program rooms,
community rooms, rental space or other recreational areas. Each
community will have different recreational needs and a specific
program or activity can require a larger facility than another
community may need. Evaluating only square feet of indoor space,
Hopkins is fourth (40,259 sq. ft) in agencies that have the most
square feet, and two of those agencies have indoor space over
110,000 sq. ft. However, a significant portion of Hoplins Center for the
Arts indoor community space is occupied/ used by Stages Children’s
Theater.
There are three park systems with over 300 acres of parkland.
Hopkins is the agency with the least number of acres (97), but they
do not have the least number of FTEs per acre of parkland (16.75). St.
Louis Parks and Recreation Department has 750 acres of parkland
land and 30 FTEs. Looking at the other benchmark agencies, it is
apparent that a larger park system does not have the most FTEs.
Variables exist among all agencies and in all metrics researched
for this benchmark analysis, and care should be taken to not
misinterpret the data.
Adult wiffleball league at Valley Park
Adult volleyball at Valley Park draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
42
RECREATIONAL PROGRAM
ASSESSMENT - OvERvIEW
As part of the Hopkins Parks System Master Plan, the consulting
team conducted a Recreation Program Assessment of the services
offered by the Hopkins-Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation
Services (“Department”). Currently, the City of Hopkins and the City
of Minnetonka are partnered together in order to better provide
recreational programing to the community. The assessment offers
an in-depth perspective of program and service offerings and
helps identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities regarding
programming. The assessment also assists in identifying core
programs, program gaps within the community, key system-wide
issues, areas of improvement, and future programs and services for
residents and visitors.
The consulting team based these program findings and comments
from a review of information provided by the Department including
program descriptions, financial data, website content, and
discussions with staff. This report addresses the program offerings
from a systems perspective for the entire portfolio of programs.
Framework
Hopkins-Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation Services “is
dedicated to developing, promoting and providing programs and
facilities that speak directly to the recreational needs and interests
of our community. From athletic leagues and fitness classes to art
workshops and special events -- we are proud to offer activities
for all ages and abilities.” In order to help achieve this mission the
community has dedicated facilities and spaces to host their program
offerings, including: (13) neighborhood/community parks, (4) nature
areas, (6) outdoor skating rinks, (2) indoor skating rinks, (2) fitness
centers (in Minnetonka), (1) beach, community gardens, and several
trails.draft
PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN : 2023
43
Program Assessment Overview
Below are some overall observations that stood out when analyzing
the program assessment sheet:
• Overall, the program descriptions/goals do a great job of effectively
communicating to the public key benefits and desired outcomes
of each Core Program Area.
• Age segment distribution is aligned with the community’s current
population and the age segments should be monitored annually
by both entities to ensure program distribution continues to match
the community’s demographics.
• Program lifecycles: Approximately 6% of the system’s current
programs are categorized in the Introduction Stage, while 7% of
programs fall into the Decline Stage. A complete description of
Lifecycle Stages is in the Appendix full report, in section 1.3.2.
• Popular programs could set aside a number of spaces for raffle or
other method to identify those that didn’t sign up first. This will
build and sustain interest for longer periods of time.
• Currently the Department’s volunteer program allows residents
and organizations to get involved and give back to the community.
However, it is recommended that the Department focus on
marketing these opportunities to better recruit, diversify, and
engage residents to give back. Moving forward, volunteer key
metrics should be tracked and monitored to ensure predetermined
outcomes are being met.
• From a marketing and promotions standpoint, the staff utilizes a
variety of marketing methods when promoting their programs
including: printed and online program guides on the City’s website,
the park system’s flyers/brochures, newsletters, direct mail, email
blasts, in-facility signage, road sign marquees QR codes, and
various social media channels as a part of the marketing mix.
Providing additional languages and targeted outreach to Priority
Populations should be attempted to reach new potential users.
• The Department would benefit from identifying Return on
Investment (ROI) for all marketing initiatives.
• Opportunity to increase the number of cross-promotions.
• Currently, customer feedback methods are rather limited. Moving
forward it is highly recommended that the Department begins
collecting and incorporating user feedback on a more consistent
basis as a key performance measure that can be tracked over
time. Specifically, pre-program evaluation, lost customer surveys,
and focus groups are all strong feedback tools that should be
considered moving forward.
• Pricing strategies are rather consistent but limited across all Core
Program Areas. Currently, the most frequently used approaches
are cost recovery goals and customer’s ability to pay. These
are both useful strategies in increasing participation as well as
helping the Department become more self-sufficient and should
be continued. Additionally, the Department should contemplate
implementing some new pricing strategies which is in the
Appendix full report, Section 1.3.5.
• Financial performance measures such as cost recovery goals are
currently being utilized for most programs. Moving forward staff
should continue this best practice for all program areas. When
doing so, the staff should factor in all direct and indirect costs
pertaining to programming. A focus on developing consistent
earned income opportunities would be beneficial to the
Department’s overall quest for greater fiscal sustainability.
Garden plots at Cottageville Park
Shade pavilion at Interlachen Parkdraft
CITY OF HOPKINS
44
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
45
ELEvATING THE ROLE OF PARKS
Hopkins Parks have historically focused on recreation and traditional
sport activities for youth such as baseball and hockey. While this is
still an important role for the parks, the city’s demographics and land
use patterns are changing rapidly and the parks must adapt in order
to accurately reflect the people living around them. The Park System
needs to support all Hopkins residents as the city changes.
This is challenging because limited opportunities for expansion or
new facility development, which in turn means the existing bones of
the park system cannot change much. To satisfy growth needs, the
parks need to do more and be more than they currently are to meet
the changing needs of the community.
The most successful and well loved Park Systems are vital to the
community and are viewed as essential city services. Parks are
critical elements to the quality of life, and are a vital to attracting
and retaining residents, businesses, and visitors. Significant research
has identified the importance of parks and green infrastructure
including positive contributions to:
• City image and civic pride
• Increased property values
• Significant air and water quality and urban cooling benefits
• Notable physical and mental health benefits
• Child development and learning is linked to exposure to nature
• Increased resilience to impacts from climate change
Investing in improving parks is investing in community on multiple
levels. Parks should be viewed and treated as an essential city
service in all aspects of the city’s administration including planning
efforts, budgeting, decision making, and investment opportunities.
REFLECTION OF THE CITY
The Park System should be a clear representation of the City’s
Vision and Mission Statements. When someone steps into a park in
Hopkins - can they perceive the manifestation of the City’s Mission
and Vision?
City Mission: Inspire, Educate, Involve, Communicate
City vision: Creating a spirit of community where...
• All people feel safe and respected, and diversity is celebrated
• Business growth is supported, and a vibrant downtown is
maintained
• People enjoy exceptional government services, neighborhoods
and outstanding schools
City’s vision for Equity
• The City of Hopkins is reflective and inclusive of our diverse
community in all roles across the organization.
• The City of Hopkins makes decisions informed by equitable and
authentic community engagement, genuine partnerships and
relationships with the community.
• The City of Hopkins is committed to equity, diversity, and
inclusion in the development and evaluation of services and
programs.
The consultant team feels there is opportunity to better align the
existing park system with the City’s Vision, Mission, and Goals. In
order to effectively achieve this alignment, the park system needs to
be viewed as an essential government service.
PARK SYSTEM vISION
BIG IDea FOr the SYSteM
04
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
46
PARK SYSTEM vISION AND MISSION
The park system is an important part of the City’s overall quality
of life and impacts residents every day. A significant park system
utilizes tax resources and should be held accountable to residents
and decision makers. A vision and mission statement should be
developed for the City to help guide decisions and priorities. These
statements and themes are a guide for the future and should
be referred back to as a gauge on how successful key decisions,
priorities, and projects have been.
The Vision Statement for Hopkins Parks highlights what residents,
staff, and leadership collectively wish for the future.
The Mission Statement is a guide for how the City will implement
this Vision.
The statements build upon Hopkins overall mission, vision, and
goals but apply directly to the park system. The statements were
informed by extensive community engagement. Strong themes
were identified in the engagement that should be prioritized during
any future planning, design, infrastructure decisions and building/
construction.
The Mission and Vision Statements were synthesized from a series of
engagement exercises that identified themes important to the City’s
parks, and continued to prioritize those themes to discern the most
vital for the Park System to be successful. The following narrative
describes this process.
Park Accessibility
Gathering & Community Building
Parks for All
Focus on Quality
Park facilities and programs are high quality and culturally relevant for BIPOC residents.
Reduce barriers to park amenities for all park users and mobility levels.
Build community with neighborhood and city-wide gathering facilities.
Provide opportunities for passive and active recreation that suit a broad range of users.
Revitalize existing fields, facilities, courts, and playgrounds.
VISION
Hopkins has high quality parks that serve
all users and are equitable, accessible,
and build community by bringing people
together.
MISSION
Hopkins will prioritize parks as an essential
city service that provides exceptional and
accessible experiences for all residents
in a sustainable manner by leveraging
our uniqueness, dynamic community
partnerships, and diversity.
Racial Equity
Key Themes
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
47
Communication & Awareness: provide
directional and identification signage,
create a recognizable identity for
parks (branding). Enhance translation
to better connect with non-English
speaking communities.
PRIORITY THEME VOTING
Priority Themes
Art Integration and Partnerships:
sustain park programs and
infrastructure by developing creative
public-private partnerships. Continue to
integrate art into the fabric of the city.
Equity: ensure all residents have access
to quality parks and programming,
regardless of income, mobility level, or
demographics. Provide opportunities
that are inclusive to all though accessible
infrastructure and affordable opportunities.
Environmental Sustainability and
Resiliency: Add facilities that are durable,
affordable to maintain, and reduce energy
consumption and waste. Ecosystem
services provided by parks should be
maximized through green infrastructure and
environmentally focused park design.
Natural Resources: convert less used
grass areas to native plants, encourage
diversity of tree species and increase
canopy coverage, small scale ecological
improvements, water quality enhancement.
Create landscapes that build resiliency for
the park system and city.
Leverage Partnership for Learning
and Programming: build on existing
partnerships to broaden programming,
and learning opportunities. Provide
diverse program options that encourage
people to try something new.
All Season Recreation: Provide
recreation opportunities all-year long
and make winter recreation a priority.
Provide both recreation opportunities
and events to celebrate all-seasons.
Unique Parks: Ensure parks reflect
the surrounding neighborhoods needs,
provide non-traditional park facilities
and activities. Parks are a major
contributor to a strong community
identity and are regional destinations.
Celebrate and Share History: Capitalize
on Hopkins’ downtown historic district
and focus on preservation. Evolve
interpretation and education programming
to engage diverse populations and ages.
Connections to Parks and Trails:
Prioritize safe connections to all parks
and trails including local and regional
trails, sidewalks, transit access, and
safe intersection crossings. Nexus of
regional trails, connections to Main St.
Parks For All: Engage people of all ages
and abilities by providing accessible
facilities and creating programming for all
residents. Maximize the health benefits of
parks with focused programming and by
providing passive and active uses.
Gathering and Community Building:
Focus on bringing the community
together through group gathering
facilities and programming. Create
neighborhood pride through parks and
encourage neighborhood gatherings
Priority Themes
One of the key community engagement exercises asked the public
to help prioritize themes to focus on during the Park System Plan.
The themes selected were identified and synthesized from the City’s
Comprehensive Plan and previous planning documents (shown at
right). These themes are all important to Hopkins. The Park System
should attempt to support these themes in some manner; however,
parks are competing with other city services for resources and
priorities need to be defined.
We asked the public to help us identify which themes were most
important. Online and in-person engagement opportunities were
used to collect this input from a range of users including the general
public, stakeholders, and staff.
· I think it important to be clear in how the top 5
themes were selected – but these last two
paragraphs add confusion by talking about top 4
(not 5) themes with no explana on about why
Natural Resources and more opportuni es for
Winter Recrea on were not carried forward. I
would try explain the thought process in more
detail. The second paragraph is also not very clear
and could read something like this instead: “In
alignment with Cul vate Hopkins, the City’s
comprehensive plan, and its specific goals of
_______ and ______, as well as through feedback
from BIPOC focus groups, themes of Racial Equity,
Parks for All and Gathering and Community
Building were included in the top 5 themes. These
themes were viewed as important to those
who “voted” as well, ra ng them in the middle of
the priority list.”
o This comment above came from PED – I think
there just might need to be a nota on of
where else in the document you will cover this? I
assume this is a WIP?
Figure 4.1: Important park themes presented to the public for prioritization
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
48
Key Themes
5 key themes that follow were evaluated, identified, and prioritized
based on a combination of the following:
• Public engagement
• Stakeholder engagement
• Consultant experience and input
• Staff input
• Park Board input and evaluation of community engagement
Chapter 2 highlighted the existing system’s limitations and strengths
and how the community wants the park system to look in the future.
The 5 identified themes all ranked in the top themes identified
by the general public and looking at identified stakeholders. The
Consultant and Staff provided input and verified prioritization based
on their experience, inventory, and analysis of the park system and
interpretation of engagement feedback.
Hopkins Park Board reviewed the extensive community
engagement collected in the summer of 2022. Through a workshop
with the consultant team, the Park Board helped identify and
prioritize these key themes and ranked them according to how
important the community was telling them each theme was. The
Park Board ranked each theme on a scale of 0-10 with 0 indicating
the theme was not addressed at all, and 10 indicating that the theme
was fully addressed. They first ranked how they thought the current
park system treated each theme. Lastly they ranked where they
thought the community was telling us about what level they wanted
each theme addressed. A larger gap between current and desired
levels indicates how much work needs to be done and what this
plan should prioritize.
The following section will provide an analysis and framework for
addressing these key themes in long range planning and upcoming
improvement projects. These key themes are highly related and
integrated. Working on one of the themes will have a ripple effect
through many of them, building strength momentum for change
that reinforces the city’s larger goals.GATHERING &COMMUNITY BUILDINGRACIAL EQUITYFOCUS ON QUALITYPARKS FOR ALLPARK ACCESSIBILITY0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
not addressed
fully addressed
Desired Level
Current Level
Figure 4.2: Theme prioritization exercise w/ Park Board
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
49
There is a disparity in park and amenity quality in Hopkins. Burnes
Park has consistently had a higher level of quality, more amenities,
and more innovative and expensive amenities than a majority of
other parks in Hopkins. Burnes Park contains the city’s only splash
pad, architecturally unique restrooms, high quality basketball
courts, and a unique skating rink that is frequently crowded. This
dynamic follows similar national trends that place a majority of park
improvements toward the most organized neighborhood groups,
the most well connected, and generally wealthier neighborhoods.
Parks in lower income and more diverse areas are often further
down the list because they are less connected, organized, wealthy,
and politically influential.
Another local example includes the ballfields and related amenities
at Maetzold Field. This park has a higher level of quality than most of
Hopkins’ similar parks. The Hopkins Area Little League (HALL) is well
established and organized association that has provided significant
resources to improve elements at Maetzold Park that go above
and beyond the level of capital and maintenance improvements at
similar parks in Hopkins.
The Pavilion at Central Park is another example of a high quality
facility that is premier compared to the rest of the park and other
related parks. Hopkins Youth Hockey Association has contributed
significant resources to make this facility rise above expectations
for similar parks related facilities in the City. However, other popular
facilities such as basketball court, tennis courts, certain ball
diamonds, and lack of trails are below standard.
These, often unintended, differences in quality and amenities are
the result of decisions made in the past and the participation of
partnering stakeholder groups for key infrastructure they desired.
The baseball and hockey associations have an extensive history wit
Hopkins Parks and provide significant funding and volunteer input
to improve the facilities they use most. These partnerships have led
to some of the highest -quality facilities in the Hopkins Park system.
Contributions from partners are a common and positive way to
improve a community’s facilities when there are budget limitations.
However, there is potential for actual and perceived imbalance with
this approach.
The differences in quality and amenities were the result of decisions
made in the past and contributions from partnering stakeholder
groups for key infrastructure they desired. The baseball and hockey
associations have an extensive history with Hopkins Parks and
provided significant funding and volunteer input to improve the
facilities they use most. Contributions from partners are a common
and positive way to improve a community’s facilities when there
are budget limitations. However, there is potential for actual and
perceived imbalance with this approach.
The city should be conscious of the park improvement history
when working with partners and associations looking to make
improvements in the parks. Hopkins should use the park’s Value,
Mission, and Theme Statements to ensure the improvement projects
are a positive addition for a majority of Hopkins residents.
Additionally, the city should have a plan for investment and
reinvestment in park infrastructure that identifies priorities clearly
to the public and doesn’t rely on the loudest voices in the room
to direct funding. Transparency is a critical element in addressing
equity.
Historically, park improvements have often been directed toward
the most organized neighborhood groups, the most well connected,
and generally wealthier areas of a community. Parks in lower income
and more diverse areas often are further down the list. Allocating
dollars based on equity means allocating dollars to what a park and
it’s residents need, and not simply spreading money equally to all
parks.
Some parks need to do more with less. They are accessed by more
people on less acreage, are located near larger populations of low-
income residents, have higher neighborhood crime issues, and a
multitude of other factors and pressures that would identify them as
having a higher priority based on need. While the entire park system
needs to be updated, there are some parks with greater needs.
An analysis tool could help the city prioritize equity and need in
allocating improvement dollars.
Parks that should be prioritized for capital improvement based
on equity are typically parks in neighborhoods with the following
characteristics:
• Higher populations and population density.
• Less adjacent parkland. They are more isolated.
• Lower income residents.
• and historic lack of investment.
RACIAL EQUITY
Park facilities and programs are high quality and culturally relevant for BIPOC residents.
Figure 4.4: Maetzold Field’s maintenance is shared by HALL
and Hopkins staff
Figure 4.3: Backstop, no benches, grass infield at Valley Park draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
50
Figure 4.5: Bike skills and All-wheel facilities can improve riding skills and be integrated into smaller parks.
Figure 4.6: Low quality courts discourage use (Cottageville); higher quality basketball courts are well used (Valley)
Demographics & Recreation Needs
As the demographics of Hopkins continues to change, the recreation
needs of residents will also shift. The city should continue to engage
and monitor residents to understand these needs. The tennis courts
and ball diamonds of Hopkins parks reflect the recreational trends
of the demographics that existed when the parks were built. An
understanding of current demographics and needs is crucial.
Planners, designers, and staff should note that while there are
broader recreation trends occurring in the state and metro region
laid out in Chapter 1, they may not match local trends and needs.
For instance, girls softball is growing and attracting greater diversity
than past populations and tennis is attracting a much broader
diversity of users than it has in the past. Continual engagement and
coordination with area programmers and associations will help the
city keep a finger on the pulse of the ever changing demographics
and recreation trends.
There are consistent recreation trends that are occurring that
could provide immediate impacts on Hopkins Parks and should be
considered:
• Basketball continues to be one of the most popular sports across
many demographics
• Pickleball is consistently growing
• Access to nature is a priority for all ages
• Bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. are growing as a commuter
and recreation activity - mountain biking has been the fastest
growing high school sport in Minnesota for a few years
• Soccer, lacrosse, cricket, etc. are all growing and utilize similar
field space
• Dog and pet ownership was growing before COVID and
skyrocketed during that time period
The city should be mindful of these trends and their growth across
the metro. Flexibility and thoughtful design of park spaces will allow
the city to more efficiently and effectively respond to these changes
and not approach things in a reactionary manner that will negatively
impact the park or any future modifications. draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
51
Figure 4.7: New splash pad, building, basketball courts at Burnes Park vs. lack of programing and aged equipment at Harley
Equity Analysis
Addressing racial equity has been a primary goal of the Park
Systems Plan from the beginning of the planning process. An
analytical approach to assign equity values to each of the parks in
this study was morphed from previous projects and processes to fit
the City of Hopkins goals and resources. The results take 15 datasets
into account and weigh each data source differently to derive a
composite score. The parks are ranked by this weighted score, with
the highest numbers needing the most attention from an equity
perspective. Figure 4.8 graphically identifies the park improvement
priorities based on this equity analysis.
Most of the parks at the top of the list for equity priority are in
areas anticipated to receive significantly more new residents in the
coming years. These areas are currently more diverse, heavily renter
occupied, and projected to remain so in the coming years.
Cottageville Park was ranked high in the analysis. This justifies recent
and continued investment. 325 Blake and Cottageville Phase 2
developments will be constructed in the next few years and require
more park investment to help maintain the quality of the system.
Other parks with high rankings are located near Mainstreet or
the proposed Light Rail Transit stations. Both of these areas are
anticipated to experience significant population growth in the near
future.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
52
EQUITY ANALYSIS RANKINGS
Figure 4.8: Equity analysis park ranking map draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
53
Barriers exist in Hopkins that prevent or diminish the accessibility
of parks and specific park amenities. These barriers can be
physical and/ or social/ mental. Hopkins can address a majority
of barrier types with well designed and thoughtful infrastructure
improvements. Parks should be open and used by all residents
to maximize their benefits in the most cost effective manner.
The impact of these improvements will directly promote equity
throughout the city.
PHYSICAL
Within Parks
Universal design principles and practices can help maximize
accessibility by reducing barriers for those with mobility challenges.
Accessibility standards and universal design were not a priority of
park systems in the past and typical parks constructed prior to these
standards often have accessibility challenges. Hopkins has a number
of these parks and is contracting with an independent consultant to
provide analysis and recommendations to bring playground facilities
into line with current accessibility standards and best practices. The
city should anticipate implementing these recommendations as
they are able once the study is complete.
Many cities in the Metropolitan Region are constructing inclusive
playgrounds. These playgrounds are similar to a traditional facility
except that they welcome children and adults of all abilities to a play
experience where everyone can interact and play together. Central
Park has a number of supporting amenities that would support an
inclusive playground such as:
• Proximity to building and full restrooms
• Shade and water access
• Centralized location within the city
• Easy navigation from major roadways
• Accessible parking close to playground
Universal design principals apply to other amenities and should
be included or retrofitted into new and existing park features as
projects and budgets allow. Access to unique amenities such as the
archery range, skate or all-wheel playgrounds, and any new dog
parks should be included as a baseline for the park.
PARK ACCESSIBILITY
Including key infrastructure can make a park much more usable by
a broader and more diverse group of people with a range of mobility
levels. Ample shade, benches for seating (in shade), water fountains,
and accessible restrooms are a few key elements that can make a
park more navigable, attractive, and enjoyable for all people. Persons
living with disabilities are often brought to parks by a caregiver that
may not be familiar with the area. Having clear wayfinding and
accessible parking near the facilities will maximize usage at the park.
Connection to Parks
Safe travel to parks is another key ingredient in accessibility.
Many parks lack accessible sidewalks or trails that connect the
neighborhood to the park’s amenities The city’s overall pedestrian
and bicycling infrastructure are intimately intertwined with the
accessible trails and amenities inside a park.
Hopkins is severed by highways, railroads, and major arterial
roadways that create distinct sub-areas within the city. These
dividers can be physical and mental barriers for pedestrian and
bicycle crossing of fully mobile individuals. These barriers become
more challenging and imposing for people living with mobility
impairments. Because of these dividing lines, portions of the city can
be isolated from other areas. The city needs to focus on the following
to ensure that all residents have access to high quality park facilities
that meet their needs:
1. Improve the physical safety and mental perception of crossings
over the major pieces of traffic infrastructure.
2. Ensure amenities and activities are equitably divided in all
areas of the city so residents can access without crossing major
transportation corridors.
These strategies will need to occur over time and will require
coordination with the city-wide bike and pedestrian plan. The light
rail project, and anticipated redevelopment, provide an opportunity
to dramatically increase the accessibility and connection from north
to south in the center of the city. Focusing higher cost and higher
impact amenities toward the center of the city will allow the most
balanced accessibility from the north and south neighborhoods.
Central Park should be a location for these larger, shared facilities.
Figure 4.10: The sand box and playground do not have paved
paths to provide accessibility (Park Valley)
Figure 4.9: Accessibility improvements will help all residents.
Reduce barriers to park amenities for all park users and mobility levels.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
54
Figure 4.11: Many playgrounds lack wheelchair access (Oakes
Park)
Figure 4.12: Restrooms with running water are more
appealing and highly desired by certain cultural groups.
Pedestrian connections across Highway 7 and Excelsior Boulevard
should be explored to improve the function, safety, and desirability
of all parks, but especially those adjacent to major arterials. These
pedestrian improvements benefit the entire city and funding should
be explored from sources that are strictly focused on parks - Safe
Routes to Schools is an example
SOCIAL
Parks need to feel accessible and inviting to all. A visitor should feel
welcome, accepted, and independent to use the park facilities, and
that they are socially accepted. There are many reasons parks may
not live up to this ideal and a number of factors can lead to negative
experiences from a social perspective. The social accessibility of a
park can be nuanced and specific to the surrounding demographics,
history, and relationships surrounding a park. Every attempt should
be made to understand and address these issues through park
specific engagement activities when a park is slated for significant
redevelopment.
Priority Populations
Putting Change in Motion (PCIM) talked to Priority Populations
within Hopkins to understand what would make the parks more
welcoming and invite others into the parks.
Residents first need to know a park exists, that it has facilities they
would like to use, and that they are comfortable and understand
how to use them. PCIM noted that a few groups mentioned that
more communication, and more effective information about the
parks needed to be distributed to the community. Communications
and programming are strategies that can reduce these social
barriers.
Communication elements/ strategies to socially include all residents:
• Clear, simple, integrated online parks information is a key strategy
to inform residents what options are available
• An online inventory of park facilities and where they are located
assists residents in finding key amenities and activities
• Clear signage and wayfinding at the parks, on the trails, and in
key Mainstreet locations.
• Translation of critical information available for appropriate
demographics. Translations should exist in print/ signage and
digital platforms to reach the broadest group of people.
• Programming that caters to non-English speaking residents
that introduce a specific place or activity. Focus on introductory
programs that expose residents to new opportunities.
• Create inclusive events in parks and communicate with Priority
Populations.
• Focus on apartments as they often don’t receive as many flyers
as single family homes.
providing core amenities can make a park welcoming and accepting
to all residents. pCIM identified a number of key facilities residents
mentioned that would make them want to use a park more:
• Clean restrooms and drinking fountains.
• running water in restrooms - culturally important for some
residents.
• trail and accessibility improvements.
• Lighting improvements.
another strategy to make parks more welcoming for priority
populations is to focus on improvements for larger groups. Several
groups that pCIM worked with noted that they gather at parks in
large groups and desire infrastructure that helps enables this activity.
See Gathering and Community theme for more information on
specific facilities to encourage large group gathering.
Crime and Safety
Priority population focus groups identified crime, and the perception
of crime, as a negative effect on feeling welcome in parks. The most
common complaint was sharing park space with others drinking and
using marijuana. Fights and late night use by teenagers and young
adults was also negatively mentioned. The focus groups identified
restrooms as places they noticed bad behavior. Finding a balance
between privacy and safety is a common issue in public spaces.
Some strategies for addressing throughout the parks include:
• Increased police presence and patrols.
• Signage posted with rules translated to major 2nd and 3rd
languages of the neighborhood.
• Increased lighting in key areas.
• Increased presence of staff and other park users.draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
55
Parks are a place that brings community together. They are an
important destination for neighborhood and city-wide gathering.
Infrastructure should facilitate these formal and informal gatherings
in order to build civic pride, identity, and a more connected
community.
Infrastructure should focus on providing essential elements that
improve park visits for the majority of users E.g.; clean restrooms,
shade, drinking fountains, safe walkways and surfaces. Additional
amenities that provide tools for outdoor food preparation and
gathering are attractive to a variety of gatherings, e.g.; shade
structures/ pavilions, grills, picnic tables grouped together,
electricity, etc.. Providing this mixture of essential and additional
amenities provides a functional space for celebrations, parties,
family gatherings, holiday events, and a number of other outdoor
gathering events. The elements discussed above, and under the
Park Accessibility Theme, apply to a diverse set of uses, users, and
demographics and should be occur at all facilities throughout the
system.
Gathering facilities were specifically identified by a number of
neighborhoods during community engagement events across the
city - and by a majority of demographic groups if Hopkins.
In focus groups with Priority Populations, Somali voices stressed the
importance of parks to children. Currently, many Somali residents of
Hopkins live in apartments and parks provide children with needed
places to play and get outdoors. They also said that you can meet
new people when you are at parks with your children. Somalis also
felt that a very good way to distribute information about the parks
is through the schools, because of the strong association between
children and parks.
GATHERING AND COMMUNITY
INDOOR GATHERING FACILITIES
Outdoor facilities is the focus of this park systems plan. However,
indoor gathering facilities have an important role in cold weather
climates. Hopkins is well served with certain types large indoor
gathering spaces like the Hopkins Center for the Arts and the
Pavilion. These facilities are a regional draw and welcome visitors
from surrounding communities and throughout the Metro. The
city is lacking in smaller scale indoor gathering facilities distributed
throughout the city. These facilities could host smaller scale
neighborhood functions and gatherings and be available for rental to
host neighborhood picnics, birthday parties, political or civic events
and activities, as well as classes and programming opportunities.
Buildings have a higher upfront capital investment but can provide
significant cost/ benefit over their lifecycle if the right situation. The
City should study the opportunities to include these facilities in key
locations that provide critical community services and potential for
revenue generation.
The city should explore the opportunity to integrate a larger covered
facility that could support a number of community and recreation
functions. This facility could be a simple roof structure over a large
area that would provide shade and protect against weather. A
structure like this will help Hopkins maximize their gathering and
field space. The facility can be programmed extensively throughout
the seasons and day. Lighting extends usage into the evening for a
number of activities. The Roc in St. Louis Park and Edina’s outdoor
ice rink are examples the city should study. These facilities provide
flexibility, reliability, and stability to cities that need to maximize the
usability of their facilities. Hopkins could explore the potential to add
a similar open air facility into the Pavilion. This feature would provide
more reliable ice in the winter, critical field space opportunities in the
shoulder seasons that are protected from weather and lit to extend
practice time past sunset, and a shade canopy to provide summer
spaces for gathering and sport that are protected from the sun and
rain. See Central Park concept plan in Chapter 4 for a vision of how
this type of facility could fit into the park.
Figure 4.13: Example multi-use structure in St. Louis Park -
early spring field space
Figure 4.14: Example multi-use structure in Edina - consistent
winter ice.
Build community with neighborhood and city-wide gathering facilities.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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Figure 4.16: Recently updated pavilion at Burnes Park
Figure 4.17: Aged pavilion at Central Park
Figure 4.18: A variety of seating and gathering choices at
Downtown Park
Figure 4.19: Recently refurbished pavilion at Valley Park
OUTDOOR GATHERING FACILITIES
Picnic shelters or pavilions are the most common and simple
form of gathering facility that can be integrated into a park. They
provide shade, shelter from elements, enclosure, and a architectural
destination that support gathering. These facilities can be scaled
to fit the park space and desired programming and can contain
supporting elements such as electricity, lighting, grills, tables, and
sometimes water. These facilities are magnets for small scale picnics
and parties as well as individuals resting or relaxing.
The city has high quality pavilions at several parks throughout the
city including Burnes and Valley Parks. New pavilions should be
added to neighborhood and community parks. Existing pavilions
should be replaced at the end of their surface life. New and
replacement pavilions should be sourced from a quality provider
for aesthetics and maintenance reasons. The city should develop a
visual language for these facilities and remain consistent as new and
replacement pavilions are brought into parks. The architectural form
should be simple and well proportioned with quality materials.
Pavilions and shade structures are universally desired and used by
all demographics and support most active and passive activities in
the parks. They should be fully connected with an accessible route
so that all mobility levels can be included. Pavilions should be sited
between activities and adjacent to walkways and trails so they are
well used by a variety of people.
Community parks should have multiple pavilions in key areas of the
park. They should support popular activities in addition to traditional
sports. Examples include:
• Community garden pavilion at Valley - this facility would be used
by many and encourage interaction among users.
• Archery range at Valley - provide critical shade to users and could
be an anchor for accessibility at this popular amenity.
• New pavilions to support - dog parks, pickleball, playgrounds and
bicycle play areas, skate parks, and trail rest stops. draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
57
LARGE GATHERINGS
The Priority Population focus groups identified gathering as a
favorite activity in the parks and specifically identified facilities to
host large groups. These large group facilities should be located
in community parks so they are supported by other necessary
elements such as parking, water, restrooms, adequate waste
receptacles, and a variety of activities to support a range of ages.
Restrooms are a key facility wherever gathering occurs and becomes
more important as group size increases. Portable toilets can be
overwhelmed by multiple large group gatherings. Quality restrooms
with running water are important to support large groups and a
more enjoyable gathering experience.
Downtown Park is a well loved and well used park that hosts
multiple large gatherings throughout the year. Downtown Park does
not have a permanent restroom. Clean bathrooms with running
water would make the park experience better and more welcoming
for families, seniors, and other cultures. Restrooms would make a
good park great. See concept plan in Chapter 4 for ways to integrate
restrooms into Downtown Park.
Cottageville Park includes a modern picnic pavilion structure
with supporting infrastructure including restrooms and drinking
fountains. The pavilion itself is architecturally interesting and
provides shade and cover for the tables below. This pavilion is likely
not replicable at all parks due to cost, but the scale and scope should
be considered at other key Community Parks such as Central and
Valley.
REVENUE GENERATION
The gathering facilities discussed in this section can provide revenue
for the city if they are of high quality and desirable. These facilities
can help their own operations and maintenance by collecting
revenue for private events like weddings, birthday parties, religious
celebrations, etc.. Supporting infrastructure is vital to revenue
collection. Clean restrooms, parking, seating, shade, and ability
to isolate the party are must have elements. These infrastructure
pieces are relatively easy to incorporate into a park. Facilities that
are unique, well cared for, and have a distinct sense of place are
typically more desired by the public. Downtown Park is an example
where the location, setting, and sense of place create a distinct
environment that is unique to Hopkins and would be highly
attractive to a number of users willing to pay rental fees. The city will
need to balance the revenue generation potential of these facilities
with the public benefit of having them open, available, and free to
the general public.
Figure 4.21: Downtown Park is a destination gathering facility
and could generate higher revenue for the city.
Figure 4.20: Cottageville Parks pavilion and restrooms
provide spaces and infrastructure for successful large group
gatherings. Valley Park (above) should consider a large-
gathering pavilion at the community garden plots. draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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Figure 4.22: Movable seating and options found throughout
the City should be extended into park spaces.
Figure 4.23: Customized gathering pods provide a sculptural
feature and unique gathering spot. Parklets focused on
lounging, bike repair, and gathering enrich the public
space and could complement Hopkins current parklets on
Mainstreet.
INFORMAL GATHERINGS
Parks are natural gathering spaces. They attract like-minded groups
to participate in activities or rest in a natural setting. Simple, cost
effective elements encourage gathering. Benches, tables, waste
receptacles, and shade structures provide cues and create spaces
attractive to gathering. Shade can be provided by trees and not
more expensive shade canopies and pavilions.
Hopkins has a robust program of movable furniture in the
downtown and Mainstreet area. This approach could be provided
at key parks to facilitate flexible gathering that is accessible to all.
This flexible seating should be a part of the existing program so
that it is all branded and reinforces Hopkins identity and approach
to gathering. Mainstreet currently hosts several parklets that enrich
the streetscape and provide additional seating for businesses.
Public parklets and/ or creative seating and gathering options should
also be considered on Mainstreet, the Artery, Downtown Park, and
Hopkins Center for the Arts plaza to create gathering nodes in those
spaces and further reinforce Hopkins commitment to the Arts and
placemaking. These elements could be incorporated as a part of the
POPS program in more urban areas and plazas.
Providing food or beverage is another way to encourage gathering.
Carts and food trucks could be used at specific times to create
destinations for residents that would have very little cost to the city.
Bringing people together is the goal. Supporting facilities like tables
and waste receptacles would make this approach more appealing
and implementable from an operations perspective.
The city should think about all of the activities in it’s parks as
gathering facilities. Ballfields, ice rinks, community gardens, skate
parks, dog parks, archery ranges, etc. all attract a community of
like minded people. Supporting facilities should be provided to all
activities equally to provide a range of community gathering spaces
for all.
At a minimum these spaces should include:
• Shade - urban canopy or built structures
• Seating that accommodates multiple people - oriented to
encourage discussion
• Waste receptacles
• Proximity to restrooms
• Open sightlines
• Accessible to all - mobility and languages draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
59
Parks should serve the residents that live around them. Amenities,
programs, and ecosystem services should be present. Ecosystem
services provide residents the opportunity to improve health, social
connection, recreation, mental restoration, air and water quality
benefits, and neighborhood pride.
Well used parks are well loved parks. A well used a park needs to
provide opportunities for all residents to engage in activities that are
relevant and meaningful for their recreation needs. Park activities
and amenities must adapt over time as recreation trends and the
community’s demographics change.
Hopkins parks need to do more with less in order to serve all
residents and accommodate changing demographics and increased
density. Parks are well distributed geographically and in close
proximity to a majority of residents, but they lack diversity, variety,
and energy. The framework exists for a rich park system - updating
park amenities and programs is needed to evolve into a modern
system that serves all residents.
Thoughtful, creative design by experienced Landscape Architects
is critical to delivering parks that are dynamic, serve all residents,
and match city resources. Contemporary parks need to balance
recreation trends, variety, and flexibility to meet current needs
and be adaptable for a changing city. New amenities should be
provided to expand recreation offerings. Popular activities should be
preserved and enhanced - a balance of new and foundational park
elements is required for a successful park. Thoughtful park design
that is driven by community engagement is the primary vehicle to
achieve this vital balance.
BASELINE AMENITIES
A baseline of amenities for each neighborhood park should
be established that include amenities a majority of park users
consistently utilize. This list of included amenities is less likely to
change than more trendy recreational amenities and facilities. The
Level of Service in Chapter 2 highlights deficits in the system and
should be used as a baseline for balancing system wide. There are
specific amenities that should be included in a majority of parks in
PARKS FOR ALL
Figure 4.24: Basketball is an activity that serves a broad age
range - teens and adults both
Figure 4.25: Seating and shade are important to give all users
a place to rest
the system. This sets a baseline of expectation for visitors to any of
Hopkins parks. This critical level of service should include:
• Playground(s) 2-12 year old age range
• Benches and seating
• Gathering structure with seating - sized accordingly
• Court activity - basketball, tennis, pickleball, etc.
• Accessible Trails - preferably trail loops where space allows
• Restrooms or portable toilets
• Open, flexible lawn
Focus on variety and flexibility
• Integrate new amenities in thoughtful manner
• Mix of active and passive uses at each park
• Trail loops as amenity
• Natural areas as a vital component
• Variety of ways to gather - not just focused around performance
• dog parks as gathering
• skateparks and all-wheel facilities
• updated facilities - shade, picnic, etc.
• Scaled facilities community level and neighborhood level in parks
Provide options and flexibility to reflect surrounding neighborhoods and serve a range of users
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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KEY AMENITY ADDITIONS
Hopkins parks have a limited footprint and opportunity for
expansion. The existing acreage becomes more important as the
population expands and traffic is increased. Increased diversity
will require a greater diversity of park amenities and activities that
Hopkins is currently lacking or is underserved These facilities were
not historically abundant but have become established elements
that serve a broader user group beyond traditional athletics.
ALL-WHEEL/ SKATE PARKS
The closure of Underpass Skate Park has created a vacuum in
facilities that serve skate boarders. These facilities are of ten created
to serve other wheeled activities such as rollerblades, scooters, and
bikes. This serves a broader range of users. These facilities were
once seen as a negative element but have been shown to have the
following benefits:
• Reduce illicit behavior
• Provide a safe environment for skateboarding and riding
• Create a safe social space for kids
• Reduce damage to private property
• Support physical and mental health benefits of skating/ riding
• Have a positive economic impact on surrounding areas
An all-wheel facility serves a common demographic and helps
promote improved ridership, which can make streets and sidewalks
safer throughout the city. A bike-centric all-wheel facility is proposed
at Buffer Park. However, another skate-board centric facility should
be considered in a more centrally located park within the city, or as a
part of a future POPS facility.
DOG PARKS
Pet ownership has increased over time and dog adoption and
purchases increased significantly during COVID. Dogs are often
considered and treated as family members. Dog parks and exercise
facilities are not only beneficial for the animals themselves, but they
provide physical and mental health benefits for their owners. These
amenities are social hubs for dog owners and provide a destination
for active walks. Off-leash dog areas have become gathering areas in
some communities. Crime has decreased in many cities near the off-
leash areas and people who normally would not talk to each other
will start conversations when a dog is there to break the ice.
Hopkins does not currently have a sanctioned dog park in the city.
This amenity was frequently requested by residents in community
engagement events. Currently, general park spaces and open areas
are used as informal dog parks, which can lead to user conflicts and
issues. This informal usage does not capitalize on the social aspects
of dog parks as the usage is typically off hours and sporadic.
The concept plans in Chapter 4 highlight key parks that could
support a social dog park facility. Additionally, we recommend using
off-season hockey rinks that keep the boards up year round to
provide smaller neighborhood scale dog parks. These facilities are
spread throughout the City and take advantage of an underutilized
off-season space with simple and cost effective improvements.
These dog park locations are opportunities to provide education
about the expectations and rules of dog ownership in Hopkins.
Facilities such as dog waste stations should be provided at all dog
park facilities and at popular dog walking areas throughout the City.
Maintenance expenses for these facilities are significantly less than
other athletic facilities.
SPLASH PADS
Splash pads have become a popular recreation amenity in parks.
They are not meant to replace pools, but they do provide a fun
aquatic experience at a reasonable cost. Splash pads typically do
not have standing water so a lifeguard is not needed and generally
require less supervision than a pool. They are typically more
attractive to younger children and can be very interactive. Ongoing
maintenance and cost of water can be an issue for systems that
use city water but do not recirculate. Re-circulating systems are
typically more expensive up front and do require more maintenance
to ensure filters are changed out and safe water is provided.
Splash pads located in parks typically do not have a use fee. Other
components that are important with splash pads are access to
restrooms and shaded seating areas for parents and caretakers.
Splash pads did not emerge as a high priority need based on
community engagement. It is recommended that they are a lower
priority item in the City, but still an important part of aquatics
recreation.
Figure 4.26: All-wheel parks/ pump tracks can be used by
bikes, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, etc..
Figure 4.27: Dog parks are as social for people as pets.draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
61
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball is a fast paced game that is growing fast throughout
Minnesota. It is a racket sport that combines elements of badminton,
tennis, and table tennis. The rules are simple and it is an easy
game for beginners to pick up. Advanced players play a fast-paced,
competitive game. The courts at Central Park are well used with
organized leagues and pick-up games at various times of the day.
Pickleball is very social sport. Numerous leagues and tournaments
have developed to build on this socialization. Private businesses
have integrated pickleball into restaurant/ bar developments to take
advantage of this aspect as well. While significant growth has taken
place in older segments of the population, pickleball is spreading
among all age s. A significant part of the sports appeal is that it
doesn’t rely on highly technical skills, it can be learned with little
practice and without expensive lessons.
Expansion of pickleball courts at Central Park would capitalize on
the nearby bars and restaurants of Mainstreet and fit into the park’s
existing DNA of being a destination for adult sport/ activity leagues.
NATURAL AREAS
Natural areas and native vegetation are highly desired by Hopkins
residents and should be integrated into park areas that don’t
support active recreation activities. The benefits of nature to a
majority of residents are increasingly understood to the general
population. Natural areas provide valuable ecosystem services to
the city such as; reduced flooding, heat island mitigation, air quality
improvements, water quality improvements, mental health benefits,
improved property values, and a number of additional quality of life
benefits.
Hopkins has limited areas of high quality natural areas within the
city and a lack of opportunity to acquire or expand. The primary
areas exist around wetlands and tributaries to the Nine Mile Creek
and Minnehaha Creek Corridors. These are important areas to
the region’s water quality and under developed local recreation
opportunities. Patches of natural habitat are scattered and isolated
throughout the city and will be difficult to connect. The habitat
areas that remain are marginal quality with many wetland and
streambanks infested with reed canary grass and woodlands choked
with buckthorn. However, these pieces of land still have significant
Figure 4.28: Splash pads, like the one at Burnes Park, are
highly used and don’t require lifeguards. They are important
as a cooling element.
Figure 4.30: Pickleball at Central Parks is a social gathering
activity.
Figure 4.29: Nature based play is proposed at the 325 Blake
Road development. Small pockets of play are a good option
for POPs.
Figure 4.31: Finding opportunities to connect to nature in
Hopkins should be a priority (Minnehaha Creek canoeing
shown).draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
62
value and are worth investment for improvement. Parks and open
spaces remain an area that could support more natural areas and
native vegetation. Improvements to the tree canopy and conversion
of turf grass to native prairie species and low to no maintenance
groundcover could significantly contribute to the quality of natural
areas in the city and provide more ecosystem services, while
reducing maintenance.
There are 3 keys to improving natural area quality and experiences in
Hopkins parks:
1. Partnerships
2. Increase Access
3. Improve the In-between
PARTNERSHIPS
The city should leverage partnerships with groups and entities with
overlapping goals and objectives. This can occur on a large scale
with grants and cost share programs at the State level to the local
volunteer organizations and neighborhood groups that provide
labor and small scale fundraising. Two key partners that the City
should continue to foster relationships with are Nine Mile Creek
and Minnehaha Creek Watershed Districts. Habitat preservation
and restoration that supports water quality and flood reduction
are significant overlapping goals. Both watershed districts have
significant cost share, knowledge sharing, and grant opportunities
for aligned projects. Additionally, Three Rivers Parks District (TRPD) is
a regional park provider with a mission to support access to nature,
environmental education, and improved natural area experiences.
At the time of Master Plan authoring, TRPD was starting a Parks
to People program that was investigating how to engage more
visitors from underrepresented groups in the first ring suburbs
of Hennepin County. Hopkins is an active participant in those
discussions and should continue their relationship building following
this project. Finally, Recreation Services of Minnetonka, who provides
programming for Hopkins, could be utilized as a partner for resource
sharing and connecting the City to other potential partners. Hopkins
is an important part of their recreational offerings and helping to
improve the parks would benefit their mission.
Smaller scale partners can also provide significant assistance in
natural areas improvement. Volunteer groups focusing on invasive
Figure 4.32: 9 Mile Creek at Valley Park is an opportunity to expand access to nature, improve vegetation quality, and extend
natural surface trails into the environment. draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
63
species removal or tree planting can provide real value for the city,
educate residents, and provide opportunities to connect to natural
areas and others with similar interests. Non-profit organizations such
as Blue Thumb, Wild Ones Twin Cities, Metro Blooms, Great River
Greening, and a number of other groups have programs to facilitate
habitat improvements.
Outdoor recreation focused groups can also provide significant
resources for the right project; Minnesota Off Road Cyclists (MORC)
has a significant labor force of mountain bike riders that donate
thousands of hours each year to maintaining facilities across the
metro that include bike optimized natural surface trails. Boy and girl
scout troops, the Isaac Walton League, Ducks Unlimited, and others
are looking for events and projects for their passionate members.
By working with volunteer groups like this, less resources need to be
spent by city staff on recruiting and organizing volunteer efforts.
INCREASE ACCESS
People are inclined to protect and cherish what they understand
and what touches their daily lives. Increasing the access to natural
areas in the city provides an opportunity for more people to enjoy
the benefits of nature, diversifies the recreation opportunities in the
city, and provides spontaneous/ unstructured education, play, and
experiential opportunities. Increasing access can range from simple,
low cost natural surface trail expansion to more costly boardwalk
trails and larger restoration projects. Opportunities for increasing
access to natural areas in Hopkins includes:
• Accessible and natural surface trail expansion at Valley Park and
Steiner Park Reserve.
• Native and natural planting within neighborhood and community
parks - see concept plans in Chapter 4.
• Restoration and trail access opportunities at the landfill site.
• Accessible improvements to existing park facilities to remove
barriers to outdoor recreation
• Accessible archery improvements at Steiner Park Reserve
IMPROVE THE IN-BETWEEN
The spaces between parks are an important part of connecting
people to nature. Health and diverse urban tree canopies and
tree-lined trails make walking and biking to parks more appealing
and hospitable. Incorporating shrub and perennial planting into
streetscapes and business provide habitat value, but also increase
the appeal and visual interest of spaces. All of these improvements
help make the overall City and parks more resilient to climate
change, and increase residents’ physical and mental connection to
nature.
Urban tree canopy is vital to making the spaces between parks
more appealing. Street trees help improve pedestrian and bicycle
transportation by regulating summer temperatures, absorbing
small rain events, and providing shelter and scale under the canopy.
Perennial plantings and shrubs add layers of visual interest and
beauty while creating critical habitat for pollinators and small
mammals. Smaller scale understory plantings can turn into a larger
feature when they are connected aesthetically. Planting around
signage, in medians, raingardens, and more formal gardens is
a simple way to beautify the City and provide cues to care that
reinforce Hopkins brand. Smaller disparate natural areas can be
stitched together to expand and connect larger habitat patches in
parks.
All gardens and planting spaces don’t need to be fully maintained
as pristine prairie or woodland remnants. Adjusting maintenance
to allow for higher growing grasses can provide value. Cues to care
can be maintained by mowing strips along trails and sidewalks and
placing educational signage.
WINTER
Providing opportunities for recreation and exercise in Minnesota’s
long winter months is important for elevating residents’ quality
of life. Outdoor and indoor opportunities are important to
accommodate a majority of resident needs.
Figure 4.33: Trees, shade, native plantings, benches and
seating along trails and sidewalks benefit park users and
wildlife.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
64
Parks represent the neighborhoods and communities they are a part
of. Appearance, quality, vegetation management, etc. can impact
the attractiveness to potential users. Parks are a reflection of their
community and it’s pride in public space. Conversely, facilities and
equipment that is in disrepair, aged, or outdated is likely to be used
less frequently over time.
REFLECTION OF COMMUNITY
Hopkins parks are adequately maintained by staff. Lawns are
regularly mowed, trees and shrubs trimmed and growing well, and
perennial beds weed free and abundant.
However, much of the parks equipment is outdated, fading, and in
disrepair. Playgrounds, courts and equipment, benches, signage,
tables, grills, etc. have a lifespan for safety. These elements also have
an aesthetic lifespan. Faded colors, chipping paint, and significant
scuffing can be detrimental to the amenities usage and signify a
lower level of care.
Hopkins multi-use fields and lawns are mowed and well maintained.
However, many of them do not have a cross section of proper soils
and drainage, or irrigation, that will support a higher level of field
quality. Higher quality fields can support more regular use and
greater programming in a variety of weather conditions. Quality
fields are also more attractive to users, associations, and tournament
organizers. The city’s most active park, Central, has a large turf field
area built over a historic landfill. This turf zone undulates significantly
and prevents safe use of the fields for any activity - rendering the
ball diamond useless. This issue should be addressed to support the
increasing demand that Central Park will get as the population near
light rail increases. This area will need to be repaired or re-calibrated
with other more compatible uses.
New, well designed, facilities provide a significant boost to the
image, desirability, and attractiveness of the parks. The new splash
pad and building at Burnes Park, The Pavilion, pickleball courts
at Central Park, and pavilion at Cottageville Park are examples of
successful investment.
QUALITY SUPPORTS QUANTITY
Hopkins has limited acreage available for additional field and court
space. Existing facilities will need to support greater use to meet the
FOCUS ON QUALITY
anticipated need as the city’s population grows. Improving the qual-
ity of fields and courts is vital to ensure programming and informal
use are accommodated.
Key fields at community and select neighborhood parks that receive
regular scheduled usage should be constructed as premier fields.
These fields should have an adequate drainage base to ensure
playability after storm events and spring thaw. Drainage is key to
protecting the field surfacing from use before the root zone has had
a chance to dry out. Good drainage minimizes cancellations due to
weather. Natural turf premier fields should also have an irrigation
system to ensure turf quality throughout the year. These improve-
ments will maximize the use of facilities for play throughout the year.
More people will be able to use the fields for a broader timeframe.
Additional improvements to premier facilities that will extend play-
ability even further include lighting and artificial surfacing. Artificial
surfaces maximize playability following weather events, earlier play
in the spring, and later play into the fall. Damage to turf is eliminat-
ed and there is no ‘rest period’ needed to allow recovery from heavy
use. Negative characteristics of artificial turf are that it is known to
be a significantly hotter play surface during peak summer months,
there are increased injury reports, concerns about exposure to
crumb rubber infill and long term health effects, and the initial high
capital costs. Hopkins should evaluate the use of artificial fields only
at the highest useage fields.
Lighting can help substantially improve field and court quality by
extending the times that facility is able to be used. This is critical in
spring and fall periods when reduced daylight hours restrict time-
frames the facilities are able to be used. Lit fields and courts can in-
crease programming opportunities. Newer lighting technology and
fixtures can provide precise placement of light and minimize spillage
and light pollution in surrounding neighborhoods.
LIFECYCLE REPLACEMENT & PLAYGROUNDS
Burnes and Cottageville Parks have recently been renovated.
However, the remaining parks in the system need to be addressed.
Nearly all of the playgrounds in the system are over seven years
old. A replacement plan needs to be developed to update the
system now and into the future so the city doesn’t fall behind. All
equipment in the system has a shelf and replacement life that
Figure 4.34: Low quality and outdated facilities requiring
significant maintenance should be evaluated for
replacement or removal - Harley Hopkins Shelter & Central
Revitalize existing fields, facilities, courts, and playgrounds.draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
65
Figure 4.35: Existing playgrounds are similar in age, style, and
play value.Figure 4.36: A variety of playground experiences and types to fit all of Hopkins parks, elevate the quality, and
encourage travel.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
66
should be the baseline for parks improvement. Scheduling
updates, maintenance, and replacement is a way to ensure
the system stays current and safe. Playground replacement
strategies should encourage quality and variety. Choosing 2-3
well regarded vendors to work with will help assure the city finds
the best combination of cost, variety, and quality. Working with
a licensed Landscape Architect with park design experience can
ensure the city is cognizant of playground and recreation trends,
manufacturers, and integration of new equipment into the parks.
Playground creativity and development has expanded
considerably in the last few years and Minnesota has a number of
quality manufacturers to work with. Diversity in play experience is
vital to a high quality play experience. Hopkins should be mindful
of this when planning individual parks with neighborhoods.
Getting input from the public and matching the play facility with
the park setting is advised to diversify the play options over time.
An example would be to match natural playgrounds in more
natural parks and more active play options, like a ninja warrior
course, in more active parks.
All other equipment should be tracked and replaced per
recommendations and prior to equipment failure. Schedules
spread distribute the cost burden over time. Significant
investment should utilize the equity analysis framework to
prioritize improvements.
MATCHING RESOURCES
Maintaining a high-quality park system requires money, time, and
effort. Hopkins currently has sufficient staff for park maintenance
but will need to adjust as the population grows and puts more
pressure on park infrastructure. The city will need to identify new
sources of funding for capital improvements, amenities, and
general maintenance. The following methods should be utilized to
match resources with need:
• Create a tiered fee structure for some amenities including dog
parks to offset maintenance costs.
• Formalize a volunteer agreement for associations and general
public maintenance.
• Implement maintenance standards and realistic staffing.
• Evaluate the long-term cost of investments - e.g. using
sustainable and durable building materials.
• Parking lot, street reconstruction, and stormwater
improvements associated with parks should be funded
separately or jointly as appropriate.draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
67
vISION CONCLUSION
The VISION of the park system is a vital tool for transformation. It
provides the goal, direction, and check test for all consequential
planning and construction work completed in the future. The VISION
is comprised of Vision and Mission Statements with 5 Key Themes.
Together they provide a flexible guide that captures the spirit of
challenges and opportunities facing Hopkins in 2024. The VISION is
a living document that should be updated and adjusted as the City
and Park System grow and transform.
The VISION was developed with significant input from the public.
This engagement focus is baked into the recommendations and
processes found in this master plan and will ensure the Park System
Master Plan continues to reflect the needs of Hopkins’ residents.
Park Accessibility
Gathering & Community Building
Parks for All
Focus on Quality
Park facilities and programs are high quality and culturally relevant for BIPOC residents.
Reduce barriers to park amenities for all park users and mobility levels.
Build community with neighborhood and city-wide gathering facilities.
Provide opportunities for passive and active recreation that suit a broad range of users.
Revitalize existing fields, facilities, courts, and playgrounds.
Racial Equity
Key Themes
VISION
Hopkins has high quality parks that serve
all users and are equitable, accessible,
and build community by bringing people
together.
MISSION
Hopkins will prioritize parks as an essential
city service that provides exceptional and
accessible experiences for all residents
in a sustainable manner by leveraging
our uniqueness, dynamic community
partnerships, and diversity.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
50
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
51
The following plans illustrate how half of
Hopkins’’ Parks could be improved. The
plans were developed from public feedback,
staff input, and known needs within the
system. They show what a modern updated
park could look like and are intended to
inspire investment that is prioritized using
the priority themes and equity analysis.
City staff selected the parks for these
representative park concept designs.
Concept plans for Elmo Park, Burnes Park,
Cottageville Park, Maetzold Field, Hiawatha
Oaks, Interlachen Park, Shady Oak Park and
Beach are not included. However, all parks
will be updated as equipment ages, and in
order by equipment age and equity priority.
The parks that are included are of high need
from an equity standpoint, span a range of
sizes, and provide good examples for how
the entire system can be improved.
More engagement should be done prior to
design and construction to determine the
final amenities and configuration. This is
especially important as needs may change
in the time before implementation occurs.
Icons representing the main themes
identified are provided to highlight the
focus of each park concept in addressing
these vital elements. Each park strives to
address all of the vision priorities, but the
icons highlight which are served in the
highest capacity.
D
E
3
1
2
15 14
12
13
8
7 11
10
9
A
BC
16
17
6
54
CLOCK TOWER
ALICE SMITH
ELEMENTARY
CENTER FOR THE ARTS PLAZA
ARTERY / 8th AVE TRAIL
EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY
ACTIVATION AREAS
A
D
B
E
C
ELMO PARK
HILLTOP PARK
MAETZOLD FIELD
CENTRAL PARK
DOWNTOWN PARK
BURNES PARK
HARLEY HOPKINS
COTTAGEVILLE
HIAWATHA OAKS
OAKES PARK
INTERLACHEN PARK
BUFFER PARK
PARK VALLEY
VALLEY PARK
11th AVE SOUTH
SHADY OAK BEACH
CITY-OWNED
PARKS = Park with Concept Plan
HOPKINS LANDFILL
1
2
3
5
6
7
10
9
8
11
12
#
13
14
16
15
17
4
SCHOOL PARKS
vISUALIZING HOPKINS’ FUTURE PARKS
OF the 15 hOpKINS parKS, SeVeN parKS re-DeSIGNeD FOLLOWING the VISION aND KeY prIOrItIeS
05
CHAPTER CONTENTS
BUILDING BETTER PARKS: INTENTIONAL
DESIGN
PRIvATELY OWNED PUBLIC SPACES
(POPS)
PLACEMAKING
AMENITY BALANCE
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
52
The park system in Hopkins has several positive qualities that will
allow for a smooth and positive transformation. Parks in Hopkins are:
• well located and distributed geographically;
• easy to access due to the community’s scale - a majority of
Hopkins is walkable and bike-able;
• well connected to a growing network of regional and local trails;
• and are sources of neighborhood identity - people naturally
gravitate toward and identify with the park near their
neighborhood.
Parks also provide:
• proximity and connections to surrounding community amenities,
regional trails, and other cities’ parks;
• recreation programming that utilizes a broader geographic spread
of facilities to provide more options for Hopkins residents;
• proximity to transportation corridors and businesses for larger
community parks that host league events and tournaments which
benefit from:
• freeway access;
• access to bars and restaurants on Mainstreet;
• easy connections to future light rail station areas; and
• regional trail connections.
These existing qualities are a solid foundation to build upon. The city
should focus on improving and updating the parks to better reflect
the population they are serving. Improvements should be mindful of
the entire system and increase an individual park’s ability to provide
more benefit to the community.
Community focused design and planning are crucial to achieve the
highest cost/benefit for each park. Qualified Landscape Architects
and park planners should lead a comprehensive community based
design process to re-envision the parks as funding allows. Each
park’s potential must be maximized to provide the greatest cost/
benefit to the community. Design is the best tool that can achieve
this lofty ambition.
Below is an example of a park transformation which is covered in
detail in the following pages. Formerly lacking careful design, Buffer
park is transformed by activating with varied activities primarily
intended for younger ages. The park is enlivened with a tee ball or
practice infield, two under 9 soccer fields, a tot track and basic bike
skills area, as well as a shade structure for community gathering.
Parks should not be a place for individual pet projects and one-off
facilities. The spatial, recreational, and green infrastructure needs
and pressures of the community are too great to continue ad-hoc
additions.
The following chapter provides a vision for how design and park
planning can transform some of the key parks in Hopkins and how
the system can be transformed These transformations need to
be based on community needs and thoughtfully designed to help
achieve the city-wide vision and mission.
Buffer ParkHopkins Park Systems Plan
Hopkins, MN December 21, 2022 |22050
NORTH
0' 10' 20'40'80'
SCALE: 1"=20'Buffer ParkHopkins Park Systems Plan
Hopkins, MN December 21, 2022 |22050
NORTH
0' 10' 20'40'80'
SCALE: 1"=20'
OPEN
FIELD
MOUND / PLATEAU
BALL FIELD
PARK SYSTEMS
MASTER PLAN Buffer Park - Existing
5th Street S
2nd Ave
S
Buffer Park existing conditions Buffer Park proposed concept
TEE BALL
U9
SOCCER
U9
SOCCER
TOT TRACK / BIKE
SKILLS COURSE
SHADE STRUCTURE /
GATHERING AREA
BUILDING BETTER PARKS: INTENTIONAL DESIGN
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
53
4th Street N
20th Ave N20th Ave NLEGEND
KEYNOTES
LAWN
NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
SLEDDING PATH
1
1
5 6
6
7
8
2
3
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
EXPANDED PARKING
EXPANDED PLAYGROUND
BUILDING
GRILLING AREA
DOG RUN
BERM & BUFFER PLANTINGS
SLEDDING
ACCESSIBLE PATH
NORTH
0' 15' 30'60'120'06 | Hilltop ParkHopkins Park System Plan
Hopkins, MN February 6, 2023 |22050
DOG RUN
BERM & BUFFER PLANTINGS
EXPANDED PLAYGROUND
HILLTOP PARK
Proposed improvements at Hilltop Park focus on increasing
accessibility and expanding uses. The current playground is not
accessible, so this design proposes to expand the playground to add
inclusive equipment and features accessible walkways that connect
from the parking to the playground. Parking is slightly expanded,
with room for a seasonal restroom enclosure at the parking lot edge.
A new dog run is proposed, with berms and dense planting at the
edges. The sledding hill is maintained.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
54
CENTRAL PARK
PLAYGROUND
SHADE STRUCTURE
BASKETBALL
LEGEND
LAWN
NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
1
3
3
3
4
5
10
7
8
9
9
69
KEYNOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DROP-OFF AREA
ENTRY PLAZA
POTENTIAL
EXPANDED PARKING
EXPANDED PICKLEBALL
DESTINATION PLAYGROUND
BASKETBALL & FUTSAL
LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
SHADE STRUCTURE
INDOOR PAVILION
EXPANSION
2
13th Ave S16th Ave S15th Ave SExcelsior Blvd
A re-imagined Central Park will have
improved safety and easier circulation,
made possible by relocating parking to
the edges of the park and reopening
the middle for a new playground, event
lawn, and sports courts. The concept
shows new outdoor amenities and a
large expansion of the Pavilion that will
cover the existing outdoor hockey and
tennis court space. New indoor space
in this expanded Pavilion includes a
second sheet of year-round ice (middle,
at current outdoor rink location), turf/
ice rotating (similar to existing Pavilion
rink) in the north end, and the existing
southern field house becomes year-
round turf. Outdoor amenities include
new sand volleyball courts, full-court
basketball, walking loops, an improved
open field that can fit high-school
soccer, and expanded pickleball. draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
55
LEGEND
LAWN
NATIVE/ NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
ENHANCED
RESTROOM w/
STORAGE
KEYNOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
FLEXIBLE LAWN
ART/ SCULPTURE
RECONFIGURED
BERMS/ TERRACE
MOVABLE TABLES
AND CHAIRS
SCULPTURAL
PLAYGROUND
EXISTING STAGE
GARDEN TRELLIS
POETRY WALK
GREEN/ ART
FOCUSED
BOULEVARD
2
7
8
9
1
3
4
5
6810th Ave S9th Ave SThe stage and mounds are an
important part of Downtown park and
will stay, with minor improvements.
Mounds are adjusted with terraced
seat walls that orient toward the stage,
and the round paved area in front of
the stage will be adjusted with new
surfacing and flexible seating. Seat
walls can have memorial plaques.
The connection along 9th Ave S will
be enhanced with a wider sidewalk
and boulevard, and opportunities for
outdoor sculptures. New amenities for
the park include a small playground, an
open flexible lawn, a poetry walk, and
garden trellis structures that will provide
opportunities for hanging lights, swings,
or kinetic sculpture. The concept also
shows an enhanced restroom area with
an attached storage cabinet for event
supplies.
DOWNTOWN PARK
SCULPTURAL PLAY
MOVABLE SEATING
STONE TERRACEBERMS
ART/ POETRY WALK
GARDEN TRELLIS
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
56
LEGEND
KEYNOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
FIELD ACCESS
ACCESSIBLE PATH
SHADE STRUCTURE
GATHERING AREA
RAIN GARDEN
SWALE
FLEX LAWN FOR GAMES
SLOPED LAWN
U12 SOCCER
HAMMOCK GROVE
1st St SE
2nd St S
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10
1
2
2
2
6
LAWN GAMES
SHADE STRUCTURE
STORMWATER / BIO-RETENTION
HAMMOCK GROVE
HARLEY HOPKINS PARK
LAWN
NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
PARK BUILDING
AlleyTo improve the park’s usability, stormwater is collected into a rain
garden where the current hockey rink is located. New paths loop
through the park, providing accessibility. The warming house is
removed and replaced with a shade structure and community
gathering area with elevated and improved flexible lawn. At the
southern end of the park, drainage is improved with additional rain
gardens and swales. A soccer field for under twelve (U12) sports fits
in the flat open lawn area. The slope from 2nd St S is opened and
re-graded to provide a sloped seating area and enhance views into
the park.draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
57
1
2
3
45
6
7
9
8
Lake St NE
Tyler Ave NPLAYGROUND BASKETBALL WITH FUTSAL
STORMWATER / BIO-RETENTION
LEGEND
LAWN
NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
PARK BUILDING
SLEDDING PATH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
EXISTING PICNIC
SHELTER
LARGE PARK
BUILDING
IMPROVED
PLAYGROUND
BASKETBALL
& FUTSAL
U12 SOCCER
SLEDDING
COMMUNITY
GARDEN
WETLAND/
RAIN GARDEN
EXISTING TENNIS
OAKES PARK
KEYNOTES
The redesign of Oakes Park
incorporates a range of amenities
to cater to the diverse needs of the
community. With existing facilities
like a picnic shelter and tennis
courts, the park maintains its charm
while welcoming new features. A
new park building, large enough
to host classes and city voting, will
replace the existing warming house.
An improved playground offers
a safe and engaging space
for children of all abilities,
while dedicated basketball
and futsal/mini-pitch courts
provide opportunities for sports
enthusiasts. A U12 soccer field adds
excitement for young athletes,
and a designated sledding area
promises winter fun. Additionally,
a community garden encourages
residents to cultivate their own
plants, fostering a sense of
ownership and sustainability.
To promote environmental
consciousness, a wetland or rain
garden is integrated, offering
educational value and enhancing
the park’s ecological significance.
This thoughtfully designed
park becomes a vibrant hub for
recreation, social interaction, and
environmental appreciation.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
58
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
59
An improved park building to better serve the community is an
important proposed addition to Oakes Park. Envisioned to be similar
in size to the warming house at the Pavilion, this new structure could
fill an important need for the neighborhood. The existing warming
house is too small to house larger civic functions such as voting, and
this area of the city lacks a space for this function. The interior should
be sized to house voting and any other civic functions that may be
needed. The building serves the park as a warming house in winter
and can also host recreational programs or be rented for activities
such as birthday parties. Furthermore the structure can provide
plumbed bathrooms, which was requested in engagement.
The views on the previous page and right show potential views of
how this park building could look. Sustainability measures include
a green roof, solar generation, south-facing windows, energy saving
mechanical systems, and the structure should be built from low-
carbon materials.
Replace with Text from City
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
60
LEGEND
LAWN
NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
SLEDDING PATH
TOT TRACK TEE BALL GATHERING AREA
3
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
2
455
6
ACCESSIBLE PATH
GATHERING AREA
TOT TRACK
SLEDDING
U9 SOCCER
PRACTICE BALL
FIELD/ TEE BALL
KEYNOTES
5th Street S
2nd Ave
S
BUFFER PARK
Youth sports are the focus of planned improvements at Buffer Park.
The baseball infield is reoriented and moved to fit two under nine
(U9) youth soccer fields. The sledding hill is preserved, however, the
plateau at the top of the hill features added paths, a shade structure
with seating, and a new tot track (for all-wheel skills practice).
Additionally this plan recommends the city consider re-naming this
park to something more meaningful to the community. draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
61
valley Park
The park design focuses on maintaining the
open field while incorporating new elements
to enhance inclusiveness and recreation. A
dedicated dog run will be added, providing a
safe and enjoyable space for furry companions
to socialize and exercise. The park will undergo
transformations and expansions to ensure
accessibility and be inclusive for all community
members. This includes incorporating features
such as accessible pathways, seating areas, and
inclusive play equipment in the playground.
Additionally, to cater to basketball enthusiasts,
the design includes both a bank shot court and
a full court, providing opportunities for players
of all skill levels to enjoy the game. This park
design aims to create a welcoming and engaging
environment that promotes physical activity,
social interaction, and the joy of being outdoors
for everyone in the community.
Steiner Park Preserve and valley Park Trails
New trails at Steiner Park Preserve prioritize
connectivity and ecological preservation. An
updated path network establishes better
connections to nearby trails, encouraging
residents to explore and enjoy the surrounding
natural areas. Additionally, a newly restored
wetland area becomes a focal point, providing
valuable habitat for wildlife. To enhance
the experience, wildlife viewing stations
are strategically placed, allowing visitors to
observe and appreciate the diverse species
that call the wetland home. This park design
seamlessly blends recreational opportunities
with environmental stewardship, providing a
harmonious and immersive experience for park-
goers of all ages.
RAPTOR POLE
BAT HOUSES
ADAPTIVE
3-D TARGETS
EXISTING TARGETS
SHADE/ PAVILION
BIRD BLIND
LEGEND
NEW PAVED
TRAIL
EXISTING PAVED
TRAIL
NEW NATURAL
SURFACE TRAIL
EXISTING
NATURAL
SURFACE TRAIL
NINE MILE
CREEK
REGIONAL TRAIL
WETLAND
RESTORATION
PROPERTY
BOUNDARY
NEW PARK
SHELTER OR
BUILDING
LOOP MILEAGE
RAPTOR POLE
ACCESSIBLE
LOOP AROUND
GARDENS
ADAPTIVE
ARCHERY IMP.
NATURE LOOP
IMPROVEMENTS
BIRD BLIND
DITCH RESTORATION:
• RE-ALIGNMENT
• WATER QUALITY IMP.
• NATURAL TRAIL
CONNECTION
• HIGHWAY BUFFER
THIS AREA IS ON
NEXT PAGE
1.2
1.2
.35
.75
.70
vALLEY & STEINER PARKS
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
62
BANK SHOT
DOG RUN
HILLSIDE WATER PLAY
CLIMBING/ HILLSIDE PLAY
INCLUSIVEPLAYGROUND
LEGEND
LAWN
NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
PARK BUILDING
SLEDDING PATH
KEYNOTES
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
5
4
4 6
5
7
6
8
7
9
8
10
9
1110
12
11
13
12
13
EXISTING PICNIC SHELTER
LARGE PARK BUILDING
ACCESSIBLE PATH
INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
BANK SHOT
BASKETBALL
HILLSIDE ROCKS &
WATER PLAY
DOG PARK
NEW SHADE STRUCTURE
& STORAGE
SLEDDING
BASEBALL PRACTICE
OPEN FIELD W/
ROOM FOR RUGBY
EXISTING HOCKEY
8th Ave S
We
s
t
b
r
o
o
k
e
W
a
y9th Ave S8th Ave S7th Ave S6th Ave SvALLEY PARK
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
63
PRIvATELY OWNED PUBLIC SPACES (POPS)
Hopkins will need additional park acreage
as the population continues to grow.
As development occurs, access to open
space and public amenities will be at a
premium. Open space is an important
component of both economic development
and quality of civic life. Some previous
developments such as the Gallery Flats have
been less successful at creating an open,
welcoming Privately Owned Public Space
(POPS). However, the City is working with
developers at 325 Blake and Trilogy to better
tailor public space within the development
to the neighborhoods’ needs. The Artery
adjacent to the Moline is also a positive
example of planning for POPS.
This plan recommends that Hopkins hire
a consultant to research other local cities
ordinances on Parkland Dedication and
provide policy recommendations for POPS
to ensure that developers do their part to
contribute to the community’s needs.
Such a policy should contain a definition
of POPS or “private land maintained for
public use” as well as requirements for
access, maintenance, and that the land
remain publicly accessible for a specified
duration. This consultant should also make
recommendations that planners and City
officials can use in Permitting or Plan
Review to make sure requirements are met,
and ensure appropriate amenities within
these new quasi-public spaces.
Shown at right is one example of how a
new POP can be implemented. Should
the City decide to partner in order to
redevelop a parking lot near a park, the
illustration shows how a building could
provide amenities and additional space to
complement the park. Residents and City
staff both spoke of a need for a permanent
public bathroom downtown, and this shows
one design solution to realize this need, as
well as activate the park space.
LEGEND
LAWN
NATIVE/ NO-MOW
TREE
PATHWAY
ENHANCED
RESTROOM
KEYNOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
FLEXIBLE LAWN
ART/ SCULPTURE
RECONFIGURED
BERMS/ TERRACE
MOVABLE TABLES
AND CHAIRS
SCULPTURAL
PLAYGROUND
EXISTING STAGE
GARDEN TRELLIS
POETRY WALK
GREEN/ ART FOCUSED
BOULEVARD
2
7
8
9
1
3
4
5
68
CAFE
Restroomsdraft
CITY OF HOPKINS
64
Future Forest at Osborn 370/ Ecolab Plaza
St Paul, MN
Temporary interactive information gathering art
installation.
Hopkins is already running a successful outdoor
sculpture program, but this type of installation invites a
different kind of interaction and provokes more dialog.
Future of futures: https://amandalovelee.com/Future-of-
Futures
Art installation and photo by Amanda
The Porch at 30th Street Station
Philadelphia, PA
Activation of a narrow area adjacent to a transit hub.
The Porch, located on the south side of 30th Street
Station, is one of Philadelphia’s premier public spaces.
The Porch features pop-ups including food trucks and
performances, lush landscaping, and plenty of places to
relax.
University City District: https://www.universitycity.org/
events/porch
The Porch, photo by University City District
Examples of Small Privately Owned Public Spaces
JXTA Plaza
Minneapolis, MN
Skate park in tight urban plaza
City of Skate (CoS) partnered with
Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA) on the JXTA
Skate-able Art Plaza. JXTA students
and staff designed the skate plaza with
help from CoS. The plaza combines
skateboarding, flexible open space,
art installations, and sustainable
stormwater management to create
a unique public space in the heart of
North Minneapolis.
City of Skate: https://cityofskate.org/
skateparks/juxtaposition-arts-skatepark-
north-minneapolis/
JXTA Plaza, photo by Mississippi Watershed
Management Organization
Canadian Pacific Plaza
Minneapolis, MN
Tennis activation during Aquatennial
annual summer celebration
A great example of using POPS space
employing temporary activation. The
tiered seating and plaza is available year
around.
Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.
com/twincities/news/2014/07/18/
aquatennial-tennis-classic-still-draws-
minneapolis.html
Canadian Pacific Plaza, before and during
Aquatennial, photo by the business journalsdraft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
65
Placemaking is an Urban Design and Planning term that refers to
strategies used to improve the quality of public spaces and make
them more welcoming. Generally speaking Placemaking is a process
to give a space an identity and vibrancy and can take the form of
physical improvements and/or programming (activation).
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) defines Placemaking as “a
collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in
order to maximize shared value. More than just promoting better
urban design, placemaking facilitates creative patterns of use, paying
particular attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that
define a place and support its ongoing evolution.” (https://www.pps.
org/article/what-is-placemaking)
Collaboration is important to emphasize, as the most successful
placemaking efforts involve substantial community engagement.
PPS reinforces this by saying that placemaking can improve health,
happiness, and well-being when anchored by the community’s
vision. In addition, we can measure the success of a placemaking
effort by how well used and loved the space is. Success means a
welcoming space that is full of people, offers seating and shade, is
comfortably lit, conveys a sense of safety, and offers activities.
The Hopkins Center for the Arts (HCA) is a well-established cultural
institution at the heart of Mainstreet. At right, an illustration provides
suggested methods to activate and enhance the plaza along the
primary facade of the HCA. Currently the plaza lacks amenities
and shade, and does not encourage visitors to linger. The example
design proposes new digital displays or projectors to enliven blank
areas of the facade and provide information about upcoming events
or theatrical performances. New platforms provide areas for street
buskers (outdoor performers) or provide space to display sculpture.
Additional bike amenities are provided, as well as increased shade,
to provide easy access and comfort. Curb bump-outs at either
end of the block increase safety for pedestrians along Mainstreet,
and provide a better crossing experience to nearby businesses or
attractions.
PLACEMAKING
Existing conditions at Mainstreet and Hopkins Center for the Arts draft
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LEGEND
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
SCULPTURE PAD/ BUSKING STAGE
PLATFORM SEATING WITH INTEGRATED TREE
CURVED BENCH
STORMWATER PAVER TREE TRENCH
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL AUDIO/ VISUAL LIGHT COLUMN
WALL MURAL/ VIDEO PROJECTION SCREEN
ART INSPIRED PERGOLA
VERTICAL MARQUEE STYLE SIGN
12th Ave NMAINSTREET 11th Ave NWALL SCREEN
WALL
SCREEN
FRONT PORCH: ELEVATED
PLATFORM, ARTFUL
STRUCTURE, STAGE, SEATING,
WITH INTEGRATED RAMP
NATIVE
SHRUB
BED
ADA RAMP
CROSSING
BUMP-OUT CROSSING
BUMP-OUT
STORMWATER TREE TRENCH
AV POLE
AV POLE MOVABLE
SEATING
FRONT PORCH
ARTFUL
BIKE
RACK
SCULPTURE /
STAGE
WOOD SEAT /
STAGE
BUS STOP
SEASONAL
PLANTINGS IN
PLANTERS 1
5
5
5
6
7 8
8
2
33
4
4
6
AV POLE
WITH SHADE
SAILS
Placemaking at Hopkins Center for the Arts
Examples of marquee and building signage that
could work with the facade
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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KEYNOTE IMAGE REFERENCES
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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New or Improved Amenities - icons below indicate where new amenities are proposed to be added or improved in parks with concept plans
AMENITY BALANCE
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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Amenities included in Concepts Location
Building Expansion Larger building at Valley and Oakes, Pavilion expansion at Central
Shade structure Hilltop, Downtown, Harley Hopkins, Buffer
Splash pad Valley
Basketball Central, Oakes
Pickleball Central
Volleyball Central
Rugby Valley
Dog Park Hilltop, Valley
Soccer Central, Oakes, Buffer, Harley Hopkins
Baseball / Softball Valley, tee-ball at Buffer
Bike Skills Buffer
Ice Skating Central
New Playground Downtown
New Trails Hilltop, Harley Hopkins, Buffer, Valley
Amphitheater Downtown
Other Needs Identified Location How to incorporate beyond parks
Softball Tournament Complex no space currently Leagues continue to rent from neighbors
Soccer Fields, Practice Areas Central Park, Buffer Park, Oakes Park
Hockey - Dome or Pavilion Expansion Central Park
Permit-able or Rentable Space Downtown Park, Oakes Park, Valley Park
Futsal Mini-Pitch Central Park, Oakes Park POPS
Increase shade canopy Should be in all parks POPS
Gathering areas Should be in all parks POPS
Bike racks Should be in all parks POPS
Drinking fountain Should be in most parks POPS
Seating areas Should be in all parks POPS
Accessible walking paths Should be in all parks POPS
Restroom (sewer connected or
port-a-potty)
Should be in all parks POPS
Signage and wayfinding Should be in all parks POPS
Translations - online and on signs Should be in all parks POPS
Update online inventory of facilities Should be done for all parks draft
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Existing Mainstreet draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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draft
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draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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Implementing the recommended improvements in this plan will
require significant time and effort. Considering the long-term
objectives of this plan, it will be necessary to adapt over time.
Economic conditions may change, development patterns may shift,
and changes in technology or new recreational trends may reshape
needs and priorities. This Action Plan and the recommendations
herein are intended to be flexible and offer a guide that can be
modified as needed.
Successful implementation of this Park System Plan will adhere to
the mission and vision statements of Chapter 04. These statements
seek to uplift the entire system and help Hopkins evolve into a city
where parks are an essential city service. Acting on this plan will
also require identifying new revenue sources to fund incremental
improvements for parks across the city. Some structural changes will
be required in terms of staffing and maintenance as well, especially
as the population grows and parks need more maintenance.
As implementation progresses, the City will remain focused on the
key themes and will maintain the commitment to deliver accessible,
equitable, creative, and high-quality recreational experiences.
Future success will hinge on Hopkins’ ability to raise funds toward
these park improvements. We know that parks are an important
part of a thriving community and this plan seeks to set goals and
create a framework to ensure parks are a vital part of the city moving
forward. If done right, parks can be a source of community pride and
be a reason to retain families and residents of all ages.
The following pages include guidelines and design standards
for parks. The intention of this is to provide resources for future
maintenance and a starting point for design objectives to clarify the
purpose and differences between park categories. Guidelines may
be useful when developing requests for proposals on park redesign
for example.
ACTION FRAMEWORK CATEGORIES
The Action Framework is the final element of the Park System Plan
and provides a flexible process to transform Hopkins’’ parks following
the vision identified earlier in this document. Eight key categories
create the framework for this action plan. These categories address
the most significant issues and opportunities identified in the Park
System Plan process:
• Parks are Essential
• Basic Park Services
• Flexible Fields and Diamonds
• Courts and Sports
• Play for All
• Skateparks and All-wheel Facilities
• Green Resilience
• Investment in the Future
HOW WE GET THERE
aN aCtION FraMeWOrK FOr IMpLeMeNtatION
06
CHAPTER CONTENTS
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
PARK DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE
STANDARDS
FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
ACTION FRAMEWORK
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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Summary
The Operations and Maintenance Review conducted by PROS
Consulting in Hopkins aimed to assess how the city maintains its
parks and recreation facilities. The city has a unique approach,
relying on neighboring Minnetonka for most programming while
handling senior programs and kids’ summer camps in-house.
Maintenance is carried out by Hopkins Public Works with the
assistance of one dedicated parks maintenance staff member.
During site visits with the Director of Public Works and Parks
and Recreation, staff observed several sites that require updated
equipment or replacement of worn-out amenities. The growing
community of Hopkins needs its parks to attract more families,
more visitors and to create a welcoming atmosphere. In order to do
this, our analysis underscores the need for refreshing park areas and
introducing new amenities for a fresh look.
While parks are well distributed across the city, the park system in
Hopkins faces significant challenges. Many amenities are worn and
in poor condition due to minimal investments over the years. The
City will need to expand funding sources and pursue new ones to
update the parks. Only two out of fourteen parks have seen recent
updates, leaving most of the inventory old. Additionally, the lack of
a deferred maintenance plan and formal standards further worsens
the situation. With small new park spaces developed by developers
on private land, competition and privatization with Hopkins is
increasing. Despite these challenges, the Hopkins Center for the
Arts, Activities Center, the Pavilion, and other facilities are well-
supported and used. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure a
vibrant and welcoming park system for the growing community in
the coming years.
This report identifies several recommendations to improve the
park system which are outlined below. Current funding sources
should include provisions for both existing and new amenity
replacements, while new funding sources should be actively
pursued. A schedule must be developed for implementing ADA
compliance, improvements, and upgrades. Updated master plans
and replacement strategies are needed for certain parks with new
amenities. A deferred maintenance plan should be created along
with a rating system for amenities. For sustainability, a future access
or membership fee for the dog park could generate revenue for
maintenance purposes. Evaluating parking lot repairs and acquiring
funding sources for them is also crucial. Each new amenity should
have a life-cycle schedule in place, and if parkland is added and/or
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
new amenities are built, more maintenance staff will be required.
Implementing these recommendations will help revitalize Hopkins’’
park system and provide residents with enjoyable and well-
maintained recreational spaces.
Level 2 Maintenance Standards are advised and recommended for all
parks in Hopkins. The Level 2 Maintenance Standards outline specific
guidelines for the upkeep of various park amenities and areas. These
standards are designed for parks with moderate to heavy usage,
which is typical of most parks, and are outlined in detail in the full
Operations and Maintenance section in the appendix. By adhering to
these guidelines, Hopkins can ensure the proper upkeep of its park
system, its appearance and safety of its park facilities, enhancing
their appeal and providing a pleasant experience for visitors.
Recommendations
• Outdoor facilities (tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts,
and other outdoor areas) that are open all hours to the public need
surfaces re-conditioned, relined and nets replaced
• Other parks may have available areas that could be used for natural
spaces / preserves with little or no maintenance
• When new amenities are added to the parks or included in park
updates, a life-cycle replacement schedule should be developed
for the future to monitor the condition and plan ahead financially
for replacement.
• Maintenance needs at City facilities will increase with additional
use as the city grows. More staff will be required to meet these
needs.
• Additional maintenance staff members will need to be added
if more parkland is acquired, a maintenance standards plan is
developed, and additional amenities are installed.
• New funding sources should be pursued outside of current
resources to support the park system in the future.
• Develop a schedule for implementing ADA compliance,
improvements, and upgrades.
• A deferred maintenance plan should be created and include
inspection criteria and a rating system for each amenity in the
parks.
• In the future, an access or membership fee should be
implemented for the dog park. These fees generate revenue that
can be used for maintenance and upkeep of the dog park area
• Parking lot repairs / resurfacing needs to be evaluated and funding
sources identified.
Resources for Pollinator Support
Bee City USA : https://beecityusa.org/
“Bee City USA affiliates make
commitments to conserve
native pollinators ... City staff and
community members work together
to carry out these commitments
and make their city a better place for
pollinators.”
Pollinator Friendly Parks
- Xerxes Society - https://
xerces.org/publications/
guidelines/pollinator-friendly-
parks
“Pollinator-friendly parks
are also human-friendly as
they support physical and
emotional benefits gained
from time spent outdoors.
They are excellent settings
for guided group activities
such as nature watching,
whether that is for birds,
butterflies, dragonflies, or
bees. And they allow for
quiet contemplation while
sitting among flowers and
the hum of insect life.”draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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PARK DESIGN & MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
Hopkins’ parks were grouped and categorized to assist in planning
efforts, level of service expectation, as well as future planning
efforts (e.g. facilities standards, maintenance needs, etc.). Park
classifications, as was laid out in the Needs Assessment, can also
be used to help establish a standard for the level of service to the
residents and future recommendations on facility development or
improvement.
As noted elsewhere, Hopkins is growing and the future added
residents will need more open space and park-like amenities. When
development scenarios arise, the City should pursue Parkland
Dedication and Diversion where feasible, and also follow the
ordinance for Privately Owned Public Spaces where dedication or
diversion is not possible.
Hopkins should also keep a pulse on opportunities for Golf Course
conversion and landfill remediation, as these two categories of
redevelopment are most likely to provide new park acreage in the
coming years.
Park Design Principles
In developing design principles for parks, each park must be
programmed, planned, and designed to meet the needs of its
service area and classification within the overall park and recreation
system. The term programming, when used in the context of
planning and developing parkland, refers to a list of uses and
facilities and does not always include staff-managed recreation
programs. The program for a site can include such elements as
ballfields, spray parks, shelters, restrooms, game courts, trails,
natural resource stewardship, open meadows, nature preserves, or
interpretive areas. These types of amenities are categorized as lead
or support amenities. The needs of the population of the park it is
intended to serve should be considered and accommodated at each
type of park.
Every park, regardless of type, needs to have an established set
of outcomes. Landscape Architects design to those outcomes,
including associated operational and maintenance costs. Each park
classification category serves a specific purpose, and the features
and facilities in the park must be designed for the age groups the
park is intended to serve, the desired length of stay, and the uses it
has been assigned. Recreation needs and services require different
design standards based on the age groups that will be using the
park. A varying number of age groups will be accommodated with
the park program depending on the classification of the park.
The age groups are:
• Ages 2-5 • Ages 18-24 • Ages 55-64
• Ages 6-8 • Ages 25-34 • Ages 65-75
• Ages 9-12 • Ages 35-44 • Ages 76+
• Ages 13-17 • Ages 45-54
Park re-development should be considered in the context of
the entire system and balance facilities and recreation and
programming opportunities. Care should be taken with examining
barriers to access parks and how that influences the mix of
amenities in a particular area of the City. For example, if there are
two neighborhood parks that are particularly close to each other,
i.e. within a 1/2 mile walk, they should not contain similar facilities
targeting the same age segments. A balance of facilities should be
explored.
The City should invest in existing parks to serve redevelopment
projects if the park is within the 15-minute walk radius without major
barriers. All parks should be invested in to serve the larger future
population by providing facilities and amenities that will meet the
needs of the new residents. A public engagement process should
be undertaken with a Licensed Landscape Architect to engage the
community and redevelop the parks to accommodate much more
intensive uses.
Additionally, trail and sidewalk connections from the surrounding
neighborhoods should be prioritized. Park Design Principles in this
document should apply to existing and future developments and
those needing Master Plans or updated park plans.
Definitions used in the Park Design Principles:
Land Usage: The percentage of space identified for either passive
use or active use in a park. A park master plan should follow land
usage recommendations.
Programming: Can include active or passive (i.e., none). Active
means it is organized and planned with pre-registration by the
user. Examples of active programming include sports leagues, day
camps, and aquatics. Passive programming is self-directed by the
user at their own pace. Examples of passive programming include
playground usage, picnicking, Disc Golf, reading, or walking a dog.
Park/Facility Classifications: Includes; Neighborhood Parks,
Community Parks, Special Use Parks/Facilities, and Natural Resource
Areas (Preserves).
Revenue Facilities: These include facilities that charge fees to play
on them; access fee, player fee, team fee, or permit fee. These could
include pools, golf courses, tennis courts, recreation centers, sport
field complexes, concession facilities, hospitality centers, reservable
shelters, outdoor or indoor theatre space, and special event spaces.
Maintenance Standards:
Maintenance Standards: Three maintenance levels are generally
defined. The difference between levels is the frequency of
maintenance as determined by funding availability. Maintenance
Standards have these general characteristics.
Level 1 Maintenance - High profile areas where the entire area
is visible to foot traffic such as entrances to community centers,
signature facilities, and areas where funding accommodates a
higher level of maintenance. Examples of maintenance activities
include: Mowing twice per week, 95% turf coverage at the start of
season with 5% weeds and no bare areas, edging once per week,
tree pruning cycle once annually, and litter pickup twice per
week.
Level 2 Maintenance – Moderate to heavy use is typical of most
parks. Examples of maintenance requirement include: Mowing
and edging once per week, 88% turf coverage at the start of the
season with 8% weeds and 4% bare area, tree pruning cycle every
seven years, litter pickup once per week.
Level 3 Maintenance – Typical low usage parks or when funding
is limited. Examples of maintenance requirements for this level
include: Mowing and edging every 10 days, 80% turf coverage
at the start of season with 20% weeds, edging once per week or
every 2 weeks in off-season,* tree pruning cycle every 10 years,
litter pickup every other week.
*In areas where turf does not impact quality of experience (i.e.,
dog parks) or non-landscaped open space areas, demand-based
maintenance is provided according to funding availability.draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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3
1
2
15 14
12
13
8
7 11
10
9
16
6
54
ELMO PARK
HILLTOP PARK
MAETZOLD FIELD
CENTRAL PARK
DOWNTOWN PARK
BURNES PARK
HARLEY HOPKINS
COTTAGEVILLE
HIAWATHA OAKS
OAKES PARK
INTERLACHEN PARK
BUFFER PARK
PARK VALLEY
VALLEY PARK
STEINER PARK RESERVE
SHADY OAK BEACH
PARKS
= Special Use Parks= Community Parks
= Natural Resource Areas
1
2
3
5
6
7
10
9
8
11
12
# #
#
13
14
16
15
4
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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Neighborhood Park Standards
Neighborhood Parks serve the recreational and social focus of the
adjoining neighborhoods and contribute to a distinct neighborhood
identity. They should reflect the residents that live around them
as they are the primary users that will visit often. Trail connections
and neighborhood parks should be integrated as part of a
comprehensive design that are consistent with this master plan, the
Bike and Pedestrian Plan (or any updates or subsequent plans), and
the Comprehensive Plan.
A neighborhood park should be three to 10 acres; however, some
Neighborhood Parks are determined by use and facilities offered
and not by size alone. The service radius for a neighborhood park
is one half mile or six blocks. Neighborhood Parks should have safe
pedestrian access for surrounding residents; parking may or may
not be included but if included accounts for less than ten cars and
provides for ADA access. See the park concepts for retrofit of a
typical neighborhood park that updates activities and facilities.
Typical characteristics of a neighborhood park include:
Size: 3-10 acres (8 preferred)
Service radius: 0.5-mile radius (15 minutes)
Siting preference: local or collector street. Where possible, next to a
school or other community gathering center. Encourage location to
link neighborhoods and linked by trails and sidewalks to other parks.
Length of stay: One-hour experience or less is typical.
Amenities: One signature amenity (e.g. major playground, splash
pad, sport court, gazebo); no restrooms unless necessary for
signature amenity; may include one non-programmed sports field;
playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12 with some shaded elements; loop
trails as possible; one type of sport court or multi-court; no non-
producing/unused amenities; benches, small picnic shelters with
shade located next to play areas. All amenities are ADA compliant.
Landscape Design: Native plantings/natural areas should equal
a minimum 15% of park area and 20-35% typical. This will require
converting turf areas to native in non-active use areas. Low
maintenance turf could fulfill a part of this requirement. Range of
turf conversion percentage will vary by park usage, park design, and
overall design.
Land usage: 80 percent active/20 percent passive typical, but will be
determined by each park.
Programming: Typically, none, but a signature amenity may be
included which could be programmed.
Maintenance Standards: Provide the highest-level maintenance
with available funding. Seek a goal of Level 2 maintenance
standards. Some amenities may require Level 1 maintenance.
Parking: Should include widened on-street parking area adjacent to
park. Goal is to maximize usable park space. As necessary, provide
5-10 spaces within park including handicap spaces. Traffic calming
devices are encouraged next to the park.
Lighting: Security or amenity only. Lighting on dual system with
50 percent of lights off at a set time and 50 percent on all night for
security is ideal. Lighting level determined by park uses.
Other: Park designs should also utilize the following guidelines:
• Stormwater: Single-use stormwater facilities (traditional ponds,
infiltration basin) should not take up more than 10% of active park
space. Multi-functional Green Infrastructure (GI) is encouraged
whenever possible. Parks should collaborate with Engineering to
integrate GI into parks.
• Customize facilities and uses to demographics of neighborhood
through community engagement;
• Safety design meets established Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) standards;
• Internet: city provided fiber at select parks. Typically at busier
facilities or those with buildings or structures.
Cottageville Park - neighborhood park with native plant
gardens
Hilltop Park - neighborhood parks are important for winter
recreation
draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
78
use/experience. Enhanced landscaping at park entrances and key
areas throughout park. Natural areas desired at 30% min. unless a
special use sports facility.
Land usage: 65 percent active and 35 percent passive is typical.
Programming: Minimum of four essential program services (e.g.
sports, day camps, aquatics) is typical.
Maintenance Standards: Provide the highest-level maintenance
with available funding. Seek a goal of Level 2 maintenance
standards. Some amenities may require Level 1 maintenance
Parking: Occupies no more than 10 percent of the park for special
use facilities or 5% for traditional community parks. Design should
include widened on-street parking area adjacent to park. Goal is to
maximize usable park space. Traffic calming devices encouraged
within and next to the park.
Lighting: Amenity lighting includes sport field light standards.
Security lighting on dual system with 50 percent of lights off at a set
time and 50 percent on all night for security.
Signage: Directional signage and facility/amenity regulations to
enhance user experience. May include kiosks in high traffic or easily
identified areas of the facility.
Other: Strong appeal to surrounding neighborhoods; integrated
branding or color scheme throughout the park; partnerships
developed with support groups, schools and other organizations;
loop trail connectivity; linked to Regional Trail or recreation facility;
safety design meets established CPTED standards. Internet should
be typical at Community Parks with City-provided fiber.
Central Park - community parks contain most popular
facilities
Maetzold Park - community parks have regional facilities
Community Park Standards
Community Parks are intended to be accessible to multiple
neighborhoods and should focus on meeting community-based
recreational needs, as well as preserving unique landscapes and
open spaces. Community Parks are generally larger in scale than
neighborhood parks, but smaller than regional parks and are
designed typically for residents who live within a three-mile radius.
When possible, the park may be developed adjacent to a school.
Community Parks provide recreational opportunities for the entire
family and often contain facilities for specific recreational purposes,
such as athletic fields, swimming pool, tennis courts, extreme
sports amenity, recreation center, loop trails, picnic areas, reservable
picnic shelters, sports courts, permanent restrooms, large turf and
landscaped areas and a playground or splash pad. Passive outdoor
recreation activities such as meditation, quiet reflection, and wildlife
watching also take place at Community Parks.
Community Parks generally range from 20 to 100 acres depending
on the City. Community Parks serve a larger area – radius of one
to three miles and contain more recreation amenities than a
Neighborhood Park.
Typical characteristics of a community park include:
Size: 20 to 60 acres typical. Can be up to 100 acres (usable area
measured).
Service radius: One to three-mile radius
Site Selection: On two collector streets minimum and preferably
one arterial street. If near arterial street, provide natural or artificial
barrier. Minimal number of residences abutting site. Preference is
streets on four sides, or three sides with school or municipal use on
fourth. Encourage trail linkages to other parks and transit routes.
Length of stay: Two to three hours experience
Amenities: Four signature amenities minimum: (e.g., trails, sports
fields, large shelters/ pavilions, community playground for ages 2-5
and 5-12 with some shaded elements, recreation center, pool or
family aquatic center, sports courts, water feature); public restrooms,
ample parking, and security lighting. Amenities are ADA compliant.
Sport Fields and Sport Complexes are typical for this park type (e.g.
Maetzold). Loop trails should be typical.
Revenue facilities: One or more (e.g. pool, rentable kitchen, theater,
meeting rooms)
Landscape Design: Appropriate design to enhance the park theme/draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
79
Special Use Park / Facility Standards
Special Use facilities are those spaces that don’t fall within a typical
park classification. A major difference between a Special Use facility
and other parks is that they usually serve a single purpose whereas
other park classifications are designed to offer multiple recreation
opportunities. It is possible for a Special Use facility to be located
inside another park. Special Use facilities generally fall into four
categories:
Historic/Cultural/Social Sites – unique local resources offering
historical, educational, and cultural opportunities. Examples include
historic downtown areas, commercial zones, plaza parks, performing
arts parks, arboretums, display gardens, performing arts facilities,
indoor theaters, churches, and amphitheaters. Frequently these are
located in Community or larger parks.
Golf Courses: Nine and 18-hole complexes. Oak Ridge and
Interlachen Country Clubs are private courses within or immediately
adjacent to the City. Meadowbrook is operated by Minneapolis Park
and Recreation Board.
Indoor Recreation Facilities: Specialized or single purpose
facilities. Examples include community centers, senior centers and
community theaters. Frequently these are located in Community or
adjacent to larger parks. Hopkins Center for the Arts, the Pavilion,
and the Hopkins Activities Center are examples
Outdoor Recreation Facilities: Examples include aquatic parks, disk
golf, skateboard, bike playgrounds and skills areas, and dog parks,
which may be located within a park.
Typical characteristics of a special use park/facility include:
Size of park: Depends upon facilities and activities included. Their
diverse character makes it impossible to apply acreage standards.
Service radius: Depends upon facilities and activities included.
Typically serves special user groups while a few serve the entire
population.
Site Selection: Given the variety of potential uses, no specific
standards are defined for site selection. As with all park types, the
site itself should be located where it is appropriate for its use.
Length of stay: varies by facility
Amenities: varies by facility
Revenue facilities: Due to nature of certain facilities, revenue may
be required for construction and/or annual maintenance. This should
be determined at a policy level before the facility is planned and
The Pavilion - located within Central Park this facility has
become one of Hopkins’ premier park buildings.
Shady Oak Beach - a special use facility shared by Hopkins
and Minnetonka.
Activity Center - facility provides critical infrastructure and
programming for seniors.
constructed.
Land usage: varies by facility
Programming: varies by facility
Maintenance Standards: Provide the highest-level maintenance
with available funding. Seek a goal of Level 2 maintenance
standards. Some amenities (i.e., rose gardens) will require Level 1
maintenance
Natural Resource Area (Preserve) Standards
Natural Resource Areas are parks that prioritize the preservation or draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
80
conservation of the community’s natural or historic character; and/or
the conservation or preservation of a land or water area for the sake
of recreational, ecological, environmental or aesthetic interests. They
are areas of natural quality for nature-oriented outdoor recreation
such as viewing and studying nature, wildlife habitat, conservation,
swimming, picnicking, hiking, boating, camping, and trail uses.
These parks will generally include fewer capital improvements
than other park types. At least 80% of each park reserve should be
managed as wild lands that protect the ecological functions of the
native landscape.
Landscape Design: Generally, none. However, the primary objective
of Open spaces should be to support natural or native vegetation
to increase environmental value and lower maintenance costs.
However, natural areas are not maintenance free areas. Their
maintenance regimes are different than typical mowing operations.
Natural areas take longer to establish than turf grass, but once
established will reduce staff input needs and resources.
Typical characteristics of a Natural Resource Area (Preserve) include:
Size: Typically 20 or more acres, but varies by the landscape, habitat,
or feature being preserved.
Service Radius: One to three-mile radius
Site Selection: Given the variety of potential uses, no specific
standards are defined for site selection. As with all park types, the
site itself should be located where it is appropriate for its use.
Length of stay: varies by facility
Amenities: varies by facility
Revenue Facilities: Due to nature of certain facilities, revenue may
be required for construction and/or annual maintenance. This should
be determined at a policy level before the facility is planned and
constructed.
Land Usage: varies by facility
Programming: varies by facility
Maintenance Standards: Provide the highest-level maintenance
with available funding. Seek a goal of Level 2 maintenance standards
at public facing edges of Natural Resource Areas, however large
portions of a preserve will be Level 3.
Steiner Park Reserve - trail improvements could expand
accessibility for more users
Steiner Park Reserve - natural area contains important water
resources (Nine Mile Creek).draft
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FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
This section of the System Plan presents the financial assessment
of the Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation Division of the City of
Hopkins and the City of Minnetonka, as a part of the strategic plan
process. As a key element of the Plan, available data was reviewed
to assess the financial situation of the parks division. The revenues,
expenditures and capital funds were analyzed to identify trends and
assess the Division’s financial integrity. Additionally, a review of park
maintenance costs is provided.
Detailed cost and activity information was prepared by Division
staff. Following is a list of the cost and activity data reviewed for the
analysis:
• Adopted Budget for 2023
• Staff prepared revenues and expenditures for fiscal years 2021
and 2022
• Park maintenance cost provided by staff.
Operating Revenues and Expenditures
The cost of the joint recreation program is shared by Minnetonka
(67%) and the City of Hopkins (33%). Revenues, expenditures,
transfers, and cost recovery for the Fiscal Years ending 2020-2023
were calculated and compared. The cost recovery for 2021 and 2022
are 61.20% and 63.35% respectively. An average cost recovery of 60%
is typical for similar types of operation.
A significant portion of Hopkins’’ parks budget goes to recreational
programs. Cost recovery for recreational programs and sports
leagues is better than typical. PROS analysis suggests that more
of the budget (2 to 5%) should go to maintenance and capital
improvements.
The distribution of expenditures is in line with other recreation
operations budgets. However, there was a lack of capital
expenditures identified. Recurring capital expenditures to support
operations of 2% to 5% are normal for recreation agencies. The
estimated investment per participant is $22.36 and $24.13 in the
years 2022 and 2023.
Program Cost Recovery
The cost recovery for selected major programs was calculated and
the highlights are summarized below:
• Shady Oaks Beach: demonstrates a strong cost recovery for beach
operations. Cost recovery was 68.64% in 2022.
• Adult Sports recovered 140% and 158% of the program cost in 2021
and 2022. Typical cost recovery for Adult Sports is 80% to 100%.
• Youth Sports recovers 335% and 273% of the program costs in 2021
and 2022. Typical cost recovery for Youth Sports is 60% to 80%.
The additional revenues may cover a portion of the Youth field
maintenance.
• Parks and Forestry maintenance expenditures for Fiscal Year
ending 2021 are low compared to similar agencies. The Park
and Landscape Maintenance expenditures were $838,000. This
equates to $45 per capita. Expenditures for similar agencies are
typically $100 per capita. The Park and Landscape Maintenance
appears to be low considering the Division is serving 19 parks
including 104 acres.
• The Forestry operations is responsible for all City trees including
trees along 55 miles of boulevards. If one mile of boulevard equals
1 acre of land, then the boulevards equal 55 acres. The 104 acres
of parks and 55 acres of boulevard equal 159 acres of trees to
maintain. The Division is spending approximately $2,500 per acre
of land for forestry maintenance. This amount appears to be low
considering the area served. Forestry operations should review
the maintenance standards and consider the appropriate resource
needs to maintain the forestry inventory.
• draft
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Timeline Resource Intensity
0-5 years Low
5-15 years Medium
15-20+ years High
IMPLEMENTATION: ACTION FRAMEWORK
Implementing a Park System Plan is a new endeavor for Hopkins. This chapter will provide a practical tool for
city staff to guide the park system’s future development, redevelopment, maintenance and recreation efforts.
The following framework plan outlines key improvement areas that guide and inform more detailed Park System
improvements.
The following Action Framework consists of actions in eight categories. The goal of this section is to provide a
framework that outlines strategies to re-imagine and upgrade the park system in Hopkins to meet the evolving
needs of the changing city. As implementation and city growth unfold, the City will assess and monitor these
actions with an emphasis on adequate staffing, financing, and equitable resource allocation.
Hopkins recognizes the long planning horizon of the Park System Master Plan (PSMP) may require modifications
to specific recommendations as conditions change. Shifts in development patterns, redevelopment,
demographic changes, technology, or recreational interests can reshape needs and priorities, warranting new
implementation approaches. The overall System Plan and this Action Framework are living documents that guide
but do not prescribe. The framework is expected to be modified in the future. Implementation flexibility enables
the City to adjust, refine, and improve strategies to deliver accessible, equitable, innovative, and high-quality
recreational experiences.
The Action Framework supports all of the Key Themes of the Park System Plan identified in Chapter 4. However,
each category of the Action Framework directly supports some Key Themes more than others. Those Key
Themes support more directly are identified with the iconography below:
Park facilities and programs are high quality and culturally relevant for BIPOC residents.
Racial Equity
Park Accessibility
Reduce barriers to park amenities for all park users and mobility levels.
Gathering & Community Building
Build community with neighborhood and city-wide gathering facilities.
Focus on Quality
Revitalize existing fields, facilities, courts, and playgrounds.
Parks for All
Provide opportunities for passive and active recreation that suit a broad range of users. Action Framework Key
draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Parks are Essential1. Elevate maintenance of
existing parks
1. Develop formal maintenance standards to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Led by operations staff
2. Continue following the deferred maintenance plan to address aged, outdated, and expired equipment
as part of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process. The CIP should include existing and future
equipment.
3. Improve record keeping and tracking of equipment in the City’s digital records system, Cartegraph:
• Update the existing park amenity inventory and bring it into Cartegraph.
• Include inspection criteria and a rating system for each amenity in the park which can be integrated
with Cartegraph.
Consider intern/ entry level staff
for bulk of field work
4. Develop a schedule for implementing ADA Compliance, improvements, and upgrades as a part of the
CIP.
Refer to recently complete
Evaluation for Accessibility
5. Adjust maintenance staffing as park traffic increases due to projected population growth.Ongoing as population grows
6. Outdoor facilities (tennis courts, pickleball courts, and other outdoor areas) that are open all hours to the
public need surfaces re-conditioned, lines re-painted and nets replaced in accordance with the CIP.
2. Reinvest in parks
1. Increase funding for planning and capital projects;
2. Develop community-driven individual park master plans to plan for improvements that meet resident
needs.
3. Monitor recreation trends and continue engaging the community to meet their needs:
• Use surveys, online, and in-park feedback opportunities to connect with the public.
Ongoing with annual surveys,
suggestion boxes, etc.
4. New funding sources should be pursued outside of current resources to support the park system in the
future (See Appendix for full list of potential sources):
• Consider access, impact, or membership fees for specialized amenities like the dog park for
continued upkeep.
• Leverage private investment through POPS
• Consider incorporating food and beverage into key park spaces for additional revenue.
• Utilize local options sales tax and property tax support for larger-scale parks and overhaul projects.
• Explore related grant opportunities at the State, County, and through private foundations.
• Pursue Special Legislation related to Park Dedication funding to provide more funding from private
development
Work with Hopkins-Minnetonka
Joint Recreation Services.
PARKS ARE ESSENTIAL
Parks are critical to a community’s overall quality of life. They provide numerous economic, environmental, and social benefits that directly contribute to the community. Parks significantly contribute to a
community’s image and reputation, and are a key area that welcomes visitors to the city. Parks and trails need to be considered an essential city service – like roads and utilities. They provide that much value to
the city but are often not tracked in a similar fashion. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has cataloged significant work and research on this topic and how parks positively impact property
values, commercial and office business success, and overall improvement to the city’s tax base. draft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Parks are Essential3. Programming to
match community
demographics
1. Continue to engage with residents and priority populations to understand changing recreation needs.
• Provide input to Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation Services for program refinement.
• Consider developing programs to fill gaps identified through surveys.
• Collect post-program feedback for Senior and Art-based programs to improve and modify when
needed.
Continue to connect with
Priority Populations
2. Continue to leverage existing and past partners to explore new opportunities to expand program
offerings.
• Three Rivers Park District (TRPD) for environmental education and nature programming.
• Athletic Associations for league play and instructional camps.
• Continue engaging in TRPD’s Parks to People program to identify infrastructure and programming .
TRPD Parks to People program
completion expected summer
2024
3. Continue to evaluate and refine pricing strategies to remove cost barriers to programming.
Timeline Key Resource Intensity Key
0-5 years Low
5-15 years Medium
15-20+ years Highdraft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
85
BASIC PARK SERvICES
Parks should serve all residents, regardless of their income, race, geographic location in the city, and mobility level. Nature and recreation facilities provide significant physical and mental health benefits that are
only realized with access. This plan’s primary focus is to evolve the parks into a reflection of the surrounding community by planning for how to provide activities and facilities that residents desire. Providing access
to those improvements is equally critical.
Access is one of the most basic elements of successful parks. Additional elements are listed below that should be integrated into all neighborhood and community parks as soon as practicable. These elements
are important to help users make the most of their visit and park experience. They serve basic needs, improve comfort, and support all users enjoying the parks to their fullest potential. Most of these basic park
services are simple, low-cost strategies and approaches that provide significant benefit to the city’s residents. These basic park services and recommendations for improvement include
Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Basic Park Services1. Improve circulation and
access.
1. Prioritize accessibility with park improvements.
• Implement the Accessibility Evaluation Report.
• Develop raised garden beds at Valley and Cottageville Parks and any new community garden beds.
• Develop an accessible trail and shooting station at Steiner Park Reserve Archery Range.
2. Provide internal loop trails where feasible in neighborhood and community parks. Trail loops are an
inexpensive facility appealing to seniors, families, and a majority of park users. They create a distinct, low-
impact activity.
Include in park redevelopment
and planning
3. Provide benches at key intervals along trail loops in community parks. Locate in association with shade.
Prioritize areas that are frequently used by aging populations.Sponsorship opportunity
4. Provide accessible parking spots where feasible - including on-street parking. Prioritize parks with
popular facilities that people drive to. Because of transportation barriers dividing Hopkins, lower mobility
populations are likely to arrive via automobile.
Collaborate with Streets Dept. as
street projects occur
5. Improve access to parks through trail and sidewalk improvements. Prioritize the following to stitch the
city together with bike and pedestrian infrastructure:
• Connections to future Light Rail Transit stops and station areas.
• Enhance crosswalks and pedestrian safety at arterial roadways.
• Develop a comprehensive parks and trails wayfinding and branding package that is recognizable,
functional, and graphically simple to minimize need for multiple translations.
Integration with Planning and
Street Departments required.
2. Establish essential
amenities
1. Provide drinking fountains where feasible. Include in all Community Parks and high-volume
neighborhood parks. Conduct regular maintenance and replacement so fountains are reliable.
2. Provide sufficient recycling and waste receptacles in all parks based on user traffic. Leave a portion of
receptacles out year-round. Maintain regularly to ensure parks appear well tended and cared for. Clearly
distinguish between trash and recycling.
• Provide community education on recycling to reduce contamination and make recycling viable.
3. Increase shade options in community and neighborhood parks. Focus on popular amenities, (e.g.
playgrounds, courts, etc.) trail intersections, and seating locations .
Donation, memorial, or
sponsorship opportunities
4. Maintain and increase healthy canopy cover throughout the City.Diversify canopy draft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Basic Park Services3. Welcome all cultures
and users
1. When redeveloping parks, provide restrooms with running water at all community parks and popular
neighborhood parks. Running water and sanitary restroom facilities provides an inclusive space for
several religious and cultural groups, as well as families with young children and active seniors.
2. Provide gathering areas at all parks where feasible to accommodate larger family/ group gatherings that
are important to many BIPOC community members
• Include picnic tables and shade structures to accommodate large groups.
• Provide grill and waste receptacles near gathering facilities.
1. Integrate translation materials for key park communications including:
• Park signage with major rules, hours, emergency contact information. Communicate with icons and
graphics where practical.
• Online park resources, amenity locations, etc.
• Online programming and registration instructions.
4. Provide structure for
dog owners
1. Develop off-leash facilities distributed strategically.
2. Consider providing dog waste stations along high traffic trails to supplement stations provided by Three
Rivers Parks District, and include educational signage regarding dog waste and leash laws.
3. Include human elements at dog parks to encourage socializing including shade, benches, and drinking
fountains (for people).
Dog parks are just as much
social spaces for humans
4. Provide a safe and reliable source of water for dogs at off-leash facilities and popular trail intersections.
5. Consider working with partner organizations such as Three Rivers Park District and City of Minnetonka
on finding locations for dog access.
5. Enhance winter
recreation
opportunities
1. Evaluate the number of ice rinks in the city and consider reducing quantity.
• Examine location, number of users, quality of ice at each location, and cost for rink set up and
maintenance.
• Focus on ice quality over number of rinks in the city. Covered facilities maintain ice quality better.
• Focus on quality experiences at ice rinks with adequate warming, parking, staffing, maintenance, etc.
City has already started this
informally. Communication with
public on usage and costs is
critical when removing rinks
2. Provide low-cost sleds for use at Oakes Park to eliminate barriers. Store in park building and leave
out during weekends
3. Work with partners to expand programs around introductory classes on cross country skiing,
snowshoeing, fat tire biking, kick sledding, broomball, ice fishing, winter camping, etc.TRPD Parks to People program
4. Create winter destination hubs and events to promote gathering. Include food, drink, activities, creative
lighting, art.
Central Park is natural location -
generate draft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Flexible Fields and Diamonds1. Balance diamonds and
rectangular multi-use
fields
1. Transition underutilized, poor quality, or undersized ball diamonds to flexible rectangular fields. This
process has already occurred in parks throughout the system. Maintenance is typically lower for parks
staff with rectangular fields compared to aggregate diamonds.
City has already completed
some of this work
2. Evaluate opportunities to integrate higher quality practice diamond facilities and smaller sized diamonds
into park areas (see concept plans). No existing parks in Hopkins can accommodate a full 4 wheel of
softball fields without compromising other sports or amenities.
See Buffer Park Concept Plan
3. Integrate additional multi-purpose fields and diamonds in parks that can accommodate size needs and
field quality improvements. The following is shown in concept plans:
• One upgraded field at Valley is planned; two softball fields can fit but that would compromise Rugby
and football.
• Buffer Park has an infield for Tee Ball, and this could be set up as an all-aggregate infield for softball
practice.
• Harley Hopkins could be re-considered to keep one or two softball fields, but Level of Service showed
a need for more Soccer and Football (rectangular) fields, and more multi-use fields in general. The
level of service guidelines was followed, and the consultant placed Soccer at Harley Hopkins because
it is one of the few places it can fit.
2. Improve field quality
and increase use of fields
1. Develop an outdoor artificial turf field, or sand-based irrigated turf field, that can be used more
frequently and intensely throughout the year. Maetzold is a candidate as lighting already exists.
Significant investment. Look for
potential partners.
2. Provide lighting to existing higher quality diamonds and rectangular fields to extend the usable hours
and allow more programming
3. Improve existing drainage issues to maximize the programming of existing facilities, minimize weather
impacts, and allow field usage to start earlier in the spring.Address as parks are refurbished
FLEXIBLE FIELDS AND DIAMONDS
According to athletic leagues, field and diamond space are at a premium in Hopkins’ parks. The Level of Service shows that Hopkins is underserved in rectangular field availability. Additionally, high- usage
pressure and low- quality of some facilities puts further stress on the overall system. The Level of Service highlights adequate to overserved diamond facilities. However, some existing diamonds are not adequate
for competitive practice and would need to be upgraded with larger infields.
Multipurpose fields in the city are typically of a moderate quality level or lower. Usable fields are programmed by Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation Services and other associations for practices and games.
A few fields are permanently or seasonally unusable due to significant uneven surfacing, size limitations, and/ or drainage issues. Fields that are poorly drained, un-irrigated, or lack turf grass cover are often not
usable early in the spring, after rainfall and storms, following droughts, and after frequent play creates dead spots in high traffic areas. Addressing the quality of poor fields in Hopkins will help address the lack of
field space by providing reliable options. Extending playable hours with lighting, artificial turf, and a covered facility will provide greater options for addressing the lack of quality fields. Lighting can extend play
and programming opportunities for fields in the spring and fall when sunsets are earlier in the evening. Covered fields can be used in most weather conditions and provide the most reliable opportunities for
scheduling games and practices.
Higher quality fields can support higher intensity, heavier use, and less down time. The city gets complaints about current field conditions regularly and this is a deterrent to use and a potential loss of revenue.
Athletic leagues and tournaments are revenue sources and investing in courts and fields can improve and solidify this funding source. Because field space is limited in the city, Hopkins should maximize the usage
and programming of existing fields and diamonds with the following strategies: draft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
2. Improve field quality
and increase use of fields
1. Evaluate how the a Pavilion expansion could supplement fields:
• Future additional indoor space in the expanded Pavilion could accommodate indoor softball practices
(City will need a design and floor plan before determining how many fields)
• If full expansion is not feasible, explore an outdoor, covered facility at Central Park that could be
programmed all year.
Significant investment. Search
for partners. Facility should
address other recreation and
gathering needs beyond field
space and ice time
Timeline Key Resource Intensity Key
0-5 years Low
5-15 years Medium
15-20+ years Highdraft
PARK SYSTEM PLAN : 2023
89
COURTS AND SPORTS
Community courts receive heavy use in most parks. Successful facilities become gathering areas for groups, neighbors, and visitors from outside the city. Basketball is one of the most popular park activities
in the country, across most demographic groups including race and income. It is a popular activity that appeals to teenagers and young adults, who are consistently a difficult group to program for in parks.
It is inexpensive to play with a low entry cost, easy to learn rules and techniques, and a flexible team and individual formats for play. Ensuring equity in the system requires that these amenities are distributed
throughout the city and in good condition. These facilities contain concrete, bituminous, or specialized rubber surfacing and are often more expensive and require more maintenance than other park elements.
Construction, design, replacement scheduling, and distribution of these facilities throughout the city is important to maximize the cost benefit and service value. The following facilities and recommendations are
important to address in Hopkins.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Minnesota. It is becoming more appealing to younger users. Hopkins should build on the quality courts it currently has to support the growing
population and demographic shift occurring in the city. Tennis courts were popular when the parks were initially developed. Tennis has ceded in popularity to pickleball in recent years. However, tennis has seen
a growing trend in the Metro Region with programs focused on teaching to traditionally underserved populations. The City should be mindful when removing tennis courts or converting to pickleball specific
facilities. Staff have received comments and complaints on the low quality of court conditions. Courts in poor condition are a direct deterrent to play and can become a safety issue if deterioration advances.
Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Courts and Sports1. Enhance basketball in
Hopkins
1. Hopkins has a fair distribution of basketball court and half-court facilities. Parks should have full-court
basketball where feasible and requested by the community.
• Community parks should have full court facilities.
• Most neighborhood parks should have a minimum half court
• Coordinate with school facilities containing full court facilities.
Consider court/ facility at Oakes
Park.
2. Courts should be added with adjustable hoops for smaller kids and beginners. Hoops should be located
with ease of access and surveilance for maintenance staff.
3. Locate basketball courts near adjacent streets or parking lots to encourage natural surveillance from
adults, staff, and safety officers.
4. Add lights to courts where feasible in highly visible areas to extend play hours in the fall and spring.
Include timers with automatic shutoffs to conserve energy and limit play in evenings.
5. Combine basketball with adjacent skate plazas or overlapping event hardscape to maximize
programming.
6. Provide a Bankshot court in the city for accessibility and to serve younger children.Community park location
2. Balance Pickleball
and Tennis Courts
1. Increase pickleball opportunities in Hopkins through new facilities or partnerships with school districts
and associations.
2. Consider expanding the number of pickleball courts at Central Park to encourage leagues, tournaments,
and attract a consistent population.
3. Maintain and improve surfacing of multi-striped courts at Oakes and Burnes Park.
4. Promote pickleball and/ or tennis court construction as an allowable facility under the POPS program.Noise evaluation should be
considered near residential draft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Play for All1. Continue making
playgrounds accessible
1. Implement the recently completed Accessibility Evaluation.
2. Develop at least one fully inclusive playground within the city.
• Easy access to restrooms and parking should be a primary factor in selection – Central and Valley
Parks are ideal candidates.
Inclusive playgrounds quickly
become the most popular with
all users - a destination for all
3. Balance poured-in-place rubber surfacing and/ or artificial turf surfacing with wood mulch to make
playgrounds more accessible and desirable for all mobility levels.
4. Prioritize shade and seating at all playgrounds to accommodate caregivers.Retrofit into existing parks
2. Diversify play offerings
throughout the city
1. Select 2-3 vendors to work with that provide high quality, creative approaches to play that can maximize
different budget needs
2. Utilize community engagement and input to identify the type, style, theme, and amenities the
neighborhood wants.
Specific park planning
engagement
3. Consider ways to provide more nature-based play within the park system.
3. Develop a signature
playground that attracts
regional visitors and
becomes a source of city
pride
1. Locate in Central Park (see concept designs). Availability of parking, restroom infrastructure, proximity to
Mainstreet businesses, and access to public transit and arterial streets are factors for success at Central
Park.
Could be partially or fully
inclusive per 1.2 above
4. Provide a new splash
pad or water feature
1. Explore potential locations west of Highway 169 and south of Excelsior Boulevard.
• An interactive water play feature is shown in the concept designs at Valley Park.
Geographic area needs water
feature
5. List interactive
water features as a
recommended amenity
in future POPS
1. Operations and maintenance by a private owner will place less burden on the city.
PLAY FOR ALL
Playgrounds are the heart of neighborhood and community parks. They are the places where families gather, meet, and grow as neighbors. Playgrounds provide developing children a safe structure to grow
physically, mentally, and socially. They have arguably become more important as opportunities for free play have diminished, and concerns about safety have increased in society. Playgrounds provide a space for
children to play in an environment that caretakers accept as being safe. Historically playgrounds have been homogenous and similar, with traditional equipment and play structures primarily differing with color.
Hopkins currently hosts a number of these facilities that provide basic play amenities. However, playground design and experiences have drastically improved and diversified within the last few decades and
provide a variety of opportunities for creative play. The City of Hopkins should embrace this and diversify their play experiences throughout the city as facilities are replaced. Key recommendations for playgrounds
for below.
Water features are an important play and recreation feature during Minnesota summers. Swimming is also an important life and safety skill. For households without air conditioning, aquatics becomes an equity
issue during summer heat waves. Splash pads and aquatics facilities have higher initial costs and maintenance requirements. The distribution of these facilities should focus on balancing the higher capital and
operational costs with the equity and recreation opportunities where they are needed most. Hopkins is adequately served with aquatics facilities with Shady Oak Beach and the splash pad at Burnes Park. The
Burnes Park facility serves the neighborhoods north of Excelsior Boulevard and West of 169. The consultant recommendation is to provide an additional public splash pad to serve residents in the southern
portion of the city without having to cross major arterial streets and freeways. This would provide less-mobile residents with safe and equitable access to aquatic features. Primary opportunities for expanding
access to water in Hopkins include below:draft
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SKATEPARKS AND ALL-WHEEL FACILITIES
An emerging play feature that has gained popularity in the Metro are bike parks, skateboard parks, and features that can be utilized by a variety of wheeled vehicles including bikes, skateboards, scooters,
rollerblades, etc. These facilities are typically paved to accommodate different wheel sizes. They allow recreational riding in a safe environment that improves the ability of those using the facility. Users become
better bike riders, skateboarders, rollerbladers, etc. These users create a safer environment on the city’s trails and streets because of their improved skill. The all-wheel facilities are more engaging and interesting
to older kids, teens, and young adults, and can accommodate improved abilities as skills advance. Hopkins should develop these facilities to diversify the play experience and complement the existing network of
regional trails that cross through the city. Skate parks and All-Wheel Facilities provide healthy recreation options for kids and adults that may not participate in traditional sports. These facilities are an important
gathering place for socialization, in addition to active recreation. Opportunities within Hopkins found below.
Natural surface trails are another opportunity to integrate a cost effective facility to diversity recreation opportunities. Bike focused natural surface trail facilities like bike parks and bike playgrounds are
increasingly popular and can be integrated into a variety of settings. These features are a subset of all-wheel facilities that focus on mountain biking. Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing high school
sports in Minnesota and facilities are being developed throughout the state and metro. While Hopkins’ parks generally do not have the acreage available for a traditional single track mountain bike trail, bike parks
and playgrounds can complement the trails at Lone Lake Park in Minnetonka.
Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
1. Establish a publicly-
accessible skateboard
focused skate park
1. Facility should be designed and built by specialized professionals to maximize its usability.
2. Locate facility in an area visible and accessible to staff, safety officers, and residents to increase visibility
that may deter undesirable activity.
3. The Depot site could be considered as a location for a skateboard-focused facility as it meets many
factors stated above.
• A vision should be developed for the site led by community engagement and builds on the synergy
and missions of Hopkins, Minnetonka, Three Rivers Park District, and The Depot Coffee House.
A major recreation facility
currently missing in Hopkins
2. Integrate all-wheel
facility Hopkins
1. Paved facility with berming and features intended for a range of skill levels but focused on beginner
riders and kids learning to develop their bike, skateboard, and/ or scooter skills.
• Locate near parking areas, trails, and areas visible from the street. Features are a popular recreation
trend currently.
See concept designs for
integration into parks - Buffer
Park
3. Include bike-optimized
natural surface trails
1. The Hopkins Landfill site provides an opportunity for a specialized downhill facility that focuses on rollers,
berms, jumps, and drops. Features should allow skill progression from beginner to expert for a range of
users. draft
CITY OF HOPKINS
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GREEN RESILIENCE
Parks are a source of health for Hopkins due to the ecosystem services they provide. Urban cooling, flood control, water and air quality improvement, carbon capture and sequestration, wildlife habitat and
biodiversity preservation, and numerous psychological and spiritual benefits for humans. Hopkins Park System can be a leader in implementing sustainable strategies that help neighborhoods become more
sustainable. The following strategies will help the park system be more resilient to the challenges of climate change.
Natural resources and vegetation management are a significant component of sustainability and resiliency. There are several other aspects of sustainability that Parks directly affect and should be addressed
as the park system transforms. Park buildings are significant energy users. This energy use currently has a large impact on operating expenses and contributions to carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from
power plants. Existing buildings should be audited, and new buildings should be constructed with sustainability and energy efficiency as a priority. Facilities can have a large impervious surface footprint that
contributes to water quality and quantity issues. Turf grass maintenance with mowers has considerable impact on air quality and carbon emissions. Material choices in parks facilities can contribute to pollution by
using unsustainable or toxic materials or production processes. Irrigation and aquatics require significant water resource consumption. Fertilizers and pesticides pollute waterways and harm beneficial insects.
The following recommendations are intended to enhance and complement the recently completed Hopkins Heat Vulnerability Study.
Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Green Resilience1. Improve tree canopy
and park vegetation
1. Commission city-wide tree canopy analysis and recommendations – focusing on climate change
resiliency.
• Increasing forest diversity and utilizing species more adaptable to climate change will make parks
more resilient over time and reduce maintenance costs
Confirm if city has a similar plan
already. Consider updating
2. Diversify tree canopies in parks with adaptive species resilient to climate change. Create micro
ecosystems within parks to battle urban heat island and improve air quality.
3. Increase canopy cover in all parks and streets.
• Use park concept designs as guidance for canopy locations and open space zones.
• Utilize an ‘Adopt a Tree’ program and/ or volunteer planting events to develop community ownership.
Include local breweries in programs exchanging tree care for free beer. (Minneapolis Example).
Minneapolis example:
https://www.
brewingabetterforest.com/
4. Identify areas in parks to naturalize and diversify groundcover, reduce mowing needs, and reduce
chemical inputs. Create a tiered structure for naturalized vegetation:
• Natural Areas: full restoration of turf grass to native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Lower long-term
maintenance inputs, higher environmental benefits, and diverse aesthetics. Use in areas difficult to
mow, adjacent to existing natural areas, and targeted landscape beds (signage).
• Low/No Mow Areas: passive areas of the park that are mowed less often and allowed to grow
higher than surrounding maintained turf. These areas could be re-planted with a fescue mixture or
pollinator blend that has a similar appearance to turf but requires less maintenance, provides more
environmental benefits, and starts to look like a well-controlled natural area.
See concept plans for proposed
options.
Timeline Key Resource Intensity Key
0-5 years Low
5-15 years Medium
15-20+ years Highdraft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Green Resilience5. Develop a program for tree replacement and major storm damage repair. Climate change is leading to
more extreme growing conditions for park vegetation including longer periods of drought and more
intense and frequent storm events. These conditions will require a diverse and resilient strategy to
minimize and repair damage
Dependent on Natural Resource
Manager/ Arborist on staff
2. Parks as green
infrastructure
1. Coordinate with local Watershed Districts on projects to reduce, reuse, and recycle stormwater runoff.
Be mindful not to exchange critical park recreation functions for strictly Engineering uses. 325 Blake
contains integrated green infrastructure.
• Parks can help the city control and clean stormwater, cool and clean the air, provide wildlife habitat,
and capture carbon. Parks are working landscapes and should be enhanced.
• Recreation fields shouldn’t be abandoned for single-use stormwater volume practices, such as ponds.
Underground storage beneath the field with irrigation reuse is a synergistic approach that maximizes
the value for the public.
2. Minimize impervious surfaces in parks. Utilize on-street parking and shared parking with adjacent
businesses or institutions to keep parking lots out of parks.
• Burnes Park shared parking is a great example.
• Central Park’s proposed improvements (concept designs) will require a comprehensive parking
strategy for the area that includes available parking at Shady Oak Station.
3. Healthy operations and
maintenance
1. Dedicate staff to natural resources and urban tree canopy. Responsibilities should include prioritizing and
addressing issues related to maintaining and improving.
• Provide additional training to existing staff taking over this position; or
• Hire a Natural Resource Manager.
• Explore contractors to hire work.
• Partner with organizations to complete work – e.g., 9-mile watershed district
2. Consider developing a Natural Resource Management Plan to inventory and provide specific
recommendations on improvement.
• Typical NRMP’s include comprehensive inventories, recommendations on projects, annual budgets,
work plan priorities, and help to identify potential grant opportunities and funding strategies based
on priorities.
Dependent on Natural Resource
Manager/ Arborist on staff to
maximize benefit
3. Develop a formal Integrated Pest Management Plan to be used in parks to control invasive species,
vegetation disease, etc. This would require the hiring of a naturalist position.
Dependent on Natural Resource
Manager/ Arborist on staff
4. Continue migrating mowers and maintenance equipment to electric as technology improves and
existing equipment needs replacement. Significant reductions in air and noise pollution could be
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Green Resilience5. Minimize mowing needs with strategies under Goal 1.
6. Continue providing winter salting education to all staff responsible for snow clearing in parks. Salt
pollution from over-salting is a significant threat to water quality.
7. Educate the public about lower impact operations and maintenance strategies such as:
• Seeing Yellow Campaigns – stress the benefits of minimizing chemical inputs and allowing some
areas of parks to receive less maintenance. Potentially growing more dandelions – which are an
excellent early season food source for pollinators.
• Non-traditional lawns – pollinator lawns and native lawns are excellent ways to reduce maintenance
costs but have an aesthetic that is different than the public’s expectations.
4. Lead by example with
park development and
buildings
1. All new park building facilities and major park renovations should follow recommendations of the
Hopkins Heat Vulnerability Study and align with City development standards.at a minimum. State
funded projects will need to follow the Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) Guidelines.
2. Consider pursuing LEED Certification for all new park building projects. LEED is a tool to maximize
sustainability and reduce negative impacts of building construction and long-term use.
Long-term energy and
maintenance savings possible.
3. Consider using the Sustainable SITES Initiative for major park redevelopment projects. SITES is a tool, like
LEED, for outdoor environments that helps create ecologically resilient communities and benefits to the
environment, property owners, and communities.
Long-term energy and
maintenance savings possible.
4. Introduce sustainable infrastructure that showcases sustainability such as solar panels, wind turbines,
geothermal heating and cooling, bee hives, bat houses, etc. in highly visible locations accessible to the
public. Provide education opportunities and interpretive signs associated with infrastructure.
5. Connect more people
with more nature
1. Prioritize Goals 1 and 2 above to incorporate more natural areas, vegetation, and healthier tree canopies in
parks.See concept designs
2. Expand highly successful community gardening programs throughout the city. See concept designs for
ideas at Oakes and Harley Hopkins Parks.
• Create accessible gardening opportunities at Valley Park and new garden locations.
3. Provide programming that connects kids and people with nature.
• Work with existing partners including Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation Services and Three
Rivers Parks District on environmental and nature programs.
Connect with TRPD Parks to
People program
4. Encourage nature-based activities in POPS where feasible. The water access proposed at 325 Blake is a
good example.
5. Connect to natural areas with natural surface trails for both walking and biking.draft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Green Resilience6. Educate the public about nature in their city. People are more inclined to protect what they cherish, and
to cherish what they understand.
Partnerships with Watershed
District and TRPD
7. Integrate interpretive signage into natural areas – provide translations as much as possible.
8. Consider Organizing community-based volunteer events and programs focusing on nature such as:
• Buckthorn Busters – removing buckthorn on private property and in parks.
• Adopt trees and parks – maintenance of key areas in a park.
• Continue tree sale program – Expand program, tree fund, adopt a tree
• Native plant swap or sale
• Community events like Earth Day cleanups
Partner with groups like Great
River Greening
Timeline Key Resource Intensity Key
0-5 years Low
5-15 years Medium
15-20+ years High
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INvESTMENT IN THE FUTURE
Developing Hopkins’ Park System into an essential city service that works for all citizens will require dedicated, sustainable, and equitable financing. A balanced investment approach to diversify recreational
opportunities throughout the City emphasizes funding for the development of new park amenities, operations and maintenance investment, and partnerships with additional providers. The continued acquisition
of new park spaces in redevelopment projects, new park experience creation, and the construction of new or refurbished recreation facilities is a critical element in meeting the recreation needs of existing and
future populations.
As they age, parks require periodic reinvestment to maintain consistency, and deliver quality experiences. Efforts to upgrade assets, add recreational amenities and expand capacity increases the recreational
opportunities available within existing parks. Ongoing, there needs to be adequate resources for operations, maintenance and staffing as the city’s population grows and diversifies. Increased park usage will
require increased investment and staff attention.
improving equitable access to parks and recreation programs for everyone is a priority. Funding sources must be sufficiently flexible to address historical deficiencies and reduce gaps in recreational opportunities
that have accumulated over time. Innovate equitable partnerships with private and other public not for profit entities along with new revenue generating opportunities can expand the resources to a create a
system of tomorrow.
Increasing budgets in specific departments when overall City budgets are tight can be difficult. The city has not developed an economic impact assessment for Parks and Recreation services to the community.
Theses analyses make the solid argument that parks, and recreation services are not a “spending” department but an earned income department. An analysis should include proximity values of homes to parks,
health and wellness impacts to the community, economic impact of events and festivals to the City through increased food and beverage taxes and other economic elements.
Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
1. Identify dedicated
capital improvement
funding for existing
park updates and
added recreational
facilities identified in
this master plan.
1. Consider referendum and/or a local option sales tax to secure needed improvement dollars for
community park facilities.
2. Explore and apply for grants in multiple categories – natural resources, equity, stormwater, accessibility,
etc. to implement master planning goals and objectives.
3. Continue developing funding partnerships to achieve joint goals. Examples include watershed district
funding at Cottageville Park.
2. Study the economic
impact plan for
Hopkins’’ Parks
to analyze and
communicate the
benefits of parks to
the city.
1. Include the approximate value of homes near parks, trails, and natural areas. Include business analyses
with events and festival hosting in Mainstreet at community parks.
Timeline Key Resource Intensity Key
0-5 years Low
5-15 years Medium
15-20+ years Highdraft
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Investment in the Future3. Generate additional
revenue in parks.
1. Explore food and beverage opportunities at key parks that complement, but don’t compete, with local
businesses. When possible local businesses should be explored as partners. Opportunities include:
• Food, coffee, ice cream carts on Mainstreet, the Artery, and key park events.
• Food truck festivals, weekends at popular parks, and special events.
• Café or enhanced concessions at the Pavilion.
• Mobile Beer Gardencart at Central, Downtown, or Valley Park.
Rotate tap rights with local
breweries and businesses to
support existing
2. Maximize the rental opportunities in parks. Pavilions and indoor rental space within parks to host parties,
events, gatherings, etc.
• Provide amenities to improve the experience and marketability for weddings and formal celebrations
at Downtown Park.
• Rentable areas near any new destination feature like a playground, splash pad, etc.
4. Track costs and
revenues per amenity
and program annually.
1. Meet annually with Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation to track and review programming costs and
revenues.Staff level
2. Set pricing policies based on classification of core essential, important, and value-added services as well
as the level of public and private good that exists. Coordinate with Hopkins-Minnetonka Joint Recreation
on programming policies. These policies will also outline the cost benefit of the service provided.
5. Encourage other
organizations to
additional support for
the development and
maintenance of the
park system.
1. Consider establishing a Foundation or encouraging not-for-profit partnerships that help raise funds and
advocate for parks and open spaces. Partnerships should work toward the end goal of the Department
financially and ensure all costs/ revenues are fair and responsible for the outcomes desired by each
partner.
• Include individuals, associations, and businesses – focus on key areas or popular parks (e.g. Mainstreet
and Artery or Central Park). The goal being to ensure premium maintenance and amenities.
• Search for corporate sponsorship partners.
Relies on initiative from
community members
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Goals Strategies Timeline Resources
Needed Notes
Investment in the Future7. Ensure development
and park renovation
investments meet
population increase
needs
1. Hopkins currently collects $5,000 per residential unit in alignment with statutory and City Park
Dedication requirements. to help accommodate development that increases the number of units,
proportionate to the additional need for parks created by the development. The consultant team feels
has evaluated and believes this is currently appropriate and aligned toward the higher rates compared to
similar sized communities.
• When reviewing these fees, These analyses should provide recommendations on the balance of land
dedication and impact fees for capital investments compared to Privately Owned Public Spaces
program.
2. Prioritize POPS activities and amenities that address a Citywide Level of Service need including the
following:
• Skatepark/ skatespot
• Courts - basketball, pickleball, tennis, etc.
• Aquatics play/ splash pads.
• Nature access (e.g., 325 Blake canoe/ kayak launch)
(See Figure XX for more
information)
8. Streamline the
organization to
stretch the public’s
dollar.
1. Create asset management plans based on equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of resources.
8. Evaluate operations
and financial
performance of park
system and organization
to stretch the public's
dollar.
1. Create asset management plans based on equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of resources.
2. Resource spending on operations and capital improvements should be tracked and recorded to assess
and demonstrate fairness and equity in serving community needs.
3. Develop organization policies should be determined by industry best practices regarding personnel,
work culture, training, and safety of staff to ensure the most efficient and effective service delivery.
4. Parks should conduct a service evaluation to gauge the community’s satisfaction and assess operations,
adequacy of staffing and budget, and response to resident needs.
5. Continue maximizing and updating business plans for revenue producing facilities including:
• The Pavilion
• Hopkins Center for the Arts
• Activity Center
• The Depot (relies on agreements and partnerships)draft
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APPENDICES
DEMOGRAPHICS AND TRENDS
BENCHMARK ANALYSIS
RECREATIONAL PROGRAM ASSESSMENT
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT
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