05-23-2022HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 23, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Park Bo ard was
held on Monday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st Street
South.
Chair Meg Slindee called the meeting to order with Commissioners Miller, Stiele, Pohmer,
Waitz, and Figgins and youth member Burman and Battur. Staff present included
Assistant City Manager Ari Lenz.
Request to move Minnetonka Parks and Recreation’s update before general
business.
Motion by Stiele Second by Waitz.
Motion to Amend the Agenda.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Stiele Second by Waitz.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
No public comment.
GENERAL PARK UPDATE
Minnetonka Parks and Recreation Update
Ann Davy reported it was opening weekend for park attendants. The parks are staffed
Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend at Valley, Burnes, Cottageville and Oakes
parks. Opening day for the beach is June 10th and 714 passes have been sold so far.
Staff training begins this week for the beach. Adult outdoor summer leagues are up and
running. Preschool programs started as well. Park Adventures starts June 13 with the
junior leaders volunteering at the program to gain experience . Williston Fitness Center is
now accepting Hopkins residents as members. Members asked questions and discussed
other programs, with Ann as well.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Presentation on Native Landscaping Demonstration Garden
GreenCorp member Paezy Yang introduced herself and explained her role within the City,
including working on organics recycling and multifamily recycling. Yang reported the
HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 23, 2022
native landscaping demonstration garden wa s made possible by grant funding from the
Nine Mile Creek Watershed. It is a 45 feet x 20 feet garden in Valley Park with benches,
bike racks and signs for visitors. It will be used to demonstrate the benefits of eco grass
and native plants. The project webpage will be translated in to three different languages
to deliver info to a broader audience. Yang answered questions from the board.
Presentation by Public Works Department
Public Works Director Nate Stanley presented to the board about park maintenance.
Topics included mowing, sports fields, playground maintenance, seasonal maintenance,
rinks, forestry and landscaping. He gave an overview of the parks division and details
about Shady Oak Beach and the community garden. He answered questions from
board members regarding a variety of issues in the parks, including garbage carts and
sustainability.
PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
The park assignments are as follows:
Emma Figgins: Buffer, Central: Central Park had people playing cricket.
Meg Slindee: Harley Hopkins, Maetzold Field: Baseball season started at Maetzold.
Harley Hopkins needs some love.
Anna Pohmer: Burnes, Hilltop: Wondering about Burnes Park slide replacement.
Dre Jefferson: Cottageville, Park Valley: N/A
Emily Waitz: Minnehaha Creek Preserve, Valley: Minnehaha Creek safety signage over
a drainage pond would be good to have. Will follow up with PeggySue. Valley has a lot of
users but also a lot of trash. Chair Slindee made note that at Valley Park the bridge going
over the creek only has a few bars across it, so it can be scary with little kids.
Matthew Miller: Oakes, Hiawatha Oakes Preserve: Oakes Park had more users. Users
used the hockey rink during a whiffle ball game.
Kimberly Stiele: Elmo, Downtown: Not much going on at Elmo. Farmers Market starts in
June at Downtown Park.
Annika Burman: Interlachen, Shady Oak Beach: Interlachen had a group of girls hanging
out in the dark around 9pm. Member Waitz noted if it doesn’t seem safe, you can always
call 911. Member Miller suggested a wellness check.
Misheel Battur: Interlachen, Shady Oak Beach: Shady Oak Beach seemed good.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Park Board and upon a motion by
Stiele, second by Pohmer, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lizzie Miller, Administrative Assistant
ATTEST:
_______________________________
HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 23, 2022
Meg Slindee, Park Board Chair