10-27-2025HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
OCTOBER 27, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a special meeting of the Hopkins Park Board
was held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall, 1010 1st Street South.
Chair Hanneman called the meeting to order with Vice Chair Lyksett and Members
Boor, Flynn, Shadis, Wilkus, Woodfill, and Youth Members Garcia-Galindo and
Rodriguez attending. Others in attendance included Parks Supervisor Brummer,
Deputy City Clerk Baker, and Anna Springer, Landscape Architect Project Manager at
Bolton & Menk.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Woodfill. Second by Flynn.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Ayes: Boor, Flynn, Hanneman, Lyksett, Shadis, Wilkus, Woodfill.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Woodfill. Second by Flynn.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Minutes of the September 22, 2025 Park Board Meeting
Ayes: Boor, Flynn, Hanneman, Lyksett, Shadis, Wilkus, Woodfill.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
GENERAL PARK UPDATE
VI.1. Central Park Playground Presentation; Springer
Ms. Springer presented information about the Central Park project timeline and
community engagement efforts so far as well as an overview of public comment and
how it was incorporated into the plan. She also touched on Nine Mile Creek Watershed
District’s involvement and the envisioned character of the park. Ms. Springer then
moved on to an in-depth look at the design of the playground, including amenities,
layout, materials, and the proposed play structure and its accessibility features.
Member Wilkus had questions about drainage beneath the proposed safety mulch, the
engineering details of sunken soccer fields used to prevent flooding, pedestrian
circulation entering the park from Excelsior Boulevard, and the timeline for accepting
bids and getting a signed contract in place.
Member Boor posed a question about the ability to change styles of swings to provide
better accessibility.
HOPKINS PARK BOARD
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
OCTOBER 27, 2025
Member Flynn had questions about the zipline details, whether the choice to use safety
mulch versus a pour-in-place material was a question of safety or cost, and if cost,
could a piece of equipment be eliminated to afford pour-in-place.
Member Flynn then presented her learnings from a meeting with Minnesota Play For
All including the organization’s background, recommendations for accessibility and
best practices, and suggestions for equipment to be included in the Central Park
Design.
VI.1. Events Update; Brummer
Parks Supervisor Brummer reminded the Board of the upcoming Central Park Open
House event on November 17.
PARK AREA ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
VII.1. Discussion, Maetzold and Elmo Parks; Brummer
Member Boor noted that Maetzold’s facilities seem very up-to-date and the park usually
seems very busy. Chair Hanneman noticed that the picnic table near the playground
had recently gone missing.
Member Shadis commented on the amount of graffiti on Elmo’s equipment, asked who
was responsible for emptying trash receptacles, and wondered whether some updates
would make the park more popular. Member Flynn made a comment about prioritizing
shade if any updates were made. Youth Member Garcia-Galindo had a question about
how to address nearby apartment residents using the parking spaces.
VII.2. Parks for December Discussion – Burnes and Downtown
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Hanneman reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule and notified the Board that
the November meeting was canceled, and the next meeting would be on December
15, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Park Board, and upon a motion
by Woodfill, second by Wilkus, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Baker, Deputy City Clerk