Park and Recreation Capital Investment Plan

Overview

As part of the city’s Strategic Plan, the city’s goal is to have all parks and recreation facilities judged satisfactory or above and exceeding community expectations. The City has created a Capital Park and Recreation Investment Plan that will provide strategies for funding existing deteriorated park and recreation infrastructure and address unmet park and recreation needs in the community.

Community Input

Thank you for your input. We had five in-person or virtual meetings from August through October 2022.

Final plan

City staff has incorporated community feedback and created the final plan. It was reviewed by the Park and Recreation Advisory Board in December 2022 and City Council in January 2023.

Final Presentation Park and Recreation Capital Investment Plan

Adopted Plan Park and Recreation Capital Investment Plan

City Council Approved Resolution

More information

View more detailed information of the final plan and what is planned.

Park Maintenance

Trail Maintenance

Riverfront Park Maintenance

Indoor Facility Maintenance

Background

The City has a 2008 Park, Open Space, and Trail system plan in which numerous park improvements were identified for the community, however, only a couple projects have been completed over the last 13 years. The City is beginning to hear more frequently from the public about deteriorating park amenities and unmet needs in the community.

FiftyNorth, the city’s senior center located in the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC) is looking at expansion options with a study underway and nearing completion. In 2016, the City went through a process to evaluate the existing ice arena and ultimately went to a referendum to replace the ice arena with a multipurpose facility the “Cannon River Civic Center” and provide additional funding for parks, but that vote didn’t pass.

The City recently adopted the Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan, with a goal of activating and improving the riverfront. There are numerous parks along the river that will need to be master planned and improved.

Timeline

Summer 2022 - create the Park and Recreation Capital Investment Plan

Fall 2022 - share Draft Plan with the public for input

December 2022 - complete Final Plan

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