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Home My WebLink About2026-01-15 Parks and Trails Agenda Packet1.Call to Order/Roll Call 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Agenda Approval 4.Minutes a.Minutes 5.Open Forum - Public Comment Opportunity 6.Presentations 7.Unfinished Business a.Draft Wayfinding Policy 8.New Business a.Draft 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Priorities b.Linear Park - Timeline Discussion 9.Reports/Information a.Planning Project Update b.Parks, Recreation, and Trails Update 10.Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports a.Garden Club Report b.Park Dedication Fund 11.Other Business/Announcements 12.Adjournment Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission Agenda January 15, 2026 7:00 PM *Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the Council Chambers Agenda Packet book located by the entrance. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the City website at www.corcoranmn.gov. 1 STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 4.a Council Meeting: January 15, 2026 Prepared By: Seth Gellman. Community Development Administrative Assistant, Topic: Minutes Action Required: Approval Council Action 2 STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 7.a Council Meeting: January 15, 2026 Prepared By: Jessica Christensen Buck, Parks and Recreation Manager Topic: Draft Wayfinding Policy Action Required: Approval Summary Staff has developed a draft Wayfinding Policy to establish a consistent, cohesive signage system across the City of Corcoran's current and future parks, trails, and open spaces. The policy is intended to improve user experience by identifying park entrances, amenities, and regulations, while aligning with City branding and applicable codes. This would guide both updates to existing parks and integration of signage standards into future park and trail projects. The policy outlines four primary sign types: monument signs, regulatory signs, directional/wayfinding signs, and interpretive signs. It also includes guidance for accommodating required recognition signage associated with grants, agency partnerships, or other external funding sources, with an emphasis on minimizing visual clutter and maintaining cohesive park aesthetics. When allowed by funding requirements, consolidation of partner recognition signage is encouraged. Implementation is anticipated to begin with Heritage Park as part of the ongoing remaster project. Future open space parks would incorporate wayfinding signage as those areas are further developed. Design standards are included as a placeholder appendix, identifying color palette, typography, logo, various sign elements, and potential iconography. The policy is complete to the extent possible by staff. Staff is requesting Commission review and provide feedback on the policy, including additions or adjustments. Pending Commission input, the next step would be to request City Council authorization for staff to work with HKGi to develop sign concepts, to also be included as part of the Heritage Park remaster. Financial/Budget At this stage, no funding has been formally allocated for wayfinding design or implementation. Preliminary, high-level estimates for sign concept development are anticipated to fall within a range of $5,000 - $10,000, depending on the scope of work, number of sign types, etc. Implementation and fabrication costs would be evaluated separately and brought forward at a later date. Some potential cost-savings may include deferring the design of interpretive signage, retaining existing regulatory signs, phasing signage updates over time, and seeking external funding for implementation costs. Options 1. Review the draft Wayfinding Policy, provide recommended adjustments, and consider a recommendation to City Council to allow staff to work with HKGi to develop wayfinding sign concepts. 2. Provide alternative direction to staff. 3. Decline. Recommendation Review the draft Wayfinding Policy, provide recommended adjustments, and consider a recommendation to City Council to allow staff to work with HKGi to develop wayfinding sign concepts. Council Action Attachments 1. Draft Wayfinding Policy - Jan 2026 3 Updated 1/8/2026 Wayfinding Policy Purpose The Wayfinding Policy establishes a consistent and cohesive signage system throughout the City of Corcoran’s parks, trails, and open spaces. Its intent is to enhance user experience by clearly identifying park entrances, amenities, and rules while ensuring all signs align with City branding, meet accessibility requirements, and comply with applicable codes. The policy provides a unified framework for standards, implementation, and installations, guiding both updates to existing parks and integration into future projects. Background The City of Corcoran’s park system has signage located within Heritage Park (Monument and Regulation) and Wildflower Park (Regulation). Within the Heritage Park remaster, there was a need to update signage to reflect accurate park information. Signage previously located within Heritage Park were installed over the past 30+ years and include errors with the development. Scope 1. Monument Signs: Serves as the primary identity element at the entrance of parks. One allowed per parcel. 2. Regulatory Signs: Communicates park rules and ordinance-based requirements, generally located in high-traffic areas. 3. Directional/Wayfinding Signs: Guide users to amenities such as playgrounds, pavilions, fields, restrooms, and trailheads within community parks. 4. Interpretive Signs: Convey environmental, cultural, historical, or memorial information. External Funding and Partner Recognition The City strives to be fiscally responsible and may pursue or be awarded external funding for parks and recreation projects. External funding may include, but is not limited to, grants, agency partnerships (Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park District, etc.), and private or organizational donations, when appropriate. Required signage should be limited in number, appropriately scaled, and located in proximity to the funded improvement(s) or project area(s). All externally required signage should be designed and placed to minimize visual clutter impacts to park aesthetics, natural features, and user experience, while still meeting the recognition or acknowledgement requirements of the funding source. When multiple funding sources or partnerships contribute to a single project, the City may request consolidation, as permitted by the terms of the grant or funding agreement, to reduce sign congestion and maintain a cohesive park environment. Final placement and design of externally required signage shall be subject to City review and approval to ensure alignment with adopted policies, safety considerations, and long-term maintenance goals. Implementation Existing Parks • Heritage Park – Integration within remaster project. • Wildflower Park – Determination of necessary neighborhood park signage. Future Projects • Open Space Parks – Integration upon further development of the areas. 4 Updated 1/8/2026 Appendix Design This would remain a placeholder section until further work with HKGi could occur to help create design specification(s). Below are areas of direction that staff would reflect during the work with HKGi, with designs returning to the Commission and Council for review. Color Palette • Logo colors • Sign material color • Colors within the signs o Text o Graphics Typography Font preferences should be discussed with the City’s communications team, as well as HKGi for best continuity and aesthetics. City Logos • Color with white text • Color with black text • Monochromatic Monument Signs • Should include park name, City logo, and address of the park • Double-sided, when appropriate • Scaled approach for community parks (Heritage Park, open space parks, etc.) vs. neighborhood parks (Wildflower Park) Directional/Wayfinding Signs • Preference towards illustrative (similar to concept plan designs) • Applicable to community parks and areas with significant looping trail sections Potential icons AED Baseball Benches/Seating Bike Rack Boardwalk Drinking Fountain Family Restroom Ice Skating Park Building Parking Pavilion Pedestrian Crossing Pets on Leash Playground Restrooms Trail Trailhead Video Surveillance Volleyball Interpretive Signs TBD 5