HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-21 Parks and Trails Commission Agenda Packet1.Call to Order/Roll Call
2.Pledge of Allegiance
3.Agenda Approval
4.Minutes
a.April 16, 2026, Meeting Minutes
5.Open Forum - Public Comment Opportunity
6.Presentations
7.Unfinished Business
a.Park Prioritization and Planning
8.New Business
a.Springs at Corcoran - Preliminary Plat/PUD
b.Linear Park Plan - "St. Therese of Corcoran" Phase Two at 19800 79th Place (city file 25-043)
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 Report
11.Other Business/Announcements
12.Adjournment
Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission Agenda
May 21, 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.
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STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 4.a
Council Meeting:
May 21, 2026
Prepared By:
Seth Gellman. Community Development
Administrative Assistant,
Topic:
April 16, 2026, Meeting Minutes
Action Required:
Approval
Council Action
Attachments
1. 2026-04-16 Parks and Trails Commission Minutes Draft.docx
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Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission Minutes
April 16, 2026 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on April 16, 2026, at City Hall in Corcoran, MN. Present were
Commissioners Anderson, Christenson, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler.
Absent: Commissioner Erzberger
Present at City Hall was Parks and Recreation Manager Christensen Buck and Community Development
Administrative Assistant Gellman.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Chair Christenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Christenson invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Agenda Approval
Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Schmidt, to approve the agenda for the April 16, 2026, Parks and
Trails Commission Meeting.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler
(Motion carried 5:0)
4. Minutes
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Anderson, to approve March 19, 2026, minutes.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler
(Motion carried 5:0)
5. Open Forum – Public Comment Opportunity
Ramana Reddy Meda Venkat, 19957 64th Avenue, addressed the Commission representing the Tavera
Homeowners Association advocating for a park to be constructed within the Tavera community.
Werner Golling, 19539 102nd Place, addressed the Commission representing a veteran’s group within the
Bellwether community advocating for a park to be constructed in the Bellwether community with the help of the
veterans group.
Katherine Drivas, 6747 Olde Sturbridge Drive, addressed the Commission to thank the commissioners and staff
for their work during previous meetings and work done around park planning in the city.
6. Presentations
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a. Commissioner Training
Parks and Recreation Manager Christensen Buck presented the Commissioner Training.
7. Unfinished Business
a. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Election
Commissioner Erzberger was absent from the election but confirmed with Parks and Recreation Manager
Christensen Buck that he accepted the election results.
8. New Business
a. Hennepin County Youth Activity Grant Application
Parks and Recreation Manager Christensen Buck asked the Commission to recommend approval to the City
Council to apply for the Hennepin County Youth Activity Grant to construct a new shed at Heritage Park.
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Christenson, to recommend approval to the City Council to apply for the
Hennepin County Youth Activity Grant to construct a new shed at Heritage Park.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler
(Motion carried 5:0)
9. Reports/Information
a. Planning Project Update
Community Development Administrative Assistant Gellman gave a brief update.
b. Parks, Recreation, and Trails Update
Parks and Recreation Manager Christensen Buck presented the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Update.
10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. Garden Club Report
Commissioner Anderson gave a brief update.
b. Park Dedication Fund
Parks and Recreation Manager Christensen Buck supplied the most recent Park Dedication Fund numbers.
11. Other Business/Announcements
12. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Strehler, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn the April 16, 2026, Parks and Trails Commission
meeting at 7:50 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler
(Motion carried 5:0)
Submitted by Seth Gellman, Community Development Administrative Assistant
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STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 7.a
Council Meeting:
May 21, 2026
Prepared By:
Jessica Christensen Buck, Parks and Recreation
Manager
Topic:
Park Prioritization and Planning
Action Required:
Discussion
Summary
Background
On March 12, 2026, the Parks and Trails Commission and City Council held a joint work session that
included a discussion regarding future park planning efforts and long-term system planning. During that
discussion, there was conversation surrounding the prioritization of undeveloped parks and determining
which park sites may warrant further planning and development consideration in the near term.
Park Planning
As a follow-up to that discussion, and the discussion on March 19, 2026 at the Parks and Trails
Commission meeting, staff is bringing forward the park sites that meet the criteria discussed during the
work session, along with additional context and information that may assist the Commission in
discussing and prioritizing future park development efforts. Staff anticipates that establishing general
priorities will help guide future capital planning, grant opportunities, and long-range system development
strategies.
As part of the long-range system development strategies, discussions of developing a broader park
system planning document were had. Staff is including an example from Otsego to demonstrate the
range of information and elements that may be incorporated within a Park System Plan
(https://www.otsegomn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/606/Otsego-Master-Plan). While the scope of such a
document is yet to be determined, common components often include:
Current park system overview
Needs assessment
Existing city amenities, neighboring community amenities, options provided by other
organizations within the area, etc.
Implementation
Priorities, funding options, funding sources.
Some can include concepts for park projects, but the cost increases
Trails and connectivity
Natural resources assessment
Capital, operations, and maintenance costs
Capital costs, operating/maintenance costs, lifespans, replacement plans (CIP)
Wayfinding
Council approved staff to work with HKGi on Wayfinding, with the intention to come with an
update to the June 18, 2026, Parks and Trails Commission meeting.
Recreation trends/assessment
At this time, staff feels that this would not be needed, as we understand the limited offerings
due to staffing, funding, and other restrictions.
Park Prioritization
To assist with discussion regarding park development priorities, staff has compiled the following
contextual information regarding parks with ongoing development considerations.
SE Corcoran/Tavera - Neighborhood Park
Approved by City Council in 2022.
The area has been graded, but no park amenities currently exist on site.
Staff frequently receives questions and requests from residents regarding the future development
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timeline within this area.
NE Corcoran/Bellwether - Neighborhood Park
Approved by City Council in phases in 2018, 2020, and 2021.
Previously used for construction staging, but is planned to be seeded this summer to allow for
more immediate passive use. Seeding is not intended to represent the final park design.
Preliminary discussions have occurred with the Bellwether Veteran's Group regarding the
possibility of incorporating a Veteran-focused element, as charitable gambling funds may be
eligible for Veteran-related projects.
At this time, no formal planning has occurred regarding park amenities or future site features, but
staff frequently receives questions and requests from residents for this site.
NE Corcoran/Bellwether - Open Space Park
Approved by City Council in phases in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
Existing improvements include a paved trail loop, future trail connections, and a boardwalk
currently under construction.
Potential future additions could include bench bump-outs with concrete pads.
Staff has received inquiries regarding completion of this area, though the park is generally further
along than many of the other park sites currently under discussion.
Heritage Park - Community Park
The west side of the park is currently under construction to replace the aging playground, add
paved parking and trails, and construct a new park building.
Future phases will be necessary to continue improvements throughout the park, particularly within
the pickleball court and splash pad areas, which were designed with future improvements in mind.
Long-term concepts have also included updates and potential relocation of the hockey and ice rink
areas to the east side of the park.
Given the scale of the current construction project, staff has received feedback to shift focus
toward other park sites following project completion to continue addressing needs throughout
multiple areas of the community.
County Road 116/Olde Sturbridge - Open Space Park
Approved by City Council in 2021.
Potential future improvements may include trail development, bench bump-outs, and improved site
access.
Access into the area is currently limited, which may impact the feasibility or effectiveness of near-
term development efforts.
SE Corcoran/Cook Lake Highlands - Neighborhood Park
Approved by City Council in 2022.
The site is a smaller natural area that currently includes a small trail loop.
Future improvements could include additional passive amenities such as bump-outs.
County Road 116 - Linear Park
Improvements throughout this corridor may continue to occur incrementally as future development
opportunities arise.
A portion of this park is included within in the May 21, 2026, Parks and Trails Commission meeting
and is proposed for development following temporary use as construction staging near St.
Therese.
Staff is seeking Commission discussion and feedback regarding:
Potential priorities for undeveloped park sites, from the park sites listed above.
Planning elements that the Commission believes would be most valuable in future park system
planning processes/plans.
If certain planning components could assist in establishing future park development priorities and
long-range implementation strategies.
Financial/Budget
Funding for future planning and development would be supported through the Park Dedication Fund,
which is also the primary source for park capital projects. While using these funds for planning reduces
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the amount available for future construction projects, it can help establish clearer priorities and direction
for undeveloped park sites.
At this stage, the discussion will help inform the scope of a potential Comprehensive Park System Plan,
particularly for undeveloped parks. Having defined priorities and timelines in place can improve the City's
ability to pursue grant funding and other external resources, while also supporting more strategic long-
term budgeting for park development.
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Commission discuss and provide feedback regarding park development priorities,
long-term planning considerations, and potential components of a future Comprehensive Park System
Plan.
Council Action
Staff recommends the Commission discuss and provide feedback regarding park development priorities,
long-term planning considerations, and potential components of a future Comprehensive Park System
Plan.
Attachments
1. PTC Mtg - 3.19.2026 Park System Plan Slides.pdf
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PROPOSED WAYFINDING PLAN +
PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN
PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION &
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MAR. 12, 2026
Gabrielle Grinde
98
5
Parks & Trail System Overview Public Engagement Goals Short-term Action Plan / Asset Management Implementation
»Existing parks, trails, and open space
»Planned parks and trails
»Led by city staff
»Identify current obligations
»Align projects with funding
»City-wide parks and trails system vision
»Tavera
»Bellwether
»OSP’s (Ravinia and Bellwether – trails, benches, shade)
»Linear Park
»Heritage Park
»Priorities and Phasing
»Funding options
»Funding sources
»Project Review Process
»Capital, operations, and maintenance costs
Corcoran Parks and Trails Plan2
139
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Corcoran Parks and Trails Plan2
Streams
Open Water
MRT (Mississippi River Trail)
Existing TrailsExisting Trails
City Boundary Rogers
St. Michael
Dayton
Elk River
Elk
River
Albertville
Monticello
Prairie View Elementary & Middle School Otsego Elementary School
Kaleidoscope Charter School
Riverwood National Golf Course
VFW Fields
Otsego County Park
Rice Lake WMA (MnDNR)
Odean WMA (MnDNR)
Lily Pond Park
Norin Landing Park
Zimmer Farm Park
Kittredge Crossing Park
Carrick’s Landing
School Knoll Park
Lefebvre Creek Greenway
Northwood Park
Frankfort Park
Future Neighborhood Park
Prairie Park
Wilson Preserve
Davis Farm Park
Lehrke Fields
Prairie Center
Otsego City Hall
Nashua Landing
Beaudry Meadows Park
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Parks & Open Space
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North 0 0.5 1 Mile
Figure 5. Otsego Parks, Open Space, and Trails
41 Otsego Parks + Recreation System Master Plan System Plan 42JULY 2019 JULY 2019
Parks & Trail System Overview
»Existing parks, trails, and open space
»Planned parks and trails
City of Otsego facilities Non-City facilities ISD 728
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Park Type*
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G/C
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S.U. G/C G/C S.U.Non-City facilities
Non-City
Community
Playfields
Area (acres)63 17 5 5 5 8 6 7 8 23 3 15 8 0.2 1 56 33 165 40 11 10 489.2
Parking x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Trails x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Natural Areas x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Volleyball (Sand) 1 1
Tennis 2 1 1 2 1 1 8
Horse Shoes x 1
Basketball - half
court
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Basketball - full court 1 2 1 4
Ballfields/baseball 4 1 1 1 1 2 10
Soccer Field (Adult
size)
4 1
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Rectangular Field 4 1 1 1 1 1 8 1
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Sledding x x 2
Fishing x x x 3
Boat Launch x x 2
Restrooms (Portable)x x x x x x x x x x x x 12
Play Structures x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 15
Picnic Shelters x x x x x x x x x x 9
Picnic Grills x x x x x 5
Hunting x x 2
Archery x 1
Dog Park x 1
Pickleball (shared)x x x 3
Table 6. Otsego Parks, Open Space, and Trails
Kittredge Crossing Park Kittredge Crossing Park
Zimmer Farm Park
Lefebvre Creek Playlot
*Park Type:
C.P. Community Park
C. Pl. Community Playfield
N.P. Neighborhood Park
N. Pl. Neighborhood Playlot
G./C. Greenway Corridors/Conservancy Areas
S.U. Special Use Facilities
39 Otsego Parks + Recreation System Master Plan System Plan 40JULY 2019 JULY 2019
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Corcoran Parks and Trails Plan2
Parks & Trail System Overview
»Existing parks, trails, and open space
»Planned parks and trails
6 PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN | STEARNS COUNTY, MINNESOTA
STEARNS COUNTY PARKS, TRAILS, & NATURAL AREAS
In addition to county parks and trails, there are several state, federal, and city-operated parks and trails that provide valuable recreational services to county residents.
FUTURE FUTURE COUNTY PARKCOUNTY PARK
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Corcoran Parks and Trails Plan2
Goals
»Identify current obligations
»Align projects with funding
»City-wide parks and trails system vision
7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARYJUNE 4, 2024
INVENTORY, CONDITIONS & NEEDS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
The inventory, conditions, and needs assessment process included gathering and reviewing data
and input from a number of sources: previous planning documents, county demographics and
projections, trends in recreation, existing park and trails conditions, a comparison of Stearns County
facilities to peer counties, park and trail access and distribution mapping, and public engagement
and input. The findings are summarized in the table below.
Data Source Summary of Findings
Needs / Recommendations
Previous Planning
The Stearns County Comprehensive Plan identified a need of 20 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Other planning documents support the initiative of expanding parks and open space in the county to support active living and quality of life goals.
• Expand the park system by
acquiring more parkland
• Improve the parks and recreation
system with new facilities at
regional parks
Demographics The county is becoming more diverse. Population growth is occurring mainly in the east part of the county, where the population is younger and more diverse.
• Add facilities in the more densely
populated eastern part of the
county
Trends in Recreation
Trails are more popular than ever before with many varied methods for people to engage with the outdoors, including walking, running, biking, e-biking, scooters, skiing, and more. Unique experiences and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities are desired. Technology for wayfinding and access is important to consider, and climate change is affecting winter recreation options.
• Enhance the experiences and
access at Quarry Park
• Improve trail connections and
experiences
• Upgrade accessibility
Conditions Assessment
Several ADA accessibility issues throughout the system; amenities, such as picnic tables, trash receptacles, and drinking fountains, are missing or need improvements; restrooms need updates and improvements; and signage and wayfinding is missing in several locations.
• Accessible paths and connections
needed
• Support amenity and facility
upgrades are needed (restrooms,
drinking fountains, picnic tables,
etc.)
• Signage and wayfinding are
needed
Peer Comparison
When compared to Olmsted and Wright counties, Stearns County has a lower number of total park acreage, full-time parks staff, and parks operations budget (employee expenditures combined with operations and maintenance spending).
• More recreation programming is
needed
• Camping options are needed
• An increase in parks and
recreation staffing is needed
• An increase in annual parks and
recreation funding/budget is
needed
Distribution of Facilities and Gap Analysis
The Kimball area and western Stearns County frequently appear as gaps in access to trails, regional parks, aquatic facilities, and more.
• Consider acquiring parkland in
gap areas (Kimball and western
Stearns County)
Public Input Current park and trail users love the system today. There is a strong desire for more trails, trail connections, and trail loops. Maintaining and improving the existing facilities is of high importance.
• Build trail connections
• Increase frequency and level of
maintenance of existing parks
and recreation facilities
• Add specialized trails for
mountain biking, horse riding, and
winter recreation
PARK SYSTEM PLAN
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
This plan identifies goals and recommendations to improve
and expand the Stearns County park system for the next
generation, while looking to our past successes and current
assets. The goals and recommendations are organized
according to nine categories:
PARKS & FACILITIES
Parks: Regional Parks, County Parks, Special Feature Parks
Facilities: buildings, shelters, restrooms, boat launches, campsites, disc golf course, archery ranges, play equipment, etc.
TRAILS
Corridor Trails: Lake Wobegon, Dairyland, Beaver Island, ROCORI Trail
Park Trails: paved and soft surface hiking, running, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horse trails
PROGRAMMING Events and programs for outdoor gathering, education, and recreation
MARKETING
Spreading the word about the park and trail system offerings through physical and digital methods: signage (informative and wayfinding), advertisements, press notifications, maps, brochures, website, social media, etc.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The natural outdoor land and water resources that are enjoyed for recreation and conserved for wildlife habitat: forests, savannas, prairies, rivers, streams, and lakes
ACQUISITION Acquiring land and other resources through purchase, donation, or other means to expand the county parks and trails system
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
The day-to-day tasks that are required to operate and maintain the parks, trails, and facilities within the county parks system: administration and planning, providing programs, physical upkeep and rehabilitation, plowing, mowing, grooming, debris and trash removal, cleaning, etc.
STAFFING
The full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff persons who operate and maintain the parks, trails, and facilities in the county park system; run programs and events; and manage the department
FUNDING & PARTNERSHIPS
The annual monetary resources that are required to operate, maintain, update, and expand the parks, trails, and facilities in the county park system, including but not limited to county funding, grants and donations. Revenue from park fees. Partnerships with outside organizations to provide recreation services.
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Corcoran Parks and Trails Plan2
Goals
»Identify current obligations
»Align projects with funding
»City-wide parks and trails system vision
60 PARKS AND RECREATION COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA60 PARKS AND RECREATION COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Roles and Responsibilities
Collaboration and communication between Wright County Parks staff, other
Wright County Departments, and outside agencies will be necessary to accomplish
the goals set out in this plan. The table sets a framework for project types and the
key collaborators that should be considered for each:
Recommendation WRIGHT COUNTY
PARKS*
PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS
Wright Co Dept. Outside Agency
Pa
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Fa
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Maintenance and Replacement of existing facilities / Add comfort amenities Primary
Natural Resources improvements Primary
Wayfinding improvements Lead Health & Human
Services (SHIP funding)
ADA Accessible Facilities improvements Primary
Re
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Develop a County-wide Greenway Trail Vision Lead Highway, Planning &
Zoning
Cities and Townships
Collaborate with County Transportation to Plan and Implement County Bikeways Organizer Highway
Focus on development of planned Regional Corridor Trails Organizer Highway, Planning &
Zoning
TRPD, Cities
Implement Watertrails and Riverways Lead Mn DNR
Ac
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Acquire Land in Underserved Areas of the County / New Park in Southeast Part of
County
Lead Planning & Zoning Cities and Townships
Collaborate with Partner Agencies to protect land for future generations Organizer Pheasants Forever, BWSR, SWCD,
Watershed districts, DNR, Fish and
Wildlife
Acquire Land adjacent to existing parks as opportunities arise Lead Cities and Townships
Park Dedication planning and prioritization Organizer Planning & Zoning Cities and Townships
Pr
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Expand Outdoor and Cultural Resource Education Lead U of M Extension, School Districts,
Community Ed.
Establish a Collaborative Environmental Learning Center / Nature Center Leads and Organizes Cities, Townships, School District,
Community Ed. Departments
Improve Outreach and Marketing Lead Administration Cities, Community Ed.
St
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Hire Programming staff to fulfill programming goals Lead Administration
Consider structure reorganization Lead Administration
Address maintenance deficiencies by hiring maintenance staff Lead Administration
Fu
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Utilize CIP to identify planned/non-funded and funded projects Primary
Identify funding sources for each new project Primary
Table 4.1. Roles and Responsibilities
*RESPONSIBILITY DEFINITIONS:
Primary: Wright County Parks conducts, manages, and leads all facets of the project.
Lead: Wright County Parks takes the lead on managing departments and other agency
partners on project tasks.
Organizer: Wright County Parks serves as the organizing member of a group of
partners that share project task responsibilities.
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