10.3. SR 06-05-2017Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 10.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session June 5, 2017 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Woodland Trails Regional Park Potential Cal Portner, City Administrator
Acquisition
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discussion and Council direction.
Background/Discussion
Walter Malmstrom contacted staff to see if the city was interested in acquiring 22.25 acres of his property
for Woodland Trails Regional Park. Mr. Malmstrom leased the property for the past 10 years to the
Tiller Corp. for mining. The property was recently rehabbed by filling in with sand to decrease some of
the elevations. It is located along Proctor Road and adjacent to the 14.79 acre property he sold to the
city in 2007 for an eastern access to Woodland Trails.
The 2007 purchase was made with Park Dedication Funds for $406,725. He currently does not have the
property listed. The Woodland Trails Regional Park Master Plan does not reference this area as an
interest for acquisition. It recommends, on page 20 under Park Land Acquisition, “Based on purchasing
opportunities, potential acquisition includes existing mining areas to the east of the park, particularly for
potential water features.”
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the parcel on May 10, 2017, and recommend
acquisition. The Commission indicated the property could be used for athletic fields, skate park, trail
head, a playground, and a sledding hill.
The city does not have funding for acquisition, acquisition may be pursued by a grant through the
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC). If interested, a grant application
will need to be approved before the July 31 application deadline. Staff previously planned to apply for
park improvements with a GMRPTC application which would directly compete for funding with this
potential application.
Financial Impact
The cost of an appraisal is estimated to cost up to $5,000. The appraisal must be preformed by a
qualified licensed appraiser and must meet the DNR appraisal guidelines.
Attachments
Land Parcel of Interest
Photograph of Parcel