04-27-2022 PRMSpecial Meeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members, Anderson, Loidolt, Niziolek, and
Soltvedt
Members Absent: Commissioners Holmgren and Rathbun
Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner
Staff Present: Furniture and Things Community Event Center Superintendent Tim Dalton,
and Recreation Coordinator Tonya Love
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation
Commission was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Chair Williams.
2. Discuss Future Park and Trails for Foster Development Project
Chair Williams shared that the developer is looking for the park’s location, size, and
configuration for the design process.
Mr. Dalton shared maps of the development showing options for the park’s location and size
along with the trails master plan of the area.
Commissioner Anderson stated it is impossible to choose the location of the park without the
topography map. This development provides an opportunity for great recreational
opportunities like non other. Thinks the goals are oversimplified, it is hard to talk about size if
we do not know what is in it. There are unique recreational opportunities which go a long with
the trail that goes around the water.
Commissioner Anderson asked about the roadway over the body of water.
Paul Tabone, Lennar Homes, shared that the City Council has requested that the main artery
of the development road be straightened and go over the water to be able to get to Cleveland
Road.
Mr. Tabone stated they are still working out the design and considering the trails to go around
the water and needs to know where the open space will be and that they are trying to get as
much of the trail as possible next to the body of water.
Commissioner Niziolek likes the crossing area to be a park and not have a road.
Council member Wagner stated she believes we cannot have that large of a development
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without having another access point on Cleveland Road and that would require using the road
going over the body of water.
Commissioner Anderson suggested that there be small park settings along the body of water
that people utilize from the trail.
Council member Wagner asked if this is a public space and where would there be extra
parking?
Commissioner Loidolt stated that people will drive to this location and it will be similar to the
issues we have a Kliever Park with no parking lot.
Commissioner Anderson shared there may be potential to put parking lot in northeast corner,
under the power line.
Council member Wagner stated concern about the option to have parking areas for visitors.
Mr. Tabone asked if the desire is to have it a public access, then looking at parking at where
the “park” is designated, county may not want the Cleveland parking lot on north end.
Commissioner Anderson would like to have a looped trail with parklets along the trail and
body of water and the road going to Cleveland disrupts that idea.
Mr. Tabone clarified parklets would be picnic areas or overlook areas.
Commissioner Niziolek shared this has great potential for park users to be on the water with
kayaks and canoes, but not with a motorized boat.
Mr. Tabone stated they will look at the beaver dams, trail around pond, parking area, parklets,
non-motorized boats and fishing as amenities. Advocates for no motorized boats.
Commissioner Niziolek said if the crossing is public domain and looping trail with parklets
then the park wouldn’t be so critical to have up to the water except there would be a need for
water access for canoes/kayaking.
Commission members discussed location of park to include established forest area.
Mr. Tabone shared he wants to incorporate as much as possible for each group. Have a look
out on the southern pond crossing or looping the southern pond only and trail on west side of
northern pond going north for connectivity.
Council member Wagner encourages the loop to go around the whole body of water not just
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the south half.
Commissioner Anderson shared that the current cleared area lends itself to a good location of
a park and having a variety of activities.
Commissioner Soltvedt would like to see the park forested or natural area since there are
closer parks for residents to access.
Commission members discussed including some of the forest and wanting 10-12 acres for the
park.
Commissioner Loidolt stated he is looking at it from a monetary aspect and how do we
maintain a playground type park without capitol and would like it to be a natural park.
Commissioner Anderson likes the idea of nature play area.
Commissioner Soltvedt stated we do not need another Trott Brook Farms Park.
Chair Williams asked Mr. Tabone to do 10-12 acres showing a few options.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks
and Recreation Commission work session at 6:42 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
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Dave Williams, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk