The Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission met Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the St. Croix Room in city hall. Among agenda items approved was a bylaws update that included a change opening youth commissioner positions to applicants as young as 13 years old, following extended discussion about how to balance younger residents’ enthusiasm with the responsibilities of serving as voting members on the commission.
The previous bylaws had stated ninth grade, with no age listed.
“We’ve talked in the past about making the youth commissioners be in high school,” Chair Adam Larson said in opening the discussion on lowering the age requirements.
The change as approved to age 13 comes after the commission received applications from youth that were under the requisite age, but which showed enthusiasm in seeking the post. Council liaison Dave Thiede said the applicants were enthusiastic and engaged, the debate centering on whether younger applicants would be prepared to participate meaningfully in discussion and decision-making alongside adult members.
The Parks and Recreation Commission currently has two youth commissioner posts, one of which is held by Sam Larson and the other vacant. Youth commissioners are voting members of the Commission, with members seeking to ensure that they could participate in a meaningful way. The commission had a middle schooler some years back who did well, staying on through her full school experience.
Commissioner Dave Olson said the youth might not want the position once they saw what it was.
“Maybe they wouldn’t even like it once they see what it actually is,” he said.
Several commissioners also discussed the value of the youth commissioner position as a resume-building and civic engagement opportunity for high school students. Others argued the city has seen increasing interest from younger residents who want to participate in community discussions and public service. The amendment to allow 13 year olds was ultimately approved following discussion, allowing youth commissioners ages 13 through graduation from high school, provided they remain enrolled in school. The youth positions will remain full voting seats on the commission.
“If you pick a bottom age we can wordsmith that to say whatever their age through high school,” Dockter said before the vote to allow 13 year olds.
Also from May 11 Parks and Recreation Commission, members reviewed business plans for both the River Oaks Golf Course and Event Center and the city ice arena.
Capital improvements as reviewed at the golf course include anything $15,000 and above, with maintenance golf related.
As for the ice area, the business plan will include a market and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, with the arena now in phase two of the naming rights process. The city has vetted the list down to 40 to 50 companies for followup. Commissioner Olson raised questions on the arena posting $250,000 each year but having a construction bond.
Dockter said the city’s approach has been to ensure facilities are operationally self-sufficient while using bonding for major capital improvements, defined as anything $15,000 and above.
“I actually love those questions because these two facilities compared to other communities are doing really, really well,” he said.
Thiede said both facilities compare favorably to similar operations in other cities and continue to serve as economic development assets by drawing visitors into Cottage Grove.
During parks updates meanwhile, Dockter reported that bidding is underway again for Denzer Park after nearby residential development for the Hadley Ridge Apartment and Preserve at Prairie Dunes is underway after pausing for an earlier construction delay.
“We were building a park in the middle of nowhere, so we put it on hold” he said of the initial pause in construction. Denzer Park will be located in southwest Cottage Grove and named for late mayor Jack Denzer.
Back at the May Parks and Recreation Commission, Dockter also provided updates on restoration work along the Hardwood Estates Trailway corridor, including prairie and wetland seeding efforts supported by additional grant funding.
As for Oltman Park, Dockter stated the new playground installation is largely complete, with a picnic shelter expected to be installed soon. Dockter also said the unique all-wood playground structure has already drawn interest from local families, though additional furnishings will be installed later after turf establishment improves.
The city meanwhile is also continuing work related to Mississippi Dunes Park, where officials are awaiting responses on several grant applications totaling millions of dollars. Dockter said the city expects to install a fishing pier on the river later this year after receiving flexibility from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regarding temporary accessibility accommodations.
In partnership with the National Park Service meanwhile, the city will also launch a new “Paddle with a Ranger” program on the Mississippi River recreation area. Additional grant funding is being pursued to improve kayak and canoe access near Hazen P. Mooers Park, which is shallow.
Dockter said Peterson Park development remains tied to pending trail and park grant applications, while planning work continues for long-term natural resource management at Still Ponds Park.
Closing out the meeting, commission members elected Commissioner Susannah Brown as vice chair for the coming term. Brown’s term and that of Chair Larson end next year, meaning a new chair and vice chair will be needed at that time.
As for June, the commission is going on a field trip, with members of the public welcome. Potential tour locations include East Ravine, Mississippi Dunes, Peterson Park and Military Trailhead.
“Typically we get five or six extra visitors so it’s not overwhelming,” Dockter said. There is an RSVP for planning purposes however.
Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in city hall, excluding January and July. The public is welcome to attend.