The City is currently evaluating the options for the best path forward with the Community Park renovation. Pre-bidding pricing for the proposed new park structure and amenities came in over budget, so staff worked with the project designers to explore alternatives. These alternatives were presented to the City Council and they looked over various designs and cost-estimates that were economical while still meeting community needs. The City Council decided to move forward with a pre-fabricated restroom/concessions building and outdoor shelter. This leaves room in the budget for other amenities to be added to the park, such as an updated larger playground and a splash pad. Estimates are that the new design will be under budget.

The City is hopeful to start construction in the Spring of 2025.   While no final design plans have been selected yet, these are the latest renderings to show what the final project could look like.

 Park Layout Example

Pre-Fab Example

Community Park Renovation Project Overview:

The City has long been planning the renovation of Community Park, located at 2050 Roselawn Avenue. Since the 1970s, the City leased the land from the University of Minnesota. With our lease expiring, the City purchased the property from the university for $1.1 million this past May. 

Back in 2014, the City hired WSB, a civil engineering and planning firm, to develop a parks master plan. The initial plans included multiple concepts for the renovation of Community Park. The City has once again hired WSB as the project manager and HCM Architects as the architects for the renovation. Both firms have extensive municipal park renovation experience, including both firms as the partners in the Roseville parks renovation. 

The total park renovation budget is between $2.5 to $3 million. It is estimated that the new building will take approximately half of the budget, and the parking lot, design fees, site features, and to-be-determined park amenities will be the other half of the project cost. The City has been strategically saving for this renovation for many years, and will be able to pay a majority of the project cost through existing reserves. We also have a bonding request in to the State of Minnesota for $1 million, and are applying for a wide variety of grants to assist with the project. Any remaining costs for the project will be financed through a municipal bond as a debt issuance. The City remains in a strong financial position with minimal debt.

Previous Renovation Documents: 

• Park Layout
• Park Building
• Cost Estimate

History of Community Park Building Closure:

• Summer 2019: General maintenance concerns from the Fire Marshal, Public Works and City Council.

• Fall 2019:  Closed the park building for safety concerns.

• March, 11, 2020, City Council Meeting:  City Council reviewed and approved the Community Park Building - Structural Evaluation and Recommendations proposal. 

• June 2020: An inspection was performed to determine the integrity of the building and recommendations were made to the City by Bolton & Menk, Inc. to implement maintenance repairs. 

• Summer 2022: Community Park Building became unusable due to a collapsed sewer line.

• Spring 2023: The City officially closed on the purchase of Community Park. Falcon Heights has leased the 15.5 acre Community Park property from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities since the early 1970s. With the lease expiring in 2024, both parties felt it was in their mutual best interest for Falcon Heights to own the property.