ITEM 4.1 Lily Pond Park Renovation Item 4.1
1
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Nick Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: April 8, 2025
RE: Lily Pond Park Renovation – Site Analysis
Background Information
Pending council approval of the Lily Pond Park Renovation work plan on Monday, April
14th, HKGi will present their site analysis of Lily Pond Park. The attached memorandum
and presentation outline options that the Parks and Recreation Commission will be
refining to ensure that the renovation is cost effective and sustainable. Planning will be
completed throughout 2025 with anticipated renovations starting in Spring 2026.
HKGi and staff are seeking recommendations from the Commission on the scope of the
renovation and date to be set for neighborhood engagement.
Requested Commission Action
Staff requests the Parks and Recreation Commission review the Lily Pond Park Site
Analysis Memorandum from HKGi and attached presentation, bringing
recommendations for HKGi and staff.
Possible recommendation:
To facilitate the neighborhood meeting during the July Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting onsite at Lily Pond Park.
Item 4.1
2
Attachments:
• Site Analysis Memorandum - HKGi
• Lily Pond Site Analysis Presentation - HKGi
800 Washington Avenue North, Suite 207
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Memorandum
To: Nick Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Otsego
From: Gabrielle Grinde, HKGi
Subject: Lily Pond Park Site Analysis
Date: March 28, 2025
Lily Pond Park is a 5.0-acre neighborhood park located at the corner of Kadler Ave NE and 101st Street,
in the northwest corner of Otsego. The park was developed in 2005. Adjacent to the north and west
sides of the park is a 17.36-acre open space parcel, managed by the neighborhood HOA. Half a mile
north of Lily Pond Park is Norin Landing Park, which provides Mississippi River access, a picnic shelter
and open space.
Existing features in Lily Pond Park include:
» Tennis court
» Basketball court
» Parking lot with 23 spaces
» Playground with three containers:
- Large 5-12 year-old structure
- Swing set
- Toddler playset
» Picnic shelter with space for 2-3 picnic tables
» Paved trails, including 1,100-foot loop trail
» Benches
» Grills
» Pedestrian-scale lighting throughout the park
» Park signage
» Bike racks
» Pine stand and shade trees
» Portable restroom (seasonal)
Site Photos
March 28, 2025
Lily Pond Park Site Analysis
Memorandum 2
Issues & Opportunities
The following is a list of potential improvements and priorities for park development:
» Tennis court needs new fence and surface
» Basketball court could be reduced to half court or eliminated from park
» Play equipment—potentially reduce the size of the play equipment. The neighborhood
surrounding the park is made up of large lots, many of which have their own play sets.
» Parking lot could be mill and overlay, and could be reduced in size—ask the neighbors if it is used
» Irrigation, evaluate the condition of the existing irrigation. It is served by a well on the site.
» The shelter is in good condition and will remain.
» The topography of the park is mostly flat—evaluate the stormwater needs to determine if new
management measures are needed.
» Pedestrian lights are in decent condition—evaluate potential shift to solar lights to reduce
electrical cost and maintenance. Are the lights desired by the neighborhood?
» Consider adding prairie on the small hill in the northwest corner of the park—is the hill used for
sledding?
» Consider adding signage along the north and west property lines to denote the boundary of the
park.
» ADA access should be evaluated related to improved facilities.
March 28, 2025
Lily Pond Park Site Analysis
Memorandum 3
Play Equipment
The existing play equipment was installed in 2005. Typically, playgrounds are replaced every 20 years.
The existing play equipment is in moderate condition. Several options exist for playground updates,
including full replacement, refurbishment, or partial replacement. HKGi has reached out to select play
vendors for play equipment designs and quotes for replacement within the existing containers:
» GRG Landscapes (nature play elements)
» Flagship Recreation (LSI)
» Northland Recreation (Little Tykes)
Nature Play
There is the opportunity to include more natural play features, such as log critters, wood materials,
especially considering the close proximity to the Mississippi River.
Refurbishment
There is also the opportunity to refurbish the existing play equipment to extend the life of the current
structure.
March 28, 2025
Lily Pond Park Site Analysis
Memorandum 4
Cost Estimate
Project construction is anticipated in the spring of 2026. The budget for implementation of park
improvements is $580,000.
A preliminary cost estimate of potential improvements is shown below. As the park improvements are
refined following community engagement, the cost estimate will be updated.
Next Steps
HKGi will present the site analysis, issues and opportunities, preliminary cost estimate, and project
schedule at the April 15th, 2025, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.
DATE ITEM
May-June 2025 Prepare Concept Plan & Community Engagement materials
July 2025 Neighborhood Meeting & Park Commission Meeting #2
Aug-Sept 2025 Prepare Preferred Master Plan and Cost Estimate
Oct/Nov 2025 Park Commission Meeting #3 - Review Final Plan
Dec 2025-Feb 2026 Develop Construction Documents and Bidding
Description Qty. Unit Unit Cost Total Cost
Trail resurfacing 13600 SF 5$ 68,000.00$
Parking lot mill and overlay 12240 SF 5$ 61,200.00$
Demo existing court netting posts and remove footings 2 POST 1,000$ 2,000.00$
Demo fencing and hardware 1 LS 10,000$ 10,000.00$
Demo basketball goals, posts, and footings 2 EA 2,000$ 4,000.00$
New tennis court fencing 350 LF 150$ 52,500.00$
New bituminous – tennis court 6650 SF 10$ 66,500.00$
New bituminous – basketball court 5640 SF 10$ 56,400.00$
New custom color court surfacing and striping 2 LS 10,000$ 20,000.00$
New solar lights 4 EA 2,500$ 10,000.00$
New benches 6 EA 1,200$ 7,200.00$
New picnic tables 3 EA 2,000$ 6,000.00$
Prairie seeding 0.5 AC 6,000$ 3,000.00$
Playground equipment, EWF surface, and install 1 LS 175,000$ 175,000.00$
Construction Costs Subtotal 541,800.00$
Mobilization, tree protection, erosion control, staking, and site prep 8% 43,344.00$
Construction contingency 10% 54,180.00$
PROJECT TOTAL 639,324.00$
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KADLER AVE101ST ST
0 6030FeetLily Pond Park Issues & Opportunities Map DRAFT March 28, 2025
Tennis Court
•Update fencing and surface
Sledding Hill
•Potential to make this prairie
Bituminous Trail
•Potential for resurfacing
Eastern North-South Trail
•Outside park improvements project
Lighting
•Well-lit park
•Create a lighting standard
No Need for Trail
•Suggested removal
Existing Playground
•Equipment needs updates
•Playground container may
change
•Potential to restore two small
play containers to turf grass or
other use
Shade Structure
•In good condition
•Holds 3 picnic tables
Bike Rack
Park Identity Sign
Historical Sign
Parking Lot
•Update through mill and overlay
ADA Access
•Lack of ADA access
to basketball court
ADA Access
•Lack of ADA access
to tennis court
Bench
Picnic Table and Grill
Basketball Court
•Update surface
•Could eliminate or
reduce to half-court