2021-10-6 Park and Rec Comm Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Work Session
Held October 6, 2021
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the Parks and Recreation Commission, City of
Mendota Heights, Minnesota began at Pilot Knob Park/Oheyawahi, 2044 Pilot Knob Road, Mendota
Heights, MN 55120
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Steve Goldade called the meeting to order at 4:31pm. Commissioners Klepperich, Blanks, Sherer,
Meyer (arrived at 4:40pm), and Student Representative Hess were also present.
City staff present included Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator; Cheryl Jacobson, City
Administrator (departed 5:15pm); Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; and Krista Spreiter, Natural
Resource Technician (departed 5:00pm).
TOUR OF PILOT KNOB PARK/OHEYAWAHI
Staff and Commissioners learned about the site and its significance from Gail Lewellen, as well as the
role the task force plays. Juanita Espinosa discussed with those present the significance of the site to the
Dakota People. The site is sacred and allows us all to respect the history of the land. Chris Soutter
discussed the natural resource planning work being conducted and their natural goals moving forward.
Autumn Hubbell from Dakota County discussed the City and County partnership, as well as the
interpretive plan, indigenous and organization engagement processes thus far. The group talked about
possible field trip opportunities for ISD 197 students and learned about the bonding bill request that is
active.
TOUR OF DOG PARK
Staff and Commissioners toured the Dog Park. Those present reviewed ruts and other vegetation
existing to the park. Those present also discussed the need for better signage both for the entry and for
the sacredness of the park, which will hopefully prevent any digging. Staff will be working to get some
trees cleared over the Winter to improve visibility. Discussions for the addition of new trees and native
plantings occurred.
TOUR OF ROGERS LAKE SKATE PARK
Staff and Commissioners reviewed the existing Skate Park at Rogers Lake. Recreation Program
Coordinator Lawrence provided information on the recent work of the Skate Park work group and
provided renderings which the group had worked on, but couldn’t come to agreement on. Due to the
work group not having a final proposal, the project wasn’t funded in 2021, which resulted in the task
group being put on pause.
TOUR OF WENTWORTH PARK
Staff and Commissioners present viewed the plans for the new Warming House building at Wentworth
Park and discussed paving the rink to improve flooding operations and ice quality in the Winter.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 6:25 PM
Minutes Taken By:
Meredith Lawrence
Recreation Program Coordinator