Discussion:
Background
As part of the Park, Trails and Recreation Master Plan, Quarry Lake Park was identified as community park in need of upgrades to amenities. The current home to the Shakopee Prior Lake Water Ski Association and the future home of the Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Course, this park is on pace to be a regional attraction for many users year round.
Using the master plan as a guide, staff and their consultants have developed two concepts which are tailored to expanding the park experience for water ski and mountain bike users.
Concepts
The first concept is a more traditional, formal design with the idea that it could be used for larger group functions and many activities used by users in the same large group. This design retains the existing lawn area but adds many new amenities, such as a single sloped-picnic pavilion with picnic tables and grills, a sand volleyball course and a rope-based playground. New access to the water would be created to allow for walk-in kayak, canoe and other non-motorized boat launching via a gravel beach with amphitheater seating.
The second concept is a more informal design, which still has a picnic shelter with benches and grills, a rope-based climbing playground and the open lawn. This design is different in that the uses are slightly more separated and isolated from one another, allowing for many separate activities to happen without being interconnected. This design also has a beach with access for walk-in launching of kayaks, canoes and non-motorized boats. It includes an ADA kayak ramp. This design also features a small pumptrack to compliment the mountain biking course to the south of the park.
Community Engagement
Community engagement for this project is currently underway. The closest residents to the park are those living in the Southbridge neighborhood, who will eventually be connected to the park via a pedestrian bridge over US Highway 169, and businesses in this part of town such as Emerson, Amazon, Cameron's Coffee, were contacted about taking the design feedback survey and invited the a virtual open house.
A virtual open house to discuss the concepts and gather resident feedback was held on Nov. 19, 2020 at 6pm. Several residents came to hear about the park design concepts, and were interested about the future pedestrian bridge.
A survey was available for residents to take during the month of November. Residents were mailed and emailed information about the survey, as well as notified via the city's social media channels. 173 surveys were filled out, and 80% of respondents preferred Concept 2, the more nature inspired design. Respondents also indicated that beach access, an accessible canoe and kayak launch and more informal seating areas were the most desired amenities. A copy of the survey feedback is attached to this report.
Next Steps
Tonight, staff would like the PRAB's feedback on the two concepts for the park. Following this meeting staff will select a final design based on all the feedback that was given and make any needed revisions. The final design will be brought back to the PRAB and then to the City Council over the winter. Public Works will manage the projects through construction and completion in Spring 2022 and 2023.