The creation of a park and open space on the Windermere Bluff has been contemplated in the 2016 approved West End Plan, followed by the 2040 Comp Plan, Envision Shakopee and also in the Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan.  This area has incredible views and natural assets.  It will be considered a regional park.

Staff has been working with the Theis family for the past year on obtaining the bluff and lower meadow property. They have agreed to make a substantial donation of property as part of the property acquisition.  The purchase is as follows:

$458,264   cash, check or wire from Park Development Funds
$640,000   donation to the City of Shakopee

The developer of the southerly portion of the larger parcel, Randy Kubes, has worked with staff to incorporate the future park area into its plat along with the trail, which would also connect to his proposed subdivision..  He should be submitting his preliminary and final plat in early 2022 to start construction next year.  

Staff is also working with the potential developer of the adjacent property to the west to continue the bluff park and trail system and to incorporate neighborhood access.

This acquisition and future development of a trail system is in the Capital Improvement Plan.  As part of the original Windermere development to the east, trails were stubbed out to this property in anticipation of future acquisition.