Jackson Commons is a new city park built on land owned by Jackson Township that was set aside for development of a community park.  The existing township park will not be impacted by the construction.

City staff and the consultants have worked with the township on a design along with input from residents on the final park design.  Kraus Anderson has been pricing the project throughout the design.  

There are a large number of diseased and volunteer trees around the existing ponds that need to be removed to allow for grading and to improve water quality and flow.  City Landscape Architect and Senior Planner Bill Delaney has tagged more than 175 trees that need to be removed.  The most responsive quote includes removal of the trees, stumps and underbrush.  This firm has done numerous projects in Shakopee.

The new park will have a showcase agricultural-themed playground, sliding hill, sledding hill, picnic shelter, BIFF enclosure, three level mountain bike course, paved and natural trails, hammock posts, benches, water fountain and a native prairie/savannah with trees.  It is a mixture of nature and active uses.

The ninety-five percent plans are attached and the various consultants are working through final comments with advertisement for bids later this month and final bids will come back to Council for approval.  

The playground bid is for approval under a separate item.  The playground has a long lead time since many of the pieces are not stock.  Tree removal must be done prior to any grading.