Countryside Park Getting $1 Million Makeover

Edina's is set to undergo massive renovations early next year to bring it in line with its master plan, thanks largely to a $695,000 fee paid as part of the Waters Senior Living Development.

The renovations at the park will include a new 165-foot hockey rink, a dedicated free skate area, a brand new children's play area, a new warming house, a wetland overlook and boardwalk and paved trails throughout the park. The park's existing baseball fields, tennis courts and basketball court will be retained.

The master plan has been in place for several years now, with the city waiting for adequate funding to begin the project. The Waters Senior Living Development—which will eventually sit right next to Countryside Park and —was required to pay a park developer's fee to the when its 139-unit development was approved.

Any time a developer builds on new land within Edina's borders, they have to pay a park developer's fee. In this case, the $695,000 fee will be used solely to make the Countryside Park master plan a reality.

The entire project is expected to cost $1,023,000, which will be possible due to an additional $330,000 budgeted for a portion of the project as part of the 2012 Capital Improvement Plan.

The City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. (HKGi) to develop construction plans, specifications and bidding documents as well as providing construction administration services for the redevelopment of the park. The city will pay HKGi $68,220 plus mileage and printing costs for the company's role in the project. 

Council member Ann Swenson said Countryside Park's master plan represents a "huge effort" by the residents who live near it.

"I'm very excited to see this master plan come to fruition," Swenson said. "When you do a master plan and … the residents who live by that park have to wait for a number of years, it's frustrating. Now they get to have a hockey rink back and the entire park will be regraded. I'm pretty excited for them."

HKGi said they expect the project to go out for bidding by the end of 2012, with an anticipated start of construction in the spring of 2013.

Council member Mary Brindle expressed interest in creating some adaptive play equipment—designed specifically for children with disabilities—on the park's new playground.

"I don't want to change the master plan," Brindle said, "I want to take a swing or something and make it adaptive with straps so someone who needs that equipment would have an opportunity to enjoy the park."

After some discussion, it was resolved that the city would attempt to integrate adaptive equipment on a smaller scale for now. Moving forward, the council appeared to agree future renovations of the city's parks should include adaptive features whenever possible.

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