Item 4B. 2025 Partnership Highlights
Recommendation:
NO ACTION REQUIRED; THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Patricia Freeman, General Manager of Scott County Parks; Justin Markeson, Park Maintenance Supervisor; Tom Balk, Park Operations Supervisor; and Thomas Gorycki, Strategic Programs Manager of the Scott-Three Rivers partnership
Background:
This agenda item reports on highlights of partnership work and projects of note to date in 2025. A list of highlights submitted by work group staff is attached for reference.
County Capital Planning –Vertical Infrastructure and Expansion to a 10–Year Parks Improvement Plan
Work groups from the Park District and Scott County collaborated to make changes to the county’s Parks Improvement Plan (PIP), expanding it from a five-year to a ten-year plan and adding vertical (non-pavement) projects. Pavement projects have been in the plan for many years and while vertical infrastructure projects have been included in the past, this effort involved comprehensive review of needs for the next 10 years. The 2025 – 2029 PIP included 10 projects, six of which were pavement projects, and four acquisition projects. Sixteen new projects were submitted to the 2026 – 2035 PIP, of which 11 are vertical or non-pavement projects. Having received review by the Park District leadership team, the projects are now under review by the County’s Governance team.
Marketing and Communications
In 2025 there has been a collective effort to build efficiencies around the development of the monthly e-newsletter for the partnership parks and the “park pages” that occur in the Scott County newspaper the “SCENE”. Additionally, partnership staff have worked to modernize and expand utilization of county platforms, in particular social media and digital signage infrastructure and those efforts will continue.
Recent Park Expansion and Improvement Projects – Update and Community Response
Doyle-Kennefick - The park opened for the first time in September 2024 with the development of 3 miles of hiking trail that traverse through 100 acres of restored prairie, maple-basswood forest, and alongside waterlily wetlands. Several phone calls from community members and neighbors expressing appreciation for the new trails and access to the park. During the summer of 2025, 3 - 8 cars at a time on most summer weekends, based on observations by field staff. Annual use numbers will be available via the Met Council annual use estimate in July of next year.
Cleary Campground - Adding the shower and restroom building and RV support infrastructure and drinking water has been very well received, with many anecdotal stories from visitors. One family shared they have been camping at Cleary for a long time and after asking friends to join them for years, they finally agreed to join them because of the modern facilities now available.
Cedar Lake Farm – Camper Cabins – The site opened end of October 2024 and awareness has been steadily climbing. The cabins were booked out every weekend during the summer. Marketing efforts are being made across platforms such as the magazines, social media, park signage, emails, and newspapers and more. Twin Cities Live showcased the cabins during a visit to the cabins and interview of site staff. The cabins were featured in Lake Minnetonka Magazine, Cities South Magazine and a few other online magazines. A Facebook post on Scott County’s account had a lot of engagement, reaching 137,000 individuals and 611 interactions, the largest reach of a Scott County post in the last two years.
Planning is in the works to pair winter activities and cabin stays as well as introductory camping with community partners. This winter we will offer an introductory ice fishing program and cabin stay, enabling participants to spend the weekend in the cabins while learning fundamentals of fishing.
On the operations front, staff have received positive feedback from guests that highlight the use of Cedar Lakes Farm’s beaches, kayak and paddleboard rentals, fishing piers, and trails during their stay.
January 1 through August 31, 2025, we had 323 nights booked out of 972 nights available. Every weekend, June through August, was fully booked out.
Community Engagement Highlight
The Parks Wellness initiative, in the 2nd phase of implementation and funded by the Metropolitan Council through its Equity Grant Program, continues to be a highlight of engagement efforts to connect residents to the many benefits of regional parks in Scott County.
- Served over 1,200 from January 1 – June 30, 2025
- New partners: Prior Lake and Savage Senior Centers, Furlong Learning, East African Women’s Group, Let’s Go Fishing and more
- Continued work with: Libraries, FRC’s, New Beginnings, Scott County Foster Care Licensing, Anchor Center, Tree House and continued collaboration with the Outdoor Recreation School
- Newly developing partnership with Damascus Way around their re-entry housing services – working with Scott County Corrections to develop relationship and programming. Preliminary interest and discussions around camper cabins, fishing, hiking and kayaking, and more.
Future Improvement Projects - Highlights
Merriam Junction Trail
- Construction is well underway and was at a good pace through the spring. Recent flooding has challenged the schedule and the planned completion at the end of 2026. Depending on the rate of drawdown on the river after the most recent flooding crests, and water levels next spring, paving of the trail, which will be the final construction activity, could go into 2027.
- This 2.42 trail includes a new span over the Minnesota River, connecting Carver and Scott counties. This new trail serving the southwest Metro connects downtown City of Carver across the river through the MN Valley Recreation Area.
- 129,000 visits are anticipated on this new facility once completed.
Play Areas
- 2026 – 2027 A play area is planned for Cedar Lake Farm and a replacement of Cleary Lake’s.
Camping Improvements Partnership with Schools
- 2027 – 2028 Camper cabins are planned at Cleary Lake campground
- 2026 – Planning discussion to occur with area schools
- Design and Construction 2027 – 2028
Attachments:
Work Activities Noted by Staff - 2025.pdf
