MRPA Magazine Spring 2022

MINNESOTA RECREATION & PARKS VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 2 • SPRING 2022

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MINNESOTA RECREATION & PARKS

Facility Rental

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ALSO INSIDE: • MRPA Professional Awards • Seasonal Staffing Shortage • Creative Sourcing Strategies

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MINNESOTA RECREATION & PARKS

Regis ter today!

2022 UPCOMING EVENTS

Publisher Minnesota Recreation and Park Association 200 Charles Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432 www.mnrpa.org Tel: 763.571.1305

ucation MRPA Virtual Ed-Escalation De Fundamentals of rvention te In & Crisis 2022 , 20 ay M

An affiliate of National Recreation and Park Association

Editorial Staff Michelle J. Snider Bethani Gerhard

In pa rtnership wi

MRPA Board of Directors 2022 President: Ross Demant, Wright County President-Elect: Jerome Krieger, Blaine Past President: Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove Secretary: Annie Olson, Minneapolis Treasurer: Ben Boldt, Rochester RSC Chair: Scott Heitkamp, Burnsville East Metro: Andrew Pimental, Eagan East Metro: Becky Sola, Shoreview East Metro: Reed Smidt, Woodbury Northeast Region: Tonya Love, Elk River Northwest Region: Marcia Larson, Bemidji Southern Region: Joey Schugel, St. Peter West Metro: Nicole Gorman, Edina West Metro: Mike Ramirez, Brooklyn Park West Metro: Jason T. West, St. Louis Park This magazine is the official quarterly publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary to members as part of their MRPA membership. The editorial board encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication by agency members.

Articles of approximately 500-700 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity. Contact Michelle Snider, MRPA, at 763.571.1305 x100 if interested in submitting an article for a future issue.

Articles and Advertising Deadlines Summer 2022 issue ..........................May 22, 2022 Fall 2022 issue .............................August 27, 2022 Winter 2023 issue ................. December 28, 2022 Spring 2023 Issue ........................... March 2, 2023

ation & Pa rk Asso

ciation:

Healthy Mind, Investing in Me: ntented Life Healthy Body, Co May 25, 2022 w.mnrpa.org.

Learn more at ww

Editorial Board Scott Berggren, Crystal Jennifer Fink, New Brighton Lori Hokenson, New Brighton John W. Stutzman, Golden Valley Advertising Sales & Design Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group todd@pernsteiner.com 952.841.1111

th Florida Recre

rk reation & Pa National Rec 22 20 rence Annual Confe -22, 2022 20 r be em Sept r nt ve ion Cente Phoenix Con Phoenix, A Z

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MRPA Annual Conference 2022 22 October 11-14, 20 d an rt so Re ’s Cragun er nt Ce ce en er nf Co Brainerd, MN TE

2022 OCT 11-14,

WATCH WWW.MNRPA.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION & UPDATES.

TABLE OF CONTENTS From the President .........................................4 MRPA in Action ........................................... 6-7 Keeping Up ......................................................8 MRPF Corner ...................................................9 MRPA Professional Awards ..........................12 Clifton E. French Service Award ............13-14 Bring Publications to Life ........................16-17 Seasonal Staff Shortage ........................ 19-20 Recruiting Seasonal Employees............ 22-23 Creative Sourcing Strategies................. 24-25

MRPA reserves the right to approve all submitted advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952.841.1111 or todd@pernsteiner.com.

Facilities Rental Guide .........................31-52 Marketing & Renting Event Spaces ... 34-35 What Event Planners Want ................. 36-37 2022 MRPA Corporate Members ................54

On the cover: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum Roseville, Minnesota

Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

By Ross Demant, MRPA President

Getting to Know Your Neighbors One of my objectives while serving as the MRPA president is to get out and meet MRPA members throughout the state. My first adventure has taken me to the City of Hutchinson where Lynn Neumann has taken over the helm as the parks, recreation and community education director. Lynn has held this position since March 15, 2021 after taking over for Clifton E. French Award recipient, Dolf Moon.

Hutchinson is a small, vibrant Minnesota community that maintains a strong collaborative relationship with its citizens and surrounding community members to provide a high quality of life that creates healthy, active community members.

Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education (PRCE) has a unique partnership with the school district and community education department to provide recreation facilities that can be utilized by both students and community members. The City provides maintenance for school recreation facilities, such as playgrounds and ballfields, while the

Hutchinson PRCE Staff Ugly Sweater Celebration

school district provides the capital cost for replacement of facilities and a budget for maintenance costs. The PRCE director is 50/50 split between Hutchinson public schools and the City of Hutchinson.

Hutchinson PRCE is supported by over 20 full-time and permanent part-time staff. Sara Witte is the park supervisor and oversees five of the full-time staff. The parks maintenance division is responsible for 41 city parks, four shared school-park sites, a campground, and many other amenities.

While talking with Lynn and Sara about their experience with the MRPA, they stated that the MRPA is an outstanding organization and that Michelle and her staff are always very supportive and inclusive. Lynn and Sara like to stay involved in the MRPA and are currently serving as the volunteer coordinators for the 2022 MRPA Annual Conference. This year’s theme is The Power of Parks and Play.

Hutchinson PRCE Director, Lynn Neumann

Tune in for my next adventure which will have me venturing even further into Greater Minnesota!

Hutchinson Aquatic Center opened June 2017

The Stage at Masonic West River is the host to many concert events throughout the summer

Hutchinson Farmer’s Market at the Depot

4 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

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MRPA IN ACTION

Someone You Should Know:

KEVIN O’BRIEN MANAGER, FARIBAULT COMMUNIT Y CENTER AQUATIC SUPERVISOR “My involvement with MRPA started with my director nominating me to be secretary for Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (SMRPA),” says O’Brien.

“This led to being vice-president the following year, and president the next year. Through SMRPA and other MRPA functions, I got to know Michelle, Deb and Bethani (MRPA staff). Amidst COVID-19, I heard about a member resources network getting started. Wanting to be more involved, I expressed my interest in joining the group. Since joining and completing our first project, I have learned a lot about MRPA. I have learned more about its internal processes, how the Board of Directors works, and how it truly operates to help its members.”

Kevin O’Brien became interested in parks and recreation when he was a lifeguard at the local pool in Hastings. “I started as a lifeguard and worked my way up to manager for two summers,” says O’Brien.

“With a background in competitive swimming, and general love for outdoor and water recreation, there was no better place to be than at the pool during the summer months.”

After lifeguarding, O’Brien coached the Red Wing High School girls’ and boys’ swim and dive teams for seven years. “About a year or two after working in Red Wing, the aquatic supervisor position opened in Faribault,” states O’Brien. “I applied, but initially didn’t get the job. Living between Northfield and Faribault, this was an ideal location. One day on my way past the Faribault Community Center, I said out loud in my truck, “someday I’m going to run that pool!” Low and behold, five years later in 2017, the position opened up again.

I applied, interviewed, and went on a fiveday trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).”

O’Brien explains, “Knowing I could get a call about the position while I was out of cell service in the BWCA, I was a nervous wreck.

Once I was back to cell service, I realized there was a voicemail from the City of Faribault, and I was offered the job.”

As the aquatic supervisor, O’Brien is responsible for the indoor six-lane lap pool, the outdoor aquatic center, pickleball, and all the programs within these realms. “My first day on the job was in June 2017, in the midst of busy summer programming,” says O’Brien.

O’Brien says MRPA’s networks and committees are a great resource to help grow your passion for parks and recreation. “They will celebrate your successes and be there for you in your hard times,” he states. “We are blessed to have such an active association in our state.

By getting more involved, I have grown my network and learned a lot about the profession.”

He adds, “How many associations or members from an association put together fundraisers for their peers in need? MRPA is a top-notch organization to be a part of. The more of us that are willing to spend some of our time helping them, the more we all will grow, and our communities will benefit.”

“THEY WILL CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES AND BE THERE FOR YOU IN YOUR HARD TIMES,” HE STATES. “WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH AN ACTIVE ASSOCIATION IN OUR STATE.” - KEVIN O’BRIEN ON MRPA

6 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

MRPA IN ACTION

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course and Exam There were 41 participants in attendance for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) program, which was held in-person from March 23-25 at the Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley.

A second CPSI program was held April 27-29 at the Rosemount Community Center with over 60 participants in attendance. MRPA thanks both the City of Fridley and the City of Rosemount for hosting.

The CPSI course is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods that is offered today.

Advance reading and 15 hours of training prepares attendees to take the CPSI exam. MRPA currently has a list started to see if there is interest to hold another in-person CPSI course and exam this fall, with a minimum of 25 participants needed. Please contact Michelle Snider at snider@mnrpa.org if you are interested.

Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame Banquet The 2021 Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame induction banquet was held on March 25, 2022 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. MRPA member Dan Lauer from Plymouth Parks and Recreation was a league director inducted into the Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame. The other inductees included: Dave Allen (umpire), Mary Bistodeau (meritorious service award), Gordy Gerlach (senior softball), Shannon Higginbotham (player), Dan Holman (player), Brandon Newman (player), Pam Schwartz (player), and Mathias Turbes Jr. (sponsor).

Since 1994, Minnesota USSSA honors certain individuals who have contributed to the Minnesota United States Specialty Sports Association program by inducting them to the state’s hall of fame.

This is considered the highest honor Minnesota’s USSSA can bestow on any individual. Congratulations to all 2021 inductees.

Front row (left to right): Bistodeau, Schwartz, Gerlach, Higginbotham Back row (left to right): Allen, Turbes (sponsor), Newman, Holman, Krieger (emcee)

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Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 7

KEEPING UP

Lisa Jost Retires After 37 Years in Parks and Recreation Lisa Jost retired as the community center manager for Maple Grove Parks and Recreation in February of 2022.

She says, “I worked there for 26 years, striving to make the Maple Grove Community Center the ‘heart of the community.’ Prior to Maple Grove, my career began as an intern for the Rosemount Parks and Recreation in 1984. I worked for over 11 years in various capacities. As the first recreation programmer for the City of Rosemount, I gained valuable experiences in programming, special events, and facility operations. I served as the community center manager for the Rosemount Community Center/National Guard facility before transitioning to Maple Grove.”

Jost grew up in St. Cloud, and says her parents kept her family active by participating in a variety of sports, music, outdoor activities, and volunteer opportunities in the community. “I discovered the field of parks and recreation through a friend who was in therapeutic

recreation at St. Cloud State University (SCSU). Getting into a field offering a diversity of activities that could make a positive difference in the health and well-being for people of all ages and capabilities, intrigued me. Working in community facilities that incorporated activities I grew up with, captured my interest. I received a Bachelor of Science in parks and recreation administration from SCSU.” Jost says she was fortunate to be part of the construction, start-up and ongoing operations for both community centers in Rosemount and Maple Grove. “The most unique experience at the Maple Grove Community Center was a visit from President Bush in 2005,” states Jost.

“Supporting staff in facility projects over the years was also rewarding since the City of Maple Grove takes pride in building topquality park facilities and programs.”

She became involved in MRPA while working in Rosemount. “There was a network of programmers known as the South of the River group,” adds Jost.

“Colleagues in this group introduced me to MRPA by getting me involved in the

programming and facilities groups in the late 80s. I chaired the facility section for a few years, receiving the MRPA Merit award in 2004.”

Jost says networking with MRPA colleagues provided endless benefits. “I could not have done my job as successfully without the ongoing support of MRPA professionals who shared their valuable expertise, insight on industry trends and best practices as well as moral support,” she states.

Jost advises everyone to get involved in MRPA. “It’s worthwhile at any level of participation,” she adds. “And the inspiration and support from the MRPA staff is above and beyond customer service. A note of appreciation to Michelle, Deb, Bethani, and previous staff who have been the foundation of the organization.”

She also thanks all the MRPA members for their response to new ideas in order to keep up with trends and meet the challenges of the ever-changing world.

“Your unwavering support, innovation, and communication keep us connected and inspired,” Jost says. “Be proud that you have made a positive impact on millions of lives with your dedication to the parks and recreation field. Many thanks to all!”

ATTENTION: Recent Retirees If you have recently retired from your parks and recreation career, please inform Bethani Gerhard at 763-571-1305 ext. 109, or gerhard@mnrpa.org. We will add your name and mailing address to the complimentary retiree membership. Also, let us know if you’d like to be featured after your retirement in the Keeping Up portion of the magazine. Thank you!

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Strategy, Socialize and Scribing

By Elizabeth Owens, MRPF Communication’s Liaison

Birds chirping, grass growing, parks a little louder and the change of pace in our careers from inside play to outside play; the season of spring brings a new rush of joy, energetic focus and movement forward!

The MRPF Board has that same rush of joy and energetic focus as we approach the 2022 spring season and begin planning for the next year. The MRPF Board took the beginning of the year to brainstorm strategies, plans and goals for the upcoming year. We are excited to share our two focus areas for the 2022 year: • Fundraising

(socializing): Over the last two years, MRPF has seen a significant decrease in funding from Hiway Credit Union due to the creation of their own charitable foundation. As the sole 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization in the state dedicated to promoting excellence in the parks and recreation profession, there is a need for MRPF to focus on fundraising and creating new revenue streams.

Unique and successful fundraising is critical so we can continue to serve our members and support the incredible work happening in our profession.

Thank you to all those who came to our first fundraising social event of the year

on April 1, after MRPA’s annual awards luncheon.

Please be on the lookout for additional networking and socializing events through the year. Mark your calendars for these new opportunities and join us as we catch-up, gather and celebrate with each other, while supporting the Foundation.

• Documenting

processes (scribing): we are a very fortunate Board to have leaders who have become the subject expert in their role for many years. In order to assure smooth transitions year-after-year as our Board changes, we are focusing on documenting and detailing our processes, streamlining our communications and gathering and filing historical information. We are looking forward to revisiting our past with fresh eyes, being inspired by where the Foundation has come from and organizing our initiatives for our future endeavors.

continuing education and professional development, student and professional sponsorships and grants, New Initiative grants, networking events and more.

To receive the latest news and to be eligible for all of the benefits of MRPF, please become a member of MRPF! You can become a member, or renew your membership online at www.mnrpf. org. Our goal is to serve and support you, so we make membership affordable and accessible at just $25/year for professionals, $20/year for retirees, $10/year for undergraduate students or a lifetime membership of a generous donation of $1,000.

Remember to save the Date!

The Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation Golf Tournament returns October 11, 2022 at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd!

The Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation (MRPF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Minnesota by supporting recreation and parks through education, networking opportunities, programming grants, student and professional continuing education scholarships, and providing support to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.

Learn more at www.mnrpf.org.

Along with those two focuses; MRPF continues to move our primary objective forward: supporting education, innovation, and training for all members in our profession. We accomplish this by supporting MRPA and its members with

MRPF CONTINUES TO MOVE OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FORWARD: SUPPORTING EDUCATION, INNOVATION, AND TRAINING FOR ALL MEMBERS IN OUR PROFESSION.

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Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s Professional Awards

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

This years’ professional awards ceremony was held on April 1, 2022 at the Apple Valley Senior Center. MRPA recognizes members and agencies that have made outstanding contributions to parks and recreation.

MRPA extends a special thank you to Landscape Structures, Inc. and Flagship Recreation for their generous support of the awards program and to the City of Apple Valley for hosting the event.

The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award is MRPA’s award of highest distinction. The 2021 recipient for this award was Tom Schmitz, parks and recreation director for New Ulm. The Jack Niles Award is presented to a male professional member with 10-plus years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The 2021 recipient was Alex McKinney with Washington County Parks.

The Dorothea Nelson Award is presented to a female professional member with 10-plus years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The recipients were Marcia Larson with Bemidji Parks and Recreation and Becky Sola with Shoreview Parks and Recreation.

Jenna Smith with Bloomington Parks and Recreation received the Horizon Award.

This award is given to a professional member of MRPA with eight years or less of professional experience. In order to receive this award, the MRPA member must be an “up and coming” professional and an active contributor to MRPA with great leadership skills.

The Board and Commission Award is given to a member of a citizen’s advisory or policy-making board in the parks and recreation profession. The recipient was

Thomas Anderson, with Corcoran Parks and Recreation.

The Gerald B. Fitzgerald Leadership Award is presented to an outstanding leader who possesses the skill, creativity, and ability to motivate and create notable accomplishments or advancements in the parks and recreation profession and someone who is an active contributor to MRPA. Dale McCamish with Rochester Parks and Recreation was the 2020 recipient of this award, but was unable to attend the banquet held in October 2021. He was recognized during this year’s event.

Congratulations to all the MRPA professional award recipients. We look forward to the 2022 Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon in January of 2023.

Award winners (left to right): Jenna Smith, Becky Sola, Tom Schmitz, Dale McCamish, Alex McKinney, Thomas Anderson

12 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award Recipient

Tom Schmitz

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2021 is Tom Schmitz, park and recreation department director for the City of New Ulm. This award is the highest distinction presented to a person who has provided long and outstanding service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

“I am extremely grateful, honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award, named after the first superintendent of the biggest and best park district in all of Minnesota,” states Schmitz. “I view this award as a team award. I’ve been a part of many amazing park and recreation teams over the past 40-plus years.”

Schmitz states, “I started in Saint Peter as a summer lifeguard and grounds crew foreman. After completing my degree from Mankato State University in

recreation, parks and leisure services, I worked as a park supervisor for Salt Lake County for two years. After that, I worked as a ranger for the National Park Service in Colorado for one year, and three years as a district scout executive for Twin Valley Boy Scout Council.”

Schmitz was an assistant park manager for two Minnesota state parks for 14 years until he was hired as the park and recreation department director for the City of New Ulm in 2005. As director, he has led the largest per capita, park and recreation system in Minnesota. Schmitz initiated two rounds of local sales tax-funded major initiatives. He led the $14,800,000 first authorization of New Ulm’s local 0.5-percent sales tax for seven major projects, including the 2016 November general election passage with 70-percent

of local voters choosing yes. Schmitz also led the largest public capital development investment in the history of New Ulm with $20 million-plus from 2017-2021.

After working for 10 years to help to establish the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission, Schmitz was appointed in 2013 by Governor Mark Dayton to serve on the Minnesota Commission until 2020. He assisted the department to receive the Minnesota Governors Fit City, Tree City USA and Bicycle Friendly Community certifications, as well as eight MRPA Awards of Excellence for projects and programs. “Thank you to the City of New Ulm staff team that I am so privileged to be a part of,” he says. “Thank you to Chris Dalton, Shawna Boomgarden, Cheryl Kormann, Ryan Weier, and Liz Malloy.”

Continues on page 14…

“I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL, HONORED AND HUMBLED TO RECEIVE THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD, NAMED AFTER THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST PARK DISTRICT IN ALL OF MINNESOTA.” - TOM SCHMITZ REGARDING CLIFTON E. FRENCH

Tom Schmitz’s family (left to right): Jerry Stamps (family’s great friend), Lilo Schmitz (Tom’s mother), Tom Schmitz, and Kim Hemphill-Schmitz (Tom’s wife)

Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 13

Scmitz has also volunteered for many organizations such as: Junior Pioneers of New Ulm Area, Izaak Walton League, New Ulm Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, New Ulm’s Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and multiple boy scout troops.

“I feel the most important part of my career has been mentoring students and young adults to pursue their dreams, professionally and personally,” says Schmitz.

“A rewarding life and career can be obtained in the park and recreation field while benefiting the public, family, friends and self. Healthy and sustainable communities need employers, employers need employees, and employees need good quality of life.”

Schmitz served on the MRPA Board Directors from 2018 through 2020, including as Board President in 2019. He also served on the annual conference committee in 2015 and 2018. He has held many committee chair positions throughout the

years for the Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, including president in 2010.

Schmitz thanks the MRPA staff, awards committee, and Board of Directors for this Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award.

He says, “I also would like to thank my almost 93-yearold mother Lilo Schmitz, my father Bob Schmitz, who passed away 15 years ago, our family’s great friend Jerry Stamps, and my in-laws, Clell and Mary Hemphill.”

Tom Schmitz and Chuck Stifter, past MRPA president

“Thank you also to my four siblings who are now scattered around the country: Dieter, Heidi, Monica and Susan,” says Schmitz. “Thank you to my sons Dylan in Brainerd, and Kelton in Winter Park, Colorado. And finally, since our wedding day in the summer of 1986 at Nicollet County’s Seven Mile Creek Park, my wife Kim Hemphill-Schmitz.”

Congratulations to Tom Schmitz for receiving this distinguished award, and for all his years of service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

City of New Ulm staff (left to right): Ryan Weier, Liz Malloy, Cheryl Kormann, Tom Schmitz, Chris Dalton, and Shawna Boomgarden

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Shoreview Commons A community destination decades in the making

By Katie Swanson, Communications Specialist, Landscape Structures

In the early 1990s, the Shoreview City Council acquired 40 acres of land in central Shoreview. It was then that they started putting together plans to create a central community gathering space —something the council felt was lacking as the city didn’t have a typical downtown area.

A joint venture with the city council and staff resulted in the creation of the Shoreview Community Center at Shoreview Commons complete with city staff offices, ball fields, a regional library and more. Since then, the team has been working together to make improvements.

16 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Serving community families By the early 2000s, the city was focused on capitalizing on the popularity of the community center. They incorporated fitness facilities, community rooms and a pavilion to the outdoor space.

“We wanted to make sure our facilities all worked together,” explained Terry Schwerm, recently retired city manager for the City of Shoreview. “The community center was becoming a popular place to be, and we needed a plan to bring our longrange vision to fruition.”

And that’s why they developed a master plan. Schwerm and his team realized they needed a strategy to help guide the future growth and development of Shoreview Commons. The community was becoming increasingly more diverse—in age, ability and background—and the city wanted to meet the needs of everyone.

“Our goal from the beginning was to serve all ages with a keen focus on families,” said Schwerm.

Creating a regional play destination After completing a renovation of the community center in 2018, the city began working on the master plan and focused on how to execute the first phase. The city connected with LHB, a full-service design firm located in Minneapolis, to assist with the overall master plan updates and the first phase improvements.

In addition to working with LHB, the city’s project team toured a lot of facilities around the metro and state to share examples of what they liked and how it might work for the Shoreview Commons project. Their focus narrowed to a new skatepark, gardens and decorative pond, trails and a nature-inspired playground.

“Our main goal was to create a playground that would become a regional destination,” said Schwerm. “We wanted to bring people to the Commons campus year-round, and the park and other recreational opportunities helped complement the activities we already had happening inside the community center.”

Creating an immersive playground experience The vision for the playground design was inspired by what Shoreview is—woods, water, marsh and wetlands. And Nikki Schlepp, senior landscape architect, and Jess Vetrano, project landscape designer, both from LHB embraced it as a desired design element. The two wanted to create something unique that delivered an immersive experience.

“We looked at design precedents throughout the world and were inspired by wooden forms based on a variety of woodland creatures,” explained Vetrano.

Their design process, which began during the height of the pandemic, included passing sketches back and forth, collaging everything from playground design elements, plants and site furnishings. And once they had a final concept in hand, they began reaching out to design and manufacturing partners.

“It was clear that Flagship Recreation and Landscape Structures understood our vision,” said Schlepp. “The team offered a ‘yes, and…’ approach to our project by lending their expertise in how each playground zones could be built out to deliver the best experience for kids.”

The result is a fully inclusive playground with multiple zones for various age groups linked by pathways. Upon entering the play space, visitors are met with a monumental piece—the tree house tower. This zone offers a fully ramped PlayBooster® playstructure, two customdesigned tree house towers and various climbers, slides, bridges, panels and more.

Further down the path is a zone filled with thrills for all ages and abilities. A Double ZipKrooz® with an accessible seat delivers the feeling of flying across the play space to everyone. Plus, more traditional playground swings offer highflying fun. Across the way is a zone with a ninja-like obstacle course for teens and adults. The FitCore® Extreme course is perfect for any fitness level.

The marsh zone is where the original vision for the playground design is apparent. Sky-high cattail climbers, mushroom and log steppers, leaf-themed wall climbers and activity panels provide a variety of play experiences for kids of all ages and abilities. Even more, climbers, bridges and slides are built into mounds for additional fun and challenge. Nearby

is a zone dedicated to hillside climbers and slides.

And the final zone is the climbing forest, which is a play space positioned at the top of a hill to provide a birds-eye view of the other play spaces. This zone delivers additional challenge in net climbers, another tower and other nature-inspired playground components. It is nestled into the surrounding trees to give kids the feeling of climbing through the treetops, while also delivering additional natural shade cover.

Best of all, there are plans for a wide variety of landscaping including six planting beds with native grasses and flowers that will help capture rainwater.

Attracting visitors near and far On Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, the playground at Shoreview Commons opened to the delight of many community members. Shoreview children and families took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather throughout November and early December to test out all the new features.

“We’re happy with the end result of this project,” said Schwerm. “The design really allows kids to be creative and explore.”

The wide variety of activities available at Shoreview Commons already draws people from all over the metro, and the City is hoping that the new destination playground helps bring even more.

While there’s still a few finishing touches to complete the project including the plantings and landscaping, the playground is open to the public. The city is planning a grand opening for spring 2022.

Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 17

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Bring Publications to Life!

Implement an easy, all-encompassing parks and recreation marketing strategy at the click of a few buttons With the popularity of digital publications and virtual content, parks and recreation departments across the country have been forced to adapt their marketing strategies beyond traditional (and often costly) printed formats in order to reach more community members and increase program engagement. As a result, many agencies have been working to find new, unique ways to publish content digitally and achieve optimal exposure.

With Issuu, you can transform your parks and recreation marketing strategy through the unique ability to bring your content and social media efforts to life.

Issuu is an easy-to-use platform allows you to publish and track numerous types of single and multi-page documents: • programming catalogs/guides • sports tournament programs and team packets • sponsorship proposals • community and senior center newsletters • annual reports • new park and facility construction documents / master plans • event registration packets and permits

QUICKLY Promote YOUR content with Issuu You don’t have to be a computer programmer to use Issuu. Issuu hosts a number of valuable, user-friendly features that can help you conveniently and effectively distribute content: • Issuu offers a full screen sharing

experience, allowing for optimal engagement and a distraction-free environment. In turn, full screen sharing enables your catalog to take on a more captivating and stimulating form for readers, helping your marketing success.

• Issuu’s “embed links and video

feature” gives you the opportunity to include important information directly in your catalog. Embedding brochures, branding, and/or external websites (i.e, your city’s parks and recreation home page or a link to an activity sign-up page) can be a useful way to cultivate a broader audience as well as generate interest in your park and recreation department’s offerings.

©City of St. Louis Park

You can also use Issuu’s “embed on website” feature which allows you to keep your own website as the primary distribution outlet. By embedding your Issuu content onto your website, you can take advantage of your already existing website traffic to increase the number of community members that read your latest program as well as preserve the same layout/format that your readers are accustomed to.

• Unlike traditional printed forms,

Issuu’s digital statistics features allow you to track real-time data and properly evaluate the overall effectiveness of your marketing strategy. Issuu offers beneficial insight into your parks and recreation catalog’s audience as well as provides you access to graphs and other visuals as a means 18 MINNESOTA MINNESOTARecreation Recreationand andParks Parks••www.mnrpa.org www.mnr www.mnrpa.org r pa pa.o org rg

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•

Users can view publication statistics within Issuu.

of determining trends in impressions, reads, read-time, clicks and more.

This is a great way to decide whether adjustments in content need to be made in order to increase relevance and take into consideration your audience’s preferences.

Optimize your Department’s social media presence In addition to catalogs, Issuu’s visual stories feature can help you to stimulate traffic to park and recreation social media channels and further increase engagement. With Issuu, you can create visually appealing, motion-graphic stories for Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. Notably, our software allows you to drag and drop images from your catalog to create on-brand social content.

Professional stories are more important than ever and can be a great way to get your parks and recreation content noticed by both those in and out of your jurisdiction. After you’re finished creating your visual story with Issuu, simply download and share to your preferred social media platform.

Along with visual stories, consider utilizing our article stories generator.

Our system automatically generates individual pieces of content from your collective catalog, which can then Colorado

Byline

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2022

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SPONSORED CONTENT

“I like to look [at the analytics page] to see how many people read it, for how long they did. I use that information to build future brochures and figure out how many people read it compared to how many registrations we had.”

- Thomas Romano, Lexington Parks and Recreation

be shared on social media platforms.

Alternatively, you can also create your own article stories by selecting certain pieces and images from the catalog to be grouped together. In combination with visual stories, article stories are an effective way to share relevant content on a continuous basis and gain traction in your marketing efforts.

Agencies love Issuu’s tracking features Many parks and recreation agencies across the country already use Issuu’s robust services to distribute their catalogs and brochures.

Two long-time agency clients, Boise Parks and Recreation and Evanston Parks and Recreation, utilize a number of Issuu features in order to maximize their outreach.

Boise uses Issuu’s “embed links” feature to link their social channels directly into their activity guide, providing a straightforward way for readers to find and follow their social media pages.

The department also links sign-up pages directly in the guide, creating a seamless transition from simply reading to actually registering for an activity.

way: “I like to look [at the analytics page] to see how many people read it, for how long they did…. I use that information to build future brochures and figure out how many people read it compared to how many registrations we had.”

issuu in MINNESOTA

Minnesota communities that are using Issuu for their digital publishing needs include: • City of St. Louis Park • City of Shoreview • City of Eden Prairie • City of Litchfield • City of Winona • City of Owatonna • City of Blaine

Issuu is continually working to address the needs of parks and recreation users by learning which features of the platform are most helpful. By doing so, the company is able to customize the platform based on those recommendations, expand functions, and provide special services for this sector.

Evanston embeds their Issuu guide directly onto their agency website, allowing readers to easily maneuver between reading the content and signing up for events.

Not only has Issuu started to cultivate a large parks and recreation department user community, the company has worked with agencies to gain valuable feedback on their usage. Parks and Recreation agency representatives from around the country have shared their experiences in using the platform.

Thomas Romano from the Lexington (MA) Parks and Recreation department described his favorite Issuu feature this

Issuu strives to be a tremendous asset for your marketing and enrollment efforts. Through their wide variety of services and unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction, Issuu wants to be your go-to resource for distribution of parks and recreation content.

See what other agencies have done!

Scan the QR code or visit issuu.com to see a variety of park and recreation examples, as well as a blog with publishing resources.

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A simple, effective solution for sharing your digital content Join thousands of other park and recreation agencies to transform your PDFs into SEO-friendly, embeddable flipbooks, social stories, email graphics and more. From one to many - create once, share everywhere – and track readership!

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Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks Colorado Byline | Spring 2022 •19 19

Good Help is Hard to Find (But not impossible!)

Facing the Seasonal Staff Shortage Head-On 11 Strategies for Recruiting Seasonal Employees

20 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Facing the Seasonal Staff Shortage

Head-On

By Jacob Andersen, City of Brooklyn Center, past MRPA Programming Network chair, and Aaron Thelen, City of New Hope,

current Programming Network chair responsible, professional, and ambitious.

You train the staff and don’t have any reservations about allowing them to work with very minimal supervision. You have a great summer! You can relax and start to plan programming for the fall into June of the following year. Wouldn’t it be a great world to live in?

Imagine this; you are hiring summer recreation leaders, playground staff, or summer camp staff. You have five to 15 openings and you receive 30 applicants.

You don’t have any issues filling every position with great staff who are

The reality of the parks and recreation field today is very different. We are shortstaffed and more stressed than ever. We are required to do more with less staff. We all know we are in the “great resignation” and employees are more selective than ever with all the positions they are applying for. Employers and supervisors have to be very creative in recruiting and retaining staff.

The MRPA programming network has discussed this topic several times over

RECREATION, PARKS, AND LEISURE SERVICES

the last couple of years. One of the ways many cities and departments are working to increase recruitment and retention is by increasing wages. As wages increase in the private sector, many cities have also started to increase wages to stay competitive. But prospective employees can potentially make more money per hour working at various organizations such as retail or the food industry.

In many cases, for example in aquatics, employees do not need to display any certifications. This means that potential employees have a choice of having to take classes to receive a certification to work, or work where they do not need a certification, and they could make the same amount of money per hour. This is an added challenge facing the aquatics field.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Complete your Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Bachelor of Sciences degree with Minnesota State University, Mankato. Mankato takes pride in this accredited RPLS degree program which offers learners opportunities to expand their skillset and advance in their professional goals.

This program is designed for those who have completed, or nearly completed, an Associate’s degree. All courses are taught at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, MN.

rplscohort@mnsu.edu 507-389-2127

Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 21

One of the ways many cities and departments are working to increase recruitment and retention is by increasing wages.

Recreation professionals and departments have worked to become more innovative with recruitment and retention. Whether it is increasing wages, providing sign-on bonuses, offering course certification reimbursement, providing longevity incentives or other ways to ensure departments have the staff to provide programming to the community.

The MRPA programming network has created a shared document for professionals from cities around the state to list seasonal position information in.

If you want to share any innovative ideas on recruiting and retaining staff, feel free to attend the programming network at 10 a.m. on the third Friday of every month, excluding summer months. If you would like more information about the programming network, contact the current chair Aaron Thelen at athelen@ newhopemn.gov

We all know we are in the “great resignation” and employees are more selective than ever with all the positions they are applying for. Employers and supervisors have to be very creative in recruiting and retaining staff.

22 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

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Strategies for Recruiting Seasonal Employees

By monster.com Staff (Reprinted with permission) If your business relies on a seasonal workforce, it’s important to source, hire, and onboard seasonal employees who represent the best that your business has to offer.

Many pitfalls plague employers who need to supplement their full-time staff for the summer, for tax season, the holidays, or for any other portion of the year when business peaks. Most of these troubles stem from a failure of the company’s leadership to devote enough energy and resources to assembling an optimal seasonal workforce.

Are you willing to take a fresh look at your operations to see where you might

improve your seasonal hiring? Consider these 11 tactics for recruiting seasonal employees when the annual rush is on.

1. Write Better Job Descriptions Take time to ensure that your job descriptions for seasonal hires are accurate, complete, and up-to-date. “We have clients using job descriptions that are four or more years old,” says Nels Wroe, partner and product director at SHL Group, a vendor of talent-assessment tools.

Consider asking the author of the job description to spend a few hours shadowing an employee in the relevant position. When it comes to seasonal hiring, your customers won’t forgive poor service simply because it’s rendered by a seasonal worker.

2. Source Candidates Who Only Want Seasonal Work Recruiting seasonal employees will go much more smoothly if you can mine rich veins of candidates who just want to work for the season. “We have tapped into graduating university students who are taking time to figure out what they want to do,” says Jennifer Lemcke, chief operating officer of Weed Man USA, a lawn-care franchisor. Often these candidates would prefer the temporary nature of seasonal work compared to a longer-term commitment.

3. Dedicate More Resources to Successful Onboarding If your seasonal staff is large, you should consider paying more attention — and money — when it comes to how you train new employees. “One of the most common mistakes is throwing seasonal hires on a sales floor with minimal training or onboarding, viewing them

24 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

as a way to fill a schedule rather than as company representatives to serve your customers,” says Wroe. Giving seasonal employees the sink-or-swim test could hurt your bottom line at season’s end.

4. Consider Tools for High-Volume Hiring and Screening If you’re hiring for many seasonal positions, you’ll probably benefit from using a talent management system.

“Our candidates have doubled or tripled over the last few years, so we need tools to manage the flow,” says Kyle Martin, manager of talent acquisition at Vail Resorts Management Company in Broomfield, Colorado. Wroe says that with seasonal hires, “you have a very limited window to get a return on your hiring investment. Assessments let you select workers who will get up to speed more quickly.”

5. Hire for Attitude as Much as Aptitude Most seasonal work is about being flexible and getting up to speed quickly, rather than bringing to bear an elaborate skill set. “All of our training is so in-depth, we don’t necessarily need someone with experience,” says Lemcke. Instead, many employers who engage in seasonal hiring will look for dependable workers who are able to focus on higher level skills like safety and customer service.

6. Give Preference to “Same Time, Next Year” Candidates Hiring a brand-new force of employees during every busy season can be exhausting and inefficient. If you’re able to select for candidates most likely to return for another season, do so. It’ll streamline the process when you start recruiting seasonal employees the following year and can build a little more predictability into your planning.

7. Don’t Cut Corners You may be tempted to save short-term costs by bypassing some HR processes for seasonal employees. This can bring trouble on many fronts, from fielding confused workers to running afoul of labor laws. So, keep your seasonal workers on your regular HR platform, and disseminate systems and knowledge to branch offices that are hiring for the season. “We supply franchisees with information on how to interview and evaluate candidates, with orientation and training programs, and with all the forms they’ll need,” says Lemcke.

8. Don’t Assume High Unemployment Makes Seasonal Hiring Easy When the economy fluctuates, it’s important to remember that higher unemployment doesn’t necessarily mean that quality candidates will line up at your door. In fact, “we’ve experienced pockets of the country where it was very difficult to hire,” says Lemcke.

they may be more willing to go the extra mile to bring you the best seasonal workers.

10. Don’t Assume That All Your Seasonal Hires Are Temporary Many of your seasonal workers will never be candidates for permanent positions, but some of them could be. Tag potential permanent hires early on, keeping close tabs on their performance. At the end of the season, evaluate their fitness for fulltime employment.

11. Don’t Neglect Your End Game Never assume that your workforce will remain intact through the season; it most likely won’t. “No matter how much we plan, we still have to hire some people toward the end of the season,” says Lemcke. Consider structuring compensation to reward seasonal workers for staying as long as you need them.

“Our lawn-care technicians get a bonus based on production if they complete the season,” Lemcke adds.

If your seasonal staff is large, you should consider paying more attention — and money — when it comes to how you train new employees.

The catch in these conditions is that extensions of federal and state jobless benefits have made many workers eligible to collect benefits for a long time, reducing the motivation to find work, according to Mark Perry, a professor of economics at Univ. of Michigan in Flint.

9. Use One Staffing Vendor If you use multiple staffing vendors, consider giving just one an exclusive for your seasonal hires. Staffing agencies may be swamped recruiting seasonal employees for many clients at once. If you promise one agency all your business,

Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 25

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MINNESOTA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

Facility Rental

GUIDE

Creating Events and Marketing Rental Spaces Post-Pandemic

What Event Planners Look for in Rental Spaces

2022

City of St. Louis Park

N A T U R E

C E N T E R

The new interpretive center at Westwood Hills Nature Center is nestled among 160 acres of forest, marsh and restored prairie in the heart of St. Louis Park, MN. ͻ dŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƟǀĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ĞŶĐŽŵƉĂƐƐĞƐ ŝŶĚŽŽƌ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƚĚŽŽƌ ƐƉĂĐĞƐ ĚĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵŝŶŐ ͻ dŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƟǀĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ĞŶĐŽŵƉĂƐƐĞƐ ŝŶĚŽŽƌ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƚĚŽŽƌ ƐƉĂĐĞƐ ĚĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ Ăůů ĂŐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ͘ ͻ /ŶĐůƵĚĞƐ Ă ŵƵůƟƉƵƌƉŽƐĞ ƐƉĂĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƚĞƐ ƵƉ ƚŽ ϭϯϬ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĨŽƌ ŵĞĞƟŶŐƐ͕ ǁĞĚĚŝŶŐ ͻ /ŶĐůƵĚĞƐ Ă ŵƵůƟƉƵƌƉŽƐĞ ƐƉĂĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƚĞƐ ƵƉ ƚŽ ϭϯϬ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĨŽƌ ŵĞĞƟŶŐƐ͕ ǁĞĚĚŝŶŐ ƌĞĐĞƉƟŽŶƐ͕ ŐĂůĂƐ͕ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͕ ďŝƌƚŚĚĂLJ ƉĂƌƟĞƐ͕ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ƌĞƵŶŝŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ͊ ͻ ZŽŽŵ ĂŵĞŶŝƟĞƐ ŽīĞƌ Ă ĐĂƚĞƌĞƌ͛Ɛ ŬŝƚĐŚĞŶ͕ ĂƵĚŝŽǀŝƐƵĂů ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ͕ ĚŝŵŵĂďůĞ ůŝŐŚƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ Ă ͻ ZŽŽŵ ĂŵĞŶŝƟĞƐ ŽīĞƌ Ă ĐĂƚĞƌĞƌ͛Ɛ ŬŝƚĐŚĞŶ͕ ĂƵĚŝŽǀŝƐƵĂů ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ͕ ĚŝŵŵĂďůĞ ůŝŐŚƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ Ă ƉŽĚŝƵŵ͘ ĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ĂƐ Ă ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ĨŽƌ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ ϭϯ͕ϬϬϬͲƐƋƵĂƌĞͲĨŽŽƚ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƚĂƟǀĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ŚĂƐ ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞĚ ƚŚĞ njĞƌŽͲĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĐĞƌƟĮĐĂƟŽŶ͘ ͻ dŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƟǀĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ŝƐ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ŶĞƚͲnjĞƌŽͲĞŶĞƌŐLJ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞ͕ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƟŶŐ ͻ dŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƟǀĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ŝƐ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ŶĞƚͲnjĞƌŽͲĞŶĞƌŐLJ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞ͕ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƟŶŐ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐĨƵů ŶĞƚͲnjĞƌŽͲĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĚĞƐŝŐŶ ŝƐ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ĞǀĞŶ ŝŶ DŝŶŶĞƐŽƚĂ ǁŝŶƚĞƌƐ͘

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2 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Yep, there’s a space for that!

Minnesota’s parks and recreation agencies have a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities that can host meetings and events of all sizes. These facilities are diverse in design and function, and offer spaces for corporate functions, conferences, board meetings, small and large group outings, and more.

Your Next Event Can be a Walk in the Park When it comes to setting the tone for an event, prairies, lakes, woodlands and gardens provide idyllic picture-postcard backdrops for events that the typical hotel conference room or convention center cannot match.

“Company picnics are great and we host a lot of them, but many event planners don’t realize that we also host a number of corporate meetings and banquets,” said Jenn Strehler, guest services & events manager for Three Rivers Park District.

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) member communities also have hundreds of indoor meeting spaces to accomodate groups of 12 to 1,200 people. Spaces range from community recreation centers and golf course clubhouses, to freestanding park pavilions, shelters, and historical venues.

One-of-a-Kind Venues Have you considered holding your next conference in a historic barn or on a turf field? Many Minnesota communities have reinvented farm and athletic sites to host events and conferences.

Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center has been hosting events since 1990. Association manager, Darlyne Erickson of Sapphyre Group, has held numerous meetings and events there. “I’ve held several meetings at Earle Brown over the years with association clients, said Erickson.

Repurposing this space in an area of the city that you wouldn’t normally find an event center makes meetings interesting.”

St. Louis Park’s new ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center) is a mixed use, covered outdoor space with an adaptable floor based on the time of year – ice in winter, artificial turf in spring, and concrete in the summer and fall. The space is perfectly suited for expos, weddings, banquets, concerts and sporting competitions.

Bored of retreats? Turn boring board retreats into paddleboard retreats!

Community parks have a big advantage over traditional event venues. In addition to meeting spaces, event planners can tailor an outdoor activity for your group.

Three Rivers Park District offers ways to get creative with meeting planning.

“Board meetings don’t have to be in a board room. How about renting standup paddle boards?” asked Strehler.

Need a team-building experience? Rent the Oakwood Room at French Regional Park for your corporate strategy session, then head down to the water for a group kayak lesson. Or, rent the Basset Creek Room at Brookview Golf Course and plan a lawn bowling tournament.

How to Use This Guide We’ve prepared this MRPA Recreation and Parks Facility Guide as a tool for organizations who plan and host conferences, meetings and special events. MRPA member rental facilities are highlighted on the pages that follow.

The guide showcases facility amenities, capacities, catering details, and rental fees – please feel free to share it with anyone who may be in the need of a unique venue for their next upcoming event.

Please note: this is just a small cross section of the many Minnesota facilities available to rent.

Contact your local city, county, special park districts, or state parks and recreation office to discuss customized options and pricing for your events.

Westwood Hills Nature Center, St. Louis Park

Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 33

Creating Events and Marketing Rental Spaces Post-Pandemic It’s safe to say that COVID-19 has shifted the way we do things. In order to keep operations proceeding as normal, parks and recreation agencies nationwide had to pivot to become more creative, inclusive, and innovative in their programming and promoting. In Minnesota, many agencies have done just that.

Expanding the Reach While balancing budget cuts, capacity limits, and event restrictions, one thing has remained true to the marketing efforts of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) agencies: creativity. Most agencies are utilizing free promotional outlets, such as websites, social media, e-newsletters, and word of mouth, but some are going above and beyond to creatively reach all audiences in their communities.

“Whenever possible, we look to trade goods and services for marketing services,” stated Steven Anderson, recreation program supervisor for the City of Roseville.

Maximizing your partnerships with community organizations or tapping into your sponsors’ audiences allows for your reach to be expanded.

Based on rentable event spaces, MRPA agencies can also take advantage of other local marketing outlets. By joining neighborhood groups, mom groups, or event-related pages on social media, agencies can promote facilities for a variety of parties, weddings, cultural events, and meetings. Creating free accounts on Yelp or Yellow Pages allows the overall reach to expand and gives MRPA agencies a unique platform to promote athletic and event spaces for hosting tournaments, concerts, and more.

Building a Sense of Community Building relationships and a sense of community will always be a pillar to parks and recreation missions. For MRPA agencies, inclusivity is prioritized when renting and promoting event spaces to citizens. In Brooklyn Park, a Community Events Task Force, made up of community members and organizations, was initiated to gather input and feedback on their Celebrate Brooklyn Park Event series. “[Our] staff has also spent time learning about events in the cultural communities in Brooklyn Park so they are better prepared to work with customers to plan culturally relevant events that meet their individual needs,” said Jen Gillard, recreation services manager with Brooklyn Park. “In Brooklyn Park, 25-percent of residents speak a language other than English at home, so staff [members] are in the process

Photos this page: City of Brooklyn Park

In Brooklyn Park, 25-percent of residents speak a language other than English at home, so staff [members] are in the process of developing methods for marketing programs, facilities, and services that are accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant.

34 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Photo: City of Duluth

Photo: City of Roseville

Photo: City of Rogers

of developing methods for marketing programs, facilities, and services that are accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant.”

In the City of Rogers, the newly unveiled Rogers Event Center was developed in a centralized location by local organizations on a task force. Their goal was to create a space focused on community-based rental options and gathering space.

Innovation as the New Normal From the renovated Richter Woods barn in Le Sueur County to Rochester’s Pipsqueaks Indoor Play Zone, from Duluth’s outdoor turf Wade Stadium to River Springs Water Park in Owatonna, creating innovative and unique rental spaces allows for citizens to meet the needs and wants of their event. MRPA agencies can leverage the relationships in their local communities as well as statewide will allow for athletic rental spaces to be seen as tourism locations, thus boosting the local economy

12951 Weaver Lake Road

and putting the agency on the map.

A technological trend is sweeping through parks and recreation in virtual programming, online contactless registration, social media campaigns, and more. Through this innovative movement, MRPA agencies can strive to stay relevant and convenient for their communities.

Another trend is developing more outdoor rentable spaces and events. Agencies

7991 Main Street

can meet people where they are in their neighborhoods, parks, and personal comfort levels.

Reflecting on the pause COVID-19 created, and continue to build relationships within the community, will allow MRPA agencies to capitalize on the diversity of their rental spaces and the creativity of their marketing efforts.

12000 Central Park Way

Find the perfect venue at www.Maplegrovemn.gov or call 763-494-6500.

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 35

What Event Planners are Looking for in Rental Spaces Photo: iStock Photo

By Megan Gosch, Pernsteiner Creative Group It’s no secret. “Location, location, location” (along with ideal guest capacity and a reasonable price) are paramount when it comes time to select an event venue.

But, they aren’t the only deciding factors planners are keeping in mind. Parks and recreation agencies have plenty of key assets and amenities they can spotlight to catch a planner’s eye and reel in new opportunities.

So, what are the factors that can bring your space to the top of a planner’s list?

Plenty of Perks Planners are ready and eager to explore new venue options, but facility resources that can help eliminate a core budget line item are sure to catch a planner’s attention.

“A new location or venue can help give some of our long-standing events a shot in the arm with a new look or feel, but at the end of the day I’m looking for great amenities,” said Steve Madson, owner and president of SRO Productions, whose team has produced large-scale events like the Edina Art Fair, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival and a series of Beer Dabbler events.

Assets like dedicated parking, path lighting for evening events or support with recycling and trash collection all make an impact. “These are wishlist extras, but as an event producer they’re all pieces I have to provide. Any help a venue can build into that rental is going to be a huge help to the bottom line.” he said.

And when it comes to wedding or social events, in-house décor, on-site prep kitchens, or access to additional rooms included with space rental can give facilities an edge.

“Even something as simple as a beautiful space where a bride can get ready or an extra room where vendors can park their supplies out of sight at no extra cost can be a huge asset in keeping an event running smoothly,” said Dana Allison, owner and planner behind Keyed Up Events.

Vendor Variety Facilities offering planners flexibility in the vendors they choose to work with can give planners and their clients a rare chance to more closely control event budgets and keep the event’s original vision in line.

“So many venues have a small list of approved partners and it can lock you in.

Your hands can be tied as to how much you’ll spend on something like food and beverage with a vendor that wasn’t your first choice so flexibility is key,” said Allison.

Accessibility as Advertised Planners are responsible for ensuring their events are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide access for all, but often find venues aren’t as up-todate as they should be.

“I’ve worked with parks that don’t even have wheelchair ramps or curb cuts. The facilities are dictating that our event be accessible but the facility itself might not be up to par as their team promised,” said Madson. “That can end up as a surprise expense for us to build out amenities ourselves.”

Power On Tap Park facilities that can offer access to outdoor electricity will also stand out to planners. Generators are always a viable option for planners looking to power

“A new location or venue can help give some of our longstanding events a shot in the arm with a new look or feel, but at the end of the day I’m looking for great amenities,” said Steve Madson.

36 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Photo: Todd Pernsteiner

“A space that’s already set up from an A/V perspective with ceiling mounted projectors, integrated screens, a plethora of outlets and a dedicated hardline for internet access rather than Wi-Fi could be a fit [for hybrid events],” said Amy Beckham, vice president of Sapphyre Group, who plans meetings and conferences for nonprofit organizations and has held events at Earl Browne Heritage Center in Brooklyn Park, Keller Regional Park in Maplewood, and Maple Grove Community Center.

“Three or four years ago even talking about adding Wi-Fi to a meeting space was a huge hurdle, but since COVID we’ve upped our game, gained virtual certifications and even made investments in some of our own equipment,” she said. “What a facility can do to stand out is provide exemplary support around those built-in components, so we don’t need to bring in a third party,” she said. outdoor elements to their events, but they can be noisy and become a pricey expense.

Safety Streamlined

Madson was able to utilize city power boxes through the production of last year’s Stone Arch Bridge Festival in downtown Minneapolis. “Especially for an art-focused event with plenty of food vendors who needed power, we were able to provide a much better experience for the guests and artists without generators blaring all day,” he said.

As planners contend with evolving safety and security risks, contingency planning calls for a larger focus on the placement of strategic entry points and plenty of equipment to manage event boundaries and traffic flow.

Hardwired for Hybrid As attendees learn to navigate a live event landscape in the wake of COVID-19, planners are on the hunt for facilities equipped with technology that can accommodate a hybrid audience.

Rather than rent concrete bollards and fencing to close off streets and contain last year’s Edina Art Fair, Madson was able to coordinate use of the city’s new supply.

“With everything going on in the world these days, planners are required to use tools like bollards, but cities and facilities have already started investing for their own use,” says Madson.

“Anytime we can tap into those investments and find synergy like that is a big win for producers.”

Photo: City of Golden Valley

Photo: Todd Pernsteiner

Photo: City of St. Louis Park

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 37

Capacity (seated/meal)

Capacity (theater style)

Capacity (meeting setup)

Catering Available On Site?

Can You Bring Catering/Food ?

Alcohol Allowed?

Electric Available?

A/V Available?

Tables & Chairs Available?

Heated and/or Air Conditioned?

Anoka County Parks – Bunker Hills Activities Center

240

240

240

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center

330

450

300

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Cedarholm Golf Course – Cedarholm Community Room

120

150

120

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Cedarholm Golf Course – Golf View/Green View Rooms

50

75

50

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chanhassen Recreation Center – Lake Minnewashta Room

40

55

35

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chanhassen Recreation Center – Lake Ann Room

40

55

35

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chanhassen Recreation Center – Lotus Lake Room

40

55

35

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chanhassen Recreation Center – Lake Susan Room

40

55

35

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chanhassen Recreation Center – Conference Room

14

–

14

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chaska Event Center

300

340

300

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Crystal Community Center – Valley Room

50

50

50

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Crystal Community Center – Crystal A/B Room

100

100

100

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Crystal Community Center – Forest Room

50

70

70

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

–

40

40

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

Crystal Community Center – Gymnasium – Wedding/Large Groups

400

400

400

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dakota County Parks – Dakota Lodge – West St. Paul

160

200

160

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dakota County Parks – Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center

80

100

80

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dakota County Parks – Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center

50

50

50

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Dakota County Parks – Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

50

50

50

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Dakota County Parks – Discovery Room

50

70

50

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Eagan Community Center – The Oaks

350

400

240

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Eagan Community Center – The Oasis

90

100

60

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

–

40

24

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

1,000

1,200

-

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

–

–

10

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Eden Prairie Community Center – Cambria Room

75

90

40

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Eden Prairie Community Center – Lounge

24

30

20

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Eden Prairie Community Center – Room 201

50

75

40

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Edina – Arneson Acres Park Terrace Room and Gazebo

50

75

75

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Edina – Hughes Pavilion at Centennial Lakes Park

120

120

120

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

–

1,000

–

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

Edina – Senior Center

75

100

100

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Edinburgh USA Clubhouse

350

500

250

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Golden Valley/Brookview – Basset Creek

212

300

120

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Golden Valley/Brookview – Sweeny Lake or Rice Lake

12

12

12

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Golden Valley/Brookview – Valley Room

50

56

24

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2022 Minnesota Recreation & Parks Facility Rental Guide

Crystal Community Center – Gymnasium (3) Sporting Event

Eagan Community Center – The Boardroom Earle Brown Heritage Center, Carriage Hall – Brooklyn Center Eden Prairie Community Center – Boardroom

Edina – Maetzold Amphitheater

38 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Capacity (seated/meal)

Capacity (theater style)

Capacity (meeting setup)

Catering Available On Site?

Can You Bring Catering/Food ?

Alcohol Allowed?

Electric Available?

A/V Available?

Tables & Chairs Available?

Heated and/or Air Conditioned?

Golden Valley/Brookview – Wirth Lake Room

48

60

36

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Inver Grove Heights Community Center – Community Room 1

90

150

50

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Inver Grove Heights Community Center – Community Room 2

50

50

50

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Inver Grove Heights Community Center – Community Room 3

150

250

75

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Inver Grove Heights Community Center – Gymnasium

300

300

300

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Le Sueur County Parks – Lake Washington Regional Park

55

–

55

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Le Sueur County Parks – Richter Woods Barn

115

–

115

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Maple Grove Central Park – Phenow Pavilion

120

120

120

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Maple Grove Community Center

250

300

180

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Maple Grove Town Green Bandshell

–

1000

350

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Maple Grove Town Green Lawn

–

–

100

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

30

–

39

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

–

–

250

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

New Brighton – Brightwood Hills Clubhouse

72

72

72

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

New Brighton – Community Center Meeting Rooms (Rooms 224, 220, 218)

40

64

64

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Brighton – Community Room AB

220

280

160

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Brighton – Neighborhood Centers at Hansen, Freedom, Totem Pole, Sunny Square

64

64

64

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

–

–

–

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

76

–

75

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Ulm – Civic Center Banquet Facility

–

–

–

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Ulm – Civic Center Meeting Room

70

–

70

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Ulm – Community Center Banquet Facility

250

250

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Ulm – Community Center Meeting Spaces

50

50

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

New Ulm – Harman Park Shelter

70

70

70

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

New Ulm – Hermann Heights Picnic Shelters (2)

100

–

100

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

-

180

-

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Plymouth Community Center – Multi-Purpose Room

48

48

48

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Plymouth Community Center – Meeting Spaces

52

52

52

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Plymouth Community Center – Plymouth Room

312

375

312

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rogers – Rogers Activity Room

110

200

90

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rogers – Rogers Community Room

250

300

200

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rosemount Steeple Center – Assembly Hall

192

204

–

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

48 –80

50 –100

–

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville – Autumn Grove Park Building

48

60

48

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville – Harriet Alexander Nature Center

120

70

60

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville – Lexington Park Building

48

60

48

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2022 Minnesota Recreation & Parks Facility Rental Guide

Maple Grove Town Green Meeting Room Maple Grove Town Green Point

New Hope – Community Gyms New Hope – Village Golf Course

Plymouth Community Center – Black Box Theater

Rosemount Steeple Center – Multipurpose Rooms (3)

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 39

Capacity (seated/meal)

Capacity (theater style)

Capacity (meeting setup)

Catering Available On Site?

Can You Bring Catering/Food ?

Alcohol Allowed?

Electric Available?

A/V Available?

Tables & Chairs Available?

Heated and/or Air Conditioned?

Roseville – Muriel Sahlin Arboretum

200

300

–

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

Roseville – Oasis Park Building

32

40

32

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville – Rosebrook Park Building

40

50

40

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville – Sandcastle Park Building

32

40

32

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville – Villa Park Building

32

40

32

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville Skating Center – Fireside Room

48

60

40

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville Skating Center – Olympic Room

250

300

100

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roseville Skating Center – Rose Room

180

200

100

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Savage – McColl Pond Environmental Learning and Event Center

100

60

100

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Shoreview Community Center – The Shoreview Room

300

300

216

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Shoreview Community Center – Wedell Community Room

250

250

180

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Shoreview Community Center – Haffeman Pavilion

125

125

125

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Partial

Springbrook Nature Center – Inspirational Gathering Space (1)

190

190

190

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Springbrook Nature Center – Inspirational Gathering Space (2)

90

90

90

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Springbrook Nature Center – Oak Savanna Room

40

40

40

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Springbrook Nature Center – Prairie Room

40

40

40

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Springbrook Nature Center – Wetland Room

40

40

40

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Springbrook Nature Center – Woodland Room

40

40

40

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

St. Louis Park – The Rec Center Banquet Room

160

200

96

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

St. Louis Park – The Rec Center Gallery

48

60

35

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

St. Louis Park – The ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center)

700

1,000

500

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

St. Louis Park – Westwood Hills Nature Center

128

174

120

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Three Rivers Park District – Elm Creek Chalet

208

208

208

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Three Rivers Park District – Fish Lake Pavilion

75

75

75

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Three Rivers Park District – Gale Woods Farm Pavilion

320

320

320

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Three Rivers Park District – Hyland Hills Chalet

320

400

320

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Three Rivers Park District – Silverwood Great Hall

272

400

272

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Washington County Historic Courthouse – Historic Courtroom

150

200

150

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Washington County Historic Courthouse – Register of Deeds Room

15

20

15

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Washington County Parks – Nordic Center

80

88

88

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

2022 Minnesota Recreation & Parks Facility Rental Guide

38 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

RENTAL DIRECTORY Community Spaces

Page

Anoka County Parks ........................................39 Brooklyn Park (City of) ......................................39 Cedarholm Golf Course (City of Roseville)..........39 Chanhassen Recreation Center .........................39 Chaska Event Center.................................. 39-40

Anoka County Parks

Cedarholm Community Room

Bunker Hills Activities Center 550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763-324-3300 Email: anokacountyparks@co.anoka.mn.us Web: www.anokacountyparks.com

Available: 7 days a week, 7 a.m.–midnight

Available: Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m. - midnight Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Rental Fee: see rental rates at cityofroseville.com/golf Security Deposit: $200-400, refundable Other: catering, alcohol catering, partial kitchen use, police officer on site for alcohol, dance floor. See www.cityofroseville.com/golf for details.

Golf View/Green View Rooms

Rental Fee: Varies by room. $40-$130 an hour. 4 hour minimum in larger banquet space.

Available: 7 days a week, 7 a.m.–midnight

Dakota County Parks....................................... 40

Outdoor gathering space available. $325.00, includes seating for 120.

Security Deposit: $200-400, refundable

Eagan Community Center ............................... 40

Security Deposit: $200 damage deposit

Earle Brown Heritage Center ............................42

Set in the scenic 1,600-acre Bunker Hills Regional Park, the Activities Center offers 4 meeting rooms to suit your event. Our banquet space (240 guest capacity) provides a natural setting, AV equipment, flexible food & beverage arrangements and excellent service. For a unique experience, host your event outdoors on our new 120 person capacity overlook outdoor gathering space.

Crystal Community Center .............................. 40

Eden Prairie Community Center ........................42 Edina (City of) .................................................42 Edinburgh USA Clubhouse (Brooklyn Park)........42 Golden Valley (City of) Brookview ................42-44 Inver Grove Heights Community Center ........... 44 Le Sueur County Parks......................................45 Maple Grove (City of) ......................................45 New Brighton (City of) .....................................45 New Hope (City of) ........................................ 46 New Ulm (City of) ........................................... 46 Plymouth Community Center........................... 46 Rogers (City of) .............................................. 46 Rosemount Parks & Recreation.....................46-47

Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center 5600 85th Ave N Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Contact: Angie Pheneger Phone: 763-493-8332 Email: angie.pheneger@brooklynpark.org Web: www.brooklynpark.org

Available: 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-midnight

Roseville (City of) .............................................47 Roseville Skating Center...................................47

Security Deposit: Up to $600

Savage (City of) ...............................................47

Your special event is just that—special, unique, one chance to make it great. Choosing the right location is key. At the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, we provide space for a variety of events, meetings, conferences and trade shows. We can accommodate up to 400 people and offer a variety of catering options. Our friendly and helpful staff will be there for you every step of the way to make sure your event is successful! For more information, please visit www.brooklynpark.org/weddings or give us a call at 763-493-8333.

Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)................. 48 St. Louis Park (City of) ..................................48-50 Three Rivers Park District ..................................50 Washington County Historic Courthouse...........50 Washington County.........................................50

EDITOR’S NOTE: This guide is simply a reference of available spaces at MRPA member sites. All fees, hours, contacts and specifications may change without notice after this guide is published. Please contact each facility directly for up-to-date information, hours, and rates.

Recreation & Parks Facility Guide Advertising Sales & Design Pernsteiner Creative Group Todd Pernsteiner todd@pernsteiner.com 952.841.1111

Other: catering, alcohol catering, partial kitchen use, police officer on site for alcohol, dance floor. See www.cityofroseville.com/golf for details.

Chanhassen Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Blvd.

Chanhassen, MN 55317 Contact: Jodi Sarles Phone: 952-227-1400 Email: jsarles@ci.chanhassen.mn.us Web: www.chanrec.com From business meetings to bridal showers, the Rec Center is a great place to gather together. With affordable rental rates and rooms that can hold from just a few people to 170, we’ll work with you to make your event special. Rates start at $15 per room per hour! To make your rental more convenient, the Rec Center also has wireless internet!

Community Activity Center Rental Fee: $60/hour–$1,100 depending on day of the week and space requested

Shoreview Community Center ......................... 48

Rental Fee: see rental rates at cityofroseville.com/golf

Cedarholm Golf Course (City of Roseville) 2323 Hamline Ave Roseville, MN 55113 Contact: Steven Anderson Phone: 651-792-7154 Email: steve.anderson@cityofroseville.com Web: www.cityofroseville.com/golf The Community Building at Cedarholm Golf Course offers the perfect location for your next meeting, reception, family gathering, or community event. Rental spaces are open and bright with panoramic views of the golf course. The Cedarholm Community Room accommodates table seating for 120 guests and theatre seating for up to 150. The Golf View and Green View rooms each accommodate table seating for 50. NEW in 2022: On-Site Catering is now available.

Chaska Event Center 3210 Chaska Blvd Chaska, MN 55319 Contact: Krista Tolstedt Phone: 952-227-7912 Email: ktolstedt@chaskamn.com Web: mn-chaska.civicplus.com/543/Chaska-EventCenter-Curling Chaska Event Center The Chaska Event Center offers a 4,750-squarefoot ballroom and an adjacent reception hallway.

Accommodating up to 300 guests, the Chaska Event Center is the perfect location for your wedding, conference, seminar, reunion, graduation, or annual training.

With optional audio/visual equipment, a built-in dance floor, fireplace, and outdoor patio, the Chaska Event Center is sure to meet your event needs.

The CEC has a catering kitchen and built-in bar to cater any event from buffet-style to formal dining.

Our preferred onsite caterer and exclusive beverage vendor, Crooked Pint, will work with you to customize your menu and will be prepared onsite.

The Chaska Event Center is surrounded by Firemen’s Park, boasting a fishing pier, boardwalk, concession stand, and playgrounds. In the warmer months, play and run through the interactive water fountains, rent a paddleboard, and swim in the Chaska Clayhole.

For more information, or to setup a tour, contact the Event Center Supervisor, Krista Tolstedt.

Available: Sunday–Saturday (Jan–Dec), 6 a.m.–1 a.m.

Rental Fee: rental fees depend on residency, day of the week, and length of rental

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 39

Security Deposit: (Sun-Thur $300, Fri/Sat $500)—fully refundable barring no damage or excessive cleaning or hours beyond original rental time Projector/screen: $100+tax. Onsite catering available through Crooked Pint. Outside, licensed, MN caterers are allowed, but patrons cannot bring in their own food/drink (no potluck style). If alcohol is served, there needs to be security ($40+tax/hr from the start of service until the end of the event).

Crystal Community Center 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal, MN 55429 Contact: Jason Minnick Phone: 763-531-1174 Email: jason.minnick@crystalmn.gov Web: www.crystalmn.gov/ccc Reserve the Crystal Community Center for meetings, family functions, birth- day parties, anniversaries, wedding receptions, athletic tournaments, etc. Three gyms are available for sporting events or weddings, banquets, shows and large meetings. The middle gym adjoins the kitchen for banquets.

Gymnasium—Wedding/Large Groups

Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center - Rosemount

Available: Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–midnight

Available: Year-round, 7 days a week 7 a.m - 10 p.m

Rental Fee: <100 persons—$726.00/resident; $845/non-resident 100-250 persons—$976/resident; $1,095/non-resident 250-400 persons—$1,310/resident, $1,450/non-resident

Rental Fee: See rental rates at dakotacounty.us/parks

Security Deposit: $200-600, refundable (if serving alcohol) Available AV: 50” TV/DVD, LCD projector, podium/ microphone, flipchart, projection screen. Security/ licensed alcohol cater required if serving alcohol.

Conduct inspiring and productive business meetings in our spectacular park settings. Our venues deliver flexibility for half or all day meetings and evening celebrations for groups of up to 200.

Dakota Lodge - West St. Paul

Available: Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–midnight; Sunday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Available: Year-round, Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–midnight

Security Deposit: $200, refundable (if serving alcohol) Available AV: 50” TV/DVD, LCD projector, podium/ microphone, flipchart, projection screen. Security/ licensed alcohol cater required if serving alcohol.

Rental Fee: See rental rates at dakotacounty.us/parks Security Deposit: $150 - $500, refundable Just minutes from downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, Dakota Lodge is a beautiful, natural setting for weddings, banquets, meetings, retreats or other special events. Projector, screen, WiFi, microphones and sound system included.

Crystal A/B Room Available: Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–midnight; Sunday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: $40/hour resident; $48/hour non-resident; Weekends: $50/hour resident; $60/hour non-resident

Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center - Hastings Available: Year-round, Monday - Thursday 7 a.m - 10 p.m Friday - Sunday 7am - midnight

Security Deposit: $200, refundable (if serving alcohol)

Rental Fee: See rental rates at dakotacounty.us/parks

Available AV: 50” TV/DVD, LCD projector, podium/ microphone, flipchart, projection screen. Security/ licensed alcohol cater required if serving alcohol.

Security Deposit: $150 - $500, refundable

Forest Room Available: Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–midnight Sunday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Weekday: $32/hr resident; $40/non-resident Weekend: $40/hr resident; $50/non-resident Available AV: 50” TV/DVD, LCD projector, podium/ microphone, flipchart, projection screen. Security/ licensed alcohol cater required if serving alcohol.

The Gathering Room at Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center is an exceptional room designed to capture the expansive view across the Mississippi River bluff while meeting all the needs of your meeting or event. The Gathering Room is available for rent to community, corporate or private groups for a variety of events and is located within the beautiful Spring Lake Park Reserve. Projector, screen, WiFi, microphones and sound system included.

Available: Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–midnight Sunday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Weekday: $40/hour resident; $48/hour non-resident; Weekend: $50/hour resident; $60/hour non-resident

Available: Year-round, 7 days a week 7 a.m - 10 p.m Rental Fee: See rental rates at dakotacounty.us/parks Security Deposit: $150, refundable The Discovery Room is a beautiful, unique meeting and learning center that is available to rent to community, corporate or private groups for a variety of events. The Discovery Room is located within the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center in Lebanon Hills Regional Park and features a view of Schulze Lake. Projection screen, projector and WiFi included.

Eagan Community Center 1501 Central Parkway Eagan, MN 55121 Contact: Jen Schorr Phone: 651-675-5484 Email: jschorr@cityofeagan.com Web: www.cityofeagan.com Convenience, affordability and a warm, inviting atmosphere are surrounded by the beauty of Central Park at the Eagan Community Center. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view and versatile spaces fit all your event needs. Seating is available for up to 350 people in the Oaks banquet hall. Smaller, intimate spaces are also available.

The Boardroom Available: Year Round, Mon-Fri 5 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Rental Fee: $25/hour for residents; $30/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: $300; refundable The Oaks Available: Year Round, Sun-Thurs 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 7 a.m.- 1 a.m.

Rental Fee: $55/hour for residents; $60/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: $300; refundable

Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center - Apple Valley Available: Year-round, 7 days a week 7 a.m - 10 p.m Rental Fee: See rental rates at dakotacounty.us/parks

Gymnasium (3) Sporting Events (Basketball, Volleyball, Etc.)

This four-season retreat center is perfect for off-site corporate retreats and community and club meetings, yet transforms into a great overnight wilderness experience for organized youth groups. Camp Spring Lake is located at the Lower Spring Lake Park Trailhead in Spring Lake Park Reserve.

Discovery Room - Eagan

Dakota County Parks 14955 Galaxie Ave Apple Valley, MN 55124 Contact: Kaylene Retka Phone: 952-891-7000 Email: parks@co.dakota.mn.us Web: www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks

Valley Room

Rental Fee: Weekday: $32/hour resident; $40/hour non-resident Weekend: $40/hour resident; $50/hour non-resident

Security Deposit: $150, refundable

Security Deposit: $150, refundable This wonderful four-season retreat center offers a perfect off-site location for corporate retreats and community and club meetings, yet transforms into a fabulous overnight wilderness experience for organized youth groups. Camp Sacajawea is located within Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

40 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

The Oasis Available: Year Round, Sun-Thurs 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri-Sat 7 a.m.- 1 a.m.

Rental Fee: $55/hour for residents; $60/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: $300; refundable

Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center

Cedarholm Golf Course

Chanhassen Recreation Center

Chaska Event Center

Crystal Community Center

Dakota County Lodge

Dakota County Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center

Eagan Community Center

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 41

Earle Brown Heritage Center City of Brooklyn Center 6155 Earle Brown Drive Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 Contact: Mary Spah Phone: 763-569-6300 Email: sales@earlebrown.com Web: www.earlebrown.com The Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center has been a premier conference and event center in Minnesota for nearly 30 years. With 40,000 square feet of event space and 17 meeting rooms, the Earle Brown Heritage Center can accommodate a variety of events.

The expert Earle Brown staff is committed to flawless execution when it comes to assisting our guests. We cater to both wedding and corporate events. To us, event planning is about vision and detail; that’s why our team is proudly obsessive in making any event at Earle Brown perfect to the last detail. A beautiful courtyard, ample parking, and convenient location combined with catering services and top-of-the-line audio visual capabilities make this historical venue unique, picturesque, and well-equipped for any event.

Carriage Hall Available: 6 a.m.–midnight

Room 201

Full space $600–$1,195 for up to 6 hours.

Available: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Security Deposit: Application fee is nonrefundable.

Security deposit is half of rental fee.

Rental Fee: $30/hour for Eden Prairie based nonprofits; $40/hour for Eden Prairie residents; $55/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: none No home cooked food allowed.

Room 110 Available: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: $35/hour for Eden Prairie based nonprofits, $45/hour for Eden Prairie residents and businesses, $60/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: none No home cooked food allowed.

Room 112 Available: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Fee $30/hour for Eden Prairie based non-profits, $40/hour for Eden Prairie residents and businesses, $55/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: none No home cooked food allowed.

Rental Fee: Varies Security Deposit: Varies Eden Prairie (City of) 16700 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55346 Contact: Wendy Raskin Phone: 952-949-8333 Email: jrockey@edenprairie.org Web: www.edenprairie.org/community/communitycenter/community-center-room-rentals

Edina (City of) 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 Contact: Vera Norine, Parks & Recreation Dept Phone: 952-826-0367 Email: mail@edinamn.gov

Boardroom

From spots for a picturesque wedding to meeting and play areas for a fun corporate outing or family gathering, Edina has what you need. Get married along a lake, with indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options. Or share vows among gardens in bloom. Play golf in miniature, go lawn bowling, or cruise our 10-acre lake in pedal boats to make your team-building day memorable. Edina offers indoor and outdoor event and meeting spaces for small to large groups with easy access and free parking.

For your guests, our city boasts great restaurants, shopping and hotels near the big city but far enough away to relax and rejuvenate.

Available: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Arneson Acres Park Terrace Room and Gazebo

Rental Fee: $20/hour for Eden Prairie based nonprofits; $25/hour for Eden Prairie residents; $40/hour for non-residents

Available: Please call for availability.

Eden Prairie Community Center The Eden Prairie Community Center is an ideal space for small gatherings of up to 75 people. We have audio-visual included with about half of our rooms, and are a great fit for birthday parties, baby showers, and corporate gatherings.

Security Deposit: none No home cooked food allowed.

Cambria Room Available: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: $50/hour for Eden Prairie based nonprofits; $55/hour for Eden Prairie residents; $65/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: none No home cooked food allowed.

Lounge Available: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: $30/hour for Eden Prairie based nonprofits; $40/hour for Eden Prairie residents; $55/hour for non-residents Security Deposit: none No home cooked food allowed.

Rental Fee: Varies Security Deposit: $25, non-refundable Other: $200 damage deposit Terrace Room and Gazebo may not be reserved separately. Only wine and 3.2 beer allowed.

AV available: screen only. Six round tables and one long table with a total of 75 chairs available.

Hughes Pavilion at Centennial Lakes Park Overlooking a sparkling 10-acre lake, the Hughes Pavilion is perfect for receptions, parties, meetings and events for up to 120 guests. With its cozy fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, lakeside patio, free parking and convenient location, the Centennial Lakes Park Hughes Pavilion is a welcome respite from the traditional banquet facility.

Available: Year-round. Hours vary. Check online at CentennialLakesPark.com.

Rental Fee: Varies by day and space needed.

For one room, $300-$450 for up to 4 hours.

42 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Licensed caterers pay $0.50 per person for catering onsite. Only licensed caterers are allowed to serve.

No potucks. Alcohol must be provided by Complete Beverage Service. Call 800-550-7750 for package information.

Maetzold Amphitheater Maetzold Amphitheater is perched along the edge of a lake and surrounded by lush lawns and tall trees, providing an intimate and picturesque setting.

Available: April-October. Times vary depending on day.

Rental Fee: $300 for an hour ceremony Security Deposit: $100 due at time of booking is nonrefundable. Remainder due two weeks prior to event.

Food is not allowed in the Amphitheater.

Edina Senior Center Edina Senior Center has multiple rooms available to accommodate small or large meetings or gatherings.

Available: Year-round, 4:30 p.m.–midnight weekdays, any time Saturdays and Sundays. Call 952-833-9570 to check availability.

Rental Fee: Varies by room. $25–$65/hour up to $240 for full day.

Security Deposit: none If additional hours are needed for cleaning, permit holder will be billed at a rate of $32 per hour.

Edinburgh USA Clubhouse 8700 Edinbrook Crossing Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Contact: Diane Nichols, D’Amico Catering Phone: 763-315-8500 Email: dnichols@damico.com Located on the Championship Edinburgh USA Golf Course just 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, this first class facility provides a beautiful setting for a variety of meetings and events.

The Clubhouse at Edinburgh USA was modeled after a graceful Scottish manor and features over 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space with state-of-the-art technology, high speed wireless internet access and free parking. Our deliciously prepared and elegantly presented cuisine also adds a special flavor to your event, making Edinburgh USA the perfect place for your next off-premise corporate retreat, executive meeting or business function.

Golden Valley (City of) Brookview 316 Brookview Parkway Golden Valley, MN 55426 Contact: Greg Simmons Phone: 763-512-2367 Email: events@brookviewgoldenvalley.com Web: www.brookviewgoldenvalley.com Featuring spectacular views, a modern aesthetic, and indoor/outdoor spaces, Brookview offers an intimate setting that can be customized to fit your special day. Have your ceremony on the Fairway Deck, then watch the sun set over the ponds and fairways of the golf course as your guests congregate in the Bassett Creek Room for the reception. With several set-up options to choose from, along with a range of

Earle Brown Heritage Center

Eden Prairie Community Center

Edina Hughes Pavilion

Edina Maetzold Amphitheater

Edinburgh USA Clubhouse

Golden Valley Brookview

Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center

Le Sueur County Richter Woods Barn

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 43

on-site activities to meet your pre- and post-wedding needs, a Brookview wedding will provide a lifetime of memories.

Valley Room

Community Room 2

Available: Monday–Friday 4 p.m.–midnight Saturday–Sunday 7 a.m.–midnight

Available: Seven days/week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Centrally located and convenient to most of the Twin Cities metro area, Brookview offers flexible spaces for meetings, seminars, training sessions, and more.

In addition, you have the option of pairing your event with a social activity, like lawn bowling or golf. Ask our staff for suggestions—they’re experts at helping take events to the next level!

Rental Fee: $120/hour

Security Deposit: None

Security Deposit: $500, refundable

Other Notes: Full payment due upon reservation, 85% refundable.

Basset Creek

Available: Monday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–midnight

Available: Monday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–midnight

Rental Fee: $60/hour

Rental Fee: $115/hour or $1,400 for full day

Security Deposit: $500, refundable

Seating area with fireplace. Available AV: projector, screen, and microphone. On-site restaurant: Three One Six Bar and Grill.

Rental Fee: $42-$52/hr

Community Room 3 Available: Seven days/week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Wirth Lake Room

Rental Fee: $42-$52/hr Security Deposit: None Other Notes: Full payment due upon reservation, 85% refundable.

Security Deposit: $500, refundable Other: Security required for groups over 50 serving alcohol Public Wi-Fi, access to public and private deck.

Available AV: projector, screen, microphone (wireless or lapel), podium, stage. On-site restaurant: Three One Six Bar and Grill. Outside catering must use preferred caterer list. Tables: rounds, rectangles, and cocktail.

Gymnasium Inver Grove Heights (City of) Veterans Memorial Community Center 8055 Barbara Ave E Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 Contact: Jen Graham Phone: 651-450-2580 Email: jgraham@invergroveheights.org Web: www.invergroveheights.org/rentals

Sweeny Lake or Rice Lake Available: Monday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–midnight Rental Fee: $35/hour Security Deposit: $100, refundable Public Wi-Fi.

Community Room 1 Available: Seven days/week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Available: Seven days/week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Rental Fee: $90-$100/hr Security Deposit: None Other Notes: Full payment due upon reservation, 85% refundable.

We have great rooms to host your next meeting, business seminar, birthday party or baby shower.

Six meeting rooms seat from 10 to 150 guests are available to private and public groups.

Rental Fee: $42-$52/hr Security Deposit: None Other Notes: Full payment due upon reservation, 85% refundable.

Maple Grove Central Park

New Brighton Community Center

New Hope Clubhouse

New Ulm Civic Center

44 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Le Sueur County Parks 88 South Park Avenue Le Center, MN 56057 Contact: Tyler Luethje Phone: 507-357-8201 Email: tluethje@co.le-sueur.mn.us Web: www.co.le-sueur.mn.us

Security guards are required when alcohol is served.

Electricity is available in various areas throughout the site. The park building/Phenow Pavilion has AV equipment to rent. Equipment for outdoor spaces must be provider by other vendors. Tables and chairs are provided in the Phenow Pavilion/Park Building. Tables and chairs must be rented for outdoor spaces.

New Brighton Parks and Recreation 400 10th Street NW New Brighton, MN 55112 Contact: Britton McDonald Phone: 651-638-2138 Email: britton.mcdonald@newbrightonmn.gov Web: newbrightonmn.gov

Our facilities are ideal for small gatherings, meetings, workshops, reunions, graduations, weddings, etc.

Central Park is located at 12000 Central Park Way Maple Grove Mn 55369.

Lake Washington Regional Park 47102 Washington Park Road Kasota, MN 56060

Maple Grove Community Center

New Brighton offers a variety of facilities in your community at affordable prices. We welcome the opportunity to provide accommodations for your business meeting or special occasion.

Available: Year-round, 6 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: $100/day (basic); $250/day (wedding) Security Deposit: none Other: Non Profits no cost Richter Woods Barn 35674 173rd Ave Montgomery, MN 56069 Available: April–October, 6 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: $100/day (basic); $350/day (wedding) Security Deposit: $75/refundable Other: Non Profits no cost Maple Grove (City of) 12951 Weaver Lake Rd Maple Grove, MN 55369 Phone: 763-494-6517 Email: adehn@maplegrovemn.gov Our banquet and meeting venue is ideal for social gatherings, corporate events, conferences, wedding and ceremonies. Indoor and outdoor ceremony venues offer ideal and unique options. A patio with a small flower garden is adjacent to the banquet room.

Central Park of Maple Grove This park offers diverse recreational and event areas to include The Phenow Pavilion; Ice Skating Loop, Interactive Fountain, Playground, The Great Lawn, Garden and Labyrinth and Sport Courts.

Available: Central Park has seasonal hours for the ice skating loop from mid-November to mid-March. The Phenow Pavilion is open for rentals from late April thru mid-October. The Great Lawn, Garden, and Labyrinth are open May thru October, however, is weather dependent.

Rental Fee: Phenow Pavilion—$50/hour -resident; $100/hour non-resident; Garden—$100/hour resident, $150/hour non-resident.

Security Deposit: $300, refundable.

Service Fees: May apply based on the function.

Central Park is a 44-acre park that provides rental options from small rentals, group visits to large functions. The Phenow Pavilion holds 120 people banquet style; and 120 theater style. The Great Lawn is 2.5 acre of multi-purpose green space. The playground diameter is 200’ with seven play zones. A .83 mile trail circles the pond. License caterers or bring your own food in. No kitchen access to the kitchen for home prepared foods. Alcohol is allowed through city approved liquor providers. Other restrictions apply.

Available: Open seven days a week.

Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Fridays, 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m.

Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m.

Sundays, 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Rental Fee: Fees vary. Non-resident fees for Monday– Thursday is $425, $500 with the kitchen. Friday & Sunday is $475, $550 with the kitchen. Saturday $800, $875 with the kitchen.

Community Room AB Available: Year-round Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.–1 a.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Rental Fee: $300-$1,440 based on rental day/time Security Deposit: $500 for non-business meetings, refundable

Security Deposit: $300, refundable.

Note: No deposit is required for meeting.

Other: Kitchen—$55-60. Alcohol service Public Safety Officer—$55/hour.

Rental options include string lights for the ceiling.

Select from four exclusive caterers and two liquor providers. Outside food is not allowed in the banquet room. Outside food can be brought in for rooms up to 80 people. Alcohol is allowed when selecting from 2 exclusive liquor providers. Security Guard is required for an additional fee. AV is available to rent. The room has 2 large screens and a sound system with mics and 2 podiums. Wired or wireless internet is available.

Alcohol allowed through preferred alcohol vendor.

Available AV: microphone/speakers, LCD projector, screen, HDMI access, Smartboard. Contact meeting & event coordinator for specific quotes. Room can be divided into two spaces.

Maple Grove Community Center is located at 12951 Weaver Lake Road Maple Grove MN 55369.

Maple Grove Town Green Available: The Town Green meeting room is open year round. The outdoor venues are open late May thru early October.

Rental Fee: Nonresident fees are listed. Other rates are available for non-profit organizations.

Meeting room—$30/hour.

Bandshell—$700 for 4-hour block of time.

The Point—$300.

The Plaza—$300. The Lawn—$300.

New Brighton Community Center Meeting Rooms (224, 220, 218) Available: Year-round, Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Rental Fee: $35-$300 based on residency/day/time Security Deposit (Room 224): $300 for non-business meetings, refundable Open catering; Alcohol is not allowed Available AV: microphone/speakers, LCD projector, screen, HDMI access, Smartboard. Contact meeting & event coordinator for specific quote. Beverage service available (coffee, soda, water).

New Brighton—Brightwood Hills Clubhouse Available: November 15–March 15, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Security Deposit: $300, refundable.

Rental Fee: $200-$300 based on residency/day

Service Fees: Staff services is adding additional fees.

Security Deposit: $300 (refundable)

The meeting room seats up to 30 people.

Open catering; Alcohol is allowed through preferred alcohol vendor. Contact meeting & event coordinator for specific quote.

The bandshell seats 350 and up to 1,000 using the grassy areas in the seating bowl.

The Point seats 250 people.

The Lawn has a small stage and can seat 70-100 people.

New Brighton—Neighborhood Centers at Hansen, Freedom, Totem Pole, Sunny Square Available: Year-round, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

The Plaza is landscaped and holds a small music park.

Rental Fee: $150-$240 based on residency/day

Use of licensed caterers of your choice can be used.

Alcohol is allowed in specific areas. Use of city approved liquor providers is required. Renters must provide their own AV equipment with the exception of the sound equipment that is included with the rental of the bandshell. Customer must rent tables, chairs, tents and like equipment. The meeting room is tempered control. All other venues are outdoors.

Security Deposit: $200 (refundable) Other: $50 alcohol permit and proof of liability insurance required. Pavilion add-ons—$20-$50.

Air Conditioning offered at Hansen & Freedom.

Contact meeting & event coordinator for specific quotes.

Town Green is on a waterfront and an urban park located at 7991 Main Street, Maple Grove MN 55369

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 45

New Hope (City of) Parks & Recreation 4401 Xylon Ave. N. New Hope, MN 55428 Phone: 763-531-5151 Email: nh-parkandrec@newhopemn.gov Web: www.newhopemn.gov Ideal for weddings, family gatherings, meetings, etc.

Max capacity 250 with round table/chair seating. Full service kitchen included. May use caterer of choice.

New Hope Community Gyms Available: During School Year, M-F 6-10 p.m.

Sa & Su 24 hours; Non School Days 24/7 Rental Fee: $39-$65/hour/court; $250-$375/day full facility up to 10 hours Deposit: $100 deposit for rental of concession stand Available for basketball practice, weekend tournaments, birthday parties and much more! Two full-size basketball courts available for recreational and athletic activities. Other amenities available: batting cage, concessions area, storage rooms and restrooms.

New Hope Village Golf Course Available: 24/7 November - March Rental Fee: $140-$165 for 3 hour min, $45-$50 for additional hour Deposit: $200 deposit If serving alchohol, additional $75/hour fee required for security Available for birthday, retirement, anniversary parties, baby and bridal showers, wedding receptions, business meetings, family gatherings and other events in the off-season November through March.

New Ulm Park and Recreation (City of) 122 S. Garden St. New Ulm, MN 56073 Contact: Cheryl Kormann, Assistant Director Phone: 507-359-8340 Email: cherylk@newulmmn.gov Web: ci.new-ulm.mn.us Ideal for weddings, family gatherings, meetings, etc.

Max capacity 250 with round table/chair seating. Full service kitchen included. May use caterer of choice.

New Ulm Civic Center 1212 N. Franklin St., New Ulm Large space available for dry floor(s), company banquets, large events (approximately 20,000 sq ft).

Bleacher and/or chair seating available. 8’ banquet tables/chairs/staging/pipe and drape/sound system.

Catering kitchen available with small food prep and storage area. Large amount of drop cord electricity available. Refundable security deposit required.

Meeting spaces: Table/chair seating for 40-50 people. Space includes kitchenette, AV equipment, white board, screen, microphone, flipchart, projection screen. Security/licensed alcohol cater required if serving alcohol.

Plymouth Room Available: Daily Rental Fee: Fee varies on day of week and if resident of Plymouth or not Security Deposit: $300, refundable

Harman Park Shelter Four-season, temperature controlled with table/ chair seating to accommodate 70 people. Catering allowed or you may bring your own food/beverage.

Alcohol allowed/no glass. Refundable security deposit required.

LCD projector, screen, wireless microphone included in rental fee. Can bring in a cake from a licensed bakery. Alcohol is allowed through exclusive caterers.

Rogers (City of)

Hermann Heights Picnic Shelters Two available with windows/screens. Each shelter has picnic table seating to accommodate 100 people, serving counter with electricity. Catering allowed or you may bring your own food/beverage. Alcohol allowed/no glass.

New Ulm Recreation Center Vogel Fieldhouse (3 multi-purpose courts and 3-lane track), 4 racquetball/wallyball courts, fitness studio/ meeting space to accommodate approximately 70 people, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, fitness center.

Plymouth Community Center 14800 34th Ave N Plymouth, MN 55447 Contact: Nicole Schultz Phone: 763-509-5280 Email: nschultz@plymouthmn.gov Web: www.plymouthmn.gov Plymouth Community Center is nestled on the edge of the Millennium Garden, one of Plymouth’s most beautiful parks. The center provides a gathering place for groups to celebrate special events, enjoy cultural and educational pursuits, and partake in a wide variety of other social and recreational activities.

Black Box Theater Available: Daily Rental Fee: $75–100 Security Deposit: $100, refundable (if food is served) AV rental is available for a fee. Alcohol is allowed through exclusive caterers.

Multi-Purpose Room Available: Daily Rental Fee: $50–75 Security Deposit: $100, refundable (if food is served) AV rental is available for a fee. Alcohol is allowed through exclusive caterers.

Meeting Spaces

Meeting space: table/chair seating for approximately 70 people. Space includes kitchenette area, AV equipment, white board, screen.

Available: Daily

New Ulm Community Center 600 N. German Street, New Ulm

AV rental is available for a fee. Alcohol is allowed through exclusive caterers.

Rental Fee: $30–50/hour Security Deposit: $100, refundable

Banquet facility: Max capacity 250 with round table/ chair seating. Full service kitchen included. May use caterer of choice. Alcohol allowed with provisions.

AV equipment available. Refundable security deposit required. Please call for availability and pricing.

46 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Activity Room 21080 141st Ave N Rogers, MN 55374 Contact: Mike Bauer Phone: 763-428-0974 Email: mbauer@rogersmn.gov Web: www.rogersmn.gov The Rogers Activity Room is situated on the 2nd floor of the ice arena and is accessible by stairs or an elevator. The 3,000 square foot carpeted room is available for the public to rent for a variety of occasions with seating over 100 people and a capacity of 400.

Available: every day of year Rental Fee: $30–200 $10–50 for equipment or coffee Community Room 21201 Memorial Drive Rogers, MN 55374 Contact: Liz Faust Phone: 763-428-0939 Email: efaust@rogersmn.gov The Rogers Community Room consists of a large banquet room that can be divided into two smaller sections, a patio area with picnic tables, a fully-equipped commercial kitchen, and a small conference room. The Community Room is perfect for gatherings of any kind, from small meetings to large weddings.

Available: Every day of the year Rental Fee: $30–900 Security Deposit: $100–400, refundable Kitchen Fee: $25-150 Rosemount Parks & Recreation Rosemount Steeple Center, Assembly Hall 14375 South Robert Trail Rosemount, MN 55068 Contact: Stephanie Baumann Phone: 651-322-6016 Email: stephanie.baumann@ci.rosemount.mn.us Web: www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/parks Available: Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Rental Fee: $45/hour for Rosemount residents and $60/hour for non-residents. Minimum rental blocks vary depending on the day of the week. Access to sound system, microphones and podium included with rental. Screen available for $25 + tax, and Projector for $100 + tax Security Deposit: $300 refundable. $276.50 security fee w/alcohol, $200 changeover fee (ex: Ceremony setup to Reception setup)

Outside, licensed MN caterers are allowed. Renters cannot bring in homemade food (no potluck style).

Muriel Sahlin Arboretum 2525 Dale St. N.

The Rosemount Steeple Center is an ideal facility for your next meeting, event, fundraiser, party, wedding ceremony or reception. Assembly Hall, a converted church built in 1924, seats 192 with tables and chairs or 204 in theater style rows. The 2016 addition features a full catering kitchen, conference room, and three large multi-purpose rooms perfect for programs, meetings, seminars, and small events. This beautifully updated space offers a variety of options, making it the perfect rental option for any celebration or gathering.

This picturesque site is ideal for your next gathering, whether a wedding, anniversary, party or memorial service. Located off Dale Street, between County Roads B-2 & C. It is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. The Arboretum features a variety of flower gardens, walkways, fountain and a large grassy knoll.

Roseville Parks and Recreation 2660 Civic Center Dr. Roseville, MN 55113 Contact: Scott Brewer Phone: 651-792-7118 Email: scott.brewer@cityofroseville.com Web: www.cityofroseville.com/parkbuildings

Oasis Park Building 1700 County Rd. C2 W.

Cleaning your house or worrying you won’t have enough space can be stressful! Take the hassle out of hosting a family gathering or business meeting by booking with us today! We not only provide premier event space but also friendly staff who ensure the building is unlocked at the start of your rental, will setup tables and chairs prior to your reservation, and will be available to you throughout your rental!

Autumn Grove Park Building 1365 Lydia Ave. W. Available: Year-round, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Starting at $125 Full Payment due at time of reservation, no extra deposit. Includes Kitchenette Space, full size fridge/ freezer, sink, and microwave with serving counter looking into the gathering room. Available AV: 55” screen w/built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, and podium.

Harriet Alexander Nature Center 2520 Dale St. N. The nature center offers a loft y gathering space with a great view, meeting room with a spacious full kitchen, two big-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access and an intimate outdoor forested amphitheater with bench seating.

Try HANC for your next seminar, meeting or private gathering.

Olympic Room

Security Deposit: $125, refundable

Available: 7 days per week, 7 a.m –midnight

Small building on site with men’s and women’s restroom along with two private changing spaces.

Rental Fee: $465 weekday; $765 weekend; $935 full day

Available: Year-round, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Starting at $100 Full Payment due at time of reservation, no extra deposit. Includes Kitchenette Space, full size fridge/ freezer, sink, and microwave with serving counter looking into the gathering room. Available AV: 55” screen w/built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, and podium.

Rosebrook Park Building 2590 Fry St. Available: Year-round, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Starting at $115 Full Payment due at time of reservation, no extra deposit. Includes Kitchenette Space, full size fridge/ freezer, sink, and microwave with serving counter looking into the gathering room. Available AV: 55” screen w/built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, and podium.

Sandcastle Park Building 3060 Patton Rd. Available: Year-round, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Starting at $100 Full Payment due at time of reservation, no extra deposit. Includes Kitchenette Space, full size fridge/ freezer, sink, and microwave with serving counter looking into the gathering room. Available AV: 55” screen w/built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, and podium.

Villa Park Building 2055 Cohansey Blvd.

Available: Year-round, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Full Payment due at time of reservation, no extra deposit. Includes Kitchenette Space, full size fridge/ freezer, sink, and microwave with serving counter looking into the gathering room. Available AV: 55” screen w/built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, and podium.

Available: Year-round, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Full Payment due at time of reservation, no extra deposit. Includes Kitchenette Space, full size fridge/ freezer, sink, and microwave with serving counter looking into the gathering room. Available AV: 55” screen w/built-in speakers, Wi-Fi, and podium.

Rental Fee: $145 weekday; $300 weekend; $335 full day

Rental Fee: Starts at $425 for four hours

Rental Fee: Starting at $100

Rental Fee: Starting at $125

Available: 7 days per week, 7 a.m –midnight Alcohol allowed by licensed vendor and with security (provided by RVPD).

Rental Fee: Starts at $135 for 3 hours

Lexington Park Building 2131 Lexington Ave. N.

Fireside Room

Available: June 1–May 15, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Available: Year-round, evenings and weekends Full payment at time of reservation.

for business meetings, weddings, and social gatherings. Rooms have a breathtaking view of the OVAL, AV capability and a catering kitchen.

Roseville Skating Center 2661 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN 55112 Contact: Lake Johnson Phone: 651-792-7121 Email: lake.johnson@cityofroseville.com Web: www.cityofroseville.com/banquet

Alcohol allowed by licensed vendor and with security (provided by RVPD).

Rose Room Available: 7 days per week, 7 a.m –midnight Rental Fee: $235 weekday; $400 weekend; $600 full day Alcohol allowed by licensed vendor and with security (provided by RVPD).

Savage (City of) 13500 Dakota Ave. Savage, MN 55378 Contacts: Robbie Bunnell or Chris Dill Phone: 952-224-3420 Email: rbunnell@ci.savage.mn.us or cdill@ci.savage.mn.us Web: cityofsavage.com/parks-recreation/facilities/ mccoll-pond-elc Set among 10 acres of native prairie, rain gardens, butterfly gardens and mature trees, the McColl Pond Environmental Learning and Event Center (ELC) is a picture-perfect location for weddings, graduation parties, anniversary celebrations, holiday gatherings and many other private occasions.

The McColl Pond ELC was designed through a naturally resourceful approach that kept sustainability at the forefront, but didn’t sacrifice visual appeal or functionality. Powered by solar energy and geothermal systems for temperature regulations, the ELC offers comfort to guests without adversely impacting the environment. Walls are made from wheat products, counter tops from recycled plastic, and cabinets from sunflower seeds. A vegetated rooftop collects and filters storm water.

McColl Pond Environmental Learning and Event Center Online calendar: cityofsavage.com Non-profit rate: Monday–Thursday $65 per/hr.; Friday–Sunday $85 per/hr Regular rates: Monday–Thursday $105 per/hr; Friday–Sunday $125 per/hr Security Deposit: $100 non-refundable registration fee

Whatever your event, the Roseville Skating Center has the space for you! With competitive pricing, space for groups from 30 to 300 people, and perfectly positioned between downtown Mineapolis and St. Paul, the Roseville Skating Center is perfect

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 47

Shoreview Community Center 4580 Victoria Street N. Shoreview, MN 55126 Contacts: Kirby Rautio and Sierra Topp Phone: 651-490-4790 Email: rentals@shoreviewmn.gov Web: www.shoreviewcommunitycenter.com The Shoreview Room Available: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-12 a.m., Sunday 2 p.m.-8 p.m.

Rental Fee: Sunday-Thursday $850, Friday $1,250, Saturday $1,500 Security Deposit: $500 refundable Damage Deposit.

We do not require a Damage Deposit for Corporate events. Off Duty Officer is required for our Friday and Saturday night events which require additional fees.

Inspirational Gathering Space Full Room Package Available: Saturdays, noon–midnight Rental Fee: $1,800 Non-Fridley Resident; $1,600 Fridley Resident; $1,200 Non-Profit Security Deposit: $500, refundable Other: Options for adding on nature exhibit space, additional fees associated with alcohol service.

Great option for weddings and other large events.

Option to use outdoor amphitheater is included in fee. Includes access to catering kitchen featuring fridge, freezer, sinks, microwave, and coffee maker.

Alcohol allowed after 5 p.m., restrictions apply.

Table and chair set up is included in rental.

Inspirational Gathering Space 2 Room Package

Wedell Community Room

Available: Saturdays, noon–midnight

Available: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-12 a.m., Sunday 2 p.m.-8 p.m.

Rental Fee: $1,000 Non-Fridley Resident; $800 Fridley Resident; $600 Non-Profit

Rental Fee: Sunday-Thursday $575, Friday $925, Saturday $1,125

Security Deposit: $500, refundable

Security Deposit: $500 refundable Damage Deposit.

We do not require a Damage Deposit for Corporate events. Off Duty Officer is required for our Friday and Saturday night events which require additional fees.

We offer ½ Wedell Community Room rentals SundayThursday for $330.00 for smaller meetings.

The Shoreview Community Center is a great location for your next meeting, reception, or family gathering.

Every detail of your event matters to us! We have two banquet rooms that can accommodate up to 300 people. In addition, we have smaller meeting and activity rooms for your smaller events. Each room is built with all you’re A/V needs and you’re able to bring in any caterer of your choice. We also have Activity and Meeting rooms available for smaller meetings for up to 60 people. Please call our rental office at 651-490-4790 for more information regarding pricing and availability or to schedule a facility tour.

Springbrook Nature Center 100 85th Ave NE Fridley, MN 55432 Contact: Mary Morris Phone: 763-572-3588 Email: mary.morris@fridleymn.gov Web: www.springbrooknaturecenter.org Our building in nestled among the natural beauty of forests, prairies and wetlands, providing the perfect backdrop for your event. We offer stunning views, trail access and an attached patio for your guests to observe all the sights and sounds of this unique setting. Our rental spaces are ideal for weddings, celebrations such as showers and birthday, anniversary or graduations parties, corporate meetings and retreats, and more! The spaces can accommodate groups of up to 180 people.

Other: Options for adding on nature exhibit space, additional fees associated with alcohol service.

Great option for weddings and other large events.

Option to use outdoor amphitheater is included in fee. Includes access to catering kitchen featuring fridge, freezer, sinks, microwave, and coffee maker.

Alcohol allowed after 5 p.m., restrictions apply. Table and chair set up is included in rental.

Oak Savanna Room Available: Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Rental Fee: $50 Non-Fridley Resident; $30 Fridley Resident; $30 Non-Profit

Security Deposit: $100, refundable Includes access to catering kitchen featuring fridge, freezer, sinks, microwave, and coffee maker.

Carpeted floors. Alcohol allowed after 5 p.m., restrictions apply. Table and chair set up is included in rental.

St. Louis Park (City of) 3700 Monterey Drive St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Contact: Heidi Weiler Phone: 952-924-2540 Email: hweiler@stlouispark.org Web: www.stlouispark.org The Rec Center campus is located in the west metro, servicing the Twin Cities area. Indoor and outdoor options are available to host your wedding or reception, graduation party, bar and bat mitzvah party, family gatherings, company events, and many more.

ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center) This 17,000 square foot facility is a covered ice rink in the winter months for hockey, open public skating, broomball and other special skating events. In the spring, it is converted to a covered, turfed field for baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse, as well as special events. During the summer, a dry, concrete floor provides space for a variety of special events from weddings to movies in the park, to graduation parties. The outdoor facility accommodates up to 700 people for wedding receptions, bar and bat mitzvah parties, company events, birthday parties and large-scale gatherings. The facility rental space measures 200’ x 85’ and includes a PA system. Plan your wedding or next event at the ROC! Available: Daily, May–Sept, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Security Deposit: $100, refundable

Rental Fee: $30 per hour (resident) / $35 (non-resident)

Linoleum flooring. Alcohol allowed after 5 p.m., restrictions apply. Table and chair set up is included in rental. Projector is a SMART board.

Half day (8 a.m.–2 p.m. OR 4–10 p.m.): $180 (resident) / $210 (non-resident)

Prairie Room Available: Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Rental Fee: $50 Non-Fridley Resident; $30 Fridley Resident; $30 Non-Profit Security Deposit: $100, refundable Carpeted floors. Alcohol allowed after 5 p.m., restrictions apply. Table and chair set up is included in rental.

Wetland Room Available: Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Rental Fee: $50 Non-Fridley Resident; $30 Fridley Resident; $30 Non-Profit Security Deposit: $100, refundable Carpeted floors. Alcohol allowed after 5 p.m., restrictions apply. Table and chair set up is included in rental.

Woodland Room

Full day (8 a.m.–10 p.m.) $360 (resident) / $420 (non-resident) Security Deposit: $150, refundable Other: $60 food and beverage fee (events over 100 people) Rec Center Banquet Room The Banquet Room overlooks the Aquatic Park and Wolfe Park, which encompasses a pond, fishing pier, boardwalk, amphitheater and playground. The Banquet Room is available for wedding receptions, birthday parties, bar and bat mitzvah parties, company events, family reunions and large meetings. The carpeted room comfortably seats 160 people and offers a caterer’s holding kitchen, multi-screen audio-visual equipment, dance floor, dimmable lighting and sound system.

Available: Daily, Jan–Dec, 8 a.m.–midnight Rental Fee: Sunday–Friday: $65 per hour (resident) / $75 (non-resident), 2 hour minimum Saturdays (8 a.m.–midnight): $625 (resident) / $725 (non-resident)

Available: Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Security Deposit: $700, refundable

Rental Fee: $50 Non-Fridley Resident; $30 Fridley Resident; $30 Non-Profit

Alcohol allowed through authorized provider only.

48 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Other: $40 for AV Equipment

Plymouth Community Center, Plymouth Room

Rosemount Steeple Center, Assembly Hall

Roseville Skating Center

Savage McColl Pond Environmental Learning and Event Center

Shoreview Community Center

Springbrook Nature Center

Three Rivers Park District Gale Woods Farm

Washington County Historic Courthouse

Recreation and Parks Facility Guide • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 49 47

The Rec Center Gallery Available: Daily, Jan–Dec, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Sunday–Saturday: $50 per hour (resident) / $50 (non-resident), 2 hour minimum

own projector), 2 flatscreen TVs, DVD player. Dance floor, fireplace, picnic tables on the patio, ample restrooms, free parking, chalet host on duty. Alcohol from approved caterer only.

Fish Lake Pavilion

Security Deposit: $100, refundable

Available: Year-round, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Other: $40 for AV Equipment

Rental Fee: $350 daily

Westwood Hills Nature Center Rental fee: Willow, Aspen, or Oak room Resident: $50 per hour/ Non-resident: $60 per hour $100 refundable damage deposit 2 hours minimum Rental fee: Combined multi-purpose room (all day) Off peak: Sept – June Resident $1,500 / Non-resident: $1,800 Peak: July – August Resident $2,100 / Non-resident $2,400 Friday – Sunday noon – midnight $700 refundable damage deposit and kitchen cleaning deposit Rental fee: Maple Conference room Resident $45 per hour / $55 per hour $50 refundable damage deposit The new interpretive center is nestled among 160 acres of forest, marsh and restored prairie in of St. Louis Park.

The interpretive center has indoor and outdoor spaces designed for programming for all ages and abilities.

It includes a multipurpose space that accommodates up to 130 people. Room amenities include a caterer’s kitchen, audiovisual equipment, dimmable lighting and a podium. The 13,000-square-foot interpretative center has achieved the zero energy certification. The interpretive center is one of the first net zero energy buildings in the state, demonstrating successful net zero energy design is possible even in Minnesota winters.

Three Rivers Park District 3000 Xenium Lane North Plymouth, MN 55441 Phone: 763-559-6700 Email: rentalspaces@threeriversparks.org Web: ThreeRiversParks.org For team meetings, team-building exercises, company picnics, or board meetings, Three Rivers has just the facility to suit your needs. With distinctive indoor facilities and spacious pavilions, golf courses, and a log lodge, you are sure to find an affordable venue to enjoy the four seasons of Minnesota. Meeting spaces are equipped with Wi-Fi. Team building can be enhanced with a variety of activities such as fishing, foot golf, paddling, rope courses, or climbing.

Elm Creek Chalet

Security Deposit: none Building is air-conditioned, has electricity, water, and a kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave. Projector screen (groups must provide own projector), TV-DVD, 30-cup coffeepot and a moving cart are available for your use. Fireplace and firewood available for seasonal use. Includes the patio area in back with tables and two large grills; guests must provide charcoal. Electrical outlets are located inside and outside of the building. You can bring in your own food of if you wish to have it catered, it must be from one our caterers on the approved catering list. Beer, wine and malt beverage allowed; no kegs or hard liquor.

Gale Woods Farm Pavilion Available: May–November 10 a.m.–midnight Rental Fee: $850 Monday –Thursday full day $600 Monday –Thursday partial day (10 a.m.–4 p.m. or 4–11 p.m.) $1,500 Friday and Sunday $1,800 Saturday Security Deposit: $400 Park Security Fee: $240 12- 40” x 72” banquet tables. Available AV: sound system to plug IPOD, MP3, or laptop computer into for music, 1 corded microphone to use inside the pavilion (driver’s license needed for check-out.). Two 22-cubicfoot refrigerators, one 7-cubic-foot chest freezer, bonfire pit and firewood, serving counters for caterers, two 100-gallon cooling tanks, water and electricity, sink, ample indoor restrooms, bag board toss and volleyball net, exclusive use of the grounds surrounding the pavilion (patio, parking lot, bonfire pit, and ceremony site). Alcohol must come from an approved caterer. No hard liquor. Pavilion host on duty during the event. Please note there is NO Wi-Fi in the pavilion.

Available AV: sound system (with built-in speakers, microphone, disk changer, DVD player), projector and projection screen. Podium, outdoor patio with fireplace, dressing room, coat room, ample restrooms, hall host on duty, free parking. Kitchen Amenities: refrigerator and freezer, 3-compartment sink, stainless steel prep and counter space, pass through window, caterers entrance. Alcohol must come from the approved caterer. No hard liquor.

Washington County Historic Courthouse 101 West Pine Street Stillwater, MN 55082 Contacts: Elise Gardner and Lori Meyers Phone: 651-275-7075 Email: historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us Web: www.co.washington.mn.us/hc Commanding a view of Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley, the Washington County Historic Courthouse has served its community since 1870, first as the county seat and now as a Washington County Park.

The Historic Courthouse offers an elegant alternative to typical hotel facilities for meetings, seminars, and private events. History tours are available, including the courtroom, 1900’s county jail, and history exhibits.

Additional team-building activities available including customized tours, scavenger hunts, and more.

Historic Courtroom Available: seven days a week, 9 a.m.–midnight.

Rental Fee: Fees vary depending on day/time Security Deposit: 50% down payment required Other: Alcohol fee, security guard, insurance.

Available AV: projection screen, sound system, microphone, podium.

Register of Deeds Meeting Room Available: Monday--Saturday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Available: Mid-April – Early October, 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

Security Deposit: 50% down payment required

Rental Fee: $2,100 Saturdays and Holidays $1,600 Fridays and Sundays $950 Monday–Thursday

Rental Fee: $850 Monday –Thursday full day $600 Monday –Thursday partial day (10 a.m.–4 p.m. or 4–11 p.m.) $1,500 Friday and Sunday $1,800 Saturday

Park Security Fee: $240

Additional tables available for indoor use for set up (4’, 5’, 6’, and 8’ buffet style and 36” round hi-top tables. Available AV: sound system (with built-in speakers, microphone, CD player, iPod compatibility), projection screen (must provide

Park Security Fee: $240

Rental Fee: $100

Security Deposit: $400

Park Security Fee: $240

Security Deposit: $400

Hyland Hills Chalet

Available: April–October, 10 a.m.–midnight

Security Deposit: $400, refundable

$2,400 Saturdays and Holidays $1,550 Fridays and Sundays (Nov–Mar), 10 a.m.–midnight $800 Monday–Thursday (Nov–Mar), 9 a.m.–5 p.m., (Apr–Oct) 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Available AV: sound system (with built-in speakers, wireless microphone, disk changer, iPod outlet), portable AV system – one projector and one large screen, flat screen TV’s. Dance floor. Outdoor patio with tables, chairs, portable fire ring, and café lighting.

Lawn games—bocce ball, ladder golf, and bean bag toss. Great Lawn, changing rooms, ample restrooms, room host on duty, free on-site parking. Alcohol must come from the approved caterer. No hard liquor.

Other fees: Alcohol fee, security guard, proof of insurance Washington County Parks 1515 Keats Ave N Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Phone: 651-430-8370 Email: parks@co.washington.mn.us Web: www.co.washington.mn.us The Nordic Center at Lake Elmo Park Reserve provides a beautiful indoor space for family gatherings or corporate events.

Nordic Center Available: April 1–October 31, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Rental Fee: Call for rental prices and other required fees.

Silverwood Great Hall

Security Deposit: none

Available: Year-round, 10 a.m.–midnight

A Washington County vehicle permit is required to enter the Washington County Parks.

Rental Fee:

50 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

MAKE NO SMALL PLANS The Sanford Sports Complex will soon be home to 18 full-sized turf fields for baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and more. The complex has over 1.6 million square feet of synthetic turf, making it one of the largest turf field projects in the United States!

LET’S SOAR

Coming Summer 2022!

Check out the video!

Architecture + Engineering + Environmental + Planning | ISGInc.com

bit.ly/SanfordSneakPeek Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation Parks Spring 2022 • MINNESOTA Recreation andand Parks 53 53

THANK YOU 2022 MRPA CORPORATE MEMBERS! ATE Recreation ateinstallations.com

Horizon Commercial Pool Supply horizonpoolsupply.com

B32 Engineering Group b32eng.com

ISG is-grp.com

Bituminous Roadways Inc. bitroads.com

ISSUU issuu.com

RJ Thomas/Pilot Rock pilotrock.com RJM Construction rjmconstruction.com Rock Hard Landscape Supply rockhardmn.com

NEW

Johnson Fitness johnsonfitness.com

Safety First Playground Surfacing LLC safetyfirstplayground.com

Kraus-Anderson krausanderson.com

Sport Court North sportcourtmn.com

Custom Builders Inc. custombuildersmn.com

Landscape Structures playlsi.com

Sports Lighting Authority sportslightingauthority.com

Custom Manufacturing Inc. custommfginc.com

LHB, Inc. lhbcorp.com

St. Croix Recreation stcroixrec.com

DF / Damon Farber Landscape Architects damonfarber.com

Minnesota Wisconsin Playground Inc. mnwiplay.com

Stantec stantec.com

Flagship Recreation LLC flagshipplay.com

MOTI Sports motisports.com

Gyms for Dogs gymsfordogs.com

Northland Recreation, LLC northlandrec.com

H+U Construction hu-construction.com

Nystrom Publishing nystrompublishing.com

Hiway Credit Union hiway.org

Oertel Architects, Ltd. oertelarchitects.com

Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. hkgi.com

Premier Polysteel premierpolysteel.com

Bolton & Menk, Inc. bolton-menk.com Commercial Recreation Specialists, Inc. crs4rec.com

Taylors Falls Recreation taylorsfallsboat.com Turman Artwork Company adamturman.com Ultimate Playgrounds ultimateplaygrounds.com USTA Northern northern.usta.com WSB & Associates, Inc. wsbeng.com

ADVERTISER INDEX Bolton & Menk .........................5 City of St. Louis Park ............32 City of Maple Grove............. 38 Commercial Recreation Specialists ............................. 26 Flagship Recreation.......... IBC Gyms for Dogs .....................8-9

NIOENS&OPATRKAS IN M AT RE C RE ISSUE 2 • SPRING

MINNESOTA N & PA RK S

RE C RE AT IO

2021

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unities Minnesota Comm • Aquatics in and Wright County • Dakota County ces Updates Natural Resour nections: • CorporateCon Engineering & cture Archite

Playground ............................ 33 MSU - Mankato..................... 20 Northland Recreation .........23 Premier Polysteel ................. 30 RJM Construction ................ 30 Safety First Playground Surfacing ..............................IFC

Sport Court North ......... 28-29 St. Croix Recreation .........10-11 Midwest Playscapes .......... BC Webber Recreational Design ..................................... 21 Ziegler CAT ............................. 26

Minnesota Recreation & Parks Magazine Connects MRPA Professionals and Suppliers

• SUMMER 2021

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ive Combating Invas in Minnesota

How tec H technology h changed has the w we w way work.

VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 3

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ISG ............................................27 Issuu .................................... 16-17 iZone Imaging ...................... 30 John Deere ............................. 15 Johnson Fitness .................... 14 Landscape Structures ...... IBC Minnesota Wisconsin

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54 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Be seen and stand out! See past issues on MRPA’s new website by scanning the QR code at right or by going to www.mnrpa.org/Publications.

Park and Recreation Suppliers: Interested in information about advertising? Contact Todd Pernsteiner to learn about value-added packages at todd@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111.

EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND PLAY.

At Landscape Structures, we believe that play is the best way to prepare for the future and all the dizzying opportunities tomorrow brings. Our new Revi™ products introduce an inclusive adventure in physics that offers spinning, bouncing and rocking through perpetual or self-propelled motion.

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©2022 Landscape Structures Inc. All rights reserved.

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