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- Edgewater Gardens Park
Edgewater Gardens Park
Overview
| Address | 138 Creek Park Lane |
|---|---|
| Start Date | June 2024 |
| End Date | November 2024 |
| Current Status | Implementation Planning |
| Park Type | Neighborhood Park |
| Size | 4.4 Acres |
| Special Use | Mississippi River Regional Trail |
Current Status
Edgewater Gardens Park is linear in shape and adjoins the Mississippi River Regional Trail. A pedestrian bridge provides a safe connection to nearby neighborhoods. A cell tower and stormwater management areas are also planned in or near the park. Open lawn spaces are shared with the adjacent church.
Recommendations and Estimate of Probable Costs
General recommendations include confirming an updated site layout with the neighborhood for an improved experience meeting a broad range of user groups and making use of the regional trail connection.
Recommendations include:
- Landscape enhancements with optional ornamental garden
- Convert turf to low-grow and/or bee-friendly mixture for open lawn spaces
- New expanded playground meeting broader range of challenge levels and age groups with ADA compliant playground surfacing (engineered wood fiber) and rubber surfacing or tiles at primary access points and high-wear areas
- Concrete playground border
- Relocated single tennis court (optional pickleball overlay)
- Relocated larger basketball court
- Exercise stations
- Picnic shelter with 4-6 tables (permanent restrooms optional)
- Four parallel parking stalls to allow for safety and accessibility due to larger service area
- Site furnishings with common characteristic (benches, tables, receptacles, bike racks, drinking fountain, etc.)
- Trailhead amenities (bike fix-it station, drinking fountain, kiosk, etc.)
- Expanded walks/trails for improved accessibility and loop route
- Optional community gardens with arbor seating and storage shed
- Wayfinding signs
- Security light
The estimate of probable costs for completing the recommendations shown range from approximately $550,000 to $773,000 for base preferred improvements and an additional $512,000 to $718,000 for deferred or alternate improvements.
Concept Plans:
A total of $50 million in possible park system improvements were identified in the Park Plan. Based on resident input, Fridley City Council directed staff to work with a Park Plan Refinement Task Force advisory group to recommend $30 million in park projects that would be most impactful to the community.
Further, a resident Finance Task Force recommended funding the park system improvement plan by issuing General Obligation (GO) Tax Abatement Bonds for $20 million in bond proceeds, being repaid over no more than 15 years, with an additional $10 million to come from other City of Fridley funds.
Tax abatement is a tool that can be used by cities to abate all or a portion of property taxes levied by the City for a given purpose, such as public infrastructure improvements. All taxpayers, whether identified as an abated parcel or not, will continue to pay property taxes as they normally would. Minnesota Statute 469.1813 gives cities authority for tax abatement, and this has become an increasingly common means of funding park improvements, as they provide benefit to all residents. A requirement is holding a public hearing for the consideration of tax abatement, and that was held on May 23, 2022.The bonds will be repaid over 15 years with annual debt service payments being levied for and it is likely there will be an increase in property taxes beginning in 2023.
This plan will provide many opportunities for expanded recreation programming, enjoyment of nature and social gatherings. Enhancing and modernizing the city park system will position Fridley as a great place to live, work and play now and for many years to come.
