Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Agenda and Packet

Community Development Department 222 Lewis Street River Falls, WI 54022 715.425.0900 www.rfcity.org PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA July 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Minutes of the June 17, 2026 meeting PUBLIC COMMENTS ACTION ITEMS 2. Park Dedication for Ironhorse Neighborhood (EW Homes) DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Kinnickinnic Off-Road Cyclists Annual Report – Presentation by Rick Cleary STAFF REPORTS 4. Conservation, Parks, and Public Works Staff Report CALENDAR The next Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be 08/19/2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT Council members may be in attendance for informational purposes only. No official Council action will be taken. NOTE: Any person who has a qualifying disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires the meeting or materials to be in an accessible location or format may contact City Clerk Amy White at (715) 426-3408 or in person at 222 Lewis Street for accommodations. Requests for accommodations should be made at least three (3) business days in advance of the meeting. Every effort will be made to arrange accommodations. Post: City Hall and City website 07/10/2026 Community Development Department 222 Lewis Street River Falls, WI 54022 715.425.0900 www.rfcity.org PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES June 17, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER Meeting convened at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Matt Janquart (Chair), Sean Downing (Council Rep), Phil Galli, Eli Guthrie, Melissa Pedrini, and Natasha Schaefer. Members Absent: Brenda Gaulke. Staff Present: Brooks Ostendorf - Conservation and Parks Manager, Kyle Mackey - Recreation Coordinator, and Brenda Rundle - Customer Service Representative. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. MSC Downing/Pedrini to approve the minutes of the May 20 , 2026 Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting. Unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENTS William Hansen of the Town of River Falls spoke about the turtles that lived at the bottom of Lake Louise and the renewable energy that is created by Junction Falls Dam. ACTION ITEMS 2. Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf shared information about park impact fees. In January of 2026 PRAB reviewed how park impact fees are collected and disbursed. At that time, PRAB voted to approve a new system in which funds are collected in a single fund and used at parks where needed (not necessarily the closest park). Currently $950,000 is available. $740,000 of that was previously approved by PRAB to fund a Glen Park Playground, Glen Park Multi -Use Sport Court, Sterling Ponds Picnic Shelter, DeSanctis Park Water Service, and two Dog Park Shade Structures. With the remaining balan ce of $210,000, s taff recommends moving forward with Glen Park phase 2, which includes removing the following: east bathrooms, open-air shelter, sand volleyball court, basketball court, and any pre-2019 play structures. Additions would include a multi-use sport court (floodable for winter skating), an open-air pavilion, a youth-only ballfield (no lights), and trail improvements from the swinging bridge to Cascade Ave. Parking lot improvements on the east side would no longer be included . Future improvements would still include the north trail loop, pool reconstruction, overlook, nature trail improvement, and another picnic shelter. Downing recommended a larger, higher -quality multi-sport court (with lights) to meet ice skating desires instead of a youth ball field. He also recommends incorporating landscaping to support pollinators. He feels a different location outside of Glen Park would be better for a ball field. Pedrini also recommends a ball field for all ages at a different location. Schaefer lives near the park and wonders if balls will end up in her yard or hitting someone in the park. She also wondered if there is enough parking to have a ball field at Glen Park. She too would recommend a different park. She also feels the east side of the park should have its own bathrooms . Schaefer would also like more information about the play structure. Brooks clarified that pollinator gardens would not be funded through park impact fees. Everyone seems to agree with the Cascade trail improvements , playground, multi-use sport court (floodable) and a shelter with bathrooms nearby but rejected the youth ballfield. Brooks indicated that specific details about approved amenities would be provided later, but for now seeks approval on the general plan for funding. MSC Schaefer/Downing to reaffirm its previous funding recommendations and recommend allocation of the additional available Park Impact Fee funds toward a multi- use park building, multi-use court, and W. Cascade Avenue improvements at Glen Park . Unanimous. DISCUSSION ITEMS STAFF REPORTS 3. Brooks gave Erica’s Public Works Maintenance Staff Report update that treatment of noxious weeds (thistle and wild parsnip) was completed at the Dog Park on June 9. The dog park reopened on June 11 at 4 p.m. The closure was communicated via social media and signs at the Dog Park. CALENDAR The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT MSC Galli/Pedrini to adjourn the meeting at 6:32 p.m. Unanimous. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Rundle, Customer Service Representative 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board FROM: Emily Shively, Assistant Director of Community Development DATE: July 15, 2026 ITEM: PARK DEDICATION FOR THE IRONHORSE NEIGHBORHOOD (EW HOMES) ON COUNTY HIGHWAY M AND 1060TH STREET INTRODUCTION Whenever a parcel of land is developed which involves any division of land by a certified survey map (CSM) or subdivision plat, a portion of the land or a fee is required for park dedication per Sec.16.20.010. If land for parks, playground, recreation, or open space purposes is not shown on the official map or in the Comprehensive Plan in the development area, the City can collect a dedication fee in lieu of land or use a combination of land and cash for park dedication to meet the recreation needs of the community. The role of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is to apply the goals and policies of the Focus River Falls Plans (Comprehensive Plan, Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and Outdoor Recreation Plan) and make a recommendation regarding park dedication to the Plan Commission and City Council. BACKGROUND In October 2025, Randal Johnson, on behalf of the Delbert and Elaine Johnson trusts, submitted a petition to annex approximately 55 acres of their land to the City of River Falls. They have been working with Mark Sylla of EW Homes on a development concept for a new neighborhood on their land. In December 2025, Plan Commission reviewed the annexation petition and made a recommendation to City Council that they approve the proposed annexation. Plan Commission reviewed the annexation to ensure that the location was contiguous to the City Boundary, and with guidance from the Comprehensive Plan, that the proposed use for a new neighborhood would be compatible with City goals and policies. On June 9, 2026, City Council passed an ordinance approving the annexation. The City Council reviewed a capital cost study that described the public infrastructure needed to serve the proposed neighborhood and a budget study that described the cost to pro vide public services (police, fire, library, parks) along with the revenue that may be generated by the development via property taxes. Taking all this into account, along with the Plan Commission recommendation, the decision was made to bring the property into the City. The next step is for the developer to create a concept plan for the neighborhood that shows the layout of new streets, areas for new homes, where stormwater will be handled to maintain surface water quality, and how the residents will connect with amenities such as parks and open spaces. This concept plan is now coming to Park Board in advance of finalizing a plat for the area which will formalize all of those elements and allow for development of the new neighborhood to commence. 2 2 NEW NEIGHBORHOOD: IRONHORSE The new neighborhood is located on the western side of the City, south of County Highway M at 1060 th Street. To the northeast is the Cernohous-Evan Wildlife Sanctuary and the paved trail to DeSanctis Park. Location Map – Subdivision area highlighted in blue: EW Homes has provided a preliminary concept plan for the development of the new neighborhood. The concept plan shows 30 townhomes in 2- and 4-unit buildings; 149 single-family lots of varying sizes; areas for stormwater management; a trail connection through the neighborhood to Discovery Drive; and a new City park (see the following page). The townhomes are located in the northwest corner of the neighborhood and would include a small play area (location shown in green on the following page) which may be similar to the one in the Sterling Heights neighborhood of Sterling Ponds. This part of the neighborhood would be built in the first phase. The single-family home lots vary in size to provide different housing types and styles throughout the neighborhood. The single-family homes would be built over time in two phases (first phase outlined in red; second phase outlined in blue on the following page). Areas for stormwater management where rainfall will be handled for the neighborhood are shown on the north and east side of the development (dark blue and light blue areas on the following page). A trail is provided that will run north-south through the neighborhood with connections to 1047th Street to the east, connect into and through a new City park, and then continue out to and along County Highway M to connect to the existing trail on Discovery Drive. The trail is shown as the thick black line with arrows on the following page. Sidewalks will also be provided on both sides of the new streets except where the trail is shown. DESANCTIS PARK IRONHORSE NEIGHBORHOOD ROLLING HILLS PARK 3 Ironhorse Neighborhood Concept Plan: 4 And finally, a new 2.3 acre neighborhood park is provided in the north -central part of the development (shown in green on the previous page). Single -family homes surround the park with trail connections leading into the park from the east and west. The proposed new City park will provide an open space amenity for the residents of the new neighborhood and the sidewalks and trail will connect residents from this and adjacent neighborhoods to the park and to the City trail system. It is anticipated tha t there will be an enhanced trail crossing of County Highway M to provide for a safer, more visible bicycle and pedestrian crossing – similar to the new connection between Legend Lane and Collins Park across Powell Avenue. In order to balance the goals of providing parks and open space amenities for new neighborhoods with the City’s goals of providing additional housing, a safe and connected transportation system, and efficient use of public infrastructure such as water, sanitary sewer, and roadways as outlined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Outdoor Recreation Plan, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, staff has worked with the developer on this neighborhood design to create a cohesive and connected new addition to the City. An outcome of this balancing is additional cash-in-lieu of park land that may be collected by the City along with park impact fees that can combine to provide needed funds to build out new park amenities. At the Park Board meeting on July 15 th, Conservation and Parks staff will facilitate a discussion with the Park Board about what types of features might be provided in the new park. Based on the concept plan, staff anticipates that a total of approximately $194,900 may be available for new park elements. • New park land dedication: 2.3 Acres • Cash-in-lieu of park land: $94,971.00 • Park impact fees: $99,933.52 • Total funds for park improvements: $194,904.52 The Park Board recommendation regarding park dedication will be considered by the Plan Commission and City Council as the development moves forward with a plat submittal. The Park Board can continue to have conversations about the design and amenities in the new City park with the goal of having a park plan and at least some park features ready for the first residents of the new neighborhood when they move in. SUMMARY The new Ironhorse neighborhood, located on the west side of the City at County Highway M and 1060 th Street, will provide new housing opportunities along with a new City Park and a new trail that will connect residents to the new park and the greater City park and trail system. The design of the new neighborhood has been informed by the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Outdoor Recreation Plan, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The Park Board has an opportunity to guide the types of amenities that may be provided in the new City park to complement other City neighborhood parks and create outdoor recreation opportunities for City residents. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to recommend approval of combination of new park land and cash-in-lieu of land be accepted for park dedication. MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board FROM: Brooks Ostendorf, Conservation and Parks Manager Erica Ellefson, Public Works Manager DATE: July 15, 2026 TITLE: Conservation, Parks, and Public Works Staff Report This staff report is specific to the Conservation, Parks, and Public Works Divisions. I) White Pathway Improvements a. Staff collaborated on landscape improvements of a section of White Pathway, located where there is an existing clearing with seating and a fishing pier. Staff cleared invasive and overgrown vegetation to improve visibility from the path to Lake George. Landscape plans were prepared to guide new concrete pads for picnic tables, decomposed granite hardscape, and new landscape areas. New plantings include over 300 native shrubs, perennials, and grasses to help restore the area and support pollinators. Exhibit A: planting plan for Heritage Park 4 II) Hoffman Park Softball Dugout Improvements a. As part of a coordinated volunteer effort, the River Falls 10U Baseball Team refreshed the dugouts at the softball fields in Hoffman Park. The dugouts were power washed and painted black. Thank you to the Baseball Team for their hard work! III) Bee City Gardens at DeSanctis Park a. On June 10 and June 26, Staff and volunteers planted over 600 native trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses at DeSanctis Park as a part of the City’s Bee City pollinator initiatives. This includes the first four of 10 pollinator gardens, including a Native Bee, Sensory, Hummingbird, and Sunflower garden. Thank you to our Bee City Committee and Volunteers for all their work in planning and planting the gardens! b. Electric Utility staff installed vinyl wraps of the 2026 Bee City Committee Pollinator Art Contest winners on three different utility boxes at DeSanctis Park. Winners include students at local elementary schools and were selected by the Committee for their artistic representations of pollinators. Community Development Department: June 2026 Page 1 of 2 Introduction This report is provided monthly to update the Plan Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and other interested parties on Community Development efforts of the past month as it relates to the City’s Strategic Initiatives and the Department work plan. 2026 Community Development Major Projects *Denotes a Council Strategic Initiative CONNECTED COMMUNITY Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan Phase I * o Senator Baldwin included the Kinni Corridor Project design funding in her list for 2027 congressionally directed spending initiatives. We’ll know more later this year if it advances. Safe Streets Action Plan* o The Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan was adopted by Council on May 12th. Glen Park Phase II* o Staff provided an update to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board concerning additional funds available through Park Impact Fee fund balance. Staff recommending using additional fund balance towards Glen Park Phase 02. PRAB forwarded a recommendation to Council to use fund balance for a new park shelter, W Cascade trail improvements, and a multi-purpose sport court. Locust Street design o Preliminary roadway design is complete. Engineering design is expected to be completed in Fall 2026. Mapping o Map of available sites for development o Map of current development in River Falls ECONOMIC VITALITY Downtown Project* o The Safe Streets for All Implementation Grant application has been submitted for a downtown reconstruction project. Continued Infill in Corporate Parks/Innovation Center Expansion* o Work with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) continues on the grant to expand the Innovation Center. o One April 28th the City Council approved the sale of a portion of Lot B in the Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park. Ensure sustained (re)development of the City from the prospect stage through construction o Brookgreen – Occupancy granted for Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and Clubhouse. Buildings 7-10 are under construction. o Oak Hill – 5 permits issued, 3 COs issued. o The Preserve – 0 permits issued, 3 COs issued o Thompson Heights – 0 permits issued, 3 COs issued o Wildflower Meadows – 2 permits issued o The Wildflower Meadows subdivision on Powell Avenue is under construction. Water and Sewer utilities are currently being installed. o An annexation petition submitted by the Delbert and Elaine Johnson trusts for approximately 55 acres south of CTH M at 1060th Street was approved by Council on June 9, 2026. o An application for a Planned Unit Development Specific Implementation Plan has been submitted for The Creamery – a brewery, taproom, and event center with four short-term rental units at W. Cedar Street and River Street. Plan Commission will review the request at their meeting on July 7, 2026. Community Development Department: June 2026 Page 2 of 2 o An application for s ite plan approval was submitted for The Whisk, a n approx imately 10,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Examine Impact Fees* o Finance Dept is working with a consultant to examine impact fees for development Economic Development o The Economic Development Manager is a member of RFEDC, WEDA, River Falls Chamber, and St. Croix Valley Innovation Center Management Committee. QUALITY MUNICIPAL SERVICES Library Remodel* o The majority of the library remodel is complete. Fire Station Remodel* o Fire Station demolition began the week of February 9th and is ongoing. Vertical pre-cast concrete walls are up and there will continue to be short term roadway closures on Second Street and Elm Street. Division Street crosswalks o The Safe Streets for All Action Plan includes a concept plan for an improved pedestrian crossing at East Division and Wasson Lane. WIDNR Urban Non-Point Source Pollution grant o MSA Professional Services is completing a City-wide phosphorus model to document compliance with our stormwater MS4 Permit. Stewardship of Public Infrastructure o The 2026 Mill and Overlay project was awarded to Lepke Trucking and Excavating. Work will occur starting in July and will occur on Paulson Road. City staff prepared a grant application and anticipates receiving a Wisconsin Local Roads Improvement Grant for $50,000 to support this project. Conservation and Parks Division o Staff and volunteers have installed the first four pollinator demonstration gardens at DeSanctis Park. The gardens are located at the Glover Station School House. The Community Development Department oversees the Plan Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Business Improvement District Board , Historic Preservation Commission , City Board of Appeals , Downtown Design Review Committee , Extraterritorial Zoning Committee (ETZ), Extra Territorial Board of Appeals, and River Falls Economic Development Corporation. BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED Permit Type JUNE YTD Permit Value JUNE Permit Value YTD Building Permits 41 146 $11,115,000 $32,229,000 New Home Permits 7 44 $1,860,000 $11,716,000